DesignCafe Deepens Its Bengaluru Footprint With A New Experience Centre On Kanakapura Road

* The 2,750 sq. ft. facility marks the brand's 5th hub in Bengaluru and 24th nationwide, bringing personalised, end-to-end home interiors closer to one of south Bengaluru's fastest-growing residential corridors.

Marking a major milestone in its nationwide retail expansion, DesignCafe has officially opened its doors in Kanakapura. Following four established hubs in Bengaluru, the new space marks the brand's 5th Experience Centre in Bengaluru and 24th nationwide. This 2,750 sq. ft. experiential space signals a deliberate move to meet homeowners right where the city's residential boom is happening.

Kanakapura Road has become one of south Bengaluru's most sought-after residential destinations, with a steady mix of new apartments and lived-in homes. It is a catchment of homeowners who want organised, reliable, end-to-end interiors rather than the uncertainty of the unorganised market, and the new centre places DesignCafe's designers within easy reach of exactly those families. Visitors can explore modular kitchens, wardrobes, and living and bedroom vignettes set in real, functional formats, alongside a wide range of premium materials, finishes and space-saving solutions. The space is designed to help homeowners visualise their interiors with clarity and confidence, long before a single decision is finalised.

Speaking on the launch, Gita Ramanan, Co-founder & CEO of DesignCafe, said:"Bengaluru is where DesignCafe began, so every new centre in this city carries some weight for us. Kanakapura Road sits in the middle of the residential growth we are seeing across South Bengaluru, and the families building homes here want something specific: interiors created around how they actually live, not picked off a catalogue. At DesignCafe we take the time to understand a family's routines, their habits, the way they actually move through a day, and design a home around that, rather than around a picture. This centre brings that process closer to homeowners in South Bengaluru, with the materials, layouts and design choices right there for them to see and touch, so the decision feels considered rather than rushed. This fifth centre also reflects a shift in how we are growing. Alongside entering new cities, we are going deeper into the ones we already operate in, because that is where our reputation already does some of the talking. Homeowners here have friends and neighbours who have lived in a DesignCafe home. Bringing our design approach and our material and finish choices closer to them, rather than asking them to travel across the city for it, is the next phase for us."

At the heart of the DesignCafe experience is a commitment to personalisation, transparency and craftsmanship. Every project is designed around how a family actually lives, backed by in-house manufacturing, rigorous quality checks, and a long-term warranty that reflects the brand's confidence in its work. The new centre extends this promise to a wider set of Bengaluru homeowners, making the journey from first idea to finished home simpler, clearer and more personal.

The Kanakapura Road Experience Centre is now open to visitors, offering homeowners the opportunity to explore DesignCafe's interior solutions, meet its designers, and begin their own design journey.

About DesignCafe

India's only home interiors brand founded by award-winning architects, DesignCafe has delivered over 15,000 homes across major Indian cities. DesignCafe's projects are supported by large, multiple company-owned manufacturing facilities equipped with precision German machinery. Each home undergoes multiple quality checks, uses trusted material partners, and is backed by a long-term warranty. The brand specialises in personalised, space-saving interiors backed by transparent pricing, reliable execution and high-quality craftsmanship.

One Festival, Many Moments: Coca-Cola India Expands Its Presence This Festive Season

The festive season brings people together across homes, neighbourhoods and shared spaces, creating multiple occasions for community celebrations. Reflecting this inclusive spirit, Coca-Cola India is bringing its diverse beverage portfolio closer to consumers, offering refreshment and hydration across the occasions that shape their festive experience.

This year, Coca-Cola India, together with its bottling partner Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), is significantly scaling its festive presence across Maharashtra and other states. The initiative brings together a wide network of festive partnerships and local touchpoints, including festive pandals and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), while strengthening engagement with neighbourhood markets, eateries and other key locations.

The festive journey also extends from in-store to at-home occasions, with consumers able to access beverages through neighbourhood retailers, retail and trade partners and quick-commerce platforms. With affordable pack choices and a strong retail and distribution network, supported by cooling infrastructure and last-mile availability, consumers will have easy access to chilled beverages, whether they are pandal hopping, sharing a meal, gathering at home or looking for refreshment on the go.

Desmond Nikhil D’Souza, Vice President - Integrated Operations (HCCB) & Commercial, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia, said, “The festive season has a special significance across Maharashtra, bringing people together through traditions, shared experiences and a strong sense of togetherness. We’re honoured to play a small role in these moments by keeping consumers refreshed and creating engaging experiences across the different ways they celebrate - at home, over shared meals or on the go. Backed by the strength of our bottling partners and retail ecosystem, our focus is on making refreshment accessible, while also creating economic opportunities for local vendors and retailers.”

Vinay Nair, Chief Commercial Officer, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), said, “Maharashtra’s vibrant festive season brings communities, neighbourhood businesses and local markets together in a unique way. Our manufacturing and distribution capabilities, strengthened by a robust last-mile retail network, help ensure seamless availability of Coca-Cola’s beverages across the state. Beyond availability, we remain focused on strengthening the wider retail and supply chain ecosystem, supporting the local businesses and partners that play an integral role in these celebrations.”

The initiative also builds on Coca-Cola India’s 'Locally Yours' campaign, with neighbourhood retailers forming an important part of this wider network of touchpoints and helping make beverages conveniently accessible during the festive period.



Extending their efforts beyond refreshment, Coca-Cola India and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages are partnering with pandals on used PET bottle collection initiatives and bringing discarded materials back to life through upcycled street art. Additionally, in association with street artists Doodle Mapuls, bottle caps and labels have been transformed into a ‘Waste to Wonder’ live art, giving discarded materials a new creative expression. These initiatives encourage collective responsibility while supporting the recovery and recycling of used PET bottles during the festive season.



Through these initiatives, Coca-Cola India continues to bring together refreshment, community and local partnerships, making its beverages accessible, while supporting the neighbourhood businesses that help bring celebrations to life.



About Coca-Cola:

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’ offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Thums Up XForce, Charged, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Kinley Soda, Rimzim, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and Honest Tea. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca GlucoCharge, Smartwater, Kinley, Kinley Copper, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water. Premium products constitute Schweppes’ range and Smartwater. In addition, it offers a Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.



The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of over six million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities, and the planet through water and packaging initiatives, sustainable agriculture and emission reductions across its value chain.



Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Sushilkumar Agrawal Elected Vice President Of Producers Guild Of India

* At the Guild’s 72nd Annual General Meeting, held in Mumbai.

Mr. Sushilkumar Agrawal has been elected as Vice President of the Producers Guild of India at the Guild’s 72nd Annual General Meeting, held in Mumbai. Mr. Shibasish Sarkar was unanimously re-elected as President of the Guild.

The Producers Guild of India is the premier body representing producers of film, television and digital content in India. It represents leading producers of audio-visual content and plays a significant role in the growth and development of India’s entertainment industry. The Guild works closely with the Government and industry stakeholders on key issues including regulatory and policy matters, copyright protection, taxation, ease of filming and other challenges impacting the production ecosystem.

Mr. Sushilkumar Agrawal, a first-generation entrepreneur and CEO of Ultra Media & Entertainment Group, has been a Council Member of the Guild for the past 20 years. He began his entrepreneurial journey in 1982 by acquiring diverse rights to classic, old and new films and was instrumental in introducing VHS and VCD technology to India.

Today, Ultra Media & Entertainment is a professionally managed entertainment conglomerate with a presence across content production, acquisition, distribution and syndication of Indian and international content, with a library comprising over 3,500 films, 18,000 television episodes and 25,000 film and non-film songs. The company has also established a growing digital presence through its OTT platforms, including Ultra Play, Ultra Jhakaas and Ultra Gaane, offering films, regional content and music to audiences across India and globally.

Mr. Sushilkumar Agrawal is currently focused on promoting regional cinema through film production in Marathi, Gujarati and Malayalam, as well as music across multiple languages.

Commenting on his election, Mr. Sushilkumar Agrawal said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be elected to this post, and I sincerely thank all the members for their trust and support. The Guild has always been at the forefront of protecting and promoting the interests of producers. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address the challenges facing our industry and contribute to its continued growth.”

Mr. Sushilkumar Agrawal also serves as a Director of The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS). He is currently a Committee Member & former President of Entertainment Content Owners Association of India.

Mr. Hiren Gada has also been elected as Vice President of the Producers Guild of India. Mr. Manish Goswami, Ms. Madhu Bhojwani, Mr. Ankur Garg and Mr. Aashish Singh have been re-elected as Vice Presidents, while Mr. Ashim Samanta and Ms. Fazila Allana have been re-elected as Treasurers.

The Guild’s Council of Management for 2026–27 comprises:

President

Ø Mr. Shibasish Sarkar

Vice Presidents

Ø Mr. Sushilkumar Agrawal
Ø Mr. Hiren Gada
Ø Mr. Aashish Singh
Ø Mr. Ankur Garg
Ø Ms. Madhu Bhojwani
Ø Mr. Manish Goswami

Treasurers

Ø Mr. Ashim Samanta
Ø Ms. Fazila Allana

Other Council Members

Ø Mr. Aamir Khan
Ø Mr. Anil Kapoor
Ø Mr. Ashutosh Gowariker
Ø Mr. Hrithik Roshan
Ø Mr. Pallab Bhattacharya
Ø Mr. Rajan Shahi
Ø Mr. Rajkumar Hirani
Ø Mr. Ritesh Sidhwani
Ø Mr. Sharad Patel
Ø Mr. Siddharth Roy Kapur
Ø Mr. Utpal Acharya
Ø Mr. Vishesh Bhatt
Ø Ms. Zoya Akhtar

Permanent Members

Ø Mr. Amit Khanna
Ø Mr. Kiran V. Shantaram
Ø Mr. Manmohan Shetty
Ø Mr. Mukesh Bhatt
Ø Mr. Randhir Kapoor

Member Emeritus

o Mr. Kamalkumar Barjatya
o Mr. Ramesh Sippy

About Producers Guild of India

The Producers Guild of India was established in 1954 as The Film Producers Guild of India Ltd. by stalwarts of the Indian film industry, including Raj Kapoor, Mehboob Khan, Sasadhar Mukerji, B. N. Sircar, V. Shantaram, Vijay Bhatt and B. R. Chopra. In 2004, the Guild incorporated the television sector and adopted the name The Film & Television Producers Guild of India. With the growth of new media and digital content, the Guild expanded its mandate in 2017 to represent producers across Film, Television and New Media, adopting its current identity as the Producers Guild of India. The organisation continues to formally operate as The Film & Television Producers Guild of India Ltd. (CIN: U92100MH1954PLC009244).

For further information, please visit www.producersguildindia.com.

India's Home-Buying Age Is Falling: Gen Z Borrowers Rise 86%: Kotak

* The Generation Expected To Rent Longer Is Buying Homes Sooner, Often Before 30

The age at which Indians are buying their first home is falling, with Gen Z emerging as the fastest-growing segment in the home loan market, according to data from Kotak Mahindra Bank.

The bank's data shows that the number of home loan borrowers aged between 25 and 30 years increased by 86% between FY24 and FY26, rising from 1,234 to 2,290. Gen Z’s share in Kotak’s individual home loan borrowers has moved from 6% to 9% in two years, a 50% rise in contribution, making them the fastest-growing younger cohort in the bank’s home loan book.

In comparison, the number of home loan borrowers aged 30-45 years grew by 26% during the same period.

The trend points to a shift in the way younger Indians approach homeownership. A milestone that earlier generations often pursued later in life is increasingly being achieved much sooner.

For years, Gen Z was expected to rent longer, delay major financial commitments and prioritise flexibility. However, the data suggests that when it comes to housing, many young Indians are making long-term decisions earlier than expected.

“Homeownership continues to hold a special place in Indian households,” said Nakul Saxena, Head – Home Loans, Kotak Mahindra Bank. “What is changing is the age at which people are taking that decision. We are seeing younger borrowers entering the market with greater clarity and confidence than before.”

In many families, young professionals are buying homes at an age when their parents were still saving towards one. In some cases, children are helping fulfil their parents' homeownership aspirations through their own earnings. In others, dual-income households are accelerating decisions that previous generations may have postponed for years.

The pandemic appears to have played an important role in reshaping housing priorities. Extended periods spent at home led many younger households to place greater importance on space, privacy, natural light, construction quality and community living. A home became more than just a place to stay; it became a place to live, work and build a future.

The shift also reflects a broader change in mindset. Instead of waiting for every piece of the puzzle to fall into place, many younger buyers are choosing to act earlier on their aspirations. For previous generations, homeownership often came after years of career and financial progression. Today, many young Indians increasingly see a home as something that can help create stability rather than something that must wait until complete stability is achieved.

At the same time, higher education levels, earlier career progression and income growth is helping many young Indians reach homeownership milestones earlier than previous generations.

"What we are seeing is greater conviction. Younger buyers are showing the confidence to act on their aspirations earlier in life rather than waiting years to feel completely settled,” Saxena said. "At Kotak, we are proud to support them on that journey by helping turn that conviction into action.”

The trend is also changing how younger buyers enter the housing market. Instead of waiting to purchase a large ‘forever home’, many are buying homes that fit their current budgets and life stages, viewing the first purchase as a stepping stone to future financial growth.

According to Kotak, the rise in younger borrowers points to a broader shift in India's housing market.

For a growing section of Gen Z, it is becoming one of the first major financial decisions they take. Homeownership remains a deeply held aspiration, but younger buyers are pursuing it differently from previous generations. Rather than waiting for the perfect moment, many are choosing to take the first step earlier, using homeownership as a way to build stability, create long-term wealth and move forward with confidence.

For a generation often associated with flexibility and constant change, homeownership is emerging as an early expression of stability and if anything, it is arriving sooner than before. 

Tata AIA Launches Momentum Value 50 Index Fund To Help Consumers Participate In Changing Market Opportunities

* A new ULIP fund combining momentum and value investing approaches to offer diversified equity participation along with life insurance protection

Equity markets are dynamic, with different sectors, companies and investment themes creating opportunities across different market cycles. For investors, navigating these changing market conditions requires an approach that can evaluate opportunities beyond a single investment style.

Recognising this evolving investor need, Tata AIA Life Insurance, one of India's leading private life insurers, today announced the launch of the Tata AIA Momentum Value 50 Index Fund — a unit-linked investment option designed to provide diversified equity exposure through a combination of two established investment approaches: momentum investing and value investing, while enabling consumers to participate in market opportunities along with the added benefit of life insurance protection.

Bringing Together Market Trends and Valuation Opportunities

Investment markets often move through different phases, where leadership across sectors and companies changes over time. While some companies demonstrate stronger market performance, others may present opportunities based on attractive valuations.

The Tata AIA Momentum Value 50 Index Fund brings together these two complementary investment approaches:

Momentum Investing
Focuses on companies demonstrating relatively stronger market performance trends.

Value Investing
Identifies companies that may offer attractive valuations relative to their fundamentals.

By combining these approaches, the fund aims to provide consumers with a diversified and systematic way to participate in equity markets through a transparent investment framework.

Commenting on the launch, Harshad Patil, Chief Investment Officer, Tata AIA Life Insurance, said:

"Equity markets continue to evolve, with different sectors and investment styles gaining prominence across market cycles. In such an environment, a multifactor approach that considers both momentum and value can provide investors with a broader perspective while evaluating equity opportunities.

The Tata AIA Momentum Value 50 Index Fund combines these two investment characteristics through a systematic and transparent framework, allowing Consumers to participate in equity markets with an approach that considers both market trends and valuation discipline. This launch reflects our commitment to offering innovative investment solutions aligned with evolving Consumer needs."

The fund selects companies from the BSE 500 universe based on momentum and value characteristics, customised as per IRDAI regulatory requirements, and is benchmarked against the BSE 500 Momentum Value 50 Index (Customized).

Why This Fund Matters for Consumers

Building long-term wealth requires staying invested through changing market environments. However, relying on a single investment approach may not always capture different opportunities that emerge across market cycles.

The Tata AIA Momentum Value 50 Index Fund helps consumers participate in evolving market opportunities through:

Diversified Equity Exposure: The fund provides exposure to companies selected from the broad BSE 500 universe, enabling participation across different sectors and market segments.

A Disciplined Investment Framework: The fund follows a transparent, rules-based methodology that combines momentum and value characteristics to identify investment opportunities.

Long-Term Wealth Creation Orientation: The fund provides Consumers an opportunity to participate in equity markets through a structured approach aligned with long-term financial goals.

Life insurance protection to safeguard their family's financial future

Available through Tata AIA's eligible ULIP solutions, the fund allows Consumers to participate in equity markets while continuing to benefit from the protection and long-term financial planning proposition offered by life insurance.

New Fund Offer Details

NFO Period: 23 September 2026 to 30 September 2026

Units issued at NAV: ₹10

Key Features of Tata AIA Momentum Value 50 Index Fund

Benchmark:
BSE 500 Momentum Value 50 Index (Customized)

Asset Allocation:

80%–100% in Equity and Equity Related Instruments

0%–20% in Cash, Money Market Instruments and Mutual Funds

Supporting Evolving Investor Needs

As investors increasingly look for investment strategies that combine multiple perspectives, multifactor investing is gaining relevance globally. By bringing together momentum and value characteristics, the Tata AIA Momentum Value 50 Index Fund offers consumers a differentiated way to build equity exposure while maintaining diversification and investment discipline.

The Tata AIA Momentum Value 50 Index Fund will be available across select Tata AIA Life Insurance ULIP solutions.

Consumers can review availability across solutions and detailed fund information on www.tataaia.com.

Turkish Airlines Finalizes Order For Up To 150 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

Turkish Airlines has finalized an agreement with Boeing for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, marking another significant step in its long-term growth strategy. In the talks since 2025, the agreement will be flag carrier’s largest ever Boeing single-aisle aircraft order and will support its fleet expansion strategy while strengthening its short- and medium-haul network.

The agreement for the 737 MAX order was finalized in the presence of His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye.

The order comprises 100 firm Boeing 737-8 aircraft and options for an additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The agreement also includes substitution rights for the Boeing 737-10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family, providing Turkish Airlines with greater flexibility to align capacity with growing passenger demand across its network.

Commenting on the agreement, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof Murat Şeker stated: “This agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of our fleet. The new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to our operations, supporting the extensive network we serve from our hub in Istanbul. We are pleased to build on our longstanding cooperation with Boeing through an agreement that also supports Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.”

President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Stephanie Pope stated: “This order reflects the trust and shared vision that have defined our long-standing partnership with Turkish Airlines. We’re proud to continue our support of Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem and Turkish Airlines as it grows its Istanbul-based network, connecting more people and destinations worldwide.”

The new aircraft will strengthen the flag carrier’s short- and medium-haul operations, particularly on high-demand domestic and international routes. The Boeing 737-8’s range, payload flexibility along with 20% reduced emissions and fuel consumption will support the flag carrier’s evolving operational requirements as it continues to expand its fleet and network.

Turkish Airlines (including AJet) currently operates more than 200 Boeing aircraft, consisting of the 737 MAX, 737 Next-Generation, 787 Dreamliner, 777 and 777 Freighter. The latest order further strengthens the longstanding cooperation between the flag carrier and Boeing, building on the 75 787 Dreamliner order from 2025.

In addition to this milestone agreement, this year Turkish Airlines and Boeing also signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Participation, establishing a framework for long term cooperation structured around three key pillars: Skill Development, Value Creation and Business Awards. Through these pillars, the framework aims to support capability development, technology and know-how transfer, human skill development, enhance sustainability journey and generate new business and industrial cooperation opportunities.

Together with the industrial participation framework, the agreement reflects Boeing’s long-term commitment to supporting Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem, broadening the scope of the partnership beyond fleet expansion.

Video footage of Turkish Airlines’ Boeing fleet: https://we.tl/t-O8q5Hi7YYpzOAk4G

Air India Express Wins ‘Best Use Of AI In Customer Experience’ Award For AI-Powered Guest Support

* Following its recent 4-Star Skytrax World Airline Rating, Air India Express earns another accolade for guest experience excellence; AI-powered support platform Tia now resolves over 75% of guest interactions through self-service

Air India Express has been recognised with the ‘Best Use of AI in Customer Experience’ award at the UBS Forums 25th CX Strategy Summit & Awards 2026 for its AI-powered guest support capabilities led by Tia, the airline's digital face for guest assistance.

The award follows Air India Express' recent 4-Star World Airline Rating from Skytrax, a significant validation of the airline's ongoing transformation of guest experience. The rating, the highest attainable distinction for a value carrier, recognises strong product standards and effective service delivery across the travel journey. While the Skytrax recognition reflects enhancements across onboard, airport, and service delivery standards, innovations such as Tia demonstrate how the airline is also elevating the digital experience, enabling guests to access faster, simpler, and more personalised support at every stage of their journey.

Designed to combine artificial intelligence with human empathy, Tia provides 24x7 support across the airline's website, airindiaexpress.com, mobile app, WhatsApp, and Contact Centre. Serving as the first point of contact for guests seeking self-service support, Tia helps deliver faster resolutions and a more seamless experience across channels. More than 75% of guest interactions are now resolved through Tia's chat and voice automation capabilities, reducing the need for guests to wait in call queues or for email responses.

With more than 100 self-service options, Tia helps guests independently manage bookings, cancellations, refunds, flight status checks, baggage queries, and travel-related information. It currently resolves around 15,000 guest queries daily across Air India Express' digital channels. During the West Asia-related disruptions in April, Tia successfully handled nearly four-fifths of all guest queries received. It facilitated booking changes, rescheduling, and cancellations, including modifications to both origin and destination stations, subject to seat availability, helping stranded guests reach home faster during the disruption.

Guests also have the option to connect directly with Customer Happiness Specialists whenever required, with complete interaction history and context seamlessly transferred across channels to deliver a smooth and personalised experience.

Tia continues to evolve with advanced AI capabilities, enabling more personalised, intuitive, and responsive support for guests. Future enhancements will focus on multilingual assistance, deeper personalisation, and expanded self-service capabilities to further simplify the travel experience and enhance guest satisfaction.

Introduced in 2021, Tia was the first chatbot-based assistance platform deployed by an airline in India, offering guests real-time support across the airline's website and mobile application. Today, it has evolved into a comprehensive AI-enabled support platform across digital and voice channels. Guests can connect with Tia via WhatsApp at +91 6360012345 or through the airline's voice support channel at +91 124 4435600.

About Air India Express

Air India Express is a Tata Enterprise, operating over 500 daily flights that connect 48 domestic and 16 international destinations across South, Southeast and West Asia. The airline has a fleet of over 100 Boeing 737s and Airbus A320 aeroplanes. As India’s most vibrant and inclusive airline, Air India Express embodies the spirit and confidence of India - warm, expressive, and proudly authentic. Encouraging travellers to ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’, the airline transforms flying into an experience that is personal and memorable.

With thoughtfully curated touches - from ‘Gourmair’ hot meals, comfortable seats, and refreshed interiors to exclusive loyalty benefits for over 22 million members, Air India Express blends smart technology with heartfelt Indian hospitality.