Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced that this year’s New Year Countdown will take place at the Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct in Central. The event will feature a brand-new format combining live performances by renowned singers and a light show, aiming to spread positive energy and heartfelt blessings. Additionally, HKTB has introduced a variety of countdown activities across Hong Kong on its website to make it easier for both locals and visitors to participate and welcome the New Year with new hopes. 

Central comes alive with festive light installations ahead of Hong Kong’s New Year countdown

A novel countdown showcase combining music and lights

From 11:30 pm on New Year’s Eve to 00:10 am on New Year’s Day, the event will feature a thrilling line-up of music performances. Headlining the event will be internationally acclaimed group Air Supply, performing a selection of their timeless classics, on top of live appearances by renowned local artists Jay Fung and Cloud Wan. There will also be performances from a children’s choir and the Hong Kong Police Band, setting the stage for the countdown moment.

The walls of eight iconic buildings participating in the Immersive Light Show in Central will welcome the New Year with light projections of a giant countdown clock and seasonal patterns. These buildings will present a three-minute light performance, themed “New Hopes, New Beginnings,” sending blessings to both the on-site audience and viewers worldwide This year’s countdown event is fully supported by Hongkong Land, the partner for Winter Wonderland in Central.

Large screens will be set up in Chater Garden and Edinburgh Place with live broadcasts of the performances and countdown. Additionally, an outdoor live projection will be displayed at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. A giant countdown clock will be shown on the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, building anticipation as midnight approaches.

The New Year countdown will be broadcast live on a number of media channels, including the official HKTB website, DiscoverHongKong.com, HKTB’s social media channels (Facebook & YouTube). HKTB will simultaneously broadcast the event via satellite to audiences around the world to welcome 2026. HKTB one-stop website showcases countdown activities across the city.

On New Year’s Eve, various countdown activities will take place across the city, including the “New Year’s Eve Countdown Party Moment” in Hong Kong Disneyland, and for the first time, a special countdown concert in West Kowloon Cultural District, as locals and visitors celebrate the arrival of 2026. HKTB’s one-stop travel information portal provides a list of various countdown activities in Hong Kong to help the public plan their itinerary.

About Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked with marketing and promoting Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and enhancing visitors’ experience once they arrive. These include making recommendations to the Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities.

The HKTB’s missions are to maximise the social and economic contribution made by tourism to the community of Hong Kong and to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a unique, world-class, and most desired destination.

MATTER MOTOR WORKS, the company behind India’s first geared electric motorcycle, AERA 5000+, has been honoured with the Best Patent Portfolio (2020–2025) award at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Industrial Intellectual Property Awards 2025. The company was also named among the Top 30 IP-Driven Organisations in India, recognising the depth, quality, and consistency of its intellectual property creation over the past five years.

Team Matter at CII Industrial Intellectual Property Awards 2025

The recognition reinforces MATTER’s position as one of the most innovation-led players in India’s electric two-wheeler ecosystem. To date, the company has filed 400+ patent applications, with 96 patents granted, and is on track to cross 100 granted patents in the near future. The awards were presented at CII’s annual Industrial IP Awards ceremony, which celebrates organisations demonstrating sustained innovation, original engineering, and a long-term commitment to intellectual property development.

MATTER’s IP portfolio spans core electric vehicle technologies and advanced manufacturing processes developed specifically for Indian operating conditions. Key areas of innovation include powertrain cooling systems engineered for high thermal loads, gearbox technologies that enabled the world’s first electric motorcycle with a manual transmission, onboard charging solutions, advanced battery management systems, and automation-driven manufacturing technologies. These innovations form the technological backbone of MATTER’s flagship product, AERA, and its broader product roadmap.

This marks MATTER MOTOR WORKS’ second consecutive recognition by CII. In 2024, the company received the CII Industrial IP Award for its growing patent portfolio, underscoring its long-term strategy of building original, in-house technology rather than relying on adapted or licensed solutions. The continued recognition reflects MATTER’s philosophy of embedding IP creation directly into product design, engineering, and manufacturing decisions.

Commenting on the achievement, Mohal Lalbhai, Founder and Group CEO, said, “Every patent represents years of hands-on problem-solving—testing, learning from failures, and engineering for real Indian road and climate conditions. We have always believed that if you are building in India, you must engineer from the ground up. This recognition reaffirms that conviction.”

Kumar Prasad Telikepalli, Founder and Group CTO, said, “At MATTER, innovation means taking ideas all the way—from concept to scalable, real-world solutions. Our IP journey is about enabling original thinking while staying grounded in product and business realities, so strong ideas translate into strong products and sustainable value.”

Arun Pratap Singh, Founder and Group COO, added, “Our focus has never been on patent numbers alone. Each patent is tied to a real engineering challenge encountered while building the motorcycle or scaling manufacturing. As we grow, our IP strategy will continue to be driven by long-term product thinking and real-world impact.”

As MATTER MOTOR WORKS continues to scale its manufacturing capabilities and expand its electric mobility portfolio, the company remains committed to strengthening its intellectual property foundation as a core pillar of long-term growth—anchored in in-house development, manufacturability, and technologies built for Indian usage conditions.

About MATTER MOTOR WORKS
MATTER is an innovation-first electric vehicle and energy solutions company committed to redefining mobility and energy access. With deep vertical integration and in-house development across powertrains, battery systems, electronics, and connected technologies, MATTER is building solutions that are bold, simple, smart, and driven by customer obsession. Headquartered in Ahmedabad, India, MATTER’s mission is to drive the adoption of clean energy through products and platforms that empower users and enable a sustainable future.

PUNO, a fast-growing experiential entertainment brand, today announced the launch of its Social Zone at PUNO Advance, Pune—the city’s first globally inspired, large-format destination for active play based socialising. Designed for young adults, groups, and experience seekers, the Social Zone introduces a new urban social category that blends active play, conversation, food, and celebration into one cohesive experiential entertainment format.

PUNO Advance Pune’s newly launched Social Zone

Built in response to Pune’s evolving lifestyle and its audiences’ appetite for elevated, repeat-worthy experiences, the Social Zone consolidates immersive gaming, competitive play, and hospitality-led social spaces under one roof. The launch positions Pune alongside global cities where social entertainment extends beyond bars and cinemas into high-energy, activity-driven “third spaces.”

About the Social Zone
 The Social Zone at PUNO Advance Pune is a large-scale competitive socialising destination anchored by Pune’s largest bowling facility, combining immersive shooting simulations, archery, dart lanes, superkixx, pooltables, Cube Chase, and integrated food, beverage, and lounge spaces within a single urban entertainment format.

At its core are eight full length bowling lanes, purpose-built for group play, leagues, and corporate outings—supporting longer evenings, higher engagement, and repeat visits. Surrounding attractions are curated to balance fun, connection, and social interaction, enabling guests to move seamlessly between activities and lounge experiences.

The destination is complemented by top-notch dining, crafted beverages, and comfortable social zones designed to encourage interaction and enjoyment-based dwell time. From hangout plans to mid-week meetups and team offsites to birthdays and high-energy weekends, the Social Zone adapts to multiple social occasions while maintaining a consistent premium experience.

Designed with groups in mind, the Social Zone at PUNO Advance is an ideal destination for corporate outings, offering a seamless blend of competitive team-based activities, premium bowling lanes, and hospitality-led social spaces. The format encourages collaboration, friendly competition, and informal networking, making it well-suited for team offsites, celebrations, and employee engagement experiences that extend beyond the boardroom.

“Our inspiration came from observing how social entertainment has evolved globally,” said Pankkaj Agarwal, Founder and CEO, PUNO. “During my recent travels to the U.S., what stood out was not a single venue but a pattern—spaces where competition, conversation, food, and comfort coexist effortlessly. We saw an opportunity to create India’s own version of that experience, without waiting. The Social Zone is our response: a place where vibe meets experience, and where people come together to play, connect, and celebrate.”

He added, “This launch reflects three clear drivers—personal learning that resets expectations, leadership that gives teams a bold idea to rally around, and a market that is ready for experiences that drive repeat visits and longer dwell time. When you observe what people are choosing, identify what’s missing, and move quickly, you don’t just build a business—you expand a community.”

More than a venue launch, the Social Zone signals a shift in Pune’s social entertainment landscape. By integrating competitive play with hospitality and lounge culture, PUNO introduces a format that feels global yet grounded in how Pune prefers to gather—around activity, conversation, and shared moments.

About PUNO

Founded by Pankkaj Agarwal, PUNO is an experiential entertainment brand redefining recreation, play, and socialising in India. Through innovative games, immersive group experiences, and elevated social environments, PUNO creates destinations that inspire connection, competition, and celebration. The brand currently operates centres in Jaipur, Pune, Guwahati, and Lucknow, with rapid expansion underway.

ASBL, one of the top real estate companies in Hyderabad, hosted the Bengaluru Realty Meet, a strategic engagement series designed to help investors understand the evolving Hyderabad vs Bengaluru landscape within the Indian property sector. Led by ASBL Founder & CEO Ajitesh Korupolu, the initiative brought clarity to the Hyderabad real estate market trend, empowering both seasoned investors and first-time home buyers seeking guidance on how to purchase a house, evaluate market stability, and identify long-term appreciation potential.
 

Ajitesh Korupolu, CEO & Founder of ASBL hosts Realty Meet: Bengaluru Edition
 

During the sessions, ASBL presented a comparative analysis highlighting why the Hyderabad real estate market continues to strengthen its position among India’s most promising investment destinations. Data from the TomTom Traffic Index 2025 revealed that Bengaluru commuters lose 129 hours annually in peak-hour traffic, significantly higher than Hyderabad’s 85 hours. Numbeo’s cost-of-living findings showed that maintaining a comparable lifestyle requires approximately INR 170,000 per month in Bengaluru versus INR 151,562 in Hyderabad. Reinforcing its growing residential appeal, Hyderabad has been ranked India’s Most Livable City for seven consecutive years by Mercer, a key factor influencing individuals buying a new house or searching for first home buyer benefits.
 

The sessions also offered insights into the broader Hyderabad real estate ecosystem, from infrastructure development to corporate expansion. Over the past three years, Hyderabad has attracted nearly 40 percent of India’s new Global Capability Center setups, surpassing Bengaluru’s 33 percent, as reported by the Times of India. Major technology companies including Amazon, Google and Microsoft continue to expand their largest India offices in Hyderabad, further amplifying the city’s employment base and housing demand. In commercial real estate, Hyderabad recorded a strong 30 percent year-on-year growth in office absorption in Q1 2025, reaching 4 million square feet, significantly outpacing other major Indian office markets. While Bengaluru continued to lead in absolute leasing volumes with 6.55 million square feet in H1 2025, its year-on-year growth remained in the low single digits at around 5%, in line with trends seen across other top cities. According to ANAROCK data, Hyderabad’s comparatively higher growth trajectory is increasingly drawing investor attention as they assess long-term demand drivers, market momentum, and sustainable wealth creation.
 

From a residential investment perspective, Hyderabad continued to outperform. Between 2019 and H1 2024, the city saw a 64 percent rise in housing prices compared with Bengaluru’s 57 percent, despite Bengaluru’s higher base pricing. This balance of affordability, appreciation and lifestyle advantages makes Hyderabad especially compelling for individuals exploring how to buy a home or evaluating opportunities as a first time home buyer. Additional infrastructure advantages such as Hyderabad Airport’s global ranking for efficiency and the city’s lower population density of 9.3 million compared with Bengaluru’s 12.3 million further reinforce the stability and scalability of the Hyderabad real estate market trend.
 

Speaking about the initiative, the Bengaluru Realty Meet was designed as a learning-focused platform to help people better understand the Indian real estate market and make informed decisions. The sessions encouraged open dialogue, allowing participants to raise specific questions and gain clarity through direct interaction. The intention was to create a space for transparent conversations around real estate, something that adds meaningful value for investors navigating long-term decisions.
 

The Bengaluru initiative reflects ASBL’s commitment to transparency, consumer education and customer-first engagement. The sessions offered clarity not only on investment metrics but also on practical considerations related to buying a new house, understanding market dynamics and gaining confidence in long-term decision-making. By facilitating direct interaction with leadership and sharing authentic market intelligence, ASBL continues to empower investors navigating the Hyderabad vs Bengaluru comparison and seeking trustworthy guidance in the modern Indian property landscape.
 

About ASBL
ASBL is a fast-growing real estate company based in Hyderabad and among the first technology-driven real estate companies in India, known for its commitment to transparency, design innovation and engineering excellence. With a customer-first approach and a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential communities, ASBL remains dedicated to supporting both first-time home buyers and experienced investors as they explore opportunities within the Hyderabad real estate market.

For decades, Indian exporters have quietly absorbed high foreign exchange (FX) costs as an unavoidable part of global trade. While Indian products, services, and talent became globally competitive, the infrastructure supporting cross-border payments remained expensive, opaque, and slow – eroding margins through hidden FX spreads and delayed settlements.
 

Anand Balaji, Co-founder and CEO, Xflow
 

Over the last few months, as global markets grew volatile and export margins tightened, these inefficiencies became impossible to ignore. It was this exact problem that led Ashwin Bhatnagar, Anand Balaji, and Abhijit Chandrasekaran to start Xflow, with a mission to make international payments transparent, fast, and affordable for Indian businesses.
 

“When we started Xflow, most exporters didn’t actually know what they were paying to receive international payments, high FX spreads were buried in fine print and treated as inevitable. Only large enterprises could negotiate better terms. We believed transparency had to be the starting point,” said Ashwin Bhatnagar, Co-founder, Xflow.
 

Solving the First Problem: FX Transparency

From day one, Xflow began displaying the mid-market FX benchmark rate in real time, alongside fully transparent FX spreads linked to globally accepted benchmarks. For many customers, this shift led to immediate savings.
 

For most businesses using Xflow, the FX costs dropped by 50% and more importantly, exporters finally knew what they were paying – and why.
 

From Payments to FX Intelligence

With transparency in place, Xflow addressed a deeper challenge: exporters were still forced to react to FX rates rather than plan around them. To solve this, Xflow introduced enterprise-grade FX capabilities – traditionally available only to large corporates – to SMBs, agencies, and freelancers:
 

• Live FX Booking: Track real-time FX rates and choose when to convert, ensuring predictable INR outcomes

• AI-Powered FX Insights: Analyze millions of data points across markets, news, and trends to generate actionable FX signals

• Limit Orders: Set target FX rates and automate conversions when markets hit the desired level
   

“We wanted to turn FX from a passive cost into an active margin lever,” said Bhatnagar. “Even small improvements in timing can materially impact profitability at scale.”
 

Real Impact for Growing Exporters

Today, Xflow works with 30,000+ Indian exporters across IT services, SaaS, agencies, and freelance businesses. Many report settlement times reducing from (1-2 days) to under 24 hours, along with better control over FX outcomes.
 

“Xflow has been a game-changer for us,” said Mayank Pandey, Founder & Director, Elbroz Media Pvt. Ltd. “Faster settlements and tools like FX AI Analyst and limit orders allow us to convert at rates we’re comfortable with – not reactively.”

About Xflow
Xflow – a leading fintech offering cross-border payments for SMEs (ITES & Funded Startups). Designed to eliminate inefficiencies in international transactions, Xflow offers a seamless, transparent, and fully compliant payment experience for businesses of all sizes – from freelancers and startups to large-scale enterprises. The company is currently servicing over 10,000 businesses & has processed hundreds of millions.

Founded by Anand Balaji, Ashwin Bhatnagar and Abhijit Chandrasekaran, Xflow simplifies global money movement with innovative solutions that ensure effortless international transactions, efficient currency conversion, instant settlements, and full regulatory compliance. Headquartered in Bangalore, India, Xflow is backed by Lightspeed, General Catalyst, and Stripe, providing a strong financial foundation for long-term innovation.

AVR Swarna Mahal Jewellers, one of South India’s most respected jewellery houses, has been conferred with the 2025 Barclays Private Clients Hurun India Heritage Legacy Award for Excellence in Jewellery Craftsmanship & Leadership. The award recognises legacy enterprises that have demonstrated sustained excellence, strong governance, and seamless leadership continuity across generations.

L-R: Anas Rahman Junaid, Hurun India; A.B. Sudarsanam; Suganthi Sudarsanam; AVR Siddhanth; Saumyha Sanjjay; ABS Sanjjay of AVR Swarna Mahal; Adrish Ghosh, Barclays Private Clients

Presented by Hurun India in association with Barclays Private Clients, the Heritage Legacy Award celebrates institutions that have successfully built enduring organisations while remaining anchored in trust, discipline, and long-term vision.

For AVR Swarna Mahal, the recognition reflects a nearly 98-year legacy spanning five generations, rooted in fine craftsmanship, ethical business practices, and deep customer trust. The Group stands as a rare example of a family enterprise that has evolved into a professionally governed organisation while preserving its founding values.

The award was received by the family-led leadership of AVR Swarna Mahal, including Mr. A. B. Sudarsanam (Chairman), Mrs. Sugandi Sudarsanam (Director), Mr. A. B. S. Sanjjay (Managing Director), Mrs. Saumhya Sanjjay (Director), and Mr. AVR Siddhanth (Director – 5th Generation), underscoring the continuity of leadership and shared commitment to institution-building across generations.

Founded on principles of transparency and responsibility, AVR Swarna Mahal has grown into a diversified jewellery group with multiple brands catering to evolving consumer preferences. Its portfolio includes Vendi (lifestyle 925 silver jewellery), D•REN (high jewellery), and Evaglow (lab-grown diamond jewellery). The Group has also recently introduced Smart Gold, a digital gold savings app designed to promote disciplined and accessible gold ownership for modern consumers.

Commenting on the recognition, the leadership noted that the award is a reaffirmation of values carried forward across five generations and a tribute to the artisans, teams, partners, and customers who have contributed to the organisation’s enduring credibility and relevance.

The Heritage Legacy Award honours enterprises that have successfully navigated generational transitions while remaining relevant in a changing economic and consumer landscape. AVR Swarna Mahal’s emphasis on governance, leadership continuity, and long-term value creation has positioned it as a trusted and respected institution within the Indian jewellery industry.

As the Group approaches its centenary milestone, this honour reinforces AVR Swarna Mahal’s commitment to building enduring institutions guided by purpose, integrity, and humility.

For more details, please visit: avrswarnamahal.com

As the holiday season returns with its sparkle, colour, and irresistible culinary charm, Pure Flour from Europe invites both home bakers and food‑service professionals to elevate their festive baking with the unmatched quality of European wheat flour. Whether for family celebrations or commercial holiday menus, this flour delivers purity, consistency and craftsmanship in every bake.

Across India, the festive season is where tradition meets creativity. Kitchens come alive with cakes, breads, pastries, and festive treats, many inspired by Europe’s timeless baking heritage. From light sponge cakes and crisp cookies to delicate pastries and enriched breads, European soft wheat flour adds refinement and reliability, making every bake a celebration in itself.

Elevate your festive baking with the unmatched quality of Pure Flour from Europe

“Using European flour has transformed my baking,” shares Anita Verma, a Delhi‑based baker. “My biscuits are lighter, my cakes stay moist longer, and my breads rise beautifully. It feels like I am bringing authentic European finesse into my Indian kitchen.”

This season, Indian bakers and chefs are delighting in the fusion of European classics with Indian flavours. Italian Panettone infused with rose or elaichi, German Stollen using local dried fruits, and rum‑soaked Plum Cakes made lighter with Type 00 flour have become festive favourites in homes, hotels, cafés, and boutique bakeries.

For food‑service businesses, European soft wheat flour’s consistency is a major advantage supporting high‑volume production, precise textures, and dependable results. Whether used for holiday dessert menus, bakery displays, buffet spreads, or festive hampers, European flour adapts easily across different uses from pastries and breads to waffles, crepes, and artisanal cakes.

High quality, clean milling, and adherence to strict European standards ensure that every batch performs flawlessly. For chefs, pastry artists, and baking professionals, this reliability is essential during peak festive operations where excellence must be maintained at scale.

Whether for families baking together at home or professional kitchens designing seasonal menus, Pure Flour from Europe celebrates the art of baking—bridging continents through flavour, tradition, and craftsmanship.

Feature Dish: Oven-Baked Zeppole di San Giuseppe

A timeless Italian classic, Zeppole di San Giuseppe are celebrated for their light texture, refined flavour, and artisanal appeal. This oven-baked version stays true to tradition while offering a lighter finish, making it ideal for Indian home kitchens as well as professional bakeries and cafés.

Prepared using Italian Type 00 soft wheat flour, the choux pastry develops a smooth, elastic consistency that pipes cleanly and bakes into a golden, airy shell. The dough is gently cooked, enriched with eggs, and shaped into generous rings before being baked until crisp on the outside and light within.

Feature Dish: Oven-Baked Zeppole di San Giuseppe

Once cooled, the pastries are filled with a silky vanilla pastry cream made from milk, cream, egg yolks, and real vanilla, then finished with a swirl of cream, a sour Amarena cherry, and a dusting of icing sugar.

Elegant yet comforting, Oven-Baked Zeppole di San Giuseppe make a striking addition to festive dessert tables, café menus, and premium bakery displays—showcasing how European soft wheat flour brings consistency, finesse, and authenticity to classic European baking, even in Indian kitchens.

For the complete step-by-step recipe, visit pureflourfromeurope.com/oven-baked-zeppole-di-san-giuseppe/

About Pure Flour from Europe

Launched in 2021 and now set for renewed outreach in 2025, the campaign is actively educating Indian chefs, bakers, importers, and media on the excellence of EU soft wheat flour. From product demonstrations to recipe development and awareness initiatives, it has played a crucial role in building recognition for Italian flour among Indian professionals and consumers alike. The steady rise in imports and the shift from generic or re-branded options to certified Italian products—highlights a broader transformation: India’s food sector is evolving toward premium, health-focused, and origin-assured ingredients. Italian flour, with its combination of tradition, safety, and versatility, is well-positioned to meet that demand.

As part of its relaunch in India, the “Pure Flour from Europe” campaign will be participating in AAHAR- The International Food & Hospitality Fair, taking place in March 2026 at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event will provide a platform to reconnect with the food trade, showcase the superior quality and versatility of European flour, and engage directly with chefs, bakers, importers, and food professionals across India.

For more information about Pure Flour From Europe, or on the planned activities and events visit our website, email us or follow us on our social profiles as follows:

• Website: www.pureflourfromeurope.com

• Instagram: pureflourfromeurope

• Facebook: pureflourfromeurope

• Email: contact@pureflourfromeurope.com

The VELS Group of Institutions and Companies marked a major milestone with the grand inauguration of the VELS Trade & Convention Centre at Chembarambakkam, Chennai.

Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh felicitating Dr. Kamal Haasan, MP (Rajya Sabha), in the presence of Thiru.Thangam Thennarasu, Hon’ble Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu

The VELS Trade & Convention Centre was formally inaugurated by Thiru Thangam Thennarasu and Dr. Kamal Haasan, and the event was presided over by Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder-Chancellor of VELS University and Chairman of VELS Group of Institutions and Companies.

The dais also featured Dr. A. C. Shanmugam, Founder-Chancellor, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, alongside the chief dignitaries.

A World-Class Convention Destination in Chennai

The VELS Trade & Convention Centre, Chennai, is a world-class convention and event venue featuring four expansive convention halls with a total built-up area of 3.5 lakh square feet. Designed to host large-scale trade fairs, exhibitions, international conferences, corporate events, political meetings, award ceremonies, weddings, summits, and major cultural programmes, the facility stands among the largest convention centres in Tamil Nadu.

Built with contemporary architecture and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the fully air-conditioned convention centre can accommodate up to 20,000 guests at a time and provides parking for nearly 6,000 vehicles, ensuring seamless access and convenience for large gatherings.

The centre also offers a dedicated open-air event space with a capacity of 20,000 attendees, making it ideal for music concerts, live performances, festivals, and mega public events. Supporting facilities include luxury guest houses, multi-cuisine restaurants, 20 fully equipped indoor shooting studios, a 15,000 sq. ft. open dining space, 15 designated exhibition stall spaces, and advanced CCTV surveillance with a centralised monitoring system, ensuring safety, comfort, and operational efficiency.

VELS Film City: Strengthening Chennai’s Entertainment Ecosystem

Complementing this landmark facility is the VELS Film City, the only integrated film city in Tamil Nadu. Spread across a vast campus, it includes outdoor shooting locations, end-to-end production facilities, guest accommodations, and VELS Theatres, a six-screen multiplex with a dedicated food court. Together, these facilities reinforce the VELS Group’s growing presence in the entertainment, arts and creative industries.

Strategically located in Chennai’s growing business corridor, the VELS Trade & Convention Centre is poised to become a preferred destination for exhibitions, conferences, entertainment events, and film productions, contributing significantly to the city’s event, tourism, and creative economy.

In his address, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh conveyed that the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Smt.Nirmala Sitharaman and Hon’ble Minister of State Shri L. Murugan were unable to attend due to prior commitments and had extended their warm wishes for the success of the event. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, for deputing Thiru Thangam Thennarasu to grace the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Thiru Thangam Thennarasu highlighted Tamil Nadu’s strong economic momentum, noting that the state has achieved double-digit economic growth, driven by sustained infrastructure investment and active participation from private institutions such as the VELS Group. He emphasised that such initiatives play a vital role in job creation and long-term development.

In his special address, Padma Bhushan Dr. Kamal Haasan observed that Chennai has emerged as a pan-India hub for film production. Encouraging the younger generation to take Tamil cinema to greater heights, he expressed confidence in the future of the industry. Referring to Ms. Kushmitha Ganesh, Vice President, Vels Group of Companies, he said that while there were earlier concerns about the fading glow of Tamil cinema, the leadership and creativity of the younger generation reassure him that the industry is poised for national and global recognition.

Distinguished Guests

The ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including former Minister Veeramani; Shri L. K. Sudheesh, Deputy General Secretary, DMDK; Shri Jaynthilal Chalani, President, Gold and Diamond Jewellery Association; actors R. Parthiban, Senthil and Sripriya; VGP Santhosham; leading academicians; and representatives from business, trade bodies and cultural organisations.

Social Responsibility of VELS Reaffirming its commitment to social responsibility and inclusive growth, the VELS Group distributed welfare kits to 1,000 students from orphanages, along with lunch, during the inauguration. A special screening of an actor Rajinikanth film was also organised at VELS Theatres for these students, reflecting the institution’s continued focus on community development and humanitarian service.

Website  velsgroup.in

The Alliance for Corporate Counsel and  Company Secretaries’ (ACoS) successfully hosted its 9th Annual Meeting and International Summit on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi, convening senior members of the judiciary, general counsel, senior advocates, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the country.

Lakshika Joshi, Sampadaa Narang, Harsh Goyal, Goviind Vijay, Parvesh Kheterpal, HMJ J K Maheshwari, Judge Supreme Court, HMJ Sachin Datta, Judge High Court, Ranju Goyal, Sameet Gambhir, Sachin Kalra

Held under the theme “India Rising: Legal Minds, Global Businesses – Role of the Legal Profession in Shaping India’s Global Competitiveness,” the Summit provided a robust platform for deliberations on the evolving role of the legal profession in strengthening governance, driving investor confidence, and supporting India’s global economic ambitions.

The Valedictory Session featured the Keynote Address by Hon’ble Mr. Justice J. K. Maheshwari, Judge, Supreme Court of India, and opening remarks by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sachin Datta, Judge, High Court of Delhi, highlighting the importance of institutional strength, regulatory clarity, and ethical leadership in India’s growth story.

A key highlight of the evening was the Felicitation Ceremony, during which Hon’ble Mr. Justice J. K. Maheshwari felicitated eminent Corporate Counsel as “Most Influential Corporate Counsel,” in recognition of their exceptional leadership, strategic influence, and contribution to the corporate legal and governance ecosystem.

Notably, a thought-provoking discussion on the statutory recognition of the Corporate Counsel profession was initiated by Mr. Parvesh Kheterpal, Founder, ACoS, during the Summit. During his welcome remark, Mr. Kheterpal underscored the expanding role of in-house counsel as strategic business partners, custodians of compliance, and key contributors to corporate integrity and economic development. The discussion found resonance among participants, who emphasised the need for a structured legal framework to formally recognise corporate counsel as a distinct and integral segment of the legal profession.

The Summit also featured multiple technical sessions on contemporary and high-impact topics, including international arbitration and India’s positioning as a preferred seat, data protection, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, white collar crime and corporate integrity, and India’s emergence as a global hub for inbound and outbound acquisitions. The summit brought together 200+ legal professionals for a day of insightful discussions.

The inaugural session, featuring members of the ACoS Governing Council, set the tone for the Summit by highlighting India’s regulatory reforms and the strategic role played by corporate lawyers in the country’s journey towards a $10 trillion economy.

The 9th Annual Meet concluded with a renewed commitment by ACoS to foster policy dialogue, thought leadership, and collaboration among the judiciary, industry, and the legal fraternity to strengthen India’s corporate legal ecosystem and global competitiveness.