Archive: May 9, 2025

Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel Hosts Nostalgic Mother’s Day Brunch Inspired by Mom’s Kitchen

This Mother’s Day, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel invites families to gather for a heartfelt celebration with “With Love, From Mom’s Kitchen”, a special brunch event at Feast, the hotel’s signature all-day dining venue. Designed to honor mothers with flavors of home and warm memories, this unique experience blends tradition, joy, and indulgence.

Guests will enjoy a lovingly curated spread of mom-style recipes, evoking cherished memories of home-cooked meals. The ambiance will be enriched with local melodies, warm conversations, and heartfelt moments in a setting that feels just like home—but better.

Also, the celebration doesn’t stop at food. To make the afternoon even more memorable, the hotel has planned a host of interactive activities and engaging experiences such as a dedicated photo booth where families can capture beautiful memories together. There will also be fun games and exciting prizes for the winners of the contests. Event Details: Date: Sunday, 11th May 2025 Venue: Feast, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM Reservations: +91 73373 58581

This Mother’s Day, We Tried Making a Heartfelt Ad. Moms Laughed in Our Faces.

CARS24’s new campaign says: This Mother’s Day, Let Moms Be 

Gurugram, May 09, 2025: When we think of the word “mother,” we immediately think of unconditional love and quiet sacrifice, the kind that asks for nothing in return. Every year, we try to honour that with a heartfelt tribute. So this Mother’s Day, we set out to do just that: capture everything moms give up for their families.

We tried. And failed.

Because the moms we met weren’t in the mood for emotional speeches. They didn’t want to be painted as victims. They just wanted to be real, unfiltered, and hilariously honest. Turns out, sometimes the best way to celebrate moms is to stop trying so hard.

CARS24’s new campaign, “Let Moms Be,” is anything but your typical tribute. It’s a behind-the-scenes satire of what happens when you try to direct Indian moms into emotional monologues and they clap back with sarcasm, eye-rolls, and honesty.

We asked them to say, “I never got to learn how to drive.” They replied, “I’ve been driving for years. I just don’t feel like it today.”

We asked for sacrifice stories. They started boasting about how easily they can order their kids around now. Turns out they didn’t need directions in life (or on set)

We wanted drama. They gave us reality, with a side of savage humour.

Because not every mom wants to be idolised. Some just want to be left alone to live on their terms, do what they love, and not be boxed into sentimental expectations. And we’re completely on board with that.

The film is a “making-of” gone wrong. It celebrates moms who refuse to be boxed into emotional clichés and instead choose to be seen exactly as they are: unscripted, unapologetic, and often funnier than we give them credit for.

“We firmly believe in Freedom of Choice, even if that means saying NO. This Mother’s Day, we are letting moms take the lead, whether that’s behind the wheel or comfortably in the passenger seat. It is their call and that’s exactly how it should be,” said Gajendra Jangid,CMO, CARS24

So here’s to the moms who don’t want a tribute, a monologue, or a melodrama. They just want to skip the sentimental stuff and remind everyone who really runs the house. This Mother’s Day, let’s do the one thing they’ve been asking for all along – let them be.

Campaign video link – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJbmMoeoJAT/?igsh=MWZucnRrMjZ3bnA1eA==

Accor Appoints Sandeep Johri as Area General Manager – Karnataka

INDIA – Accor is pleased to announce the appointment of Sandeep Johri as Area General Manager – Karnataka. With an illustrious career spanning over 30 years in the hospitality industry, including more than two decades in General Managerial roles, Sandeep will oversee Accor’s strategic and operational initiatives across its prominent portfolio in Karnataka.

A seasoned professional, Sandeep brings exceptional experience in hotel management, operational excellence, and people-centric leadership. In addition to his current position as the general manager of Novotel & Ibis Bengaluru Outer Ring Road – he will also oversee & drive operational efficiency and performance outcomes of Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall, Grand Mercure Bangalore, Grand Mercure Mysore, and ibis Styles Mysuru. His vision and regional experience will be instrumental in elevating Accor’s performance across the state.

Since joining Accor in 2013, Sandeep has led several successful pre-openings and property turnarounds. At Novotel Ahmedabad, he spearheaded the pre-opening, while at Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences, he drove a strategic turnaround—enhancing guest engagement, elevating service standards, and strengthening team performance. He took over Novotel & ibis Bengaluru Outer Ring Road in August 2022, leading significant improvements in the properties’ reputation and operational performance.

Commenting on the appointment, Vineet Mishra, Vice President Operations, India & South Asia, said, “We are pleased to elevate Sandeep to this leadership role. With his exceptional experience in hotel management, strategic insight, and collaborative approach, he is well-positioned to lead our Karnataka portfolio. His vision and regional experience will be instrumental in advancing Accor’s growth and strengthening our presence in the state.”

Sandeep Johri, Area General Manager – Karnataka, said, “It is a privilege to take on this new role with Accor. I look forward to working closely with our teams in Karnataka to strengthen operational standards, create meaningful guest experiences, and further reinforce Accor’s position as a preferred hospitality brand in the region.”

Sandeep’s appointment reflects Accor’s commitment to empowering home-grown talent and driving regional excellence. His dynamic leadership style and strong understanding of the local market will support Accor’s continued growth trajectory in Karnataka.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance Launches ‘Maa Ki Paribhasha’: A heartfelt AI powered tribute to Modern Motherhood

Launched as a precursor to Mother’s Day, the social media film celebrates the diverse forms of motherhood in the modern world

New Delhi, 9th May, 2025: Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited (“Canara HSBC Life Insurance”) today announced the launch of ‘Maa Ki Paribhasha’, it’s AI powered, digital film to mark Mother’s Day on 11^th May. This emotionally resonant campaign is a heartfelt tribute to every form of motherhood, the promise of love, care, and unwavering support that transcends biological ties. Seamlessly blending technology with storytelling, the entire campaign—from characters to visuals and post-production has been crafted using advanced artificial intelligence tools. 

‘Maa Ki Paribhasha’ marks a bold step in Canara HSBC Life Insurance’s creative journey, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to deliver powerful narratives that challenge conventional definitions of motherhood. Entirely shot and executed using advanced AI, with no traditional cameras, sets, or actors, the campaign showcases the transformative potential of technology in modern storytelling.

Through evocative AI-generated scenes, the campaign begins with visuals of someone cooking, caring, protecting, before posing the thought-provoking question: “Kya maa sirf woh hoti hai jo janm deti hai?”. It then beautifully unfolds diverse expressions of motherhood—a father cooking with love, an elder sister offering care, a transgender parent raising a child, emphasizing that a mother figure is anyone who nurtures, protects, and shapes our lives.

Reflecting the campaign’s core message, Canara HSBC Life Insurance underscores that the true essence of ‘Maa’ lies in the lifelong promises of protection and care made by the diverse individuals who may step into this role. In that spirit, the brand invites everyone to celebrate Mother’s Day by enabling them to fulfill their financial promises to loved ones, thereby truly becoming ‘Promises Ka Partner’ in every sense.

The campaign is now available on Canara HSBC Life Insurance’s Youtube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram channels.

X:https://x.com/CanaraHSBCLI/status/1920348036959440912

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/canarahsbcobc/reels/

LI:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/canara-hsbc-life-insurance-company_mothersday-promiseskapartner-canarahsbclifeinsurance-activity-7326116024922075136-55Fb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACqJGtoBvLPeDGtzDdk50MRhWfxuUInpstA

FB:https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16PBaxf4DJ/

YT:https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vSoLix-Z-08
 

Porter Closes Series F Funding Round led by Kedaara Capital and Wellington Management

India, 09 May 2025: Porter, India’s leading on-demand Goods Transport Agency (GTA), has successfully closed its Series F funding round led by Kedaara Capital and Wellington Management along with continued support from existing investor, Vitruvian Partners. The round included a healthy mix of primary investment in the Company and secondary exits to few existing shareholders.

Founded in 2014, Porter has transformed intra-city logistics across India, offering a comprehensive suite of services including on-demand intra-city transport, packers and movers, and enterprise logistics solutions. With this fresh capital, the company is set to expand operations across multiple cities, with the goal of serving millions of MSMEs and enabling livelihood opportunities for over 1 million gig workers. With a sharp eye on growth and innovation, Porter plans to channel the capital into team expansion, technological development, and operational excellence— while continuing to build a greener logistics network aligned with national decarbonization efforts.

Uttam Digga, Co-Founder & CEO, Porter, said, “We are pleased to welcome Kedaara Capital and Wellington Management as our strategic partners. Since our inception, we have been committed to making urban logistics more efficient, intelligent, and inclusive — supporting MSMEs, empowering gig workers, and strengthening the communities we serve. With this, we look forward to accelerating our growth and building world-class, sustainable logistics solutions for businesses and communities across the globe.

We would also like to acknowledge our early investors who played a pivotal role in supporting Porter’s growth journey, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering support, guidance, and belief in our vision throughout this transformative period.”

Anant Gupta, Partner and Ashutosh Sardesai, Director at Kedaara Capital, said “We are excited to partner with Porter, the undisputed leader in India’s intra-city logistics space. In a largely unorganized and underserved market, Porter has built a tech-first, asset-light platform that delivers seamless, reliable logistics solutions at scale. Their strong execution, deep market understanding, and unwavering focus on customer and partner experience have created significant network advantages. We look forward to supporting Uttam, Pranav, and the entire Porter team as they continue to drive innovation, empower driver-partners, and expand their leadership across India’s intra-city logistics ecosystem.”

Prakhar Singh, Asia Sector Lead, Wellington Management, added, “We admire Porter’s resilience and execution-first mindset, which has helped them create their leadership position in the intra-city logistics space. What sets them apart is how deeply they’re embedded in the ecosystem—organizing a largely unstructured market from within, using technology to create meaningful impact for MSMEs and gig workers. We’re excited to partner with them as they scale their purpose.”

Shailesh Lakhani, MD, Peak XV, said, “When our journey started with Porter 10 years ago, the company was one amongst many in local goods transport. Uttam, Pranav and Vikas were clear on their vision and approach and why it was the right one. Today the company is the market leader, and more importantly has made the process of sending goods reliable, more efficient and transparent in cities in India and now abroad. In the journey, their name has become a verb and to say ‘’I am Portering it” means the goods will be there soon. We wish the company and their new partners all the best and thank the Company and the management for the partnership.”

As Porter completes 10 years in business, the milestone signifies its resilience, consistent value delivery, and leadership in logistics across 22 cities in India and 2 countries. Guided by its purpose of “moving a billion dreams, one delivery at a time” Porter has now evolved into an ecosystem touching the lives of over 30 lakh customers and 3 lakh gig workers every month in India.

Citizen Watches India Strengthens Retail Presence with New Flagship Store in Delhi

Delhi, 9th May 2025:

Citizen Watches India proudly announces the Grand Opening of its Flagship Showroom in Delhi, located at Shop No. 5, DAV School Building, Yusuf Sarai, New Delhi – 110016.

This milestone marks a significant step in the brand’s retail journey in India. The exclusive space showcases Citizen’s world-renowned craftsmanship and precision and introduces Bulova’s bold American spirit to the capital in a premium retail setting.

Strategically situated in the heart of the city, the showroom offers a refined and immersive experience that blends cutting-edge technology, timeless design, and watchmaking heritage. Newly launched Bulova’s range of premium watches is intricately styled and infinitely accurate, with a continuous sweeping second hand. It changed the face of the industry with the Curv collection – the world’s first curved chronograph movement. This was a Big attraction with the Guests at the launch event, who received a first look at the New Showroom concept and an exclusive preview of the brand’s latest innovations.

Mr. Ryota Kawato, Managing Director at CITIZEN Watches India, officially inaugurated the showroom and stated, “We at CITIZEN are very happy with our growing presence in the Indian market. Opening of this flagship showroom in the heart of the city – Yusuf Sarai, New Delhi, is a tribute to our legacy of innovation and our commitment to India. The exclusive space showcases Citizen’s world-renowned craftsmanship and precision and introduces Bulova’s bold American spirit to the capital in a premium retail setting. It’s a perfect example of how CITIZEN continues to expand its horizon.”

This strategic expansion reflects Citizen’s commitment to delivering elevated retail experiences and strengthening its connection with Indian consumers.

About Citizen Watches:

Founded in 1918, Citizen is a global leader in watchmaking known for its advanced technologies and sustainable innovations.

About Bulova:

Founded in New York City in 1875, Bulova has built a legacy of innovation, bold design, and precision craftsmanship.

Tata AMC Launches Income Plus Arbitrage FoF for Stability and Tax Efficiency

“In the current environment where debt yields are attractive and volatility in equity market persists, a hybrid strategy like this can potentially offer superior post-tax returns compared to traditional debt funds,” said Sailesh Jain, Fund Manager, Tata Asset Management. “The fund’s active allocation and smart liquidity management aim at optimizing returns.”

New Era for INZWAY: Central Kitchen Launches in the Heart of Bangalore

Bangalore, India/May 9, 2025: – INZWAY proudly announces the grand opening of its state-of-the-art central kitchen at 1st Main, MSR Layout, Chandra Layout, Marathahalli, Bengaluru – 560037. This milestone marks a significant step in INZWAY’s journey to deliver fresh, flavourful, natural, and heartfelt food experiences to communities across India.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Shri S.N. Subba Reddy, Hon’ble Member of the Legislative Assembly, who officially unveiled the kitchen. Extending his best wishes, he remarked, “My heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Ramakrishna and the entire INZWAY team. I wish you immense success in this promising venture.”

Also in attendance were Mr. Abhishek Reddy and Mr. Sunil Reddy, esteemed Directors of the BHAGINI GROUP. Their presence further elevated the significance of the occasion. INZWAY extends its sincere gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Patrick Rata, the High Commissioner of New Zealand, whose kind support and encouragement have played a vital role in this exciting journey.

Where India Meets New Zealand on a Plate

INZWAY stands apart in the culinary space by uniquely blending the soulful flavors of Indian traditional cuisine with authentic dishes from New Zealand. Highlighting this distinctive fusion are two signature dishes that exemplify the brand’s vision:

• Hangi Chicken – A classic Māori preparation, the Hāngi is a traditional earth-cooked meal where chicken and vegetables are slow-cooked underground using heated stones. INZWAY recreates this ancestral technique to infuse the meat with a tender, smoky flavor that transports diners to the heart of New Zealand. • Kiwi Pie – A hearty, savory meat pie filled with minced chicken and seasoned with native herbs, the Kiwi Pie is a staple comfort food in New Zealand. At INZWAY, this dish is reimagined with a touch of Indian spice, creating a delightful cross-cultural experience. A Vision for the Future

Speaking at the event, Mr. Ramakrishna, Founder and Managing Director of INZWAY, shared his enthusiasm and vision for the brand: “This central kitchen is our first strong step in Bangalore. It represents more than just a space—it’s our promise to deliver quality, authenticity, and innovation. We are excited to introduce a unique culinary experience that brings together the best of Indian and New Zealand cuisines.”= He added, “This is just the beginning. We are planning to expand rapidly and aim to launch 100 kiosks across Bangalore and beyond, making our fusion flavors accessible to everyone.” With an unwavering commitment to quality and community, INZWAY is set to transform the food landscape of Bangalore—one heartfelt bite at a time.

Mr. Naveen said “The launch of INZWAY’s Central Kitchen in Bangalore is a huge milestone for us. This kitchen is more than just infrastructure—it’s the heart of our mission to deliver quality, consistency, and love through every meal. It reflects our commitment to growth, and it aligns perfectly with our founder Ramakrishna’s vision to take INZWAY to a national level. We’re proud, we’re excited, and most importantly, we’re just getting started. The journey ahead is going to be incredible.”

At the grand opening of INZWAY’s Central Kitchen in Bangalore, Ms. Jayashree shared her excitement. “What started as a personal passion for food is now scaling to touch thousands,” My voice filled with emotion. “This is more than just a kitchen—it’s a dream coming to life.” They credited the driving vision of founder Ramakrishna, “We’re only just beginning,” Jayashree closed with heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the journey: “This milestone belongs to all of us.”

Hyderabad at the Core of Serta’s Growth Strategy, Eyes Rs 200 Cr Turnover

Hyderabad, May 9, 2025: Serta, the world’s leading and most trusted mattress brand, marked a major milestone by launching its first exclusive showroom in Telangana at Khajaguda, Hyderabad. The grand opening was inaugurated by Mr. Nitin Gupta, Executive Director of Serta India, in the presence of Mr. S.K. Malhotra, Director – Sales & Marketing, Mr. Uday Dubey, Sales Head, and Mr. Ankit Goyal of Decor World Select, the local partner.

The launch was attended by several renowned architects, interior designers, and industry professionals, signalling strong interest and support for the brand’s premium offerings in the region.

Licensed and manufactured in India by Varahmurti Flexirub Industries Pvt. Ltd. (VFI)—India’s largest luxury mattress brand group—Serta brings to India over 90 years of global expertise. The brand is currently present in more than 150 countries and is recognised for its innovation, comfort, and sleep technology, including its patented Posture Perfect Spiral Spring Technology and Air Support Foam.

Serta Eyes ₹200 Crore Turnover with Telangana Push

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nitin Gupta revealed that Serta India is targeting a ₹200 crore turnover with its Telangana and other expansion plans. “We plan to open five exclusive stores in Hyderabad within the next 12 months, and a total of 10 outlets across Telangana over the next two years,” he said.

The newly opened showroom showcases the brand’s full premium range, including Serta Antarctic, touted as the coolest mattress in India with 15x better cooling power. Equipped with the exclusive Cooltex System, it is designed for those who want to fall asleep quickly and sleep cool all night. Prices for the Serta Antarctic range between ₹2.78 lakh and ₹4 lakh, depending on size.

Wide Range, Premium Appeal

Serta offers mattresses priced between ₹30,000 and ₹4 lakh, appealing to a wide spectrum of premium and luxury consumers. Since establishing its presence in India in 2012, Serta has expanded to 35 exclusive stores and over 200 franchise and dealer outlets, including those in Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, and across Andhra Pradesh.

Luxury Mattress Market on the Rise

India’s organized luxury mattress market is estimated at ₹500 crore, while the unorganized segment stands at a staggering ₹15,000 crore, growing annually at 20–25%. Hyderabad, with its booming real estate, growing affluence, and health-conscious population, presents significant potential for luxury brands like Serta.

“The Indian luxury mattress market is currently dominated by four major brands, and the segment is ripe for innovation,” said Mr. Uday Dubey. “We aim to double our growth year-on-year in Hyderabad.”

Emerging trends include adjustable mattresses, remote-controlled bed bases, and smart mattresses that monitor sleep patterns—segments where Serta is already a global leader.

Mr. Ankit Goyal of Decor World Select emphasized the historical evolution of the mattress industry in India. “In the 1960s, barely 2% of Indians used mattresses. The modern mattress era began in the 1980s, and today, with Hyderabad’s booming residential and hospitality sectors, the demand for high-quality sleep solutions like Serta is growing exponentially,” he added.