Kolkata, 14^th April, 2025: The culinary landscape of Kolkata is set to witness a landmark celebration of taste, tradition, and innovation as the first edition of the Foodka Culinary Honours prepares to take center stage. Conceptualized and curated by two of the most passionate culinary minds — Foodpreneur Shiladitya Chaudhury and Food Historian & Culinary Content Creator Indrajit Lahiri — this highly prudent awards platform aims to being hailed as one of the most coveted recognitions in the world of food. Today the official press conference was attended by Mr Manoj Jangid, General Manager, Fairfield by Marriott, & Mr Sudesh Poddar, President, HRAEI where the categories were announced.

With Doctor’s Choice as the Title Sponsor, and presented in proud association with IHM (Institute of Hotel Management, Taratala) as the audit partner and HRAEI (Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India), the Foodka Culinary Honours 2025 will honour culinary brilliance across a wide spectrum of categories, celebrating both heritage and innovation.

The awards will be conferred across the following 11 distinctive segments featuring Indian (Bengali / Biryani & Kebabs / Bhaja Bhuji (Snacks)), Chinese, Pan Asian, Continental, Global, Bakery and Patisserie, Sweets, Café, Lounge & Bar, Vegetarian & QSR (Quick Service Restaurants). There will be a special category called ‘Hall of Fame’ to be conferred to an individual or concern for their soulful contribution towards the industry.

The first edition promises to set a new benchmark in recognizing talent, consistency, and innovation in the food and beverage industry. From timeless flavours of local traditions to the bold explorations of global cuisine, the Foodka Culinary Honours aims to spotlight the individuals and institutions shaping the future of food.

Fairfield by Marriott, Kolkata proudly joins this prestigious initiative as the Hospitality Partner, where the grand celebration will unfold in the form of a glittering gala evening.

The winners across all categories will be announced and felicitated at the awards night in July 2025, in Kolkata — an evening that will bring together the who’s who of the culinary world, restaurateurs, chefs, food connoisseurs, and industry insiders.

“Foodka Culinary Honours is our humble tribute to the culinary custodians of Bengal who have been shaping the state’s food narrative with passion, innovation, and authenticity. Through this platform, we aim to celebrate not just food, but the stories, the heritage, and the relentless spirit behind it. This is just the beginning of a journey to honour excellence across kitchens — from iconic eateries to unsung heroes”, said Shiladitya Chaudhury & Indrajit Lahiri, Founders, Foodka Culinary Honours.

The journey to felicitating the best of gastronomic masterpieces is about to begin in form of Fooka Culinary Honours celebrating excellence, honouring legacy, and inspiring the next wave of culinary creativity.

National, April 14, 2025 – Udaipur Marriott Hotel, the first hotel set to open in Udaipur under the flagship Marriott Hotels brand, today announced the appointment of Vaibhav Sagar as its General Manager. With nearly two decades of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Sagar brings a wealth of expertise in operations, strategic planning, and team leadership.

Vaibhav-Sagar-General-Manager-Udaipur-Marriott-Hotel

Sagar began his career with Hyatt Hotels, before making a successful transition into banking, where he worked with IDBI and Kotak Mahindra Bank. His return to hospitality saw him take on leadership roles with globally acclaimed hotel chains including InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, IHHR Hospitality, and Radisson Hotel Group. This cross-industry experience has equipped him with substantial expertise in marketing, finance, and performance-driven hotel operations. His strong background further complements his strategic mindset and innovative problem-solving abilities.

Prior to joining Udaipur Marriott Hotel, he served as General Manager at Le Méridien Hyderabad since 2022, where he played a pivotal role in revitalizing the hotel’s performance, significantly enhancing guest satisfaction scores, operational efficiencies, and commercial outcomes. An alumnus of Cornell University’s executive education program, Sagar also holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance.

Upon his appointment, Sagar expressed his enthusiasm: “I am honored to take on the leadership of Udaipur Marriott Hotel, a property with immense potential in one of India’s most vibrant hospitality markets. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team here to deliver exceptional guest experiences and set new standards of service in the region.”

Sagar’s proven leadership, cross-industry expertise, and commitment to service excellence position him as a valuable asset to the Udaipur Marriott Hotel team. His appointment is expected to enhance the hotel’s performance, strengthen its market presence, and deliver world-class experiences for guests.

Nestled against the majestic Aravalli Hills and overlooking the tranquil Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur Marriott Hotel is set to open in April 2025, marking Marriott International’s debut in the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan.

Aaditya Sharda, co-founder, Infra.Market said, “India’s wood panel industry is growing rapidly, driven by rising demand for sustainable and versatile materials like MDF. At Infra.Market, we are well-positioned to tap into this opportunity through our advanced manufacturing facilities, expanding product portfolio, and strong dealer network, enabling us to fuel the industry’s growth.”

14^th April 2025 Banswara/Jaipur, Rajasthan – Extending its support to a key rural transformation initiative, LNJ Bhilwara Group, a leading industrial conglomerate across business verticals including textiles, graphite electrodes, power generation, energy storage solutions, and advanced materials, launched the second phase of inspiring its workforce to contribute and support the Global Vikas Trust’s successful project for farmers’ welfare in Banswara, Rajasthan, today.

 The event was graced by  Shri. Ravi Jhunjhunwala, Chairman, LNJ Bhilwara Group, Shri. Mayank Gandhi, Founder of Global Vikas Trust and Shri. Rajeev Gupta, JMD, RSWM Ltd., along with other esteemed leaders of the organization.

 Shri Ravi Jhunjhunwala has personally led the initiative at RSWM’s Mordi and Lodha plants in Banswara, home to the LNJ Knits and LNJ Denim units at Mordi, and the Kapaas and Greige Yarn units at Lodha, inspiring a workforce of over 3000 people to contribute for the cause.

Speaking about the impact made under the initiative, Shri Ravi Jhunjhunwala, Chairman, LNJ Bhilwara Group, said, “We are immensely moved and motivated by the tremendous support that the workforce in Bhilwara has extended to the cause. Encouraged by their willingness to extend a helping hand, we have launched the second phase of the awareness drive in Banswara and look forward to strong, enthusiastic support here as well. Shri Mayank Gandhi’s initiative to bring about rural transformation has touched the hearts of people who are coming forward to help GVT develop a lucrative and sustainable livelihood ecosystem by combining innovation with structured financial support.”

In the first phase of the initiative organized at the RSWM Ltd.’s plants in Bhilwara, a contribution of INR 50 lakhs was raised by the workforce. During the occasion, Shri. Ravi Jhunjhunwala pledged to match the cumulative contribution raised by the employees from his personal equity.

Shri Mayank Gandhi’s Global Vikas Trust led a transformation in over 4700 villages, across 27 districts in three states, by planting 5.6 crore fruit trees in the last 5 years to amplify farmers’ income tenfold. To strengthen GVT’s endeavors, Shri Ravi Jhunjhunwala is also working towards inspiring confidence and commitment from industrialists across Rajasthan to support the cause.

Elaborating upon this initiative, Shri Mayank Gandhi, Founder, Global Vikas Trust, said, “We are thankful to LNJ Bhilwara Group and Shri Ravi ji for continuously supporting us in our mission to transform the severely impacted farming community by helping them increase farmers’ income through the implementation of effective agricultural solutions. Our motivation is to empower farmers to lead a life of dignity and self-sufficiency while redefining how farming is perceived in society.”

 LNJ Bhilwara is sensitizing the farming and rural community to the impactful work of Shri Mayank Gandhi, extending network support, ensuring that every farmer has access to the trees and training needed for success. LNJ Bhilwara Group will be facilitating holistic agricultural training and education to farmers at Global Vikas Trust’s Farmer Training Center, GVT Krishikul, a world-class facility where farmers, CSR leaders, corporates, and government officials converge to learn and implement pioneering agricultural solutions. This center is drawing interest from all over India, with farmers from Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and beyond visiting to replicate and scale GVT’s proven model.

 With just ₹25 per plant, donors can directly contribute to this cause. A farmer earning Rs 37,000 per year earlier can now generate an income of around ₹4 lakh per annum within three years, with a one-time donation of just ₹30,000, securing his future and creating a life-changing impact through sustainable farming. Since 2016, the Global Vikas Trust has been working towards empowering small and marginal farmers by shifting them from low-income, high-risk crops to high-value fruit plantations, ensuring economic stability, sustainability, and long-term prosperity. With access to better crops and sustainable farming practices, average farmers’ incomes have increased from ₹38,723 to ₹3,93,986 per acre per annum.  Furthermore, over 400 crore litres of water storage capacity have been developed, ensuring resilience against droughts and water scarcity.

Gurugram, April 14, 2025: RITES Limited, a leading transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering firm, has entered into a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DP World, a leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, to explore potential opportunities for collaboration in the development of trade, logistics, and infrastructure projects. The MoU aims to foster mutual collaboration by exploring joint opportunities in infrastructure development, including ports, multimodal logistics parks, free trade zones, rail connectivity projects, and logistics infrastructure services.

 Signed in the esteemed presence of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE; Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, along with Shri Rahul Mithal, Chairman & Managing Director of RITES Limited, and other distinguished dignitaries during the ‘CEO-Connect: Dubai-India Economic Ties & Opportunities’ in Mumbai on Tuesday, this MoU will foster collaboration in the areas of infrastructure development and trade between India and the UAE.

The Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC), launched in September 2024, is supported by MAITRI, a digital platform being developed with RITES. The VTC integrates customs, logistics, and regulatory processes into a single, seamless digital system to simplify and accelerate trade between the two nations. Since its launch, strategic workshops in India and the UAE have led to key decisions, paving the way for development of the proof of concept of the VTC using ports on both the sides such as Nhava Sheva, Deendayal, and Jebel Ali.

Commenting on the MoU, Mr. Rahul Mithal, Chairman and Managing Director, RITES Limited, said, “It is an alliance of like-minded entities, bringing together experience, expertise, and a rich legacy. By leveraging our collective strengths and resources, we are poised to create transformative synergies across key infrastructure projects, furthering our initiative to expand the footprints of ‘RITES Videsh’.”

Mr. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & CEO, DP World, said: “This partnership with RITES Limited marks a significant milestone in our journey towards enhancing trade and infrastructure development between India and the UAE. By leveraging the power of public-private collaboration and our combined expertise, we will bring innovation and efficiency to trade corridor development creating diversified trade routes that build resilience and unlock opportunities for everyone.”

IIM Bodh Gaya conducted a Management Development Programme (MDP) for 38 DySPs Probationers from the Bihar Police Academy in two phases from April 1 to April 12, 2025. The programme was designed to equip newly appointed officers, selected through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), with key management, leadership, and behavioral competencies necessary for effective policing in an evolving administrative landscape.

The programme was held under the guidance of Dr. Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya. Dr. Sahay addressed the officers, highlighting the role of DySPs in maintaining law and order and building community trust. She spoke on the growing importance of ethical decision-making, time-bound leadership, and interdepartmental coordination in law enforcement.

The MDP was conducted under the oversight of Dr. Amit Srivastava, Chairperson, Executive Education & Consultancy, and coordinated by Dr. Vishal Ashok Wankhede and Prof. Sajan Pookkodan. The programme included classroom sessions, assessments, and field visits. Faculty members covered topics such as goal setting, decision-making, leadership, crisis communication, data use, and social media.

Phase one of the programme was held at the IIM Bodh Gaya campus from April 1 to April 5, 2025, and included sessions on time management, crisis leadership, human behavior, collaboration, and media communication. Officers also visited Vishnupad Temple and Mahabodhi Temple, linking heritage and resilience to values such as empathy, discipline, and ethical leadership.

The second phase, conducted at the Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir, from April 7 to April 12, 2025, included sessions on ethics in public service, budgeting, citizen service delivery, quality management, and behavioral insights. It concluded with sessions on stakeholder engagement, public programme prototyping, and brainstorming exercises.

The MDP was attended by senior officials from the Bihar Police Academy, including Shri Sushil Kumar, IPS, Assistant Director, Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir, who participated in the inaugural session. He highlighted the programme’s relevance for capacity building and noted that structured training is essential for developing proactive and community-oriented officers in the Bihar Police force.

This MDP was one of 125 conducted by IIM Bodh Gaya in the current academic year, through which over 8,200 officers have been trained from departments including WRD, BIPARD, Bihar Fire Training Academy, State Health Society Bihar, IOCL, HPCL, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, BAMETI, and the Directorate of Industrial Development. The programme reaffirms IIM Bodh Gaya’s dedication to nurturing future-ready leadership in India’s administrative and policing ecosystem.

New Delhi, 14 April 2025: Shalimar Paints, a legacy brand with over 120 years in the Indian paint industry, hosted an exclusive, invite-only event in Delhi for its painter community and influencer partners. The evening brought together painters, paint influencers, and the community members for a series of interactive activities, contests, merchandise giveaways, and special schemes on Shalimar products—creating a unique moment of connection and appreciation. The event was part of Shalimar Paints’ ongoing association with Mumbai Indians as their Official Paint Partner for the 2025 season. Through this partnership, the brand aims to connect with younger audiences, modern painters, and consumers through interactive online and on-ground initiatives.

The event offered a vibrant mix of food and beverages, engaging contests and games, complimentary Mumbai Indians x Shalimar Paints merchandise, and exclusive product offers, underscoring the brand’s dedication to upskilling and deepening personal connections at the grassroots level.

Speaking about the initiative, Kuldip Raina, Director, Shalimar Paints said, “Our community of painters is at the core of everything we do, and this event is our way of acknowledging their contributions while bringing them closer to the brand in a fun and memorable way. This partnership with Mumbai Indians allows us to create fresh and exciting experiences for this community, especially the new generation of painters and consumers.” He added, “Shalimar Paints, as a brand, is known for its excellence, stability, and dependability, much like the Mumbai Indians, who are renowned for their all-around play and spirit of competition. This partnership brings together two champion brands, each with a legacy of impact and a focus on performance, by building deeper, long-term connections through shared passion.”

To this, Varun Malik, Head of Marketing, Shalimar Paints, added, “The event was a unique platform to celebrate the painter community that forms the backbone of our business. As a caring brand, we see this as an opportunity not just for engagement, but also to upskill painters and educate them on using the best products available. This was not just a branding opportunity but a channel to drive real-world engagement, build loyalty, and deliver experiences with our consumers, influencers, channel partners and entire Mumbai Indians fanbase. This is only the beginning.”

With a strong focus on grassroots engagement, Shalimar Paints remains committed to strengthening its connection with key stakeholders. The brand will continue to roll out similar engagement events in cities including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Patna, Kolkata, Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur and others, ensuring sustained community involvement and brand affinity throughout the season and beyond.