Thursday, June 12, 2025

French-Caribbean Star David Walters Brings Soul Tropical Rhythms To India This Summer


* A Musical Celebration of Identity, Joy, and Global Sounds on the Occasion of Fête de la Musique

This June and July, India sways to the infectious rhythms of Soul Tropical as French-Caribbean musician David Walters embarks on his much-awaited India tour — a radiant musical journey blending Afro-Caribbean roots, soul, funk, and global grooves. This celebration of music, culture, and connection arrives as part of the international Fête de la Musique festival, observed every June across the world.

Presented by the French Institute in India and the Alliance Française network in India, this tour promises electrifying performances in cities including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Jaipur.

Walters, known for his genre-defying sonic palette and powerful stage presence, brings a deep emotional resonance to his performances. His latest album, Soul Tropical, is both a personal homage to his Caribbean heritage and a universal ode to joy and resilience. It features acclaimed collaborations with artists like Mario Canonge, Ballaké Sissoko, Flavia Coelho, and Captain Planet, weaving together sounds from Martinique, Guadeloupe, Cuba, Brazil, and Africa — all filtered through the vibrant energy of Marseille, Paris, Sheffield, and Los Angeles.

“This isn’t just music to listen to — it’s music to feel, to move to, to heal with,” says Walters. “Soul Tropical is about dancing through grief, reconnecting with family, and finding joy in shared rhythms.”

Event Details:

New Delhi                  18 June, 9:00 pm                      The Pianioman, Eldeco Centre, Saket

Chandigarh                19 June, 7:30 pm                      Tagore Theatre

Bhopal                         21 June, 7:00 pm                      Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum

Pune                             22 June, 7:00 pm                      FC Road Social

Hyderabad                  24 June, 8: 00 pm                     EXT, Film Nagar

Bengaluru                   27 June, 7:30 pm                      Alliance Française de Bangalore

Kolkata                        01 July, 6:30 pm                      Indian Museum

Jaipur                           05 July, 7:00 pm                      Diggi Palace

*       Live concerts infused with island soul, dance beats, and tropical warmth

*       Free and ticketed events, depending on the venue

Full tour details and registration links: https://www.ifindia.in/event/david-walters

Why India?

David Walters' music is a testament to the universality of rhythm and melody. His previous collaborations with Indian artists, such as the fusion project with Rajasthan Roots and performances with Bangalore-based musicians, have showcased his ability to seamlessly blend Caribbean beats with Indian folk traditions.

Walters’ visit is more than a tour — it’s a cultural bridge. France’s deep-rooted connection to India through music, language, and artistic collaborations finds new expression in Soul Tropical, a perfect fit for the diverse, multilingual, and rhythm-loving Indian audience. The tour serves as a vibrant showcase of Fête de la Musique's original spirit — making music accessible, open, and alive in public spaces.

During his stops in Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Jaipur, the tour will take on a deeper, more collaborative turn. Walters will engage in intimate musical residencies with local folk musicians, co-creating new compositions that blend their distinct traditions with his tropical soundscapes.

About David Walters:

A multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and globe-trotter, Walters has spent over two decades redefining the boundaries of world music. From his early hits like Awa to the critically acclaimed Nocturne, his work speaks to a global citizen's heart. Soul Tropical, released in 2023 under Heavenly Sweetness, is his most joyous and danceable project yet — a celebration of heritage and humanity.

This World Gin Day, Discover Hidden Jewels By BOMBAY SAPPHIRE – A Toast To The Striking Beauty In The World


This World Gin Day, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE invites audiences to step into a world of immersive beauty with Hidden Jewels – a collection of strikingly beautiful off-the-menu cocktails crafted by 50 of the most influential bartenders across the country.

From the cool stillness of Kashmir’s Dal Lake to the vibrant bustle of Jaipur’s markets, each Hidden Jewel is inspired by a place of wonder – and transformed into an immersive drink experience. Crafted by leading names like Zanngasung (Soho House, Mumbai), Prantik Haldar (The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai), Naval Bhatt (Lair, New Delhi), Shubham Meisnam (Sidecar, New Delhi), and many more, this limited-edition curation is an invitation to slow down and allow yourself to savour the world’s beauty.

A New Way of Savoring: Beauty in Every Sip

Earlier, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE brought together 50 of India’s top bartenders for an immersive experience in the wilds of Meghalaya. Through a series of workshops with indigenous artisans and chefs, the bartenders were inspired to observe, immerse, and draw from the striking beauty all around. The result is a new form of cocktail craftsmanship — one where every detail, from colour and aroma to garnishing and flavour, evokes a deeper sense of place and purpose – inviting you to stop in your tracks and be enamored by their striking beauty.

Adtnu Tiwari, Category Lead, Premium White Spirits, shared, “Across India, we are seeing a growing desire for experiences that invite us to pause, discover, and truly savour moments with friends and family. With Hidden Jewels, we are bringing elevated drinking experiences with cocktails that reframe how beauty shows up behind the bar – compelling us to observe, immerse, and feel moments that go on to become cherished memories,”

Top Hidden Jewels to discover this month

Launching this World Gin Month (June), these cocktails are waiting to be discovered at leading bars across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata. From the golden glow of Rajasthan's Thar Desert captured in Desert Bloom (Bar Spirit Forward, Bengaluru); the natural beauty of Rhododendron Trail of Sikkim in The Daily Bloom (SOKA, Bengaluru) and Footsteps and Flavours (Ioya Bar, Bengaluru); the lush Darjeeling Tea Fields in West Bengal in Breakfast Champagne (ZLB23, Bengaluru); the stillness of Laxmanpur Beach in Andaman captured in Summer Bloom (Dali & Gala, Bengaluru); the scenic wonders of Monsoon in the Western Ghats in Tympew (Copitas, Bengaluru); the laid back Alleppy Backwaters, Kerala in Alleppy Elements (Monkey Bar, Bengaluru); to the serenity of Kashmir’s Dal Lake in The Lake View (Siren Cocktail Bar, Bengaluru), get ready to experience the surreal moments that draw you in, poured into a glass at top bars in your city.

About Bombay Sapphire

Bombay Sapphire is a world-leading premium gin, crafted in England since 1987. Renowned for its iconic blue bottle, the gin is distilled using a signature vapor infusion process and a unique blend of ten hand-selected botanicals, including juniper, almond, coriander, and grains of paradise, resulting in a clean, bright, and balanced flavour.

Gen Z Is Balling Solo, Paying Via UPI & Redeeming Loyalty Coins; Cleartrip Data Reveals Gen Z’s Bold New Travel Playbook


Travel, the Gen Z Way: Solo, Digital & on their terms! Cleartrip, a Flipkart company and one of India’s fastest-growing online travel technology platforms, has released new data insights from its latest report highlighting how Gen Z travellers are reshaping the Indian travel landscape. With a strong digital and an aspirational mindset, this cohort is increasingly adopting new-age travel behaviours that reflect independence, flexibility, and a willingness to spend on comfort and personal freedom.

“Gen Z travellers are rewriting the rules of Travel. For them, travel is not just a break, but a lifestyle choice and a form of self-expression,” said a Cleartrip spokesperson. “They’re independent, digitally savvy, and far more willing to spend on personalised, comfortable experiences, often preferring solo or niche travel over traditional group itineraries.”

Key highlights from the Cleartrip Gen Z Travel Report:

Gen Z is choosing to Travel Solo

According to Cleartrip’s data, Gen Z is increasingly embracing solo travel, with a 7% higher share of solo trips compared to other age groups. This depicts a notable shift from traditional family trips, where budgets and choices were shared and often driven by older members. Today’s Gen Z traveller seeks the freedom to explore offbeat, experience-driven destinations on their terms by focusing on adventure, nature, and peace over traditional sightseeing.

Smart and Flexible Payments define Gen Z travel choices

This independent travel mindset also reflects in how they choose to pay for their trips. Gen Z is leaning into UPI and debit card usage more than credit cards, with 10% more UPI transactions than other groups. EMI-based travel payments are widely preferred, with more than 10% of Gen Z users opting for this mode. This points to Gen Z’s strong aspiration to travel luxuriously, regardless of budget constraints.

Gen Z prioritises Convenience

Another emerging trend is the rise in meal-attached bookings among Gen Z compared to the older age groups, indicating a steady catch-up in preferences for convenience and full-service experiences.

Flexibility and Value are Key Drivers

Gen Z travellers are likely to opt for flexible travel options like Cleartrip’s ClearChoice, reflecting their preference for spontaneity and travel on their terms. They're also about 1 in 10 more likely to redeem reward points such as SuperCoins and use travel coupons 1.5 times more often than other age groups, underlining their strong focus on value-driven travel.

About Cleartrip:

Launched in July 2006, Cleartrip Pvt Ltd., a Flipkart company, has emerged as India’s fastest-growing online travel technology company. In April 2021, Flipkart acquired a majority stake in Cleartrip. Cleartrip recently emerged as the no. 2 OTA player as per a study by VIDEC. With an aggressive plan to emerge as a leading innovator in the industry, Cleartrip is on its way to building a differentiated value proposition for its customers looking for end-to-end travel solutions. With industry-first offerings including ClearChoice Plus and ClearChoice Max, Cleartrip has a clear vision to provide innovative solutions in the OTA segment. Combining intuitive products with a customer-centric approach and a wide selection of flights, hotels, and buses, Cleartrip brings a unique selling point to the market, offering its customers convenience, choice, competitive prices, and premium content.   

Cellecor Gadgets Expands Its Small Appliances Segment, Aims For Rs 100 Cr+ Incremental Annual Revenue From FY26 Onwards


Cellecor Gadgets Limited, one of India’s fastest-growing consumer electronics brands, is set to expand its presence in the Small Kitchen and Home Appliances segment from July 2025. Driven by strong consumer demand and growing recognition for its innovation and product reliability, the company is strengthening its commitment to delivering smart, intuitive, and modern solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Indian households. This expansion marks a key step in its journey to make home appliances more convenient, useful, and affordable for emerging India.

As part of this expansion, Cellecor will launch a range of essential appliances, including microwave ovens, induction cooktops, rice cookers, mixers, nutri blenders, juicers, air fryers, irons, and more. All products are designed for daily use, with a focus on ease and functionality.

The new product lineup is projected to add around ?100 crore to Cellecor’s annual revenue, driven by stronger profit margins and greater brand visibility, further solidifying its position as a trusted name in India’s fast-growing consumer appliance market.

The decision to expand into this high-demand category stems from a clear and growing consumer preference for compact, durable, and affordable appliances that integrate seamlessly into busy lifestyles. This foray complements Cellecor’s expanding portfolio, which already includes consumer electronics, large appliances, smart gadgets, mobiles, IT products, and mobile accessories. By entering this fast-moving, high-engagement segment, Cellecor aims to deepen everyday consumer interactions while driving sustained, scalable business growth.

“We’re committed to creating meaningful solutions that enhance everyday life, and this expansion is another step forward in offering our customers more choices that blend with their lifestyles and expectations,” said Ravi Agarwal, Managing Director, Cellecor Gadgets Limited.

The new product range will be available across Cellecor’s robust offline retail network, including exclusive brand stores and partner outlets, as well as on leading online marketplaces.

With this launch, Cellecor reaffirms its mission to go beyond products—to create experiences that simplify, support, and enrich the daily lives of millions of Indian consumers.

About Cellecor Gadgets Limited

Cellecor Gadgets Limited's journey in the electronics device business, and selling products in its own brand, including Smart TVs, Smart Gadgets, Wearables, Mobile Phones, Home and Kitchen Appliances, and more outsourced from various electronic assemblers and manufacturers, started in 2012 as M/s Unity Communications-its founder Mr. Ravi Agarwal’s proprietorship firm. The company is promoted and managed with an enduring sustainable business strategy, wherein the company aims to synergetic amalgamate business potential embedded in the ever-growing demand for electronic products with a modern business approach of sourcing, producing, and marketing with an objective to provide quality products at affordable prices. Today, Cellecor Gadgets Ltd is a leading name in the consumer electronics industry, known for its innovative and cutting-edge technology. With a commitment to making happiness affordable, Cellecor offers a diverse range of products, including mobile phones, smart TVs, speakers, neckbands, TWS, soundbars, smartwatches, washing machines, and many more.

The securities of the Company are listed on the NSE EMERGE (SME Platform of National Stock Exchange of India Limited) with Scrip Code: CELLECOR

eClerx Services: Time For A Breather; Downgrade To Add Shares


Information Technology

Company Update  

June 12, 2025

CMP (Rs): 3,652 | TP (Rs): 3,950

ADD

We interacted with Srinivasan Nadadhur, CFO, to understand the demand environment and outlook. Key takeaways: i) The demand environment has largely been stable over the past few months. The company has not seen any noticeable changes in roll-off trends. ii) It expects revenue momentum to continue in the near term on the back of strong deal intake in H2FY25 and a healthy deal pipeline. Headcount addition remains a good indicator for near-term revenue growth. iii) The management expects deal momentum to sustain in FY26 with full-year ACV better than FY25. However, quarterly variation in booking is not ruled out. iv) The company has reiterated adj. EBITDAM guidance of 24-28%. Q1 margin may be impacted by a wage hike. v) Broad-based growth visibility is still in contention due to ongoing uncertainties around tariff, which has led to cautious client behavior in some sectors. vi) Capital allocation policy remains unchanged with a preference for buyback. We remain constructive on eClerx’s medium-term growth prospects and raise target multiple to 24x (earlier 22x) on Jun-27E EPS. However, given limited upside after the sharp rally—the stock is up ~49%/41% in 1M/3M—we downgrade to ADD from Buy with a revised TP of Rs3,950.

Growth momentum to sustain in Q1 amid macro challenges

After delivering strong revenue growth in Q4 (4.4% CC QoQ), the management is optimistic about sustaining momentum in Q1, despite current macro challenges. Demand remains stable, particularly in BFSI, with healthy deal momentum across most verticals. Fashion remains soft, as a couple of top clients in the segment reported weak performance last quarter. Tariff-related discussions are slowing decision-making in Hi-Tech, M&D, and Retail, potentially affecting growth in these verticals. In CMT, some uptick in demand for voice-based roles has been observed, though this needs further monitoring. Europe has remained soft over the past few quarters, partly due to higher exposure to digital, which continued to see pressure. There are plans to hire a leader for Europe to improve traction in that market. G&A cost is likely to increase in Q1 due to the opening of new delivery centers in Egypt and Peru. Adj. EBITDAM guidance is maintained at 24-28%, though Q1 will see headwinds from wage hikes (~400bps gross impact).

Identified focus areas for M&A; capital allocation policy continues

The company will continue its policy of not accumulating excess cash on the balance sheet and pay out cash to shareholders either as dividend or through buyback, with preference for the latter. It is looking for M&A opportunities that align with its overall growth strategy and target capabilities, with a focus on three key areas – a) onshore consulting capabilities in BFSI, particularly in regulatory space; b) creative services in NA; and c) implementation capabilities technologies such as Salesforce and Databricks. It is comfortable allocating 10–20% of its annual revenue as consideration for such acquisitions.

3 Out Of 4 Indian Recruiters Are Investing Upto 70% Of Their Hiring Budgets In AI And Tech To Hire Smarter, Faster: LinkedIn Research


* Quality of hire, speed to hire, and revenue per employee are the top 3 ways Indian recruiters measure hiring success

* 53% of Indian recruiters say online job platforms like LinkedIn deliver the highest hiring ROI for their organizations

* AI-assisted messages on LinkedIn Recruiter 2024 are seeing 44% higher acceptance rates globally

Nearly three years into adopting AI at work, Indian recruiters are moving from ‘quick hiring’ to ‘quality hiring’. New research from LinkedIn reveals that 3 out of 4 (75%) recruiters in India are investing up to 70% of their hiring budgets in recruitment tech and AI tools.

LinkedIn’s India Hiring ROI research, based on responses from over 1,300 HR professionals across 10 cities, finds that today’s top 3 recruitment priorities are finding high-quality candidates with transferable skills (57%), adopting smarter hiring tech (52%), and proving the ROI of hiring investments to C-suite leaders (46%).

But challenges persist, from ensuring the right mix of soft and technical skills (64%) to hiring fast (58%) and finding candidates who are the right culture fit (54%). To meet these shifting demands, 69% of Indian recruiters are now using data analytics to make informed hiring decisions and 63% are using AI tools to improve hiring speed and accuracy.

Ruchee Anand, Head of LinkedIn Talent Solutions in India says, “With the pressure to hire quickly, many recruiters cast the net wide but not deep, choosing volume over precision. But hiring today demands more. Recruiters need tools that help them find skilled talent who can drive real business outcomes. The opportunity lies in using AI and data to shift from quick-fill roles to high-impact hires. Our latest research shows that over half (53%) of recruiters in India already see stronger returns from platforms like LinkedIn, as they shift focus to skills like problem-solving, creativity, and leadership. This marks a clear step forward in how India hires - with precision, purpose, and long-term value in mind.”

Hiring ROI in India is now defined by quality and revenue, not just speed

Nearly 3 in 4 HR professionals in India say their organisations complete hiring within two to four weeks. But quality of hire has become the most important measure of success, cited by 72% of recruiters, followed by time to hire (60%) and revenue per employee (59%).

Recruiters say delays in the process result in losing top candidates to faster competitors (58%), higher workload pressure on teams (64%), and reduced productivity and morale (63%). The most common causes of delay are structural: lengthy approval processes (58%) and indecision among hiring managers (56%).

Recruiters are evolving into strategic career advisors as AI boosts efficiency

Recruiters are using AI to save time by automating manual tasks and enhancing productivity. 45% say AI increases efficiency, and 42% say that by taking off repetitive tasks off their plate, it helps them focus on higher value activities such as on stakeholder alignment and candidate experience.

As AI adoption grows, 90% percent of recruiters in India expect to step up as ‘strategic career advisors’ in their roles, and 92% plan to use personalised content and data insights to engage candidates more effectively. 

Sunil Chemmankotil, MD at Adecco India says, "We’re witnessing a fundamental transformation - not just in the talent pool, but in the very nature of roles themselves. As job functions converge and hybrid profiles become the standard, traditional job titles no longer capture the full scope of what candidates bring to the table. With advanced tools like LinkedIn Recruiter 2024, we can now decode roles into the core skills that truly matter. This allows us to identify adjacent talent that might have been overlooked in the past. In a dynamic market like India, this kind of AI-driven insight is not just helpful - it’s a strategic advantage.”

LinkedIn’s AI-powered tools are built to help recruiters hire quality candidates faster, with higher response rates 

As recruiters face rising pressure to move faster without compromising on quality, LinkedIn’s AI-powered tools are designed to deliver results that matter. 

Recruiter 2024, LinkedIn’s first generative AI hiring experience, is already helping hirers connect with qualified candidates more effectively, with AI-assisted messages seeing 44% higher acceptance rates and being responded to 11% faster than standard outreach globally. 

LinkedIn's first AI agent Hiring Assistant automates repetitive tasks like sourcing and screening, freeing up recruiters to focus on their most impactful work and strategic priorities like advising hiring managers, interviewing candidates and assessing candidate fit, and building stronger talent pipelines. 

Methodology

LinkedIn commissioned YouGov to survey 1300 HR professionals who have been involved in recruitment over the past six months. The survey was conducted in May 2025  across 10 Indian cities -- Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune -- with HR professionals between 25-65 years of age to ensure representation across seniority levels. 

About LinkedIn

LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful and transforms the way companies hire, learn, market, and sell. Our vision is to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce through the ongoing development of the world’s first Economic Graph. LinkedIn has 1 billion members and offices around the globe. www.linkedin.com / mobile.linkedin.com.

Rentelo – Revolutionizing Urban Mobility, One Ride At A Time


Rentelo, one of Bengaluru’s fastest-growing rental mobility brands, proudly announces its bold entry into the electric vehicle (EV) segment. With an initial fleet of 50+ electric two-wheelers now operational across the city, Rentelo is accelerating toward a cleaner, more inclusive urban mobility ecosystem.

Backed by strategic procurement from ATHER ENERGY LIMITED through it authorized dealer SCOOTERMAN AUTOMOTIVE PVT LTD  located @ Hennur-Kengeri-Nelmangala-Ramanagara-Bidadi-Chanpatana-Kankapura and growing.

Rentelo plans to scale up to a fleet of 1,500+ EVs over the next two years. This transition positions Rentelo as a comprehensive mobility partner for all customer segments, with a clear focus on electric, sustainable transportation.

Speaking at the launch Waseem Syed, Founder & CEO  Said,   “As we expand across Bengaluru and beyond, Rentelo invites users, partners, and businesses to join the electric mobility revolution. With accessibility, sustainability, and customer experience at our core, Rentelo is committed to redefining how cities move.Mobility should be electric, inclusive, and intelligent. At Rentelo, we’re building India’s most customer-friendly EV rental ecosystem—for today and tomorrow.”

Our Vision: Mobility for All, Powered by Choice

Rentelo is more than a rental company — it’s a mobility ecosystem. Whether it's electric scooters, electric bikes, EV cars, or delivery-focused electric vehicles, our platform offers flexibility, affordability, and variety to suit every urban need. Our mission is simple:

“Bring mobility to every doorstep — sustainable, diverse, and dependable.”

We aim to become the one-stop brand for personal EV rides, business logistics, and partner-driven delivery solutions, all under the Rentelo banner.

Fleet and Future Plans

Our growing inventory includes:

Electric two-wheelers (Ather 450X, 450S, etc.)

Electric cars (Coming Soon)

Delivery-focused EVs and smart urban vehicles

By 2027, we plan to scale our operational fleet to 5,000+ electric vehicles, focused on:

B2C rentals (commuters, travelers, students)

B2B fleet leasing (last-mile delivery, gig partners)

Multi-modal, app-driven booking and tracking

Green Commitment

In partnership with Ather Energy Limited, Rentelo is actively building a 100% electric fleet. With lower emissions, lower operational costs, and zero noise pollution, EVs are the cornerstone of our long-term strategy.

“We’re not just adopting EVs—we’re building an ecosystem where every ride contributes to a cleaner city.”

Mobility Meets Delivery

Rentelo’s fleet powers logistics and delivery networks through strategic partnerships. We are enabling:

Last-mile delivery for e-commerce and food tech platforms

Quick-commerce operations with high-availability EVs

Fleet outsourcing for logistics firms, offering scale with ease

Why Rentelo?

* Zero security deposit rentals

* Flexible daily, weekly & monthly plans

* 24/7 support via phone, app, and WhatsApp

* All-electric fleet across personal and commercial categories

* Future-ready: Delivery + Personal + Fleet Mobility

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