Bengaluru, June 26,2025: NBR Group, one of South India’s most trusted and progressive real estate developers, has announced the launch of its new premium residential offering— ‘Soul of the Seasons’, exclusive 3 BHK apartments at Mullur, off Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru. The project has received approval from RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority). Conceptualized around the idea of ‘Resort Living, Every Day’, the project blends modern urban lifestyles with the rare luxury of open, green spaces—bringing together elegance, community, and conscious living in one of Bengaluru’s fastest-growing corridors.

This premium launch also marks a defining moment in NBR Group’s transformation to premium, future-ready vertical communities—responding to the evolving aspirations of urban Bengaluru and a new generation of homeowners.
NBR has applied the Gaia philosophy into this premium project, which integrates the five elements—Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth—into all its designs. More than mere symbols, they form the foundation of how NBR’s real estate philosophy of homes, communities, and landscapes interact with both nature and society. By placing ecological balance at the core, NBR strives to create environments that simultaneously support luxury accessibility and foster meaningful connections between people and the nature.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Nagabhushana Reddy, Founder & Managing Director, NBR Group, said: “At NBR Group, we’ve always believed that a home should be more than four walls—it should be an ecosystem of comfort, community, and well-being. With the launch of ‘Soul of the Seasons’, we are offering just that: premium 3 BHK residences surrounded by open, green spaces and curated amenities that bring the feeling of a luxury resort into everyday living in an area spanning 9.6 acres. Bengaluru deserves thoughtfully planned spaces, and we are proud to contribute to the city’s evolving skyline with a development that prioritizes openness, greenery, and liveability.”

Strategically located near Bengaluru’s leading IT hubs, schools, healthcare institutions, and upcoming infrastructure developments, the project is designed for discerning homebuyers who seek not just a home, but a complete lifestyle experience. The spacious 3 BHK residences feature contemporary architecture, expansive balconies, high-end finishes, and thoughtfully curated amenities, offering residents a resort-like escape within the city. NBR Group leverages the latest construction technologies to build secure, high-quality homes, enhancing the smart living experience for their valued customers.

This launch strengthens the brand’s commitment to building luxury, green, and community-first developments, aligned with the city’s evolving real estate landscape.For more details, visit – www.nbrgroup.in

Beyond the metros lies a dynamic, underserved economy brimming with entrepreneurial spirit. While the spotlight often stays on urban startups and metro markets, it’s in India’s smaller towns where real transformation is quietly unfolding. A new wave of loan companies is stepping in to support local businesses, first-time borrowers, and everyday dreamers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities; they are finding new hope through inclusive lending. Meet four loan companies making real impact on the ground:

1. Namdev Finvest
Rooted in Rajasthan and expanding across North and Central India, Namdev Finvest is redefining how credit reaches underserved MSMEs and EV entrepreneurs. With a strong focus on financial inclusion, the NBFC is enabling last-mile borrowers — especially women and first-generation business owners — to access timely credit with ease. Their tech-enabled yet human-led approach is helping transform informal ambitions into formal success stories.

2. Aye Finance
Specializing in micro-enterprise lending, Aye Finance has created financial pathways for businesses often rejected by traditional banks. Their innovative cluster-based credit assessment models are tailor-made for small manufacturers and service providers, driving employment and income in emerging towns.

3. Svatantra Microfin
With a women-first model, Svatantra focuses on empowering rural and semi-urban women through small-ticket loans and financial education. Their work not only enhances livelihood but also promotes financial literacy and community growth across Bharat’s heartland.

4. Kinara Capital
Kinara Capital offers collateral-free business loans to small entrepreneurs in Tier 2–3 cities. By digitizing the loan journey and ensuring quick disbursement, Kinara is supporting everything from tailoring units to mobile repair shops, bringing formal credit to India’s informal backbone.

These businesses are doing more than just lending money; they are fostering aspirations, boosting self-esteem, and improving lives in underserved areas. The growth of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities makes it abundantly evident that access to cash, opportunity, and belief is essential for true advancement. And one borrower at a time, these finance heroes are enabling that.

On June 23, 2025, Covestro has signed an agreement to acquire Pontacol, a Swiss manufacturer of multilayer adhesive films. With this acquisition, Covestro strategically expands its specialty films portfolio and further advances the implementation of its “Sustainable Future” corporate strategy. At the same time, the company continues to consistently expand its growth in sustainable and innovative business areas.

“The acquisition of Pontacol is strategically sound and financially attractive,” says Christian Baier, Chief Financial Officer of Covestro. “We are gaining a profitable company with significant growth potential and relevant synergy effects. This allows us to strategically expand our production capacities for multilayer adhesive films in Europe, combine our innovative strength, and develop new markets. As a result, we can offer our customers even more powerful solutions, increase our competitiveness, and grow sustainably.”

Strategic Expansion and Synergies

Through the acquisition, Covestro complements its film business with highly specialized flat and blown films – a complementary portfolio that enables further growth in attractive application areas. The film segment is growing continuously worldwide, primarily driven by increasing demand in key future markets such as medical technology, mobility, and the textile industry.

Additionally, Covestro is acquiring two specialized production sites in Switzerland and Germany, focusing on different film technologies. This not only strengthens the company’s global manufacturing network but also improves the regional availability of adhesive films. The acquisition also opens up additional value creation potential through complementary technologies, an expanded customer and product portfolio, as well as synergies in central functions and procurement.

“This acquisition is an important milestone in our Specialty Films growth strategy,” says Aukje Doornbos, Head of Business Entity Specialty Films at Covestro. “In recent years, we have already made large investments in expanding our global capacities. With Pontacol, we can strengthen our product development and expand our global offering for our customers. We are particularly looking forward to the approximately 100 experienced employees who will make a valuable contribution to our further growth with their expertise.”

Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The financing will be through cash and is thus aligned with Covestro’s goal of maintaining a solid investment-grade rating. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.

India, June 24, 2025: Bondada Group, one of India’s fastest-growing infrastructure and engineering companies, has secured a major 400 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project from Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) — marking a significant step toward accelerating Tamil Nadu’s clean energy transition.

The project will deploy standalone grid-scale BESS facilities with a total capacity of 400 MWh at key locations — Vellalaviduthi and Thennampatty in Tamil Nadu State. The initiative is aimed at boosting grid stability, integrating renewable energy, and managing peak power demand in the state.

The project will be executed under the build-own-operate (BOO) model, with Bondada Group emerging as the successful bidder through a competitive tendering process conducted by TNGECL.

Under the project terms, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) will procure battery energy storage services from Bondada Group through a 12-year battery energy storage purchase agreement. The system will allow for two full charge and discharge cycles per day, balancing the intermittency of renewable energy and delivering 24×7 reliable power supply to the state’s grid.

“This project marks a key milestone for Bondada Group in the energy storage segment and reflects our strong commitment to advancing India’s clean energy ecosystem,” said Dr. Raghavendra Rao Bondada, Chairman & Managing Director, Bondada Group.

The initiative aligns with India’s National Framework for Energy Storage Systems (NFESS), 2023, and Tamil Nadu’s ambitious goal of achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030. The system is expected to integrate with the state grid by 2027, contributing to India’s 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target.

Bondada Group has consistently delivered excellence across the renewable energy sector, with 800 MW of commissioned solar projects and 2.3 GW of ongoing solar and renewable EPC projects. This 400 MWh BESS project marks Bondada’s largest energy storage initiative to date, building on its previous success of securing a 100 MWh BESS project with Telangana Power Generation Corporation Limited (TGGENCO).

June 23, 2025: Thums Up XForce, the latest sensation from the house of India’s iconic billion-dollar homegrown brand, Thums Up, has disrupted the zero-sugar drinks category, bringing the most thunderous experience of consuming a zero-sugar beverage to the young consumers. With over 100,000 pre-bookings before its official release, Thums Up XForce created massive anticipation ahead of launch.

Even after 50 years since its launch, Thums Up continues to bring disruption into the category with innovative launches and marketing strategies. Thums Up XForce is made for those who live by their own rules, the true trailblazers with a G.O.A.T mentality, always striving to outdo themselves. With its unmatched, bold taste and iconic fizz, Thums Up XForce embodies the brand’s signature spirit of “All Thunder,” offering consumers the same Thums Up experience without any sugar or calories.

But XForce isn’t only about what’s inside the can. Sleek, modern, and instantly recognizable, its edgy, youthful design is a bold statement. The packaging captures the essence of Thums Up’s adventurous personality, positioning Thums Up XForce as “Thunder in a Can,” a powerful symbol of the classic Thums Up confidence. It clearly conveys that this is a drink for those who live life at full volume, never settle for less and are always leveling up

Sumeli Chatterjee, Category Head – Sparkling Flavours, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said, “Our strategy with Thums Up XForce is all about responding to changing consumer behaviors, especially the rising demand from young adults for bold, authentic experiences without settling or compromise. By innovating within our homegrown brand, we’re extending Thums Up’s legacy and stepping confidently into the fast-growing zero-sugar category. This consumer-first mindset helps us lead the market with a product that truly connects, while meeting the evolving lifestyle preferences of today’s generation.”

Since debuting in March, it has quickly made its strong presence felt in India’s Diet and Light beverage category.

India, 23rd June 2025: As India’s retail market surges toward $1.3 trillion, brands face a critical challenge, hiring quality frontline talent at scale. To address this, Channelplay which manages recruitment for market leaders including Apple, Microsoft, and Nykaa, has introduced an AI-driven solution that is reshaping the retail talent landscape.

In an economy where 10 million entry-level retail and sales positions need to be filled annually, Channelplay’s AI-powered system is processing over 25,000 applications monthly with 80% accuracy in candidate-job matching—numbers that were previously unimaginable in India’s fragmented hiring landscape.

“We’re not experimenting with AI, we’re operationalizing it,” said Sundeep Holani, Co- Founder and Co- CEO of Channelplay. “Our goal is simple: to make hiring faster, more accurate, and more candidate-friendly, at scale.”

Channelplay’s GenAI recruitment engine addresses critical bottlenecks across a five-step hiring flow: — from sourcing to screening to final selection.

Smart Job Prioritization: An AI-driven ranking model helps recruiters focus only on roles where the candidate pipeline needs attention, optimizing human effort and reducing wasted bandwidth.

Hyper-Relevant Candidate Matching: The system pairs candidates with opportunities based on their skill rating, salary expectations, and location preferences, resulting in 2.5x higher job application-to-selection ratios compared to traditional sourcing methods.

AI-Powered Screening: Dynamically generated screening questions enable recruiters to assess candidates in under two minutes, with AI determining job fit based on responses and historical data.

Intelligent Reassignment: Candidates not selected for one role are automatically matched to the next best-fit position, ensuring maximum placement efficiency while reducing third-party job portal costs.

Channelplay Jobs App: The company’s dedicated mobile application serves as the central hub where AI-curated job opportunities are presented to candidates based on their profiles. The app eliminates the traditional job search frustration by showing only highly relevant positions that match the applicant’s skills, location, and salary expectations.

“We’re not using AI to replace humans, but to amplify decision-making across the funnel,” adds Gaurav Arora as Senior Product Manager. “This is about building a recruitment system where the right person always finds the right job — faster, fairer, and smarter.”

With its foundational AI systems already in place, Channelplay is now focusing on the next phase of its evolution by building tools that further redefine the hiring experience. These include WhatsApp‑based AI voice screening bots, predictive demand models that help clients open the right roles at the right time, and AI‑driven upskilling recommendations tailored to candidates who weren’t selected, ensuring every interaction adds long‑term value to both talent and employers.

Channelplay aims to have 80% of its hiring workflow augmented by AI by the end of 2025, delivering unmatched speed and precision while preserving the human touch where it matters most.

Embassy Developments Limited
Inks Joint Development Pact for ~17.9 Acres of Land in Whitefield, Bengaluru;
Boosts Existing Residential Pipeline with an Estimated GDV of ~₹1,600 Cr

Mumbai/Bengaluru – June 23, 2025: Embassy Developments Ltd. (‘EDL’), one of India’s leading real estate developers, today announced the signing of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for ~17.9‑acres land parcel in Whitefield, Bengaluru. The planned development will comprise a premium residential community with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of ~₹1,600 Cr.

Nestled off Whitefield Main Road, the project will enjoy access to Whitefield’s robust social and physical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, banks, tech parks, and malls. Connectivity is set to improve further with the upcoming Peripheral Ring Road (PRR), Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR), and the recently launched Metro Purple Line.

The development will span ~1.6 msf of saleable area and feature ~1,000 thoughtfully designed apartments for young professionals, including 2, 2.5, and 3 BHK configurations. Launch is targeted for FY2027, aimed at catering to strong demand from IT and ITeS professionals in the region.

Aditya Virwani, Managing Director, Embassy Developments Limited., said, “Whitefield continues to be a strategic focus for us. As a predominantly end-user-driven micro-market, it has shown greater resilience supported by sustained demand from Bengaluru’s professional workforce and ongoing infrastructure growth. While we have a secured launch pipeline of 10 projects for FY2026 with an expected GDV of over ₹22,000 crore, this deal reinforces our commitment to building a robust future pipeline and we are actively exploring new opportunities across key markets.”

World Bathing Day is the perfect moment to pause, unwind, and embrace the transformative power of a good bath. Drawing inspiration from Japanese bathing culture, renowned for its harmony between nature and self-care this ritual is more than cleansing; it’s a moment of deep nourishment. To bring that same serenity home, here are three luxurious ingredients to add to your bathing routine that combine Japanese influence with modern skincare science.

1. Hokkaido Milk : Japan’s Moisture Miracle

From the snowy fields of northern Japan, Hokkaido milk is a beloved skincare treasure known for its rich, creamy texture and intense hydration. It hydrates deeply with 1/3 skin moisturizers, providing deep hydration and ensuring the skin feels happy and well-moisturized. The rich lather gently cleanses while the mood-uplifting fragrance transforms your bath into a refreshing, feel-good ritual, perfect for a calming and indulgent experience.

ITC Fiama brand ambassador Sara Ali Khan said, “Great skin is not just about looking good, but feeling confident in your own skin. I always choose products that are gentle yet effective, and the Fiama Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bar with Blueberry has become a staple in my routine. It hydrates deeply with 1/3 skin moisturizers, providing deep hydration and ensuring my skin feels happy and moisturized. It also contains Vitamin F, which supports skin health, and a mood-uplifting fragrance, adding a refreshing sensory experience to my skincare routine.”

2. Berry Trio: Nature’s Antioxidant Super blend

Goji berry, acai berry, and blueberry three powerful berries packed with skin-loving antioxidants come together to create a rejuvenating bathing experience. Known for their ability to reduce dullness and restore skin vitality, this berry blend energizes tired skin and helps maintain a healthy glow.

• Goji Berry: Traditionally used in Asian wellness rituals, it helps firm and tone the skin.
• Acai Berry: Rich in omega fatty acids, it nourishes and improves skin texture.
• Blueberry: Bursting with vitamins A and C, it revives dull skin and promotes radiance.

3. Vitamin F: The Skin Barrier Guardian

Vitamin F is not classified as a conventional vitamin. Rather, it refers to a class of important fatty acids that your body is unable to create on its own, mainly linoleic acid (Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (Omega-3). These fatty acids are essential for strong, healthy skin. In Japanese-inspired bathing rituals, maintaining balance and protecting the skin is key, and Vitamin F delivers just that.

Hyderabad, 23 June 2025: Stahl, India’s fastest growing cookware brand, proudly introduces the Blacksmith Signature range of cast iron tawas, a collection designed for perfecting everyday staples. Thoughtfully designed for timeless yet modern Indian kitchens, this precision-engineered range comprises of dosa and roti tawas with each tawa designed to handle a variety of cooking styles with consistent performance.

The Blacksmith Signature collection is an extension of Stahl’s pioneering Blacksmith cast iron range, which introduced India’s first lightweight cast iron cookware line. The Blacksmith Signature collection bridges the gap between traditional cooking methods and the evolving needs of modern kitchens, enabling home cooks to prepare meals more efficiently, quickly, and with greater ease.

Precision matters in everyday cooking, and the Blacksmith Signature tawas are built to deliver just that. Crafted for home cooks who value precision and authenticity, this range marries traditional craftsmanship without compromising on modern demands. Each tawa is pre-seasoned with 100% natural corn oil, free from synthetic coatings or chemicals. With exceptional heat retention that ensures even cooking, naturally heat-resistant and ergonomic beechwood handles for durability and comfort, the Blacksmith Signature range delivers a seamless cooking experience from stovetop to table, while being fully compatible across gas, induction, and other cooktops.

The range features two roti tawas (26 cm and 28 cm) and two dosa tawas (28 cm and 30 cm), thoughtfully sized to suit a variety of cooking styles and preferences. With a clean, minimal aesthetic and a robust, performance-focused build, these tawas are crafted to withstand daily use while elevating the cooking experience. Be it for the perfectly crisp dosas, or the gloriously puffed phulkas, the Blacksmith Signature cast iron tawas are the hallmark of craftsmanship that shows how tradition can be perfected for today.

Speaking about the range, Mr. Dhruv Agarwal, Director & CEO, Stahl said, “At Stahl, we’ve always strived to combine traditional values with modern innovation, and the Blacksmith Signature range of tawas is a true reflection of that. Cast iron has been a trusted material in Indian kitchens, and with this collection, we’ve perfected it for today’s cooks: safe, natural, easy to use, and built to last. From its clean aesthetic to its uncompromising performance, every detail of the range is designed to support everyday cooking with ease and authenticity. We remain committed to developing high-quality cookware that not only meets functional needs but also connects deeply with the rituals of traditional homes.”

The Blacksmith Signature cast iron tawas are starting from INR 2,880 and are available in retail stores, on Stahl’s D2C website, and on the leading e-commerce marketplace Amazon.

At its heart, this collection is about more than just cookware; it is about helping home cooks uphold a quiet promise: that the food served at the table will always reflect care, effort, and a touch of pride. Stahl understands this deeply and reaffirms its commitment to those who believe that getting the little things right makes the difference.

Swamiraj Constructions Rebrands as ‘House of Swamiraj’, Announces Rs 210 Cr Projects in Thane and Ambernath

Mumbai, 20th June 2025: In a defining moment that marks its evolution from a reputed builder to a future-focused lifestyle brand, Swamiraj Constructions has officially announced its rebranding as House of Swamiraj. With a legacy spanning two decades and over 1,700 satisfied homeowners across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the company is now stepping into a new era that fuses its time-tested values with a progressive approach to community-led, wellness-driven living.

The rebranding was officially launched through a digital campaign titled #BeyondDimensions. Rolled out in three phases: teaser, engagement, and launch, the campaign highlighted the company’s renewed focus on designing homes that are not only functional but also emotionally connected to the people who live in them.

At the heart of the rebranding lies a transformative vision: to go beyond the developer role and become a curator of experiences that foster belonging legacy, and lifestyle enrichment. The shift from “Swamiraj Constructions” to “House of Swamiraj” signifies more than a name change. It reflects a strategic repositioning that puts emotional intelligence, sustainable living, and design innovation at the core of every project.

“Changing our name to House of Swamiraj is not just about a new look. It’s about staying true to who we are while preparing for what’s next. For over 18 years, families have trusted us to build their homes, and that trust is the foundation we are building on. With this new chapter, we are focusing even more on thoughtful design, stronger communities, and meaningful living. The name may be new, but our purpose remains the same, and that is to create homes that truly improve lives,” said Jason Samuel, Director, House of Swamiraj.

To mark this remarkable transformation, House of Swamiraj is set to launch three significant residential developments. Two of these developments are located off Pokhran Road No. 1, Thane (West) — one being a thoughtfully designed affordable 2BHK lifestyle community, and the other offering a mix of 1BHK and 2BHK residences, with a combined investment of ₹160 crore.

The third is a premium residential tower in Ambernath (West), with a project value of ₹50 crore, aimed at redefining modern living in emerging locations.

Alongside these, a new development is planned in Vartak Nagar, Thane, aligning with the brand’s ambitious goal to achieve a turnover of Rs 2,000 crore while maintaining its commitment to affordability, innovation, and community-centric growth.

With its new identity, House of Swamiraj aims to transcend conventional construction by building homes that resonate emotionally and function intuitively. The long-term vision includes expanding into emerging urban hubs across Maharashtra, delivering over 12,000 homes, and achieving a sales milestone of Rs 10,000 crore. The brand aspires to establish itself among Maharashtra’s top five lifestyle-centric developers, championing future-ready living with wellness amenities, sustainability, and smart home innovations embedded into every project.

As House of Swamiraj ushers in this new chapter, it promises not just spaces to live in but places to thrive, reaffirming its belief that a house is not just built with walls but with purpose, emotion, and vision.