Ranju Alex of Marriott International Honored with Bharat Gaurav Award 2025 for Exemplary Leadership

Marriott International is delighted to announce that Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia has been conferred the Bharat Gaurav Award 2025, at a stellar ceremony hosted at the House of Commons, British Parliament in London. This national level honor recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions towards nation building through their professional excellence and personal integrity. This award comes with a legacy of esteemed awardees such as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Gaur Gopal Das, and Indra Nooyi.

Held annually, the Bharat Gaurav Awards celebrates those who exemplify leadership, innovation, and commitment to societal impact. This year, Ranju was recognized not only for her stellar contribution to the hospitality sector but also for her unwavering focus on diversity, inclusion and people-first leadership.

 

With almost three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Ranju has played a pivotal role in shaping Marriott International’s South Asia portfolio, leading with the mantra -‘Pursuit of excellence with humility in leadership’. She has consistently broken barriers and set benchmarks as one of the few women leaders in the hospitality sector, inspiring future generations with her strategic vision, empathic leadership, and steadfast advocacy for gender equity in the workplace.

 

A true change-maker, Ranju has led several pathbreaking initiatives aimed at cultivating a more inclusive and equitable workplace. Among these is Project Pranita, an industry-first initiative launched under her guidance to increase the representation of women in leadership roles across Marriott hotels in India. The program focuses on structured mentorship, upskilling, and career acceleration for women associates, resulting in a tangible rise in women leaders within the organization.

 

In addition, she has championed a number of employee-led initiatives that celebrate cultural diversity, promote inclusion, and support the hiring and integration of persons with disabilities. Her deep belief in inclusive hospitality goes beyond policy—it is embedded in the way teams are built, voices are heard, and opportunities are created at every level of the organization.

 

Sharing her thoughts Ranju Alex commented- “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the Bharat Gaurav Award 2025. To me this recognition is not just a personal milestone but a powerful affirmation of the values we hold dear at Marriott International where we put people first, nurture young talent, and drive inclusive growth. I dedicate this award to every individual and team I have had the privilege to lead and learn from, and to every woman who dares to dream beyond limitations. At Marriott, we believe in creating spaces that are not only exceptional but inclusive and this award reaffirms that belief”.

 

Under her leadership, Marriott International’s South Asia portfolio has expanded its footprint while continuing to champion employee well-being, sustainable practices, and inclusive growth values that reflect the very essence of the Bharat Gaurav Awards. As a champion of diversity, Ranju Alex’s recognition comes at a time when industries across India are seeking stronger, more empathetic leaders who can drive purpose led growth and lasting change.

Kinetic Green announces aggressive expansion of its E2W business with Born Electric range of scooters

* Buoyed by success of its E-Luna, Kinetic Green announces launch of three Born Electric scooter models over the next 18 months, starting with a stylish family scooter this festive season~ 

Reinforcing its leadership, Kinetic Green, India’s premier Electric two and three-wheeler manufacturer has today detailed an aggressive growth roadmap for its electric two-wheeler business. Bolstered by the resounding success of its iconic E-Luna, launched a year ago, the company is now gearing up to launch three high performance Born-Electric scooters over the next 18 months that are poised to blend global design finesse with robust Indian engineering.

 

The first model in this exciting new expansion is a premium, stylish, and tech-forward family scooter, set to launch before the festive season of 2025. With a host of state-of-the-art features, the E2W is thoughtfully designed to blend timeless retro-aesthetics with ultimate convenience for the users. It will be equipped with a vibrant TFT display, advanced IoT capabilities, and an intelligent digital platform co-developed with Jio Things, ensuring a connected and seamless riding experience. Offered in multiple battery variants and backed by fast-charging technology, this E-scooter is thoughtfully designed to meet a wide range of consumer preferences and budget segments.

 

Taking its design game a notch higher, Kinetic Green has partnered with Torino Design, the legendary global design house based in Italy, to co-create a new range of ultra-futuristic scooters. These next-generation models will feature radical styling based on the Born Electric design philosophy signalling a new direction in mobility design and lifestyle. The design language is intended to create a disruptive elegance and be trend setting and youthful.

At the same time, the vehicle engineering and detailing will be based on a unique philosophy coined by the company as “Thoughtful Engineering.” This philosophy ensures a synergy of intelligent design, advanced IoT-based connectivity, and various features aimed at ultimate comfort, convenience, and safety, creating a new benchmark in electric mobility. At the heart of this vision lies the unparalleled legacy of Kinetic Group, which has shaped the evolution of scooters in India for decades. Kinetic Green is drawing on its rich heritage and deep consumer insights to develop products that not only elevate design but also redefine utility and performance in the era of electric mobility. The E-scooters being designed in partnership with Torino Design are expected to hit the market next year.

 

Speaking on the announcement, Dr Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO of Kinetic Green, said: " We are truly excited about our upcoming range of Born-Electric scooters from the house of Kinetic Green. With over a decade of experience in the EV space, we have built deep expertise in electric mobility design and engineering, backed by robust EV R&D and strategic partnerships for fast charging, battery swapping, and proprietary software-driven platform solutions.  We are greatly enthused by the success of our E-Luna and E-scooters recently launched in India. Having sold over 80,000 E2W in this initial phase, created a strong manufacturing infrastructure and a network of 400 exclusive dealers for E2W in the country, we are ready to aggressively expand our E2W business. Now with our design alliance with Torino Design of Italy, a global leader in design and engineering, we aim to re-define electric scooters in the coming months. With foundation built on 'Thoughtful Engineering,' our upcoming scooters will sport a fresh and futuristic styling language, incorporating innovation and a purpose to offer a delightful ownership experience to our customers.”

 

Kinetic Green has been at the forefront of India’s electric vehicle revolution. It began its EV journey in 2016 with a range of “Make in India” electric three-wheelers.  In 2022, Kinetic Green entered the two-wheeler space and launched its iconic E-Luna in 2024. The E-Luna has seen remarkable success across both B2C and B2B segments, standing out as the only EV suited for both personal and commercial use, across urban and rural India.

Encouraged by this response, Kinetic Green is now on an ambitious path to expand its electric two-wheeler portfolio blending its rich legacy with future-ready innovation, design, and technology.

 

The move by Kinetic Green of an aggressive expansion of the E2W business comes at the right time when the country is witnessing increasing adoption of electric scooters. During 2024-25 1.15Mn E2W were sold in India, 1.03Mn (~90%) out of them were E-scooters. The E-scooter market is expected to scale rapidly in India over the next 5 years, with increased E-scooter penetration expected to grow from 15% to 70%*. It is expected that by 2030, the size of the E-scooter market in India will be Rs. 40,000 Crores. Kinetic Green is well positioned to tap this opportunity with its EV R&D and engineering expertise, deep insights into Indian EV consumers, a strong manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem, the well regarded Kinetic Green legacy brand and nationwide dealership network. The differentiated E-Luna along with the range of E-scooters will position the company to tap into this opportunity comprehensively and aggressively.

 

About Kinetic Green:

Kinetic Green is one of the leading players in India’s electric vehicle sector, offering a wide range of electric 3-wheelers and electric 2-wheelers – manufactured in a state-of-the-art production facility near Pune, Maharashtra to advance green mobility solutions aimed at India and global markets.

 

Helmed by Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, a third-generation scion of the Firodia family, Kinetic Green is dedicated to building a robust pan-India EV ecosystem and developing sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions, with a vision to democratise electric mobility, and to bring EVs to the mainstream- accessible to not just the classes, but to the masses

 

Kinetic Green has formed a Joint Venture with the world’s leading luxury brand, Tonino Lamborghini of Italy, to develop a range of Electric Golf Carts and Lifestyle Carts for the global markets. To fuel its aggressive growth plans, the company recently secured $25 million in its Series A funding round from UK based PE fund, Greater Pacific Capital and is in the process to raise another $30 million.

 

About Torino Design

Established in November 2005 by Roberto Piatti, TORINO DESIGN is a leading automotive styling and engineering consultancy based in Turin, Italy. With a focus on creative development, high-knowledge skills, and a strong global network, the company has successfully completed over 500 design projects for more than 30 top automotive OEMs worldwide. TORINO DESIGN specializes in styling, 3D modeling, and feasibility engineering, and offers comprehensive project coordination from concept to prototype, particularly excelling in emerging markets.

FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Serial Entrepreneur Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs

FES Cafe, India’s first scalable dessert-led Cafe chain, has raised Rs 3 crores in a seed round led by serial entrepreneur Aakash Anand and his venture studio Wolfpack Labs, known for backing high-growth consumer brands. The capital will fuel FES’s aggressive expansion, including its much-awaited entry into Delhi this July, and accelerate its vision of building a national, dessert-first Cafe brand rooted in culture, community, and indulgence, with plans to scale to 100+ locations by FY 2027.

With a 100% eggless menu and a dessert-first approach, FES is reimagining India’s Cafe culture. The brand has become a go-to destination for freshly baked cookies, whipped puddings, alternative-ingredient cakes, innovative seasonal desserts, and scrumptious savoury options, all served in a vibrant third space designed for Gen Zs and Millennials to vibe, work, hang, and connect. Signature experiences like Coffee Raves, Dessert of the Month drops, and limited-edition menus keep the community engaged and coming back for more.

 Since its launch, FES has seen explosive growth, recording:

• 3X revenue growth in the first 3 months

• 29.8% store-level EBITDA by Month 4

• 347% surge in delivery revenue over 90 days

• 10,000+ monthly orders as of June 2025

• EBITDA-positive in just four months at the company level.

• Higher-than-industry-standard revenue per square foot, driven by operational efficiency and strong repeat rates

“FES was born out of one belief: desserts deserve better,” said Vidur Mayor, Founder & CEO, FES Cafe. “For decades, desserts have been an afterthought in India’s Cafes. We wanted to flip the script, to put gooey cookies, innovative sweets, and indulgence right at the center of culture. With Wolfpack’s backing, we’re building not just a Cafe chain, but a national network of dessert-first third spaces,  powered by community, creativity, and a whole lot of freshly baked joy.”

In addition to capital, Wolfpack Labs brings strategic expertise across product innovation, franchising frameworks, operations, and brand building.

“FES is building what India’s been waiting for: a true community Cafe brand with the buzz of a Central Perk (F.R.I.E.N.D.S show) and the business rigor to back it up,” said Aakash Anand, Lead investor, Wolfpack Labs. “From coffee raves to cult desserts, FES has all the right ingredients: a relatable brand, a loyal following, solid unit economics, and a founder with the hustle to scale nationwide.”

“We’re backing FES because it understands what the next generation wants: a space that’s inclusive, indulgent, and social,” added Prerna Gupta, Founding Partner, Wolfpack Labs. “This is a brand that can grow fast and still feel personal, a rare and powerful combination.”

What’s Next:

• Delhi debut this July, marking FES’s first Cafe in the capital.

• Second Gurgaon outlet opening in a leading corporate park in September 2025

• Jaipur launch scheduled for December 2025

• On track to open 100+ stores by FY 2027 across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities

• Rolling out a hybrid COCO + FICO model

• Delivery-first hubs and packaged dessert formats in development to extend reach beyond physical Cafes.

About FES Cafe

Founded by Vidur Mayor, FES Cafe is India’s first 100% eggless dessert Cafe chain, built around indulgence, innovation, and connection. Designed as modern third spaces for young India, FES brings together freshly baked cookies, whipped puddings, alternative-ingredient cakes, innovative seasonal desserts, scrumptious savoury options and rotating dessert drops, retro arcade corners, and community-driven formats like Coffee Raves to create a one-of-a-kind Cafe culture.

Instagram: @fescafe_desserts | Website: fescafe.in

About Wolfpack Labs

Wolfpack Labs is a venture studio and startup lab supporting India’s next generation of founders. With a hands-on, founder-first approach, the firm provides more than capital, offering deep operational support across product, design, brand, and growth. Focused on building culturally relevant and enduring companies, Wolfpack Labs partners with early-stage startups to drive long-term impact and category-defining success. In parallel, it also works with select companies as a brand-building partner, shaping strategy, identity, and scale from the ground up.

Instagram: @wolfpacklabs.vc | Website: wolfpacklabs.vc

MasterChef India Winner Chef Ashiq Curates "Mungaru Mangaluru" Pop-Up at Ishaara, Phoenix Mall of Asia

Ishaara, Bengaluru's modern Indian dining destination at Phoenix Mall of Asia, is set to host an exclusive culinary pop-up: MUNGARU MANGALURU from this week. Curated by MasterChef India Season 8 winner, Chef Mohammed Ashiq, this event invites guests to experience the rich coastal kitchens of Karnataka. Ishaara, known for its tropical aesthetics and inclusive team, provides the perfect backdrop for this special culinary journey.

“Mungaru Mangaluru,” meaning Mangalore & Monsoons, is a limited-edition gastronomic journey that pays heartfelt tribute to the rich culinary heritage of Mangalore. Inspired by nostalgic Sunday feasts, grandmother’s recipes, and the warmth of home-cooked coastal meals, each dish is an ode to the region’s soulful traditions.

 

Chef Mohammed Ashiq, a self-taught culinary artist from Mangalore, brings his signature blend of bold flavours, refined plating, and deep emotional storytelling to every dish. Guests can expect beautifully crafted plates, soul-stirring flavours, and stories that evoke memories — making this a monsoon dining experience like no other.

 

Come, savour the rains, the roots, and the rich flavours of Mangalore — one soulful plate at a time. Do not miss the chance to be part of this culinary journey, starting at Ishaara, Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bangalore.

 

Event Details: 

Event: MUNGAARU MANGALURU

Location: Ishaara – 3rd Floor, Phoenix Mall of Asia – Bangalore North.

Date – 9th July Onwards

Time: 12:00 PM Onwards

Entry: Reservation – 93536 45965 / 97424 78792

Fly More, Earn More: Kotak and IndiGo Relaunch Co-Branded Credit Cards powered by IndiGo BluChips

Love to travel? Now your everyday spending can take you places! Kotak Mahindra Bank and IndiGo have teamed up to relaunch an exciting suite of co-branded credit cards –powered by IndiGo Airlines’ brand-new loyalty program, IndiGo BluChip.

Whether you're a frequent flyer or just planning your next getaway, these cards are designed to daily expenses into travel rewards.

Two Cards, One Goal – Smarter Travel

Choose the card that fits your lifestyle:

*   IndiGo Kotak Credit Card – Perfect for everyday users seeking travel benefits with daily convenience. Customer can earn over 30,000 BluChips on spending ₹6 lacs annually including Milestones, accelerated rewards on travel, dining, entertainment, and more.

*    IndiGo Kotak Premium Credit Card – Tailored for frequent flyers, this card offers over 70,000 BluChips on annual spends over ₹12 lacs, turning your daily spends into return tickets to your favourite holiday destinations.

Ashok Vaswani, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said:
“At Kotak, we are proud to deepen our longstanding partnership with IndiGo, an airline that has redefined travel for millions of Indians. This collaboration is built around a shared vision, to make everyday banking more rewarding and travel more accessible. Through these co-branded credit cards, we are giving our customers a simple, powerful way to turn daily spends into memorable journeys.”

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said: "Through IndiGo BluChip, we strive to offer unmatched loyalty benefits to our loyal customers and this partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank is an integral part of our endeavour. This partnership empowers our customers to earn IndiGo BluChips on their everyday spending and redeem them seamlessly on flights across our domestic and international network. As IndiGo spreads its wings across the globe, we are sure that customers appreciate and enjoy the benefits of these credit cards as they travel across the globe with us.”

• Ready to Take Off?

Getting started is easy:

1.       Apply online via the official link.

2.       Activate your card through Kotak’s app or website.

3.       Start spending and watch your BluChips grow!

Turn your daily expenses into unforgettable travel experiences. Learn more and apply here: https://www.goindigo.in/loyalty/partners/kotak-mahindra-bank-credit-card.html

Tourism New Zealand partners with Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa as Brand advocates, inviting Indians to experience New Zealand

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  The campaign’s evocative mini-series takes a refreshing approach to travel through the couple’s authentic discovery of Aotearoa New Zealand

 

Tourism New Zealand today unveiled its new campaign, #BeyondTheFilter, starring celebrated actors and real-life couple Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa. Set against the breathtaking, raw beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand, #BeyondTheFilter invites Indian travellers seeking more than a holiday, but a feeling of completeness, rejuvenation and discovery

 

In an era where travel is often reduced to perfectly curated Instagram posts and heavily filtered content, #BeyondTheFilter offers a refreshing alternative. The campaign addresses the growing fatigue among Indian travelers with manufactured 'Instagram-worthy' moments, instead celebrating genuine experiences that need no enhancement.

 

In the campaign’s cinematic mini-series, filmed across New Zealand’s North Island, Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa embark on a journey which is both visually captivating and emotionally enriching. From finding serendipity within the ancient Sanctuary Mountain and turning up the thrill along Auckland's pristine waters and Taupō’s majestic skies, to embracing the powerful expression of manaakitanga and whānaungatanga (Deeply-rooted expression of Māori hospitality and  kinship) at The Haka Shop, the couple shed their inhibitions as they experienced parts of New Zealand’s North Island in its most raw and authentic form.

 

“Travel for us has always been about connection — with each other, with nature, and with people we meet along the way. New Zealand gave us that and so much more, making our time together truly unforgettable”, said actor Rajkummar Rao.

 

"In a world where we're constantly curating our lives for social media, New Zealand gave us permission to just be present. The experiences were so beautiful and genuine, we found ourselves putting our phones down and simply living in the moment," said Patralekhaa.

 

As Indian audiences increasingly seek escape from digital pressure and crave authentic connections over manufactured moments, New Zealand emerges a strong antidote.  Ancient forests, majestic coastlines, and towering mountains breathe to life through the vibrancy of New Zealand’s people yielding unparalleled experiences that social media simply cannot capture or emulate.

 

“We’re seeing a strong shift among Indian travellers toward experiences that are personal, present, and emotionally meaningful, and New Zealand is uniquely positioned  to meet this growing demand. #BeyondTheFilter is part of our continued commitment to showcase New Zealand as more than just a beautiful destination — it’s a place where culture, nature, and connection come together to offer something truly enriching”, said Gregg Wafelbakker, Regional Director Asia, Tourism New Zealand. “Rajkummar and Patralekhaa bring this message to life with their honesty and relatability. Their love for mindful travel and grounded presence make them the ideal voices for a campaign that encourages Indian travellers to embrace what’s real, heartfelt, and 100% unfiltered”.

 

The mini-series will be released in phases on newzealand.com/in and owned channels; with advertising campaigns going live across digital channels and social platforms. Watch the first episode of the mini-series here: http://www.newzealand.com/beyondthefilter and here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG6IC2i5BIk5UUeDGbvnXGH3SjJMI2-_K along with the 60 second brand film

 

Whether you are planning your next escape or simply dreaming of one, #BeyondTheFilter is an invitation to experience Aotearoa New Zealand not through a screen, but with your whole heart — where the most beautiful moments are the ones you live, not the ones you post.