25th March 2025: Mantri Square Mall, one of Bangalore’s most iconic shopping and lifestyle destinations, proudly marked its 15th anniversary with a grand celebration on 16th March 2025. Since its inception, the mall has welcomed 40 million+ happy shoppers, establishing itself as a go-to destination for shopping, entertainment, and leisure.

Located in Malleshwaram, Mantri Square Mall holds the distinction of being India’s first mall to have a direct metro station, offering unparalleled accessibility to shoppers across the city. Housing over 10,000+ retail brands, it offers a mix of international labels, premium Indian fashion, and lifestyle experiences. Over the years, it has transformed into more than just a shopping hub, serving as a vibrant space for social gatherings, cultural festivities, and family entertainment.

The milestone event commenced with an inspiring address by Mr. Sushil Mantri, Chairman & Managing Director, Mantri Developers Pvt Ltd, reflecting on the mall’s incredible 15-year journey. “Mantri Square Mall was created with a vision to redefine retail experiences in Bangalore. Over the years, we have seen it evolve into not just a shopping destination but a vibrant community hub where people come together to create lasting memories. We remain committed to innovation and excellence as we step into the future,” he shared.

As part of the celebrations, Mrs. Snehal Mantri, Founder, Mantri Developers Pvt Ltd, felicitated the mall’s retailers for their exceptional contributions in shaping Mantri Square Mall into a premier shopping destination. The Retail Excellence Awards recognized top performers, with Reliance Jewels winning Best Trading Density and Imagine named Retailer of the Year. Pantaloons was awarded for Best In-Store Visual Merchandising, while Shoppers Stop received recognition for its Best Window Display. Lifestyle was honored as the Best Anchor Store, highlighting its role in driving footfall and customer engagement.

Adding to the grandeur, Ms. Kamakshi Mantri, Chief Strategy Officer – Retail, Commercial & Hospitality, led the lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing new beginnings, followed by a celebratory cake-cutting to mark this significant milestone. Speaking on the occasion, she shared, “This anniversary is a tribute to the vibrant community we have built over the years. As we move forward, we remain committed to enhancing the shopping experience, introducing new brands, and creating more memorable moments for our patrons.”

One of the highlights of the celebration was the thrilling conclusion of the Mantri Shopping Festival – Season 1, with the much-anticipated ‘Shop & Earn’ grand prize giveaway. The festival’s lucky winner, Mr. Sachin Hegde, drove home a brand-new Volkswagen Virtus. Reflecting on this special occasion, Mr. Vishal Gupta, Chief Executive Officer- Retail & Commercial stated, “Beyond being a retail destination, Mantri Square Mall has always been about creating experiences. This festival was a way to celebrate our loyal shoppers, and we look forward to bringing even more rewarding moments in the future.”

The celebrations continued with vibrant live performances, engaging shoppers and employees alike in a moment of collective joy and festivity. Spectacular acts included A Square Project, Janm The Band, Divine Soul, and Navaraaga, who delivered electrifying live music performances, captivating audiences throughout the day. Mantri Square Mall’s employees also joined in the celebration, commemorating their contributions to the mall’s 15-year journey.

As Mantri Square Mall steps into the future, it continues to evolve with new-age retail experiences, innovative brand collaborations, and immersive entertainment options. With a strong legacy and an ever-growing customer base, the mall remains dedicated to shaping Bangalore’s shopping and lifestyle landscape.

March 25, 2025 – Celebrating 100 years of Raymond, India’s iconic name in luxury fashion, hosted a spectacular evening curated by Luxury brand consultant Nisha JamVwal to unveil The Chairman’s Collection—a distinguished ensemble of Shirts, Bandhgalas, and Tuxedos that redefine timeless sophistication.

Set against the luxurious backdrop of The Atelier, the exclusive champagne sundowner brought together some of the city’s most eminent names in a celebration of heritage, artistry, and contemporary refinement. The evening was an immersive experience, featuring a striking bandhgala art installation, paying tribute to the enduring craftsmanship behind this iconic silhouette. Elevating the grandeur, five models graced the venue in impeccably tailored pieces from the collection, embodying the rich textures, intricate detailing, and sartorial excellence that define Raymond’s legacy.

Speaking at the event, Gautam Singhania, Chairman, Raymond Lifestyle Limited, remarked, “This is a milestone year for Raymond, and this limited edition of The Chairman’s Collection is our tribute to India’s rich heritage and craftsmanship. This impeccably styled collection – ranging from silk shirts to bandhgalas – exudes elegance and style, hallmarks of Raymond. As a homegrown Indian brand loved by millions, Raymond has crafted menswear offerings across price points for all occasions.”

Nisha JamVwal whose name is synonymous with luxury and perfection said, “The grandeur and flamboyance of every piece were so striking that I was excited to showcase them to the city’s glitterati! I could see Gautam Singhania’s passion for perfection and artistic excellence reflected in the collection.”

A seamless fusion of heritage and innovation, The Chairman’s Collection epitomizes refined luxury. Curated across Raymond Ready-to-Wear, Park Avenue, and Ethnix by Raymond, the collection offers an exquisite selection of pure silk shirts with intricate gold and silver embroidery, regal bandhgalas inspired by Baroque and Renaissance artistry, and impeccably crafted tuxedos that exude timeless charm. With opulent velvets in deep jewel tones, exquisite Zari embellishments, and sculpted silhouettes, the collection redefines power dressing for the modern gentleman.

The evening concluded with a sense of reverence for Raymond’s commitment to craftsmanship, leaving attendees captivated by a collection that seamlessly blends heritage, artistry, and contemporary sophistication. The Chairman’s Collection stands as a symbol of prestige and impeccable style and will be launched soon across select Raymond stores.

25^th March 2025: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has been conferred with the ‘CBIP Award 2024’ for its ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the Renewable Energy Sector.’In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director, IREDA, was honoured with the CBIP Individual Award for his ‘Outstanding Contribution for Development of RE Sector.’

 The awards were presented by Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority and Dr. Mukesh Kumar Sinha, Chairman, Central Water Commission in a ceremony held in New Delhi today. Shri Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA, along with Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohanty, Director (Finance), and other senior officials received the awards.

 Expressing his gratitude, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, stated, “This recognition reaffirms IREDA’s pivotal role in shaping India’s renewable energy future. It is a tribute to the relentless dedication of Team IREDA, whose commitment to innovation and sustainability continues to shape the sector. My sincere thanks to CBIP for these awards and to Hon’ble Union Minister and Union State Minister, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy; Secretary, MNRE; our Board of Directors; and officials of MNRE and other ministries for their invaluable support in our shared vision of a sustainable future.”

March 25,2025:ARCH College of Design & Business set the stage for its grand 25th-anniversary celebrations by hosting a curtain raiser for ‘AnARCHY,’ an intercollege Design Culture Fest, at its campus today. The highly anticipated event, scheduled for April 3rd and 4th, 2025, will bring together creative minds from across the country to celebrate design, innovation, and artistic expression.

The curtain raiser witnessed the unveiling of the ‘AnARCHY’ poster by Former IPS Officer Mahendra Surana, Designer Vijay Kirti Rathore, and Founder & Director of ARCH College, Archana Surana, alongside enthusiastic ARCHiers. The unveiling marked the official countdown to the milestone fest, which promises an array of dynamic events and competitions.

The event featured over ten captivating performances, including musical acts, dance sequences, and a fashion show, showcasing the immense talent and creativity of ARCH students. ‘AnARCHY’ aims to unite students, faculty, industry leaders, and creative professionals in a vibrant celebration of ARCH’s 25-year journey in shaping design education.

Speaking on the occasion, Archana Surana, Founder & Director of ARCH College of Design & Business, said, “For 25 years, ARCH has been at the forefront of design education, nurturing innovation and creativity. ‘AnARCHY’ is not just a fest but a celebration of our legacy and the future of design. We invite young designers and creative minds to join us in this journey of expression, collaboration, and inspiration.”

The two-day fest will feature a series of creative competitions, industry interactions, and cultural showcases, reinforcing ARCH’s commitment to excellence in design. With an exciting lineup of events, ‘AnARCHY’ is poised to be a landmark celebration of design, talent, and the spirit of collaboration.

March 25, 2025:Bollywood’s newest sensation, Rasha Thadani shines on the cover of Filmfare’s March issue, making waves as a promising newcomer with her debut film, Azaad. Along with stepping into the world of cinema with the recently released period actioner, she also took the country by storm with her viral song Uyi Amma, emerging as the jewel in the film’s crown. A rising star with an undeniable screen presence, she effortlessly balances youthful energy with timeless elegance. With a striking debut, Rasha proved that talent and hard work can speak louder than legacy, drawing inevitable comparisons to her mother, the iconic Raveena Tandon. In an exclusive chat with Filmfare, she opens up about overcoming nerves, the challenges of shooting, and carving her own space in the industry with a mix of talent, determination, and charm.

Recalling her first day on the set on Azaad, Rasha shares, “My first day on set—I was completely blank. I was so scared, but I think that nervousness will always be a part of me.”  She further spoke about the challenges of filming, adding, “I had just recovered from a high fever and was surviving on ORS while shooting in the peak of summer. It was one of the most difficult days I’ve ever had, but I pushed through because this film meant so much to me.”

On her mother, Raveena Tandon, and the comparisons that come with being her daughter, she expresses, “My mother has worked extremely hard to put herself where she is today. Not only does her journey as an actor inspire me, but she also inspires me as a person. She always handles herself with such grace and elegance.”

Talking about debuting alongside Aaman Devgan, Rasha notes, “We were both learning side by side, holding each other’s hands through it all. Whether it was workshops, horse riding lessons, or dialogue delivery, we worked through it together.”

Acknowledging the constant support of Ajay Devgn throughout the filming of Azaad, she highlights, “Ajay sir was always there for us if we needed anything. He used to mentor us and make sure that we were comfortable. He was so considerate and sensitive and he made sure that everyone was doing okay on the sets.”

Opening up about her struggle with overthinking, she reveals, “I’ve been reflecting on life and dealing with some overthinking, which I sometimes struggle with. Everyone goes through ups and downs. I think it’s important to voice that.”

Reacting to the colossal success of Uyi Amma, she says, “We shot this song just two months before the release. It was all so last-minute! I didn’t even realise how great it turned out until people started coming up to congratulate me. I’m freaking out inside, but I just pretend to be confident.”

25 March 2025: Air India, India’s leading global airline, has announced the inauguration of its newly created Air India Centre of Digital Innovation (CODi) in Kochi. The centre will focus on developing customer-facing digital touchpoint technologies and cutting-edge data and Artificial Intelligence capabilities, which are playing a key role in shaping Air India as a modern, world-class airline.

Air India CODi was inaugurated by the Chairman of Tata Group, N Chandrasekaran, who is also the Chairman of Air India. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, Dr Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, and P. Balaji, Group Head, Governance, Regulatory & Compliance and Corporate Affairs, Air India, were also present on the occasion.

The new office building exclusively housing Air India CODi is located in the Caspian Techparks facility in Infopark Phase II of Kochi. It features nine floors of office space with an innovative mix of workstations, meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, and discussion cabins. The facility also has a one-of-a-kind design collaboration space named ‘Bodhi Tree’ and the various floors of the building are named after erstwhile historic kingdoms from Kerala, such as Travancore, Venad, Kochi, Valluvanad, Eranad, Kozhikode, Arakkal, Kottayam and Chirakkal.

The team housed at Air India CODi has contributed to developing several digital technologies to ensure a smooth experience for Air India’s guests. These include:

• Air India’s award-winning mobile app that is rated an exceptionally high 4.8 stars by its users on both the Apple and Android app stores, making it one of a handful of the top-rated airline mobile apps in the world.
• Air India’s award-winning website www.airindia.com that is consistently ranked among the top airline websites of the world by leading website evaluation organisations such as Google Lighthouse.
• Air India’s award winning generative AI chatbot AI.g, which is the global airline industry’s very first Gen AI chatbot. AI.g has answered more than 8 million customer queries so far and delivers impressive customer service performance, answering 97% of the queries autonomously without any human assistance.
• Air India’s notification system that delivers more than 2 crore notifications per month, providing timely information and guidance to Air India’s guests.
• Air India’s award winning new inflight entertainment system.
• Air India’s extensive data analytics and AI systems driving an AI-infused data-driven culture in its key departments.

Addressing the teams at Air India CODi, Mr. Chandrasekaran shared his vision of a data-driven, AI-infused future for Air India and the larger Tata Group. Noting the AI-driven advancements in today’s scenario, he urged the teams to develop digital interfaces and experiences that will enhance intelligence and empathy at Air India’s customer-facing digital touchpoints.

Mr. Chandrasekaran also called for digital tools that empower frontline Air Indians to excel in delighting guests. He exhorted the Air India CODi team to develop fully autonomous digital assistants that can proactively anticipate and fulfil every need of Air India’s guests.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said, “We are very excited to announce Air India CODi that will help further strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem. At Air India, we believe equipping our frontline employees with tech-enabled systems will help us provide greater level of customer service to our guests. To this end, the team at Air India CODi will continue to develop cutting-edge AI solutions that will delight our guests.”

“The Air India Centre of Digital Innovation will be a space for collaboration and innovation for our talented workforce that will focus on developing customer-facing digital touchpoint technologies and cutting-edge data and AI capabilities. In the last two years, the team has made significant contributions to elevate customer delight through digital touchpoints as well as AI and data-driven decision-making capabilities across all our internal departments, as part of Air India’s Vihaan.AI transformation program. I am confident that Air India CODi will help further enhance the experience of our guests,” said Dr Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Air India.