Business - The Purbottar

13 Jun

Jana Small Finance Bank seeks Universal Bank status, eyes broader financial role

Business BureauBusiness

Jana Small Finance Bank (Jana SFB), one of India’s largest small finance banks, has formally applied to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a Universal Banking license, marking a strategic step in its expansion roadmap. The move comes as Jana SFB aims to widen its service offerings and transition into a full-spectrum bank. “Applying for a Universal Banking license is a natural progression,” said Ajay Kanwal, MD & CEO of Jana SFB. “We aim to be the Anchor Bank to a Rising and Atmanirbhar India.” Since obtaining its SFB license in 2017, Jana has built a solid deposit and…

13 Jun

Kriti Sanon sparks wellness buzz with mysterious green tea moment on set

Business BureauBusiness

Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has ignited a fresh wave of curiosity among fans and wellness enthusiasts alike — not with a film release, but with a rather unusual green tea moment captured on set. In a recent behind-the-scenes glimpse, Sanon was seen sipping a cup of what appears to be more than just ordinary green tea. The image, which quickly went viral, has set social media ablaze with speculation ranging from new fitness routines to possible wellness ventures. Hashtags like #NotYourRegularGreenTea and #WellnessDisrupted have only fuelled intrigue around what’s being dubbed a “wellness disruption.” While no official announcement has been…

13 Jun

Godrej’s Pride@2025 moves beyond symbols to empower LGBTQIA+ voices and businesses

Business BureauBusiness

Godrej Industries Group marked a vibrant and inclusive Pride@Godrej 2025 celebration, going beyond symbolic gestures to amplify authentic LGBTQIA+ voices through storytelling, entrepreneurship, and cultural expression. The event featured a spirited Pride March at its Godrej One headquarters, led by Manish Shah, MD of Godrej Capital, joined by senior leaders and employees worldwide in a show of solidarity. A key milestone was the launch of Queer Directions, a dedicated publishing imprint in collaboration with Westland Books, aimed at uplifting queer narratives. The Pitch Bazaar connected aspiring queer authors with publishers and media professionals, while the Queer Bazaar provided a platform…

13 Jun

ICICI Bank and TMC lay foundation for Rs 550-cr cancer care block in Visakhapatnam

Business BureauBusiness

ICICI Bank and Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) have jointly laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art cancer care block at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCHRC) in Visakhapatnam. With an investment of over ₹550 crore, the upcoming ICICI Foundation Block for Child and Blood Cancer will significantly boost specialised healthcare capacity in eastern India. Spanning nearly 3.9 lakh sq ft, the eight-storey facility will house 215+ beds and is projected to treat over 3,000 patients annually upon completion in 2027. The project is part of ICICI Bank’s expanded ₹1,800 crore commitment to TMC, which includes similar cancer…

13 Jun

India’s retail inflation upturn to 2.82% in May, lowest in 6 years: Government data

editorBusiness, News

India's retail inflation fell to 2.82% in May from 3.16% in April, the lowest year-on-year rise in consumer prices since February 2019, government data showed on Thursday. This is the fourth consecutive month that inflation has been below the RBI's 4.0% medium-term target, the longest streak in nearly six years. The decline was mainly due to a sharp fall in food inflation, which eased to 0.99% in May from 1.78% in the previous month amid lower prices of pulses, vegetables, fruits, cereals, eggs, sugar and household goods. "The significant decline in core inflation and food inflation in the month of…

12 Jun

Pets propel mental health shift in India, Mars x Calm survey reveals

Business BureauBusiness

A groundbreaking global survey by Mars and Calm reveals that pets are playing a vital role in supporting mental health among Indians. Conducted by YouGov across 20 countries with over 31,000 pet owners, the study found 79% of Indian pet parents credit their pets for boosting mental wellbeing. During stressful times, 57% prefer their pet’s company over family or friends. Notably, 93% say their pets help them take work breaks, while 92% report a reduction in screen time, signaling pets’ role in digital detoxification. Additionally, 79% of Indian owners say pets improve their sleep, and 88% report relief from anxiety…

12 Jun

Copper futures upgrade on increased spot demand

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, June 12: Copper futures rose 0.13 percent to Rs 885 per kg on Wednesday due to increased spot demand. The copper contract for July delivery rose by Rs 1.15 or 0.13 percent to Rs 885 per kg on the Multi Commodity Exchange. 2,275 lots were traded in it. Analysts attributed the rise in copper prices to higher bets by participants.

11 Jun

Gold futures prices gain due to spot demand

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, June 11: Gold prices rose by Rs 154 to Rs 97,056 per 10 grams in futures trade on Wednesday as speculators created fresh deals due to strong spot demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the price of gold contracts for August delivery rose by Rs 154, or 0.16 percent, to Rs 97,056 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 13,323 lots. Analysts said fresh buying by participants led to the rise in gold prices. Globally, gold futures rose 0.49 percent to $3,359.90 an ounce in New York.

10 Jun

DSP Mutual Fund unveils index funds in IT and healthcare to tap defensive sector strength

Business BureauBusiness

DSP Mutual Fund has launched two new index funds—the DSP Nifty IT Index Fund and the DSP Nifty Healthcare Index Fund—offering investors a strategic opportunity to participate in sectors known for resilience during market downturns. The New Fund Offer (NFO) for both schemes is open from June 2 to June 16, 2025. Defensive sectors like IT and Healthcare have historically shown lower beta and steadier performance during economic shocks. During the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, both Nifty Healthcare and Nifty IT indices registered smaller drawdowns and faster recoveries than the broader Nifty 500. With global markets contributing…

10 Jun

Two-wheeler sales to rose 8-9% in FY26

editorBusiness, News

Mumbai, June 10 Domestic two-wheeler sales are expected to grow 8-9 percent this fiscal, surpassing pre-Covid-19 levels, a report said on Monday. This includes several other factors including moderating inflation and the possibility of a favourable monsoon.The CareEdge Ratings report also mentioned that the domestic two-wheeler industry has maintained a healthy growth of 8 percent, 10 percent and 11 percent in FY23, FY24 and FY25, respectively.Sales growth in FY25 was supported by a 21 percent export recovery and a 9 percent growth in domestic sales. It said the improvement in exports was led by stability in key markets impacted by…