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Saturday, May 9, 2026
IIHM And IHC Celebrate International Hospitality Day, Honour Excellence In Hospitality
The highlight of the event was the esteemed presence of Dr. Shalini Rajneesh IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, whose keynote address set a powerful tone for the gathering. Her reflections on governance, growth and the future of service industries deeply resonated with the audience of hospitality professionals, educators and students.
Her remarks emphasized the importance of aligning leadership with empathy and innovation and principles that define modern hospitality. She also shared insightful perspectives on the global impact of initiatives such as the IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad, further inspiring young aspirants. “The hospitality sector plays a vital role in shaping not just economies, but societies. Its ability to combine service with empathy and innovation with inclusivity, makes it uniquely positioned to contribute to sustainable development. I am particularly encouraged to see young professionals being trained with a strong sense of responsibility towards community and environment. Initiatives like these are essential in building a more inclusive and forward-looking service economy,” Dr. Shalini added.
Celebrating Excellence: IHD Awardees 2026
The IHD Award Ceremony recognised individuals and institutions who have made outstanding contributions to the hospitality ecosystem.
IHC IIHM Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Industry
• Sita Lekshmi-General Manager, Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel
• Hari Marar-Managing Director & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Ltd.
• Wajeed Bagwan-General Manager, Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru UB City
• Elton Hurtis-General Manager, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center
• Joyjit Chakravorty-FIIHM
• Bela Babhoota-General Manager, WelcomHotel by ITC, Bengaluru
• Sahil Ranaut-General Manager, Hyatt Centric, Bengaluru
• Shiv Bose-General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Road
IHC IIHM Hospitality Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Vinay Chandrashekar-Founder, Long Boat Brewing Co., Bengaluru
IHC IIHM Women Achiever Award
• Tarushree Singh-Director of Sales, The Oterra, Bengaluru
• Jenny Clinta-Founder, MinibĂ©
Revenue Strategist of the Year Award
• Vishvesh Madhavan-Area Director of Revenue-South India, Hilton Hotels
IHC IIHM Hospitality for a Cause Award
• Radisson Blu, Outer Ring Road, Bengaluru-Biogas Sustainability Leadership
IHC IIHM Hospitality Influencer Award
• Waseem Khan Food & Hospitality Content Creator, Bengaluru
Culinary Trailblazer of the Year Award
• Chef Abhijit Saha-Chefpreneur, Author & Celebrity Chef Consultant
Heritage Preservation Award-The Leela Palace Bengaluru
Brand Architect Award-Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center
In a virtual address, Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman of IIHM, said, “Hospitality today stands at a crossroads, where tradition meets transformation. What we are witnessing is a shift from service to purpose-driven engagement. The overwhelming participation of over 70 hospitality brands and recognition of 200 awardees reflects the strength and unity of our industry. Our partnerships with government bodies, global institutions and industry leaders demonstrate that collaboration is the key to building a resilient and future-ready hospitality ecosystem aligned with global goals.”
Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Bangalore and Head - South Operations, IIHM, said, “This year, our celebration has been guided by something larger than ourselves, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hospitality today is not just about creating memorable experiences, but about creating meaningful impact. Over the past month, our students have stepped beyond classrooms into communities whether through walkathons promoting well-being, plantation drives supporting climate action or food initiatives addressing hunger and inequality. These experiences are shaping a new generation of hospitality professionals who understand that sustainability is not a concept, but a responsibility.”
The event also saw the presence of the Hon’ble Shabinaa Sultana, Honorary Consul, Republic of Tunisia, further highlighting the global and policy-level importance of the hospitality sector. The celebration was hosted at the Marriott Executive Apartments, UB City, Bengaluru.
The International Hospitality Day celebrations concluded on a high note, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to sustainability, collaboration and excellence while inspiring the next generation of hospitality leaders to drive meaningful change.
Friday, May 8, 2026
ZENO 200 Launches On Amazon As India’s Toughest Style Statement Under ₹10K
* Boasts IP65 rating and military grade durability – blockbuster combination of durability and design
* Offers 48 months fluency promise and is equipped with inbuilt AI assistant Sola
ZENO, the stylish and innovative series, today announced the launch of ZENO 200 smartphone – a zenith of design and durability– to be available exclusively on Amazon. The ZENO 200 is crafted to remain unforgettable with its captivating design. The ZENO 200 stands out with MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability, a premium feature that is hardly available in budget smartphones in the current era of global price hikes. Built for modern lifestyles, the smartphone comes with an IP65 rating, offering dependable protection against dust and water to keep up with everyday adventures. The ZENO 200 introduces itel’s super intelligent AI assistant, Sola, designed to make everyday tasks faster and simpler. Equipped with the Ultralink feature, the ZENO 200 ensures free connectivity even in remote regions where there is no network. It It is available with 4+8*GB with a ROM of 128GB. Starting at just Rs. 9,999 (special launch offer), the ZENO 200 is now available on Amazon.
Each letter in ZENO stands for a core aspect of the phone's design and function, symbolizing the promise of a superior user experience at every level. The ZENO 200 is a breath taking visual delight that also promises power packed performance and optimized output to users.
Z - Zenith of Design
E – Elevated Experience
N – Nuanced Control
O – Optimized Output
Speaking about the launch, Mr. Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, itel India, said, “The ZENO Series is a culture – a style statement where trendy meets toughness. Built for the ambitious Gen Zs, the all-new ZENO 200 brings a sleek, modern vibe with extremely strong build that is poised to make heads turn. With an IP65 rating and military grade protection, it’s ready to face the everyday challenges of the real world. Loaded with premium features like Ultralink and IR blaster, it is a smartphone to watch out for. And even with global memory prices going up, we’ve kept it very affordable - proving that staying connected, stylish, and future-ready shouldn’t cost a fortune.”
At the heart of the ZENO 200 lies a stunning 6.75-inch 120Hz HD+ display, complemented by immersive DTS-powered sound technology - engineered to captivate the senses with vibrant colours, crisp clarity, and ultra-smooth visuals. ZENO 200 comes with an inbuilt AI Assistant Sola, an intelligent companion designed to enhance productivity and simplify everyday tasks. It helps users with smart summarization, instant query assistance, and efficient document management through its integrated Document Assistant. The Writing Assistant can rewrite text, correct spelling and grammar, and generate concise summaries effortlessly. In addition, the AI Wallpaper Generator allows users to transform text and photos into unique stylized wallpapers, making ZENO 200 a powerful blend of productivity and creativity.
The addition of an intuitive Dynamic Bar keeps users effortlessly connected with battery status, calls, notifications, and more without interruption. The smartphone promises a 4-year fluency experience, ensuring long-term performance without any slowdowns Photography enthusiasts will love the 13MP rear camera, enhanced with advanced image processing resulting in vivid and vibrant images. It also features an IR blaster, making it easy to control TVs, air conditioners, and other electronic appliances remotely.
Powered by an octa-core Unisoc T7250 processor and Android 15 Go – the ZENO 200 ensures seamless multitasking, smooth gaming, and effortless video calls. For security and ease of access, the ZENO 200 comes equipped with face unlock and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, offering both protection and convenience. Packed with a large 5000 mAh battery and 10W charger, the device ensures all-day performance. This smartphone is available in eye-catching colours of Comet Orange, Meteor Titanium and Nightly Blue.
Product Specs -
Model | ZENO 200 |
RAM | 4+8*GB |
ROM | 128GB |
Screen Size (") | 6.75" |
Display | HD+ IPS |
Refresh rate | 120Hz |
IP Rating | IP65 (Water and dust resistant) |
Military Grade | Yes (MIL-STD-810H) |
Display type | Water Drop |
Battery | 5000mAh |
Camera (MP) Back | 13MP |
Camera (MP) Front | 5MP |
Chipset | Unisoc T7250 |
Processor Core | Octa |
Ultra Link | Yes |
Fingerprint | Side |
Charger | 15W |
Colours | Comet Orange, Meteor Titanium, Nightly Blue |
Speakers | Single DTS Speaker |
Thickness | 8.3 mm |
Android Version | 15 GO |
About itel
Established over 16 years, itel is a reliable smart life brand for everyone. Adopting “Enjoy Better Life” as its brand philosophy, itel’s mission is to provide budget-friendly consumer electronic products to everyone. It democratizes technology by giving entry to technology and connectedness to consumers without prior access to it. After more than 16 years of development, itel has expanded its presence in more than 80 emerging markets globally. itel has a product portfolio of smartphones, TV, accessories, electrics, speakers, home appliances and laptop products and in 2021, it ranked No.1 Global Smartphone brand under $75 and No.1 feature phone brand.
For more information, visit:
Website: www.itel-india.com | Facebook: ZENO |Instagram: ZENO_byitel | Twitter: https://x.com/zenobyitel
Nolte KĂĽchen Elevates Its Presence in Bengaluru With A New Showroom Experience
The standalone 3,500 sq. ft. showroom showcases Nolte KĂĽchen’s latest collections including Nolte Neo, Nolte, and Express. Visitors can explore a wide selection of styles, materials, and configurations tailored to various needs and budgets while benefiting from exceptional design quality, warranty, and service.
Speaking about the expansion, Mr. Selva Kumar Rajulu, Managing Director & Senior Vice President, Middle East, Africa and Asia, Nolte FZE, said: “Our new Bengaluru showroom reflects Nolte KĂĽchen’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and our vision of bringing world-class German kitchens closer to Indian consumers. With a planned investment of nearly INR 50 crore and an ambitious expansion strategy across key cities, we see India as one of the most important growth markets for the brand globally. Currently, 13 Nolte KĂĽchen stores are operational across India, and we are planning to open seven more stores by the end of this year as part of our continued expansion journey.”
Designed as an immersive experience center, it features a curated selection of contemporary kitchen concepts and intelligent layouts, offering customers, architects, and designers' solutions that seamlessly combine smart functionality and contemporary design.
A key highlight of the showroom is Nolte’s advanced material palette. Designs such as Pearl and Manhattan feature anti-fingerprint acrylic glass fronts in contemporary tones like taupe, paired with elegant glass elements that add depth and lightness to the space. The result is a clean, sophisticated finish that enhances durability while maintaining a refined aesthetic.
With this launch, Nolte KĂĽchen continues to strengthen its presence in India, offering Bengaluru a new benchmark in kitchen design.
nolteneo collection Pure & Lodge kitchen is designed using Neo Lodge - an exclusive door front crafted with wood veneer and fluted or grooved detailing – paired with Neo Pure in a metallic gold finish. The design incorporates the Neo Matrix system with a top profile and push-to-open doors, resulting in a clean, seamless look.
Nolte KĂĽchen collection – Porto, the only classic kitchen in the showroom, features integrated seating created using cabinetry, glass wall units and illuminated drawer interiors. Elegant mouldings and brass handles add a touch of classic opulence to the otherwise understated design.
Nolte KĂĽchen collection – Artline and Perfect Plus kitchen features Artline’s grooved-look shutters at a more accessible price point than Neo Exclusive Lodge, along with Nolte’s newly introduced Perfect Plus surfaces. These surfaces resist fingerprint marks, making them highly practical and easy to maintain.
Meanwhile, Express KĂĽchen collection – Clean and Plan showcases a spacious island complemented by subtle, harmonious colour tones, creating a calm and contemporary environment.
All kitchens from Nolte KĂĽchen are distinguished by precision engineering, superior craftsmanship and continuous innovation, ensuring both beauty and functionality. Manufactured entirely in Germany, each kitchen can be individually customised to suit diverse lifestyles and a wide range of budgets.
Abu Dhabi Mobility Advances Smart Mobility Ecosystem With Autonomous Patrol Boat Field Trials
In line with its ongoing efforts to advance the smart mobility ecosystem and develop the maritime transport sector in Abu Dhabi, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has implemented field trials for a 23-foot autonomous patrol boat. The trials are conducted under the supervision of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Blue Gulf Group. This step forms part of the centre’s broader efforts to advance smart mobility in the emirate.
The trials aim to deploy advanced autonomous patrol boats powered by autonomous control technologies to support monitoring operations across waterways, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Maritime. This includes enhancing monitoring and oversight activities within maritime channels, contributing to improved compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and strengthening overall safety within the maritime sector.
This initiative aligns with the maritime sector’s direction towards adopting smart technologies and innovative solutions, enhancing the efficiency of monitoring operations, improving the accuracy of monitoring, and supporting operational sustainability across waterways. It also contributes to advancing the development of the autonomous maritime transport ecosystem in the emirate.
The trials further reflect the Integrated Transport Centre’s (Abu Dhabi Mobility) commitment to adopting advanced technologies and developing a modern regulatory and monitoring framework that supports public safety and enhances operational efficiency. The centre reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the development of the maritime transport sector in the emirate through the adoption of innovative technological solutions and the strengthening of strategic partnerships, contributing to improved quality of life and enhanced safety.
ICICI Prudential Life BSE Enhanced Value 30 Index Fund Launched For Customers Seeking Disciplined Exposure To Value Opportunities
· Rule-based index strategy enables disciplined and transparent investing
· Diversified exposure across large and mid-cap companies
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched the ICICI Prudential Life BSE Enhanced Value 30 Index Fund for its Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). The fund is designed to provide customers with exposure to attractively valued companies from the large and mid-cap universe and build wealth over the long-term.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Manish Kumar, Chief Investment Officer, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited, said, “The ICICI Prudential Life BSE Enhanced Value 30 Index Fund offers a structured and transparent way for customers to participate in equity markets by focusing on companies that are attractively valued relative to their fundamentals.
The fund’s strategy is built on key pillars including value-based stock selection using multiple financial parameters, diversification across sectors, market capitalisation segments, and a disciplined, rule-based investment process with periodic review and rebalancing.
Importantly, this approach enables customers to stay invested with confidence, even during volatile phases, over the long term, while participating in opportunities that may be relatively under-represented.”
As of March 30, 2026, the ICICI PRU BSE Enhanced Value Index has delivered annualised returns of 32% over three years, 28.9% over five years and 19.4% over ten years, reflecting the strength of a disciplined, value-oriented investment approach over market cycles. The fund adopts a passive, index-mirroring strategy, aiming to track the underlying index and provide consistent exposure to value opportunities.
The fund tracks the ICICI PRU BSE Enhanced Value Index, which comprises 30 companies selected from the BSE Large & Mid-cap universe based on valuation parameters such as book value-to-price, earnings-to-price and sales-to-price ratios. This is a customized index aligned to BSE Enhanced Value Index, subject to IRDAI regulatory requirements. The customized index is designed to measure the performance of the 30 companies in the BSE LargeMidCap with the highest valuations based on three fundamental measures - book value-to-price, earnings-to-price and sales-to-price. In case a stock cannot be selected due to regulatory guidelines, the subsequent eligible stock(s) will be selected to maintain a cohort of 30 stocks. The index follows a transparent, rules-based methodology to identify companies with strong underlying fundamentals relative to their market valuations.
The index is reviewed and rebalanced twice a year, ensuring that the portfolio remains aligned with evolving opportunities across sectors. It also incorporates limits on stock and sector exposure to maintain diversification and portfolio balance.
The ICICI Prudential Life BSE Enhanced Value 30 Index Fund will be available through ICICI Prudential Life’s ULIP offerings such as ICICI Pru Signature Assure, SmartKid Assure with ICICI Pru Signature Assure, ICICI Pru Smart Insurance Plan Plus (SIP+) amongst other ULIP products along with Life Cover, available on www.iciciprulife.com. Thus, enabling customers to combine long-term equity participation with life insurance.
About ICICI Prudential Life Insurance (www.iciciprulife.com)
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited is promoted by ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited. The Company began its operations in fiscal year 2001 and has consistently been amongst the top private sector life insurance companies in India on Retail Weighted Received Premium (RWRP) basis. The Company offers an array of products in the Protection and Savings category which match the different life stage requirements of customers, enabling them to provide a financial safety net to their families as well as achieve their long-term financial goals. The digital platform of the Company provides a paperless buying experience to customers, empowers them to conduct an assortment of self-service transactions, provides a convenient route to make digital payments and facilitates a hassle-free claims settlement process.
The Company has introduced ICICI Pru Stack, a first-of-its kind suite of platform capabilities that combines digital tools and analytics. This innovative suite aims to enhance the understanding of customers' requirements and enable distributors to offer suitable insurance products, deliver seamless experiences, and provide exceptional pre- and post-sale services. By deploying this comprehensive solution, the Company aspires to transform into the most customer-friendly and partnerable insurance provider in the country.
At March 31, 2026, the Company had an AUM of Rs. 3.14 lakh crore and a total in-force sum assured of Rs. 46.11 lakh crore. ICICI Prudential Life is also the first insurance company in India to be listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Limited.
Tata Power, Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation Identify The 404 MW Nyera Amari I & II Integrated Hydropower Project For collaboration
Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated utilities, today announced the signing of an amendment to its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC) to expand their clean energy collaboration in the Kingdom of Bhutan. As per the original MoU dated November 19, 2024, the Parties have decided to collaborate for the development of at least 4,500 MW Hydropower Projects in Bhutan
As per the amendment, a new 404 MW Nyera Amari I & II Integrated Hydropower Project has been identified and added to the existing project pipeline. With this, the total identified hydropower capacity under the partnership increases to 5,033 MW from 4,500 MW earlier. This is in line with Bhutan’s vision for its energy sector to take overall generation capacity to 25,000 MW by 2040 for its energy security and regional energy integration.
This extension in strategic partnership signifies Tata Power's pre-eminence as the most preferred clean energy partner not only in India but also as a regional leader. It will help unleash Bhutan’s great potential for hydropower and its important role in ensuring energy security in the region.
The amendment to the MoU took place in the august presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay. The agreement was formally signed by Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power, and Chhewang Rinzin, Managing Director, Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC). Also present at the ceremony were Ms. Anjali Pandey, President – Generation Business, Tata Power, and senior officials from DGPC and DHPC.
Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power said, “This milestone of expanding our joint hydropower portfolio to over 5,000 MW with DGPC marks a significant step in strengthening our clean energy partnership in Bhutan. The addition of the Nyera Amari project reflects the scale, ambition, and long-term commitment of this collaboration. This strategic partnership is not only pivotal for advancing Bhutan’s economic growth by unlocking its vast hydropower potential but also plays a critical role in enhancing regional energy security. For India, especially during peak summer months when demand continues to reach record highs, such partnerships ensure access to reliable, clean power.”
The projects will be developed with mutually agreed equity participation. Both companies will continue to evaluate and add new hydropower opportunities over time.
Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, MD, DGPC, said, “The expansion of our partnership with Tata Power to over 5000 MW hydropower portfolio marks a defining milestone in Bhutan’s clean energy journey. The inclusion of the 404 MW Nyera Amari I & II Integrated Hydropower Project, alongside key projects such as Khorlochhu (600 MW), Dorjilung (1,125 MW), Gongri Reservoir with Jeri Pumped Storage (2,540 MW), and Chamkharchhu IV (364 MW), reflects the scale and ambition of this collaboration. This partnership will play a pivotal role in unlocking Bhutan’s vast hydropower potential, supporting economic growth, and strengthening regional energy security, while reinforcing Bhutan’s position as a leading clean energy nation.”
On 19 November 2024, with the support of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India, Tata Power and DGPC entered a strategic partnership with the intent to identify hydropower and solar projects for joint development in Bhutan.
The collaboration covers a portfolio of hydropower projects, including Khorlochhu (600 MW), Dorjilung (1,125 MW), Gongri Reservoir with Jeri Pumped Storage (2,540 MW combined), Chamkharchhu IV (364 MW), and now Nyera Amari I & II (404 MW). This has become the largest partnership between two of the leading power companies of the two nations in Asia's clean energy sector. Both companies have a stellar track record in the energy sector, and a long-standing relationship having worked together for over 15 years.
In addition, Tata Power and DGPC also aim to jointly develop 500 MW of solar PV projects in Bhutan.
Work has already commenced on the Khorlochhu (600 MW) and Dorjilung (1,125 MW) hydropower projects, together accounting for approximately 35% of the committed portfolio of 5 GW
Tata Power’s association with DGPC spans over a decade, beginning with the 126 MW Dagachhu Hydropower Project, which was Bhutan’s first public–private hydropower partnership, commissioned in 2008
Amazon To Expand Its Network Of Ashray Rest Centers To 250 In 2026
Over one million visits from delivery drivers across the industry recorded at Amazon Ashray centres in 2025
Amazon India today announced plans to expand its Ashray network to 250 centers by the end of 2026, building on its existing network of 100 facilities across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and other cities nationwide. As part of this expansion, the company plans to launch 50 new centres by the end of May.
Ashray is Amazon's network of dedicated rest centres for all delivery drivers, including those outside of Amazon’s network, equipped with air conditioned seating, drinking water, electrolytes, mobile charging points, clean washrooms, first-aid kids, and comfortable resting space, designed to give delivery drivers a place to rest and recharge during their routes, particularly during peak summer months. The 100 existing centres, located in 16 cities in India, have recorded over one million visits from delivery drivers across the industry in 2025.
Amazon India has also rolled out mobile "Ashray" units — air-conditioned vans that are stationed along high-traffic delivery routes so delivery drivers can access rest and hydration support without needing to travel to a fixed location. These mobile units carry amenities, such as air-conditioned seating, drinking water, electrolytes, Wi-Fi and mobile charging points.
Salim R Memon, Director Operations, Amazon India said, "The health, safety, and wellbeing of associates across our operations network is the topmost priority for us. Ashray was built on a simple idea — that every delivery driver, whether they deliver for Amazon or not, deserves a clean, cool place to rest during their workday. Scaling to 250 centres and taking these facilities directly to delivery drivers through our mobile units is a reflection of that commitment. This is also part of our broader investment of over INR 2,800 crore to strengthen associate safety, health, and wellbeing across our operations network."
Supporting associates across the operations network
Amazon is working with third parties, including Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Udyasa Foundation and Rural Education and Development (READ) India to set up the new Ashray Centres. This is part of Amazon’s broader efforts to support delivery drivers through initiatives focused on safety, well-being, and access to essential infrastructure. Beyond these centres, Amazon has established facilities within its fulfillment centers, sort centers and delivery stations, including rest areas, break zones, and cafeterias, to support associate well-being.
These efforts form part of its recently announced investment of over INR 2,800 crore, aimed at further strengthening associate safety, health, and financial well-being measures, while continuing to enhance its operations network across the country.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's most customer-centric company, Earth's best employer, and Earth's safest place to work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
Hyatt Introduces Special Offer With Up To 25% Off On Stays Across Asia Pacific
Offer at a Glance
Booking window: By 1 June 2026
Stay dates: Before 31 October 2026
Non-members:
10% - 15% off Best Available Rate
Enrol free at World of Hyatt to unlock member benefits
World of Hyatt Members:
Additional 5% - 10% discount on top of the non-member rate
Members save up to 25% in total
The offer is valid across a wide portfolio of Hyatt hotels in Asia Pacific, covering both business hubs and leisure destinations. In India, participating properties include Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Park Hyatt Hyderabad, Hyatt Regency Dehradun, Hyatt Centric Goa, and Alila Fort Bishangarh, while international options include Park Hyatt Tokyo, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Hyatt Regency Yokohama, Thompson Shanghai, Alila Villas Uluwatu, Andaz Bangkok, and The Standard Pattaya Na Jomtien. Timed around peak summer and upcoming travel periods, the offer caters to both leisure and business travellers, with non-members able to enrol in the World of Hyatt program at no cost to access these benefits.
Booking link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/promo/save-asia-pacific
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation:
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of December 31, 2025, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,500 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 83 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX®, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Collection, including ZoĂ«try® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid® Hotels & Resorts, Bahia Principle Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Unscripted by Hyatt, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios®, Hyatt Select, and UrCove. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar® DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.
About World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt is Hyatt’s award-winning guest loyalty program uniting participating locations in Hyatt’s Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Portfolio, including ZoĂ«try® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Sunscape® Resorts & Spas, and Alua Hotels & Resorts®; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove. Members who book directly through Hyatt channels can enjoy personalized care and access to distinct benefits including Guest of Honor, confirmed suite upgrades at time of booking, diverse wellbeing offerings, digital key, and exclusive member rates. With 58 million members and counting, World of Hyatt offers a variety of ways to earn and redeem points for hotel stays, dining and spa services, wellbeing focused experiences through the FIND platform; as well as the benefits of Hyatt’s strategic loyalty collaboration with American Airlines AAdvantage®. Travelers can enroll for free at hyatt.com, download the World of Hyatt app for android and IOS devices and connect with World of Hyatt on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
Carlton London Enters India Furniture Market With EBG Group, Plans 600 Franchise Showrooms
Targets reduction of 16,000 kg carbon footprint annually at scale through circular design and sustainable practices
India’s evolving home interiors landscape is witnessing the entry of a global player as EBG Group partners with British lifestyle brand Carlton London to launch Carlton Luxury Furniture, a first-of-its-kind initiative focused on sustainability, longevity, and conscious living. The partnership was unveiled in the presence of Carl Virk, Founder of Carlton London, and Dr. Irfan Khan, Founder and Chairman of EBG Group, marking a shift toward high-end furniture that combines design with environmental responsibility. Other dignitaries present at the launch were Omkar Navge, CEO, Carlton Wellness Group, Ganesh Kumar, EBG Group Chief Business Strategy officer, Ranjitha.M, CEO, Brillen Space Engineering, and Sathya Verma, CEO, Tarzan.
Backing this vision is a franchise-led expansion plan, with 600 showrooms set to open across 300 major cities over the next five years. The company will scale through a partner-led model, mobilizing investments estimated between ₹1800 and ₹2000 crore from franchise stakeholders. The venture is expected to generate nearly 12,000 jobs while bringing MSME and SME partners into its supply chain.
At the heart of this launch is a strong sustainability vision. Carlton Luxury Furniture is built on the philosophy of responsible luxury, where design excellence goes hand in hand with conscious manufacturing. As part of this commitment, the brand is targeting a reduction of approximately 16,000 kg of carbon footprint annually at scale. This impact will be driven through a combination of sustainable material sourcing, optimized production processes, efficient logistics planning, and long-life product design.
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Irfan Khan, Founder and CEO of EBG Group said, “Carlton Luxury Furniture represents a shift in how India will perceive and invest in furniture. The industry has long focused on short-term consumption with limited attention to longevity or environmental impact. We are introducing a model that combines design with sustainability, where furniture is built to last 10 to 15 years and continues to create value through solutions such as buyback and refurbishment. Our vision is to make conscious living aspirational and accessible at scale. In doing so, we are also working towards a measurable environmental impact, with a targeted reduction of nearly 16,000 kg of carbon footprint annually as we scale this model across India.”
Carl Virk, Founder of Carlton London said, “We have always stood for timeless elegance, superior craftsmanship, and uncompromising quality. Through this partnership with EBG Group, One of the defining highlights of this brand is its strong emphasis on home-grown manufacturing. Every piece is crafted with a strong focus on quality, durability, and refined aesthetics, ensuring that luxury is not only experienced but also responsibly created.”
The collection includes classic Chesterfield sofas, high-back chairs, modern dining sets, and bespoke storage solutions, designed for both traditional and contemporary interiors. Each piece is built for a lifespan of 10 to 15 years and supported by maintenance services. Materials used are premium and cruelty-free, including high-quality leatherette, aligned with eco-conscious manufacturing practices.
Carlton Luxury Furniture also introduces a pioneering buyback program, the first of its kind in India, allowing customers to return used furniture for compensation. These products are refurbished and reintroduced as preloved furniture, supporting a circular economy and reducing furniture waste, which contributes nearly 13.4 percent to overall pollution.
Namma Bengaluru Drives Together, Spinny’s Breakfast Drive
After successful editions in Chandigarh and Coimbatore, Spinny’s Breakfast Drive arrived in Bengaluru, bringing together a community of car owners for a relaxed morning of driving, conversation, and time spent together.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzeN9xEwum8
The drive began at Esteem Mall in the early hours of the day as Spinny customers, ranging from first-time buyers to long-time owners, came together with their families and set out towards Spinny Park, Yelahanka. With the city just beginning to wake up, the convoy moved through a calmer, more easygoing Bengaluru. The convoy moved through Bengaluru, which felt familiar in its calmness.
Empty roads, soft light, and an unmistakable ease set the tone for the morning, one of those classic Namma Bengaluru starts, with quiet streets, the smell of fresh kaapi in the air, and breakfast that somehow tastes better after a drive.
More than a fixed route, the experience came together through small, meaningful moments. Cars moved together, and so did people. Small conversations at signals, quick waves between vehicles, and an easy sense of being part of the same morning gave the drive a natural rhythm. Somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like a route and became shared time on the road. Families travelled together, conversations carried on between cars, and children played freely once everyone reached the destination. For many, it was less about the drive itself and more about the chance to spend uninterrupted time with loved ones.
“It was a very good experience to come out with family like this,” shared one participant. Another customer added, “I didn’t expect Spinny to do something like this,” capturing the sense of surprise and delight among attendees.
At Spinny Park, the convoy came together over breakfast, where the pace remained easy and unforced. Conversations flowed, families settled in, and children quickly made the space their own. What stood out was how naturally people lingered, as if no one was in a hurry to leave, with shared laughter and unplanned moments bringing the community closer. The Bengaluru edition carried its own character, simple, warm, and grounded in togetherness.
The experience has been captured in a slice-of-life film featuring customer stories, convoy visuals, and candid breakfast interactions that reflect the morning's warmth and simplicity.
As India’s trusted car home, Spinny continues to build relationships that go beyond transactions. The Breakfast Drive series is part of this effort, creating spaces for customers to engage with their cars, their families, and each other in a more meaningful way, while reinforcing safe and responsible driving practices in an informal, community-led format.
The Bengaluru edition marks another step in this journey, with more city-led drives planned as Spinny continues to take the experience across India.
Because the best drives are the ones that bring people together.
About Spinny: Founded in 2015, Spinny is a full-stack used-car retailing platform in India that aims to bring trust, simplicity, and transparency to the purchase and sale of pre-owned cars. Spinny operates across the entire used-car value chain, embedding technology and robust processes to deliver a premium customer experience. Every car on the Spinny platform undergoes a 200-point inspection and comes with a 5-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, a one-year after-sales warranty with free RC transfer, and flexible financing options to make ownership seamless. In 2025, Spinny has evaluated and inspected over 9 lakh cars and served more than 2 lakh customers. The company operates over 57 car hubs across India and is present in 76 cities, with strong growth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has partnered with Spinny as a strategic investor and lead brand ambassador.For more information, visit: https://www.spinny.com/
Samsung Expands Enterprise Play With AI-Powered Ecosystems
· Showcases real-world enterprise use cases through Business Experience Studios in Gurugram and Mumbai
· Enables organisations to build intelligent, connected and scalable environments for digital transformation
Samsung is strengthening its enterprise business in India by advancing AI-powered, connected ecosystem solutions designed to help organisations reimagine operations through intelligent, integrated and secure technologies.
Building on its strong presence across consumer electronics and displays, Samsung is extending its capabilities beyond devices to deliver end-to-end solutions that enable businesses to transition towards adaptive, data-driven environments.
Samsung’s Business Experience Studios (BES) in Gurugram and Mumbai serve as live demonstration platforms, bringing together deep capabilities across devices, displays, mobility, AI platforms and Knox security. Moving beyond product-led conversations, BES enables enterprises to experience how connected ecosystems can drive efficiency, personalisation and scalability in real-world settings.
“At Samsung, we believe the future of enterprise lies in AI-powered, connected ecosystems that move beyond standalone devices to intelligent, adaptive environments. Our strength as a technology company uniquely positions us to bring together hardware, software, platforms and security into a seamless, integrated framework. This enables businesses to accelerate digital transformation, unlock operational agility and deliver more personalised, data-driven experiences at scale,” said Puneet Sethi, Head, Enterprise Business, Samsung India.
At BES, Samsung showcases real-world use cases across key sectors including retail, banking and financial services (BFSI), healthcare, education and hospitality, demonstrating how AI-led, connected ecosystems address industry-specific challenges—from immersive customer engagement in retail to secure interactions in BFSI, connected care and digital learning environments.
The BES also serves as a co-creation hub where Samsung collaborates with partners and enterprises to design tailored solutions, enabling faster deployment and stronger outcomes.
As it marks 30 years in India, Samsung’s strength lies in delivering end-to-end integrated ecosystems by combining hardware, software, platforms and security into a cohesive, interoperable and scalable framework. The company is working with a broad spectrum of enterprises across private and public sector projects aligned with India’s digital transformation, while continuing to deepen engagement across industry verticals.
With India emerging as a key market for innovation and digital adoption, Samsung remains committed to driving long-term growth across both consumer and enterprise segments through advanced technology, local innovation and strong ecosystem partnerships.
A Celebration Of The Unconditional - Mother's Day Drunch At Layla, The Den Bengaluru
The Mother's Day Drunch is a leisurely, generous affair. The table draws from across the world, a fungi egg station that speaks to the finer instincts of the brunch hour, a fresh pasta wheel turned to order, a gourmet chaat bar that nods warmly to home, and a waffle station that rounds the afternoon with quiet indulgence. Bottomless pours run through it all, easy and well-chosen, as any proper Sunday afternoon rightfully demands.
The greatest tribute, it turns out, is also the simplest. Show up, stay long, and let a well-laid table at Layla do the rest.
Lauritz Knudsen Fuels India’s Next Energy Chapter With Its Most Cutting-EdgeTechnology Portfolio
* Hosts 1000+ customers, partners, consultants, and industry stakeholders - with live demonstrations and technical sessions.
* Showcases 300+ products and innovations, spanning low-voltage switchgear, energy management solutions, digital platforms, and smart home solutions.
* Reinforces Lauritz Knudsen's commitment to delivering Made-in-India, globally competitive technologies aligned with India's industrial and energy transition goals.
Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation, a leader in India's electrical and automation sector, today announced the launch of 10+ next-generation innovations as part of its largest-ever portfolio showcase, reinforcing its commitment to powering India’s energy future. Anchored in its brand promise of ‘Powering a Non-Stop India’, the company continues to enable resilient, efficient, and future-ready energy ecosystems across industries and infrastructure.
At a time when energy resilience and reliability are mission-critical to India’s growth, Lauritz Knudsen is advancing solutions across the spectrum—from low-voltage protection to industrial automation and connected living technologies—designed to keep operations seamless, safe, and sustainable.
Demonstrating this commitment, the company recently brought together customers, partners, and industry stakeholders in Mumbai to showcase its expanded portfolio, taking future-ready technologies closer to India’s emerging industrial hubs and empowering businesses to build smarter, more energy-efficient operations.
Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India, said: “India’s growth story is being shaped by its ability to build resilient, intelligent, and future-ready energy infrastructure. Lauritz Knudsen plays a critical role in this journey by enabling solutions that are not only globally benchmarked but deeply rooted in India’s unique needs. We’ve grown with India, learned from India, built in India
and are building the New India by ensuring industries, infrastructure, and communities have access to reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy systems that can support the country’s next phase of growth.”
Naresh Kumar, COO, Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation, said: “At Lauritz Knudsen, our approach is firmly anchored in ‘designing and building for India’. We are creating technologies that respond to the realities of Indian environments - whether it is enabling a farmer to manage irrigation remotely or helping MSMEs and large industries optimize energy use. What sets us apart is our ability to translate Made-in-India innovation into scalable, real-world impact. We are not just bringing products to market; we are enabling access, driving efficiency, and empowering India’s industrial and energy transformation at scale.”
At the event, Lauritz Knudsen also outlined an expanded national strategy to bring electrical and automation technologies to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India. Earlier this year, the brand embarked on a 100+ city Technology Day initiative aimed at accelerating adoption across emerging industrial clusters. Through this effort, Lauritz Knudsen is bringing cutting-edge low-voltage, automation, power quality, and solar solutions directly to India’s manufacturing heartland, reinforcing its commitment to democratizing future-ready technologies beyond metropolitan markets.
Key Highlights at the Technology Showcase:
The showcase presents innovations across four key technology pillars:
Protection & Switchgear
Lauritz Knudsen showcases its cutting-edge portfolio of low-voltage and medium-voltage protection and switchgear solutions, reflecting over 70 + years of engineering heritage and R&D excellence.
OMEGA UZ ACB: The next-generation Air Circuit Breaker designed for environments where failure is not an option. The UZ transforms conventional protection into an intelligent, connected partner in the power network — featuring an Intelligent Healthiness Indicator for real-time system health monitoring, Adaptive Energy Reduction & Intelligent Safety (AERIS), Instant Trip Insights via an embedded QR code for rapid diagnostics, redundant communication through MODBUS TCP/IP, ETHERNET IP, PROFINET, and IEC 61850, and Class 1 accuracy energy metering that eliminates the need for a separate MFM. With a breaking capacity of up to 150 kA, the UZ delivers lower total cost of ownership and lasting infrastructure relevance.
EXORA.N Distribution Board: A demand-led, modular distribution board system that redefines electrical distribution with 30+ configurations for residential, commercial, and infrastructure applications. Fully compliant with IEC 61439-1 & 3, it features IP54 protection, a removable chassis for off-site wiring, and a future-ready design that accommodates load changes and upgrades. Specialised variants are available for EV charging, Wi-Fi/ONT, and MIVAN construction.
TMZ: an intelligent, real-time temperature monitoring solution designed to enhance the safety and reliability of electrical switchboards. By continuously capturing temperature data across critical points such as busbars and joints, TMZ helps detect early signs of overheating caused by overloading or system anomalies. Equipped with eight NTC thermistors and enabled with wireless communication via the ZG1000 gateway, it seamlessly transmits data to control rooms over Modbus TCP/IP/Ethernet. By transforming temperature monitoring into a continuous, digital, and predictive capability, TMZ empowers organizations to move beyond reactive maintenance—helping them anticipate risks, prevent failures, and ensure uninterrupted operations.
numrAL Relays – numrAL series of draw‑out numerical protection relays delivers comprehensive protection, control, and monitoring for modern power systems. Powered by intelligent protection algorithms, the numrAL relays ensures superior sensitivity, selectivity, and high‑speed fault clearance, resulting in reliable and coordinated power system protection across diverse industrial and utility applications. The product portfolio includes Feeder Protection Relays, Motor Protection Relays, and dedicated protection solutions such as - Restricted Earth Fault (REF), Neutral Displacement, Reverse Power Voltage and Frequency Protection
2. Energy & New Energy
Aligned with India's energy transition goals, Lauritz Knudsen presents its New Energy portfolio, encompassing solar, DC Portfolio and EV charging technologies — all designed and manufactured in India.
Solar Inverters: Made-in-India solar string inverters built for Indian grid and climate conditions, delivering high conversion efficiency with advanced MPPT technology, a low startup voltage of 45V for extended daily energy generation, remote monitoring via RS485/Wi-Fi/GSM, local data storage, and a 10-year warranty. Backed by 40+ GW of solar expertise.
DC Portfolio: designed to support the rapid transition toward renewable energy, electrification, energy storage, and green hydrogen through safe, reliable, and future-ready DC power protection and distribution solutions. As DC becomes the backbone of modern energy systems, the portfolio enables customers to move from conventional AC-centric designs to high-performance DC architectures that deliver higher efficiency, improved safety, and greater system reliability. The solutions are engineered to manage the unique challenges of DC power, including high fault currents, sustained arcing, and sensitive power electronics, ensuring uninterrupted operation in mission-critical applications.
EV Chargers: Lauritz Knudsen’s EV Charging Solutions deliver a seamless, scalable, and reliable ecosystem designed for Indian conditions. Combining smart AC/DC chargers, an integrated charging management platform, and user-friendly mobile application, the portfolio enables facility managers with efficient deployment, easy operation, and commercially viable EV charging across residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
3. Automation & Digitalization
Lauritz Knudsen demonstrates its digital and automation portfolio, enabling industries to move from reactive maintenance to predictive, insight-driven operations.
iMMR – Intelligent Motor Management Relay: The intelligence at the core of the Intelligent Motor Control Center (iMCC), the iMMR delivers comprehensive protection, monitoring, and management of electric motors. It continuously captures real-time operational and diagnostic data for early fault detection, predictive maintenance, and reduced unplanned downtime. With support for Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet IP, Profinet and Profibus DP, it ensures seamless integration with PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems. Its compact design and pre-programmed starter logic significantly reduce panel wiring complexity and commissioning time.
SMARTCOMM Digital Twin: A high-fidelity, real-time digital replica of the physical switchboard that mirrors actual operating conditions through sensorization. It enables predictive diagnostics that accurately identify the type, severity, and exact location of faults, reducing troubleshooting time and unplanned downtime. The Digital Twin enables forward-looking simulation, allowing customers to assess switchboard behaviour under changing load, temperature, or operational stress conditions — without impacting live operations.
Agri Automation Portfolio: An intelligent, connected, and farmer-centric automation ecosystem integrating irrigation automation, fertigation, motor and pump automation, sensors, and digital platforms. Combining time-based, volume-based, and sensor-based automation with mobile and cloud connectivity via the SmartComm platform, the portfolio enables data-driven, sustainable farming for small, medium, and large Agri enterprises across India.
4. Home & Building Technologies
Lauritz Knudsen brings premium smart home and building automation technologies to the showcase, enabling connected, energy-intelligent living and working environments.
enConnect Home Automation: A wireless, Wi-Fi-enabled home automation solution offering seamless control of lights, fans, air conditioners, and curtains through touch, mobile app, or voice commands. Modular and retrofit-compatible with all home type requiring no re-wiring and installable by any local electrician. Built as a future-ready platform, enConnect is designed to integrate with solar inverters, and smart locks. enConnect also integrates Smart DB which is Lauritz Knudsen's intelligent Final Distribution Board that brings communication and remote management capabilities to everyday electrical circuits across industrial, infrastructure, and home applications.
The Technology Showcase reinforces Lauritz Knudsen's position as a strategic technology partner to India's industries, utilities, infrastructure developers, and building professionals. With an engineering legacy spanning over seven decades, a strong Make-in-India manufacturing base, and a growing digital portfolio, Lauritz Knudsen continues to shape the future of India's electrical and automation ecosystem.
About Lauritz Knudsen Electrical & Automation
Lauritz Knudsen Electrical & Automation is a leading player in the Indian electrical industry, drawing strength from over 70 years of rich heritage and a steadfast dedication to contributing to India's growth. The brand exports to 30+ countries and is dedicated to providing a wide range of electrical and automation solutions to vital sectors of the economy including industries, utilities, infrastructure, buildings, and agriculture. The portfolio includes low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear, automation solutions, tailored software, and services. With multiple manufacturing facilities in India adhering to global standards, and an expansive distribution network in India and worldwide, Lauritz Knudsen's ambition is to foster excellence and provide top-tier products that drive the progress of nations globally.
At Lauritz Knudsen, we are powering a non-stop India through future-ready energy solutions. Built in India and engineered for all, our portfolio reflects our commitment to progress.
We Listen. We Partner. We Innovate.




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