Friday, May 8, 2026

Tata Power, Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation Identify The 404 MW Nyera Amari I & II Integrated Hydropower Project For collaboration

* Work has already commenced on the Khorlochhu (600 MW) and Dorjilung (1,125 MW) hydropower projects, together accounting for approximately 35% of the committed portfolio 

Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated utilities, today announced the signing of an amendment to its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC) to expand their clean energy collaboration in the Kingdom of Bhutan. As per the original MoU dated November 19, 2024, the Parties have decided to collaborate for the development of at least 4,500 MW Hydropower Projects in Bhutan

As per the amendment, a new 404 MW Nyera Amari I & II Integrated Hydropower Project has been identified and added to the existing project pipeline. With this, the total identified hydropower capacity under the partnership increases to 5,033 MW from 4,500 MW earlier. This is in line with Bhutan’s vision for its energy sector to take overall generation capacity to 25,000 MW by 2040 for its energy security and regional energy integration.

This extension in strategic partnership signifies Tata Power's pre-eminence as the most preferred clean energy partner not only in India but also as a regional leader. It will help unleash Bhutan’s great potential for hydropower and its important role in ensuring energy security in the region.

The amendment to the MoU took place in the august presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay. The agreement was formally signed by Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power, and Chhewang Rinzin, Managing Director, Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC). Also present at the ceremony were Ms. Anjali Pandey, President – Generation Business, Tata Power, and senior officials from DGPC and DHPC.

Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power said, “This milestone of expanding our joint hydropower portfolio to over 5,000 MW with DGPC marks a significant step in strengthening our clean energy partnership in Bhutan. The addition of the Nyera Amari project reflects the scale, ambition, and long-term commitment of this collaboration. This strategic partnership is not only pivotal for advancing Bhutan’s economic growth by unlocking its vast hydropower potential but also plays a critical role in enhancing regional energy security. For India, especially during peak summer months when demand continues to reach record highs, such partnerships ensure access to reliable, clean power.”

The projects will be developed with mutually agreed equity participation. Both companies will continue to evaluate and add new hydropower opportunities over time.

Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, MD, DGPC, said, “The expansion of our partnership with Tata Power to over 5000 MW hydropower portfolio marks a defining milestone in Bhutan’s clean energy journey. The inclusion of the 404 MW Nyera Amari I & II Integrated Hydropower Project, alongside key projects such as Khorlochhu (600 MW), Dorjilung (1,125 MW), Gongri Reservoir with Jeri Pumped Storage (2,540 MW), and Chamkharchhu IV (364 MW), reflects the scale and ambition of this collaboration. This partnership will play a pivotal role in unlocking Bhutan’s vast hydropower potential, supporting economic growth, and strengthening regional energy security, while reinforcing Bhutan’s position as a leading clean energy nation.”

On 19 November 2024, with the support of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India, Tata Power and DGPC entered a strategic partnership with the intent to identify hydropower and solar projects for joint development in Bhutan.

The collaboration covers a portfolio of hydropower projects, including Khorlochhu (600 MW), Dorjilung (1,125 MW), Gongri Reservoir with Jeri Pumped Storage (2,540 MW combined), Chamkharchhu IV (364 MW), and now Nyera Amari I & II (404 MW). This has become the largest partnership between two of the leading power companies of the two nations in Asia's clean energy sector. Both companies have a stellar track record in the energy sector, and a long-standing relationship having worked together for over 15 years.

In addition, Tata Power and DGPC also aim to jointly develop 500 MW of solar PV projects in Bhutan.

Work has already commenced on the Khorlochhu (600 MW) and Dorjilung (1,125 MW) hydropower projects, together accounting for approximately 35% of the committed portfolio of 5 GW

Tata Power’s association with DGPC spans over a decade, beginning with the 126 MW Dagachhu Hydropower Project, which was Bhutan’s first public–private hydropower partnership, commissioned in 2008

Amazon To Expand Its Network Of Ashray Rest Centers To 250 In 2026

Expands its network of air-conditioned rest stops for delivery drivers with the launch of 50 new Ashray centres by the end of May

Over one million visits from delivery drivers across the industry recorded at Amazon Ashray centres in 2025

Amazon India today announced plans to expand its Ashray network to 250 centers by the end of 2026, building on its existing network of 100 facilities across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and other cities nationwide. As part of this expansion, the company plans to launch 50 new centres by the end of May.

Ashray is Amazon's network of dedicated rest centres for all delivery drivers, including those outside of Amazon’s network, equipped with air conditioned seating, drinking water, electrolytes, mobile charging points, clean washrooms, first-aid kids, and comfortable resting space, designed to give delivery drivers a place to rest and recharge during their routes, particularly during peak summer months. The 100 existing centres, located in 16 cities in India, have recorded over one million visits from delivery drivers across the industry in 2025.

Amazon India has also rolled out mobile "Ashray" units — air-conditioned vans that are stationed along high-traffic delivery routes so delivery drivers can access rest and hydration support without needing to travel to a fixed location. These mobile units carry amenities, such as air-conditioned seating, drinking water, electrolytes, Wi-Fi and mobile charging points.

Salim R Memon, Director Operations, Amazon India said, "The health, safety, and wellbeing of associates across our operations network is the topmost priority for us. Ashray was built on a simple idea — that every delivery driver, whether they deliver for Amazon or not, deserves a clean, cool place to rest during their workday. Scaling to 250 centres and taking these facilities directly to delivery drivers through our mobile units is a reflection of that commitment. This is also part of our broader investment of over INR 2,800 crore to strengthen associate safety, health, and wellbeing across our operations network."

Supporting associates across the operations network

Amazon is working with third parties, including Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Udyasa Foundation and Rural Education and Development (READ) India to set up the new Ashray Centres. This is part of Amazon’s broader efforts to support delivery drivers through initiatives focused on safety, well-being, and access to essential infrastructure. Beyond these centres, Amazon has established facilities within its fulfillment centers, sort centers and delivery stations, including rest areas, break zones, and cafeterias, to support associate well-being.

These efforts form part of its recently announced investment of over INR 2,800 crore, aimed at further strengthening associate safety, health, and financial well-being measures, while continuing to enhance its operations network across the country.

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.

Hyatt Introduces Special Offer With Up To 25% Off On Stays Across Asia Pacific

World of Hyatt has announced a limited-period offer for travellers across Asia Pacific, giving every guest access to meaningful savings at participating Hyatt hotels in the region. Available through its global loyalty programme, World of Hyatt, the offer is open to both members and non-members for bookings made until 1 June 2026, with travel valid through 31 October 2026.

Offer at a Glance

Booking window: By 1 June 2026

Stay dates: Before 31 October 2026

Non-members:

10% - 15% off Best Available Rate

Enrol free at World of Hyatt to unlock member benefits

World of Hyatt Members:

Additional 5% - 10% discount on top of the non-member rate

Members save up to 25% in total

The offer is valid across a wide portfolio of Hyatt hotels in Asia Pacific, covering both business hubs and leisure destinations. In India, participating properties include Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Park Hyatt Hyderabad, Hyatt Regency Dehradun, Hyatt Centric Goa, and Alila Fort Bishangarh, while international options include Park Hyatt Tokyo, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Hyatt Regency Yokohama, Thompson Shanghai, Alila Villas Uluwatu, Andaz Bangkok, and The Standard Pattaya Na Jomtien. Timed around peak summer and upcoming travel periods, the offer caters to both leisure and business travellers, with non-members able to enrol in the World of Hyatt program at no cost to access these benefits.

Booking link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/promo/save-asia-pacific

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation:

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of December 31, 2025, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,500 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 83 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX®, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Collection, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid® Hotels & Resorts, Bahia Principle Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Unscripted by Hyatt, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios®, Hyatt Select, and UrCove. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar® DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

About World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is Hyatt’s award-winning guest loyalty program uniting participating locations in Hyatt’s Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Portfolio, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Sunscape® Resorts & Spas, and Alua Hotels & Resorts®; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove. Members who book directly through Hyatt channels can enjoy personalized care and access to distinct benefits including Guest of Honor, confirmed suite upgrades at time of booking, diverse wellbeing offerings, digital key, and exclusive member rates. With 58 million members and counting, World of Hyatt offers a variety of ways to earn and redeem points for hotel stays, dining and spa services, wellbeing focused experiences through the FIND platform; as well as the benefits of Hyatt’s strategic loyalty collaboration with American Airlines AAdvantage®. Travelers can enroll for free at hyatt.com, download the World of Hyatt app for android and IOS devices and connect with World of Hyatt on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.  

Carlton London Enters India Furniture Market With EBG Group, Plans 600 Franchise Showrooms

Franchise-driven expansion across 300 cities, set to create over 12,000 jobs and boost small business participation in the country

Targets reduction of 16,000 kg carbon footprint annually at scale through circular design and sustainable practices

India’s evolving home interiors landscape is witnessing the entry of a global player as EBG Group partners with British lifestyle brand Carlton London to launch Carlton Luxury Furniture, a first-of-its-kind initiative focused on sustainability, longevity, and conscious living. The partnership was unveiled in the presence of Carl Virk, Founder of Carlton London, and Dr. Irfan Khan, Founder and Chairman of EBG Group, marking a shift toward high-end furniture that combines design with environmental responsibility. Other dignitaries present at the launch were Omkar Navge, CEO, Carlton Wellness Group, Ganesh Kumar, EBG Group Chief Business Strategy officer, Ranjitha.M, CEO, Brillen Space Engineering, and Sathya Verma, CEO, Tarzan.

Backing this vision is a franchise-led expansion plan, with 600 showrooms set to open across 300 major cities over the next five years. The company will scale through a partner-led model, mobilizing investments estimated between ₹1800 and ₹2000 crore from franchise stakeholders. The venture is expected to generate nearly 12,000 jobs while bringing MSME and SME partners into its supply chain.

At the heart of this launch is a strong sustainability vision. Carlton Luxury Furniture is built on the philosophy of responsible luxury, where design excellence goes hand in hand with conscious manufacturing. As part of this commitment, the brand is targeting a reduction of approximately 16,000 kg of carbon footprint annually at scale. This impact will be driven through a combination of sustainable material sourcing, optimized production processes, efficient logistics planning, and long-life product design.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Irfan Khan, Founder and CEO of EBG Group said, “Carlton Luxury Furniture represents a shift in how India will perceive and invest in furniture. The industry has long focused on short-term consumption with limited attention to longevity or environmental impact. We are introducing a model that combines design with sustainability, where furniture is built to last 10 to 15 years and continues to create value through solutions such as buyback and refurbishment. Our vision is to make conscious living aspirational and accessible at scale. In doing so, we are also working towards a measurable environmental impact, with a targeted reduction of nearly 16,000 kg of carbon footprint annually as we scale this model across India.”

Carl Virk, Founder of Carlton London said, “We have always stood for timeless elegance, superior craftsmanship, and uncompromising quality. Through this partnership with EBG Group, One of the defining highlights of this brand is its strong emphasis on home-grown manufacturing. Every piece is crafted with a strong focus on quality, durability, and refined aesthetics, ensuring that luxury is not only experienced but also responsibly created.”

The collection includes classic Chesterfield sofas, high-back chairs, modern dining sets, and bespoke storage solutions, designed for both traditional and contemporary interiors. Each piece is built for a lifespan of 10 to 15 years and supported by maintenance services. Materials used are premium and cruelty-free, including high-quality leatherette, aligned with eco-conscious manufacturing practices.

Carlton Luxury Furniture also introduces a pioneering buyback program, the first of its kind in India, allowing customers to return used furniture for compensation. These products are refurbished and reintroduced as preloved furniture, supporting a circular economy and reducing furniture waste, which contributes nearly 13.4 percent to overall pollution.

Namma Bengaluru Drives Together, Spinny’s Breakfast Drive

From Chandigarh, Coimbatore to Bengaluru, Spinny Breakfast Drive grows with people, places, and the simple joy of driving together

After successful editions in Chandigarh and Coimbatore, Spinny’s Breakfast Drive arrived in Bengaluru, bringing together a community of car owners for a relaxed morning of driving, conversation, and time spent together.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzeN9xEwum8

The drive began at Esteem Mall in the early hours of the day as Spinny customers, ranging from first-time buyers to long-time owners, came together with their families and set out towards Spinny Park, Yelahanka. With the city just beginning to wake up, the convoy moved through a calmer, more easygoing Bengaluru. The convoy moved through Bengaluru, which felt familiar in its calmness.

Empty roads, soft light, and an unmistakable ease set the tone for the morning, one of those classic Namma Bengaluru starts, with quiet streets, the smell of fresh kaapi in the air, and breakfast that somehow tastes better after a drive.

More than a fixed route, the experience came together through small, meaningful moments. Cars moved together, and so did people. Small conversations at signals, quick waves between vehicles, and an easy sense of being part of the same morning gave the drive a natural rhythm. Somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like a route and became shared time on the road. Families travelled together, conversations carried on between cars, and children played freely once everyone reached the destination. For many, it was less about the drive itself and more about the chance to spend uninterrupted time with loved ones.

“It was a very good experience to come out with family like this,” shared one participant. Another customer added, “I didn’t expect Spinny to do something like this,” capturing the sense of surprise and delight among attendees.

At Spinny Park, the convoy came together over breakfast, where the pace remained easy and unforced. Conversations flowed, families settled in, and children quickly made the space their own. What stood out was how naturally people lingered, as if no one was in a hurry to leave, with shared laughter and unplanned moments bringing the community closer. The Bengaluru edition carried its own character, simple, warm, and grounded in togetherness.

The experience has been captured in a slice-of-life film featuring customer stories, convoy visuals, and candid breakfast interactions that reflect the morning's warmth and simplicity.

As India’s trusted car home, Spinny continues to build relationships that go beyond transactions. The Breakfast Drive series is part of this effort, creating spaces for customers to engage with their cars, their families, and each other in a more meaningful way, while reinforcing safe and responsible driving practices in an informal, community-led format.

The Bengaluru edition marks another step in this journey, with more city-led drives planned as Spinny continues to take the experience across India.

Because the best drives are the ones that bring people together.

About Spinny: Founded in 2015, Spinny is a full-stack used-car retailing platform in India that aims to bring trust, simplicity, and transparency to the purchase and sale of pre-owned cars. Spinny operates across the entire used-car value chain, embedding technology and robust processes to deliver a premium customer experience. Every car on the Spinny platform undergoes a 200-point inspection and comes with a 5-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, a one-year after-sales warranty with free RC transfer, and flexible financing options to make ownership seamless. In 2025, Spinny has evaluated and inspected over 9 lakh cars and served more than 2 lakh customers. The company operates over 57 car hubs across India and is present in 76 cities, with strong growth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has partnered with Spinny as a strategic investor and lead brand ambassador.For more information, visit: https://www.spinny.com/

Samsung Expands Enterprise Play With AI-Powered Ecosystems

· Advances integrated AI-led solutions across private and public sectors aligned with India’s digital transformation

· Showcases real-world enterprise use cases through Business Experience Studios in Gurugram and Mumbai

· Enables organisations to build intelligent, connected and scalable environments for digital transformation

Samsung is strengthening its enterprise business in India by advancing AI-powered, connected ecosystem solutions designed to help organisations reimagine operations through intelligent, integrated and secure technologies.

Building on its strong presence across consumer electronics and displays, Samsung is extending its capabilities beyond devices to deliver end-to-end solutions that enable businesses to transition towards adaptive, data-driven environments.

Samsung’s Business Experience Studios (BES) in Gurugram and Mumbai serve as live demonstration platforms, bringing together deep capabilities across devices, displays, mobility, AI platforms and Knox security. Moving beyond product-led conversations, BES enables enterprises to experience how connected ecosystems can drive efficiency, personalisation and scalability in real-world settings.

“At Samsung, we believe the future of enterprise lies in AI-powered, connected ecosystems that move beyond standalone devices to intelligent, adaptive environments. Our strength as a technology company uniquely positions us to bring together hardware, software, platforms and security into a seamless, integrated framework. This enables businesses to accelerate digital transformation, unlock operational agility and deliver more personalised, data-driven experiences at scale,” said Puneet Sethi, Head, Enterprise Business, Samsung India.

At BES, Samsung showcases real-world use cases across key sectors including retail, banking and financial services (BFSI), healthcare, education and hospitality, demonstrating how AI-led, connected ecosystems address industry-specific challenges—from immersive customer engagement in retail to secure interactions in BFSI, connected care and digital learning environments.

The BES also serves as a co-creation hub where Samsung collaborates with partners and enterprises to design tailored solutions, enabling faster deployment and stronger outcomes.

As it marks 30 years in India, Samsung’s strength lies in delivering end-to-end integrated ecosystems by combining hardware, software, platforms and security into a cohesive, interoperable and scalable framework. The company is working with a broad spectrum of enterprises across private and public sector projects aligned with India’s digital transformation, while continuing to deepen engagement across industry verticals.

With India emerging as a key market for innovation and digital adoption, Samsung remains committed to driving long-term growth across both consumer and enterprise segments through advanced technology, local innovation and strong ecosystem partnerships.

A Celebration Of The Unconditional - Mother's Day Drunch At Layla, The Den Bengaluru

There are relationships that need no grand articulation, ones that have simply always been, as constant as the morning and as quietly essential. Mother's Day, on May 10, is not so much a reminder of that as it is an invitation to sit within it, without agenda, without clock. Layla at The Den Bengaluru answers that invitation with an afternoon that knows its place.

The Mother's Day Drunch is a leisurely, generous affair. The table draws from across the world, a fungi egg station that speaks to the finer instincts of the brunch hour, a fresh pasta wheel turned to order, a gourmet chaat bar that nods warmly to home, and a waffle station that rounds the afternoon with quiet indulgence. Bottomless pours run through it all, easy and well-chosen, as any proper Sunday afternoon rightfully demands.

The greatest tribute, it turns out, is also the simplest. Show up, stay long, and let a well-laid table at Layla do the rest.

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