Business

Shree Cement Ltd. has reinforced its commitment to sustainable industrial growth by announcing that its upcoming integrated cement manufacturing project in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district will incorporate advanced water stewardship and resource-efficient manufacturing practices, aligning with India's low-carbon development agenda. The company said the project will operate on a 100 per cent Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) model, under which industrial wastewater will be treated and fully recycled for cooling, dust suppression and greenbelt development, significantly reducing freshwater consumption. The facility will also deploy energy-efficient technologies and sustainable resource management systems based on circular economy principles from the initial phase of development. Shre...

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has launched a new Rs. 200 prepaid Vi Movies & TV value pack, strengthening its strategy to drive digital consumption through bundled entertainment and connectivity services. The 28-day recharge combines access to 20 leading OTT platforms, more than 200 live TV channels, 30GB of high-speed data and unlimited 5G data, offering consumers a single subscription for entertainment and mobile connectivity. The pack brings together premium streaming platforms including JioHotstar, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Lionsgate Play, ShemarooMe, ManoramaMAX, FanCode, Playflix, Klikk, Atrangii, Chaupal, OTTplay Live, Pocket Films, YuppTV, Addatimes, KancchaLannka, TimesPlay and NextGTV, among others. Vi Movies & TV offers content in 16 languages, enabling users to access national, internati...

Developments surrounding China's implementation of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law and renewed protests over Tibet have drawn attention to potential geopolitical risks that could influence regional stability and India's long-term strategic environment. In a statement, Tibetans residing in Northeast India rejected the law, which came into force on July 1, alleging that it seeks to enforce assimilation of Tibetans with the Han majority under the banner of national unity. The group linked its concerns to the July 2 self-immolation of 52-year-old Tibetan activist LobgaRangzen outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City, describing it as a protest against Chinese rule in Tibet and the criminalisation of Tibetan resistance. According to the statement, Rangzen's protest is a...

Poco has officially confirmed that its latest mid-range offering, the Poco M8 Power 5G, will debut in India on August 4, with availability locked in via Flipkart. Teased in a vibrant orange textured finish, the upcoming smartphone puts endurance and entertainment at the forefront, headlined by a massive 8,000mAh battery that the brand claims can deliver up to three days of power on a single charge. Alongside the extra-large battery, the device is confirmed to feature an AMOLED display and a 50-megapixel primary rear camera. Industry reports suggest the handset may arrive as a tweaked version of the Redmi Note 17, potentially equipping a large 7-inch 120Hz display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 chipset, 45W fast charging support, and HyperOS software out of the box.

ITC Limited is targeting an addressable FMCG market of around ₹8 trillion by 2035 as the company focuses on brand building, digital expansion, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven consumer insights and strategic acquisitions. Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Puri said the Indian FMCG sector is set for significant growth as consumer preferences continue to evolve rapidly. Addressing shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting, Puri highlighted the growing influence of aspirational consumers, premiumisation, Gen Z and Gen Alpha preferences, digital access and quick commerce on the FMCG landscape. He said ITC is using an AI-led consumer insight ecosystem to understand changing consumer needs and develop differentiated products across categories. ITC’s FMCG portfolio curren...

For decades, Maruti Suzuki ruled the Indian automotive landscape with its lineup of no-frills, highly fuel-efficient, and budget-friendly vehicles that put millions of families on the road. However, a dramatic shift in consumer preferences is forcing the automaker to pivot, as modern Indian car buyers increasingly demand premium features and advanced technologies. Today's consumers are prioritizing safety ratings, connected-car tech, panoramic sunroofs, and infotainment systems over basic affordability. This evolution has led to a surge in the popularity of sport utility vehicles and premium hatchbacks, allowing rivals to chip away at Suzuki's traditional market share. In response, the company is aggressively upgrading its portfolio, introducing more sophisticated models and hybrid option...

Johnson’s®️ Baby has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of its Milk & Rice Range, signalling a strategic push to strengthen its presence in India's evolving baby care market, where demand for scientifically formulated, premium skincare products continues to grow. The launch is accompanied by the 'PoshanKaPehlaSparsh' campaign, which leverages the traditional Indian Annaprashan, or MukheBhaat, ceremony to connect cultural familiarity with modern skincare solutions. The new Johnson’s®️ Baby Milk & Rice Range is formulated with milk proteins, rice bran protein, Vitamin E, glycerin and a multivitamin complex to nourish and help protect a newborn's delicate skin barrier. The portfolio includes Soap, Wash & Shampoo, Lotion and Face & Body Cream, with the company s...

Kotak Mahindra Bank has reported a stellar start to the financial year, posting a standalone net profit of ₹4,123 crore for the first quarter, marking an impressive 26% year-on-year growth compared to the ₹3,282 crore recorded in the same period last year. This strong bottom-line performance comfortable beat consensus market estimates, largely driven by a sharp 45% reduction in provisions and contingencies, which dropped to ₹668 crore from ₹1,208 crore year-on-year. The private sector lender's Net Interest Income (NII)—the difference between interest earned on advances and interest expended on deposits—grew by a steady 9% to hit ₹7,928 crore. However, in line with broader industry trends amid tightening liquidity conditions, the bank's net interest margin (NIM) experienced a slight modera...

India’s quick-commerce market is bracing for an intense battle for affluent shoppers as Mumbai-based Zepto prepares to launch "Select," a dedicated, in-app premium grocery service. Aimed at taking on established high-end offerings like Blinkit Gourmet and FirstClub, Zepto Select will feature a curated catalogue of imported foods, gourmet ingredients, organic produce, and premium lifestyle goods. The platform has already begun actively onboarding premium consumer brands to build out its inventory. The wider launch follows a successful, limited pilot program in select micro-markets where Zepto witnessed highly encouraging customer traction and strong average basket sizes. The expansion into premium groceries marks a strategic pivot for the startup, which has historically driven scale thr...

QNET India, through its sub-franchisee Vihaan Direct Selling (India) Pvt. Ltd., has reinforced its focus on preventive healthcare and sustainable direct selling in Meghalaya by expanding its wellness portfolio while reiterating its commitment to regulatory compliance and ethical business practices. The e-commerce-enabled direct selling company said it continues to strengthen its presence in the state by offering premium wellness products alongside an entrepreneurship opportunity for eligible Independent Distributors centred on product retailing, training, compliance and long-term business sustainability. QNET India operates through Vihaan Direct Selling (India) Pvt. Ltd. in accordance with the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules, 2021, supported by customer-friendly measures suc...