Business Bureau

Essencemediacom has won the media mandate for Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), one of India’s leading FMCG companies. The agency will manage GCPL’s media strategy, planning, buying, and execution across traditional and digital platforms in the Indian market, starting April 2025. The mandate was secured after an intense four-month pitch. Essencemediacom will take over from Madison World, GCPL’s media partner for over two decades. Harshdeep Chhabra, Head of Global Media at GCPL, expressed confidence in Essencemediacom’s ability to drive innovation and volume growth. “Essencemediacom’s experience in traditional and digital media will help us expand into new categories and enhance our…

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its skilling footprint with the establishment of 50 new Future Skill Centres and 10 International Academies across India. The announcement was made by NSDC CEO ShriVed Mani Tiwari at the Annual Press Conference. “The number of industry-aligned programs will rise beyond 300, covering 12 emerging technologies, with a goal to train over 2 lakh candidates,” Tiwari stated. Partnerships with 33 global corporations and 11 premier institutions have already led to the creation of 21 Future Skills Centres and the training of over 27,000 candidates. NSDC also plans…

Bandhan Mutual Fund has launched its Bandhan Nifty Next 50 Index Fund, an open-ended scheme tracking the Nifty Next 50 Index. This index comprises the top 50 companies ranked just after the Nifty 50, representing high-growth potential within India’s top 100 listed stocks. The New Fund Offer (NFO) will open on February 13 and close on February 25, 2025. Investors can apply through mutual fund distributors, online platforms, or the company’s website. Vishal Kapoor, CEO of Bandhan AMC, highlighted the fund’s potential, noting, “The Nifty Next 50 Index offers exposure to well-established companies still in their high-growth phase. Past trends…

A new study by Edelweiss Life Insurance reveals that 60% of India’s Sandwich Generation—aged 35 to 54—feel financially unprepared for the future. The generation, balancing support for ageing parents and growing children, faces ongoing financial stress, with many feeling that saving or investing is never enough. The study, conducted with YouGov across 12 cities and 4,005 respondents, highlighted that financial decisions are driven by family needs, including healthcare and education. However, premature liquidation of investments for both essential and non-critical needs, such as vacations and festive spending, is common. Sumit Rai, MD & CEO of Edelweiss Life Insurance, said, “This…

Jogesh Thakur, a hairstylist from Magic Fingers 7 (Kamarchuburi, Tezpur), has earned a place among the top 30 finalists at the Godrej Professional Spotlight. Organized by Godrej Professional, a leading hair care brand under Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), the platform celebrates hairstyling talent across India, providing recognition and professional development opportunities. The grand finale in Mumbai saw finalists showcase hair colour creations inspired by Godrej Professional’s Surreal Collection. Thakur impressed the jury panel, which included Godrej Professional Creative Director Yianni Tsapatori, National Technical Head ShaileshMoolya, and actress Adaa Khan. Tezpur is buzzing with pride over Thakur’s achievement, which has…

The inaugural BIMSTEC Youth Summit concluded successfully on Tuesday in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, focusing on youth-led participation and regional cooperation across multiple sectors. Over 70 young leaders from BIMSTEC countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—engaged in discussions on entrepreneurship, technology, digital connectivity, and sustainable development. The event, themed "Youth as a Bridge for Exchanges within BIMSTEC," was inaugurated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, alongside Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs. Delegates explored the historic Sabarmati Ashram and toured Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City),…

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is not just building cars—it’s shaping a greener future. At the India Energy Week (IEW) 2025, held in New Delhi from February 11 to 14, Toyota reinforced its commitment to clean energy, showcasing innovations designed to reduce carbon footprints and make eco-friendly mobility more accessible to everyday consumers. From the Innova Hycross Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV) to the Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) powered by hydrogen, Toyota’s lineup reflects a diverse approach to sustainable transportation. The company also unveiled its Prius Flex-Fuel Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FFV-PHEV), running on up to 100% ethanol, and…

INDIAWOOD 2025, celebrating 25 years as a leading woodworking and furniture manufacturing trade fair, will be held from March 6-9, 2025, at the India Expo Mart & Centre, Greater Noida. Organized by Nuernberg Messe, this milestone edition highlights India’s rise as a global furniture manufacturing powerhouse. The event will feature over 600 brands from more than 30 countries, showcasing advancements across woodworking technology, smart manufacturing solutions, and sustainable innovations. Special forums like Surface in Motion and Wood+ in Architecture & Design will explore emerging trends, while seminars will offer insights into new materials and sustainable practices. Commenting on the industry’s…

Nadir Godrej, Chairperson of the Godrej Industries Group, has emphasized the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while underscoring the need for its ethical use. Speaking at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, he highlighted AI’s role in revolutionizing agriculture, tackling climate change, and boosting productivity. Godrej pointed out that AI can aid in early detection of disease and pest outbreaks in agriculture by analyzing satellite images of farmland. This would enable farmers to take preventive action before an outbreak spreads. Additionally, AI can help optimize soil and crop health analysis, ensuring efficient nutrient and fertilizer use, thereby…

BSE-listed Gujarat Inject (Kerala) Limited (BSE: 524238), a leading agricultural company, reported a staggering increase of 4,500% in its net profit for the quarter ended December 2024. The company specializes in the trade of bulk vegetables and fruits, sourcing fresh produce directly from farmers and delivering it to shop owners, ensuring quality, freshness, and a seamless supply chain. Gujarat Inject (Kerala)’s net profit for the December 2024 quarter was Rs. 21.16 lakh, an increase of 45 times over the profit of Rs. 0.46 lakh in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The company’s revenue in the December 2024 quarter was Rs.…