Ambuja Cements drives holistic school transformation In Nawangram, Nalagarh

· Ambuja Cements strengthened infrastructure and academic quality at schools including GSSS and GPS Nawangram in Solan district.

· Initiatives included new classrooms, science lab, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, sports programs, and After School Program (ASP).

· The intervention improved learning outcomes, sports participation, hygiene practices, and community involvement.

Ambuja Cements, the 9th largest building materials solutions provider globally and part of the diversified Adani Portfolio, has strengthened education infrastructure and student development at Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) and Government Primary School (GPS) Nawangram in Nalagarh, Solan district as part of its CSR initiatives.

Nawangram, a village of 1,399 residents, earlier faced infrastructure gaps, water scarcity, limited transport access, and low higher education progression. GSSS (213 students) and GPS (60 students) required improved facilities and structured student engagement.

Ambuja Cements supported construction of upgraded classrooms up to Class 12 (Arts stream), developed playgrounds, soak pits, boundary walls, entrance gates, handwash stations, toilets with water supply, a water cooler, a well-equipped science lab, BaLA artwork, and solar lighting for after-school use.

Academic enrichment included STEM sessions, reading promotion programs, WASH and 5S awareness, safety workshops, and cultural activities. A GPS student successfully qualified for Navodaya Vidyalaya, reflecting strengthened academic foundations.

Through the After School Program (ASP) and support to Azad Youth Sports Club, 40 students received professional Kabaddi coaching, leading to active participation in Panchayat, zonal, district, and state-level tournaments. The initiative improved discipline, fitness, and helped reduce youth engagement in harmful habits.

With active involvement of School Management Committees, parents, and teachers, both schools have witnessed improved attendance, motivation, cleanliness, and overall learning environment, creating a sustainable model for rural education development.

International Gemological Institute (IGI) Joins Forces With Gujarat Titans As Official Certification Partner

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has partnered with Gujarat Titans (GT) for the current edition of the Indian T20 League. The association is part of IGI’s ongoing effort to strengthen consumer awareness, transparency, and responsible decision-making in the jewelry industry. By leveraging the scale and influence of the Gujarat Titans, IGI aims to make diamond certification more accessible and relevant to a wider audience.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Tehmasp Printer, Global CEO, IGI, said, “Just as cricket relies on DRS to ensure every decision is accurate and beyond doubt, IGI brings that same standard of independent review to every diamond it certifies. The 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color, form the foundation of our work, enabling transparency and trust. Gujarat Titans reflect the same discipline, consistency and pursuit of excellence that sit at the core of IGI. Through this partnership, we intend to reach a wider audience and reinforce the importance of informed, confident decision-making in diamond and precious gemstone purchases.”

Speaking on the occasion, Colonel Arvinder Singh, COO, Gujarat Titans, said, “We are very happy to partner with the International Gemological Institute. Gujarat has always been closely linked with craftsmanship, precision and a strong legacy of excellence, and this association reflects a shared commitment to these values. At Gujarat Titans, we look to collaborate with partners who stand for trust, integrity and consistency in their domain. For Gujarat Titans, this partnership further strengthens our endeavour to align with like-minded organizations as we continue to build a purpose-driven and high-performance ecosystem around the team.”

As an associate partner, IGI’s logo will be visible on the Gujarat Titans uniform throughout the season.

A Joyful Easter Brunch at Machan, Taj West End, Bengaluru

Celebrate the spirit of Easter with warmth and indulgence at Machan, Taj West End, Bengaluru, as it presents a specially curated Brunch set amidst the hotel’s lush, tranquil surroundings. On Sunday, 5th April 2026, guests are invited to savour a refined afternoon that brings together seasonal flavours, festive charm, and thoughtful experiences designed for all ages.

The menu showcases egg-inspired classics and spring-forward creations, beginning with a delightful Devilled Eggs Trio, alongside elegant starters such as smoked salmon with dill crème fraiche and vibrant seasonal salads. Signature highlights include indulgent favourites like Easter Egg Benedict, shakshuka with feta and herbs, truffle scrambled eggs, and spinach & ricotta mini quiches — each crafted with finesse and a celebration of seasonal produce.

The experience concludes on a festive note with an array of desserts, including chocolate Easter egg nests, hot cross buns, carrot cake, lemon tartlets, and playful Easter-themed treats. Adding to the charm are interactive elements such as live egg painting, a chocolate egg display, and pastel-inspired décor, creating a lively and family-friendly atmosphere.

Venue: Machan, Taj West End, Bengaluru
Date: Sunday, 5th April 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Reservations: +91 80666 05660

A celebration of flavour, festivity, and togetherness, the Easter Brunch at Machan promises a memorable afternoon in the timeless elegance of Taj West End.   

A Decade Of Distinction: Taj Bangalore Honoured As ‘Best Airport Hotel In India And South Asia’ At Skytrax 2026 Awards

* As Taj Bangalore, Bengaluru marks 10 years of excellence, the iconic airport hotel once again earns global recognition at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards 

Taj Bangalore, Bengaluru has once again been recognised as the Best Airport Hotel in India and South Asia at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2026, marking its second consecutive win at one of the most respected global benchmarks in airport hospitality.

This recognition comes at a particularly meaningful moment as Taj Bangalore, Bengaluru has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The hotel has established itself as a preferred destination for international travellers, business leaders, and discerning guests, known for its seamless service, refined hospitality, and exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of Tajness.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Mohit Gurnani, General Manager – Taj Bangalore, Bengaluru, said: “Receiving the Skytrax recognition for the second consecutive year is an immense honour for us. Taj Bangalore, Bengaluru has grown into a distinguished hospitality destination, welcoming guests from across the world while continuing to uphold the values and service excellence that define the Taj legacy. This recognition is a tribute to the dedication and passion of our team, whose commitment to delivering thoughtful and intuitive service remains at the heart of every guest experience.”

The 370-key hotel is also widely recognised as a preferred venue for meetings, conferences, and large-scale events, with expansive venues that regularly host corporate conventions, international delegations, and high-profile celebrations. Strategically located adjacent to Kempegowda International Airport, the property offers a seamless setting for business gatherings and global travellers alike. Complementing its contemporary architectural character and thoughtfully designed spaces, the hotel delivers an experience defined by efficiency, comfort, and understated luxury.

Its acclaimed restaurants and curated culinary experiences have also established the hotel as a sought-after dining destination, drawing both international travellers and Bengaluru’s discerning diners. From refined specialty cuisine to vibrant social dining experiences, the property continues to play an important role in the culinary and social landscape of North Bengaluru.

Established in 1999, the World Airport Awards are widely regarded as the gold standard for excellence in the global airport industry. Conducted by UK-based Skytrax, the awards serve as a definitive benchmark for quality, evaluating customer service and facilities across more than 500 airports and airport hotels worldwide.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Opens New Showroom In KR Puram, Bengaluru

Malabar Gold & Diamonds today opened its new showroom in KR Puram, Bengaluru, further strengthening its presence in one of the country’s most established urban jewellery markets. With this launch, the brand’s network has expanded to 24 showrooms in Bengaluru and 46 showrooms across the Karnataka & Goa region.

The showroom was inaugurated on Saturday 4:30 PM by cine actress Srinidhi Shetty, in the presence of Mr. Filsor Babu, Regional Head - Karnataka, of senior leadership from Malabar Gold & Diamonds, invited guests, and members of the local community.

The KR Puram showroom has been designed to offer a structured and comfortable retail environment, with a layout that supports easy navigation, clear product display, and personalised customer assistance. Developed in line with Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ global retail standards, the showroom brings together an extensive range of jewellery across gold, diamonds, platinum, and precious gemstones, addressing both traditional and contemporary preferences. Additionally, Malabar Gold & Diamonds is offering customers special exclusive offers. These include up to 40% off on making charges of all gold, uncut, and gemstone jewellery, up to 30% off on diamond value, this offer valid till 31st March, 2026 , Free silver coin with Akshaya Tritiya advance booking at 10% onwards, 0% deduction on old gold exchange, sell your old gold to get maximum cash value & assured same-day payment (*T&C Apply)

The showroom showcases a comprehensive assortment spanning bridal jewellery, occasion-led collections, festive wear, everyday designs, and contemporary styles. Signature collections across diamonds, uncut diamonds, gemstones, handcrafted gold, and polki jewellery are available, reflecting a balance between craftsmanship, design detailing, and evolving customer preferences.

Commenting on the launch, M. P. Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar Group, said, “Bengaluru is a market where jewellery buying spans both everyday use and occasion-led purchases, with a clear focus on design, quality, and ease of experience. KR Puram has seen steady residential growth, and this showroom allows us to serve that demand with wider collections and a retail environment that is structured, accessible, and consistent.”

Customers visiting the showroom will benefit from Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ customer-first practices, including transparent pricing, detailed product disclosure, HUID-compliant gold, certified diamonds, and the One India One Gold Rate policy, ensuring uniform gold pricing across the country.

With this launch, Malabar Gold & Diamonds continues to deepen its presence across Bengaluru’s expanding neighbourhoods, aligning its retail format to local buying behaviour while maintaining consistent standards of quality, transparency, and service.

About Malabar Gold & Diamonds:

Malabar Gold & Diamonds was established in 1993 and is the flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading diversified Indian business conglomerate.

With an annual turnover of $7.36 billion, the company currently ranks as the 5th largest jewellery retailer globally and operates over 425 showrooms across 14 countries, supported by offices, design centres, wholesale units, and manufacturing facilities across India, the Middle East, the Far East, the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The group, owned by more than 3,500 shareholders, has over 27,500 professionals from more than 26 countries.

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) remains a core commitment of the Group, with focus areas including health, housing, hunger eradication, education, environment, and women empowerment. The Group contributes five percent of its profits to social responsibility initiatives in the same country of operation.

Netafim Introduces “5th Gen AI-Enabled Automated Dosing Machines” To Power The Future Of Smart Fertigation

Next generation of ultra-precise dosing solutions uses AI to help farmers optimize resource use, reduce costs, protect crop quality and yield

Netafim, Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business, the global leader in precision irrigation solutions, announced the launch of its “5th Generation AI-Enabled Automated Dosing 5G product range”. The new range is designed to enable optimal fertigation management through advanced AI-powered automated dosing technology, along with intuitive remote control and monitoring capabilities. The suite of updated dosing products includes FertiKit™ 5G, FertiOne™ 5G, NetaJet™ 5G and NetaFlex™ 5G.

The Dosing 5G range by Netafim brings together advanced nutrient management technology and a simple, farmer-friendly design. Built for both open-field crops and protected cultivation, the system uses self-learning AI to precisely regulate nutrient delivery based on crop requirements, ensuring balanced application that enhances yield and improves crop quality while preventing overuse. By optimizing fertilizer, water and energy consumption, Dosing 5G lowers input costs and reduces operational effort, while promoting responsible farming practices. It also helps minimize nutrient runoff and groundwater contamination, supporting long-term soil and water sustainability. The complete Dosing 5G portfolio integrates seamlessly with GrowSphere, Netafim’s all-in-one digital platform, allowing growers to plan, monitor and manage irrigation and fertigation through a single interface. With customizable multi-channel control, farmers benefit from greater precision and automation across the entire crop cycle — from planting to harvest.

Mr. Vikas Sonawane, Chief Operating Officer at Netafim Irrigation India Pvt Ltd, said that “Farmers in India face rising input costs, water scarcity, inconsistent nutrient dosing and limited real-time visibility, often leading to wastage, uneven crop growth and lower profitability. Addressing these challenges, Netafim has introduced Dosing 5G. “This AI-powered solution brings precision, automation and remote monitoring to fertigation management, ensuring optimal nutrient delivery with minimal manual effort. By improving dosing accuracy and water-use efficiency, it helps enhance crop quality, strengthen farm profitability and support sustainable water management, enabling Indian farmers to make every drop and nutrient count.”

The Dosing 5G Product Range Includes:

FertiKit™ 5G - A highly flexible and customizable fertigation dosing system designed specifically for open fields or orchards with nine models that can be configured by dosing type, channels, flow, pressure range, tank setup (even acid), energy source and water source to match setup and budget.

FertiOne™ 5G - A simple and effective solution for bulk fertigation, featuring a single-channel dosing system for even application and a fast, plug-and-play installation.

NetaJet™ 5G - An ultra-responsive EC/pH stabilization for sensitive crops or short irrigation cycles with adaptive dosing control, requiring no manual calibration or expert intervention.

NetaFlex™ 5G - An advanced uniform fertigation dosing system that uses an open tank mixing system for accurate fertilizer application and features ultra-precise stabilization powered by EC/pH dual sensors.

Dosing 5G solutions have already been deployed, with early results already demonstrating significant improvements in customer experience and efficiency. These findings validate the system as a powerful solution for achieving higher yields, better-quality crops, reduced nutrient runoff, and minimized environmental impact.

Hinduja Leyland Finance And Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Strengthen Partnership To Accelerate Two-Wheeler Ownership In India

Hinduja Leyland Finance Ltd. (HLF), a part of the prestigious Hinduja Group, is one of India’s leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), specialising in vehicle financing. With a strong presence across urban and rural markets supported by its extensive branch network, the company has built a reputation for customer-centric solutions, strong credit underwriting capabilities, digital enablement, and its ability to serve customers across diverse segments, fostering deep-rooted partnerships within the automotive ecosystem.

The collaboration with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) marks a strategic milestone in its continued commitment to enabling affordable and accessible two-wheeler ownership across the country. Through this partnership, customised financing solutions will be offered across Honda’s range of motorcycles and scooters, enabling customers to benefit from a seamless purchase experience supported by transparent, swift, and flexible loan options.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Sachin Pillai, MD & CEO, Hinduja Leyland Finance Ltd., said, “HMSI has been an integral part of our two-wheeler financing ecosystem, and this MoU marks a significant step in strengthening our market presence and expanding our reach across key markets. It enables us to further enhance access to mobility ownership through a wider and more integrated network. We expect this collaboration will play an important role in driving responsible growth, improving customer accessibility, and supporting the evolving mobility needs across the country. We see this as an opportunity to build a more robust and responsive financing ecosystem aligned to the changing expectations of customers.”

Mr. Mutsuo Usui, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “This partnership reflects our focus on improving access to mobility by making financing simpler and more inclusive. By working closely with Hinduja Leyland Finance, we aim to support customers with flexible solutions that enhance affordability and convenience, while expanding our reach in high-growth markets. Strong financing ecosystems remain essential to sustainable two-wheeler growth in India.”

Together, both organisations aim to further accelerate two-wheeler penetration across India, particularly in emerging markets, while delivering enhanced value and convenience to customers.