Regency Ceramics To Expand Production Capacity With Strategic Buyout

In a significant development, Regency Ceramics - a legacy ceramic manufacturing company listed on BSE/NSE has announced a structured takeover of Segno Ceramics Private Limited. The standout deal will grant Regency Ceramics complete control of the manufacturing plant, effective from August 22, 2024. Regency Ceramics is committed to make a significant impact and aims to contribute to the industrial resurgence within the state.

Regency Ceramics has entered into an agreement without the burden of heavy capex spend, ensuring a marginal impact on cash flows. The all-cash deal will strengthen Regency Ceramics’ market position, particularly in South and East India. Spread over 50 acres, the plant has a production capacity of 3.6 million sq.mtrs (MSM) per year. The facility will enable Regency Ceramics to manufacture a diverse range of premium products including Glazed Vitrified Tiles and Polished Vitrified Tiles.

Mr. Satyendra Prasad Narala, Managing Director of Regency Ceramics, expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating “This strategic move addresses our immediate production needs and enhances our market presence. With our strong legacy and goodwill in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Orissa, we are focused on achieving a revenue target of Rs. 100 crores in the next calendar year.”

The advanced machinery and robust manufacturing capabilities at the new facility, combined with Regency’s engineering and technical expertise, will enable the company to capitalize on the expanding ceramics market. Strategically located in Bapatla, the facility provides a high level of connectivity for exports, due to its proximity to Chennai and Krishnapatnam ports.

With the Andhra Pradesh government’s renewed focus on infrastructure development, Regency Ceramics is poised to contribute significantly to the state’s industrial revival and foster economic growth.

Visit us at https://www.regencyceramics.in/

Honda Cars India Registers Total Sales Of 11,143 Units In August’24

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, registered total sales of 11,143 units in August 2024. Domestic sales of the company stood at 5326 units and exports at 5817 units in the month of August’24.

Sharing thoughts on the sales performance, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, "Our sales for August were in line with our expectations and focused on retail and deliveries as festive season started with Chingam in the southern state of Kerala. We anticipate further uptick in demand in coming months and are confident that the industry will perform well. On the exports front, robust performance of the Honda Elevate and City to global markets continues to drive our volumes and strong growth.”

The company had registered 7,880 units in domestic sales and exported 2,189 units in August’ 23.

About Honda Cars India Ltd.

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, was established in December 1995 with a commitment to provide Honda’s passenger car models and technologies, to the Indian customers. HCIL’s corporate office is based in Greater Noida, UP and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is located at Tapukara, District. Alwar, Rajasthan. 

Honda’s models are strongly associated with advanced design and technology, apart from their established qualities of durability, reliability, safety, and fuel-efficiency. The company has a strong sales and distribution network spread across the country. 

Besides the new car business, Honda offers one stop solution for buying and selling pre-owned cars through its business function Honda Auto Terrace. The Honda Certified Pre-owned cars come with an assurance of quality and peace of mind that caters to the diverse and burgeoning needs of pre-owned car buyers across the country.

Sudha Murty Launches Her 300th Title, Grandpa’s Bag Of Stories, In A Captivating Conversation With Twinkle Khanna

* Published by Puffin, an imprint of Penguin, the book is a new collection of 19 stories much like her bestselling Grandma’s Bag of Stories

Renowned author and philanthropist, Sudha Murty, marked a significant milestone in her illustrious literary journey with the launch of her 300th title, Grandpa’s Bag of Stories, on September 1. Her 300 titles include 35 books in English, 34 in Hindi, 33 in Telugu, 30 in Marathi, 27 in Kannada, 26 in Malayalam, 24 in Tamil, 9 in Oriya, 7 in Konkani, 4 in Tibetan, 3 in Assamese, Sanskrit and Punjabi, 2 in Sindhi and Bengali, 1 in Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri and Italian spanning over 6 genres. The event was graced by a heart-warming conversation between Sudha Murty and actor, author, and storyteller Twinkle Khanna, offering the audience a glimpse into the profound stories and experiences that have shaped her remarkable career.

Reflecting on her journey, Sudha Murty shared, ‘Writing has always been my passion, a way to kindle connections and share the wisdom and warmth I've gathered over the years. Through words, I've found a sense of purpose and belonging, a way to transcend time and touch hearts. I express my deepest gratitude to my mother, Shrimati Vimala Kulkarni, who nurtured my passion for writing from a young age, and to my grandfather, H. R. Kadim Diwan, whose guidance as a teacher expanded my imagination. My journey began in 1980 with a Kannada travelogue, and in 2002, I published my first English book, Wise and Otherwise. My sole co-author has been Gopi, my dog and my heartbeat.

I extend heartfelt thanks to all the well-wishers, translators, publishers, friends, and my readers who have supported me along the way.’

Sohini Mitra, Publisher–Children’s Division, Penguin Random House India also shared, ‘Our association with Mrs Murty goes back to over two decades, during which time we’ve published some of her bestselling and notable works. Her collection of short stories, mythology books and short format illustrated chapter books have been instrumental in igniting a culture of reading Indian literature in English. In her latest offering, Grandpa's Bag of Stories, she once again weaves magic with a collection of timeless tales set in the beautiful hills of Uttarakhand. It's an unputdownable book that is testament to her effortless storytelling. I'm sure kids (and parents) will immensely love it.’

Twinkle Khanna, who led the conversation, expressed her admiration for Murty’s legacy, ‘Sudha ji’s stories are not just narratives; they are a reflection of her life’s philosophies and values. It’s an honor to be a part of this momentous occasion and to delve into the rich tapestry of her experiences.’

Deepa Rao Acharya, the evening's host, remarked, ‘Sudha Murty’s ability to touch lives with her words is unparalleled. Hosting this event has been a privilege, and witnessing the love and respect she commands is truly inspiring.’

Curated and hosted by Deepa Rao Acharya, founder of Lit Spirit Foundation, the event brought together literature enthusiasts, fans, and distinguished guests to celebrate Sudha Murty’s enduring contributions to the world of storytelling. The launch was supported by Ritz-Carlton Bangalore and Zoya, a luxury jewellery brand from the House of Tata.

As the event concluded, attendees left with a renewed appreciation for the timeless art of storytelling, inspired by the profound impact of Sudha Murty’s work.

Air India Express Launches Daily Direct Flights From Bengaluru To Vijayawada, Indore

* Daily direct flights on Agartala – Guwahati, Agartala – Kolkata, Hyderabad – Guwahati, Bengaluru – Vijayawada, and Bengaluru – Indore commenced on Sunday.

Air India Express has expanded its rapidly growing network by adding two new daily direct flights from Bengaluru, connecting Vijayawada and Indore. The airline also inaugurated Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, as its 32nd domestic destination. Air India Express launched daily direct flights from Agartala to Guwahati and Kolkata on Sunday, offering convenient one-stop connections to eight domestic destinations, including Delhi. Additionally, the airline began new daily connectivity between Hyderabad and Guwahati, all commencing on the same day.  

Bengaluru:

Air India Express operates 376 weekly flights from Bengaluru, connecting directly to 24 domestic destinations, such as Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Ranchi, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam, and to Abu Dhabi internationally. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to six domestic destinations, such as Agartala, Imphal, and Srinagar, and 12 international destinations, including Al Ain, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Riyadh, Salalah, Sharjah, and Singapore.

Indore:

Air India Express operates flights from Indore, offering direct connections to three destinations: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Sharjah. The airline also provides one-stop connectivity to 18 destinations, such as Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Goa, Gwalior, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam, and to Jeddah internationally.

Vijayawada:

Air India Express operates 16 weekly departures from Vijayawada, offering direct connections to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Sharjah in United Arab Emirates. The airline also provides convenient one-stop itineraries to 18 domestic destinations, including Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Gwalior, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam, as well as one international destination, Jeddah.

Agartala:

Air India Express operates 14 weekly flights from Agartala, providing daily direct services to Guwahati and Kolkata. The airline also offers convenient one-stop connections to Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur, and Kochi.

Guwahati:

Air India Express operates 77 weekly flights from Guwahati, offering direct connections to eight destinations: Agartala, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur, and Kolkata. The airline also provides one-stop connectivity to 20 domestic destinations, including Ayodhya, Goa, and Kozhikode, and to four international destinations: Bahrain, Dammam, Singapore, and Sharjah.

Kolkata:

Air India Express operates 124 weekly flights from Kolkata, connecting directly to 12 destinations, including Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Kochi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Bagdogra, Jaipur, Chennai, Surat, and Varanasi. The airline also offers connectivity to 22 one-stop destinations, such as Abu Dhabi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Doha, Dubai, Lucknow, Kuwait, Thiruvananthapuram, and Gwalior.

Hyderabad:

Air India Express operates 187 weekly flights from Hyderabad, connecting directly to 18 domestic and three international destinations, including Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Dammam, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur, Jeddah, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Riyadh, Srinagar, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam. The airline also provides one-stop connections to 10 domestic destinations, such as Agartala, Ayodhya, and Gwalior, and nine international destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Salalah, Sharjah, and Singapore.

Embassy REIT’s Pedal For The Planet Sees Record Participation With Over 2000 Cyclists At Embassy Manyata, Bengaluru

Embassy Office Parks REIT (NSE: EMBASSY / BSE: 542602) (‘Embassy REIT’), India’s first listed REIT and the largest office REIT in Asia by area, successfully concluded the 9th edition of its flagship cyclothon, Embassy Pedal for the Planet, at Embassy Manyata. This year’s event saw a record turnout of over 2,000 cyclists, doubling participation from the previous year and reinforcing the cause of sustainability, healthy living, and community engagement.

Embassy Manyata, one of India’s largest office parks and home to over 100,000 employees, served as the perfect venue for this event. Spanning over 120 acres, the park is renowned for its world-class amenities, excellent connectivity, and a strong tenant base, making it an ideal setting for community-driven initiatives like this.

Aravind Maiya, Chief Executive Officer, Embassy REIT, said, “We are thrilled by the extraordinary response from our occupiers and participants. With double the registrations compared to last year, Pedal for the Planet has evolved into a city-wide celebration that champions eco-friendly commuting and holistic living. Our priority is to foster engagement within our office parks through various such initiatives, and the remarkable turnout this year is testament to the growing community spirit.”

The 2024 edition of Pedal for the Planet featured four race categories tailored to all ages and skill levels:

30 km Pro-Elite Ride: For seasoned athletes

25 km Amateur Ride: Open to cycling enthusiasts

15 km Fun Ride: Designed for casual riders

1 km Kids Fun Ride: For young children

Continuing its commitment to environmental responsibility, Pedal for the Planet implemented various sustainable practices, including tree planting for every registration, a no single-use plastic policy, and comprehensive waste management efforts. Additionally, all proceeds from the event were donated to non-profit initiatives supporting the education of underprivileged children and the transformation of local schools.

About Embassy REIT

Embassy REIT is India’s first publicly listed Real Estate Investment Trust and the largest office REIT in Asia, by area. Embassy REIT owns and operates a 51 msf portfolio of 14 office parks in India’s best-performing office markets of Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, the National Capital Region (‘NCR’) and Chennai. Embassy REIT’s portfolio comprises 37.7 msf completed operating area and is home to 258 of the world’s leading companies. The portfolio also comprises strategic amenities, including four operational business hotels, two under?construction hotels, and a 100 MW solar park supplying renewable energy to tenants. Embassy REIT’s industry leading ESG program has received multiple accolades from renowned global institutions and was awarded a 5-star rating both from the British Safety Council and GRESB. Embassy REIT was included in the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, making it the first REIT in India to be recognised for its sustainability initiatives by a leading global benchmark. For more information, please visit www.embassyofficeparks.com.

Samsung TV Plus Expands Its Channel Offerings; Debuts Aaj Tak HD And The Lallantop For Consumers

Samsung TV Plus, the brand’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service in India, has announced the launch of Aaj Tak HD and The Lallantop on its portfolio. The partnership between Samsung TV Plus and TV Today Network underscores Samsung’s commitment to deliver top-quality programming and meet the evolving needs of viewers in an increasingly connected world.

TV Today Network's FAST channel offering from The Lallantop and Aaj Tak HD, will meet audiences’ need for compelling and premium free content on the biggest screen in the house. The connected TV base in India continues to grow as more households opt for internet-enabled smart TV options.

“Our endeavour is to bring unparalleled access and exceptional value to our audiences and advertisers on the Samsung TV plus platform. The addition of Aaj Tak HD and The Lallantop channels will provide increased access to the latest news from the world of business, politics, entertainment and more. This partnership with TV Today Network is a testament to that commitment,” said Kunal Mehta, Head of Partnerships, Samsung TV Plus India.

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of our two new FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus India. This partnership represents a significant milestone for us, as it allows us to bring our diverse and engaging content to a broader audience through one of the most popular and innovative smart TV platforms. With numerous options available for connected TV viewers, this collaboration enables us to broaden our audience and engage with those embracing new technologies, ensuring our content remains accessible across diverse viewing ecosystems,” said Salil Kumar, CEO - Digital Business, TVTN.

Samsung TV Plus, already delivers more than 100 FAST live channels and thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows to millions of users across India – all 100% free.

About Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus is the go-to source for free, premium entertainment that allows content owners and advertisers to engage consumers at scale. As a leader in free ad-supported TV (FAST) and video-on-demand (AVOD), Samsung TV Plus is the #1 free ad supported app on Samsung Smart TVs, with over 2,600 ad-supported linear channels available globally in 24 countries and over 630M active devices globally across TV and mobile. Samsung TV Plus is accessible on 2016-2024 Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, Smart Monitors, and refrigerators. To learn more, visit samsungtvplus.com

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter

Jemimah Rodrigues And Nithyashree Venkataramanan Reveal Their Must Have’s From Platinum Evara’s Latest Collection

In today’s world, young women are redefining strength, celebrating their unique journeys, and embracing every facet of their identity with pride. They are crafting their own stories, setting their own standards, and marking each milestone on their path.In the latest campaign for Platinum EVARA, Jemimah Rodrigues and Nithyashree Venkataramanan shine as they share their top platinum jewellery picks for the season. Jemimah, the dynamic star of the Indian Women's Cricket Team, and Nithyashree, the gifted musical prodigy from Tamil Nadu, embody the essence of self-discovery and personal growth.

Their choices from the Platinum Evara collection reflect not just style, but a celebration of their unique journeysand personal milestones. Each piece of platinum jewellery becomes a powerful symbol of their achievements, emotional revelations, and the triumphs that have shaped their paths. For Jemimah and Nithyashree, choosing these statement pieces is an expression of their individuality and authenticity.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Nithyashree Venkataramanan pick Platinum, a metal born from the stars and renowned for its rarity, as their metal of choice for its exceptional durability, purity, and naturally white sheen that never fades. With its unmatched strength and eternal elegance, platinum perfectly complements their distinctive styles and milestones

Draw inspiration from Jemimah & Nithyashree’s top platinum jewellery picks from the Platinum Evara collection to enhance your style and celebrate your unique identity

Jemimah’s top three picks from Platinum EVARA -

Platinum Drops Necklace

Like a mesmerizing dance, this platinum necklace showcases a cluster of free-flowing drop-shaped motifs studded with diamonds. These free-flowing raindrops symbolize the hope and optimism with which you look at life, embracing each aspect of what it offers you with open arms. Crafted in 95% pure platinum, found in limited quantities and in select locations across the world, this is a precious metal that’s undeniably rare.

The Platinum Buds Bracelet

Crafted with a series of delicate platinum buds gracefully lining its length, this sleek bracelet symbolizes your growth and how you’ve flourished over time. Cast in 95% pure platinum, a naturally white metal that stays true to itself, making it truly rare, it’s an ode to your unique abilities that are so precious and help craft your unique story.

Platinum Bold & Beautiful Necklace

Platinum links hold a unique multi-faceted form at the heart of this one-of-a-kind stunner. Crafted in a metal found in limited quantities around the world, platinum is exquisite and rare. The statement motifs represent the bold decisions you make as you navigate through your story, celebrating each one without hesitation.

Nithyashree’s top three picks from Platinum EVARA -

Platinum Graceful Rectangular Drops Earrings

These gorgeous earrings are a symphony of captivating rectangular motifs. Seamlessly intertwined and designed to sway rhythmically, they symbolize your many facets, that you discover, embrace and love because they are what makes you unique. It’s what steers you on your extraordinary path of becoming yourself. Crafted in pure platinum that’s found only in select locations worldwide, making it truly rare, this Platinum Evara speaks of your one-of-a-kind gifts that you love to wear with pride.

Platinum Mosaic Medley Necklace

A mosaic of triangular facets with a play of versatile patterns, makes for a contemporary centerpiece in this platinum necklace. Its varied textures echo the many facets of your personality, each bringing you joy and making you truly unique. Cast in 95% pure platinum, embossed with the Pt950 mark – one of the highest standards of purity in precious jewellery, it’s a metal that’s truly one of a kind. Just like you.

Platinum Precious Pellets Bracelet

This sleek platinum bracelet features delicately intertwined links anchored by a striking pellet centerpiece. A beautiful reminder of all that keeps you anchored and makes you – you. Crafted in 95% pure platinum, a naturally white metal whose colour never changes, it’s a precious metal that is truly one of a kind, mirroring just how unique you are.

Choose from the latest Platinum EVARA collection available across leading jewellery retail stores. These pieces from Platinum Evara are not just jewellery but emblems of each young woman's distinct path and the milestones that define their growth and individuality. With their unique designs and the enduring quality of platinum, these selections are perfect for celebrating significant moments and milestones.

ABOUT PLATINUM GUILD INTERNATIONAL (PGI)

Platinum Guild International (PGI) is a marketing organization with the vision to develop the global platinum jewellery market as a new demand source for platinum. It was formed in 1975 with specialist teams dedicated to growing the global platinum jewellery market through consumer and trade-facing programmes in the four key jewellery markets of China, India, Japan and USA. Since then, jewellery development has demonstrated a strong track record in delivering results. Through various programmes, both direct-to-consumer and in collaboration with jewellery retailers and manufacturers, PGI creates consumer ounce demand by first identifying opportunities for platinum in jewellery, and then developing them with partners. It also aims to build an enduring commitment to platinum in jewellery. PGI’s consumer marketing and educational programmes are focused on developing awareness and an appreciation for platinum’s unique properties as a precious metal for fine jewellery. In addition, PGI works globally with collaborative partners running extensive marketing programmes in the four main platinum jewellery markets of China, Japan, USA and India. These markets are staffed with experts in strategic planning, marketing, retail, design and business development.

PGI is funded by the leading platinum producers of South Africa, as well as through co-funded programmes with the jewellery industry.

PURITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

PGI has partnered with TUV India Pvt Ltd to implement a robust audit programme to ensure the purity of platinum under its programme. TUV is one of the country’s first certification bodies and has been closely associated with the quality revolution in India. Under Platinum Guild India’s quality assurance programme, each individual piece of jewellery has an assured purity as high as 95%. And as a proof of this assurance, every piece is stamped ‘Pt950’ and comes with a tamper-proof quality assurance card that distinguishes authentic platinum from other jewellery.

A Unique Identification Number is also stamped on the jewellery in addition to the detailed description of the piece you choose for yourself. Our quality assurance programme is in place to ensure transparency and that the platinum the consumer buys is of the highest quality. After all, that is what true value is all about.