Memories Of China, Taj MG Road Bengaluru Brings Alive A Legacy On A Plate, One Timeless Dish At A Time

* Celebrating 40 Years of Bengaluru’s Iconic Dining Destination, with Chinese Culinary Maestro Chef Luo at the Helm

An enduring icon in Bengaluru’s fine dining landscape, Memories of China at Taj MG Road Bengaluru is where timeless elegance meets culinary authenticity. Nestled in the heart of the city, the restaurant has long been synonymous with sophisticated dining, impeccable service, and an atmosphere of quiet exclusivity that continues to draw discerning patrons from across Bengaluru.

Celebrating 40 remarkable years, Memories of China stands as a testament to enduring excellence and the art of authentic Chinese cuisine. For generations of diners, it has remained a destination where heritage recipes, elevated hospitality, and refined experiences come together seamlessly.

At the helm of this celebrated culinary institution is Chef Jinhong Luo (Chef Lou), Master Chinese Chef at Taj MG Road Bengaluru, whose expertise and passion continue to shape the restaurant’s legacy. With 26 years of culinary experience spanning China, India, and Nigeria, Chef Lou brings unparalleled depth of knowledge and craftsmanship to the table. Specializing in Schezwan, Cantonese, and Hunan cuisine, he combines a deep understanding of Chinese culinary traditions with thoughtful innovation tailored to evolving palates.

Chef Lou’s commitment to authenticity is reflected not only in technique, but also in his meticulous sourcing of ingredients and mastery of diverse Asian cooking methods — from precise knife skills to a nuanced understanding of regional flavours and textures. Under his stewardship, the menu remains true to its roots while being elevated with finesse.

From delicately handcrafted dim sums and flavourful stir-fries to signature preparations such as Peking Duck, Crispy Lamb, and indulgent seafood delicacies, every dish at Memories of China is rooted in tradition and presented with contemporary elegance — offering guests an immersive dining experience and a true legacy on a plate.

For many Bangaloreans, Memories of China has been more than a restaurant; it is a cherished institution woven into the city’s cultural and social fabric. From intimate celebrations and family gatherings to milestone occasions, it continues to be the destination of choice for those who seek exceptional flavours, timeless ambience, and an exclusive dining experience shaped by authenticity and enduring charm.

Timeless, iconic, and deeply connected to Bengaluru’s dining legacy, Memories of China continues to define the essence of luxury dining in the city.

Restaurant Timings:
Lunch: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM  

BitDelta India Launches Institutional-Grade Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) Infrastructure For The World's Largest Crypto Market

* FIU-IND registered VDA SP with Fireblocks MPC custody and AAA-rated security architecture enters India

BitDelta India, a security-first and user-centric virtual digital asset trading platform, today announced its official launch in India. Registered as a Virtual Digital Asset Service Provider (VDASP) with the Financial Intelligence Unit - India (FIU-IND), the company enters the market with a clear focus on enabling more secure, disciplined, and reliable participation.

India represents one of the largest and fastest-growing virtual digital asset markets globally, with an estimated 119 million registered users and a growing share of participation emerging from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. As the market evolves, there is a visible shift from access-driven adoption to trust-led participation, with users increasingly prioritising platform reliability, security, and governance.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Vikaas M Sachdeva, Chief Executive Officer - BitDelta India, said “India’s virtual digital asset market is moving into a more mature phase, where participation will increasingly be shaped by trust, structure, and long-term reliability. BitDelta India has been built for this shift, with a security-first architecture, disciplined infrastructure, and a compliance-led approach designed to enable users to engage with greater confidence over time.”

The exchange offers a unified, INR-native trading environment across spot and derivatives markets, powered by a high-performance, ultra-low latency matching engine designed to maintain stability during periods of market volatility. It supports API-based access for advanced users, structured onboarding for new participants, and 24/7 customer support focused on resolution and continuity.

At the core of BitDelta India is a multi-layered security architecture designed to meet institutional standards of asset protection and operational resilience. The platform integrates Fireblocks-powered MPC custody, cold storage infrastructure, multi-level authorisation controls, and real-time risk monitoring. Its security framework has been independently validated with an AAA rating by Hacken, along with ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, and globally aligned penetration testing.

Present in India for the launch, Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou, Group CEO – BitDelta, said, “Every financial category that matures concentrates trust around platforms that demonstrate dependability before conditions are favourable. India is entering that phase with one of the strongest participation foundations globally. As expectations shift from access to accountability, decisions around custody, security, transparency and governance become critical. BitDelta India has been built with that discipline at its core, combining institutional-grade infrastructure with globally benchmarked custody systems to support long-term, reliable participation in digital asset markets.”

Operating as an independently structured, India-focused entity, BitDelta India leverages BitDelta’s global digital asset expertise, enterprise-grade technology, and institutional-grade security infrastructure, while aligning its compliance and user experience with local market requirements.

With its India launch, BitDelta India is focused on building for the long term, with an approach that evolves in response to changing user expectations and market dynamics. The company aims to expand platform capabilities and enable more consistent, secure, and confident engagement with virtual digital assets. 

PNB Joins Hands With Kiwi To Expand Credit On UPI For 180 Million Customers

* Cashback on online transactions from 0.5% upto 1.5%

Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India’s leading public sector banks, announced a strategic partnership with Kiwi, a leading Credit on UPI platform, to introduce credit-enabled UPI payments to its 180 million customers.

As part of the collaboration, the bank launched the PNB Kiwi Credit Card on the RuPay network. The card offers fully digital onboarding, seamless UPI integration, and competitive rewards such as cashback on online transactions from 0.5% upto 1.5%, delivering a frictionless credit experience to users.

Speaking on the partnership, PNB Executive Director Shri Bibhu Prasad Mahapatra said, "India is witnessing a rapid shift towards digital payments, led by the growth of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). With over 10,000 branches—60% in semi-urban and rural regions—we are well positioned to extend formal credit to underserved segments. As RuPay credit cards gain momentum, our partnership with Kiwi marks a key step in enhancing financial flexibility and supporting everyday spending needs".

"This partnership reflects the trust of the one of nation's leading public sector bank in our journey to transform the way customers experience credit," said Siddharth Mehta, Co-founder, Kiwi. "Together, we aim to deliver a secure, flexible, and inclusive credit experience that strengthens access to formal credit nationwide."  

Amazon India To Invest Over INR 2800 Crore (~USD 300M) To Advance Associate Safety And Wellbeing Across Pan-India Operations Network

* Amazon to expand associate wellbeing programs, including further investment in Project Ashray, enhance medical and accident insurance, and enable access to government social security benefits for tens of thousands of associates and over 200,000 community members

* Amazon to extend its core and quick commerce network to enable safer, faster and more reliable deliveries across India in minutes, hours, and days

* This is part of the company’s broader plan to invest more than $35 billion in India by 2030, focusing on business expansion as well as three strategic pillars: AI-driven digitization, export growth, and job creation

Amazon India today announced that it plans to invest over INR 2800 crore (~USD 300M) to further strengthen associate safety, health, and financial wellbeing measures while strengthening one of India’s safest, fastest and most reliable operations network. This investment is part of the company’s broader plan to invest more than $35 billion in India by 2030, focusing on business expansion as well as three strategic pillars: AI-driven digitization, export growth, and job creation. Amazon will continue to expand both its core and quick commerce footprint to continue serving customers across India in minutes, hours, and days. This investment builds on the company’s INR 2000 crore (~USD 233M) investment in 2025, which enabled the launch of 17 new fulfillment centers, six sortation centers, and 75 last-mile delivery stations across India. In 2025, Amazon also launched its quick commerce offering, Amazon Now, and has since scaled it to over 300 micro-fulfillment centers across key cities to enable safer, faster deliveries.

“Since launching Amazon.in in 2013, we have built one of India’s safest, fastest, and most reliable operations networks, serving customers across every serviceable pin code in the country. At the heart of this network are our people, and we remain committed to raising the bar on associate safety, health, and financial wellbeing. This year, we are investing over INR 2800 crore (~USD 300 million) to further strengthen these efforts, while continuing to scale our operations network and advance the technology that enables faster, safer, and more reliable deliveries for customers. Our initiatives also align with national priorities such as Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, helping expand access to healthcare and financial inclusion for our associates,” said Abhinav Singh, VP - Operations, Amazon India and Australia.

Strengthening associate safety, health, and financial wellbeing

Amazon’s programs and initiatives for associates working across the network have long been aligned with several of the standards notified under the Labour Codes. This latest investment will further strengthen efforts focused on healthcare and financial security for tens of thousands of associates and partners. The efforts in 2026 include scaling Project Ashray to provide accessible rest facilities for delivery associates, expanding health and wellness programs such as Sushruta - a wide-ranging health and wellness program for long-haul truck drivers and their family members, along with new initiatives, while enabling access to preventive healthcare through nationwide medical camps. The company is also enhancing medical and accident insurance, while extending financial inclusion and social security access through the Samriddhi program by enabling enrolment in schemes like Ayushman Bharat Health Account and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana for Amazon associates and community members. In addition, Amazon continues to support education for associates’ children through the Pratidhi scholarship and mentorship program, reinforcing its commitment to holistic well-being across its operations network.

Investing in infrastructure and technology to strengthen operations

Amazon will invest in expanding and upgrading its pan-India operations network—including fulfillment centers, sortation centers, and delivery stations—to increase capacity and improve delivery speeds for customers in tier 2 and 3 cities across India. These investments will also support sellers and small businesses and contribute to local economic growth. The company also plans to more than double Amazon Now's footprint in the cities it currently operates in and to more cities across India. These investments will enable Amazon to serve customers across a wide range of delivery speeds - from minutes to hours to days, based on their needs.

Amazon's industry-leading facilities are climate controlled and built with advanced engineering systems to improve energy efficiency, enhance workplace safety, and support a more inclusive environment. The company continues to invest in cooling solutions such as enhanced ventilation, fans, spot coolers, access to cold water and hydrating beverages, safety and accessibility features for people with disabilities, and improved rest areas.

Amazon will invest in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to make its operations network safer and more efficient. This includes deploying tools to improve on-road safety through alerts for Delivery Service Partners and delivery associates on unsafe driving behaviors, and prompts for rest breaks, as well as using AI models to assess route complexity and enable more equitable workload distribution. It also includes enhancements to the Driver app with better navigation for unstructured addresses, improved earnings transparency, and simplified workflows.

Know more about Amazon’s initiatives for associates in 2026:

Expanding rest facilities for delivery associates – Amazon will expand Project Ashray, its network of air-conditioned rest stops, beyond the current 100 locations in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, among others. These facilities provide comfortable seating, clean washrooms, drinking water, charging stations, and first-aid support, serving over 150,000 delivery associates every month, including those outside Amazon’s network.

Expanding health and wellness support for associates and drivers – Programs such as Sushruta, a wide-ranging health and wellness program for long-haul truck drivers and their family members, will continue to expand alongside a new wellness program focused on mental health and ergonomic care.

Providing access to preventive healthcare – Amazon will offer free health check-ups through nationwide medical camps, extending access to preventive care and building on its 2025 efforts, which included comprehensive health and wellbeing programs for tens of thousands of associates and partners. These ongoing camps provide preventive health screenings (eye, dental, BMI, and physician consultations), hydration guidance, and early detection support.

Enhancing insurance coverage and wellness support – Amazon plans to strengthen medical and accident insurance for delivery associates working with Delivery Service Partners through upgraded Group Mediclaim and Group Personal Accident policies, with an integrated wellness package among the most comprehensive in the sector.

Enabling access to financial and social security benefits – Through Samriddhi, Amazon will enable tens of thousands of associates and more than 200,000 community members to access government benefits such as e-Shram cards, health insurance, pension programs, and educational assistance across states including Gujarat, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, among others.

Supporting education for associates’ children – Under the Pratidhi program, Amazon will provide scholarships to children of associates from Class 3 to Class 12, including children with disabilities, along with mentorship from Amazon leaders. In 2025 alone, 5000 scholarships were awarded to associates' children.

About Amazon: Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's most customer-centric company, Earth's best employer, and Earth's safest place to work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Godrej Industries Announces New Purpose And Brand Identity; Sets ₹5,00,000 Crore Ambition By 2031

* Crafting tomorrow since 1897” becomes unifying purpose

Godrej Industries Group today announced a new purpose and brand identity, marking a defining moment in the Group’s evolution as it aligns its identity, strategy, and ambition for its next phase of growth. Rooted in the strength of a 129-year legacy and the energy of a Group just two years old in its new form, the new purpose and identity reaffirm both where the Group comes from and where it is going, bringing sharper strategic coherence across its diverse portfolio spanning consumer products, real estate, financial services, agriculture, and chemicals. The announcement was made at a media gathering at Godrej One, the Group’s headquarters in Mumbai.

At the heart of the refresh is a new Group purpose: “Crafting tomorrow since 1897.” It captures both the Group’s heritage and its ambition to build businesses that combine innovation with responsibility to create enduring value. This purpose was inspired by the Godrej Group’s Founder, Ardeshir Godrej, whose life embodied the power of always holding innovation and values together. The Group reiterated three core values—Inspire Trust, Create Delight, and Be Bold—that will continue to guide leadership and decision-making across the organization.

Pirojsha Godrej, Chairperson Designate, Godrej Industries Group, said, “Crafting tomorrow since 1897 reflects the belief that values and results must go hand in hand. As we scale, this philosophy will continue to guide how we build businesses that are both successful and responsible.”

The Group has demonstrated a strong growth track record, compounding both sales and net profits at over 20% CAGR over the past five years. It has outlined clear ambitions for the next phase of growth, including >15% annual sales growth and >20% EPS growth as a Group. It also expects each business to deliver >18% return on equity at steady state. The Group intends to expand from three (Consumer Products, Properties, and Agrovet) to five publicly listed platforms. These actions are expected to result in a combined market capitalization of ₹5,00,000 crore over the next five years.

The Group’s growth strategy is anchored in its long-standing belief that strong financial performance must go hand in hand with positive outcomes for society and the environment. In 2025, Godrej Consumer Products and Godrej Properties were both ranked number one globally in their respective categories on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Sustainability Indices. Building on this foundation, the Group has outlined ambitions including net-zero operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035 and a planet-positive supply chain by 2047. The Group also aims to achieve 40% representation of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities across the Group over the next five years, a goal which has already been achieved by Godrej Properties and the Group’s corporate center. Additionally, in 2025, the Godrej Foundation, which owns 15% of the Godrej Industries Group, created a cash corpus that will enable it to increase its annual philanthropic spend by 5X over previous levels.

Alongside its new purpose, the Group unveiled a new brand identity crafted by DISCO, the Group’s in-house design team. The brand identity is designed to create a more unified and future-facing corporate brand system, introducing a new visual language, bespoke typography (GI Sans), a proprietary sonic identity, and a signature fragrance—creating a cohesive, multi-sensory expression across digital, physical and experiential touchpoints.

Tanya Dubash, Executive Director and Chief Brand Officer, Godrej Industries, said, “This refreshed brand identity reflects both who we are and where we are going. It reinforces the strength of the Godrej brand while creating a more contemporary and unified expression of our ambitions for tomorrow. It enables each of our businesses to connect more powerfully to a shared purpose while remaining true to their distinct roles.”

About Godrej Industries

At the Godrej Industries Group, we serve over 1.1 billion people globally through a diverse portfolio of businesses, united by our purpose of Crafting tomorrow. With sales of USD 6.1 billion in FY25 and a market capitalization of about USD 20 billion as of 31 March 2026, we operate across FMCG, real estate, financial services, agriculture, and chemicals.

We are the leading player in India across several business categories, including residential real estate, animal feed, crude palm oil, oleochemicals, household insecticides, hair colour, and air care.

We are committed to building a more sustainable future through our Good & Green programme, with ambitions of net-zero operations by 2035 and responsible supply chains by 2047. In 2025, Godrej Consumer Products and Godrej Properties were both ranked number one globally in their respective categories on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Sustainability Indices.

For more information, please visit: www.godrejindustries.com    

SBI Life Insurance Registers New Business Premium Of ₹42,551 Crores For The Year Ended On 31st March, 2026

SBI Life Insurance, one of the leading life insurers in the country registered a New Business Premium of ₹42,551 crores for the year ended on 31st March, 2026 vis-a-vis ₹35,577 crores for the year ended 31st March, 2025. Single premium has increased by 28% over the year ended on 31st March, 2025.

Establishing a clear focus on protection, SBI Life’s protection new business premium stood at ₹4,622 crores for the year ended 31st March, 2026, marking a growth of 13%. Protection Individual new business premium registered a growth of 23% and stood at ₹973 crores for the year ended 31st March, 2026. Individual New Business Premium stands at ₹29,783 crores with 13% growth over the year ended on 31st March, 2025.

SBI Life’s profit after tax stands at ₹2,470 crores for the year ended 31st March, 2026 with a growth of 2% over the year ended on 31st March, 2025.

The company’s solvency ratio continues to remain robust at 1.90 as on 31st March, 2026 as against the regulatory requirement of 1.50.

SBI Life’s AUM also continued to grow at 9% to ₹4,87,163 crores as on 31st March, 2026 from ₹4,48,039 crores as on 31st March, 2025, with the debt-equity mix of 62:38. 94% of the debt investments are in AAA and Sovereign instruments.

The company has a diversified distribution network of 3,58,506 trained insurance professionals and wide presence with 1,230 offices across the country, comprising of strong bancassurance channel, agency channel and others comprising of corporate agents, brokers, Point of sale persons (POS), insurance marketing firms, web aggregators and direct business.

Performance for the year ended March 31, 2026

· Private Market leadership in Individual New Business Premium and Individual Rated Premium with market share of 25.5% & 22.9% respectively.

· Annualized Premium Equivalent (APE) stands at ₹ 24,266 crores with growth of 13%

· Individual New Business Sum Assured stands at ₹ 4,46,337 crores with 61% growth

· Improvement in 13M & 49M persistency by 53 bps & 107 bps respectively

· Value of New Business (VoNB) stands at ₹ 6,667 crores with growth of 12%

· VoNB Margin stands at 27.5%

· Indian Embedded value (IEV) stands at ₹ 80,791 crores with 15% growth

· Profit After Tax (PAT) stands at ₹ 2,470 crores with 2% growth

· Operating Return on Embedded Value stands at 19.7%

· Assets under Management stands at ₹ 4,87,163 crores with 9% growth

· Robust Solvency ratio of 1.90.  

Savour The Soul Of Karnataka At MTR Karunadu Swada From April 25–26, 2026

Step into the heart of Karnataka’s culinary heritage as MTR brings back MTR Karunadu Swada, a vibrant two-day food festival celebrating the state’s diverse flavours, traditions, and cultural richness. Scheduled for 25th – 26th April 2026 at Jayamahal Palace Exhibition Center, the festival promises an immersive journey through Karnataka’s regional cuisines.

From the bold, rustic flavours of North Karnataka to coastal delicacies and the timeless classics of Old Mysuru, guests can explore a thoughtfully curated spread of 75+ authentic dishes. Crafted by home chefs, the menu revives forgotten recipes and seasonal specialties, using hyperlocal ingredients that reflect the depth and diversity of the state’s culinary traditions.

Beyond the food, the festival brings Karnataka’s cultural essence to life with folk and classical performances, traditional music, and art showcases, creating a vibrant, multisensory experience for visitors of all ages.

Designed as a family-friendly indoor celebration, the festival offers multiple entry slots both in the afternoon and in the evening, making it an accessible and engaging outing for the entire community.

Venue: Jayamahal Palace Exhibition Center
Dates: 25 April – 26 April 2026
Timings: Afternoon: 3 slots from 12pm onwards; Evening: 3 slots from 7pm onwards
Price: Starting at ₹299 | Adults: ₹599
Tickets: Available on District

A celebration of taste, tradition, and togetherness, Karunadu Swada invites Bengaluru to rediscover the stories and flavours of Karnataka, all under one roof.