Vedanta – Iron Ore Karnataka Achieves Landmark ‘Single-Use Plastic Free’ Certification

Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Karnataka has been recognised for championing action against the usage of ‘Single Use Plastic’ (SUP),  underscoring the Company’s focus on driving holistic sustainability & in ensuring adherence to global standards. Vedanta IOK has been certified as a ‘Single-Use Plastic Free Operation’ mining site, thus becoming one of the first mining operation sites in India to achieve this milestone.

This certification, issued by the Indian Register Quality Systems (IRQS), a division of IRCLASS Systems and Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (ISSPL), was authorised by Shashi Nath Mishra, Chief Operating Officer, ISSPL, and recognizes Vedanta Sesa Goa’s unwavering commitment to eliminating SUP across its operations, from administrative offices to mining sites. The development is in line with the World Environment Day 2025 theme – ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, with a focus on ending plastic pollution.

On receiving the certification, Shrishaila Gouda, CEO, Vedanta – IOK said, “I am extremely proud of the ‘Single-use plastic’ certification received by Vedanta – IOK & congratulate the entire team for achieving te same. Over the years, we at Vedanta IOK, have demonstrated continuous commitment towards environmental sustainability through cleanliness awareness sessions, sapling plantations, deployment of EVs & water conservation. We are proud to lead by example & will continue to progress our efforts for fostering a more sustainable Planet.”

To qualify for the presitigious certifications, Company’s go through a rigorous audit & Vedanta IOK successfully implemented a multi-pronged strategy for elimination of SUP. Actions that were taken included biurcation of plastic waste and a ban on Single-use plastics, replacing plastic packaging with biodegradable alternatives, plastic tumblers with ceramic and steel tumblers, plastic & paper plates with ceramic plates, plastic bubble wrap with paper bubble wraps or air pillows for packaging, installing water refill stations to eliminate bottled water, and conducting awareness drives and sessions for employees and local communities.

As a part of sustainability efforts, Vedanta IOK has gradually adopted RE, onboarded EVs for commute & also introduced EV wheel loaders, consistently carried out water conservation & plantation drives. The ongoing campaign across Vedanta Sesa Goa - ‘IronWill4GreenerPlanet’ – is spreading awareness among both internal & external stakeholders.

The SUP free certification of Vedanta IOK is a step towards IOK becoming a green mining site, and the team is now focused on promoting circular economy models, boosting green innovations, and driving large-scale behavioural change towards environmental protection.

Mark Every Milestone In Style With Mia By Tanishq’s Exciting Offers, This ‘Joy Of Gifting’ Season

* From aisle walks to graduation caps—make every moment sparkle 

Mia by Tanishq, one of India’s leading fine jewellery brands, announces the ‘Joy of Gifting Festival’, just in time for the wave of the wedding season and graduation celebrations. This limited-time offer gives customers flat 20% off on making charges of diamond jewellery, making it the perfect time to gift something precious for the many milestones life brings.

With the wedding season in the air, Mia offers a thoughtful curation of jewellery that makes gifting effortless—whether you're honouring the bride on her big day, curating meaningful pieces for the bridesmaids, or looking to gift the family and friends of the couple. Mia’s contemporary yet timeless designs cater to every kind of celebration, ensuring that your gift is as memorable as the moment itself.

Beyond weddings, the Joy of Gifting Festival arrives at the perfect moment for students graduating into new chapters of their lives. Celebrate academic milestones with a piece of fine jewellery that marks not just achievement, but the promise of what lies ahead. Whether it’s for a loved one or a personal reward, Mia's stunning assortment of collections are perfect to make graduation moments shine.

Mia by Tanishq offers an array of collections, made in 14kt and 18kt gold, adorned with certified natural diamonds. Available at sweet selling price points, the brand offers versatile pieces that can be worn everyday or thoughtfully gifted to loved ones. Innovative designs, including elaborate earcuffs, brooches that double as pendants, lightweight earrings, stackable bracelets, trendy sui-dhagas and intricate ring. The brand’s latest collection – The ‘Mia Fiora’ Collection brings delicate floral motifs to life, featuring intricate designs that reflect the freshness of spring and the essence of personal growth. Gold filigree petals, dainty layered patterns, and hand-carved stones come together to create pieces that celebrate sophistication and individuality.

Available from 23rd May to 8th June, the offer is valid at all Mia by Tanishq stores and online at www.miabytanishq.com. Don’t let the offers slip away – visit your nearest Mia store or shop online at their website.

*Terms and Conditions apply. 

PETRONAS TVS Racing Gears Up For The 17TH INSC With Stellar Rider Line-Up And Upgraded Race Machines

Backed by a rich racing pedigree since 1982, PETRONAS TVS Racing is set to ignite the track once again at the 2025 season of the FMSCI Indian National Supercross Championship (INSC), which begins in Vadodara on May 23–24, 2025. After a dominant 2024 season that reaffirmed its leadership in Indian two-wheeler racing, India’s first factory racing team returns with renewed focus, upgraded machines, and a powerful 8-rider line-up. The squad includes seasoned champions and expert riders like Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, and Prajwal V, who will compete in Group A – Foreign Open SX1, along with Imran Pasha, Banteilang Jyrwa, and D Sachin, who will race in Group B – Indian Expert category. They are joined by rising talents Jayden Wandame Nongkhlaw and Shailesh Kumar, who will compete in the Indian Novice Group B.

PETRONAS TVS Racing will field its state-of-the-art TR 300X (Group A – up to 500cc) and TR 200X (Group B – up to 260cc) race machines this season. These upgraded bikes feature advanced camshaft and cylinder head designs that deliver superior mid-range torque and high-RPM performance. With improved suspension systems and refined ergonomics, the machines promise enhanced control, traction, and cornering agility giving TVS racers a competitive edge on the track.

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company said, "Building on last year’s championship triumph, PETRONAS TVS Racing is geared up to set new benchmarks in 2025. All upgrade to our machines and every hour dedicated to rider development reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Our 8-rider line-up is a perfect blend of experience and emerging talent, ready to push the limits. We are proud of the incredible momentum we've built over the years — from consistent podium finishes to nurturing India’s finest Supercross champions. This year is even more special as we celebrate 20 years of our flagship performance brand, TVS Apache, which perfectly embodies our ‘Track to Road’ philosophy. As we charge into the new season, we aim not just to race, but to raise the bar for motorsports in India once again."

Underscoring its long-standing commitment to developing Indian motorsport talent, PETRONAS TVS Racing continues to invest heavily in training of the racers. For the new season of INSC, TVS Racing has invested in Advanced SX training sessions, especially for SX1-class riders, aimed at enhancing endurance, agility, and tactical skills to equip athletes for the rigorous physical and strategic demands of elite Supercross racing.

For over 43 years, TVS Racing has been at the forefront of Indian motorsports, continuously pushing the boundaries of racing excellence. This commitment to innovation and performance extends beyond the racetrack into TVS Motor Company’s flagship motorcycle brand, TVS Apache, which celebrates 20 years of engineering excellence this year. The TVS Apache series embodies TVS Racing’s ‘Track to Road’ philosophy, integrating race-derived technology into high-performance motorcycles. Spanning 160cc, 180cc, 200cc, and 310cc models, the lineup features segment-first innovations, from ride-by-wire technology to race-tuned fuel injection.

With over 400,000 riders in the Apache Owners Group (AOG), TVS Apache has built a passionate global community, bringing the thrill of racing to streets and track enthusiasts alike. As it enters its next chapter, TVS Apache remains dedicated to offering cutting-edge performance, redefining what it means to ride with power and precision.

Classmate Partners With Grand Masters Praggnanandhaa And Vaishali - Launches 30-City Campaign For eduGAMES Infinity

·         Students can play eduGAMES Infinity everyday, featuring the popular last-page puzzles from Classmate notebooks with world-renowned chess Grandmasters

·         Exciting Daily rewards including a VR Headset to be won every single day

ITC's Classmate, India's leading notebook and stationery products brand has launched eduGAMES Infinity an innovative gamified notebook that seamlessly blends play with education. It encompasses a fun and engaging initiative aimed at transforming learning into a delightful experience. Classmate eduGAMES Infinity is now launching a unique campaign, participation in which will provide a chance to visit Hong Kong Disneyland, a once in a lifetime opportunity!

At the core of Classmate eduGAMES Infinity is the idea that learning should be joyful igniting the fun side of learning. Building on the iconic last page of Classmate notebooks — loved by generations of students — eduGAMES Infinity takes this concept to a new paradigm by making last page puzzles interactive, gamified, and rewarding. Students can scan the last page of the notebook and play a new game every day.

To bring this to life, Classmate is rolling out a 30-city campaign starting 24th May, inviting students to join the movement by simply buying a Classmate notebook and playing eduGAMES Infinity.

This season, the campaign gets even more exciting with a special opportunity to play with world champions. Celebrated sibling duo and Indian chess Grandmasters, R Praggnanandhaa and R Vaishali, will also dive into eduGAMES Infinity for 30 days, sharpening their minds daily through the power of puzzles. They believe that engaging the mind with puzzles is a great way to stay focused and mentally agile.

R Praggnanandhaa said, “Classmate eduGAMES Infinity is not just about games — it’s a fun and effective way to train your mind. I’m excited to take on a new puzzle every day and see how students across the country challenge themselves too.”

R Vaishali added, “We grew up solving puzzles at home, and they really helped us stay sharp and focused. It’s amazing to see Classmate bring that joy of learning to life for today’s generation in such an engaging manner.”

Expressing their feelings about this initiative, their parents stated “When our children were young, we encouraged them to play puzzles and brain games every day. We’ve seen first-hand how these small habits helped build their mental discipline. Classmate eduGAMES Infinity reminds us of that journey — and it’s a wonderful way for other children to begin theirs.”

Speaking about the initiative, Mr Vikas Gupta, Chief Executive, Education and Stationery Products Business Division, ITC Ltd. said “At Classmate, we have always believed that learning should be joyful and must keep alive the spirit of creativity, curiosity and fun endeavour brings that belief to life. Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali are perfect role models and their success and achievements are a reflection of the fact that focus, agility and the right tools can shape champions. We hope this initiative inspires students across India to explore eduGAMES infinity and become sharper from within.”

Participants from these 30 cities can compete on the EduGAMES leaderboard for a chance to win exciting daily prizes including a Meta Quest VR headset, and the final reward — a magical trip to Disneyland.

Campaign Reach and Visibility

The campaign will be rolled out across digital platforms, regional print & TV and influencer partnerships, ensuring wide visibility across participating cities. This leg of the campaign will run in tandem with the national Disneyland EduGAMES campaign, which continues to reward curiosity, consistency, and clever thinking.

PokerBaazi Launches Upgrade 2025, Showcasing A New Era In Online Poker Excellence

In a defining moment for the Indian Poker landscape, PokerBaazi, India’s biggest Poker platform, today announced the launch of the PokerBaazi (PB) Upgrade 2025. This significant evolution of its both mobile and desktop apps is a bold step forward in delivering a world-class playing experience. The new upgrade was officially unveiled at the PokerBaazi Experience Meet 2025, the company’s yearly digital showcase of product advancements.

The leadership at Baazi Games, including Founder and CEO Navkiran Singh, alongside Avneet Rana, Co-Founder & Chief of Technology & Product, and others spearheaded the pre-launch and personally unveiled the upgrades introduced at the PokerBaazi Experience Meet 2025. (Click here to watch)

Speaking about the PokerBaazi Upgrade 2025, Navkiran Singh, Founder and CEO of Baazi Games, said, "At PokerBaazi, we live our motto of ‘never stop improving’. With this product launch, we can proudly have our made in India apps compete with global Poker products. What we have built is a trusted, player-first ecosystem where skill is celebrated, aspirations are nurtured, and every game is a step toward excellence. It is great to lead this transformation and remain committed to setting new standards for the future of online Poker."

Enhancing the Core Experience:

-          One of the most significant highlights of the showcase was the introduction of PokerBaazi’s new Desktop App — an all-new application built on a completely different front-end technology, delivering superior speed, stability, and bringing a fresh UI/UX that will significantly boost user experience as well as the app performance, catering to both casual and professional players.

-          The Kingmaker which is an in-house, fully modular game engine has now been introduced to power the tournament format as well. It is designed to enhance scalability and add a lot of micro-interactions enabling real time game updates for a more dynamic and responsive game play experience. It also drastically reduces the time needed for building new game features.

Empowering Player Growth Through Analytics & Content:

-          Pokershots 2.0 is a refined analytical tool designed to enhance player performance through simplified data insights, featuring an intuitive UI/UX and new capabilities such as tagging specific hands for in-depth post-game analysis. This tool empowers players dedicated to mastering the mind sport of Poker.

-          Baazi SensAI incorporates AI into gameplay analytics, acting as an in-app AI coach that assists users by analysing their gameplay, providing insights, and summarising hand histories. This feature will empower players to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve their strategies.

-          The Revamped Poker TV offers a bold new avatar for PokerBaazi’s content hub, providing richer, more engaging content for learning and entertainment related to the game.

Player-Centric Innovations:

-          The All-in Club is an exclusive membership club offering premium features and unparalleled rewards.

-          New Advanced Cash Game Features include Interactive R.I.T. (Run It Twice) and EV Cashout to enhance strategic gameplay options.

-          Enhancements in Responsible Gaming tool which is a personalised system that fosters mindful gaming through player-specific guidance and support, reinforcing a healthy approach to the mind sport.

Building a Trusted & Secure Ecosystem:

Delivering a robust and fair gameplay environment, the Upgraded Security Infrastructure includes partnerships with GTO Wizard and a 'no bot' certification from GLI Labs. Sophisticated algorithms and AI are used to track down fraudulent behaviour, ensuring integrity in the mind sport.

A Vision for the Future

Navkiran Singh further added, “With the 2025 upgrade, we are reimagining the way players engage with the game and ensuring both our mobile and desktop platforms set a global benchmark in terms of technology, gameplay, and user engagement.”

The latest enhancements reaffirm PokerBaazi’s commitment to building a secure, fair, and immersive digital ecosystem that empowers players at every level in this evolving mind sport. By unveiling a series of transformative updates at the Experience Meet, PokerBaazi has further cemented its leadership as a driving force in shaping the future of online Poker in India. You can go to https://www.pokerbaazi.com/ to download the latest version of the app with Upgrade 2025 updates.

Marriott International Announces Global Launch Of New Regional Collection Brand: Series By Marriott™

* Company Signs Founding Deal with Concept Hospitality Private Limited in India to Affiliate The Fern Brands with Series by Marriott

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) today announced the global launch of its new collection brand for the midscale and upscale lodging segments—Series by Marriott™—as the company continues to expand its lodging offerings around the world. Series by Marriott is expected to expand Marriott’s global presence by bringing well-established regionally created brands and hotels that champion consistent quality and service into the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Series by Marriott will offer guests comfortable stays in more places and provide regional owners access to the benefits of Marriott’s platforms, including the company’s award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, all while maintaining their portfolio’s independent identity.

Series by Marriott marks its initial launch through a founding deal with Concept Hospitality Private Limited (CHPL) in India, a key growth market for Marriott. Established in 1996 by Param Kannampilly, CHPL, is one of India’s leading hotel management companies with a portfolio of six brands and over 100 hotels operating in 90 locations. Under the strategic agreement between CHPL and Marriott, CHPL's flagship brands—The Fern, The Fern Residency, and The Fern Habitat—will affiliate with Series by Marriott on an exclusive basis across India and Marriott will make a small equity investment in CHPL. The Fern portfolio is currently comprised of 84 open properties and 31 executed pipeline deals, totaling 115 properties and approximately 8,000 rooms. Fern properties are expected to join Marriott’s portfolio in India over time following discussions with the third-party hotel owners and execution of long-term franchise agreements with those owners. CG Hospitality, the hospitality division of the multi-national conglomerate CG Corp Global, is the majority stakeholder in CHPL.

“Series by Marriott furthers Marriott’s commitment to delivering lodging offerings in the right place at the right price with basics done well,” said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International. “Creating a new, regional collection brand will further Marriott’s reach among value-conscious travelers, provide additional choice for our existing Marriott Bonvoy members and guests, and offer more affiliation opportunities for local owners.

“We are thrilled to launch Series by Marriott through our founding deal with CHPL. This deal will help meaningfully expand Marriott’s leading position in India, a key market for the company.  We see this multi-unit conversion deal as a strong foundation as we look to accelerate growth of the Series by Marriott collection in additional markets around the world. The Fern portfolio throughout India is highly regarded and CHPL’s commitment to operational excellence and meeting the needs of regional travelers embodies the spirit of the Series by Marriott brand,” said Capuano.

“India is one of Marriott’s most dynamic and strategic markets, making it the ideal launchpad for Series by Marriott,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. “Our founding deal with CHPL allows us to scale purposefully with a trusted local brand that resonates with regional travelers. This collaboration combines CHPL’s deep market knowledge with Marriott’s global platform—broadening access to quality hospitality and unlocking strong growth potential across the country. Launching Series by Marriott in India reflects the region’s critical role in our long-term growth strategy.”

“Through our majority stake in CHPL, we’ve nurtured The Fern brands as standard-bearers for eco-sensitive, high-quality hospitality in India. Being part of Series by Marriott will allow us to amplify our reach. The Fern brands are expected to benefit not only from the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program and global distribution systems, but also from strategic growth opportunities,” said Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global.

“We are thrilled to partner with the world's largest hospitality company in driving a new era of growth in India’s midscale segment. Our vision is to unlock the immense potential of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as lesser-known destinations across India that are rich in culture, heritage, and opportunity. This strategic collaboration underscores our commitment to expanding access to quality hospitality, fostering local economies, and meeting the rising demand for sustainable, comfortable, and accessible stays in emerging markets,” said Param Kannampilly, Chairman, Concept Hospitality Private Limited.

A Series of Hotels: Regionally Created, Globally Connected

Series by Marriott is designed to deliver a simple and approachable experience for travelers with a focus on fundamentals and well-executed basics. Hotels in the portfolio will offer quality and value with clean, comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, daily coffee or tea, with breakfast, fitness centers and meetings and event spaces available at certain properties. Hotels will reflect the regions and customers they serve while delivering Marriott’s global standards for safety and cleanliness. As part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, members staying at Series by Marriott properties will be able to earn and redeem points and enjoy member benefits.

Global Growth Opportunity for Owners

Series by Marriott has been created to bring strong, regionally relevant brands and hotels into the Marriott portfolio with industry leading revenue generation capabilities and affiliation cost structures. Owners will have the ability to maintain their portfolio’s independent identity while leveraging the power of Marriott’s award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program with nearly 237 million members globally, and digital platforms like Marriott.com and the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app to generate direct bookings.

In addition to its founding deal with CHPL, Marriott is also in active discussions about the Series by Marriott brand with owners in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Photo Caption: Marriott International Announces Global Launch of New Regional Collection Brand: Series by Marriott™ in a strategic deal with Concept Hospitality

From L-R:  Mr. Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, Development - South Asia, Marriott International; Mr. John Toomey, Chief Commercial Officer, APEC - Marriott International; Ms. Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia - Marriott International; Mr. Shawn Hill, Chief Development Officer, APEC - Marriott International; Mr. Rajeev Menon, President, APEC - Marriott International; Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global; Mr. Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director, CG Corp Global and CG Hospitality Global; Mr. Suhail Kannampilly, Managing Director, Concept Hospitality; Mr. Avneet Bhutani, Vice President – Asset Management, APEC – Marriott International; Mr. Raymond Tan, Senior Director of Hotel Development, APEC – Marriott International.

Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (Dvara KGFS) Secures “Long Term Capital” From FIIs

* Expansion on the cards as equity of 3Mn Euros and Subordinated debt of 5Mn USD raised

Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (Dvara KGFS), a major NBFC working in India’s financial inclusion space, has successfully raised Equity of 3Mn Euro from Sparkassen International Development Trust  GmbH (SIDT) and 5Mn USD through issuance of Subordinated Bonds to FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank.  This infusion will further strengthen the capital base of the Company thus enabling it to augment its growth plans and expand its outreach. The company is strategically pivoting towards enhancing wholistic financial access to Micro Entrepreneurs in the inclusion space.

SIDT is part of the German Sparkassen Group, considered the largest financial group in Europe. SIDT launches its first equity participation in the Indian financial inclusion space with this investment in Dvara KGFS.

FMO Entrepreneurial development bank is a public-private development bank supervised by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). FMO’s first investment in Dvara KGFS came in FY24.

Speaking about the funding, Mr. LVLN Murty, Managing Director and CEO, Dvara KGFS, said, "At a time when the inclusion space in India is witnessing unprecedented challenges, this fund raise is a testimony of the resilience, agility and scalability of the Dvara KGFS business model and lending infrastructure.  With the strong backing of our highly reputed investors and lenders, we are confident in our ability to deepen our impact in providing finance to the underserved and reinforce our mission to enable financial well-being at the last mile by opening  50 branches in this financial year that would originate Enterprise Loans exclusively, thereby taking the total branch strength to 477 by the end of this fiscal  This fund raise not only fortifies  our capital base but also validates the impact driven, resilient path we have charted in the financial inclusion ecosystem. The company is investing in digital transformation using artificial intelligence for enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience.”

On the development, Ms. Shilpa Bhatter, CFO, Dvara KGFS, said, “We have embodied highest standards of corporate governance and financial discipline in our organization. This infusion of capital reinforces our commitment to ethical and prudent portfolio management and further fortify our lending infrastructure by investing more meaningfully into state of the art technology and data analytics capabilities, thereby strengthening our core operations while continuing to deliver measurable social and financial outcomes.”  

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Carsten Steffan from Sparkassen International Development Trust GmbH said, “We are pleased to support Dvara KGFS in its mission to improve financial access in rural India. As part of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, our focus is on enabling responsible and inclusive financial services in emerging markets. This investment reflects our commitment to creating sustainable impact by supporting institutions that demonstrate deep local insight, strong governance, and scalable models. We look forward to a long-term collaboration that contributes to financial empowerment and community development in India.”

Dvara KGFS provides an array of loans and third-party products tailored to meet its customers' diverse financial needs through an omnichannel approach. It remains steadfast in its commitment to bridging the financial gap and empowering individuals and micro businesses through its financial services in the inclusion space. With the success of this fundraise, Dvara KGFS is positioned to significantly enhance its impact on the lives of its customers.