Business Bureau

Samsung India has announced a major expansion of its flagship Samsung Digital & Offline Skills Training (DOST) Sales Programme, aiming to train 9,400 young people from underserved communities for frontline retail roles. The initiative, aligned with India’s inclusive economic growth objectives, combines classroom learning with on-the-job training to prepare participants for careers in organised retail. Since its inception in 2021, the DOST Sales Programme has strengthened India’s retail talent pipeline. The current DOST Sales 4.0 initiative, in partnership with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) and the Telecom Sector Skills Council (TSSC), provides trainees with 120 hours of…

The Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC-Life) has welcomed the launch of the Bima Gram API by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), describing it as a key policy intervention to enhance rural insurance coverage and strengthen India’s financial inclusion agenda. Developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Department of Posts’ CEPT, and the Insurance Information Bureau of India, the API links postal PIN codes with Local Government Directory (LGD) codes, enabling insurers to digitally verify a policyholder’s Gram Panchayat (GP) location in real time. The initiative addresses longstanding policy challenges in…

Oriflame has announced new scientific findings showing that its patented bioactivating technology, Oripeptide-3, significantly supports key biological drivers of skin ageing. Central to the NovAge+ range, the breakthrough underscores Oriflame’s two-decade-long research into cellular health, skin longevity, and anti-ageing science. Developed to work with the skin’s natural biology, Oripeptide-3 targets five recognised hallmarks of ageing, including DNA protection, cellular renewal, protein quality maintenance, and boosting cellular energy for repair and defence. According to Oriflame’s Director of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Lene Visdal-Johnsen, the technology strengthens the foundation for healthier, more resilient, and youthful-looking skin. Edyta Kurek, Senior VP &…

Godrej Jersey has unveiled the ‘Godrej Jersey India Lactograph Findings FY25–26,’ a study mapping how milk consumption patterns, occasions, and motivations continue to evolve across the country. Research was conducted across eight key cities, uncovering how milk integrates into daily routines while adapting to new lifestyle choices. In East India, the findings spotlight a region where milk is remembered as much as it is consumed. 78% in the East say milk reminds them of childhood, compared to a national average of 57%, making it the strongest “memory-led” milk market in the country. Around 78% also link milk to comfort or…

Eurofragance, the Spanish fragrance house, unveiled its latest proprietary perfumery ingredient, Olivante®, at Beautyworld Middle East in Dubai on October 27. Designed to deliver opulence in fine fragrances, personal care, and air care products, Olivante® is produced by upcycling discarded olive pulp through a 100% natural process, aligning with the company’s sustainability goals. Targeting both Western and Middle Eastern fragrance consumers, Olivante® enhances compositions with phenolic and animalic notes reminiscent of castoreum, making it ideal for traditional Gulf mukhallat creations. Eurofragance perfumers have noted that it intensifies fruity, gourmand, and white floral notes without imparting an oily smell. “Olivante® is…

Oakley is set to introduce its Meta HSTN AI smart glasses in India on December 1, marking a major push into performance-driven wearable technology. Priced from ₹41,800, the glasses are now available for pre-sale on Sunglass Hut and will roll out across leading eyewear retailers nationwide. Designed for athletes, sports enthusiasts, and content creators, Oakley Meta HSTN brings a powerful mix of AI and durability. The glasses feature a fully integrated camera for hands-free 3K video capture, open-ear speakers, IPX4 water resistance, fast charging, and up to 8 hours of active battery life with an additional 48 hours provided by…

Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled the XEV 9S, India’s first authentic electric origin 7-seater SUV, promising spacious interiors, advanced technology, and a smooth, quiet ride. Built on the INGLO platform and powered by Mahindra’s MAIA system, the XEV 9S offers a 70 kWh battery delivering 180 kW power and 380 Nm torque. Prices start at ₹19.95 lakh, with the fully loaded 79 kWh variant priced at ₹29.45 lakh. Bookings open January 14, 2026, and deliveries begin January 23, 2026. R Velusamy, President - Automotive Business, Mahindra, highlighted the vehicle’s expansive cabin, whisper-quiet drive, and best-in-class space. “The XEV 9S creates…

Kotak Private Banking today launched the Kotak Private Luxury Index (KPLI), India’s first comprehensive measure of luxury price movements across 12 lifestyle and asset categories. Commissioned with support from Ernst & Young LLP, the index highlights how India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNI) are redefining luxury—shifting from ownership to experiences, and material indulgence to mindful living. According to KPLI, luxury prices have risen 6.7% annually since 2022, with wellness retreats, exclusive experiences, and branded residences driving growth. Wellness tourism, including destinations like Amanbagh and Ananda, saw a 14.3% annual increase, while curated experiences, from Antarctic cruises to Michelin-starred dining, rose 11.6% per…

On 15th December last year, the world of music fell silent with the passing of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. A visionary percussionist, composer, and collaborator, Hussain’s genius transcended boundaries and genres—from Indian and Western classical music to rock, pop, jazz, world music, and beyond. The NCPA’s association with him began on a historic note, with his performance alongside his father, the legendary Ustad Allarakha, at the Centre’s foundation day in 1969. What followed was a 55-year-long association marked by landmark concerts and his collaborations with the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI). He wrote two original compositions for the SOI in…

Serial entrepreneur Tanooraa Swetha Menon has partnered with wellness icon and fitness champion Suniel Shetty to launch AgeWell—India's first complete wellness ecosystem designed specifically for adults over 40, combining anti-aging products, healthy aging solutions, and longevity-focused community platforms. AgeWell marks not just a product launch but the start of a national health movement built on the lived experiences of co-founders Tanooraa Swetha Menon, Mitlaj, and Shahin Farzeen—who witnessed the unique needs, missed opportunities, and gaps in Indian eldercare and built an integrated ecosystem to address them for every family. AgeWell transforms aging from decline to celebration through an integrated approach…