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

New Delhi, 27th May 2025: Blue Dart Express Limited, South Asia’s premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, today announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2025, following the conclusion of its Board Meeting which was held in Mumbai. In a fiscal year which was shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, macroeconomic volatility, and sectoral challenges, the company delivered a stable performance, underscoring its operational resilience and ability to maintain service continuity across markets.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, Blue Dart reported revenue from operations of ₹ 5,720 crore and profit after tax of ₹ 245 crore. For the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Q4 FY25), revenue from operations stood at ₹ 1,417 crore. Profit after tax for the quarter stood at ₹ 53 crore.

Commenting on the announcement, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express, said, “Our focus in FY25 was on delivering consistency, maintaining service quality, and enhancing our offering strength with significant investments towards our aviation capabilities and infrastructure, an approach that will continue as we gear up for the future. With a long-term perspective on these investments, we remain committed to reinforcing our core, adopting technology for efficiency, and delivering reliable service. Several of these investments are front-loaded, and we anticipate upcoming business growth to drive cost optimization.

As we look ahead to FY26, we remain cautiously optimistic amid ongoing external uncertainties. Nonetheless, Blue Dart will continue to invest in expanding our network, advancing digital capabilities, and embedding sustainable practices to drive long-term operational strength to enhance service capabilities, deepen customer trust, and build operational resilience.”

In the fiscal year gone by, Blue Dart was recognized for excellence across key areas including customer service, sustainability, compliance, and brand loyalty. The company continued to be recognized as a Great Place to Work and one of the best organizations for women. Additionally, Blue Dart was awarded for its customer-centric culture, operational excellence in logistics, and trusted brand reputation. It was also acknowledged for its strong legal compliance practices and sustainable business approach.

May 26, 2025: The Board of Directors of Sundaram Finance Ltd. (SFL) approved the audited standalone and consolidated financial results for the year ended March 31, 2025, at its meeting held on May 26, 2025, in Chennai.

“Team Sundaram has delivered 17% growth in AUM to Rs. 51,476 crores, asset quality with net stage 3 at 0.75% vs 0.63% last year and profits from operations growing 29% year-on-year. Our Group companies in asset management, general insurance and home finance have continued their trajectory from FY24 and recorded strong results. We continue to rely on our time-tested approach of steady and sustainable growth with best-in-class asset quality and consistent profitability,” said Harsha Viji, Executive Vice Chairman.

Disbursements for FY25 recorded a growth of 9% over FY24 with 11% growth in disbursements for Q4FY25 over last year. Gross stage 3 assets as on March 31, 2025, stood at 1.44% with provision cover of 49% as against 1.26% as on March 31, 2024, with provision cover of 50%. Profits from operations performed strongly, growing by 29% in FY25. Profit after tax registered a 6% rise in FY25, with net profit at Rs. 1,543 crores. After excluding exceptional item in FY24, profit after tax rose 16% in FY25. Return on assets closed at 2.85% in FY25 as against 3.18% for FY24 and capital adequacy at 20.4% remains quite comfortable.

Rajiv Lochan, Managing Director, stated, “FY25 was marked by subdued demand due to an extreme summer, general elections, a dull festive season and global volatility driven by tariff-related uncertainty as well as geopolitical complications. Customer outlook was, by and large, cautious and the burden of economic growth was largely supported by Government capex, which ended up at levels lower than the previous year. Given the uncertainties in the external demand, our focus on market share has remained clear. We have gained market share across nearly major asset classes that we focus on, resulting in 17% growth in AUM for FY25 and our laser-sharp focus on controlling our costs – borrowing, operating & credit – resulted in a 29% growth in profits from operations.”

“Looking ahead, we expect macroeconomic sentiments to improve on the rural front because of above normal monsoons forecasted by the IMD and strong procurement, and, on the urban front, due to an improvement in government spending on infrastructure as well as the income tax benefits announced in the union budget. As private consumption improves, private sector capex will likely pick up. We are well positioned to continue our marathon running – steady growth, best-in-class asset quality and continued resilient profitability – and in delivering the Sundaram experience to our customers, people and partners,” he added.

STANDALONE PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS FOR FY25

· Disbursements for FY25 grew by 9% to Rs. 28,405 crores as compared to Rs. 26,163 crores registered in FY24. Disbursements for Q4FY25 grew by 11% to Rs. 6,873 crores as compared to Rs. 6,209 crores registered in Q4FY24.

· The assets under management grew by 17% to Rs. 51,476 crores as on 31st March 2025 as against Rs. 43,987 crores as on 31st March 2024.

· Net interest income grew by 22% to Rs. 2,793 crores in FY25 from Rs. 2,284 crores in FY24.

· Gross stage 3 assets as on 31st March 2025 stood at 1.44% with 49% provision cover as against 1.26% with provision cover of 50% as on 31st March 2024. Net stage 3 assets as on 31st March 2025 closed at 0.75% as against 0.63% as on 31st March 2024.

· The Gross and Net NPA, as per RBI’s asset classification norms for NBFCs, are 2.17% and 1.38% respectively as against 1.98% and 1.25% as of 31st March 2024.

· Cost to income ratio improved to 30.80% in FY25 as against 34.68% in FY24.

· Profit after tax registered a 6% rise in FY25, with net profit at Rs. 1,543 crores. After excluding exceptional item in FY24, profit after tax rose 16% in FY25.

· Return on assets (ROA) for FY25 closed at 2.85% as against 3.18% for FY24. Return on equity (ROE) was at 16.30% for FY25 as against 17.51% for FY24.

· Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 20.4% (Tier I –17.4%) as of 31st March 2025 compared to 20.5% (Tier I – 16.8%) as of 31st March 2024.

· The Company has declared a final dividend of Rs. 21/- per share (210%).

CONSOLIDATED PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS FOR FY25

The consolidated results of SFL include the results of its standalone subsidiaries Sundaram Home Finance, Sundaram Asset Management and joint venture company Royal Sundaram General Insurance.

· The assets under management (AUM) in our lending and general insurance businesses stood at Rs. 78,145 crores as on 31st March 2025 as against Rs. 66,472 crores as on 31st March 2024, a growth of 18%. The assets under management of our asset management business stood at Rs. 71,826 crores as on 31st March 2025 as against Rs. 70,883 crores as on 31st March 2024.

· Profit after tax for FY25 grew by 31% to Rs. 1,879 crores as compared to Rs. 1,436 crores in FY24.

GROUP COMPANY PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Our group companies continued to perform well.

· The asset management business closed the year ended 31st March 2025 with assets under management of Rs. 71,826 crores (over 80% in equity) and consolidated profits from the asset management businesses were at Rs. 154 crores as against Rs. 112 crores in FY24.

· Royal Sundaram reported a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of Rs. 4,065 crores as compared to Rs. 3,825 crores in the previous year, representing a growth of 6%. The company reported a profit after tax of Rs. 133 crores for FY25 as against a profit of Rs. 169 crores in FY24. Profit after tax during FY25 includes net loss of Rs. 38 crores on Fair Value of Equity investments as against net gain on Fair Value of equity investments of Rs. 71 crores in FY24.

· Sundaram Home Finance continued to grow strongly with disbursements up by 30% to Rs. 6,517 crores in FY25. The profit for FY25 was Rs. 245 crores, as against Rs. 236 crores in FY24.

ABOUT SUNDARAM FINANCE

Sundaram Finance was established in 1954 and the company has today grown into one of the most trusted and diversified financial services groups in India providing financing for commercial vehicles, cars & utility vehicles, tractors and farm equipment, construction equipment, SME finance and a range of working capital products for financing diesel, tyres, insurance as well as working capital for SMEs. Through its subsidiaries and group companies, the company offers home finance, loans against property, mutual funds and investment management solutions and the full range of general insurance products and services. It has a nationwide presence of over 700 branches, over 1 lakh depositors and nearly 5 lakh lending customers.

Sundaram Finance’s vision is to be the most respected NBFC in the country and its mission is to deliver the Sundaram experience to all customers, big and small, in keeping with the ethos of the Company. Sundaram Finance embraces a philosophy that balances Growth with Quality and Profitability and remains rooted in its ideal of protecting and enhancing shareholder value. The founding philosophy of the company is that everything begins with the customer. Our founder, Late Sri T S Santhanam, enshrined in the company its core values – The Sundaram Way – that have been the company’s guiding light over the decades. The company is deeply rooted in its values and proud of its heritage, also constantly innovating in terms of technology and processes to deliver the unique Sundaram experience to its customers and stakeholders.

Mangalore: In a significant expansion move, Royaloak Furniture, India’s leading furniture brand, has launched its new store in Mangalore, marking its 59th outlet in Karnataka. Strategically located in MAK Mall, the store spans 10,000 square feet and offers an extensive range of stylish, smart, and functional furniture for every part of the home.

The grand opening ceremony was attended by esteemed guests, including Mr. MD Mohammed Arabi K from MAK Infrarealty Pvt Ltd and Mr. Vijai Subramaniam, Chairman of Royaloak Incorporation Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Subramaniam emphasized the brand’s commitment to serving customers better and its belief in the growing potential of the Mangalore market.

The store features a curated “Country Store” with unique furniture selections from America, Italy, Malaysia, and India. With this expansion, Royaloak has created vast employment opportunities in the state and opened doors for future business growth with multiple vendors and partners.

To celebrate the launch, Royaloak is offering attractive inaugural deals, including free recliners worth Rs 14,990 and other products worth up to Rs 3,000-7,000 on various shopping values.

With over 10 million satisfied customers, Royaloak continues to elevate home aesthetics with modern, luxurious, and affordable furniture. The brand has a pan-India presence, spanning from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Nagaland.

The new store in Mangalore is set to transform the city’s furniture landscape, offering residents stylish and functional furnishings at affordable prices.

Welcome to the race where speed meets style, and rubber burns just as brightly as diamonds sparkle! The Monaco Grand Prix isn’t just another date on the Formula 1 calendar—it’s the crown jewel and also the 75th year of the race’s official debut, making it special for reasons more than one . Held on the winding streets of Monte Carlo, this legendary race blends high-octane racing with A-listers as well as jaw-dropping coastal views. Whether you’re here for the wheel-to-wheel drama, the cinematic skyline, the thrill of witnessing history unfold on hairpin turns, or just soak in some glitz and glamour of the most celebrated celebs, F1 Monaco 2025 is your unmissable pit stop. And with Tata Play Value Added Service – FanCode Sports bringing you front-row coverage, there’s no excuse not to tune in for the ultimate fusion of adrenaline, opulence, and motorsport glory.

Fast & Furious: Monaco Drift

It’s narrow, it’s twisty, and it’s merciless -Monaco’s track is a street-racing spectacle. The Circuit de Monaco pushes drivers to their absolute limits, leaving zero room for error. It’s the ultimate test of driver skill – blink and you’re in the barriers. These turbocharged engines turn into absolute beasts and promise the most exhilarating experience to all motorsport enthusiasts across the globe. Expect daring overtakes, dramatic crashes, and edge-of-your-seat moments from the first lap to the last.

History on Every Turn

F1 fanatics swear by this circuit and we couldn’t agree more, Monaco isn’t just a race, it’s a legend. From Ayrton Senna’s six wins to Schumacher’s calculated magic, the track is a living museum of motorsport glory. Monaco is famously hard to overtake in — so when someone does pull off a daring move, it’s an instant highlight-reel moment. If you like tension, risk, and edge-of-your-sofa action, this is your race. Each tunnel, and hairpin is soaked in legacy –promising to add a fresh chapter to this timeless tale.

The “Hometown Hero” Pressure Cooker

What’s more dramatic than racing in Monaco? Racing in Monaco as a local hero with a home crowd holding their breath at every corner. All eyes are on Charles Leclerc, Monaco’s very own prince of the paddock. Watching him take on the streets he grew up around adds a layer of emotion and epicness you won’t find anywhere else. It’s about legacy, heartbreak, redemption, and an entire city cheering for their boy

It’s The One Race Your Favourite Driver Dreams of Winning

Who will dominate the streets this year? Verstappen’s aggression, Hamilton’s experience, Leclerc’s home-court hunger – the driver rivalry is as fierce as ever, you’ll want to catch every pit stop and photo finish live. Drivers don’t just race Monaco for points — they race for legacy. A win here means immortality – Monaco is sacred ground, and every driver wants to leave a tyre mark on history.

Rain + Monaco = Pure Mayhem

When it rains in Monaco, it pours drama.  Monaco in the rain is pure cinematic gold. Slippery streets, sliding cars, surprise winners – with strategies as unpredictable as the Monaco weather. You never know who’ll spin, who’ll win, and who’ll call it quits. Monaco leaves no margin for error with even the smallest strategy call — a pit stop, a tyre choice, a safety car — can make or break a race.

~Tune in to Tata Play FanCode Sports on service #485 on 25th May and catch the high-speed action, drama, and glamour of F1 Monaco 2025~

 Marriott International Announces Global Launch of New Regional Collection Brand: Series by Marriott™

India, May 23, 2025- Marriott International, Inc. , announced the global launch of its new collection brand for the midscale and upscale lodging segments—Series by Marriott™—as the company continues to expand its lodging offerings around the world. Series by Marriott is expected to expand Marriott’s global presence by bringing well-established regionally created brands and hotels that champion consistent quality and service into the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Series by Marriott will offer guests comfortable stays in more places and provide regional owners access to the benefits of Marriott’s platforms, including the company’s award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, all while maintaining their portfolio’s independent identity.

Series by Marriott marks its initial launch through a founding deal with Concept Hospitality Private Limited (CHPL) in India, a key growth market for Marriott. Established in 1996 by Param Kannampilly, CHPL, is one of India’s leading hotel management companies with a portfolio of six brands and over 100 hotels operating in 90 locations. Under the strategic agreement between CHPL and Marriott, CHPL’s flagship brands—The Fern, The Fern Residency, and The Fern Habitat—will affiliate with Series by Marriott on an exclusive basis across India and Marriott will make a small equity investment in CHPL. The Fern portfolio is currently comprised of 84 open properties and 31 executed pipeline deals, totaling 115 properties and approximately 8,000 rooms. Fern properties are expected to join Marriott’s portfolio in India over time following discussions with the third-party hotel owners and execution of long-term franchise agreements with those owners. CG Hospitality, the hospitality division of the multi-national conglomerate CG Corp Global, is the majority stakeholder in CHPL.

“Series by Marriott furthers Marriott’s commitment to delivering lodging offerings in the right place at the right price with basics done well,” said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International. “Creating a new, regional collection brand will further Marriott’s reach among value-conscious travelers, provide additional choice for our existing Marriott Bonvoy members and guests, and offer more affiliation opportunities for local owners.

“We are thrilled to launch Series by Marriott through our founding deal with CHPL. This deal will help meaningfully expand Marriott’s leading position in India, a key market for the company.  We see this multi-unit conversion deal as a strong foundation as we look to accelerate growth of the Series by Marriott collection in additional markets around the world. The Fern portfolio throughout India is highly regarded and CHPL’s commitment to operational excellence and meeting the needs of regional travelers embodies the spirit of the Series by Marriott brand,” said Capuano.

“India is one of Marriott’s most dynamic and strategic markets, making it the ideal launchpad for Series by Marriott,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. “Our founding deal with CHPL allows us to scale purposefully with a trusted local brand that resonates with regional travelers. This collaboration combines CHPL’s deep market knowledge with Marriott’s global platform—broadening access to quality hospitality and unlocking strong growth potential across the country. Launching Series by Marriott in India reflects the region’s critical role in our long-term growth strategy.”

“Through our majority stake in CHPL, we’ve nurtured The Fern brands as standard-bearers for eco-sensitive, high-quality hospitality in India. Being part of Series by Marriott will allow us to amplify our reach. The Fern brands are expected to benefit not only from the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program and global distribution systems, but also from strategic growth opportunities,” said Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global.

“We are thrilled to partner with the world’s largest hospitality company in driving a new era of growth in India’s midscale segment. Our vision is to unlock the immense potential of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as lesser-known destinations across India that are rich in culture, heritage, and opportunity. This strategic collaboration underscores our commitment to expanding access to quality hospitality, fostering local economies, and meeting the rising demand for sustainable, comfortable, and accessible stays in emerging markets,” said Param Kannampilly, Chairman, Concept Hospitality Private Limited.

 A Series of Hotels: Regionally Created, Globally Connected

Series by Marriott is designed to deliver a simple and approachable experience for travelers with a focus on fundamentals and well-executed basics. Hotels in the portfolio will offer quality and value with clean, comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, daily coffee or tea, with breakfast, fitness centers and meetings and event spaces available at certain properties. Hotels will reflect the regions and customers they serve while delivering Marriott’s global standards for safety and cleanliness. As part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, members staying at Series by Marriott properties will be able to earn and redeem points and enjoy member benefits.

Global Growth Opportunity for Owners

Series by Marriott has been created to bring strong, regionally relevant brands and hotels into the Marriott portfolio with industry leading revenue generation capabilities and affiliation cost structures. Owners will have the ability to maintain their portfolio’s independent identity while leveraging the power of Marriott’s award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program with nearly 237 million members globally, and digital platforms like Marriott.com and the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app to generate direct bookings.

In addition to its founding deal with CHPL, Marriott is also in active discussions about the Series by Marriott brand with owners in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.