LGE India Manufacturing Plants Accelerate Transition To Renewable Energy With Solar PPAs With Hinduja Renewables And Sunsure Energy

The initiative will generate over 3.2 crore units of clean electricity annually, equivalent to powering up to 50,000 Indian households each year

As part of its commitment to expand clean energy adoption across its manufacturing operations, LGE India, one of India’s leading consumer electronics brands, has signed long-term solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Hinduja Renewables Energy Private Limited (HREPL) and Sunsure Energy. LGE India will source solar power for its Greater Noida and Pune manufacturing facilities, thereby reducing its carbon footprint while strengthening its transition towards sustainable manufacturing.

As part of these tie-ups, LGE India has signed a 9.80 megawatt peak (MWp) solar PPA with HREPL for its Pune manufacturing facility and an 11 MWp solar PPA with Sunsure Energy for its Greater Noida facility. LGE India will source approximately 3.21 crore units of renewable energy annually for both facilities, collectively offsetting around 0.61 million metric tonnes of CO2e over the project lifetime.

“This project represents a defining milestone for LGE India, marking our first captive renewable energy project in the country and reinforcing our decisive shift towards sustainable manufacturing,” said Mr. Hong Ju Jeon, Managing Director and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, LGE India. “It strongly aligns with LG’s global sustainability commitments, including our transition towards achieving 100% renewable energy under the RE100 initiative. Beyond powering our operations, these collaborations also strengthen our contribution to meeting India’s net-zero ambitions for 2070 and accelerate our journey towards responsible manufacturing. By integrating clean energy with our production ecosystem, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also enhancing the global competitiveness of LGE India’s products.”

HREPL will supply 1.61 crore units of clean power annually from its 27.7 MWp solar plant in Nanded, Maharashtra, helping meet 40% of the Pune facility’s energy needs and offset 0.31 million metric tonnes of CO2e over the project lifetime. Similarly, Sunsure Energy will supply approximately 1.6 crore units of renewable electricity annually from its 82.5 MWp solar plant in Erach, Uttar Pradesh, enabling LGE India to meet around 30% of its Greater Noida facility’s energy requirement and increase total renewable energy consumption at the plant to approximately 50%, while offsetting 0.30 million metric tonnes of CO2e over the project lifetime.

Mr. Deepak Thakur, MD & CEO, HREPL said, “We are pleased to be a part of LGE India’s sustainability journey. This milestone underscores LGE India’s long-term commitment to renewable energy adoption and will help accelerate its transition to a clean manufacturing to achieve carbon neutrality and propel it towards a more sustainable future. This project reflects HREPL’s commitment to delivering reliable green power solutions that help organisations reduce their carbon footprint.”

Highlighting the tie-up, Mr. Shashank Sharma, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Sunsure Energy said, “Sunsure Energy is at the forefront of driving India’s industrial decarbonisation across sectors and geographies and is proud to advance the clean energy transition of LG Electronics in India. This collaboration goes beyond a power purchase agreement - it marks the beginning of a long-term relationship with LG Electronics India, a company known for its quality, engineering excellence, and consistency - values that strongly resonate with us at Sunsure. Through this collaboration, LGE India’s products manufactured in India will be powered by clean energy, enabling consumers to make more sustainable choices.”

Both the agreements are for a period of 25 years and will officially begin in the second quarter of CY2026. These agreements mark LGE India’s first strategic equity investment in an Indian special purpose vehicle (SPV) for power generation.

About LG Electronics India Ltd

LG Electronics India Limited (LGEIL) was established in January 1997 in India. It is focused on various consumer electronics and B2B businesses, from home appliances and media entertainment to HVAC and commercial displays. LGEIL's manufacturing units at Greater Noida and Ranjangaon, Pune has the capacity to manufacture LED TVs, air conditioners, commercial air conditioning systems, washing machines, refrigerators, and monitors.

KFC Introduces Shawarma With A Twist: Presenting The All New Crispy Shawowrma Wrap

* Priced starting at just ₹169, KFC’s Crispy ShaWOWrma Wrap is a WOW twist to the familiar favourite

Shawarma lovers across India are about to be WOW-ed, with the launch of KFC India’s all new Crispy ShaWOWrma Wrap.

The all-new menu item is KFC’s twist on the familiar favourite. The KFC Crispy ShaWOWrma Wrap comes with a deliciously toasted tortilla wrap, loaded with KFC’s iconic crispy Peri-Peri chicken strips, creamy shawarma mayo, fresh lettuce & tangy pickled Mediterranean veggies.

Priced starting at just ₹169, the all-new Crispy ShaWOWrma Wrap is available across all 1300+ KFC restaurants in India for dine-in & takeaway, as well as via the KFC app, website (https://online.kfc.co.in/) or via leading food delivery apps.

So shawarma fans, what are you waiting for? It’s time for the all-new Crispy ShaWOWrma Wrap.

About KFC

KFC, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM.), is a global chicken restaurant brand with a rich, decades-long history of success and innovation. It all started with one cook, Colonel Harland Sanders, who created a finger lickin’ good recipe more than 80 years ago, a list of secret herbs and spices scratched out on the back of the door to his kitchen. Today we still follow his formula for success, with real cooks breading and freshly preparing our delicious chicken by hand in more than 26,000 restaurants in over 145 countries and territories around the world.

For more information, visit https://online.kfc.co.in/

OPPO India Expands Service Center 3.0 Prorollout To 150+ Locations In 2026

OPPO India today announced the expansion of its Service Center 3.0 Pro network to over 150 locations across India in 2026, up from its earlier direction of 110 centers, with 50+ of these centers expected to be operational by June 2026. This expansion reinforces the brand’s commitment to transparent, accessible, and high-quality after-sales service.

As smartphones continue to power everyday experiences, from communication and work to digital payments and entertainment, OPPO India continues to strengthen its after-sales service ecosystem. With this accelerated expansion, OPPO is doubling down on after-sales as a key pillar of brand experience, aligning with its long-term focus on user satisfaction and service-led differentiation.

Service Center 3.0 Pro is designed to meet the expectations of modern users. The centers integrate digital check-ins, real-time queue updates, and dynamic digital signage, keeping customers informed throughout their visit. Face-to-face repair and servicing enhance clarity and trust, while refreshed layouts, dedicated product experience zones, and comfortable lounges provide a streamlined and welcoming environment.

OPPO also focuses on building staff expertise, multilingual communication channels, and speed of first response, with many customers receiving assistance within minutes of arrival.

Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications, OPPO India said, “Customer expectations continue to shape our service strategy at OPPO India. With Service Center 3.0 Pro, we are delivering transparent, efficient, and consistent experiences across touchpoints. Building on strong user adoption, we are accelerating our expansion to 150+ locations. As per OPPO India internal research, over 90% of our customers already value our 1-hour turnaround time, and we are committed to grow value for our users with an agile, adaptive, and accessible after-sales ecosystem.”

Industry insights highlight repair transparency as a key driver of user trust. As per Counterpoint Research benchmarking insights*, OPPO ranked the highest in the repair process being transparent and clear, enabling users to gain greater confidence in how their devices are handled.

The brand continues to reinforce its commitment to customer support through a service network spanning 580+ service centers across more than 500 cities in India, with assistance available in 19 languages. The brand also offers free pick-up and drop for repairs and aims to deliver 24-hour turnaround for most service requests. Thus, helping minimize downtime and ensuring a smooth and dependable ownership experience for customers nationwide.

About OPPO India

Founded in 2014, OPPO Mobiles India Pvt Ltd (OPPO India) is a leading technology company in India, renowned for its innovative and diverse portfolio, including the Find, Reno, F, K, and A series smartphones, as well as IoT devices. The company is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.

OPPO has been at the forefront of technological innovation, particularly in imaging technology, device durability, and battery health optimisation. Guided by the philosophy ‘Make Your Moment’, OPPO empowers users to create and embrace the beauty of life through advanced technology, fostering freedom and fulfillment in everyday experiences.

Spanning over 110 acres, the company operates one of India’s largest mobile manufacturing facilities in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. With multiple production lines, assembly stations and testing stations, the plant is capable of dispatching hundreds of micro parts to produce approximately 200 smartphones in under 10 minutes. As a socially responsible organization, OPPO India actively engages in initiatives focused on skill development and e-waste awareness among the country’s youth.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - "Smiley Face" - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services. OPPO has footprints in more than 70 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

*Counterpoint Research 2024-2025.

Tata Power Skill Development Institute Expands Green Skilling Footprint With ICICI Foundation Through Centre In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

* Commences tribal youth training batches with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs across Prayagraj, Odisha and Jharkhand, inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Jual Oram.

Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated power companies, through its skilling arm Tata Power Skill Development Institute (TPSDI), is set to expand its national footprint with the inauguration of a new training centre in Prayagraj in partnership with ICICI Foundation. The centre aims to equip local youth and women with industry-relevant skills in power, renewable energy, and allied sectors, supporting India’s growing demand for a future-ready workforce.

The centre was jointly inaugurated by Ms. Saumya Agarwal (IAS), Commissioner, Prayagraj, and Mr. Himal Tewari (CHRO, Chief – Sustainability & CSR, Tata Power), in the presence of Mr. Ashok Panda, CEO, PPGCL, and Mr. Alok Prasad, Head – TPSDI, marking another milestone in Tata Power’s commitment to advancing skill development through collaborative partnerships.

The TPSDI–Prayagraj centre will offer industry-aligned, hands-on training in renewable energy technologies, including solar PV installation and maintenance, electrical safety, and energy efficiency.

TPSDI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has also launched specialised training batches for tribal youth, which were virtually inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram. These programmes will commence at the Prayagraj centre and across TPSDI’s four newly established centres in Odisha – Balasore, Dhenkanal, Berhampur and Sambalpur – as well as its existing centres in Cuttack, Maithon (Jharkhand) and Jojobera (Jharkhand).

The centre will also deliver training programmes under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with certifications designed to enhance employability and enable faster placement with industry stakeholders, including EPC companies, channel partners, and service providers.

Since its inception, TPSDI has established itself as a leading institute in energy sector skilling, offering over 200 modular courses across domains such as Green Energy, Power Systems, Transmission & Distribution, Safety, and Soft Skills. The institute has trained over 4.2 lakh individuals, contributing more than 1.6 million person-days of training, including significant participation from women and beneficiaries from affirmative action groups.

With the establishment of the Prayagraj centre, Tata Power aims to build a strong local talent pipeline to support regional energy infrastructure and future projects. The initiative is expected to contribute to sustainable livelihoods while supporting India’s broader clean energy and skilling ambitions.

The inauguration underscores Tata Power’s ongoing commitment to nation-building through skill development, empowering communities, and supporting India’s transition towards a resilient and sustainable energy future.

About Tata Power:

The Tata Power Company Limited, a leading integrated power company and a part of the Tata Group, India's largest multinational business conglomerate, owns a diversified portfolio of 16.3 GW. This portfolio spans the entire power value chain, from renewable and conventional energy generation to transmission, distribution, trading, storage solutions, and solar cell and module manufacturing. As a pioneer in India's clean energy transition, Tata Power has 7.5 GW of clean energy generation, constituting 46% of its total capacity. Committed to achieving Net Zero by 2045, Tata Power has successfully partnered with public and private entities across India's generation, transmission, and distribution sectors, serving ~13 million customers nationwide.

A Festival Of Fresh Vietnamese Flavours At Blue Ginger, Taj West End

Inspired by the purity and finesse of Vietnamese cuisine, Blue Ginger at Taj West End, Bengaluru, presents a Festival of Fresh Vietnamese Flavours — a refined midday experience designed for leisurely tropical afternoons. From 27th to 29th March 2026, the limited-period festival brings together light, refreshing flavours in a setting that celebrates calm, elegance, and balance.

Over three thoughtfully curated days, the menu showcases a harmonious selection of light broths, crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, delicate proteins, and chilled desserts — reflecting the essence of Vietnam’s most refreshing culinary traditions. Rooted in simplicity yet elevated in execution, the experience offers a graceful interplay of textures and flavours.

The culinary journey begins with a delicate Vermicelli Noodle Soup, available in both chicken and vegetarian variants, followed by a vibrant selection of salads including glass noodle with crispy tofu, green apple and green mango, and young papaya salad with shrimp. Guests can also savour beautifully crafted rice paper rolls with options ranging from tofu and garden greens to shrimp with chicken, alongside flavourful crab claws that highlight the finesse of Vietnamese coastal cuisine. The experience concludes on a soothing note with elegant desserts such as water chestnut in coconut milk and Vietnamese coffee mousse, offering a cool and refined finish.

Venue: Blue Ginger, Taj West End, Bengaluru
Dates: 27 March – 29 March 2026
Timings: 12:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Reservations: +91 80666 05660 / +91 79075 78474

Air India Touches Down At Rome Fiumicino Airport, Expanding Mainland Europe Network To 8 Gateways

Air India inaugurated its new 4x weekly non-stop service to Rome Fiumicino, touching down at the Italian capital city after nearly six years and thus, expanding its presence in Mainland Europe. Rome is Air India’s eighth gateway in Mainland Europe and the second destination in Italy, after Milan.

Flight AI123 departed from Delhi at 1332 Hrs (IST) of 25 March, landing at Rome Fiumicino in the evening to a warm welcome from dignitaries from the Indian Embassy in Italy, Fiumicino airport officials, and Air India staff.

The first flight was welcomed by a delegation including H.E. Ms Vani Rao, Ambassador of India to Italy and San Marino; Mr Gaurav Gandhi, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India in Rome; Mr. Swaminathan Krishnamoorthy, Head of Chancery, Embassy of India in Rome; and senior officials from Aeroporti Di Roma, who also inaugurated the departing flight from Rome, which landed in Delhi at 1029 Hrs (IST) today. The dignitaries celebrated the occasion with a traditional Indian ceremony of lamp-lighting, cake-cutting and honouring the first passenger to board the flight.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Demand for travel between India and Europe continues to grow across both leisure and business segments, with the two nations sharing so much in common culturally, and their increasing exchange that continues to deepen business, trade, and people-to-people ties. We are delighted to reconnect the two historic capital cities while also enabling seamless onward travels via our Delhi hub to and from destinations across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.”

Deepening India-Italy ties

Italy remains an important partner for India across trade, tourism and cultural exchange. Bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed USD 14 billion in 2025, supported by strong collaboration in sectors like engineering, automative, fashion and design. Italy is also home to one of the largest Indian communities in continental Europe, with more than 200,000 people of Indian origin contributing to steadily growing travel demand between the two countries.

“We are pleased to welcome Air India’s arrival in Rome,” said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer of Aeroporti di Roma. “The new direct connection to Delhi enhances our offering to the Indian capital and meets the growing travel demand between Italy and India. This new route further strengthens Rome Fiumicino’s role as a leading international hub in the Mediterranean, increasingly central to air links with Asia.”

Flight schedule

Air India now operates between Delhi and Rome four times a week – on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays – using its B787-8 aircraft. The aircraft features a two-class cabin configuration with 18 fully flat beds in Business Class and 241 spacious seats in Economy Class, offering guests a comfortable flying experience complemented by Air India’s signature warm Indian hospitality and onboard service.

The flight schedule has been designed to enable convenient connections via Delhi to several destinations across India and Southeast Asia, including but not limited to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. This enables travellers from Italy to easily access Air India’s growing international and domestic network

 

SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI (DEL) AND ROME (FCO)
Flight #	City Pair	Departure	Arrival
AI123	Delhi-Rome	1315 Hrs	1855 Hrs
AI122	Rome-Delhi	2050Hrs	0900 Hrs+1
All times local. +1 indicates next calendar day arrival.

Air India now flies non-stop from India to eight points in Mainland Europe, namely Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, Vienna, and Zurich.

Bookings for Air India’s flights between Delhi and Rome are available on all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, contact centres, and through travel agents worldwide.

About Air India group

The Air India group – comprising of full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries customers to 59 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents.

Returning to the Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India group is in the midst of a five-year transformation program, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed an order for 600 new aircraft. In 2024, sister airlines Air Asia India and Vistara were successfully merged into Air India Express and Air India, respectively, and the Airline opened South Asia’s largest aviation training academy. A new flying school is scheduled to open in 2026, and construction of a greenfield maintenance base, to be operational in 2026, is underway. In addition to receiving new aircraft, all existing aircraft are progressively undergoing a full interior refit.

With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.

For more stories on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom

Union Minister Piyush Goyal Unveils Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ ₹200 Crore CSR Initiative For FY 2026–27

Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the world’s fifth-largest retail jewellery group and a responsible jewellery brand, has announced their CSR initiatives worth INR 200 crore for the financial year 2026-27 held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi in the presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry.

At the CSR initiative, the Union Minister inaugurated the distribution of educational scholarships for 33,000 girl students across India. The event was attended by Malabar Group Chairman Mr. M.P. Ahammad, Managing Director - India Operations Mr. O. Asher, Executive Directors Mr. Nishad A.K. and Mr. Abdulla Ibrahim, Kerala House Resident Commissioner Mr. Puneet Kumar, IAS, Pratham CEO Ms. Rukmini Banerji, and Thanal Chairman Dr. Idris, among others.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the initiatives of the Malabar Charitable Trust align closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering India’s daughters through programs like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.

He added that “Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ decision to allocate INR 200 crore towards CSR will further strengthen the nation’s progress,” emphasizing that India’s growth is rooted in the empowerment of its people - especially women and girls and appreciating the company’s efforts in driving meaningful change through education.”

“He also encouraged students and young citizens to dream big, aspire beyond limitations, and seize the vast opportunities India offers, urging them to contribute actively to the nation’s growth story”.

Malabar Group, Chairman, Mr. M.P. Ahammad highlighted “Human resource development is the backbone of national growth. He noted that nurturing talent through quality education is essential, and that the scholarship programme enables students to achieve academic success and contribute to the country’s development. He added that the group remains committed to creating sustainable, long-term societal impact through significant CSR investments.”

During 2026-27, CSR projects worth INR 200 crore will be implemented across more than 3,000 locations in 19 states, covering 15 major initiatives. These programmes are expected to benefit over 2 lakh people.

A significant focus is on education with INR 114 crore allocated to initiatives such as micro-learning centres for street children and national scholarship programmes for girls. INR 30 crore has been earmarked for food distribution under the Hunger Free World project, and INR 14.2 crore for healthcare initiatives. Housing projects, including the ‘Grandma Home’ initiative for destitute mothers, will receive INR 25 crore. Additionally, INR 6.8 crore will be allocated for other humanitarian activities and INR 10 crore for environmental protection.

As part of the Malabar Group’s 33rd anniversary, scholarships will be awarded this year to 33,000 girl students from 284 districts across 18 states. Since its inception, the programme has benefited over 1,15,000 girls. All CSR initiatives are implemented through the Malabar Charitable Trust.

For the rehabilitation of street children, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has established 1,543 micro-learning centres across 17 states in partnership with Pratham Education Foundation, one of India’s largest NGOs. The number of centres will be increased to 2,500 this year, with student enrolment expected to grow from over 64,000 to 1 lakh.

Under the Hunger Free World project, nutritious meals are provided daily to 1,15,000 people across India, Zambia, and Ethiopia. Other CSR initiatives include the ‘Grandma Home’ project, which provides free accommodation and care for destitute women, and Malabar-Thanal pharmacies that offer medicines at subsidized rates to the underprivileged.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ operations are guided by ESG principles. Since its inception, the company has allocated 5% of its net trading profit towards CSR activities. These initiatives focus on women empowerment, healthcare, education, and environmental protection, in collaboration with NGOs such as Pratham and Thanal.

These efforts have already brought positive change to the lives of over 1.8 million people across India.

About Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Malabar Gold & Diamonds was established in 1993 and is the flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading diversified Indian business conglomerate. With an annual turnover of $7.36 billion, the company currently ranks as the 5th largest jewellery retailer globally and operates a strong retail network of over 425 showrooms across 14 countries, supported by offices, design centres, wholesale units, and manufacturing facilities across India, the Middle East, the Far East, the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The group, owned by more than 3,500 shareholders, has over 30,000 professionals from more than 26 countries working towards its continued growth. Malabar Gold & Diamonds also operates an online store, enabling customers to purchase jewellery at any time.

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) has been a core commitment of Malabar Group since its inception. The key ESG focus areas of the Group include health, housing, hunger eradication, education, environment, and women empowerment. The group contributes five percent of its profits to social responsibility initiatives in the same country of operation.

Photo Caption: Piyush Goyal - Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, M P Ahammad – Chairman, Malabar Group, Asher O - Managing Director - India Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kirit Bhansali – Chairman GJEPC at the unveiling of Malabar Gold & Diamonds CSR initiative for FY 2026 -27 along with other respected dignitaries and scholarship recipients.