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  • Taronish Karkaria to lead iconic Taj West End, Bengaluru as GM

    Taronish Karkaria to lead iconic Taj West End, Bengaluru as GM

    MUMBAI: Taj West End, Bengaluru has appointed Taronish Karkaria as its new general manager. A second-generation hotelier, Karkaria has spent more than 20 years with Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), shaping operations at some of the group’s most celebrated properties.

    He was most recently the pre-opening general manager of Taj Gandhinagar Resort & Spa, and earlier served as director of operations at  Taj Palace, New Delhi, the capital’s largest luxury convention hotel. His career has also spanned senior roles at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, and Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

    IHCL, senior vice president–operations, Satyajeet Krishnan said Karkaria’s experience would “play a key role in further strengthening the hotel’s position as one of the city’s most distinguished luxury destinations.”

    Calling Taj West End “a true icon of Bengaluru’s hospitality landscape,” Karkaria said he aimed to build on its legacy by blending warmth and innovation to craft meaningful guest experiences.

    In his new role, he will oversee operations, sharpen revenue strategy and strengthen the property’s reputation as one of Bengaluru’s most storied hotels.

     

     

  • NDTV launches ‘The Buck Stops Here’ with Padmaja Joshi

    NDTV launches ‘The Buck Stops Here’ with Padmaja Joshi

    MUMBAI: When it comes to primetime chatter, NDTV is putting its money where its mouth is. With The Buck Stops Here, fronted by Padmaja Joshi, the network is betting on a simple promise: end the noise, get to the point, and deliver answers that matter.

    Airing weeknights at 9 pm on NDTV 24×7, the show is pitched as the “end of every argument”, a space where governance, economy, society and India’s role in the world are not just debated but distilled into clarity.

    Joshi, NDTV’s managing editor and primetime anchor, brings her trademark directness to the role. “No evasion and no prevarication” she insists, setting the tone for debates that aim to close with conclusions rather than cliff-hangers.

    CEO and editor-in-chief, Rahul Kanwal, framed the launch as a statement of intent and said, “The Buck Stops Here is primetime as India deserves it – rigorous, and uncompromisingly focused on what matters most to the nation. Padmaja Joshi brings an editorial depth and clarity of vision that will ensure this is not just another show, but the end of every argument – a definitive moment in the national conversation.”

    For NDTV, the programme signals more than a new slot, it marks the channel’s renewed ambition to mirror a confident India with sharper, bolder coverage. For viewers weary of endless shouting matches, it could well be the place where the buck really does stop.

  • Supreme Court tells comedians to apologise for mocking disabled

    Supreme Court tells comedians to apologise for mocking disabled

    NEW DELH: The supreme court on Monday ordered five stand-up comics, including YouTuber Samay Raina, to publish public apologies on YouTube and other social platforms for cracking jokes at the expense of persons with disabilities (PwDs).

    A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a plea by SMA Cure Foundation, represented by senior advocate Aparajita Singh, which flagged offensive remarks by Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.

    The court said it would determine financial penalties later, but made clear that “the degree of repentance should be higher than the degree of offending”. It also allowed the information and broadcasting ministry to join the proceedings, with attorney general R Venkataramani asked to draft guidelines on social media speech, ensuring dignity without imposing a gag.

    Justice Bagchi warned that comedy which commercialises speech by ridiculing communities crosses the line: “Humour is part of life. We laugh at ourselves. But when it targets others and breaches sensibility, it becomes problematic.”

    Justice Kant added that penal consequences under the IT Act should match the harm caused.
    Singh suggested that the comedians use their influence to spread awareness about disability rights, calling it the best form of apology. The judges asked the comics to respond to this proposal, noting that influencers have a duty not to hurt marginalised communities.

    The matter stems from Raina’s alleged jokes about the cost of treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, which the foundation said mocked both patients and their families. The court earlier compelled the comedians’ attendance, though their presence has now been dispensed with, provided they honour their undertakings.

    The bench stressed that free speech under Article 19 cannot override the right to dignity under Article 21. As Justice Kant put it: “Today it is the disabled, tomorrow it could be something else. Where will this end?”

  • Mirchi powers up world’s first live solar radio show with Adani Group

    Mirchi powers up world’s first live solar radio show with Adani Group

    MUMBAI: Talk about a bright idea! Mirchi has flipped the switch on the world’s first live solar-powered radio studio, proving that sunshine can power more than just rooftops, it can fuel an entire cultural moment.

    In partnership with the Adani Group’s campaign Hum Karke Dikhate Hain, Mirchi staged live solar-fuelled broadcasts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. RJ Jeeturaaj, RJ Krutarth and RJ Urvi kept the energy high at two buzzing venues: the BMC Office Selfie Point near CST and Gurudwara Crossroads in Thaltej. The twist? Every watt came straight from the sun.

    The shows blended music, interviews and tales of clean energy transforming lives, from farmers and schools to hospitals. And this wasn’t a one-off spectacle. Mirchi rolled the movement out across 30 cities, with its RJs sharing real-world stories of how solar power is lighting up India.

    At the campaign’s heart sits Suraj Bhaiya Hain Na, a film showcasing Adani’s renewable vision and underscoring that solar energy is not just possible but scalable, practical and even cultural.

  • Mallika Nath Handa inks a new chapter with Network18 leadership move

    Mallika Nath Handa inks a new chapter with Network18 leadership move

    MUMBAI: When it comes to building big brand bridges, Mallika Nath Handa knows the blueprint. The seasoned media and partnerships leader has joined Network18 Media & Investments Limited in August 2025 to helm Building Strategic Relationships, marking yet another power move in a two-decade career spanning India’s biggest media and digital houses.

    Handa’s career arc is as eclectic as it is impressive. She most recently spent 1 year and 9 months at Zomato, where she headed partnerships and played a pivotal role in shaping the food-tech major’s brand-building efforts. Before that, she spent a mammoth 11 years and 8 months at Times Internet, rising to the position of head of revenue and branded content for Indiatimes Lifestyle Network.

    Her early innings saw her hold senior sales roles at AIDEM Ventures (1 year 11 months), NDTV Media (4 years 3 months), and Star TV (2 years 5 months). Across these stints, she sharpened her expertise in revenue growth, branded content, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships, working at the intersection of media, technology, and brand storytelling.

    An alumna of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (2000–2004) with a degree in Fashion Design and Information Technology, Handa’s journey reflects a blend of creativity and commercial acumen, a combination that’s particularly suited to navigating Network18’s expansive media ecosystem.

    The move comes as Network18 continues to deepen its relationships with advertisers, creators, and platforms in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. With her proven track record in forging partnerships and scaling businesses, Handa’s entry signals the company’s intent to fortify its strategic growth playbook.

    From fashion design to food-tech to forging the future of one of India’s largest media networks, Handa’s career trajectory proves she has always been in the business of connections and at Network18, she now gets to take that literally.

  • David George takes charge of creative content & design at Gulf News

    David George takes charge of creative content & design at Gulf News

    MUMBAI: David George, a journalist turned brand strategist, has been named director of creative content and design at Gulf News. His promotion crowns a ten-year stint at the Dubai-based daily, where he has previously served as publisher–commercial and head of design.

    George cut his teeth at Emirates Today before moving to MEED and Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East, where he helped launch both the print and digital editions. Over the years, he has worked across newsrooms, commercial desks and design studios, bringing a journalistic rigour to branded storytelling.

    With more than 15 years in the region’s media industry, George has built a reputation for crafting campaigns and working at the intersection of journalism and brand storytelling. At Gulf News, he will now oversee strategy, design and branded content at a time when publishers in the Gulf are under pressure to monetise audiences and diversify revenues.  

  • Efficacy Worldwide bolsters leadership with three senior hires

    Efficacy Worldwide bolsters leadership with three senior hires

    Gurugram: Efficacy Worldwide, the full-service advertising and marketing agency founded in 2021, has added three heavyweights to its top deck as part of an aggressive expansion across India.

    Somnath Sarkarr joins as national investment director, bringing two decades of media-buying expertise from Madison, Vivaki, Lodestar UM and Initiative, where he was most recently vice-president investment. He will oversee digital and traditional media portfolios, blending programmatic with scale, and drive partnerships to squeeze more value out of spends.

    Prajesh Dutta, with over 20 years at Madison, Wavemaker, m/Six, Maxus and GroupM, has been named national director – strategy and innovation. He will spearhead P&L, sharpen strategy and strengthen teams.

    Meanwhile, Raj Choudhary takes charge as business head for the south. He moves from History TV18, where he was regional head, and has stints at Zee Media, Indian Express, Warner Media, Network18, Sony Pictures and Network India.

    “We are at a pivotal point in our journey and these three key senior appointments underscore our commitment to strengthening leadership and scaling operations across India,” said co-founder Sapna Sharma.

    In three years, the agency has bagged mandates from Kohler, Omega, Rado, Hero Cycles, Suzlon Energy, Foundit, Clear Dekho, UP Tourism and more. Efficacy has built a reputation for marrying creativity with technology, wielding AI-led insights, influencer SaaS tools and funnel optimisation to deliver ROI at speed.

    The trio’s combined half-century of experience marks the agency’s latest attempt to turn scale into clout.

  • Medusa Beverages raises a toast as sponsor of Filmfare Punjabi 2025

    Medusa Beverages raises a toast as sponsor of Filmfare Punjabi 2025

    MUMBAI: Punjabi cinema’s biggest night had an extra fizz this year, with Medusa Beverages stepping in as title sponsor of the Filmfare Awards Punjabi 2025.

    The awards, held on August 23 at the I.S. Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali, brought together top names from the Punjabi film and music industry, including Jacqueline Fernandez, Honey Singh, Satinder Sartaj and Neeru Bajwa. The event celebrated achievements across film, music and performance, with Medusa’s beers on offer at refreshment stations as guests mingled between performances.

    “The Filmfare Awards Punjabi 2025 was a perfect stage for us because it’s more than just an award show, it’s a cultural phenomenon that captures the pride, passion, and creativity of Punjabi cinema. Partnering with Filmfareallowed us to not only celebrate incredible talent but also to connect with an audience that shares our energy and spirit,” said Medusa Beverages, executive director,  Amardeep Singh.

    The partnership continues Medusa’s push into lifestyle and entertainment spaces. The brand has previously appeared at Delhi Times Fashion Week, Sundowner music festivals, concerts by Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan, and even art collaborations.

     

  • Logitech names Manoj Sahay as India country head

    Logitech names Manoj Sahay as India country head

    MUMBAI:  Logitech has appointed Manoj Sahay as its new country head for India, betting on the FMCG veteran to sharpen its consumer focus and push deeper into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

    Sahay, who has logged more than 20 years at Britannia, Reckitt Benckiser and Castrol, takes charge of Logitech’s India business with a brief to accelerate growth, expand distribution and strengthen brand presence.

    “India is a top priority market for us, and Manoj’s deep understanding of consumer behaviour, honed in the competitive FMCG sector, is precisely the expertise we need,” said Logitech, vice-president and head of global emerging markets, Moninder Jain.

    Sahay said he was “honoured and excited” to lead the company’s India operations, adding that his passion for building brands and mining consumer insights would help connect Logitech’s “legendary” innovation with local needs.

    The appointment underlines Logitech’s ambition to scale up across product lines ranging from PC peripherals and gaming gear to streaming and hybrid-work solutions.

  • Tata’s Trent serves Burnt Toast fresh as fashion for India’s bold youth

    Tata’s Trent serves Burnt Toast fresh as fashion for India’s bold youth

    MUMBAI: Fashion just got toasted and in the best way possible. Tata Group’s Trent Ltd. has launched Burnt Toast, a youth-first fashion label that’s less about fitting in and more about standing out. With its edgy name and vibrant catalogue of apparel, footwear, and accessories, the brand is baking in affordability, creativity, and a dash of rebellion for India’s digital-first generation.

    After making its debut with stores in Bangalore, Thane, and Surat, Burnt Toast is now setting its sights on expanding across more Indian cities. Designed for creators, trendsetters, and the scroll-happy youth, the brand is positioning itself as a community as much as a fashion line, a place where self-expression isn’t optional, it’s the whole point.

    The collection serves up a buffet of playful silhouettes, bold prints, and statement pieces that could just as easily double as wearable art. Whether it’s vibrant tees that pop on Instagram grids or footwear that walks the fine line between comfort and cool, the aesthetic is deliberately unafraid.

    “Burnt Toast is more than just a fashion brand; it is a dynamic lifestyle and a vibrant community crafted to empower India’s expressive youth,” said Trent Ltd managing director P. Venkatesalu. He added that the goal is to make global fashion accessible while fuelling individuality and shared identity.

    With Gen Z and millennials driving India’s fashion market, estimated at over 100 billion dollars, Trent’s youth-focused pivot is as strategic as it is stylish. Burnt Toast joins Trent’s existing retail portfolio which includes Westside and Zudio but carves a niche aimed at energy, confidence, and individuality.

    For a generation allergic to cookie-cutter clothing, Burnt Toast is serving something hotter, crunchier, and unapologetically fresh.