Business

Indian travellers are increasingly choosing Asian destinations for summer 2026, with Airbnb data showing strong search growth for cities such as Osaka, Tokyo, Busan, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. The trend reflects a preference for short-haul international travel offering cultural familiarity, strong connectivity and convenience. According to the data, Gen Z is leading demand, contributing over 40% of summer searches and recording nearly 60% year-on-year growth. This cohort is increasingly planning trips around experiences such as concerts, festivals and culinary exploration. Osaka saw over 85% growth in searches, Tokyo over 90%, and Busan over 95%, while Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok continued to register steady demand. Group and family travel accounted for nearly 60% of searches, followed by ove...

Birla Studios, in collaboration with Vodafone Idea Limited, has announced the launch of ‘Reel Se Real Star’, a first-of-its-kind mobile-first acting talent discovery platform aimed at democratizing entry into India’s entertainment industry. The initiative seeks to eliminate traditional barriers such as geography, access, and industry connections by enabling anyone with a smartphone to audition digitally. Founded on the idea that talent can emerge from anywhere, the platform allows participants to upload auditions via an app and web-based system, removing the need for referrals. Selected participants will receive mentorship from established directors and creative professionals, ensuring both credibility and skill development. Ananya Birla, Founder and Chairperson of Birla Studios, said ...

Swedish beauty and wellbeing company Oriflame has announced the launch of its “Whosthat360 North-East Yatra,” a month-long initiative aimed at strengthening its presence in India’s Northeast while promoting social selling as a scalable income opportunity. The yatra, commencing April 7 at Lady Keane College in Shillong, will cover 13 locations including Agartala, Aizawl, Dimapur and Kohima, before entering Assam with stops at Guwahati College (April 21), Nagaon College (April 23) and Sohum Mall, Dibrugarh (April 25). The campaign will further extend to Itanagar, Siliguri and Durgapur, culminating in Kolkata with events at South City Mall on May 9 and a closing programme on May 10. Designed as a high-energy, on-ground engagement platform, the initiative will feature product trials, skinc...

Truecaller crossing 500 million users globally marks a significant inflection point in the economics of digital communication, as demand for spam and fraud protection accelerates across markets. The platform added over 50 million users in 2025 alone, underscoring strong adoption momentum driven by increasing exposure to unwanted and fraudulent communication. India remains the central growth engine with over 350 million users, while international markets contribute 150 million users. The company’s ability to scale monetisation is reflected in crossing 4 million paying subscribers globally, strengthening its subscription-based revenue model. CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala said the milestone highlights a structural shift in user behaviour, with individuals actively seeking tools to manage commun...

Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE) has completed the appointment of Market Makers for its Equity Segment, a move that could quietly reshape how investors experience the stock market. By strengthening market depth and improving price discovery, the initiative is expected to make trading smoother and more reliable for participants across the country. For many investors, especially small and first-time traders, inconsistent liquidity and wide price gaps can be barriers to entry. Market Makers help address this by ensuring continuous buy and sell quotes, making it easier to execute trades without sharp price fluctuations. With this step, MSE is aiming to create a more accessible and efficient trading environment. The exchange has also announced that it will roll out liquidity en...

Bajaj Finserv will unveil the winner of its digital-first music talent platform, Bajaj Dhuniverse, on March 31 in Mumbai, marking the culmination of one of India’s largest nationwide music discovery initiatives. The winner will be named the ‘Voice of the Nation’ and collaborate with composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to co-create the brand’s sonic identity. Launched as a technology-led platform, Bajaj Dhuniverse attracted over 60,000 aspirants from across India, enabling participation through audio and video submissions without physical auditions. The initiative aimed to break geographic barriers and create opportunities for talent from small towns and remote regions. Following a multi-stage evaluation, 10 finalists and one wild-card entrant, shortlisted and mentored by Shankar-Ehsaan-Lo...

The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 nominations highlight not just creative excellence but also evolving governance standards within India’s entertainment economy. Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar leads with 24 nominations, followed by Saiyaara (17) and Homebound (15), ahead of the April 5 ceremony covering 31 categories across theatrical and OTT releases. Established in 1995, the awards are administered by the Screen Academy, an independent, not-for-profit body comprising over 50 filmmakers and cultural professionals. This year’s process recorded over 95% participation, with each category evaluated by 38–40 members using a trimmed mean (Olympic) scoring methodology—an approach designed to reduce bias and enhance transparency in outcomes. The introduction of a structured scoring rubric by Profess...

Indus Towers Ltd., one of India’s largest telecom infrastructure providers, has strengthened school sanitation infrastructure in Meghalaya by inaugurating girls’ washroom facilities across 11 government schools in Ri-Bhoi district under its flagship CSR initiative Pragati. The facilities were formally inaugurated at Nehru Memorial Higher Secondary School, with Andrew L. Myrthong, BDO of Umsning C&RD Block and in-charge Assistant Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi, attending the ceremony. The event was also live-cast to six other schools where the new facilities have been developed. Addressing the gathering, Myrthong said providing proper sanitation infrastructure in schools is critical for ensuring a safe and comfortable learning environment for students, particularly girls. “Initiatives like...

Global energy markets were jolted on March 12, 2026, as Brent crude oil prices surged past the $100-per-barrel mark following a dramatic escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict. This significant price spike, a nearly 9% increase in a single day, was triggered by intensified Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and critical energy infrastructure around the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. With nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply normally transiting through these narrow waterways, the systematic targeting of tankers—including a Thai-flagged carrier and vessels in Iraq’s port of Basra—has effectively paralyzed regional shipping traffic. Market analysts warn that these disruptions are fueling "stagflation" fears, as the soaring cost of energy threatens to derail global economic recover...

M.P. Ahammad, Chairman of Malabar Group, was conferred the prestigious Business Bhushan Award at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards 2026 for his leadership in transforming the global jewellery retail industry and contributing to society. The award was presented at a ceremony held at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders and prominent personalities from business and entertainment. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were present at the event along with Lokmat Chairman Vijay Darda, ministers, bureaucrats and other distinguished guests. Presented by the Lokmat Media Group, the awards recognise individuals whose leadership and achievements have made a significant impact acro...