Business - The Purbottar

17 Jan

Airbnb bets on music-led travel with Siddhant Chaturvedi’s ‘Mumbai Like a Local’ experience ahead of Lollapalooza India 2026

Business BureauBusiness

Actor and musician Siddhant Chaturvedi has partnered with Airbnb to offer an exclusive, invite-only experience that allows guests to explore Mumbai through his personal lens during Lollapalooza India 2026. Titled Lolla India Like a Local, the four-hour Airbnb Original Experience will be open for booking from January 19 at 11 AM IST. Designed for just four guests, the experience includes a meal at one of Siddhant’s favourite local food joints, a guided heritage walk through Bandra’s historic Ranwar Village, an intimate jam session where he performs an original track inspired by the city, and finally, attending Lollapalooza India alongside him.…

16 Jan

Bajaj General Insurance launches ‘Fetal Flourish’ rider for advanced fetal care at ₹1,025 premium

Business BureauBusiness

Bajaj General Insurance Limited on Tuesday announced the launch of Fetal Flourish, a pioneering insurance rider designed exclusively to support fetal health and advanced in-utero medical interventions, priced at an affordable premium of ₹1,025. Unveiled in Pune on January 14, the new rider addresses a long-standing gap in maternity insurance by covering specialised fetal procedures that are usually excluded from standard policies. The offering is available as an add-on with the insurer’s flagship products — My Health Care Plan and Health Guard — and is applicable for women aged between 18 and 45 years. Fetal Flourish provides coverage of up…

16 Jan

Anthropic taps Microsoft veteran Irina Ghose to lead India ops as users surge

Purbalee DuttaBusiness

Anthropic PBC has named former Microsoft executive Irina Ghose as Managing Director for its India operations, marking a key step in strengthening its presence in one of its most important global markets. The San Francisco–based AI company, backed by Amazon and Google, is preparing to open its first office in India as it ramps up efforts to tap into the country’s growing enterprise demand for AI solutions. Ghose, who previously served as Managing Director of Microsoft India, brings over 30 years of experience in expanding technology businesses and advancing AI adoption across sectors such as banking, manufacturing and healthcare. Her…

16 Jan

Sennheiser unveils up to 50% discounts on premium audio products during Amazon Republic Day sale

Business BureauBusiness

Sennheiser, a global leader in audio technology, has announced major discounts of up to 50 percent on its premium audio range during the Amazon Republic Day Sale 2026. The sale will begin on January 16 for all customers, while Prime members will get early access starting midnight on January 15. The offers are available for both Prime and non-Prime users across India. As part of the sale, customers can also avail up to 24 months of no-cost EMI along with additional discounts on select bank cards. The discounted portfolio includes popular products such as the Profile Wireless microphone system, MD…

15 Jan

TallyPrime 7.0 launched with stronger banking links, enhanced data security for MSMEs

Business BureauBusiness

Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd, India’s leading business automation software provider, has announced the launch of TallyPrime Release 7.0, marking five years of the TallyPrime platform. Since its inception, TallyPrime has been designed around one clear promise- make digitisation simple, reliable, and truly useful for MSMEs. This milestone release strengthens that mission by bringing together deeper integrations, smarter automation, and meaningful data-protection enhancements into a more cohesive, connected experience. Over the years, TallyPrime has helped businesses navigate India’s fast-evolving digital landscape, from e-invoicing and e-way bills to connected GST compliance and everyday financial operations. With features like Connected Banking and TallyPrime…

15 Jan

MG Windsor becomes India’s No. 1 selling EV of 2025 with 46,735 units sold

Business BureauBusiness

JSW MG Motor India has announced that the MG Windsor has emerged as India’s No. 1 selling electric vehicle in 2025, clocking sales of over 46,735 units during the calendar year. The company is the first OEM in the country to achieve such volumes with a single EV model. The Windsor also recorded the highest month-on-month EV sales through 2025, averaging nearly 4,000 units per month. Overall, JSW MG Motor India posted 19% growth for the year, while its EV sales surged by 111% compared to 2024. Windsor sales also grew by more than 20% in Q4 2025 over the…

15 Jan

California Opens Probe Into Grok Over AI Deepfake Abuse Claims

editorBusiness

California has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s xAI following mounting allegations that its Grok model is generating sexually explicit deepfake images without consent. State Attorney General Rob Bonta said recent reports showing the spread of fabricated nude imagery including depictions of women and children were shocking and called on xAI to act immediately. The probe comes as global scrutiny intensifies. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that X, which hosts Grok, could lose its ability to self-regulate. British watchdog Ofcom has separately opened its own investigation and could impose fines of up to 10% of global…

15 Jan

Shoppers Don’t Mind, Gig Workers Happy

Purbalee DuttaBusiness

In India’s rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector, the promise of “10-minute delivery” came to represent extreme convenience driven by nearby dark stores and streamlined logistics. However, as Blinkit drops this claim following intervention by the Labour Ministry, the focus is shifting amid growing concerns over the safety and well-being of gig workers. A delivery rider, who participated in a nationwide strike, said strict time expectations often led to customer harassment and risky behaviour on the road. He recalled being pressured during delays and even meeting with an accident due to constant calls from customers. The government’s intervention, he said, has brought…

15 Jan

Budget Countdown: Telecom Players Demand Sharper Cuts in Licence Charges

Preeti SinghBusiness

The telecom industry is lobbying the finance ministry for significant reductions in licence fees and a temporary suspension of compulsory contributions to the Digital Bharat Nidhi in the forthcoming Union Budget. They assert that the existing regulatory fees are hindering their ability to invest in next-generation networks. According to industry recommendations submitted in advance of the Budget, there is a request to reduce the licence fee from the current rate of 3% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) to a range between 0.5% and 1%. Additionally, it is proposed that the 5% AGR contribution to the Digital Bharat Nidhi be temporarily…

15 Jan

Samsung announces the certification of 1,750 students in Uttar Pradesh under its flagship SIC programme

Business BureauBusiness

Samsung, India's largest consumer electronics brand, on the occasion of National Youth Day, has announced the certification of 1,750 students in Uttar Pradesh under its flagship Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme, marking a significant milestone in the company’s youth-skilling efforts in the state. The certification ceremony was held at the City Group of Institutions in Lucknow, in the presence of Smt. Rajni Tiwari, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, along with academic leaders and programme partners. With this cohort, the total number of students trained under Samsung Innovation Campus in Uttar Pradesh has reached 3,900, making it one…