All posts by K S Krishna

Trintech Expands Bengaluru and Noida Operations, Accelerating Growth and Innovation in Financial Close Management

Bengaluru, India – March 28^th, 2025 – Trintech, a leading global provider of cloud-based financial close solutions for the Office of Finance, today announced the launch of its new India offices in Bengaluru and Noida. This strategic expansion is designed to tap into India’s rich talent pool to drive growth and innovation.

“Establishing our offices in India is a pivotal step in expanding and scaling our global operations and maintaining our leadership position in driving finance transformation for the world’s leading brands,” said Darren Heffernan, CEO of Trintech. “We are excited to attract top talent to our teams in India, enabling us to drive solution and service innovation across reconciliation and financial close processes. Our focus on responsible AI ensures that we deliver meaningful innovation that our customers need, while upholding the principles of accuracy, transparency and accountability.”

With over three decades of experience in automating reconciliation and financial close processes, Trintech empowers businesses to lead productivity transformation across their finance and accounting disciplines driving efficiencies, ensuring accuracy to mitigate risk, and empowering strategic decision-making. Trintech’s India operations will focus on continuing to build future-ready capabilities that drive innovation, agility, and operational excellence. By accelerating product development and unlocking new business value, Trintech aims to support its customers in achieving reduced financial risks, increased productivity, and accelerated financial transformation.

“Our India operations are a cornerstone of Trintech’s global operations, and these new facilities in Bengaluru and Noida showcase our dedication to fostering innovation and delivering value,” said Ram Dwivedi, Country Manager, Trintech India. “With this investment, we are better positioned to accelerate product development and empower finance and accounting teams as they continue to transform their financial operations.” 

Trintech’s India operations are an integral part of its global organization and planned expansion, which includes experts located in the US, EMEA and APAC. This global footprint is complemented by a robust partner network, which plays a crucial role in delivering seamless integrations and tailored solutions to meet diverse customer needs.

PLPB Collaborates with Artelia Consulting to Set Benchmark in Industrial Infrastructure Standards at PLPB IndusPark

Complements the vision for PLPB IndusPark that encompasses creation and facilitation of an efficient, sustainable, and investor-friendly environment

March 28, 2025 – PLPB, a dynamic new-age real estate and infrastructure development company, has announced a strategic partnership with Artelia Consulting Engineers Limited (ACE), a renowned international multi-specialist engineering Company, part of Artelia Group, France, to enhance the industrial advisory and infrastructure documentation at PLPB IndusPark. With this partnership, PLPB is poised to set new standards in industrial facilitation and position Punjab as an attractive destination for industrial growth and employment generation.

PLPB, along with Artelia, will focus on this 150-acre integrated industrial hub, located near Rajpura, Patiala district to streamline the onboarding process for potential industries by providing comprehensive infrastructure and environmental documentation, ensuring seamless industry establishment in line with global best practices and European benchmarks.

This collaboration follows PLPB’s successful engagement with Singapore-based Surbana Jurong and marks another significant milestone in its commitment to developing a world-class, future-ready industrial ecosystem.

“Our collaboration with Artelia represents a strategic step toward creating a robust industrial ecosystem that is ready for the future,” said Sumit Singla, CEO of PLPB. “With their expertise in infrastructure advisory and adherence to International standards, we aim to provide a transparent and well-documented framework that facilitates seamless onboarding for industries. PLPB IndusPark is not just about industrial growth; it’s about fostering an environment where businesses can thrive with confidence.”

“We are excited to partner with PLPB in creating a world-class industrial hub at IndusPark,” stated Artelia Consulting Engineers Limited, India CEO’s “Our role is to provide end-to-end advisory support, optimize documentation, and facilitate compliance that aligns with the highest international infrastructure standards. This initiative will not only set a new industry benchmark in India but also reinforce trust and ease of doing business for both international and domestic investors.”

Raising the Bar with European Standards
ACE brings extensive expertise in construction, infrastructure, and environmental sectors to this project. With a strong presence of the Group in Europe, India and other parts of the world and a reputation for setting high-quality industry benchmarks, ACE being part of the Group will play a pivotal role in ensuring top-tier documentation and compliance frameworks for PLPB IndusPark.

PLPB IndusPark: Unlocking Industrial Potential
Strategically located along the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC), PLPB IndusPark is designed to attract investment across sectors such as agro/food processing, textiles, auto components, and warehousing. The partnership with Artelia ensures that all potential industries receive precise infrastructure and environmental insights, enabling informed decision-making and accelerating their setup process.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru partners with Optimum Nutrition for its 2025 quest

27TH March 2025 – Optimum Nutrition, the world’s no.1 sports nutrition brand has been partnering with athletes globally for more than 35 years offering the right choice of nutrition. This cricket season, Optimum Nutrition partners with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and this partnership goes beyond just branding— with the shared belief that greatness is not merely a destination but a journey fuelled by consistent effort, preparation, and informed choices.

The collaborative campaign “Unlock Your Greatness” is built on the idea that greatness isn’t instant; it’s built over time. You need to strive every day and fuel with the right nutrition to achieve your greatest self. Just as RCB is striving for excellence in every match. Optimum Nutrition emphasizes the importance of fuelling your body with high-quality protein and being the choice of champions. Together, they champion the message: Choose Greatness. Choose the Right Nutrition.

As part of the collaboration, the brand has created the Limited Edition “Protein Choice of RCB” Gold Standard Whey packs, offering an unparalleled sporting experience. It will inspire consumers to unlock their greatness along with their favorite team. The campaign will come to life through engaging digital activations, influencer collaborations with sporting stalwarts, cricket influencers ,and fan clubs. Various on-ground activations, such as retail outlet branding and social contests for consumers to get a chance to watch Royal Challengers live on ground by entering in to an on-pack contest.

Speaking on this, Sumit Mathur, General Manager, South Asia, Glanbia Performance Nutrition, said, ” As a brand, our role is to help fitness enthusiasts deliver superior performance, supported by high-quality sports nutrition. Optimum Nutrition has had a longstanding legacy of partnering with the top athletes. Partnering with the popular sports franchisee– Royal Challengers Bengaluru for 2025 Season , is our next milestone uniting the two powerhouses in the sports industry. Together, we aim to inspire millions to unlock their potential with the right training and nutrition -on the field, in the gym, and beyond.”

Rajesh Menon, VP- Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said, “Royal Challengers Bengaluru has always been committed to excellence, both on and off the field. Cricket demands peak physical and mental fitness and having a trusted brand like Optimum Nutrition supporting our players and fans reinforces our commitment to high performance and making right choices. We are excited about this collaboration as it aligns perfectly with our philosophy of pushing boundaries and maximizing performance.”

R|Elan CIRCULAR DESIGN CHALLENGE 2024 WINNER – RKIVE CITY TO PRESENT “RECLAIM THE CITY” AT LAKMĒ FASHION WEEK X FDCI 2025

27th March 2025, Mumbai, India – R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2024 winner rkive city is set to debut its first-ever solo runway collection, Reclaim The City, at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI on 27th March 2025 at The Atelier, Jio World Convention Centre. Their showcase comes as a result of winning the prestigious R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2024, held in partnership with the United Nations in India, which champions innovation in circular fashion. This opportunity allows the brand to present a collection that embodies the core principles of sustainability and circularity, reflecting the very ethos of the Challenge.

The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (CDC), launched six years ago by Reliance Industries Limited in partnership with the United Nations in India and Lakmé Fashion Week, is a pioneering platform dedicated to driving sustainability and circularity in fashion. Originating in India, CDC empowers young designers and entrepreneurs to showcase innovative circular solutions, nurturing a new generation of environmental champions. Through mentorship, market access, and industry exposure, the program continues to propel emerging leaders who are redefining the fashion and textile value chain with sustainable practices. Since its inception, CDC has been instrumental in shaping India’s eco-conscious fashion narrative. In 2023, it expanded globally to the UK, European Union, and Asia-Pacific, further strengthening its vision to be a catalyst for change in the global fashion ecosystem. This unique partnership exemplifies how industry, the fashion community, and multilateral organisations like the UN can unite to drive impactful change—aligning with the principles of Mission LiFE announced by the Prime Minister of India. The platform’s global partners include Istituto Marangoni, British Council, and Redress Design Challenge.

Reclaim The City is a study in memory, built from the remnants of materials left behind. It explores the idea of revival: not just of garments, but of forms, details, and cultural rhythms once deemed obsolete. Through post-consumer textiles, the collection traces a narrative shaped by remembrance, with the objective of transcending the past. Each piece exists as part of broader research into how textiles carry both history and possibility. A sleeve might recall a uniform, a pocket might resemble a market worker’s jacket, and a stitch might trace the imprint of a pre-loved garment. The collection does not come together through uniformity but through carefully reconstructed diversity of texture, fit, and feeling.

This 36-look collection consists of salvaged scraps, reconstructed denim workwear, repurposed leather, and classic silhouettes reimagined through neo-manufacturing practices. Every garment is made entirely from post-consumer materials; reviving discarded clothes through techniques such as block printing, patchwork and creative waste management. Old boring office shirts, in particular, are a core exploration of the collection. Once discarded for minor imperfections, these pieces are revived and reconstructed with new patterns, dyes, and textures, celebrating the beauty and ease of repair.

As the team prepares for the runway in Mumbai, Reclaim The City seeks to highlight the dialogue between preservation and progress. With the city undergoing massive redevelopment, there is a lost sense of history and culture in the new architecture. As the city expands, this collection is a call to reclaim and preserve heritage and design whilst leaving space for future change.

For rkive city, revival is not nostalgia: it is an active reimagining of the past within the contemporary landscape. Every piece carries the imprint of what came before, reconstructed with care to create what comes next.

Discover the Journey to Self: Pearl Academy Presents FIRST CUT at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI

Mumbai, 23rd March 2025 -Pearl Academy, India’s leading creative education institution established in 1993, in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), is proud to present ‘FIRST CUT,’its groundbreaking student showcase at Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI on March 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM in Mumbai.

This year’s theme, “Find Your Self,” is inspired by the upcoming film Mannu Kya Karegga, which is based on the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai: The Secret to a Long and Happy Life. The showcase delves into the emotional, psychological, and societal shifts shaping today’s youth, offering a profound exploration of fashion, resilience, and the human spirit.

The philosophy of Ikigai teaches that true happiness lies at the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession. Through fashion, Pearl Academy’s students translate these essential pillars into a visual and tactile narrative, reflecting on the aftermath of global catastrophes and the search for happiness in an uncertain world.

A Platform for Emerging Talent

FIRST CUT stands as a testament to Pearl Academy’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of fashion innovators. For years, the institution has provided its students with a platform to showcase their creativity at Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI, one of the most prestigious events in the industry. This collaboration with FDCI underscores Pearl Academy’s dedication to excellence and its pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian fashion.

Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI, said, “At FDCI, we are committed to providing emerging talent with meaningful opportunities to shape their future in fashion. FIRST CUT is a platform that nurtures young student designers from Pearl Academy and gives them the exposure they need to make an impact in the industry. Fashion is an evolving dialogue, and this showcase allows students to engage with its transformative power. We look forward to witnessing their vision come to life on the runway.”

Thematic Acts: A Journey to Find Your Self

 The showcase takes audiences on a transformative journey through four thematic acts, each a pillar of Ikigai, guiding the search for self-discovery. It begins with PASSION: “Make Nothing from Scratches”, where raw creativity meets sustainability as students breathe new life into deadstock fabrics, crafting bold, rebellious silhouettes that symbolize the courage to create from within. Next, SUCCESS: “Juxtapose” challenges conventional notions of achievement,blending unexpected layers and unconventional styling to reflect the evolving, often contradictory paths to finding one’s true self. PURPOSE: “Reimagine” delves into tradition, reinventing Indian pattern-cutting techniques to create garments that honor heritage while embracing a global identity, symbolizing the quest for deeper meaning and authenticity. The journey culminates in LOVE: “Love is Blind”, a vibrant celebration of love in all its forms—innocent, digital, mature, and beyond—exploring how connection and inclusivity help us understand ourselves and others. Together, these acts weave a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is visually stunning, inviting audiences to reflect on their journey to ‘Find Your Self’ in a rapidly evolving world.

FIRST CUT has a rich history of addressing global issues through fashion. Past editions have explored themes like the post-COVID world, the impact of wars and natural disasters, India’s moon landing, and the rise of AI. This year, the focus shifts inward, urging audiences to rethink success, purpose, and joy in an era defined by uncertainty.

For Pearl Academy students, FIRST CUT is more than a fashion show—it’s a life-changing opportunity to present their work on a national stage, gain recognition from industry leaders, and take their first steps toward a successful career in fashion. Students from Fashion Design and Fashion Styling are collaboratively working on this showcase, blending technical craftsmanship with artistic vision. Each thematic area is meticulously curated, from concept development to garment construction and styling, ensuring a holistic and immersive fashion experience.

FIRST CUT at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI is more than just a runway show—it is a statement, a reflection, and a dialogue on the realities shaping our world.This season, we invite audiences to embark on a journey of self-discovery, exploring identity, purpose, and authenticity through a thought-provoking, emotionally charged showcase. Witness how the next generation of designers redefines fashion as a medium for finding oneself in an era defined by uncertainty and transformation.

Event Details

• Date: March 30, 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM
• Venue: JIO World Centre, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai

Join us as we redefine happiness and resilience through the art of fashion. Witness the future of fashion unfold on the runway, as the next-gen designers from Pearl Academy take center stage

FDCI’S STOCKROOM SALE IS BACK IN MUMBAI

Mumbai, 27th March 2025 – The biggest designers with the biggest discounts. Happens only at FDCI’s Stockroom. Get the ultimate dopamine kick of your retail life with a shopping free where some of the biggest designers come at the most attractive price points – less 70%!

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is bringing back its much-awaited Stockroom Sale—your golden chance to grab outfits from India’s top designers at prices you can never otherwise get them for!

Happening on March 30, 2025, from 11 AM to 7 PM at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, this one-day sale is every shopaholics dream. From wedding attires, pret, elegant evening ensembles, the Stockroom Sale covers the length and breadth of your closet.

The FDCI Stockroom this sale features over 60+ leading designers, including: AMIT AGGARWAL, BLONI, HOUSE OF MASABA, OTT TARUN TAHILIANI, SHRUTI SANCHETI, URVASHI KAUR, PALLAVI JAIPUR, NIRMOOHA, SON OF A NOBLE SNOB, SAKSHA AND KINNI, NOT SO SERIOUS BY PALLAVI MOHAN, NITIN BAL CHAUHAN, PANKAJ & NIDHI, ROY_CALCUTTA, ANURAG GUPTA, LINETRIBE, and many more!

“FDCI Stockroom has become a go-to shopping destination, offering fashion lovers a chance to own designer pieces at unbeatable prices. With its wide variety of collections, it ensures there’s something for everyone, making high fashion more accessible while celebrating creativity and craftsmanship,” said Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI.

FDCI has been shaping Indian fashion, providing a platform for designers to showcase their creativity and connect with fashion enthusiasts. Don’t miss this chance to own stunning designer pieces at unbelievable prices!

Mark your calendars and get ready to shop till you drop!

Indulgence Takes the Spotlight: Magnum Ice Cream to Unveil a Sensational New Launch at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI

Magnum to unveil an indulgent new flavor     

26th March 2025: Magnum, the iconic ice cream crafted with Belgian chocolate, returns to Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI to celebrate indulgence, luxury, and pleasure. With a legacy intertwined with fashion and luxury, Magnum continues to create opulent experiences bringing its much-loved Magnum Chocolate Dipping Bar to India’s premier fashion and beauty platform. The brand is set to elevate the pleasure quotient at Lakmē Fashion Week, taking place from March 26th to 30th, 2025, at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

Much like fashion, where every detail is thoughtfully curated, Magnum crafts experiences with the finest Belgian chocolate, turning every bite into pure indulgent pleasure. This season at Lakmē Fashion Week, Magnum introduces a series of luxury experiences, from the much-loved Chocolate Dipping Bar to unique collaborations that fuse flavor with high fashion. The celebration peaks with the iconic Magnum Party, an evening of glamour and indulgence, bringing together fashion’s elite for an unforgettable experience of luxury and pleasure.

• An Iconic Celebration and a New Magnum Flavor Unveil – Magnum is set to make a statement at Lakmē Fashion Week with a grand unveiling. Graced by fashion icons, the evening will blend luxury and true pleasure, culminating in the reveal of Magnum’s newest indulgent flavor. Set against a backdrop of glamour, the event will immerse attendees in the world of Magnum, further solidifying its place at the intersection of fashion and indulgence, and creating an experience as rich and unforgettable as its Magnum Bar.
• Exclusive Designer Magnums by India’s most celebrated Fashion Designers – Special edition Magnum creations inspired by trailblazing Indian designers: Falguni Shane Peacock, Amit Aggarwal, and Shantanu Nikhil celebrating the art of indulgence through their unique signature creations, with each Magnum bar encapsulating their design sensibilities.
• A Bespoke Candle Collection – Expanding its sensory experience, Magnum introduces limited-edition candles inspired by its signature flavors, crafted in collaboration with esteemed Indian designer Ritika Mirchandani. These exquisite aromas capture the essence of indulgence, inviting guests to experience pleasure beyond taste—engaging scent, style, and sophistication in a true multisensory celebration.

Speaking on Magnum’s commitment to creating unparalleled experiences at the Lakmē Fashion Week, Toloy Tanridagli, Head of Ice Cream Business, HUL, shared: “Magnum is thrilled to return to Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI, where fashion and luxury converge in the most spectacular way. As the platform marks 25 iconic years, Magnum reaffirms its commitment to crafting extraordinary experiences and unforgettable moments of indulgent pleasure delights. From the much-anticipated Magnum Party to immersive brand experiences, we are proud to be part of this landmark celebration, and as we continue to make waves worldwide, our ambition for India is to redefine luxury and pleasure, setting new standards for indulgent experiences.”

As Magnum continues to redefine boundaries, its presence at Lakmē Fashion Week is a testament to its commitment to blending luxury, taste, and creativity. From bespoke collaborations to immersive experiences, Magnum invites guests to step into a world where fashion meets pleasure.