National, 06 March 2025: Augmont, India’s largest fully integrated gold player, proudly announces its strategic expansion into the Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD) market with the launch of Akoirah. Rooted in Augmont’s legacy of trust, purity, and innovation, Akoirah is set to revolutionize fine jewellery by making diamonds more ethical, sustainable, and accessible than ever before. Calling it Love-Grown Diamonds, the brand is deeply committed to responsible sourcing and technological excellence and will lead the charge in redefining luxury jewellery for the Indian market.

Lab-grown diamonds are transforming the jewellery industry, offering a brilliant, sustainable alternative to mined diamonds. The global LGD market is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2033, yet there remains a lack of trusted players in India—a gap that Augmont is poised to fill.

 Discussing their entry into the lab-grown diamond market, Ketan Kothari, Director, Augmont, said “Augmont’s vision is very clear – we want to be the leading lab-grown diamond jewellery brand in India. LGD is the future for a nation like India where jewellery has many meanings – aspirations, emotions and culture. The penetration of mined diamond jewellery in India is less than 5% whereas 95% of consumers want to own diamonds. Mined diamonds have given negative returns and hence they are not an investment for Indian consumers, who are the smartest when it comes to value investments. Large jewellery chains are in a dilemma to enter this space because they have been selling mined diamond jewellery for years and it will be a hard sell for the consumers. Other brands that have entered the space are largely start-ups which have to build trust and credibility which takes years. Augmont’s foray into jewellery could not be better timed. Customers trust us for the transparency, innovation and the fact that we always offer buyback for all our gold products and now LGD jewellery too!”

 With Augmont’s unmatched credibility, technological expertise, and pricing, Akoirah will set new standards in this space. “The math is simple – whatever money that you save in terms of the difference between mined diamonds and LGDs, invest the same in gold. The appreciation in gold prices will more than make up for the investments in LGD even if for argument’s sake, LGD prices don’t increase! Added to that, you get better designs and quality. We are bringing the same commitment to purity, value, and excellence that has defined Augmont’s gold legacy into the world of fine diamond jewellery” adds Ketan.

At the heart of Akoirah lies a vision to make fine jewellery with a design focus infused with modern sensibilities. Namita Kothari, Founder of Akoirah, shared her passion for this, stating, “Akoirah is all about making Love-Grown Diamonds attainable for all. We believe that fine jewellery should be both aspirational and accessible. Through innovative craftsmanship and unbeatable gold rates, we are crafting jewellery that is not just beautiful, but meaningful.”

As a pioneer in gold pricing, purity, and recycling Augmont brings its expertise into the Love-Grown Diamond segment. Akoirah jewellery will feature 100% pure recycled gold and responsibly sourced Love-Grown Diamonds, ensuring consumers make a sustainable choice without compromising on brilliance or quality. And, with Augmont’s tech-first approach, Akoirah will leverage advanced technology to deliver certified, high-quality diamonds at the best prices. The brand’s strategic expansion into this space underscores the growing consumer demand for ethical, sustainable, and affordable diamond jewellery. With exceptional craftsmanship and a diverse range of meticulously designed pieces, Akoirah offers fine jewellery that caters to every taste and occasion. Additionally, the brand promises to provide 100% exchange and buyback value to customers, offering an added layer of trust and security.

Together Augmont and Akoirah are set to redefine the jewellery-buying experience with an omni-channel brand strategy, leveraging Augmont’s existing base of 4 crore+ digital gold consumers. With their range starting from 5K, Akoirah will cater to a diverse customer base across the country. From a seamless online shopping experience to a robust offline presence, the brand plans to expand to 100 stores across India, ensuring customers nationwide can access fine diamond jewellery backed by Augmont’s legacy of trust and value.

With Akoirah, Augmont is not just launching a brand—it is shaping the future of luxury. Love-grown diamonds are here to stay, and with Augmont’s industry-leading expertise, consumers can now embrace ethical brilliance with confidence.

March 6, 2025.: Shryoan Cosmetics, a leading beauty brand known for its high-quality and inclusive products, is thrilled to launch its Women’s Day campaign, ‘True Beauty. Unstoppable You.’, celebrating confidence, individuality, and self-love. This initiative challenges outdated beauty stereotypes and encourages women to embrace their unique selves fearlessly.

The campaign will launch across Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, fostering a powerful online movement. Through the hashtags #TrueBeauty and #UnstoppableYou, Shryoan invites women to share their stories of self-acceptance, redefining beauty beyond societal expectations.

Drishti Madnani, Co-Founder & Makeup Expert at Shryoan Cosmetics said “At Shryoan, we believe beauty is not defined by trends but by confidence, authenticity, and self-expression. True beauty is about embracing oneself wholeheartedly, without any type of fear or hesitation. Every woman has a unique story, and our goal is to provide a platform where she feels valued, heard, and celebrated. This campaign is not just about makeup—it’s about self-acceptance, inner strength, and breaking free from unrealistic standards. At Shryoan, we care about every individual and strive to create products that are inclusive, accessible, and empowering for all. We want to empower women to redefine beauty on their terms and recognize that they are unstoppable in their own right. #ShryoanCares #ShryoanForAll”

As part of this initiative, the brand will collaborate with influencers and thought leaders who will share their journeys of body positivity and resilience. These stories will serve as a source of encouragement for countless women striving to overcome beauty-related insecurities.

 

Bangalore, March 6: The middle and high school students of Stonehill International School, Bangalore, performed In the Heights, a Tony Award-winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda at Bangalore International Centre from the 27th of February to the 1st of March. The school’s annual production gives its students a larger platform to display their talent to a large and diverse audience.

This year’s production blended hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul to tell the story of a vibrant Latino community in Washington Heights, New York City. The show is about Usnavi, a bodega owner with dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic, and his neighbors as they navigate love, ambition, and identity. Over three days, the community faces change, challenges, and celebrations, with themes of family, perseverance, and the meaning of home.

Joe Lumsden, Head of School, Stonehill International School, commented, “The Stonehill musical production this year was stunning. Our students worked on this production for six months, giving up their evenings and weekends to ensure that the show was as professional as possible. All members of the crew and cast can be immensely proud of the performance that they put on. The audience loved it.”

The look and feel of the play were enhanced by a realistic-looking set of a high street with candy shops and boutique salons – all designed by the school students and teachers. Costumes, props, lighting, makeup, choreography, and music were all conceptualized and executed in-house.

Jason Gallant, a teacher at Stonehill, who directed the musical performance, has a long association with theatre productions. Trained in dance and having performed in plays since a young age, theatre became his pathway to teaching and he initially worked as a music and drama programmer at a summer camp, using performance to support children with physical disabilities. At Stonehill, he encourages students to take part in drama as a way to build confidence and collaboration skills. As an international teacher, he feels In the Heights is a perfect choice for this year’s production as it is a story about finding a sense of belonging and creating a community wherever one is—something the diverse student body at Stonehill can truly relate to.

Hyderabad, March 5, 2025 – Synchrony celebrated a decade of community engagement and team spirit with the successful conclusion of its 10th Annual Doubles Dive Challenge at Novotel HICC, Hyderabad. The event, held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 500 Synchrony employees, who came together to participate in a day of fun, team building, and meaningful community service. The flagship event that brings together employees in a spirit of camaraderie and philanthropy, where participants “dive” into the water for a meaningful cause includes various activities.

The event showcased Synchrony’s commitment to education and emergency preparedness through the following key initiatives:

*Empowering Education with U&I Trust: Employees channelled their creativity and compassion by crafting essential learning resources for underserved students. This included the creation of handmade bookmarks, engaging word search games, and other educational materials designed to inspire and support students on their educational journey, effectively bridging educational gaps.

*Life-Saving Skills with Nirmaan Organization: Participants gained invaluable practical skills through hands-on CPR and first aid training. This initiative empowered employees to confidently respond to emergencies and potentially save lives, fostering a culture of preparedness within the community.

“The Doubles Dive Challenge embodies Synchrony’s core values of teamwork and community engagement,” stated Raj Kola, Vice President, e-Chat, and Central Regional Engagement Hub Leader at Synchrony. “This event transcends mere entertainment; it’s about creating tangible, positive change in our communities. We are incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our employees and the significant impact achieved through our partnerships. We extend our sincere gratitude to U&I Trust and Nirmaan Organization for their unwavering support and collaborative spirit. We are confident that this event will further solidify our collective commitment to driving meaningful change.”

The 10th Annual Doubles Dive Challenge Underscores Synchrony’s ongoing dedication to making a difference and building stronger communities.

India, March 5, 2025: EssilorLuxottica India has officially launched Transitions® GEN S™, a ground-breaking advancement in optical technology that marks a giant leap toward enhancing vision for a wide array of wearers. With a focus on speed, style, and smart vision, Transitions GEN is designed to fit the fast-paced lives of modern wearers, offering a dynamic visual experience that adapts to changing environments with ease.

As the fastest darkening lens in the clear-to-dark photochromic category, Transitions® GEN S™ has been meticulously developed through extensive research and collaboration with wearers, going beyond traditional prescription lenses. Designed with the modern wearer in mind, this innovative lens provides unparalleled comfort, convenience, and adaptability.

On the launch, Narasimhan Narayanan, President, of EssilorLuxottica, South Asia commented, “Consumers deserve the best vision care possible, and light management plays a critical role in that. With Transitions GEN S, we have combined cutting-edge science and technology to create a revolutionary product that adapts intuitively to light, reacting quickly to meet the wearer’s needs. Additionally, these lenses offer an elevated experience with a wider color palette, allowing wearers to personalize their eyewear to match any frame. This product represents a significant opportunity to enhance vision care, in coherence with our vision of “See More, Be More” and we believe Transitions GEN S will become a key recommendation for Eye Care Professionals.”

With three distinct benefit pillars in Transitions® GEN S™ product, the technology offers solutions that cater to the varying needs of wearers in different lighting environments. These three Pillars correspond to:

1. GEN SPEED™: It offers ultra-responsive light adaptation, darkening in seconds and fading back in under two minutes. It reaches category three darkness in 25 seconds, with 88% of wearers mentioning that they barely notice the change due to its fast light adjustment.
2. GEN STYLE™: Available in eight exclusive color shades, including the new Transitions GEN S Ruby Red color, these lenses offer vibrant tints that remain true to tone in all lighting conditions. Whether fully clear indoors or beautifully colored outdoors, the lens provides wearers with endless possibilities for pairing and complementing their style.
3.  GEN SMART™: Enhances HD vision with 39% faster recovery from bright lights and a 39.5% improvement in contrast sensitivity. These lenses also offer 40% faster vision recovery compared to the previous generation, ensuring clear, uninterrupted vision in changing light conditions.

Additionally, Transitions® GEN S™ offers ultimate light protection by filtering 100% of UVA and UVB rays and filtering up to 32% of blue-violet light in the clear state, increasing to 85% when activated outdoors.

With Transitions® GEN S™, eyewear becomes more than just a necessity; It transforms from an ‘I have to wear’ to an ‘I love to wear’ experience. The lenses’ faster light adaptation, improved contrast sensitivity, and enhanced style options elevate the everyday glasses-wearing experience to new heights. With the launch, EssilorLuxottica India is confident that Transitions® GEN S™ will be an essential addition to every eyewear collection.

Delhi, March 5, 2025: After successfully hosting the Women’s Day Special Scholarship Test exclusively for female students at its Navi Mumbai campus, ITM has now opened its Scholarship Gate for all students across India. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students through a centralized online examination.

The ITM Scholarship Entrance Test is scheduled to take place on 17th March 2025 offering students an opportunity to secure scholarships, including up to 100% tuition fee waivers on the first-year fee. Last year, ITM awarded scholarships worth over ₹4.3 crore to 300+ students, reinforcing its commitment to making quality education accessible.

Dr. Lakshmi Mohan, Pro-Vice Chancellor, of ITM Business School, shared that “At ITM, we believe that financial constraints should never be a barrier to education. Through our Scholarship Entrance Test, we aim to empower bright young minds by providing them with the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams without limitations. With scholarships worth crores, we are committed to shaping the future of students across India, ensuring they receive the support they deserve to excel in their careers.”

Following the online examination, shortlisted candidates will proceed to the Case Analysis & Personal Interview (CAPI) Round on 22nd March 2025. These sessions will be conducted across multiple locations, ensuring accessibility for students from different regions.

Mumbai | 5^th March 2025: Moneycontrol, India’s largest financial platform, is set to host the Global Wealth Summit on March 7, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. With the theme “Next Wave of Wealth Creation: India’s $10-Trillion Market-Cap Opportunity,” the summit will be a high-stakes gathering of India’s top market strategists, global investment stalwarts, top business leaders, and policymakers shaping the nation’s financial future.

 As India remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy, it now faces new realities—from global market turbulence and geo-economic fragmentation to a post-boom stock market environment. Against these dynamics, Moneycontrol’s Global Wealth Summit, presented by IDFC First Bank, co-powered by PhonePe, and with associate partners World Gold Council and Reliance Industries, offers a rare opportunity to engage with some of the sharpest minds in finance, business, and investment—leaders who’ve weathered market storms and emerged stronger.

 Among the eminent speakers headlining the summit are Neelkanth Mishra, UIDAI Chief & Member, PM Economic Advisory Council, Chief Economist, Axis Bank and Head of Global Research, Axis Capital; Ananth Narayan, Whole-Time Member, SEBI; Ashish Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE; David Tait, CEO, World Gold Council; and May-Elin Steiner, Ambassador of Norway to India & Sri Lanka. Joining them are top industry leaders such as Prashant Jain, Founder & CIO, 3P Investment Managers; Anish Shah, Non-Executive Director, Tech Mahindra Limited and MD & CEO, Mahindra and Mahindra; GV Ravishankar, MD, PeakXV; Morgan Housel, Author, Psychology of Money, Same as Ever; Director, Markel Group; Mark Coombs, CEO, Ashmore Group; and V Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO, IDFC First Bank, among others.

 The event will explore market trends, investment strategies, policy frameworks to accelerate growth, and emerging opportunities across asset classes, with a special focus on equities. Attendees will gain insights on navigating economic uncertainties and crafting winning investment strategies.

 Nalin Mehta, Managing Editor, Moneycontrol said, “The Moneycontrol Global Wealth Summit is more than just a conference, it is a premier platform for wealth creation and investment insights. In an era of rapid economic transformation, understanding the complexities of investing has never been more crucial. With the best minds in business, finance, and policymaking sharing the stage, the summit offers unfiltered insights, sharp strategies, and exclusive networking opportunities to help investors navigate and capitalize on the evolving financial landscape.”

New Delhi, 05 March 2025: Tide¹ in India, the leading business financial platform for SMEs,  has recorded a 282% surge in women members over the past year adopting digital business tools. Tide has more than 86,226 women members on its platform (sharply up from 22,584 one year ago, in Feb 2024), of which 96% are from Tier 2, 3, 4, and beyond towns (termed as ‘Bharat’). These cities and towns are emerging as centers of growth for SMEs in India.

Women across India—especially from Tier 2 and 3 cities are launching businesses that both fuel their ambition and make a significant contribution to India’s GDP. About 22 million small businesses in India are owned by women, making up around 20% of such businesses in the country. Digital tools are helping more owners, especially in smaller towns, grow their ventures, according to data from over 600,000 small businesses on the financial platform Tide.

Tide data shows that 30% of women entrepreneurs are from the smaller towns in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, representing 16% and 14% respectively. This is followed by 11% from West Bengal, around 9% from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar each, and 5% from Odisha.

General stores, beauty salons, and tailoring businesses lead the way—together making up 31% of all digital enterprises on the platform.

 Rise of women solopreneurs

The rise of women solopreneurs is remarkable. Women digital marketers, actors, teachers, bookstore owners, agricultural tool vendors, grocery store owners, and financial consultants, make up over 61% of these ten key sectors.

Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO, of Tide in India, says: “For decades, the entrepreneurship story in India was always about metros and family-run businesses. We are now witnessing a powerful shift in the entrepreneurial landscape of India, driven by ambition, digital access, and a growing support ecosystem. Many of these women are first-generation business owners who are breaking away from traditional legacies, proving that innovation and enterprise are no longer confined to big cities.

Gurjodh adds: “These women are not just using digital tools – they are mastering them to build successful businesses, create jobs, and transform their communities. It’s inspiring to see that 96% of Tide’s women members are from smaller cities.”

Huge changes in culture, technology, and society are leading more young entrepreneurs to use digital business tools. Gen Z (19-25 years) and millennials (26-40 years) make up 78% of the women on the platform.

Tide’s data shows women entrepreneurs from Gen X and Baby Boomers are embracing digital tools, making up to 22% of adopters. A befitting example is, a 89-year-old entrepreneur (bookstore owner) who stands out as a testament to how digital adoption is transcending generations.

The rising number of women entrepreneurs in India highlights a significant shift in societal norms and the expanding opportunities for women in the financial ecosystem.

Out of Tide’s total member base, more than 14% are women. In line with its global Women in Business program to support female entrepreneurs, Tide’s commitment includes policy awareness programs, and partnerships with women-focused incubators such as WE Hub – Telangana’s state-led incubator (India’s first and only state-led incubator), NEHHDC (North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited) and Ubuntu Consortium (a Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs Associations) to bring more women under the formal economy through digitization.

Tide is committed to bringing 500,000 women in India onto the platform by the end of 2027, part of a global pledge to support women entrepreneurs.

Hyderabad, March 5th, 2025: Magma General Insurance Limited (Magma), a prominent player in India’s general insurance sector, has entered into a strategic partnership with Hyundai India Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd. (HIIB).

Under the terms of the agreement, Hyundai India Insurance Broking will offer Magma’s motor insurance products for both private and commercial passenger vehicles across 600+ dealerships in India. The collaboration will enable vehicle owners to access Magma’s comprehensive motor insurance solutions to safeguard against risks such as accidents, theft, natural disasters, and third-party liabilities. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to providing customers with seamless, cost-effective, and accessible insurance services.

The two parties signed the agreement in Gurugram last week in the presence of representatives from both companies.

Sharing thoughts on the partnership, Mr. Sameer Samdani, Whole Time Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai India Insurance Broking, added, “We aim to enhance insurance penetration by offering superior insurance solutions designed in association with the most trusted insurance companies. We are confident that our customers will benefit from Magma’s dynamic approach and solutions. The tie-up reinforces our proposition of delivering “Superior Products and One Class Above Experience to all our customers nationwide.”

Mr. Rajive Kumaraswami, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, of Magma General Insurance Limited, elaborated on the partnership, “We are excited to partner with Hyundai India Insurance Broking (HIIB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMI), the second-largest carmaker in India. This partnership is a strategic initiative for us to strengthen our passenger car portfolio. Through our bouquet of motor insurance products and more than a decade of expertise in underwriting different customer segments, we shall be able to support Hyundai India Insurance Broking customers with easy access to insurance and quality service across the country.”

With this tie-up, Magma and Hyundai India Insurance Broking reaffirm their commitment to delivering high-quality insurance solutions, ensuring financial security and convenience for vehicle owners across the nation.

March 5, 2025, Gurugram, Haryana: CYK Hospitalities, a leading F&B consultancy firm, renowned for creating innovative dining experiences, has introduced its latest project, Lowkey Café, in Elan Epic, Sector 70, Gurugram. This newly launched cafe is designed to be a serene getaway for coffee enthusiasts, food lovers, and professionals seeking a peaceful workspace.

Lowkey Café brings a distinctive experience to Gurugram, offering a curated selection of organic dishes, brunch favorites, small plates, and delectable desserts, and a thoughtfully designed space that blends comfort with functionality. The minimal aesthetic and cozy corners make it a perfect spot for reading, remote working, or casual meetings. With a workspace that fosters productivity and a menu that tantalizes taste buds, Lowkey Café is an all-in-one destination for those looking to unwind or work in a relaxed ambiance.

The menu at Lowkey Café features an array of egg-based delicacies like French egg ramekin, Turkish eggs, sandwiches, and gourmet burgers. The menu also extends to sourdough pizzas, sundried tomato and pesto risotto, spinach and ricotta ravioli, quinoa chickpea Buddha bowl, and indulgent desserts like chocolate fondant and classic tiramisu, offering something for every palate.

The cafe features a unique rotation of coffee beans sourced from different regions of India, ensuring a fresh and dynamic coffee experience for its patrons. Complementing this, its in-house “Breads & Brews” concept offers a delightful combination of artisanal bread and signature coffee blends, making every visit an indulgence in flavors and craftsmanship.

At this new project, CYK Hospitalities went beyond just conceiving and branding, it has also set up operations at the establishment. This service ranges from developing customized standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensuring there is a proper kitchen design, menu engineering, and staff training. The meticulousness of CYK Hospitalities went to an end-to-end solution catering to how the vision of Lowkey Café could be imagined. Strategy ensured that every detail from aesthetic appeal to service efficiency matched the features of the brand and market positioning.

On the side-lines of the project, Lowkey Café, Founder, Vishal Jhoon, said, “Lowkey Café is a passion project birthed out of a need for a space where people could just be themselves. We wanted to create a place that seamlessly blends good food with great coffee and gives that inspiring atmosphere; our idea was to craft this haven where individuals could work, connect, and enjoy a few high-quality brews. Under the guidance of CYK Hospitalities, our dream has practically been fulfilled with their know-how and strategic execution“.

On this project, Pulkit Arora—the person behind the strategic approach of CYK Hospitalities opined, “With Lowkey Café, our objective was to do more than just create another coffee shop; we sought to construct a space—the space that engages communities and complements the changing way of life of a modern consumer. The idea was to plunge the consumer into a space where they would be encompassed by the work-friendly environment of culinary artistry blending into the space. Everything was well thought out from concept to implementation by our team to ensure that nothing is out of alignment with the vision. CYK Hospitalities is a pro in this, creating such experiences, offering a comprehensive suite of services that spreads across branding, operational management, or business development for F&B establishments.“