Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited Wins Big at ABBY 2025 with ‘Dukaan It Yourself’

28 May 2025, Mumbai – Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited (KNPL), one of the leading Indian paint companies, has won top honours at the prestigious ABBY 2025, with 1 Grand Prix, 4 Gold, 2 Silver, and 5 Bronze awards. The recognition comes for its groundbreaking Dukaan It Yourself initiative, developed in collaboration with Tribes Communication, which looks at transforming retail spaces and empowering small vendors.

Launched at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the Dukaan It Yourself campaign addressed a critical challenge faced by local vendors, of visibility in crowded marketplaces. Kansai Nerolac’s foldable, larger-than-life shade cards, enabled vendors to convert makeshift stalls into organised retail shops with eye-catching and vibrant displays, signage, and ample storage. The initiative not only enhanced vendor identity but also further helped boost footfalls and improve livelihoods.

The campaign’s success was reflected in its stellar performance at the ABBY. Over the course of three days, Kansai Nerolac secured wins in multiple categories, including OOH, Design, Branded Content and Entertainment, Public Relations, and Design. The winning streak culminated with a Grand Prix, in Brand Activation and Promotions (FMCG – Personal Care, Homecare, Healthcare & Others), on day 3. Its award tally further included Gold in Best Use of Experiential Events, Creative Positioning via Events, OOH (Ambient Media), and Small Budget, Big Impact Marketing. The tally concluded with two silvers and five bronze awards, among others, further solidifying its impact.

Ramakrishna Naik, Chief Marketing Officer, Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited, said, “Dukaan It Yourself is more than a campaign for us at Kansai Nerolac. We look at it as a movement that celebrates and champions entrepreneurship, creativity, and community upliftment, which makes this awards sweep even more meaningful. Winning at ABBY 2025 is a testament to our commitment towards innovation and in creating impactful experiences that resonate with people. It also is a recognition of the dedication and hard work of the team.”

“We launched the initiative at Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, with the purpose of contributing in a small yet meaningful way at the most iconic symbol of India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. These awards validate our efforts and are an honour that reinforces the impact we aimed to achieve”, he added.

Gour Gupta, Managing Director & Chairman, Tribes Communication said, “We didn’t set out to win the most awards, we set out to solve a problem for a brand that trusted us. At Tribes, we’ve always told stories that are proudly Indian, in colour, character, and conviction. As an independent agency, we pour ourselves into every campaign. And when that passion is recognised on such a global stage, it reminds us why we started — to create work that connects, moves, and matters. This is a win powered by partnership. Together, we’ve proven what’s possible when passion meets purpose.”

With over 4.1 million digital views and a double-digit month-on-month sales growth in Uttar Pradesh during the campaign period, Dukaan It Yourself has set a new benchmark in retail activations and brand engagement for Kansai Nerolac. Thanks to eco-conscious designs of the store fronts, it also achieved an 89% reduction in emissions compared to conventional MDF-based setups, reinforcing Kansai Nerolac’s commitment to sustainable innovation.

Medhavi Skills University, AIRSC Partner to Launch Global Rail Safety Centre

New Delhi, May 28, 2025: In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming railway safety and skill-based education in India, Medhavi Skills University (MSU) and the All India Rail Safety Council (AIRSC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 24×7 Global Center of Excellence in Rail Safety, Technology, and Management. This partnership marks a big leap forward in training a new group of world-class experts ready to tackle the changing needs of the railway industry.

The strategic partnership between MSU and AIRSC combines MSU’s expertise in job-ready education with AIRSC’s strong focus on enhancing rail safety. The collaboration aims to work together to create and offer UG, PG degree programs for college students and graduates that are aligned with the industry needs. MSU and AIRSC will together curate curriculum to develop special training courses and start new research projects. These programs will be part of the AIRSC Academy of Safety and Disaster Management, which is the learning branch of the All India Rail Safety Council. India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 serves as a blueprint for this partnership, which aims to make education more flexible, groundbreaking, and relevant in real time.

The programs will reach students through a three-pronged approach: Online, Blended, and Manual (traditional classroom). This setup ensures that learners across the country can access, adapt to, and build strong practical foundations. To help deliver content, track progress, and engage with specific industries, the partnership will also set up a digital learning portal. As part of this effort, MSU will provide AIRSC-approved courses at its campuses, partner institutions, and authorized centers across the country to boost India’s rail safety and operations.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kuldip Sarma, Co-Founder and Pro-Chancellor of MSU said, “This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to developing skill-based learning via innovation and industry collaboration. We’re launching a 24×7 Global Center of Excellence in Rail Safety Education by combining MSU’s workforce development vision and AIRSC’s rail safety expertise, offering flexible, job ready programs, structured internships, and dedicated placements to bridge training with global employment opportunities in the rail sector.”

Dr. R. Padmanabhan, Chairman of the AIRSC, is leading the partnership with a clear vision pushing for better rail safety and modern infrastructure in India. Dr. R. Padmanabhan, said, “Our partnership with Medhavi Skills University is a big step forward in our goal to improve safety in Indian Railways and prepare it for the future. By bringing academic knowledge into safety measures and planning rail infrastructure, we want to create a new group of railway experts who are skilled on a global level and focused on safety.”

As per a June 2023 PTI news report, over 2.74 lakh posts in the Railways remain vacant, more than 1.7 lakh of them in the vital safety category, highlighting the urgent need for robust skill development initiatives to bridge the talent gap and strengthen the safety and efficiency of India’s railway network. This agreement not only seeks to raise safety standards but also lays the foundation for a transformative partnership, integrating multidisciplinary education and research in railway technology and management.

Thomas Cook & SOTC Unveil 2025 India Travel Trends in Latest Holiday Report

Mumbai, May 28, 2025: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company SOTC Travel, have released their India Holiday Report 2025 – a comprehensive study capturing the evolving aspirations and travel behaviour of Indian consumers. The survey conducted across digital platforms covering over 2500 respondents (a combination of past Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel customers, as well as non-customers) over a duration of one month, reflects a significant shift driven by rising disposable incomes and the growing aspirational value of travel, including experiential holidays.

 With 85% of Indians planning to increase their frequency of holidays and a significant number intending to boost budgets by up to 50%—the report paints a picture of a booming travel economy. Experiential and event-led travel such as polar/ icebreaker cruises, music concerts, global sporting events, wildlife safaris, gastronomy and vineyard trails, stargazing camps and phenomenon travel (Northern Lights, Cherry Blossom, Midnight Sun, etc.) are at the forefront of Indian travellers’ preferences. Phygital journeys, blending digital discovery with human touch-points, continue to influence and drive bookings. Additionally, travellers are showing a clear inclination towards longer holidays – both domestic and international. Today’s new-age Indian traveller is also keen on spiritual travel, hidden-gems and distinctive accommodation like igloos, treehouses, chalets-chateaux…

 Key findings include:
1. Key Holiday Drivers: Travel has now become a necessity – an essential part of the Indian lifestyle and is driven by factors like:
• Influence of Social media, OTT platforms and Movies: 60% respondents indicated that social media, OTT platforms and movies are increasingly shaping their travel decisions
• Simplified visa processes and easy access: 44% respondents are more likely to visit countries offering simplified visa processes like e-visa or visa-on-arrival options such as Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka; while countries that issue long-term visas are also seeing uptick like the Australia, Japan, USA
• Enhanced connectivity: 43% Introduction of new routes and direct flights are significantly improving accessibility – fuelling travel demand not just from metros, but significantly from India’s rapidly growing Regional Tier 1 & 2 markets
• Indian consumers continue to remain value-seekers: 39% prefer to actively seek promotions, highlighting the strong influence of discounts/special offers on their purchasing decisions. Promotional campaigns & deals from tour operators and tourism boards are driving travel interest. At the same time, there is a clear shift towards trusted travel brands for premium holiday experiences, reflecting a focus on reliability
• Word of mouth still relevant: 30% of respondents reported that recommendations from friends, family and colleagues continue to impact their holiday decisions

2. Increased frequency of Holidays and Longer Stays:
• Holidays set to double/Triple: 85% of respondents plan to increase their holidays from 2 per year to 4-6 trips annually
• Smart planning fuels mini-cations: 47% of respondents intend to leverage long weekends/ public holidays for short getaways
• Equally, Strong shift towards longer trips with 54% respondents preferring longer holidays by extending for an additional 5-10 days, to create holidays of an average of 8-15 days

3. Strong Holiday Spend Intent:
• Approximately 84% of respondents plan to increase their travel spends by 20-50% in 2025, with over 18% intending to boost budgets by a significant 50%
• This mirrors a broader trend, where travellers are allocating more budgets to gastronomy, experiences and shopping – including premium outlets like McArthurGlen and Bicester Village

4. Evolving Travel Companion Preferences:
• Travelling together remains the preferred mode, with 90% opting for company. Multigenerational families (65%) lead the chart, followed by couples (60%) and a rising segment—‘frolleagues’ (colleagues who double as friends) at 28%; Solo at 10%
• Family bonding trips on the rise: There’s been an increase in travel experiences focused on family connections, such as mother-daughter trips and sibling/cousin holidays
• Growing subsets, including solo female travellers, also in older age groups and empty nesters, reflecting diverse companion preferences across demographics

5. Experiential Travel Takes Centre Stage:
• Close to 75% respondents indicating strong interest for experience-led holidays
• Over 45% of respondents are prioritizing phenomenon-based travel (like Northern Lights – Norway, Murmansk; Japan-S Korea’s Cherry blossoms; Midnight sun –Iceland, Russia) – a pivot towards bucket list experiences
• Uptick in Safaris, self-drives, outdoor adventures (32%)
• Gastronomy (26%) reflecting – evolving palates and desire to experiment – with France, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea
• Event tourism—global music concerts, sporting events and festivals are also on the rise, aligning with a focus on entertainment-driven travel experiences (22%). Australia, Abu Dhabi, Thailand
Spa-Wellness (19%) Relaxation & rejuvenation seeing demand – especially in destinations like Thailand, Bali, Kerala
6. Premium & Luxury Holidays on the Rise:
• Over 36% respondents are opting for premium experiences like transportation via super cars/bikes, luxury cruise holidays (Scandinavia, Mediterranean, USA), private island dining in Australia, upscale stays in boutique hotels, French chateaux/Swiss chalets, heritage properties in India, glacier landings in New Zealand

7. Destination Preferences:
• Internationally, Europe continues to top the list (50%) led by Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany; Eastern Europe’s Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia emerging well. Short-hauls like Southeast Asia follows with favourites like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore (46%); also Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Ras Al-Khaimah (37%); Japan & South Korea (35%) and Australia-New Zealand¬ (26%); Island locales – Mauritius, Maldives, Bali, Sri Lanka (22%); South Africa & Kenya (12%)
• Central Asia’s Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan (32%) signal growing interest for unique short hauls with easy access and affordability
• Morocco, Iceland, Greenland (8%) emerging on the radar
• For travel in India and subcontinent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand (55%) remain top favourites; North East (25%); Bhutan (32%); Rajasthan & Kerala (21%). Island/beach escapes like Andaman & Lakshadweep (3%); are also gaining strong momentum; Goa (13%)

8. Increasing Demand for New Travel formats: Indians are increasingly opting for new and unique travel formats
• Cruises (45%), self-drives (35%) and scenic train journeys (20%) have entered the top three holiday travel formats apart from flights, as more travellers seek unique, curated, comfort-first experiences.
• Cruises across domestic and international for both ocean and river options, are emerging as popular choices
• This shift reflects the growing appeal of slow, immersive travel over rushed itineraries, including sustainable options like scenic train journeys in Switzerland

9. Booking Patterns: Travellers are increasingly using a blend of digital platforms for research, contact centers and retail outlets for bookings, making phygital journeys a key driver of conversions
• 58% prefer a mix of online convenience with offline guidance (phygital), 59% opt for in-person visits to tour agency or talking over the phone while 68% book online
• While digital adoption is growing, there remains a strong dependency on in-person visits to agencies, valued for the human touch, personalized guidance and expert recommendations

10. Travellers Equally Divided Across Travel Styles: The report reveals a near-equal distribution in travellers preferences for type of holidays
• 35% prefer partially guided tours, valuing a balance of structure and autonomy
• 33% respondents opted for fully packaged and guided tours, seeking a seamless, worry-free experience. Interestingly an equal number of respondents (32%) opted for entirely self-planned journeys

11. Sustainability focus: 37% of respondents are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and eco-conscious practices in their travel choices

12. Impact of AI & Tech on Travel Planning: The rise of AI and technology is transforming travel planning, with 35% of travellers using digital platforms for research, bookings and itinerary planning

 Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., said, “The Indian traveller story is no longer just about destinations—it’s a reflection of evolving lifestyles and rising aspirations. Our Holiday Report 2025 clearly signals the emergence of a bold, experience-first traveller mind-set. Indians are not only travelling more, but also increasing spends – choosing depth, discovery and emotion over traditional sightseeing tours. While multigenerational family segments continue to lead, we are seeing strong emergence of new travel subsets like frolleagues and solo travellers.
Our Holiday Report 25 reflects a strong shift towards offbeat travel and emerging destinations like phenomenon travel – whether it’s experiencing cherry blossoms in Japan/South Korea or witnessing the midnight sun in Scandinavia/Russia. At Thomas Cook, we’re excited to witness the rapid evolution of Indian travellers and are curating exciting holidays that reflect this experience-first outlook.”

SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours – SOTC Travel, said, “Our Holiday Report 2025 reflects evolving travel formats, with Indians moving away from rushed itineraries in favour of comfort-first, immersive experiences. Slow travel is seeing an uptick, with river and ocean cruises and sustainable rail journeys offering unique opportunities for exploration. Additionally, spiritual/pilgrimage tourism is on the rise – with our ‘darshans’ portfolio coupled with adventure tourism is gaining popularity – interestingly from young India’s millennials and GenZ.

 Booking behaviours have also shifted—while Indians are researching online, they continue to value expert guidance, making SOTC’s phygital approach a key driver of trust and convenience. At SOTC, we’re proud to offer experiences to suit every Indian traveller segment. With over 75 years of experience and a deep understanding of Indian travellers’ evolving needs, SOTC ensures that every journey is memorable and enriching.”

The Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s India Holiday Report 2025 showcases the Companies’ commitment to understanding evolving traveller preferences and catering their offerings accordingly. While the 2025 findings delve deeper into emerging patterns, the consistent trend line from 2023 to 2025 is unmistakable: India is travelling more, spending more and wanting more from every holiday.

Indian HR Leaders Expect Agentic AI Adoption to Grow 383% by 2027

National, 28 May 2025: Salesforce’s latest research, which surveyed 200 global human resource executives, reveals that digital labor isn’t just a trend — it’s a business strategy revolution. With AI agent adoption expected to jump 383% over the next two years, leading to a productivity gain of 41.7%, HR leaders in India are reimagining the way organizations structure and skill their workforce. The findings reveal that CHROs in India expect to redeploy nearly a quarter (24.7%) of their workforce as their organizations implement and embrace digital labor.

The study also highlighted a growing focus on AI reskilling programs. 88% of Indian HR chiefs are or are planning to reskill their workers to be more competitive in a market shaped by AI agents. Most of these leaders (81%) also agree that soft skills like relationship building and collaboration will be even more critical as humans work alongside agents.

Why it matters: 85% of Indian HR leaders agree the workforce will be made up of humans and agents in the next five years. And yet, 88% say their organizations have yet to implement agentic AI and 63% say employees don’t yet understand how digital labor will impact their work. As agentic AI reshapes the workplace — and the skills workers need to succeed — understanding how HR leaders are ensuring organizational resilience is critically important.

Comments on the news:

“We’re in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime transformation of work with digital labor that is unlocking new levels of productivity, autonomy, and agency at a speed never before thought possible,” said Nathalie Scardino, President and Chief People Officer at Salesforce. “Every industry must redesign jobs, reskill, and redeploy talent — and every employee will need to learn new human, agent, and business skills to thrive in the digital labor revolution.”

Key insights from the research include:

1. HR leaders in India believe digital labor is the future and its integration is critical to their role
   85% believe that within five years, most workforces will have humans and AI agents/digital labor working together.
   92% of CHROs say that integrating digital labor alongside their existing workforce will be a critical part of their job.
   CHROs project a 383% growth in agent adoption within their organizations by 2027 (from 12% adoption today to 58% two years from now).
   Once agentic AI is fully implemented, CHROs expect an average employee productivity gain of 41.7% and a 26.2% reduction in labor costs.
2. CHROs in India plan to reskill and redeploy their employees to work alongside agents
   83% of CHROs believe AI agents/digital labor will transform their organizational structure.
   93% of CHROs believe AI agents/digital labor will empower them to reassign employees to new, more relevant roles.
   They anticipate redeploying nearly a quarter (24.7%) of the workforce to new roles or teams.
   88% of CHROs believe redeployment is the more cost-effective approach compared to hiring outside the business for new roles.
   88% of CHROs are either already reskilling (15%) or plan to reskill (73%) employees for roles with better future opportunities.
3. With 88% of businesses yet to embrace agentic AI, CHROs in India direct near-term efforts toward AI implementation — including IT and research and development
   CHROs anticipate research and development (R&D) (59%), IT (51%), and sales teams (34%) will grow as their business begins to adopt AI agents.
   CHROs plan to reassign employees to governance, compliance, and ethics roles (60%), like defining standards and monitoring AI inputs, and technical roles (60%), like data scientists or technical architects, in the near term.
   CHROs believe AI literacy is the number one skill workers need as businesses move into the agentic economy.
4. As businesses implement digital labor strategies, CHROs in India believe soft skills and relationship-building roles will become more valuable
   81% of CHROs say AI agents/digital labor will increase the need for soft skills at their organization.
   CHROs also plan to reassign employees to relationship-building roles (54%), like partnerships and account management and say collaboration and adaptability skills will be valuable in the agentic economy.
5. Despite the urgency of digital labor, many Indian HR chiefs are still in early planning phases with preparing their workforce.
   Just 12% of Indian CHROs say their organization has fully implemented agentic AI.
   63% of Indian HR chiefs say their employees remain unaware of how AI agents will impact their work