Mumbai, 24 April 2025 – Rajiv Kapoor, the General Manager at the newly launched Fairmont Mumbai has been at the helm of the hotel’s pre-opening phase for the past year, meticulously orchestrating its launch and shaping its vision. With doors officially opened on 10th April, his leadership marks the beginning of a dynamic new era for the brand in Mumbai.

With a remarkable career spanning over two decades in luxury hospitality, Rajiv brings a wealth of expertise in hotel operations, guest service, and team leadership. Known for his strategic approach and passion for excellence, he is set to steer Fairmont Mumbai towards new benchmarks in hospitality and innovation. Shaped by extensive international experience, his journey across diverse cultural landscapes has refined his ability to anticipate and exceed global guest expectations.

His tenure in world-class resorts across Asia allowed him to master the art of cross-cultural service, market adaptability, and innovative guest engagement. Having led teams in dynamic, high-performing environments, he has honed his expertise in operational excellence, brand positioning, and bespoke service delivery.

Rajiv’s five-year tenure at Fairmont Jaipur played a key role in enhancing the brand’s reputation, particularly through his introduction of innovative guest experiences and operational improvements that significantly boosted occupancy rates. His leadership earned him several prestigious accolades, including “General Manager of the Year – Upscale to Luxe” at the Accor South Asia Hotel Awards 2021 and “General Manager of the Year – Luxury Hotels Segment” at the HOSI 2022 Hotelivate MakeMyTrip Awards.

He is known for his ability to build strong teams, implement strategic initiatives, and maintain operational excellence. Rajiv’s hands-on approach ensures that the Fairmont experience remains consistent, delivering the high level of service the brand is known for.

At Fairmont Mumbai, Rajiv will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the hotel’s pre-opening and operations, including curating a high-performing team that aligns with Fairmont’s vision of excellence, strategic planning, and ensuring exceptional service in Mumbai’s competitive luxury market. With his deep commitment to the Fairmont brand, Rajiv is determined to position Fairmont Mumbai as a beacon of luxury and innovation, setting a new standard for hospitality in the region.

“I’m excited to be part of this new chapter for Fairmont in Mumbai,” says Rajiv. “The legendary legacy of this brand is inspiring, and I look forward to collaborating with the team to establish Fairmont Mumbai as a flagship property for Accor in India, setting a new standard for luxury and excellence in the city.” With a track record of leading properties to success, Rajiv’s visionary approach and hands-on leadership style make him the ideal choice to guide Fairmont Mumbai to its grand opening. His dedication to upholding the highest standards of hospitality will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the city’s luxury hospitality landscape.

Under Rajiv’s leadership, Fairmont Mumbai is set to elevate the luxury experience in the city. He will focus on incorporating distinctive design elements, culinary innovations, and world-class service standards to create an immersive experience that resonates with both local and international guests. By blending the timeless elegance of the Fairmont brand with a modern touch, Rajiv aims to position Fairmont Mumbai as a true symbol of sophisticated hospitality, making it a premier destination for those seeking unmatched luxury and excellence in the heart of the city.

Apr. 24, 2025— The World Bank Group today announced the launch of the next phase of its Private Sector Investment Lab, focused on implementing proven solutions at scale. This new chapter also expands the Lab’s membership to include industry leaders with experience generating jobs in developing economies, aligning directly with the Bank’s sharpened focus on job creation as a core driver of development.

“With the expanded membership, we are mainstreaming this work across our operations and tying it directly to the jobs agenda that is driving our strategy,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate.”

Over the last 18 months, the Lab brought together leaders from global financial institutions to identify the most pressing barriers to private sector investment in developing countries—and to test actionable solutions.

That work has now been consolidated into five priority focus areas that are being integrated across Bank Group operations:

• Regulatory and Policy Certainty: Supporting governments in creating stable regulatory frameworks. For instance, the effort to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity relies on upfront policy clarity to attract long-term capital.

• Political Risk Insurance: Streamlined guarantee instruments has led to a 30% increase in issuance compared to last year—enhancing investor confidence and helping the Bank meet its goal of tripling the use of guarantees by 2030.

• Foreign Exchange Risk: Scaling local currency financing to deepen domestic capital markets. Last year, IFC committed one-third of its long-term financing in local currency—with a goal of reaching 40% by 2030.

• Junior Equity Capital: Launched the Frontier Opportunities Fund to absorb earlystage risk. Initially capitalized with IFC income, the fund will grow with donor and philanthropic contributions.

• Securitization: Collaborating with institutions such as S&P and BlackRock to standardize and securitize portfolios, unlocking capital from pension funds, insurers, and sovereign wealth funds.

As the Lab enters its implementation phase, it is also expanding its membership to include private sector leaders in sectors critical to job creation—such as infrastructure and energy,agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing. These industries have a proven ability to translate investment into broad-based employment and economic opportunity.

New members of the Lab include:

• Bill Anderson, CEO, Bayer AG

• Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair, Bharti Enterprises

• Aliko Dangote, President & CEO, Dangote Group

• Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

“We are grateful to the original Lab leaders who helped us deliver strong results in the initial work period,” Banga said. “Now we’re building on that foundation—bringing in additional leaders from sectors that are central to job creation and moving from ideas to implementation.”

The Lab’s founding members included senior executives from AXA, BlackRock, HSBC, Macquarie, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Ninety One, Ping An Group, Royal Philips, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Sustainable Energy for All, Tata Sons, Temasek, and Three Cairns Group. The Lab is chaired by Shriti Vadera, Chair of Prudential plc.

“We are grateful to the Lab leaders who helped deliver such important results in the first phase. We welcome our new members’ support in continuing our focus on five key areas: regulatory and policy certainty; guarantees, as the most widely used and understood instrument to address political and credit risks; foreign exchange risk; scaling different forms of equity; and creating an asset class and liquid market to attract institutional funds.” Shriti Vadera, Chair, Prudential plc. and Chair, Private Sector Investment Lab

“The World Bank Group is leading the way with initiatives to grow economies and create opportunities in emerging markets around the globe. As President Banga has said, the private sector will play a pivotal role in this transformation, and I am delighted to join the PSIL alongside other distinguished business leaders. I have seen firsthand the power of connectivity to transform lives by creating opportunities for businesses to grow and communities to thrive. I hope that the successes of the telecommunications sector will be valuable as PSIL embarks on the next stage of its important work.” Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair, Bharti Enterprises

“I am honored to join the Private Sector Investment Lab during its next phase focused on implementation. Together, businesses and the WBG can unleash job creation in emerging markets by managing the risks and realizing the opportunities for the next generation growing up in low and middle income countries.” Bill Anderson, CEO, Bayer AG

Bangalore, 24 April, 2025: In the bustling marketplace of India the rise of fraud and abuse is fast emerging as a cause for concern. As online shopping carts fill up, Amazon stands as a vigilant guardian, deploying cutting-edge strategies to protect its ecosystem.

“As a customer-centric company, we’re committed to fostering a safe and trusted shopping experience. We encourage our customers to actively participate in safeguarding their online shopping by remaining vigilant and adhering to recommended security practices” said Akshay Sahi, Director & Head of Amazon Prime, Speed & Fulfilment Experience, India. “Additionally, we also prioritize seller safety through multiple initiatives. For instance, by filing Safe-T claims, sellers can address delivery or payment issues efficiently, allowing Amazon to investigate and resolve the matter. Timely reporting helps avoid delays and ensures that the seller’s account remains protected.”

The Fraud Landscape: A Complex Web

With growth there has been a surge in challenges too. Fraudulent activities across social media, ecommerce, enterprise, and fintech platforms have significantly increased in the last few years in the country. A recent PwC India report revealed startling statistic of 57% incidents that are linked to these platform frauds. This fraud manifests in various forms driven by a small set of bad actors across the system:

• Seller-Related Challenges: Certain sellers may engage in deceptive practices on marketplace. These include shipping damaged items, or offering counterfeit merchandise. Such practices impact customer trust and marketplace integrity.
• Fulfilment Network Concerns : Often a small segment of the network associates that enables fulfilment of orders, might swap genuine products for fakes or manipulate delivery statuses. This is another prevailing issue in the industry that causes distress and anguish to the customers and ruins their online shopping experience.
• Customer Conundrums: There are multiple instances where a limited cohort of malicious customers have often abused the system in place taking advantage of the marketplace’s customer-friendly policies. For example, the return and refund policies are often misused. These further impacts sellers’ businesses and trust.

Amazon’s Shield: initiative to provide safe and trusted shopping environment

To ensure that customers have a safe and trusted shopping environment, Amazon has implemented initiatives across its marketplace, working together to enhance the customer shopping experience:

• Enhanced Security Measures: One-Time Password (OTP) verification is a highly secure method to ensure that deliveries reach the intended recipient. This step is particularly important for valuable, sensitive, or high-stakes deliveries.
• Rigorous Seller Account Verification: Amazon India deploys seller verification process to minimize fraud and ensure a trustworthy marketplace.
• Secured Packaging: Tamper-evident bags and Security Seals have unique package IDs. Amazon packs your items securely using these packaging solutions. The package ID is an alpha-numeric code that helps you to identify your order. If customers suspect tampering which is identifiable through the signs these packages display, they can reject a package at the time of delivery.
• Open Box Delivery: With Open Box Inspection, the delivery associates unpack customers’ ordered packages at the time of delivery for their inspection. They can verify the order to ensure the right products are delivered without any damages and have the required accessories enclosed.
• AI-Powered Vigilance: Advanced machine learning algorithms analyse system-wide data to detect suspicious patterns and identify potential fraudulent activities and prevent them.
• 24/7 Customer Support: With above controls, while the instances of such abuse and fraud have been drastically controlled, in exception cases if any customer faces such a situation, a dedicated team of customer service agents stands ready to assist, ensuring their shopping experience remains positive.

Your Role in the Fight Against Fraud

The customers  have an equally crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the e-commerce marketplaces. Here’s how you can contribute:

• Verify OTPs in person: Customers who have placed orders must receive their packages from the delivery associates themselves in person or have it collected through someone they trust. Also important to note is that OTPs should not be shared with unknown people or over the phone.
• Inspect packages for tampering: Once received, the package must be inspected for any issues with the packaging on the outside and a tampered parcel should be returned immediately at the time of delivery.
• Ensure proper pickup procedures during returns: For a successful return pickup, ensure the items and all accessories are returned in their original condition, including the brand and manufacturer box. The MRP tag should remain intact and the user manual, warranty cards and all the other documents provided with the item must be returned.
• Be wary of impersonators: Never share sensitive information and always verify the authenticity of offers by logging into your account on the official Amazon app or website only. Customers who use emails should look for the Amazon smile logo icon in their inbox when receiving an email from Amazon. This alertness can protect your personal and financial information.
• Report issues promptly to customer service: Provide clear details about the issue to the customer service, including order numbers and relevant pictures. Early reporting of issues ensures efficient and faster way to solve problems.

The Road Ahead

The battle against e-commerce fraud is ongoing, By staying informed and following best practices, you’re doing your part to keep online marketplaces safe and secure for all.

Happy (and safe) shopping!

Chandigarh, April 23, 2025: The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, continues to advance its sustainability journey by accelerating the use of renewable energy across its portfolio. Under its ESG+ framework, Paathya, IHCL marked a significant milestone in FY 2024-25 with 51 hotels drawing power from clean energy sources including 13 operating on 100% renewable energy, through a mix of on-site installations, off-site sourcing, and strategic power purchase agreements.

Mr. Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, said, “In line with our Paathya goals, our green energy transition is rooted in a holistic strategy that balances environmental impact with operational resilience. Our growing transition to renewable energy, alongside greater operational efficiency is driving meaningful change across our hotels, reflective of our commitment to responsible hospitality and our long-term sustainability vision.”

As part of its continued commitment to sustainability, IHCL now meets over 35% of its energy requirements through renewable sources, translating to an annual electricity consumption of approximately 41 crore kWh. IHCL hotels in Maharashtra lead the way with widespread on-site solar installations and accounts for over 6.6 crore kWh of renewable energy usage annually, hotels in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka play a pivotal role, contributing nearly 3 crore kWh each through wind energy consumption. This strategic shift to clean energy underscores IHCL’s dedication to responsible hospitality and its vision for a greener future.

With a growing portfolio of 380 hotels, IHCL remains committed to the adoption of clean energy solutions.

content

Hyderabad, 22^nd April 2025: At KFC India, sustainability is an everyday practice. Ever since the launch of the first KFC restaurant in India in 1995, the brand has been deeply embedded in the country and committed to growing at scale through sustainable business practices.

 

The brand has been making steady progress towards building a more sustainable future. Reinforcing its long-term commitment to sustainability & climate conscious operations, KFC has adopted a range of sustainable solutions, and responsible practices that fuels its ambition to build green, future-ready restaurants across the country.

 RENEW-ED EFFORTS

• KFC’s flagship restaurant in Hyderabad’s Hi–tech City is home to one of the largest solar panel systems across QSRs in the country. This panel helps avoid 30.5 metric tons of CO₂ emissions per year (equivalent to a petrol car driving around the Earth 3 times)
• 70+ KFC restaurants across India operate with solar power integration
• 800+KW energy generated through the solar panels (equivalent to enough power to run 800 washing machines at the same time)
• Energy management systems (EMS) installed in kitchens have helped save 7% energy per restaurant per day
• Restaurants use LED lighting, energy efficient cooling and smart technology to ensure minimal energy wastage
• KFC restaurants are able to save over 50% water by adding flow restrictors to faucets, taps & flushes

 11 GREEN BUILDING MUST HAVES

 In an industry first achievement, KFC has been awarded a Gold rating for its restaurant in Bhavarkua, Indore, making KFC the first QSR brand in India to achieve this distinction.

The IGBC certification is a testament to the green measures incorporated within the restaurant right from its initial design phase. KFC’s dedication to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of the Bhavarkua restaurant. The design and operations of this sustainable restaurant integrates energy efficiency, usage of responsible materials and waste diversion. This includes the following aspects:

• Furniture made entirely of recycled & sustainable materials across the restaurant floor
• Locally manufactured & sustainable building materials utilized across building façade
• Energy Management Systems to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures to conserve valuable resources
• Solar panels & motion sensor LED lights installed to increase energy efficiency
• CO2 & Humidity Sensors, Fresh Air Ventilation System and Indoor plants placed to enhance air quality within restaurant
• Use of ecofriendly gas in Ventilation & Air Conditioning systems

KFC has also pledged to ensure all new restaurants are built keeping in mind “11 Green Building Must Haves”. This includes efforts to reduce water wastage, optimizing restaurants fixtures & lighting for lower energy use, equipment efficiency, CFC & HCFC free refrigeration, amongst others.

 FUTURE FIRST

KFC India is on a journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions & become carbon neutral in the coming years. A significant milestone in this journey is the shift to 100% responsibly sourced packaging.

 KFC aims to continue to lead the way for the category in the adoption of sustainably sourced packaging materials. In the last year alone, KFC has reduced 3500 MT of plastic and converted 80% of packaging to be recyclable and compostable.

With all these efforts & more in the years to come, KFC is committed to growing in India, with India, on the back of sustainable business practices.

 

GE Aerospace in India, in partnership with United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), distributed 53 e–rickshaws to empower women with sustainable livelihood opportunities. The event, held at GE Aerospace‘s Bengaluru research and engineering campus, was attended by Bengaluru Police Commissioner Shri B. Dayananda, IPS. Supported by Parihar, an initiative of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s office, the ‘e-auto’ program also offers training to equip these new drivers with the skills needed to operate the eco-friendly vehicles and partner with cab aggregators via a pre-fitted smartphone.

 

Gurugram, 23 April 2025: Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, announces a remarkable feat achieved by its flagship scooter – Suzuki Access. The company has entered the India Book of Records for completing the fastest scooter ride from India’s lowest region, Kuttanad in Kerala, to the highest altitude village, Komic in Himachal Pradesh on its flagship scooter – Suzuki Access.

A dedicated team of riders undertook this journey on the Suzuki Access, starting from Kuttanad at 7:20 AM, and reaching Komic at 3:05 PM after four days, covering total distance of 3,696 km in 103 hours and 45 minutes. This record setting journey was a true testament to the performance, reliability, and efficiency of the Suzuki Access.

Commenting on this achievement, Mr. Deepak Mutreja, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Thanks to Indian consumers for making Suzuki Access as one of the most loved scooters in India. We aim to continue winning their hearts with its performance, technology and comfort. This journey highlights the scooter’s strength beyond daily commuting – especially its strong pick-up and consistent performance for long distance rides across different road conditions. We truly appreciate the efforts of the riders and everyone for their support in making this achievement possible.”

Pushing Boundaries with Suzuki Access

The route tested the scooter across altitudes – from below the sea level landscape of Kerala, gradually climbing through central India and finally reaching the high-altitude terrain of Spiti in the Great Himalayas. The scooter’s reliable 125cc engine, efficient mileage, and superior suspension system ensured a smooth ride through urban roads, rugged mountainous paths and high-altitude conditions.

Delhi, 23/04/2025: In a landmark moment of cultural diplomacy, Rambagh Palace—Jaipur’s crown jewel, Rambagh Palace will host US Vice President James David Vance, his family, and a 20-member White House delegation on April 23. The high-profile visit is being celebrated with a grand dinner in collaboration with IRIS Jaipur, renowned for its handcrafted, gold-plated metalware. Following its acclaimed showcase at the G20 Summit, IRIS Jaipur once again has the honour of serving foreign dignitaries.

 The dinner will be held in the palace’s opulent 18th-century ballroom, Suvarna Mahal. A custom-designed collection of gold-plated dinner sets, tableware, cutlery, serve ware and trolley —crafted by IRIS Jaipur—will headline the banquet, reflecting a seamless blend of traditional Rajasthani artistry and modern luxury.

 Each guest will receive a golden napkin ring as a keepsake, engraved with their names on one side and Rambagh Palace Jaipur on the other side. The culinary showcase, presented on bespoke dinner sets, snack stands, hollowware, and barware, will highlight India’s gastronomic heritage with dishes prepared by Rambagh’s top chefs.

 A red-carpet walkway flanked by mirror-polished golden pipes—crafted by IRIS’s metal artisans—creates a shimmering prelude, setting the tone for the regal evening. Antique brass welcome trolleys, lotus design trays with bowls, and garland stands will enhance the arrival experience with rich visual storytelling rooted in Jaipur’s artisanal traditions.

 Jaipur‘s IRIS artisans bring diplomatic hospitality to life at Rambagh Palace, showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage while adding a personal touch to the grandeur of the U.S. Vice President’s visit.

 “This collaboration is a testament to Indian artisanship,” said Rajeev Pabuwal, Co-Founder of IRIS Jaipur. “Every detail—from the cutlery to the welcome trays—reflects precision, heritage, and the soul of Indian hospitality.”

 IRIS’s relationship with Rambagh spans decades, with its creations gracing the palace’s grandest suites and dining halls. This latest showcase, co-led by Ashok Rathore, General Manager of Rambagh Palace, and Rajeev Pabuwal, continues a legacy of reviving traditional craftsmanship for discerning global audiences.

 As diplomacy unfolds over dinner, Jaipur stands tall not just as a cultural capital,but as a beacon of craft-led global engagement.