Apparel Group, a leading global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate, announces the opening of Carrefour’s second store in India at ANSA City Centre, Ghaziabad, marking another significant milestone in the expansion of the renowned international retailer across the Indian market.

Mr. Nilesh Ved, Chairman of APPCORP Holding, owner of Apparel Group and Founder of KORA Properties, alongside Team Carrefour

Following the launch of Carrefour’s first flagship store at H&S Mall (Boulevard Walk), Greater Noida West, the Ghaziabad opening builds on the momentum of the strategic partnership between Apparel Group and Carrefour. The expansion strengthens the brand’s presence across the National Capital Region (NCR), bringing its globally recognised retail proposition closer to a growing consumer base seeking quality, value, choice and convenience.

The opening comes as India’s retail landscape continues to evolve, driven by rising consumer aspirations, rapid urbanisation and growing demand for modern, organised retail experiences. Through its partnership with Carrefour, Apparel Group is capitalising on these opportunities by combining the international retailer’s global expertise and extensive product offering with its own understanding of Indian consumers, established operational capabilities and local market knowledge.

Located at ANSA City Centre, the new Ghaziabad store introduces Carrefour’s world-class retail experience through a format of 2,000 square meters tailored to local shopping preferences. Customers can explore a comprehensive selection of fresh produce, daily bakery items, groceries, household essentials, personal care products and other everyday categories. The offering brings together international brands and locally sourced products, delivering a shopping experience that reflects the diverse needs and expectations of Indian households.

Beyond expanding Carrefour’s physical presence, the Ghaziabad opening represents another step towards Apparel Group’s long-term ambition to establish a strong and scalable retail platform across India. Building on the foundation established in Greater Noida, the Group plans to progressively extend Carrefour’s footprint into key markets nationwide, supported by domestic sourcing networks, modern logistics infrastructure and localised supply chain capabilities.

Mr. Nilesh Ved, Chairman of APPCORP Holding, Owner of Apparel Group and Founder of KORA Properties, said, “Carrefour’s second store in India represents another important step in our ambition to establish a strong and enduring presence in one of the world’s most promising consumer markets. The momentum following our Greater Noida launch reinforces our confidence in the opportunities ahead, as Indian consumers increasingly seek greater choice, international quality and exceptional value. Through our partnership with Carrefour, we are bringing together global retail expertise and deep local market understanding to create a platform designed for long-term scale. The Ghaziabad opening strengthens our presence across the NCR and takes us further towards our vision of making Carrefour a trusted retail destination for households across India.”

Mr. Patrick Lasfargues, Executive Director – International Partnership, Carrefour, added, “The opening of our second store in India marks an important step in Carrefour’s journey in this market. Following the launch of our first flagship in Greater Noida, expanding into Ghaziabad enables us to bring our retail proposition to an even broader consumer base in the NCR. We look forward to continuing this journey and expanding our presence across India.”

As Apparel Group and Carrefour advance their shared vision for India, the partnership will continue to focus on strengthening domestic supplier relationships, expanding local sourcing capabilities and developing an integrated omnichannel retail ecosystem. Supported by technology, modern logistics infrastructure and strategic partnerships, this approach aims to connect physical retail with evolving consumer expectations while creating long-term value across India’s retail and supply chain sectors.

With its second store now established in Ghaziabad, Carrefour’s India journey continues to gather momentum, reinforcing Apparel Group’s commitment to building a nationwide retail presence that brings international standards, local relevance and everyday value to consumers across the country.

About Apparel Group (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate residing at the crossroads of the modern economy – Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Today, Apparel Group caters to eager shoppers through its 2600+ retail stores and 85+ brands on all platforms while employing over 28,000+ multicultural staff.

Apparel Group has carved its strong presence in the GCC and expanded thriving gateways to market in India, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Egypt. Additionally, clear strategies are in place to enter emerging markets such as Hungary and Philippines.

Apparel Group India has created an omni-channel experience, operating brands originating from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The brands in India include leading names in fashion, footwear, and lifestyle such as Victoria’s Secret, Dolce&Gabbana Beauty, Victoria’s Secret PINK, YSL, Charles & Keith, Crocs, Aldo, Aldo Accessories, Bath & Body Works, Cotton On, Levis Kids, Tim Hortons, Inglot, Call It Spring, Nike Littles, Jordan Kids, Anne Klein, Herschel Supply Co., R&B, Carrefour, and Daiso Japan. Apparel Group has a multi-brand partnership with Marquee Brands for the licensing of BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Sur la table, and Martha Stewart brands, across GCC and India. With 300+ stores and 20+ brands, the company serves thousands of customers across 50 cities in India.

Apparel Group owes its amazing growth to the vision and guidance of its dynamic Founder and Chairwoman, Mrs. Sima Ganwani Ved, who has taken the company from strength to strength since its inception in the last two decades.

For more information, please visit: 

Apparel Group India | LinkedIn | Download Club Apparel App

About Carrefour Group

With a multi-format network of over 15,000 stores in more than 40 countries, the Carrefour Group is one of the world’s leading food retailers. Carrefour International Partnership manages all the Carrefour Group’s franchised Partners worldwide, operating in more than 30 countries with over 4,000 stores. Carrefour posted sales of EUR 91.5 billion in 2025. Its integrated store network employs more than 300,000 people who help to make Carrefour the world leader in the food transition for all, by offering quality food every day, accessible everywhere and at a reasonable price. In total, more than 500,000 people work under Carrefour banners worldwide.

For more information, visit www.carrefour.com or find us on X (@news_carrefour) and LinkedIn (Carrefour).

Indian fashion industry representatives brought artificial intelligence (AI) and traditional craftsmanship into focus at the recent BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, examining how designers can use emerging technologies while preserving India’s textile heritage.

BRICS+ Fashion Summit

The international fashion business forum of fast-growing economies has become a  decisive venue for shaping the commercial and creative strategies of emerging markets, and this year gathered experts from more than 60 countries to discuss economic trends, production technologies, consumer behaviour, traditional crafts, brand influence and AI. Discussions considered fashion markets across Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe, where design, manufacturing and retail practices continue to evolve.

Kanika Goyal explains why AI cannot replace creative judgement

Kanika Goyal, Founder and Creative Director of KGL, examined whether AI should be considered a creative partner or a tool for designers.

Recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 and Entrepreneur 35 Under 35, Goyal has dressed M.I.A. and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Her brand has also collaborated with Adidas Originals.

“AI can help with the design process, but it cannot understand how a model feels or whether an embroidery detail is in the right place. AI is more of an assistant because it has no emotions or life experience,” Goyal said.

She emphasised that effective AI use depends on how designers formulate instructions and critically assess the results. Decisions about which elements to improve, change or reject must remain with the designer rather than being delegated entirely to technology.

Goyal also highlighted how AI could help emerging designers explore concepts without the substantial investment previously needed for visualisation, photography and 3D specialists. Yet, while AI makes creation more accessible, she emphasized that aesthetic judgment remains human.

“Democratising the tools doesn’t democratise taste. Everyone can potentially generate an image. But not everyone knows which image is worth pursuing,” she warned.

Indian textile heritage offers opportunities in international markets

Subhendu Ghosh Dastidar, Business Head at Ezma Fine Cashmere, addressed the commercial importance of traditional craftsmanship during the session “The Cultural Code: From Historical Archives to Worldwide Impact.” 

Dastidar argued that cultural heritage alone cannot secure international market success. Products must also meet customer expectations for quality.

He described historical archives as repositories of knowledge extending beyond decorative patterns to materials, cultural practices and techniques passed down through generations. Contemporary designers, he suggested, must translate this inherited expertise into clothing relevant to modern consumers.

KGL reinterprets traditional embroidery through contemporary design

Goyal illustrated how traditional techniques can evolve through new materials and silhouettes.

“At KGL, we work extensively with hand embroidery, but interpret it through very contemporary materials, techniques and silhouettes. I think that is how craft survives, when it continues to evolve and becomes relevant to a new generation.” 

Her Arc Echo collection was presented through a partnership between the Fashion Design Council of India and Moscow Fashion Week, which took place in the Russian capital alongside the BRICS+ Fashion Summit.

The collection features jackets and trousers constructed from narrow strips of upcycled denim, with embroidery completed by artisans in New Delhi. Mosaic knitwear and interwoven fabrics explore the idea of fragmented memories.

Sunil Sethi highlights the international appeal of Indian craftsmanship

Sunil Sethi, Chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India, pointed to designers combining established artisanal techniques with increasingly expressive approaches to fashion.

He cited Anamika Khanna’s chikankari embroidery paired with relaxed trousers and washed indigo, Rahul Mishra’s use of zardosi, Falguni and Shane’s intricate beadwork and sequins, and Sabyasachi’s handloom creations.

For Sethi, these examples demonstrate how Indian fashion is moving beyond conventional interpretations of traditional aesthetics towards greater creative freedom.

He also identified international demand for handmade products as an opportunity for India’s fashion exports.

“The foreign customer appreciates handmade crafts, as they represent true luxury through their timeless quality and reflect our rich textile traditions and processes that have withstood the test of time,” Sethi said.

GrowthCap Ventures, an early-stage Deeptech venture capital firm focused on technology-led businesses, has invested in LogiXair, a Hyderabad-based deep-tech aerospace and logistics company developing autonomous hybrid-electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft for cargo logistics across India and international markets along with angel investors with professional backgrounds at Honeywell Aerospace have joined the round, adding aerospace industry experience and strategic insight.
 

LogiXair Founders Pulla Kapil and Bhanu Teja Chidura (right), alongside the Winghead 002 flight demo in an operational environment, validating TRL 6
 

Founded by Bhanu Teja Chidura and Pulla Kapil, LogiXair is closing a critical gap in India’s logistics: fast, reliable short-haul cargo movement of up to 600 km between metros, industrial hubs and Tier II and III cities, without conventional runways, with a roadmap built for international markets as well. Its engineering-led team, spanning aerospace engineering, autonomous systems, robotics and software, with experience across both research and commercial technology systems, has validated a hybrid-electric powertrain, flight-tested sub-scale prototypes and built six IP assets at TRL 6. Working with DRDO and other aerospace and defence OEMs, the team tests its technology against real operational requirements, and the resulting revenue supports a capital-efficient path to commercialisation.
 

The L560, an autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL carrying up to 300 kg over 600 km, together with modular cargo containers, autonomous ground handling and fleet operations software, forms a new logistics layer alongside road, rail and conventional aviation, giving it a scalable platform for India’s fast-growing logistics market and for export to international markets. The investment will fund continued engineering development, technology validation and commercialisation, with partnerships across logistics, industrial and strategic sectors to be explored.
 

LogiXair’s progress comes amid growing momentum in India’s deep-tech and aerospace ecosystem, supported by initiatives such as the government’s Rs. 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme aimed at accelerating indigenous technology development and commercialisation. With increasing interest in autonomous aviation, advanced mobility and strategic technologies, the company sees significant opportunities to build globally competitive aerospace solutions from India.
 

“Our vision is to build a new layer of logistics infrastructure that makes regional cargo transportation faster, more flexible and less dependent on traditional transportation networks. We are developing an integrated platform that combines autonomous aviation, hybrid-electric propulsion, and intelligent cargo handling. GrowthCap Ventures’ backing, together with support from experienced aerospace professionals, strengthens our journey towards building scalable aerial logistics infrastructure for India and global markets,” said Bhanu Teja Chidura, Co-founder, LogiXair.
 

“Logistics is one of India’s largest and most underserved infrastructure opportunities, and LogiXair is attacking it with rare engineering depth. Bhanu brings more than eight years in aerial robotics and holds an EASA pilot’s licence; with Kapil and a team backed by advisors from Honeywell and IIT Hyderabad, he has taken the company from concept to a flying hybrid-electric VTOL, built six IP assets and a revenue-generating defence engineering business. That platform can serve defence and offshore logistics first, then India’s middle-mile cargo, with Europe and Asia-Pacific as natural international markets. That execution is what gave us conviction, and it shows that India has the engineering talent to build globally relevant deep-tech companies,” said Pratekk Agarwaal, Founder and General Partner, GrowthCap Ventures.

About Growth Cap Ventures: The Operator VC Backing India’s Early-Stage Deeptech, Fintech and AI Founders

Growth Cap Ventures is a SEBI-registered Cat2, operator-led fund that invests from seed alongside founders in deeptech, fintech and AI. Deeptech accounts for about 40% of its portfolio. The fund is led by Founder & General Partner Pratekk Agarwaal, an IIM-Kozhikode alumnus whose career spans Bajaj Finserv, Fullerton India, IndoStar Capital and BharatPe. It combines Pratekk’s operating experience with capital, advice and an institutional network for founders.

• The Report highlights the institutionalisation of 393 vision centres (Drishti Kendras)- part of the Asha Kirana initiative- a significant milestone in the journey towards a blindness-free Karnataka

• Drishti Kendras reflect Government commitment, multi-sectoral partnership, and Quality assurance, which remain at the core of the integrated strategic framework for long-term viability

Celebrating World Sight Day (8th October) in India, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Government of Karnataka and World Health Organization released a report titled ‘Advancing integrated, people-centred eye-care,’ today.  The Report highlighted the integration of ‘Asha Kirana’ as a specialized services into primary health infrastructure in Karnataka.  The document summarised the phased studies conducted from 2022 up till now, comprising a total of eight districts in Karnataka: 14 million primary screenings were conducted, over 4.5 lakh free spectacles provided, and more than 2.5 lakh cataract surgeries were performed during this period. Most importantly, the document spotlit the institutionalisation of 393 vision centres (Drishti Kendras) as a permanent part of the state health system to deliver integrated, community-anchored eye health services at scale, focusing on equity, clinical quality, and sustainability. Each of these vision centres have been mapped to secondary surgical centres to address advanced intervention, such as cataract surgery or specialized management of complex ocular pathologies, thereby providing holistic eye care management in the State.

Bhavna Singh, EssilorLuxottica; Gurudatta Hegde, IAS, Health Commissioner; Dr Vivek Durai, Joint Director; Venu Ambati, OneSight Foundation; UT Khader Minister & Dr Krishna Prasad K

With the shared commitment of providing equitable eye care, the Report was released by Hon’ble Minister of Health, Government of Karnataka, Shri U T Khader Fareed in the presence of Venu Ambati, President Greater India, EssilorLuxottica and Director, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and Dr B Mohammed Asheel, National Professional Officer, Non-Communicable Diseases, WHO India (online presence).  

Speaking at the release, Shri U T Khader Fareed, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Government of Karnataka, said, “We are proud to be one of the few progressive States in India with a clear vision of becoming blindness-free.  Our systematic approach towards addressing access to healthy vision is now a documented case study for a holistic approach to eyecare in India. The 393 Drishti Kendras spread across community health centres, taluka hospitals and district hospitals are in line with the mission of Asha Kirana:to prevent and mitigate avoidable blindness and visual impairment in Karnataka state by addressing the two conditions responsible for most of the avoidable vision loss, uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts. We are thankful to the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation for partnering with us in our journey towards institutionalizing Asha Kirana- a successful model of integrating eye care in the public health system.”

Additionally, the Hon’ble Minister stated, “The OneSight Foundation has been consistently working with Asha Kiranas, developing their skill, capability and knowledge towards delivering universal, community-based door-to-door vision screenings and reducing avoidable blindness across the region.  I am pleased to note that the World Sight Day 2026 celebrations will witness 40,000 Asha Kiranas receiving free sunglasses from the Foundation.  To mark this occasion, the Foundation had organised a Blind Walk from the Vidhan Saudha that includes participation from citizens from all walks of life. I congratulate the OneSight Foundation for their concerted efforts towards moving vision forward.” 

Venu Ambati, President, Greater India, EssilorLuxottica and Director, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, said, “We are proud, through our foundation OneSight, to partner with the Government of Karnataka in our journey towards providing equitable eye care. The success of the Asha Kirana model in Karnataka, along with the 393 Drishti Kendra is a proof point of scalability: from a state innovation to a globally replicable model.  In line with our commitment towards building a healthier vision, we look forward to partnering with States for a potential roll out of Asha Kirana as a model for national programme implementation.  States could be encouraged to adopt the core principles of the WHO’s Integrated Patient-centred Eye-care while working on community-anchored screening through health worker networks, and the setup of permanent vision centres, as part of the primary healthcare mechanism.  We continue to remain thankful to the State of Karnataka for co-creating this model and are proud that the WHO has, through this Report, documented the steps that each State can take to build a collaborative ecosystem that encourages holistic eye care management.”

Dr Mohammed Asheel, Country Focal Point, Eye care, WHO India said, “The significance of Asha Kirana extends far beyond eye care in Karnataka. The initiative provides an example of how WHO’s vision for Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPEC) can be operationalised in a resource-constrained setting. Asha Kirana demonstrates how these principles can be translated into operational strategies, including community-based service delivery, workforce empowerment, the use of technology to strengthen accountability, targeted approaches to equity, and the creation of enabling environments. The model illustrates the importance of systems thinking, political commitment, and the translation of policy principles into operational mechanisms. For this reason, Asha Kirana offers valuable lessons for documentation, learning, and adaptation in other settings. It illustrates how WHO frameworks can be translated from policy into implementation within a public health programme.”

About OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation
The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation is committed to expanding sustainable access to vision care in underserved communities worldwide. Inspired by EssilorLuxottica’s mission to Empower Humans, the Foundation provides free eye exams and glasses, strengthens local vision care systems, and partners with NGOs, governments, and like-minded organizations to deliver scalable, long-term solutions. As the first Global Collaborating Partner of the World Health Organization’s SPECS 2030 initiative, the Foundation supports the integration of vision care into primary healthcare systems and advances progress toward universal access. To date, its work has reached more than 140 countries and enabled access to vision care for over one billion people.
 

About World Health Organization 
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations’ specialized agency for health. WHO India works closely with the Government of India and state governments to strengthen health systems, advance Universal Health Coverage, and improve health outcomes across the country. The WHO Country Office for India is headquartered in New Delhi and has a nationwide presence.

Website: www.who.int/india

Chitkara University has achieved a significant milestone in research excellence, with 57 of its researchers recognised among the world’s top 2% of scientists in the latest report by Stanford University and Elsevier. The recognition reflects the University’s growing research contributions and its commitment to advancing knowledge through impactful, interdisciplinary and collaborative research.

57 Chitkara University researchers earn recognition among the world’s Top 2% Scientists in the prestigious Stanford University–Elsevier report

The Stanford–Elsevier report identifies influential researchers across disciplines based on standardised citation indicators and research impact. The inclusion of 57 Chitkara University researchers in this global recognition highlights the contributions of its academic and research community to the advancement of scholarship and innovation.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder, Chitkara University, said, “Research is not simply about expanding the boundaries of knowledge; it is about using that knowledge to address meaningful questions, solve real-world challenges, and contribute to society. The recognition of 57 of our researchers among the world’s top 2% scientists is a proud moment for Chitkara University. It reflects the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our academic environment, and our belief that meaningful research must create an impact beyond the university. We remain committed to nurturing a culture where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are challenged, and discoveries translate into progress for communities and the world.”

At Chitkara University, research is viewed as an integral part of academic growth and institutional development. The University continues to encourage faculty members and researchers to pursue rigorous inquiry, collaborate across disciplines and engage with emerging challenges in science, technology, healthcare, business and other fields.

The recognition also celebrates the individual commitment, intellectual curiosity and sustained efforts of the researchers whose work contributes to the global body of knowledge. Their achievements strengthen the University’s research ecosystem and inspire the next generation of scholars to pursue questions that can lead to meaningful discoveries and lasting change.

Congratulating all 57 researchers on this achievement, Chitkara University reaffirmed its commitment to advancing research excellence, supporting innovation and building an academic environment where knowledge creates value for society.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality and emerging technology fields. For Class 11 and 12 students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.

For more information, please visit: www.chitkara.edu.in

Zaitoon Restaurant Group celebrated its 17th anniversary by honouring over 210 employees who have completed more than 10 years of service. As a gesture of appreciation for their loyalty and contribution, employees were presented with gold coins, while select team members also received motorcycles at felicitation ceremonies held in Chennai and Bengaluru.
 

Zaitoon honours employee loyalty in Chennai & Bengaluru

Speaking on the occasion, Noufal Narikkoli, Chief Executive Officer, Zaitoon Restaurant Group, said, “As Zaitoon celebrates its 17th anniversary, we take pride in how far we have come since our journey began in Chennai in 2009. Today, with 24 branches across India, Qatar and the UAE, and an annual customer footfall of approximately 15 million, our growth reflects the dedication of the people who have grown with us. Honouring over 210 colleagues who have completed more than a decade with Zaitoon is a heartfelt expression of our gratitude for their loyalty and contribution to the brand.”
 

Fardan T. K., Chief Operating Officer, Zaitoon Restaurant Group, added, “Behind every decade of service are countless busy days, challenges overcome and responsibilities carried with dedication. Many of these colleagues have helped us build teams, open branches and welcome generations of guests. Honouring their contributions with gold coins and motorcycles makes this anniversary especially meaningful.”
 

The initiative reflects Zaitoon’s commitment to recognising employee loyalty and fostering a culture of appreciation. As the group continues to expand, it remains focused on creating opportunities for its people while strengthening its presence across markets.
 

About Zaitoon Restaurant Group

Established in Chennai in 2009, Zaitoon is a multicuisine restaurant group operating 24 branches across India, Qatar and the UAE, with an annual customer footfall of approximately 15 million. Known for its diverse culinary offerings and family dining experiences, the brand continues to grow guided by its philosophy of “Serving Moments.”

Propshell, a real estate company specialising in plotted developments and land ownership opportunities, has been honoured with the “Plotted Developer of the Year 2026” award at the ET Now.in Realty Conclave & Awards 2026 – South Edition, held on October 15, 2026, at Taj Coromandel, Chennai.
 

Tamil Nadu Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar presents the award as the company targets 10 million sq. ft. in land sales by 2029

The award was presented by the Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, recognising Propshell’s journey and growth in the plotted real estate segment.

Since its inception in 2007, Propshell has steadily expanded its project portfolio while building enduring relationships with customers, landowners and channel partners. Its journey reflects nearly two decades of entrepreneurship, driven by a focus on expanding land ownership opportunities and strengthening its presence in the real estate market.
 

Reflecting upon the milestone and Propshell’s growth ambitions, G. Jayaram, Founder of Propshell, said, “This recognition is a proud moment for me and the entire Propshell family. When we began our journey in 2007, our vision was to create meaningful opportunities for people to own land and participate in real estate growth. Having sold 12 million square feet over the years, we are now working towards achieving another 10 million square feet in sales by 2029. Our ambition goes beyond business growth. We want to enable more families to own land and move closer to building their dream homes. Through responsible plotted development, customer trust and long-term value creation, we aspire to contribute to the broader national vision of ‘Housing for All’.
 

“This achievement belongs to our team, channel partners, landowners and customers who have supported us throughout the years. The award inspires us to build on this foundation and pursue our next phase of growth with greater commitment and ambition,” he added.
 

With its 2029 sales target, Propshell aims to build on its established presence across key markets while expanding its plotted development portfolio and creating further opportunities for prospective landowners.

About Propshell

Founded in 2007 by G. Jayaram, Propshell is a real estate company focused on plotted developments and land ownership opportunities. With more than 80 projects, over 10,000 customers and 12 million square feet of land sold, the company has a presence across Chennai, Trichy, Coimbatore and Kodaikanal, as well as in Dubai. Propshell continues to focus on expanding its portfolio, strengthening customer relationships and creating opportunities in the plotted real estate segment, with a target of selling an additional 10 million square feet of plotted land by 2029.

This festive season, Maybelline New York is giving India’s love for mithai a beauty twist with the launch of its first India-exclusive limited-edition collection, Super Stay Vinyl Ink Mithai. Inspired by the treats that make every celebration in India, a little sweeter, the collection features five bold lipstick shades- Berry Barfi, Cherry Ras, Rose Rabdi, Gulabi Dusk and Nutty Halwa bringing a touch of mithai-inspired smudgeproof shine that lasts through your festive season. 

Maybelline New York’s India-exclusive limited-edition collection: Super Stay Vinyl Ink Mithai

At the heart of the campaign is Maybelline New York brand ambassador Kiara Advani, celebrating the many little moments that make the festive season what it is: getting dressed up, catching up with friends and family, indulging in one more piece of mithai and heading straight from one celebration to the next.

YouTube link: youtu.be/R7KwCYVyvCY?si=dqYFJMF6KoPknFiD

With its mithai-inspired shades and signature Super Stay Vinyl Ink formula, the collection is made for a season when the plans keep coming and the lipstick needs to keep up. The campaign will also feature exclusive slice-of-life moments with Kiara across social media.

The festive fun continues with the Maybelline New York tribe featuring Leisha Patidar, Rida Tharana, Ishani Mitra and Ambika Nayak (Kayan). Representing different cities across India, each bring their own regional take on festive beauty, with different looks, personalities and ways to celebrate, showing that there is no one way to do festive glam.

Maybelline New York’s Brand Ambassador Kiara Advani said, “I think what I love most about Indian festivities is that there’s never just one celebration. It’s a whole season of dressing up, getting ready, meeting people you love, eating far too much mithai and making plans on the go. I had so much fun bringing that energy into this campaign, especially because it celebrates these little moments that make the festive season feel so special. And I love that the Super Stay Vinyl Ink Mithai Collection brings that same festive spirit to beauty, with shades inspired by some of our favourite mithais and a lipstick that can keep up with all those never-ending celebrations.”

 From North to South and East to West, no celebration is complete without a box of mithai and Maybelline New York is taking the mithai connection beyond beauty, by collaborating with Saffron & Mishri, a contemporary luxury mithai house known for reimagining Indian craftsmanship through unexpected flavours and artistic expression. 

Gunjan Srivastava, Founder, Saffron & Mishri said, “Mithai is at the heart of every Indian celebration, and at Saffron & Mishri we love reimagining it with unexpected flavours and artistry. We look at global tastes and techniques and blend them with the Indian flavours we grew up with, so every piece feels familiar and surprising at the same time. Collaborating with Maybelline New York to bring mithai into beauty has been a joy, and we hope every limited-edition set brings a little extra sweetness to the season’s celebrations.”

With this landmark campaign, Maybelline New York reinforces its commitment to creating beauty experiences that resonate with the aspirations, traditions and individuality of Indian consumers. Championing this vision to life, this festive season, Maybelline New York invites their consumers to step onto the “Maybelline New York Festive Express” which celebrates India’s festive season in motion. A season of multiple occasions, endless plans and celebrations, festive season in India is a whirlwind of getting ready, stepping out, hosting and hopping between festivities. The Festive Express captures this ever-moving spirit of the season.
 

Festivals in India have never been about the calendar. They’re about the people we find our way back to. With the Maybelline Festive Express, Maybelline New York is following that feeling from city to city, celebrating the music, culture, food and traditions that makes every city special. In Kolkata, Maybelline New York took inspiration from pandal hopping in Kolkata during Pujo and kicked off with a Pujo-coded “Maybe It’s My Stage” concert with artist Temsu Clover and then moved on to the capital city- Delhi, where the night turned golden with singer Rashmeet Kaur headlining a Diwali-bash celebrating the uniqueness of the city.

Maybelline New York then took the Festive Express to Mumbai, bringing its festive campaign to life against the backdrop of the iconic Asiatic Society of Mumbai. Through large-scale projection mapping, the landmark was transformed into a canvas for Maybelline’s festive world, illuminating the city with the campaign’s colours, energy and festive identity. With this, Maybelline became the first beauty brand to bring projection mapping to the iconic Asiatic Society. As the city came alive in celebration, the activation brought Maybelline’s festive world beyond screens and into the heart of Mumbai, creating a striking moment where the city’s heritage met the excitement of the season.

Maybelline New York brought its festive campaign to life against the backdrop of the iconic Asiatic Society of Mumbai

Each stop brings Maybelline New York closer to its consumers; in the places and moments they celebrate most. 

Maya Aramouni, General Manager, Maybelline New York India said, “With our first-ever festive collection for India, we wanted to create more than a seasonal beauty edit – we wanted to celebrate the many ways India experiences and expresses the festive season. The festive calendar is packed, with back-to-back plans, celebrations and moments that call for makeup that can keep up. From our mithai-inspired Super Stay Vinyl Ink shades to the campaign led by Kiara Advani and our creator community, the campaign brings together product innovation, cultural relevance and beauty designed to go the distance through every festive moment.” 

Stay tuned as Maybelline New York brings more exciting experiences to the festive season.

 Maybe it’s festive. Maybe it’s Maybelline. 

About Maybelline New York

Maybelline New York is the number one cosmetic brand in the world, available in over 120 countries. By combining technologically advanced formulas with on-trend expertise and New York City edge, Maybelline New York’s mission is to offer innovative, accessible, and effortless cosmetics for all. In 2020, Maybelline introduced Brave Together, a long-term program to support anxiety and depression worldwide. Brave Together provides critical one-on-one support, an online education hub, a variety of programming to help destigmatize the conversation around mental health and has committed to donate $10 million over the next five years to global and local organizations.

For more information log on to maybelline.co.in or www.maybelline.com/bravetogether.com.

As EVs become more competitive in India, the maths of switching from petrol to electric is getting easier to calculate. For buyers considering models such as the VinFast VF 6 and VF 7, ownership incentives, free charging and ICE-to-EV switching support can help bring the breakeven point forward.

VinFast makes the switch to EV easier with lower running costs, free charging until March 31, 2029, and attractive ownership benefit

Imagine you have owned the same petrol SUV for five years. It has been reliable, familiar and easy to live with, but fuel prices are eating into your wallet, the next service bill is coming up and the odometer is climbing. You start looking at what to buy next, and an electric SUV catches your attention. Its price is a little higher than the petrol equivalent, but every trip to the fuel station could disappear.

The question is whether those savings will ever break even with the higher purchase price.

The answer can be surprisingly specific. A driver covering 20,000 kilometres a year and charging mostly at home could recover the extra cost of an EV in only a few years. Someone driving 8,000 kilometres a year, especially without access to home charging, could take most of a decade. The difference comes down to a handful of numbers: annual mileage, energy cost, purchase price, taxes and how long the car is kept.

The odometer is where the EV starts earning its keep
The easiest place to start is the cost of moving the car one kilometre. Take petrol at around INR 102 a litre in Delhi. If an SUV manages 13-14 km per litre, its fuel cost comes to roughly INR 7.3-7.8 per kilometre.

With an EV, assuming the vehicle travels around 6-7 km per kWh and using household electricity rates ranging from about INR 3/kWh in Delhi to INR 8.98/kWh in Maharashtra, the raw energy cost can range from roughly INR 0.4 to INR 1.5 per kilometre, depending on the local tariff and household consumption. In practice, because an EV can push a household into higher electricity slabs, a more useful working estimate is around INR 0.9-1.3 per kilometre for home charging.

That means the home-charging advantage is roughly INR 6-7 per kilometre in the example above. Let’s use INR 6/km as a conservative estimate of the savings to make the calculation simple.

Now add a representative INR 4 lakh upfront premium for the EV. If the EV saves INR 6 for every kilometre driven, the calculation is INR 4,00,000 ÷ INR 6, which equals about 66,700 kilometres. That is the point at which fuel savings alone have recovered the initial price difference, with every additional kilometre adding to the savings.

A driver covering 8,000 km a year would need roughly 66,700 ÷ 8,000 = 8.3 years to get there. At 12,000 km a year, it takes about 5.6 years; at 15,000 km, around 4.4 years; and at 20,000 km, about 3.3 years.

Of course, that’s for home charging. With public charging, the gap between EV and ICE is smaller, but the EV still has an energy-cost advantage. At INR 15-25 per kWh, the same 6-7 km of driving costs roughly INR 2.1-4.2 per kilometre, before accounting for charging losses. That is still below the INR 7.3-7.8/km fuel cost of the petrol SUV.

Maintenance can bring that breakeven point forward. Petrol and diesel cars typically require around INR 7,000-10,000 a year in scheduled servicing, while comparable EVs can be around INR 2,000-4,000. That creates a potential annual saving of roughly INR 5,000-8,000 before other ownership costs are considered. EV owners can face higher insurance premiums and potentially faster tyre wear, however, so those costs should be included rather than treating all maintenance savings as pure profit.

Taxes can also materially change the calculation. In states offering substantial road-tax exemptions for EVs, part of the upfront price gap can disappear before the car even leaves the showroom. For a representative INR 20 lakh vehicle, an ICE road-tax bill of 8-15% would amount to roughly INR 1.6-3 lakh, although the actual amount varies by state and vehicle.

That’s a lot of numbers to chew through, but if you have to take one thing away from it, it’s this: the more a car is driven, the more opportunities an EV has to recover its initial premium. There is no single mileage at which every petrol owner should trade in for an EV. Instead, the calculation becomes increasingly favourable as three things happen together: annual mileage rises, charging costs fall and the ownership period gets longer.

VinFast is trying to make that transition easier
The financial calculation is only part of the decision. Someone moving from a petrol car to an EV is also changing how they refuel, maintain and think about the vehicle.

VinFast is attempting to reduce some of those barriers in India with a combination of product specifications, warranty coverage and ownership incentives.

Its B-SUV VF 6 offers up to 468 km of MIDC range and can charge from 10% to 70% in about 25 minutes, while the VF 7, its C-SUV, offers more performance and space, with up to 438 km of MIDC range and charging from 10% to 70% in about 24 minutes. The VF 6 comes with a 7-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty and a 10-year/200,000 km battery warranty, while the VF 7 offers a 10-year/200,000 km warranty for both the vehicle and battery.

The company is also offering measures aimed directly at the transition from ICE ownership. Its current programme includes free maintenance for three years or 36,000 km, free charging at V-Green charging stations until March 31, 2029, and cash support for customers who sell an existing ICE vehicle and purchase a VinFast EV. These incentives change the breakeven calculation because they reduce the effective cost of moving into an EV. 

For the petrol-car owner standing in a showroom and wondering whether this is finally the moment to go electric, the answer starts with the odometer rather than the badge. Look at how many kilometres you expect to add each year, calculate what each of those kilometres costs in petrol or electricity, and then ask how many of them you can power at home.

About VinFast
VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast’s product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses. 

VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Learn more at: vinfastauto.in