Kartik Jain, MD & CEO, Shriram AMC, said: “This partnership is more than capital—it’s a strong endorsement of our quantamental approach that fuses data science with fundamental insights. Leveraging its expertise in both quantitative and fundamental analysis, Sanlam will enhance the sophistication of Shriram AMC’s investment processes and help deliver relevant and differentiated investment solutions to the right customer segments. As a result, this strategic partnership will further strengthen the key pillars of our strategy covering the 3Ps of Performance, Products and Placement.”

Carl Roothman, CEO of Sanlam Investments, Sanlam’s asset manager, added: “We see India as a strategic growth market, and our partnership with Shriram AMC reflects our commitment to co-creating investment excellence, particularly in emerging markets. With over two decades of successful collaboration between the Shriram Group and Sanlam, this partnership builds on a long-standing legacy of trust, and a mutual vision to create impactful investments that benefit society.”

Gaurav Patankar, Managing Partner & CIO, Mission1 Investments, said: “We could not be more excited to have someone like Sanlam join in not just as an investor but also as a co-promoter. To have two promoters with depth, expertise and pedigree that have a long history of working together can only mean strong long term value creation for shareholders. The opportunity landscape in asset management is as interesting if not more than it was in 2022 when we made our initial investment. We see the long-term value creation opportunity here as exciting and exponential”

Renowned for their natural beauty, India’s hill stations are also culinary treasure troves shaped by regional produce, climatic conditions, and deep-rooted cultural influences. The food festival draws inspiration from the rich gastronomic heritage of iconic hill towns such as Manali, Shimla, Nainital, Darjeeling, Munnar and Coorg etc. With menus reflecting everything from indigenous tribal practices to colonial-era cooking techniques, ‘Cuisines of the Hills in India’ offers an immersive experience steeped in authenticity.

Guests can relish delicacies like Chana Madra and Dham from Himachal Pradesh, Aloo ke Gutke and Gahat ki Dal from Uttarakhand and Tibetan-inspired favourites such as Thukpa and Momos from Darjeeling. The bold and earthy flavours of Coorg shine through in dishes like Pandi Curry and Kadumbuttu, while Kerala’s hill cuisine is represented through offerings such as Appam with Stew and Kappa with Meen Curry. These dishes are authentically prepared using locally sourced ingredients including millets, barley, wild herbs, lentils, and region-specific spices.

“We are pleased to introduce ‘Cuisines of the Hills in India’ as a tribute to the country’s elevated culinary culture. Through this festival, we aim to spotlight the culinary depth and cultural richness of India’s hill stations, offering our guests not just a meal, but a story on every plate,” shares Chef Ritesh Sen, General Manager – Food & Beverage, The Fern Hotels & Resorts. Promising a refreshing escape into India’s culinary highlands, ‘Cuisines of the Hills in India’ invites food lovers and cultural enthusiasts to savour the soulful simplicity and regional richness that define the hills of India.

National, May 27^th  2025 — Brand Raga, one of India’s most effective marketing agencies soecialising in the metro cities landscape, today announced its strategic repositioning as a 360° marketing consultancy. At the heart of this evolution is the launch of its proprietary YouFlexible model—a transformative approach designed to deliver deeply customized marketing solutions that adapt to the ever-evolving needs, pace, and growth challenges of each client. Unlike conventional, one-size-fits-all agencies, Brand Raga’s YouFlexible framework combines brand strategy, digital performance, political communications, creative storytelling, and on-ground execution into one unified engine. It is this integration, paired with deep regional expertise, that has helped the agency dominate in markets often underserved by national agencies.

Delivering Growth in every assignment. Brand Raga’s success across metro cities to Tier 1  and government sectors has set a new benchmark. From amping women-led self-help groups triple their sales to ₹2.52 crore via hybrid campaign models, to generating 50% of monthly sales for a regional F&B brand purely through digital leads, the agency has consistently delivered measurable impact.

In the government and political space, Brand Raga has maintained a 100%-win record for election clients since 2018 and led historic campaigns like Karnataka’s Janaparashakti manifesto initiative—reaching over 2 crore citizens, conducting 200+ on-ground events, and collecting 3.5 lakh public inputs to co-create a genuinely people-powered vision.

Even in crisis scenarios, Brand Raga has shown remarkable agility—turning a modest ₹71,000 campaign budget into ₹28 lakh worth of donations for Karnataka’s 2019 flood relief fund through sharp messaging and digital precision.

A Model for the Future of Indian Marketing

“Our repositioning is not just about how we market—it’s about how we partner,” said Shivkumar Mamadapur, Founder and CEO of Brand Raga. “Today’s clients, especially in emerging markets, demand flexibility, integration, and results. The YouFlexible model was built exactly for this: to break silos, move fast, and create campaigns that are both contextual and high converting.”

Brand Raga’s integrated model has made it the go-to partner for political leaders, real estate developers, government bodies, and social enterprises alike. Campaigns like Yuva Dasara, which converted 62 lakh digital impressions into packed ground attendance, exemplify how Brand Raga bridges digital storytelling with real-world action.

Sugatsune Surface Mount Concealed Hinge HES2S 140 A125 is a game changer for modern residences and apartments, offering a perfect blend of functionality and aesthetic finesse. Designed for flush mount applications, it allows doors to integrate effortlessly into the surrounding architecture, creating a clean and sophisticated look.

The HES2S–140 features groundbreaking 3D adjustment, allowing vertical, horizontal, and depth modifications even after installation. This ensures a flawless fit and unmatched convenience for professionals and homeowners alike. Its surface mounts on the jamb side for easy installation, opens to 125°, and features a compact, durable design that is simple to maintain. For added reliability, a door stopper is recommended to protect the hinges and extend the lifespan of the door.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the hinge is supplied with stainless steel flathead screws and a refined cover that conceals all screw heads for a pristine finish. Available in three elegant colors: dark grey, light grey, and black, the HES2S–140 enhances the functionality and appearance of aluminium profile doors and can also be fitted in marble frames, particularly in bathrooms. Its design ensures smooth integration, contributing to a modern and sophisticated aesthetic, ideal for stylish apartments where both functionality and elegance are paramount.

Reflecting Sugatsune’s commitment to combining innovation and craftsmanship to elevate everyday living, the HES2S–140 has already gained global recognition. It proudly holds the prestigious Interzum Award 2023 and the iF Design Award 2023, judged by an international jury of experts in design, material science, and architecture, which is a testament to Sugatsune’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of hardware innovation.

Mumbai, May 27, 2025 : Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited (JioBlackRock Asset Management), a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and BlackRock , has received regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to commence operations as an investment manager for their mutual fund business in India.

JioBlackRock Asset Management will bring an innovative investment proposition to the growing number of Indian retail mutual fund investors, as well as to institutional investors in India. The asset management company will seek to leverage the unique strengths of its two sponsors: JFSL’s digital reach and its deep understanding of the local market, alongside BlackRock’s global investment expertise and leading risk management technology.

Key differentiators for all investors of the JioBlackRock Asset Management offering will include competitive and transparent pricing and innovative products, supported by the application of BlackRock’s pre-eminent risk management expertise. This includes Aladdin, BlackRock’s globally renowned proprietary technology platform that unifies the investment management process through a common data language. For retail investors, the offering will also be distinctive for its digital-first customer proposition. JioBlackRock Asset Management aims to launch a range of investment products, including those that apply BlackRock’s industry-leading capabilities in data-driven investing,  over the coming months.

Isha Ambani, Non-Executive Director, JFSL, said: “India’s rapid growth is driven by a new generation with bold aspirations. Our partnership with BlackRock is a powerful combination of global investment expertise and Jio’s digital-first innovation. Together, we are committed to making investing simple, accessible, and inclusive for every Indian. I am confident that JioBlackRock Asset Management will play a transformative role in shaping the future of financial empowerment in India.”      

Rachel Lord, Head of International at BlackRock, said: “The opportunity in asset management in India today is tremendously exciting. JioBlackRock’s digital-first customer proposition, delivering institutional quality products at a lower cost directly to investors, will enable more people in India to enjoy the many benefits of access to the capital markets. Together with our partner JFSL, we look forward to contributing to the country’s continued evolution from a nation of savers to a nation of investors.”

JioBlackRock Asset Management is also pleased to announce the appointment of Sid Swaminathan as it’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Sid Swaminathan brings over 20 years of asset management experience to the role. He was previously Head of International Index Equity at BlackRock, where he was responsible for an AUM of $1.25 trillion. Prior to that, he served as the Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management for Europe at BlackRock, responsible for Systematic and Indexed strategies.

Sid’s deep understanding of investments – across asset classes, investment styles and geographies – will play a key role in his leadership of JioBlackRock Asset Management, as the JV works to deliver innovative investment products to millions of investors in India.

Sid Swaminathan, Managing Director & CEO, Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited said: “JioBlackRock Asset Management aims to digitally deliver institutional quality investment products to investors across India and contribute to the growth of the country’s investment ecosystem. I am honoured to lead JioBlackRock Asset Management and help transform asset management in India by empowering investors to directly harness the potential of investing.”

“This award highlights our relentless focus on innovation and quality in roofing and cladding solutions. At Tata BlueScope Steel, we are committed to staying agile in meeting market demands while also making a meaningful contribution to building sustainable and resilient communities. Through our #ShelterForAll initiative, we are determined to make an impact across the nation by providing durable roofing in regions prone to adverse climates or delivering robust solutions for infrastructure projects like the Pune and Delhi Metro stations, or the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati. This recognition motivates us to continue advancing solutions that not only meet the evolving infrastructural needs but also positively impact the communities we serve,” said Ms. Priya Rajesh, Chief Marketing Officer, Tata BlueScope Steel.

Sanjay Jain, Sr. Vice President and Business Head, Mahindra Powerol said, “Being recognised as the number one player in India’s genset market reflects our continued focus on innovation, reliability, and meeting customer needs. Our leadership in the Telecom sector, expansion in Retail, and readiness for CPCB4+ norms have all played an important role in this journey. We thank our partners, customers, and teams across India for their continued trust and support. We remain committed to delivering efficient and future-ready power solutions that support India’s progress.”

National, May 27, 2025: Almonds Ai, a channel loyalty, rewards and solutions company has partnered with digital advertising leader Mobavenue to launch ChannelX, a first-of-its-kind solution that empowers brands to reach retailers, distributors, painters, mechanics, and other partners far beyond the limitations of WhatsApp or SMS.  

Most brands today try to engage their dealers, retailers, and influencers like mechanics or painters through WhatsApp, SMS, or mobile app notifications. But many of these messages go unread, and app usage is often limited. This makes it harder for brands to share schemes, promote new launches, or stay top of mind, even though this audience already spends over 4.5 hours a day on OTT, social media, and gaming apps.

With ChannelX, brands can now show ads, schemes, and promotions to their verified channel partners across popular apps like OTT platforms, auto websites, entertainment apps, and even Truecaller, all without compromising user privacy or data security. This unlocks up to 3x higher engagement compared to SMS or app notifications.

“Brands have invested heavily in loyalty programs, but the biggest gap is still visibility — reaching the right partner at the right time. With ChannelX, we’re not just improving communication; we’re unlocking a new layer of influence by meeting channel partners where their attention already is,” Abhinav Jain & Apurv Modi, Co-founders of Almonds Ai, jointly said.

“Channel marketing has stayed offline for too long while digital has transformed everything else. ChannelX is built to bridge that gap — bringing the power of digital targeting to the physical trade world, in a way that’s safe, scalable, and made for ROI,” added Ishank Joshi, CEO of Mobavenue.

Whether it’s a mechanic discovering a special incentive while browsing an auto blog, or a retailer seeing a promotion while watching the news—ChannelX ensures your message reaches the right eyes, at the right time, in the right context. And by extending beyond SMS and WhatsApp, brands can see over 40% uplift in total reach among their channel partners.

“Heat Stress, unlike sanitation, or floods, heat is an ‘invisible’ factor – one that impacts people differently based on a variety of factors. And no two cities or human settlements have the same conditions. As a result, participatory research, storytelling and surfacing locally relevant solutions are essential towards building a more inclusive, resilient, enduring response to the rising heat in cities – especially high-growth, high-density cities which are expanding rapidly” – Sonali Bhasin & Kanishk Kabiraj, People First Cities Initiative

“Achieving a design solution that does not interfere with the ground conveys more than just a means of convenience – the footpath is entirely public, defiant of ownership. The design is a host for a variety of interchangeable materials and functions, with its visible permeability and flexibility of construction, which can adapt to different scenarios.” – Sagar and Ankritya, Architects and Urban Planners