Business Bureau

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has appointed Vikas Chawla as President – India & Southwest Asia, marking a key leadership move as the company accelerates expansion in one of its fastest-growing markets. The newly created role, effective April 1, 2026, signals Hyatt’s intent to deepen its footprint across India and the broader region. Chawla will report to David Udell and will oversee strategy, growth and performance. With over 30 years of global experience, he is expected to drive Hyatt’s brand-led expansion and strengthen its position among premium travellers. “The scale of opportunity in India is immense,” Udell said, highlighting the need for…

Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), a leading test preparatory services provider, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to extend educational support and welfare benefits to serving personnel, veterans, and their families. The agreement, signed by Colonel, Ceremonial & Welfare, Indian Army, and Dr Yash Pal, Chief Academic & Business Head, Delhi-NCR, AESL, aims to provide nationwide scholarships and special provisions for Army students enrolling at AESL centres across India. Under the MoU, AESL will offer full fee waivers—except registration—for wards of personnel who died in service, 100% tuition waivers for wards of gallantry awardees and…

Tata Salt has reinforced its leadership in India’s iodized salt segment after emerging as the highest in purity among 100 brands tested in an independent laboratory study conducted in 2023. The nationwide evaluation, based on an Independent Claim Test Study, positions Tata Salt as a benchmark for purity and authenticity across the country. A pioneer since 1983, Tata Salt said the latest validation reflects its continued focus on rigorous quality checks and adherence to stringent internal and regulatory standards. The brand emphasized its commitment to delivering refined, high-quality iodized salt, strengthening its position as a trusted household name. Deepika Bhan,…

India reinforced its commitment to outcome-driven development financing at the Outcomes Finance Alliance (OFA) Summit 2026 in Cape Town, with Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and MoS Education Jayant Chaudhary underscoring the need for measurable impact in skilling and human capital investments. Speaking at the March 25–27 summit, Chaudhary participated in a high-level plenary on unlocking public-private funding, alongside representatives from South Africa, Switzerland, and financial institutions. He emphasised aligning public, private, and philanthropic capital to deliver tangible outcomes in education, livelihoods, and workforce development. “The real challenge is ensuring investments translate into measurable outcomes…

Cipla Health Limited has expanded its oral rehydration portfolio with the launch of a new Masala Guava flavour under its Prolyte ORS brand. The product is based on the World Health Organization-recommended Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) formulation and aims to combine clinical effectiveness with a taste suited to Indian preferences. The company said the new variant is designed to make hydration both effective and enjoyable, blending science-backed relief with a flavour familiar to Indian consumers. With this addition, the Prolyte ORS portfolio now offers eleven flavours, reflecting growing demand for hydration solutions that balance efficacy with taste. Commenting on the…

Truecaller has announced it has crossed 500 million users worldwide, marking a major milestone in its effort to build safer and more trusted communication. The platform added over 50 million users in 2025 alone, highlighting rising global demand for protection against spam, scams, and unwanted calls. India continues to be the company’s largest market, with over 350 million users, while 150 million users are based outside the country. The platform has also crossed 4 million paying subscribers globally, strengthening its revenue stream. “This is an important milestone for us,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, noting that the growing user base reflects increasing…

Guwahati is set to host one of its biggest youth music events as teen pop boy band OutStation returns to the city on April 4, 2026, to launch their second single ‘Aaj Kal’ at Silpagram. The free-entry event has already seen over 10,000 RSVPs, signalling massive anticipation among fans and marking a notable moment in India’s emerging pop scene. Organisers expect a large turnout, similar to the band’s previous Guwahati performance in December. The highlight of the evening will be a synchronised crowd sing-along of ‘Aaj Kal’, aimed at creating a record-setting live launch experience. The band said they chose…

In an increasingly uncertain world, insurance riders are emerging as a key tool to strengthen financial protection beyond basic life cover. While traditional life insurance policies primarily cover death, experts say risks such as illness, accidents, disability, and income loss can be equally disruptive during a person’s lifetime. Riders, also known as add-ons, allow policyholders to enhance their base insurance plans by covering specific risks like critical illness or accidental disability. These optional benefits are designed to provide a more comprehensive safety net without the need to purchase multiple standalone policies, making them both cost-effective and easy to manage. Industry…

Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited (KMPL), the vehicle financing arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, on Monday announced a leadership transition with the appointment of Suraj Rajappan as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2026. The appointment, approved by the Board, is for a three-year term and is subject to shareholder approval. Rajappan will succeed Shahrukh Todiwala, who will superannuate on May 31, 2026 after more than three decades with the Kotak Group. Rajappan, who began his career with KMPL, brings over 24 years of cross-functional experience within the organisation. Ashok Vaswani, MD and CEO of Kotak Mahindra…

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. has hosted the Mega Mileage Challenge in Kolkata for the FZ-S Fi Hybrid motorcycle. The event aimed at educating customers about the impressive fuel efficiency delivered by the FZ-S Fi Hybrid’s Smart Motor Generator (SMG) Technology and its benefits. Organized in collaboration with authorized dealerships – Banyan Tree Automobiles, ATC Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Tanushka Auto, and Velocity Motors – the challenge witnessed enthusiastic participation from Yamaha customers, along with their family members who eagerly joined the experience. The Smart Motor Generator (SMG) and Stop & Start System (SSS) optimizes fuel economy and as a…