Category Archives: News

Transforming Cinematic Experiences: Live Your City Joins PVR INOX for Candlelight Concerts

Mumbai, India, 12 December 2024 – Candlelight Concerts by Live Your City, a brand under the American company Fever, has partnered with PVR INOX, India’s leading cinema chain, to bring an innovative musical experience to audiences in Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Mumbai. These captivating performances aim to transform premium cinema venues into intimate, candlelit spaces, offering audiences a fresh and immersive way to experience live music.

 Set to captivate audiences of all ages, these concerts will feature iconic movie soundtracks and tribute performances celebrating legendary artists like Kishore Kumar, RD Burman, Queen, and ABBA, the concerts invite audiences to rediscover timeless melodies in an intimate and unforgettable setting.

 By bringing live music into cinema theatres, this one-of-a-kind initiative taps into the growing demand for performances that transcend traditional entertainment boundaries. With a rising appetite among audiences to explore new ways of enjoying music, this collaboration between Candlelight Concerts and PVR INOX is perfectly poised to meet this demand. The concept not only offers a fresh way to experience live music but also enriches India’s cultural entertainment scene, providing audiences with the opportunity to reconnect with iconic classics in a new and engaging setting.

 Deepa Bajaj, Country Manager of Live Your City India, remarked, “We are thrilled to bring our renowned Candlelight Concerts to PVR INOX theatres, marking a significant milestone in making live arts experiences accessible to local audiences in their favoured legacy venues for entertainment. This partnership aligns with our vision to bring innovative and immersive entertainment outside traditional spaces to reach larger audiences. By blending the magic of live music with the comfort and luxury of PVR theatres, we are setting a new benchmark in audience engagement.”

 Nayana Bijli, Content Acquisition Director at PVR INOX, commented,

 “This partnership with Candlelight Concerts reimagines how our theaters can be experienced, turning them into unique venues for intimate, live performances. It’s an opportunity for us to offer audiences something extraordinary—an experience that combines the elegance of our spaces with the magic of live music.”

 PVR INOX theatres, renowned for their premium settings, provide the perfect backdrop for Candlelight Concerts. With a thoughtful curation of comfort and acoustics, these venues promise an intimate yet impactful musical experience. The first performances are scheduled for the weekend of 31st January to 2nd February 2025 in Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Mumbai. As the collaboration evolves, Candlelight Concerts and PVR INOX aim to explore new avenues to bring exceptional and diverse offerings to audiences across the country.

The Malaka Lit Fest in Pune: A Dynamic Fusion of Literature, Travel, and Biking Culture

Pune, December 2024: The vibrant Malaka Lit-Fest, organized in collaboration by The Quill Collective and Malaka Spice, brings an exciting series of events celebrating literature, travel enthusiasts, bikers, creative minds, and children. Set across multiple days in December, the festival offers a unique opportunity to engage with authors, travellers, bikers, and creative writing enthusiasts, and includes a Book Exhibition of bestselling books all December long at Koregaon Park and Kharadi.

The festival kicks off with an Open Mic & Author Round Table on Sunday, 15th December, at Malaka Spice, Koregaon Park, from 5 PM to 8 PM. This event features a roundtable discussion with renowned authors such as Jasbir Basu, Col. Ashish Raisinghani, Natansh Dubey, Amol Kulkarni, Jiyyad Shahul and Sanjay Lazar. Hosted by Nilshree Yelulkar, the evening will include an engaging open mic session by Kalamanach and a book signing opportunity for attendees.

On Wednesday, 18th December, the focus shifts to travel with Travelgram –The travel & rewards event. It will have Round Table Talks at Malaka Spice, Kharadi, from 5 PM to 8 PM. Travel enthusiasts can look forward to discussions with experts like Neil Borate, Jay @trickytrade, Vandana Vijay, Ameya Bothara, Sanjal Shashtri, Priti Jain, Kumar Shah, Col. Raisinghani and others, covering topics such as solo travels, backpacking, reward points, and How to earn your Free Holidays using credit cards.

Saturday, 21st December, will feature two engaging workshops. The morning begins with a Creative Writing Workshop for Kids from 10 AM to 1130 AM at Malaka Spice, Koregaon Park. Hosted by noted educationists Sujata Taterh, Nilshree Yelulkar, and Alisha, the workshop opens the world of creative writing and blogging to young minds. Later, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, adults can join the Creative Writing Workshop led by Siddharth Sen, Sanjay Lazar, and Alisha, which will cover creative writing, editing, and self-publishing, followed by a author book signing session.

The evening of 21st December brings the Curtain Call Micro Play & Poetry Open Mic at Malaka Spice, Kharadi, from 5 PM to 8 PM. Curtain Call will present a micro play on literary icons Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam, followed by a poetry open mic session by Fateful Connections and Curtain Call.

The festival culminates on Sunday, 22nd December, with Bikers Tales at Malaka Spice, Koregaon Park, from 5 PM to 8 PM. This session will bring together celebrated bikers such as Urvashi Patole, Rajeshree Rele, Kumar Shah, and Col. Raisinghani amongst others for an engaging discussion. The event will also feature a book launch by Sanjay Lazar and others, an open mic session, author signings. There will be an exclusive parking zone for the majestic motorcycles of the attendees.

Shining in NCC: Noida International University Students Lead the Way in Cadet Corps Achievements

Three cadets from Noida International University (NIU) have been selected for the prestigious NCC Republic Day Camp (RDC) and shortlisted for Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) from UP Directorate, Ghaziabad group. This remarkable achievement underscores the exceptional talent and dedication of NIU NCC Cadets .

 All three students have been selected for the Republic Day Camp which is currently undergoing the training at Panchsheel Balak Inter College, Noida . The camp began from 9th -28th December 2024 ,further they will move to Delhi cantt DG NCC, Dhaula kuan, New Delhi for regular practice at rajpath for their final day performance i.e on 26th Jan Republic Day celebration 2025 The students were brought to take the blessings from the leaders of NIU during their training break.

 Dr. Vikram Singh, Chancellor, Noida International University said,’ Noida International University (NIU) is proud to announce a momentous achievement that highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of our students. On behalf of NIU, he extended the heartfelt congratulations to Gautam Krishna, Nikhil Bhati, and Saran Bahadur. Their success is a proud moment for the university’s commitment to nurturing excellence in its students. He also encouraged cadets and wished them good luck for their completion of their Matching PM rally followed by high tea with the honourable Prime Minister.

 Prof. (Dr.) Uma Bhardwaj, Vice-Chancellor, Noida International University and Dr. Mukesh Parashar, Registrar, Noida International University congratulated the cadets for their outstanding accomplishment and lauded their hard work and dedication. They also encouraged them to excel further and bring laurels to the university and the nation.

 The success of these cadets is a remarkable achievement to NIU’s commitment to excellence and its support for holistic student development. This proud achievement was celebrated with great enthusiasm at NIU, where the students were blessed and honored, added Lt. Pratima Pandey, Dean Student Welfare & Director of Sports.

 Out of 11 cadets chosen from the Uttar Pradesh State Directorate, Gautam Krishna (School of Engineering and Technology) and Nikhil Bhati (School of Allied Health Sciences) have secured spots in YEP. Also, Saran Bahadur (School of Business Management) has been named as a reserve candidate.

 The YEP is an international camaraderie and cultural exchange program in collaboration with 15 countries, including Nepal, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Russia, Bhutan, Maldives, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Each year, 183 cadets are selected nationwide via a tough & rigorous process at the Republic Day Camp (RDC), assessing drill performance, personality, general knowledge, written tests, and communication skills.

SOG Grandmasters South Teams Up with Robin Uthappa for Bengaluru’s Inaugural Zonal Finals on December 18-19

Bengaluru, 12th December 2024: Former Indian cricket star Robin Uthappa will be the face of the inaugural SOG Grandmasters Series’ South 1 Zonal Finals, an initiative of the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), scheduled for December 18-19 at the Sheraton Grand in Whitefield, Bengaluru. Along with Uthappa’s strong star power and overwhelming response through their registrations for the online qualifiers of the southern zone championship, the tournament will celebrate exceptional talents and unearth mind sports athletes and promote excellence nationwide.

The inaugural SOG Grandmasters Series registrations indicated significant interest across all categories. Over 55,000 players signed up for free online pre-qualifiers of Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) and Indian Chess Masters (ICM), highlighting their increasing popularity as cognitive skill-based mind sports. The top 125 from the total registered players, who played the Online Qualifiers for IRG and ICM will travel to Bangalore for the Zonal finals. In addition, the Chess for the Blind event, organised by the All-India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) served as pre-qualifiers to the Indian Chess Masters for the Blind (ICMB), from which 16 top players have been shortlisted for the South Zonal Finals.

Robin Uthappa to Bat for SOG Grandmasters South as Bengaluru Hosts Inaugural Zonal Finals on December 18-19

Bengaluru, 10th December 2024: Former Indian cricket star Robin Uthappa will be the face of the inaugural SOG Grandmasters Series’ South 1 Zonal Finals, an initiative of the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), scheduled for December 18-19 at the Sheraton Grand in Whitefield, Bengaluru. Along with Uthappa’s strong star power and overwhelming response through their registrations for the online qualifiers of the southern zone championship, the tournament will celebrate exceptional talents and unearth mind sports athletes and promote excellence nationwide.

The inaugural SOG Grandmasters Series registrations indicated significant interest across all categories. Over 55,000 players signed up for free online pre-qualifiers of Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) and Indian Chess Masters (ICM), highlighting their increasing popularity as cognitive skill-based mind sports. The top 125 from the total registered players, who played the Online Qualifiers for IRG and ICM will travel to Bangalore for the Zonal finals. In addition, the Chess for the Blind event, organised by the All-India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) served as pre-qualifiers to the Indian Chess Masters for the Blind (ICMB), from which 16 top players have been shortlisted for the South Zonal Finals.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Shankar Aggarwal, President of SOGF said: “Having Robin Uthappa, a World Cup-winning cricketer known for his resilience and mental strength, represent the SOG Grandmasters South Regional Finals is a powerful way to inspire the next generation of mind sports athletes. Robin’s story of overcoming challenges and excelling on the global stage will motivate participants to aim higher, with the dream of representing India. His presence bridges traditional sports and skill-based online games, helping to popularize these disciplines and encourage more players to step forward. The overwhelming response to the Grandmasters Series reflects India’s growing passion for skill-based sports, and we are committed to creating an inclusive platform that nurtures this talent and propels it onto the global stage.”

Uthappa, a World Cup-winning cricketer known for his swashbuckling playing style, a popular TV Commentator and a strong advocate for mental health, serves as a powerful source of inspiration for the youth, as he becomes the face of the SOG Grandmasters South Regional Finals. As a champion of ethical playing and mental health and a proponent of resilience, hard work and making dreams come true, Uthappa exemplifies the values of focus, strategy, and perseverance that are essential in skill-based gaming.

Speaking about the event, Uthappa said, “Mind sports are truly unique in how they celebrate cognitive skills. The SOG Grandmasters Series is a remarkable platform that highlights the power of strategy, focus, and mental resilience—qualities I deeply value both as a cricketer and as an advocate for mental well-being. This series not only showcases exceptional talent across India, but also nurtures the competitive spirit and creates new opportunities to unearth and spotlight talent in the mind sports arena. I’m excited to be part of this initiative and am eager to witness the next generation of champions rise from such an initiative.”

The South 1 Zonal Finals will be a lan event with “phygital” experience, blending physical and digital formats under one roof. The Bengaluru event will be followed by Zonal finals in other zones, with the finalists–two from chess for Men, two from Chess for Women, two from Chess for the Blind, and six from Online Rummy in each zone – competing in the Nationals in April 2025 in New Delhi.

India’s Favorite Trends in 2024: Instagram’s Year-in-Review Highlights the Double-Taps

2024 was a remarkable year for India, marked by an explosion of creativity and innovation on Instagram that resonated globally. At the Meta Festival in Mumbai, we shared Instagram’s 2024 Year-in-Review.

 India Goes Global & The World Goes Desi

Instagram was abuzz with exciting global collaborations, featuring Indian artists teaming up with international stars to create mesmerizing music. These partnerships not only showcased the diversity of Indian talent but also highlighted the universal language of music. Some notable collaborations included Diljit Dosanjh’s collaboration with American rapper Saweetie for the song ‘Khutti’, King’s collaboration with American artist Nick Jonas for the song ‘Maan Meri Jaan’ and Harsh Likhari’s collaboration with Canadian artist Connor Price for the song ‘Customs’.

 In a fascinating turn of events, the world continued to go desi, with Indian trends going global. The Asoka makeup trend was one such example, with creators in countries like Indonesia, Nigeria, and Slovakia trying it out. Creators in Japan were also lip-syncing to dialogues from Bollywood movies like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Furthermore, foreign creators like Drew Hicks and Agu Stanley created content in Indian languages, showcasing how the world is embracing all things desi.

 Regional Music Fueled A Creative Explosion

From chart-topping hits to regional favorites, the country’s diverse musical landscape was on full display. While tracks like ‘Big Dawgs’ and ‘Taambdi Chaambdi’ got global attention, regional music drove a lot of national cheer. Haryanvi track ‘Jale 2’, Punjabi track ‘Ve Haaniyaan’, Marathi track like ‘Gulabi Sadi’, Tamil track ‘Aasa Kooda’, and Bhojpuri track ‘Bandookk’, drive 9.7 million, 3.9 million, 3.8 million, 1.8 million and 1.7 million reels respectively.

 Other breakaway music included ‘Tauba Tauba’ from the movie ‘Bad Newz’, ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ from the movie ‘Stree 2’ and ‘Nadaaniyan’ by Akshath Acharya. These tracks had 3 million, 2.3 million, and 2.2 million reels created with them respectively.

A Year Of Entertainment – From Nostalgic Re-releases, To New Blockbusters

Movies and TV shows capture the zeitgeist of the times like no other, and 2024 seemed like the year of embracing both old favorites and new releases. The re-release of movies like Rockstar and Laila Majnu brought back memories for many, while the 30th anniversary of the iconic series FRIENDS was celebrated by fans worldwide. The ever-expanding memes from the movie Hera Pheri continued to entertain audiences, showcasing the enduring appeal of these beloved titles.

 Among the new releases, the third season of the series Mirzapur and Panchayat, as well as Laapataa Ladies, received widespread acclaim for its talent and Oscar entry. These shows captivated audiences with their engaging storylines and memorable characters.

 Celebrating A Year Of Diverse Triumphs

Indians continued to demonstrate their unrelenting enthusiasm for sports, with each passing year witnessing a growing diversity in their interests. This year was no exception, as the nation came together to cheer on their favorite teams and athletes across various disciplines. This year the nation undeniably cheered the Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup, they also celebrated Olympians such as Manu Bhaker and Neeraj Chopra, and toasted to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) win at the first Women’s Premier League.

 Trailblazers Who Captivated India This Year

Every year, a new crop of talented individuals emerges from the shadows to capture the nation’s attention. These rising stars are not overnight sensations, but rather talented individuals who have been honing their craft for years. An unexpected turn of events catapulted them to national recognition, and 2024 was no exception. These trailblazers were Hanumankind, Nancy Tyagi, Dolly Chai Wala, and the Vada Pao Girl, whose unique talents and personalities left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.

BCAS Partners with SGA PR to Drive Industry Leadership and Advocate for a Robust Indian Financial System

Mumbai, 12th December 2024: Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society (BCAS), India’s largest and oldest voluntary professional body of Chartered Accountants, has joined hands with SGA PR, one of the fastest growing communication consultancies in India, to create further awareness about the pivotal role it is playing in the fields of accounting, tax and finance thereby strengthening the economic fabric of India.

SGA PR, as an exclusive communications partner for BCAS, has been entrusted with the role of positioning BCAS as the key industry voice representing the community of chartered accountants in the country besides highlighting all the developmental programmes that the body does to strengthen the Indian financial ecosystem and shape the future of the professionals.

SGA PR is part of the 14-year-old Strategic Growth Advisors Group which has pioneered investor relations and compliance communications practices in India. BCAS is yet another marquee name in the BFSI portfolio of SGA PR which already manages some leading corporates across mutual funds, housing finance, NBFCs and fintechs among others.

“Our association with BCAS started during their 75th anniversary celebrations as we were privileged to be the communications partner for one of the biggest congregations of chartered accountants in India – Reimagine 2024. The association has today fructified into a strong partnership between the two organisations. Our endeavour will be to bring to the fore some of the pioneering work that BCAS has been undertaking that will shape the future of finance in the country.” says Rahul Jain, Partner & Jt. CEO, SGA PR.

BCAS is a not-for-profit professional body that is led by a team of practicing chartered accountants with many of them being regarded as stalwarts in their respective domains. It constitutes of 10 different committees across Direct Tax, Indirect Tax, Accounting & Auditing, Internal Audit, Corporate & Allied Laws and International Taxation among others. For the last 75 years, the body has been working closely with the central government and various state governments, academia and industry professionals to further strengthen the financial ecosystem of the country.’

CA Anand Bathiya, President at BCAS, said, “Ever since its foundation, BCAS has supported the Government of India and the various state governments with research backed inputs and expert opinions on several financial policy parameters. Over the years, we have been playing a distinct role in shaping the financial policy of the country besides also working tirelessly towards the professional development of our young CA colleagues. In SGA PR, we have found the perfect partner to convey our unique story to the broader community that will strongly highlight the ethos and legacy of our great organisation. SGA’s expertise in compliance communications has further reinforced our confidence in them and we look forward to a long partnership.”

Mercedes-Benz R&D India Commemorates 10 Years of Advancing Road Safety Through Accident Research

India, December 12, 2024 – Emphasising its commitment to enhancing road safety awareness, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) — the largest research and development centre for Mercedes-Benz Group AG outside Germany — celebrated 10 years of its Accident Research team in India at the Mercedes-Benz SAFE ROADS India Summit 2024 in Bengaluru.

Road safety continues to be a pressing concern in India. In 2023, there were over 4.8 lakh road accidents, which claimed 1.72 lakh lives[1]. Our accident investigations in India show that 95% of the driver and front passengers who used seat belts were uninjured, revealing the power of passive safety systems.

Research and innovation in road safety are bridging the gap between risk and safety. Established as the digital hub of global accident research operations, the Accident Research team in India specialises in accident reconstruction, anonymisation, and data analytics across various accident databases, enabling the evaluation of safety system effectiveness under diverse Indian road conditions. Starting active accident investigations in 2019, the team has investigated 52 critical accident cases, including seven involving electric vehicles. A significant milestone includes the first EQS accident investigation, an event that underscored the team’s expertise in emerging automotive technologies. By comparing accident data, the team gains insights into typical accident and deformation patterns, aiding the development of more effective protection systems and enhancing the safety of future Mercedes-Benz vehicle models.

“Road safety is a global challenge that demands localised understanding and actionable solutions. At Mercedes-Benz, our ultimate purpose transcends technology; it’s saving human lives. MBRDI’s decade-long accident research provides crucial insights in fulfilling this purpose. With safety embedded in its core ethos, Mercedes-Benz uses data-driven innovation to address the unique challenges of diverse markets while advancing the collective vision of accident-free mobility by 2050. This milestone marks an important step in translating that vision into reality for India and beyond,” said Prof. Dr. Paul Dick, Director of Vehicle Safety, Durability, Corrosion Protection, Mercedes-Benz AG.

Building on the legacy of 55 years of the Accident Research team in Germany, the India team handles end-to-end responsibilities for Indian accident cases and has developed deep learning-based image anonymisation with over 80% accuracy. With tools such as Xentry diagnostics and Python-based accident data analysis, Mercedes-Benz is leveraging and developing technologies to accelerate the implementation of vehicle safety improvements. The team also uses 3D scanning with Scaniverse, real-time digital data entry, and augmented reality through VuZix smart glasses for efficient global collaboration. e-Call data ensures precise accident tracking, while sophisticated anonymisation techniques protect privacy.

Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India said, “We believe that road safety is not just a priority but a shared responsibility. SAFE ROADS is a testament to our commitment to raising awareness, increasing collaboration, and taking an insights-driven approach to address India’s unique road safety challenges. Our teams conduct meticulous critical accident data collection and analyses, enabling us to identify patterns and develop impactful solutions. By integrating technology and partnerships, we are not just enhancing the safety capabilities of our vehicles but are also driving a shift towards safer road practices in India.”

The Mercedes-Benz SAFE ROADS India Summit is part of the nationwide SAFE ROADS initiative launched in 2015, bringing together policymakers, academia, industry, NGOs, and students to foster dialogue and showcase innovative solutions for road safety. A distinguished panel featuring Piyush Tewari, Founder & CEO, SaveLIFE Foundation, M. N. Anucheth, IPS, Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic), Bengaluru, and Pramod Reddemreddy, Director of Marketing, Strategy & Innovation, Bosch Mobility India explored the significance of in-depth data for improved safety.

SAFE ROADS India Summit 2024 also included a student ideathon on road safety, where a team from IIT Madras emerged the winner for their idea on LiDAR-based terrain drop-off detection for ADAS. This uses high-precision sensors to map real-time terrain and alert drivers to hazards in hilly regions. The first runner-up from IIT Hyderabad shared the idea of a dynamic driver feedback system leveraging artificial intelligence to integrate vehicle kinematic characteristics and driver behaviour, providing real-time recommendations for safer driving. The second runner-up, also from IIT Madras, proposed a geo-fencing solution that automatically enforces speed limits in sensitive areas such as school zones and residential neighbourhoods by communicating with a vehicle’s electronic control unit. These ideas demonstrate cutting-edge approaches to improving road safety through advanced technology and intelligent systems.

Goyal Salt to Establish Major Plant in Gandhidham with Rs 80 Crore Investment

Jaipur, December 12, 2024: Goyal Salt Limited, leading FMCG player which specializes in salt, is investing ₹80 crore to set up a large salt manufacturing plant in Gandhidham near salt capital of Kutch with a capacity of 4,50,000 MT. Spread over 12 acres of land, the plant is at trial run stage and expected to be operational by end of January 2025. With this plant, Goyal Salt is going to be the largest player in natural salt in India.

Besides Gandhidham plant, the company has one unit in Nawa City spread over in 15 acres solely dedicated for salt refining, raw salt storage and refined salt packaging with a capacity of 2,10,000 MT p.a.

Goyal Salt produces premium industrial and edible salts which Includes Triple Refined Free Flow Iodized Salt, Industrial Salt, Double Fortified Salt, and Triple Refined Half Dry Salt. It has built a robust presence in North India with presence in Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. It is ambitiously eyeing a spot among the top 3 salt brands in India, as it continues to strengthen the brand in Western part of the country like Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Pramesh Goyal, Managing Director said, “Gandhidham offers a conducive business environment and continues to be a top destination for investments. This new plant is a key step in our expansion, fostering growth in Western and Eastern parts of the country like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha and Assam.

The new Gandhidham facility represents a substantial investment of ₹ 80 crore, underscoring our commitment to make Goyal Salt a household name in India. The plant is equipped with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure designed to meet the high standards of salt production, ensuring that we continue to deliver world-class products to our customers.”

India is currently the third largest salt producing country, a position that reflects its strong performance and growth potential. While, Goyal Salt has been focusing on increasing its production capacity, expanding its product portfolio and market presence.

Beauty Garage Professional Takes Center Stage as Runway Partner at Cosmoprof India 2024

Mumbai, December 12, 2024 – Beauty Garage Professional, the only Indian hair care brand at Cosmoprof India 2024, stood out at the global event held at Jio World Convention Center, Mumbai. The brand showcased its extensive product range and highlighted its recent acquisition of Gofab Genesis LLP.

As the official Runway Partner for Runway for Cosmoprof Awards by Cosmoprof India, Beauty Garage Professional added glamour to the event, featuring designs by Geisha Designs by Paras and Shalini A special highlight was CEO and Co-Founder of Beauty Garage Professional, Mahesh Ravaria walking the ramp, symbolizing the brand’s innovation and spirit.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahesh Ravaria said, “Cosmoprof India 2024 has been an incredible platform to showcase our products and connect with global industry leaders. Walking the ramp as the sponsor partner of the Runway by Cosmoprof India was a unique and proud moment, reflecting our brand’s journey and aspirations. We are committed to representing India on a global stage through innovation and excellence.”

Cosmoprof India 2024 provided a vibrant platform for networking, collaboration, and celebrating creativity in the beauty industry. Beauty Garage Professional’s participation and its distinctive “Made in India” identity resonated strongly among attendees, cementing its reputation as a trailblazer in the hair care space.

Axis Bank Projects 7% Growth for FY26, Highlighting Local Drivers Amid Global Economic Uncertainty

Nagpur, December, 2024: Pegging growth at an above-consensus 7% in FY26, Axis Bank’s Chief Economist Neelkanth Mishra finds support for the domestic economy in capital formation boosted by a capex cycle reboot, and tailwinds from back-ended fiscal spending in FY25, and the CRR cut and likely further macro-prudential easing helping revive credit growth. In the bank’s India Economic and Market Outlook 2025 report, Mishra and co-authors Prateek Ancha, Tanay Dalal, Pulkit Kapoor and Smriti Mehra highlight heightened global uncertainty in trade, elevated interest rates, slowing growth and deflation risks in China, and currency volatility. However, they believe the major drivers of India’s economy getting back to its trend growth rate of 7% remain local.

Report Highlights

•  Current global growth forecasts show stability, but uncertainty about US policy after 20-Jan clouds visibility.
• Uncertainty in global trade and financial markets likely to remain elevated; higher global rates and USDINR volatility likely.
• 1HFY25 slowdown was driven by unintended fiscal and credit tightening: fiscal spending is already rising, and the CRR cut should ease growth headwinds arising from a shortage of money.
•  The tailwinds from back-ended fiscal spending in FY25, and better credit growth, supported by expected further macro-prudential easing should help the economy reach its potential growth rate of 7% in FY2026.

Uncertain global economic environment; window of opportunity for reforms in India

• Global growth in CY25E is currently projected to be unchanged from CY24 at 3.2%, with the trend growth ~30-40 bps below pre-Covid levels.
•  Under the new US President, who has won a mandate to course-correct or disrupt trade, taxes, regulations, immigration and energy among others, policy pronouncements after 20-Jan-25 are key. Even if their contours and likely impact are uncertain.
•  Trade tariffs may be ineffective in isolation (fiscal deficits, exchange rates and industrial policy matter too), but can indeed disrupt global trade growth. Global trade growth since 2016 has ben driven primarily by the US (imports) and China (exports) post 2016.
• In India, a nearly empty state-election calendar provides a window to push reforms.

Financial uncertainty, higher rates, USDINR volatility

•  Neutral rates have risen by more than 1 percent point across developed economies and may remain well above those seen last decade.
•  In India, we do not see inflation easing quickly: over the long term, core and food price indices move together.
• Though food relative to core, and vegetables relative to food, are both at cyclical highs, the supply response may lag the demand boost from income-transfer schemes.
•  Better demand-supply for government bonds though should help reduce yields. We expect USDINR volatility to rise, though it would be unwise to expect USD strength to last the year.

Cyclical rebound to push growth back to trend

•  1H FY24 loss in momentum for the Indian economy is cyclical, and due to unintended fiscal and monetary tightening; the latter due to a focus on macro stability risks which hurt credit growth.
• Fiscal spending is already rising and the CRR cut should ease growth headwinds.
•  We forecast above-consensus 7% growth in FY26, with capital formation boosted by the restart of the capex cycle and tailwinds from back-ended fiscal spending in FY25, supported by further macro-prudential easing to help re-accelerate credit growth.

‘India Economic and Market Outlook 2025: Turbulence globally, while drivers remain local’ – Neelkanth Mishra, Prateek Ancha; Tanay Dalal, Pulkit Kapoor, Smriti Mehra. December 10, 2024, Axis Bank Ltd.