Sheraton Hyderabad Appoints Lambodar Jena as Assistant F&B Manager
Hyderabad, 2nd April 2025 – Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel announced the appointment of Lambodar Jena as Assistant Food and Beverage Manager. Bringing over a decade of diverse F&B experience across luxury hospitality brands, Jena will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, ensuring an elevated guest experience and operational excellence.
Jena is a dynamic professional with a strong leadership track record, deep business acumen, and a passion for delivering top-tier guest service. Prior to joining Sheraton Hyderabad, he served as Director of Restaurants at Park Hyatt Hyderabad, where he played a pivotal role in managing high-end dining outlets and curating innovative culinary experiences. His career spans prestigious global brands, including Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Jumeirah Group, and Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.
During his tenure at Shangri-La Bengaluru, he led Shang Palace, the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant, achieving the #1 ranking on TripAdvisor in the Chinese category and a top 30 ranking among 7,274 restaurants in Bengaluru. He has also been instrumental in launching successful brunch concepts, innovative beverage programs, and guest engagement strategies that enhanced both revenue and reputation.
Jena holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Tourism from the Central Institute of Hotel Management, Bhubaneswar, and has completed WSET Level 2 with Distinction, reflecting his expertise in wines and spirits. His appointment at Sheraton Hyderabad further strengthens the hotel’s commitment to delivering world-class dining experiences.
Kuku FM & Penguin Random House India Launch Exclusive Hindi Audiobooks
Bengaluru, India – April 2, 2025 – Kuku FM, India’s leading storytelling platform and Penguin Random House India (PRHI), India’s leading publishing house, have teamed up to launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks adapted and produced by Kuku FM from Penguin’s bestselling collections.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Kuku FM and Penguin in expanding and diversifying their storytelling library. It brings immersive listening options to meet the ever-growing demand for audio streaming and access to bestselling books in newer formats.
The exclusive list of adapted audiobooks features renowned luminaries and experts such as Gaur Gopal Das-renowned Monk and spiritual Guru, Devdutt Pattanaik-acclaimed writer & mythologist, Harish Bhat-Former Advisor & Director at Tata Group, Indira Nooyi-Former CEO of PepsiCo, Raghuram Rajan-Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Neena Gupta-acclaimed Bollywood actress to name a few.
“Our customers have higher expectations from us every day, and at Kuku FM, we love rising to that challenge. They know what they want and need plenty of choices. We aim to bring the best books to them in their language and give them a unique yet engaging listening experience,” said Lal Chand Bisu, CEO and Co-founder of Kuku FM. “We are excited to partner with an iconic publisher like Penguin to not only expand our library but also ensure that we’re opening up a whole new world of entertainment and knowledge for every Indian in more accessible formats.”
Vijesh Kumar, Vice President- Product – Local and International, PRH India, says, “At Penguin, we are committed to making books more accessible and inclusive, ensuring they reach readers in the formats they love. Our exclusive partnership with Kuku FM marks an exciting milestone as we bring some of our most celebrated titles to Hindi audiobooks for the first time. With storytelling evolving beyond the page, audiobooks offer a dynamic and immersive way to experience books—welcoming both avid readers and new audiences alike. We’re thrilled to expand our Indian language publishing efforts and look forward to seeing these stories resonate with a wider audience”
“The collaboration is a critical extension of Kuku FM’s highly curated portfolio of stories and we are excited to expand this universe further with Penguin Random House India who are known to have some of the most storied authors and books in their library”, said Prerna Vohra, Head of Content Acquisition at Kuku FM.
Adding to this, Vidhi Nangia, Manager- Audio, PRH India, says, “Audiobooks are seeing tremendous growth globally, and India is no exception, with the market expected to grow over 30% annually. Recognizing this shift in how audiences engage with literature, Penguin is thrilled to partner with Kuku FM to introduce 15 Hindi audiobooks by beloved authors such as Harish Bhat, Ankur Warikoo, and Indira Nooyi. Kuku FM’s commitment to exceptional curation and production ensures that our cherished works are presented with the utmost quality. This collaboration marks the beginning of a promising journey to make our stories accessible to an even broader audience.”
The new Hindi audiobooks will be available for purchase on the Kuku FM Android app from April 2025 onward, starting from Rs 175. This offers listeners an affordable way to experience literary classics and contemporary bestsellers in audio format and aligns with PRHI’s vision to democratize access to books in emerging new formats.
This collaboration is expected to significantly impact India’s rapidly growing audio streaming market. With the OTT audio market projected to reach $1.8 billion by 2025 (IMARC Group, 2023) and the number of OTT audio streaming users expected to surpass 100 million, Kuku FM is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. The partnership with Penguin Random House India not only enhances Kuku FM’s content offerings but also demonstrates the platform’s and PRHI’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Indian listeners, particularly in regional languages.
The List Of Titles Are:
| 1. | Tata Stories | Harish Bhat |
| 2. | Bravehearts of Bharat | Vikram Sampath |
| 3. | My Life in Full | Indra Nooyi |
| 4. | Jeevan ke Adbhut Rahasya – Life’s Amazing Secrets | Gaur Gopal Das |
| 5 | India’s Most Fearless 1 | Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh |
| 6. | India’s Most Fearless 2 | Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh |
| 7. | Mythakon se Vigyan Tak | Gauhar Raza |
| 8. | Jaya | Devdutt Pattanaik |
| 9. | Breaking the Mould | Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba |
| 10. | Energize Your Mind | Gaur Gopal Das |
| 11. | Make Epic Money | Ankur Warikoo |
| 12. | Sach Kahun Toh | Neena Gupta |
| 13. | Build and Epic Career | Ankur Warikoo |
| 14. | The Book of Ram | Devdutt Pattanaik |
| 15. | Manoj Bajpayee | Piyush Pandey |
Prime Video Welcomes Apple TV+ as Add-on in India
April 2, 2025—From today, Apple TV+ will be available via Prime Video in India as an add-on subscription. Available at INR 99 per month in India, Prime members who subscribe to Apple TV+ via Prime Video can stream exclusive shows and movies with new releases weekly. They can enjoy heartwarming comedies like Ted Lasso and Shrinking, thrilling dramas—from Severance and The Morning Show to Slow Horses and Disclaimer—as well as epic sci-fi like Silo, hit movies like Wolfs and The Gorge and much more. Apple TV+ is now also available via Prime Video as an add-on subscription in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other territories in Europe and Latin America. 
“We’re delighted to continue to roll out Apple TV+ on Prime Video with the launch in India today bringing Prime Video customers an even greater selection of TV shows and films, all in one app experience,” said Kelly Day, Vice President of International, Prime Video.
“Over the years, we’ve built Prime Video India as a first-stop entertainment destination offering a wide selection of premium programming including Indian and international Originals, movies and series on our service, and over 75,000 hours of additional content selection across genres through 25+ Indian and international add-on subscription partners,” said Gaurav Bhasin, head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals), Prime Video, India. “We are now thrilled to welcome Apple TV+ and its stellar content to Prime Video’s extensive library in India. We are certain that Prime members in India will enjoy the easy access to Apple Originals with a simple add-on subscription, along with all the features of Prime Video, like convenient and streamlined content discovery, unified watchlists, and centralized billing.”
“Viewers have been loving the ability to subscribe to Apple TV+ on Prime Video and we’re pleased to now launch this offering in India,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s SVP of Services. “We want to make Apple TV+ and its award-winning library of series and films from the world’s greatest storytellers available to audiences around the world.”
Apple TV+ joins Prime Video India’s extensive collection of add-on subscription options such as Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, BBC Player, MGM+, Sony Pictures – Stream, Anime Times, Crunchyroll, Animax+GEM, CN Rewind, FanCode, Channel K, Chaupal, Hoichoi, Manorama Max, among others.
Benefits of add-on subscriptions on Prime Video for Prime members include:
- No hassle login & billing: Customers do not have to juggle between multiple usernames, passwords and billing due dates. With add-on subscriptions, all premium content subscriptions are managed within a single destination – Prime Video apps and website.
- More time watching, less time deciding: Customers don’t have to spend time toggling between their favourite services to discover what’s new and popular. With add-on subscriptions they can browse in one place, search across all their premium subscription and get personalized recommendations. All of this without ever having to leave the Prime Video app or website.
- Enjoy your favourite features, no matter which service: Customers can access a single consolidated watch list and download library for offline viewing. Subscribers can also manage data consumption and much more across all their add-on subscriptions.
- More Choice: With add-on subscriptions, Prime members can access thousands of additional titles across 25+ OTT services, including Apple TV+
Vibrant Face Painting Sparks Autism Conversations in Kochi
Kochi, 02-04-2025: Faces became art, smiles turned into statements, and the community united under one vibrant awareness theme ‘autism acceptance’. Celebrating World Autism Awareness Day, volunteers of Prayatna, a leading multidisciplinary center offering specialized services for both children and adults, painted faces of common people in Panampalli Nagar Central Park. with a burst of blue—the universal color of autism acceptance, each design carried a story, sparking conversations about autism.
World Autism Awareness Day, which is observed annually on April 2nd, is a global initiative to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to promote inclusivity, understanding, and support for individuals with autism.
“We didn’t just paint faces; we painted perspectives. By coming together as a community and celebrating diversity through color, we hope to develop a more inclusive and understanding society,’ said Dr. Joseph Sunny Kunnassery, Founder of Prayatna, Kochi. In addition to the face painting, the event distributed informative pamphlets on autism awareness. As part of the Autism Awareness Day, free autism screening camp will be organised from April 1st to April 30th for children aged below 18 years.
“This is a meaningful gesture, contributing to the awareness and understanding towards the Autism Spectrum Disorder community” said Neenu, who participated in the face painting event.
GCC X Summit 2025: AI-Driven Future for Global Capability Centers
April 2, 2025:The third edition of 3AI’s GCC X…Summit 2025 will be held on Thursday, April 17th, at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru. The signature large scale format conference will host more than 600 delegates, 250 GCC leaders, and 60 speakers who will share their work and new ideas. The summit offers a special platform to discuss the new trends, innovations, and shifts in GCCs, with an emphasis on AI.
The 3AI GCC X… Summit 2025 dwells upon the significance that AI & Gen AI beholds for the existing & future GCCs. India GCCs are at the epicenter of action and are the key driver of growth; with 410+ GCCs on the 3AI platform , GCC X…summit 2025 will bring together seasoned & marquee GCC country heads, Data, AI, and analytics leaders from GCCs to discuss avenues for developing AI & Gen AI capabilities , building new age Gen AI COE & capability hubs and spurring innovation & transfromation using AI for global businesses .
Seasoned industry leaders such as Lalit Ahuja, founder and CEO of ANSR, Lalitha Indrakanti, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover – TBSI, Sheenam Ohrie, Managing Director- Broadridge India, Senior GCC industry advisor KS Vishwanathan & many more will be sharing their expertise about the rapidly evolving GCCs landscape. They along with others also delve into the latest best practices, and transformative strategies that are shaping the future of GCCs. Their insights will traverse the intersection of GCCs w.r.t strategy, technology, business transformation and innovation, bringing valuable perspectives to leaders and professionals looking to remain at the forefront of the AI & Gen AI.
Having the largest GCCs representation with 410+ GCCs on its platform, 3AI has strived to build integrated marketplace for GCCs to leverage the external ecosystem for its business requirements by bringing in select partner ecosystem to build & scale AI & Gen AI capabilities & solutions for GCCs.
“3AI is on a relentless mission of building & scaling premier thought leadership, enhance mindshare & visibility, promote talent advocacy & outreach , devise cutting edge AI & Gen AI capabilities & solutions and drive upscale professional development for leaders & professionals in GCCs through diffentiated & curated & differentiated engagements and GCC X…summit 2025 is an ideal platform for GCC leaders & professionals to come together and witness the largest showcasing of transfromation & innovation in GCCs with AI & Gen AI “, says Sameer Dhanrajani , CEO at 3AI .
The Pap Scene Launches Paparazzi-On-Demand Service for Public Figures
Mumbai, India – April 2nd, 2025 – The Pap Scene, India’s first paparazzi-on-demand service, launched today, offering a unique opportunity for public figures who deserve the spotlight but often go unnoticed by the media. From actors and musicians to rising stars in sports, stand-up comedy, podcasting, and social media influencing, The Pap Scene captures high-profile personalities in locations of their choice, creating aspirational moments that elevate their public image and connect them with millions of fans.
As part of this initiative, The Pap Scene has onboarded leading Mumbai-based paparazzi media outlets with a combined reach of over 10 million followers, ensuring that every sighting gets the attention it deserves. These major outlets regularly feature A-list celebrities, and now rising stars can have their moments captured and shared with the same prominence. Whether it’s a casual lunch at a popular café or attending a high-end event, The Pap Scene guarantees that every sighting is accompanied by extensive paparazzi media presence.
“We saw a major gap in the way public figures are portrayed in the media,” said Vinay Maurya, Founder of The Pap Scene. “There’s a whole group of people who are just as deserving of the limelight but don’t have the media attention they need. With The Pap Scene, we’re bringing this experience to rising stars, giving them the exposure they deserve and helping them become icons in their own right.”
The Pap Scene operates on a monthly retainer model with four customizable packages, ranging from basic “Spotting” services to tailored, high-profile exposure at major events. Clients can choose from packages that cover everything from casual hotspots to elite venues, ensuring every sighting is aligned with their image. Each moment captured is shared across major paparazzi media outlets, guaranteeing maximum visibility.
Service Packages:88fccc
- Spotlight Starter: 2 “Spottings” per month at casual hotspots like airports, cafés, and gyms.
- Rising Star: 4 “Spottings” per month, including locations from the “Spotlight Starter” package, plus high-end restaurants, clubs, and more exclusive venues.
- Red Carpet Ready: 8 “Spottings” per month, which include all the previous package locations, along with coverage at major events, high-profile parties, and festivals.
- A-List Exclusive: A custom number of “Spottings” for maximum exposure, with locations and events tailored to the client’s specific preferences.
With over 20 years of PR experience and running Thought Process Communications, the team behind The Pap Scene leverages its deep media connections to ensure each client’s public positioning aligns with their personal and professional brand goals. The service’s ability to combine exclusive media visibility with high-profile paparazzi outlets gives clients the opportunity to increase their negotiating power and elevate their marketability with brands.
“The value of being seen in the right places cannot be underestimated,” added Maurya. “Whether it’s a casual day out or a glamorous event, the right exposure at the right time can significantly boost a public figure’s brand, helping them gain the recognition and opportunities they deserve.”
Charu Budhiraja Takes Charge as Edstead’s Chief Business Officer
02 April 2025: Edstead, a leading research-driven documentary studio committed to impactful storytelling, has named Charu Budhiraja as its Chief Business Officer. With career spanning decades in branded content, content innovation, and strategic partnerships, Charu will play a key role in shaping Edstead’s business growth and expanding its influence in the media landscape.
In this role, Charu will lead business strategy, forge key brand partnerships, and drive revenue growth while ensuring Edstead’s purpose-driven storytelling reaches wider audiences. With an extensive experience in content creation and creative leadership, she will focus on expanding the studio’s impact by strengthening collaborations with brands, media platforms, and content creators to bring compelling, research-backed narratives to the forefront.
Speaking about her new role, Charu Budhiraja shared, “Edstead stands for storytelling with purpose—stories that challenge perspectives, ignite conversations, and create real impact. In today’s media landscape, authenticity and depth matter more than ever, and Edstead has built a strong foundation in this space. I’m excited to build on that momentum, foster strategic partnerships, and help scale Edstead’s reach while staying true to its mission.”
Shekhar Bhattacharjee, Founder of Edstead, welcomed Charu’s appointment, stating, “Edstead is driven by the belief that powerful stories can inspire change. Charu’s expertise in branded content and content strategy will be instrumental in amplifying our impact and expanding our reach. Her ability to bridge creativity with business strategy makes her the perfect partner as we take Edstead into its next phase of growth.”
Charu joins Edstead from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), where she was a Creative Head, leading award-winning content initiatives across travel, lifestyle, history, education, and culture. Throughout her career, she has conceptualized and executed high-impact IPs, built brand narratives for some of India’s most iconic companies, and driven strategic collaborations that bridge storytelling with business growth. She has also held leadership roles at Discovery, Ogilvy, Creativeland Asia, and JWT, working at the intersection of media, marketing, and content creation.
Strategic Appointments: BharatPe Reinforces Board at Unity SFB
2nd April 2025: In a significant move to further its commitment to strong governance and long-term value creation, BharatPe Group has nominated Sumeet Singh, Executive Director & General Counsel at BharatPe, as a Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director on the Board of Unity Small Finance Bank (Unity SFB). Simultaneously, Ram Rastogi, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in banking, IT, and digital payments, has joined Trillionloans as an Independent Director.
Singh brings to the Unity SFB Board an extensive track record in corporate governance, regulatory affairs, and legal strategy. At BharatPe, he has been instrumental in building a robust governance framework and navigating the company through complex regulatory and legal challenges. His leadership was pivotal during times of crisis, including high-stakes litigations and boardroom transitions, where he played a key role in steering BharatPe toward stability and growth.
In addition to his governance credentials, Singh has led multiple equity fund-raising rounds for BharatPe, contributing to the company’s expansion and strategic investments, including its 49% stake in Unity SFB. His appointment to the bank’s board reflects BharatPe’s intent to safeguard its interest as a key financial investor while reinforcing Unity SFB’s governance and regulatory capabilities. He also led the negotiations on behalf of BharatPe with Centrum group in setting up the Unity joint venture. Unity SFB is a new-age digital-first bank, established as a joint venture between BharatPe Group and Centrum Group. BharatPe Group holds a 49% stake in the bank.
Meanwhile Rastogi is currently the Chairman of the FinTech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE), and has played an important role in shaping India’s digital payments landscape, notably through his leadership at NPCI in launching UPI, IMPS, and NACH. His extensive experience will guide Trillionloans, BharatPe Group’s NBFC arm, in expanding its lending portfolio and advancing credit access for underserved businesses and individuals nationwide.
The Westin Mumbai Wins ‘Socially Responsible Hotel of the Year’ 2025
The Westin Mumbai Garden City has been awarded the ‘Socially Responsible Hotel of the Year’ in the Upscale – Midscale category at the Hotelier India GM Summit & ESG Excellence Awards 2025, Western Region. This recognition underscores the hotel’s dedication to sustainability, community engagement, and inclusive hospitality.
“At The Westin Mumbai Garden City, we believe in creating a positive impact—not just for our guests but also for our community and the planet,” said Sumeet Suri, General Manager, The Westin Mumbai Garden City. “This award motivates us to continue innovating and setting new benchmarks in responsible hospitality.”
The hotel actively fosters social impact through initiatives like which empowers underprivileged girls by funding their education, offering on-the-job training, and providing career-building opportunities. In addition, The Westin Mumbai Garden City champions inclusivity with a 26% women workforce, a goal to increase it by 10%, and employment opportunities for specially-abled individuals, ensuring they thrive in an inclusive environment.
By integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its operations, the hotel has prioritized eco-friendly practices, skill development programs, and initiatives that promote diversity and work-life balance. The Life on Time initiative further supports associates, ensuring flexibility and well-being.
Through these efforts, The Westin Mumbai Garden City continues to lead the way in responsible hospitality, proving that opportunity and empowerment drive lasting change.
Tech Mahindra & CrateDB Boost AI for Automotive & Smart Factories
April 2, 2025: Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM), a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, and CrateDB, a data management company, announced a strategic partnership at Hannover Messe 2025, the world’s premier trade fair for industrial technology. The partnership will revolutionize the automotive, manufacturing, and smart factory sectors by delivering advanced agentic AI solutions that leverage real-time data analytics, enabling businesses to drive innovation and efficiency at scale.
The partnership will combine Tech Mahindra’s deep industry expertise and digital transformation capabilities with CrateDB’s high-performance database technology to unlock the full value of data for industrial customers. Leveraging CrateDB’s open-source, multi-model, distributed database, Tech Mahindra will provide enterprises with advanced capabilities to optimize supply chains, improve predictive maintenance models, and ensure higher quality control standards across their operation centers. Further, the solutions will analyze and integrate time-series data from industrial IoT (IIoT) sensors into a cloud-based environment, enabling businesses to utilize structured data for faster and more informed decision-making.
Harshul Asnani, President and Head – Europe Business, Tech Mahindra, said, “Agentic AI is redefining industrial operations by enabling conversational UI, autonomous decision-making, automated business process flow and real-time data representation. As enterprises navigate Industry 4.0, traditional data infrastructures struggle to keep pace. Our partnership with CrateDB delivers AI-driven insights at scale, empowering businesses to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly intelligent and data-intensive landscape.”
Together, Tech Mahindra and CrateDB have leveraged a unique cloud data management architecture to develop highly scalable and sustainable solutions that will help industrial enterprises scale production globally and optimize cloud resources. By incorporating a scalable and adaptive architecture, the solution can be deployed across various manufacturing sub-verticals, providing enterprises with a unified approach to real-time analytics.
Lars Färnström, CEO, CrateDB, said, “We are excited to join forces with Tech Mahindra at Hannover Messe to showcase how our real-time analytics platform can transform industrial operations. As businesses look to scale their data-driven initiatives, our partnership ensures they have the necessary technology and expertise to navigate the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0.”
As industries worldwide embrace Industry 4.0, the ability to process and act on data in real-time has become a critical differentiator. Under this partnership, both the companies will also showcase live demonstrations at Hannover Messe 2025, where attendees will witness how real-time analytics and scalable data infrastructure can enhance efficiency and optimize industrial operations.