NDTV Food Awards 2025 Celebrating India’s Culinary Brilliance
February 10th, 2025 – NDTV is thrilled to announce the return of the NDTV Food Awards 2025, a prestigious event dedicated to honouring India’s exceptional culinary talent. This year’s awards promise to be bigger, better and bolder, reflecting the dynamic evolution of the nation’s food and beverage industry.
In 2024, the awards recognised outstanding establishments such as Indian Accent in New Delhi, awarded Best Fine Dining Restaurant, and Olly in Gurugram, honoured as Best Cafe and Casual Dining Restaurant. Inja, The Manor in Delhi, was celebrated as the Best New Restaurant.
This year, the awards will feature an expanded range of categories, including premium and casual dining, regional Indian delicacies, modern Indian concepts, and outstanding cocktail bars and nightlife venues, capturing the multifaceted nature of the industry. Building on the success of previous years, the NDTV Food Awards continue to celebrate the rich diversity of India’s gastronomic landscape.
With NDTV’s reputation for trust and credibility, the NDTV Food Awards stand as one of the most respected and prestigious accolades in the culinary world. To add to the authenticity and integrity of the selection process, NDTV has associated with EY, as the process advisor, underscoring our commitment to a transparent and fair evaluation process. In other words, earning an NDTV Food Award is a mark of excellence, giving the winners an undisputable edge.
Here some of the jury members for this year’s awards:
- Maria Goretti – Chef & Digital Creator
- Parth Bajaj – Chef & Digital Creator
- Sanjyot Keer – Chef & Digital Creator
- Tara Deshpande – Chef & Digital Creator
- Zarine Khan – Chef & TV Host
Registrations for the NDTV Food Awards 2025 are now open and will close on February 16, 2025. We invite all eligible establishments to participate in this grand celebration of culinary excellence.
The journey to the grand finale begins with rigorous regional rounds across North, East, Central, West, and South India. A panel of distinguished tastemakers and the NDTV Food editorial team will curate a shortlist of top contenders in each category. These finalists will then compete in the grand finale, where an esteemed jury will select the winners.
The NDTV Food Awards 2025 is not just a celebration of exceptional culinary talent but also a platform to highlight the innovation and passion driving India’s food and beverage sector. Join us in applauding the pioneers and visionaries shaping the future of Indian gastronomy.
Siddhi Sharma Dipshikkha Nagppal’s Performance is a Masterclass
10th February 2025: Change is the only constant in life, and that’s exactly what Sun Neo’s show Ishq Jabariya has brought for its audience with the entry of Devi Sahay, played by the talented Dipshikkha Nagppal. With this twist, Siddhi Sharma, who plays Gulki, now has to portray that she is Jyoti Devi Sahay’s daughter. This shift has not only transformed her character but also given her the opportunity to work closely with a seasoned actress Dipshikkha Nagppal.
Siddhi expressed her excitement and admiration, “Devi Sahay’s entry has brought major changes to the show. Even though I play Gulki, I now have to portray that I am Jyoti. My look has also transformed—I have been given royal outfits since I am now portraying Devi Sahay’s daughter. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to work with such a seasoned actress like Dipshikkha Nagppal Ma’am. Working alongside her is an honor, and I get to learn so much from her immense talent. Since many of my scenes are with her, I spend a lot of time around her, and watching her perform is like attending a masterclass everyday.”
The Ishq Jabariya actress further added, “Whenever she is in a scene, I observe her closely, learning from the way she expresses emotions and delivers dialogue. It’s always a wonderful experience. She is not just a brilliant actress but also a warm and vibrant person. Whether we are rehearsing scenes or simply chatting between shots, her energy makes everything so much more exciting. Working with her is an unforgettable experience”
Ishq Jabariya is a heartfelt romantic drama that follows Gulki, a fearless and determined young woman who refuses to let obstacles stand in the way of her dreams. Despite her domineering stepmother’s efforts to control her life, Gulki remains unwavering in her pursuit of success. But as fate takes an unexpected turn, what challenges will she face next?
PM Modi to Address Industry Leaders at ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025
February 10th, 2025: A flagship initiative of The Times Group, ET NOW Global Business Summit has earned its place as Asia’s premier thought leadership platform, where the most influential voices come together to drive change. This year’s theme, Evolve, Emerge, Expand, reflects the monumental shifts redefining the global economic and industrial landscape. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again gracing the summit, his visionary insights will offer a roadmap for navigating these dynamic changes and unlocking new avenues for growth and innovation. In its 9th edition, The Times Group ET Now Global Business Summit continues its legacy of fostering transformative dialogues at Taj Place, New Delhi.k
At the 2024 edition of the summit, Prime Minister Modi delivered a compelling keynote, promising a transformative economic trajectory for India. He assured the nation’s rise as a global economic powerhouse, highlighting a strong growth rate, a declining fiscal deficit, and India’s positive reception at Davos. He envisioned India becoming the world’s third-largest economy, backed by a bold 30-year roadmap fuelled by super-skills. Today, as committed, that vision is being realized—India’s economy continues to grow at an impressive pace, fiscal discipline remains a priority, and the country is solidifying its position as a global leader in innovation, manufacturing, and digital transformation.
As the architect of India’s economic and global resurgence, Prime Minister Modi will deliver a keynote that will provide critical insights into India’s expanding global footprint, sustainable economic progress, and the role of collaboration in an interconnected world. As the architect of India’s economic resurgence, his words will not only reflect on the country’s remarkable journey but also offer a vision for the future—one that businesses and investors will keenly watch. At a time when industries are redefining their trajectories, PM Modi’s presence will set the stage for bold ideas, visionary dialogues, and strategies for a future-ready economy. The summit isn’t just about conversations—it’s about actionable insights, meaningful collaborations, and game-changing perspectives that will shape the next decade.
The 9th Edition of The Times Group’s ET Now Global Business Summit, themed Evolve, Emerge, Expand, continues its legacy as a premier platform for exploring transformative shifts redefining the global economic and industrial landscape. Bringing together global CEOs, policymakers, and visionary thought leaders, the summit goes beyond discussions—it cultivates actionable insights, fosters impactful collaborations, and sparks game-changing perspectives that will shape the next decade.
Anamudi Real Estates Acquires INR 80.83 Crore Land in Juhu Mumbai
February 10th 2025: Anamudi Real Estates LLP, a privately held firm of the Godrej family, has acquired a land parcel in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu area for Rs. 80.83 crore, according to property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards. The transaction was registered in February 2025.
Anand Moorthy, Co-founder and CBO, Capital Market & Services, Square Yards said, “The western micro-market in Mumbai remains a key draw for buyers, with Bandra, Juhu, and Andheri standing out as the most sought-after locations. A well-developed social infrastructure, encompassing premium retail, education, entertainment, and healthcare facilities, continues to underpin demand. Juhu, in particular, benefits from its strategic positioning, offering a quieter residential environment, beachside appeal, and strong connectivity to business hubs and the international airport. These attributes have long made it a preferred choice for high-net-worth, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and also Bollywood celebrities. The presence of leading developers in the area reflects its enduring appeal. Recent land acquisitions in Juhu signal continued investor confidence, reinforcing the locality’s long-term growth prospects.”
As per the IGR property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards, the land spanning 560 sq. m. (~670 sq. yd) was purchased by Anamudi Real Estates LLP, an entity owned by the Godrej Group. The land also includes a built-up area comprising a basement, a ground floor, and two upper floors. The acquisition incurred a stamp duty payment of Rs. 4.85 crore and a registration fee of Rs. 30,000.
Juhu, a prime suburban locality in Mumbai’s western region, is home to several Bollywood celebrities and business leaders, thanks to its coastal appeal, proximity to the international airport, luxury housing stock, and strong social infrastructure. The area features major developers such as Lodha, K Raheja, Kalpataru, and Rustomjee, among others.
According to Square Yards Locality Data Intelligence, a total of 175 sale transactions including apartments, villas and residential plots, amounting to a gross transaction value of Rs. 1,346 crore, were registered in Juhu between January 2024 and December 2024. Currently, the average residential property price in Juhu stands at Rs. 72,166 per sq. ft. In another recent transaction, Agarwal Holdings Pvt. Ltd. acquired land worth Rs. 455 crore from Shapoorji Pallonji in Juhu of approximately 1,819.90 sq. m (~2,177 sq. yd), as per IGR property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards.
Anamudi Real Estates LLP, an entity owned by the Godrej Group, is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Godrej Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate headquartered in Mumbai, managed and largely owned by the Godrej family. The group operates in multiple sectors, including real estate, consumer products, industrial engineering, appliances, furniture, security, and agricultural products.
Balu Forge Q3FY25 PAT Up 134.09% Revenue Jumps 73.91% YoY
Mumbai,10th February, 2025: Balu Forge Industries Ltd. (BFIL), a leading precision engineering and manufacturing company, approved its unaudited Consolidated Financial Results for the quarter ended 31st December 2024, in the meeting of its Board of Directors held on 7th February 2025.
Consolidated Financial Highlights for the Q3 FY25:
1. BFIL registered a robust revenue growth of 73.91% YoY and revenue from operations stood at INR 2,557.83 Mn in Q3FY25 compared to INR 1,470.75 Mn in Q3FY24 because of the constant focus on client addition and continued demand for the specialized engineering products.
2. EBITDA grew by 106.95% and margins expanded by 422 bps from 22.24% in Q3FY24 to 26.47% in Q3FY25 owing to increase in scale of operations and increased demand for heavier products which tend to yield better margins.
3. PAT grew by 134.09% and PAT margins improved by 528 bps from 16.95% in Q3FY24 to 22.24% in Q3FY25.
Commenting on the performance of Q3FY25, Mr. Trimaan Chandock, Executive Director of BFIL stated:
We are pleased to report strong performance for Q3FY25, with revenue growing 73.91% to INR 2,557.83 Mn in Q3FY25, from INR 1,470.75 Mn in Q3FY24, driven by a robust demand for our specialized engineering products. EBITDA increased by 106.95% to INR 677.00 Mn in Q3FY25 as compared to INR 327.14 Mn, with EBITDA margins expanding by 422 bps from 22.24% in Q3FY24 to 26.47% in Q3FY25, supported by operational efficiencies and a focus on high-margin value added niche products.’
PAT grew 134.09% from INR 252.07 Mn in Q3FY24 to INR 590.06 Mn in Q3FY25, with PAT margins improved by 528 bps from 16.95% in Q3FY24 to 22.24% in Q3FY25.
For 9M FY25, revenue grew 64.03% to INR 6,539.71 Mn, compared to INR 3,986.85 Mn in 9M FY24. EBITDA increased 107.85% to INR 1,761.26 Mn in 9MFY25 as compared to INR 847.36 Mn in Q3FY24, with EBITDA margins expanding by 568 bps from 21.25% in 9M FY24 to 26.93% in 9MFY25. PAT grew by 116.34% to INR 1,411.67 in 9MFY25 as compared to INR 652.53 Mn in 9MFY24, with PAT margins improved by 504 bps from 16.13% in 9MFY24 to 21.17% in 9MFY25.
These results highlight our resilient business model and strong market positioning, setting the stage for continued growth. Our success stems from strategies like portfolio expansion, client diversification, and delivering solutions across key sectors. As the Indian forging industry benefits from China+1 and Europe+1, Balu Forge is investing in innovation and partnerships for sustainable growth and global expansion.
In addition to our financial performance, this quarter saw significant advancements in strategic initiatives:
- Strategic Partnerships for High-Growth Industries
We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swan Energy Limited to create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) focused on serving global industries, including defence, aerospace, railways, and nuclear. This strategic diversification positions us as a prominent player in high-growth, technology- driven sectors. - Capacity Expansion with Advanced Technology
The integration of 7-axis CNC machining technology strengthens Balu Forge’s capability to produce intricate, high-precision components. This expansion, financed through internal accruals, is poised to fuel growth in the aerospace, defence and oil & gas sectors. - Focus on Critical Components
Our targeted focus on high-value, critical components such as aerospace components, critical defence and railway components demonstrates a strategic alignment with global market demands.
We are pleased to inform the stakeholders of the company that the green field manufacturing campus commissioning is in full swing & will house a fully automated plant with modern technology, larger integration of Industry 4.0, installation of a solar farm for energy saving, plant commissioning as per the latest ISO standards, Implementation of 5S & TPM practices & Implementation of OSHA standards.
In conclusion, our focus on cost optimization, enhanced production efficiency, and a more agile supply chain has established a robust platform for sustainable growth. Leveraging our advanced engineering capabilities and ongoing innovation, we are strategically positioned to capitalize on emerging market opportunities and generate long-term value. Our steadfast commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction reinforces our competitive advantage in the industry.
Management Guidance:
We continue to maintain the guidance for FY25 as below:
- Revenue is expected to grow in the range of 55% – 60% in FY25 over FY24, led by new customer addition in sectors like railway and defence.
- EBITDA margins are expected to conservatively be in the corridor of 25% -27% for FY25 on the back of increasing scale of operations and efficiencies thereon. The same will be at a sustainable level of 30% – 32% for FY26 after commercialisation of the new plant.
Swiggy Red FM Honor Delivery Partners with Breakfast Ride
Delhi, February 10th, 2025: Every day, Swiggy’s delivery partners navigate the city’s streets, ensuring that meals reach customers on time. But for once, the road wasn’t about deliveries, it was about celebration. (Swiggy Ltd, NSE: SWIGGY / BSE: 544285), India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, in collaboration with Red FM’s Riders Music Festival, hosted a special Breakfast Ride earlier this week, giving its delivery partners a rare chance to experience the joy of riding without the pressures of work. The ride, flagged off by popular Red FM RJs, ended with a scrumptious feast.
The objective of this collaboration was to recognize the unsung heroes who make everyday meals possible – delivery partners. The Breakfast Ride offered the delivery partners a rare opportunity to experience the joy of the open road – without the pressure of delivery orders. Instead, the ride was all about music, camaraderie, and a well-earned feast at the finish line. This collaboration was more than just about biking and beats; it was a meaningful celebration of those who keep the nation fed.
Speaking about the partnership, Rohit Kapoor, CEO, Swiggy, shared, “For our delivery partners, the road is their workplace. This Breakfast Ride was about giving them a moment to enjoy it differently—no orders, no rush, just the thrill of riding and the camaraderie of the journey. It is a small but meaningful way to express our gratitude.”
Speaking about this collaboration, Ms. Nisha Narayanan, Director & COO of Red FM & Magic FM, said, “Riders Music Festival has always been about passion, adventure, and music. This time, we wanted to turn the spotlight on delivery partners who work tirelessly every day. The Breakfast Ride was our way of giving them a well-deserved break – a chance to enjoy the thrill of the open road, free from orders, just pure fun, music, and a feast at the end. It was a small yet meaningful way to say thank you.”
Swiggy consistently works towards empowering its delivery partners through a range of initiatives designed to ensure their safety, financial well-being, and career progression. The Breakfast Ride is just one such initiative. Through Project Next, Swiggy provides delivery partners with pathways to transition into new roles within the company, such as sales executives, allowing them to build long-term careers within the ecosystem. Similarly, Swiggy Skills, in partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), equips delivery partners and restaurant staff with training and certification opportunities through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
Understanding the importance of financial literacy, Swiggy recently partnered with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to introduce an education program tailored for delivery partners, with a special focus on female partners. Led by SEBI-certified trainers, the program covers essential topics like budgeting, investment, and debt management, ensuring delivery partners are equipped to make informed financial decisions.
Safety remains a top priority at Swiggy, as evidenced by its Delivering Safely initiative. Swiggy conducts regular road safety awareness workshops in collaboration with traffic police departments across various states. It also provides its partners with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-approved protective helmets, smart gear for visibility in harsh weather, and accident insurance coverage, setting a benchmark for industry standards in gig worker support.
The Breakfast Ride at the Riders Music Festival was more than just a moment of celebration—it was a testament to Swiggy’s unwavering commitment to its delivery partners. As these riders continue to crisscross the city, Swiggy remains dedicated to ensuring their well-being, growth, and recognition, both on and off the road.
Sehwag UAE’s Batting Tracks Make ILT20 Finale Thrilling
Chandigarh, February 10th, 2025: On the eve of Qualifier 2, DP World ILT20 Season 3, streaming exclusively on Zee Network, has reached a crucial juncture. Batting legend and commentator Virender Sehwag vouched to witness thrilling contest between Sharjah Warriorz and Desert Vipers on Friday, at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The winner of this match will take on Dubai Capitals in the final on Sunday, 9th February to be played at the Dubai International Stadium.
Emphasising on the wickets here in UAE that are tailor-made for scoring big runs, Sehwag said, “UAE stadiums have some of the best batting tracks. Though I didn’t have the opportunity to play a lot here, I did play a couple of games for India and during the Indian Premier League (IPL) and I absolutely enjoyed batting here in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.”
“Hopefully the next two games (Qualifier 2 and Final) will be a cracker. The match between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers went down to the last ball and I am sure the next two games will be thrilling contest too.”
Having been part of the DP World ILT20 as a commentator since its inception, Sehwag highlighted the growth of this league and factors that makes it one of the top cricket leagues in the world. “I think the DP World ILT20 is one of the best leagues. Like IPL is good for the development of Indian cricket, similarly, DP World ILT20 is good for UAE players and the Middle East. But the good part is that you can’t see nine international players playing in one team in any other league.”
He further added, “This is the third year for me in DP World ILT20 as a commentator. And I’m seeing that a lot of good international players are coming and playing this league, which is benefitting UAE’s youngsters. They’re getting good experience with international players. And this year, if you look at all the matches, they have been very close and very interesting and there were a lot of games that saw 200-plus runs being scored too.”
On being asked if there was any batter, he would love to have a partnership going here in the DP World ILT20, Sehwag named Australia’s David Warner who scored a blistering 93 unbeaten against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to put the Dubai Capitals in the play-offs.
When asked if he would like to see Indian players in this league, he said, “I would love to see Indian players here. If any Indian player who has just retired from International cricket or IPL and if they want to play, like Dinesh Karthik is playing right now, it would be great, I would love to see Indian cricketers play here and if there was one player I would have particularly liked to watch here is the sixer-man Yuvraj Singh,” he signed off.
TCL Signs MoU with BSDT’s ICTRC for Cancer Research
Chandigarh, February 10th, 2025: Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) a leading sustainable and science-led chemistry solutions company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust (BSDT) – BSDT’s Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre (ICTRC) in Pune. This collaboration aims to explore the beneficial effects of TCL’s prebiotic, soluble dietary fibers, and their derivatives on gut health and overall wellness. This initiative underscores Tata Chemicals’ and BSDT’s shared commitment to delivering science-backed nutrition solutions that enhance quality of life.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Tata Chemicals’ R&D team, led by Dr. Richard Lobo, and the BSDT team, led by Dr. Sushrut S. Sardeshmukh, Trustee, BSDT, and Dr. Vineeta V. Deshmukh, Deputy Director, ICTRC. This partnership will focus on integrating scientific research with Ayurvedic principles to develop advanced solutions for health and wellness.
Speaking on the occasion of signing the MoU, Dr. Richard Lobo – Head – Innovation, R&D, Business Excellence and Chief Ethics Counsellor at Tata Chemicals said “This is a momentous occasion for us as BSDT’s Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research centre’s mission and its values are closely aligned with that of Tata Chemicals. We are committed to working together in understanding and improving the functionality of our science-differentiated products in Ayurvedic formulations, for improving the quality of life & alleviating pain through Ayurvedic disciplines.”
Dr. Sushrut S. Sardeshmukh , Trustee at Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust added “We are very pleased to be working closely with Tata Chemicals. At BSDT, our mission has always been to integrate Ayurveda with modern science to enhance patient care and improve quality of life. This collaboration is a significant step towards advancing research in Ayurveda integrated in wellness products with science-backed innovations. By combining our expertise in holistic healing with Tata Chemicals’ commitment to Innovative products, we aim to further explore solutions that support holistic well-being.”
BSDT, through its expertise in Ayurveda, has been instrumental in improving the quality of life and alleviating cancer-related suffering for thousands of patients. By combining Tata Chemicals’ nature-driven innovations with BSDT’s traditional healing approach, this initiative aims to advance nutritional science, expand the scope of holistic wellness, and develop impactful solutions that bridge tradition and modern healthcare advancements.
ACC Break Workplace Silos to Enhance Sustainability Reporting
Chandigarh, 7 February 2025: The latest instalment of ACCA’s sustainability reporting series is Sustainability Reporting: Risk and Materiality, which takes a practical approach to helping businesses determine material information for sustainability reporting.
Author Aaron Saw, head of corporate reporting insights – financial, at ACCA said: ‘Many organisations have siloed management and reporting of financial and sustainability-related matters. As a result, they don’t realise they already have access to insights they need for reporting. To streamline cost and effort and to produce connected information, it makes sense to leverage existing risk-management processes to identify and manage sustainability-related risks and opportunities.’
The article sets out three steps to determine material information to be disclosed:
1. Identify the organisation’s sustainability-related risks and opportunities (SRROs)
2. Assess whether SRROs could affect the organisation’s prospects
3. Determine material information for disclosure
Each step is supplemented with illustrative, anonymised real-life examples to inspire our community of accountants, finance and business professionals to learn, adapt and improve their approaches to identifying and communicating risks and opportunities.
Given the severe operational disruptions that weather-related events are causing many businesses, the examples featured are biased towards climate-related risk. Small and medium sized entities (SMEs) also feature in the examples to demonstrate how smaller organisations approach reporting.
The article emphasises the importance for organisations to take a holistic approach in creating and communicating material information about their SRROs and recommends all organisations to:
- allocate resources to start identifying SRROs arising from the resources and relationships in the value chains on which they depend and those that their activities would affect
- provide the most relevant sustainability-related information they can and continue to improve the reporting process over future reporting cycles
- use knowledge and expertise gained in determining material information in one reporting cycle to improve the communication of material information in the following cycle.
Aaron Saw concludes: ‘We encourage everyone to work collaboratively with peers in the same industry, or within the same value chain. In this way we can further refine the approach to identifying SRROs, manage the risks or realise identified opportunities, and measure the relevant metrics and provide better information to support decision-making.’