CHENNAI PLUS

Ahead of the peak summer season, LG Electronics, India Limited(LGEIL),Most Trusted Brand (in Electronics segment)*has announced its  emergence as among the first brands to introduce its comprehensive range of Air Conditioners fully compliant with the new 2026 Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star Rating norms. LGEIL proactive roll out ensures that Indian consumers have immediate access to the most advanced, energy-efficient cooling technology available today.   The updated BEE norms represent a significant leap in energy benchmarks, raising the bar for the entire industry to align India with global energy performance standards. LGEIL has upgraded its portfolio well in advance, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and responsible product development.   Key Highlights of the 2026 Lineup: ·          Enhanced Energy Savings:  The new norms are designed to drastically reduce power consumption for households. Industry ...

  De Beers Group is celebrating the power of intention, focus, and self-belief through its collaboration with the Mumbai Indians Women in the Women’s T20 League. The partnership highlights how natural diamonds can serve as anchors for performance, not just on the field, but in life. Central to this initiative is the Natural Diamond Intention Pendant . Worn close to the heart, it acts as a personal reminder to stay centred, align intention with action, and visualise the best version of oneself. For the Mumbai Indians Women, the pendant is more than jewellery; it helps sharpen focus, embrace resilience, and bring their best game to every moment, on and off the pitch. “Natural diamonds have always stood for resilience and brilliance. With this collaboration, we wanted to show that they can also be anchors for intention, helping individuals, whether athletes or anyone pursuing personal goals, visualise their best selves and bring focus to what matters most,” says Toranj Mehta, VP –...

Malabar Group Chairman M.P. Ahammad has cautioned that certain emerging practices in gold price determination in India deviate from established norms and risk undermining the long-standing credibility of the country’s gold trade. He said gold prices are determined by three key factors: international gold prices, the exchange rate of the Indian rupee against the US dollar, and import duty. While customs duty remains fixed for a defined period, fluctuations in global prices and currency movements make daily price revisions necessary. Traditionally, gold prices are set in a transparent and reliable manner by trade associations and published before 9:30 am. Prices fixed for the day are revised only in cases of exceptional market volatility. However, M.P. Ahammad noted that in certain instances, a section of traders has been increasing prices arbitrarily, contrary to the established mechanism, without offering clear justification to consumers. Such practices, he warned, could erode tr...

Axis Mutual Fund, one of India’s leading asset management companies,launches its new fund offering – Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund – an open-ended Index Fund that invests in the constituents of BSE India Sector Leaders Index. The NFO will open for subscription on January 23, 2026 and close on  06 February, 2026 . The fund will be managed by Karthik Kumar (Fund Manager). The minimum investment amount is ₹ 100. The fund aims to provide long-term wealth creation solution to investors.   The new fund is designed to offer investors a prudent way to gain broad market exposure to India’s leading companies across 21 sectors from the BSE 500 Index. The constituents of the fund will include the top three companies  based on average six month daily total market capitalisation from each of the 21 sectors  represented in the BSE 500 Index. This gives the investors an access to established market leaders in their domain across the Indian economy. The fund helps inves...

HCLTech, a leading global technology company, has been selected by Team Global Express, the largest multimodal logistics organization in Australia and New Zealand, to accelerate digital transformation with AI-powered solutions. HCLTech’s partnership with Team Global Express has grown rapidly. The new agreement consolidates the logistics major’s multi-vendor IT landscape into a single, strategic partnership with HCLTech as the trusted advisor to drive efficiency, innovation and data-driven decision-making. HCLTech will be responsible for end-to-end managed IT services for Team Global Express across applications, hybrid cloud infrastructure, networks, cybersecurity, digital workplace and service management. AI Force, HCLTech’s GenAI-driven platform for service transformation, will drive automation, enhance compliance and elevate customer experience across Team Global Express’ operations. “We are delighted to onboard HCLTech as our strategic technology partner,” said Danny Gravell, Ch...

HCLTech, a leading global technology company, and Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider®, announced a partnership to accelerate digital transformation in the Public Sector. Under the agreement, Carahsoft will serve as HCLTech’s Public Sector distributor, providing the Federal, State, Local and Education agencies in the U.S. with advanced mission-driven technology solutions through Carahsoft’s reseller partners and National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint, OMNIA partners, E&I Cooperative Services Contract and The Quilt contracts. HCLTech established a dedicated Public Sector Solutions subsidiary that provides AI-driven platforms, cloud native modernization services, cybersecurity offerings and constituent- focused services for Government agencies. Carahsoft contributes expertise in Public Sector contracting and sales and marketing and supports a broad network of reseller partners. Together, the companies will del...

Apollo AyurVAID, India’s leading NABH-accredited, precision Ayurveda hospital network , has successfully treated a 36-year-old male patient diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the hip, helping him avoid a recommended hip replacement surgery and return to an active, pain free life.The patient, whose profession involves supervising operations with long hours of standing and night shifts, was experiencing severe mobility restrictions prior to treatment. He was unable to sit or stand for more than five to ten minutes and found walking difficult due to persistent pain. Given the progressive nature of avascular necrosis, surgical intervention was advised as the next course of action by his previous consulting doctor.   The treatment plan included Asthiposhaka Rasayana to support bone tissue nourishment and regeneration, Abhyanga using medicated herbal oils to improve circulation and reduce stiffness, and Basti therapy to address deeper musculoskeletal pathology and systemic imbalances...

Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet) , a leading agri-business company, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM-UMED), to empower rural farmers and promote sustainable agriculture.The collaboration aligns with the United Nations’ observance of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) which spotlights critical role played by women in the agrifood systems and calls for actions to close gender gaps and strengthen livelihoods. This three-yearpartnership aims to mobilize Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and women farmers to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), improvingfarm productivity and creating resilient livelihoods. In its first year, the program will focus on nine key cotton-growing districts ; Nagpur, Amravati, Yavatmal, Washim, Parbhani, Jalgaon, Beed, Akola, and Nanded;covering over 5,000 women farmers and more than 50,000 acres of far...

BLS International Services Limited, a global leader in AI &tech-enabled, government-to-citizen services, announced that it has been awarded the project for Permanent Enrollment Centers (PECs) for Aadhaar enrollment by the Department of Education, Government of Bihar.  The project is valued at approximately INR 100 crore, and BLS International will execute it over a five-year period. The scope of the project includes the setting up and operation of Permanent Enrollment Centers at Block Headquarters, Sub-Divisional Headquarters, Offices of Municipal Bodies, District Headquarters, and other locations as specified. The centers established by BLS International will carry out work related to UIDAI Aadhaar Enrollment, Aadhaar Updation, Aadhaar Supplementary Services, and Aadhaar Life cycle Management for residents. Highlighting the significance of the project, Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director at BLS International, said, “ We are committed to advancing digital inclusivity,...

MakeMyTrip, India’s leading online travel company, is leveraging technology and user-generated content to help women travellers make more confident choices across accommodation and intercity bus bookings. The approach is informed by behavioural signals observed on the platform, which indicate a more deliberate review journey among women travellers, including higher click-through on reviews, greater time spent on maps and street view, and deeper engagement with guest-uploaded photos before confirming a booking. These patterns are reinforced by booking behaviour. Women are booking 50 percent more stays at least 15 days in advance and show a 16 percent higher preference for premium and branded properties compared to men. This trend becomes more pronounced as women travellers move from Tier 1 to Tier 3 cities, where branded stays also function as a signal of assurance. On intercity bus routes, solo women travellers also tend to prefer seating arrangements that place them alongside other ...

At CES ®  2026, LG Electronics didn’t just talk about AI – we showed what it looks like when it’s woven into everyday life. Under the theme “Innovation in tune with you,” our exhibit unfolded as a set of connected environments spanning the home, mobility and entertainment. Together, they showed how our Affectionate Intelligence senses what’s happening, understands context and responds in ways that feel natural and helpful. Instead of treating AI as something locked inside devices, we focused on how it moves across spaces. Kitchens, living rooms, vehicles and entertainment setups all became part of one connected experience, where TVs, appliances, robots, software and sensors quietly worked together behind the scenes. This was AI in Action on the show floor.   A Visual Overture – and a Return of an Icon That story began the moment visitors walked in. The  In Tune Monument  was built from 38 LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TVs, arranged to appear as if...

HCLTech, a leading global technology company, will join leaders from government, business, civil society and academia for dialogues and deliberations at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos. The company’s signature Pavilion, which is located at Promenade 66, will feature an AI Lounge and an open tea and coffee station.        HCLTech will be represented by its executive leadership team including C Vijayakumar, CEO & Managing Director; Vijay Guntur, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Ecosystems; Srinivasan Seshadri, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head (Financial Services); Kalyan Kumar, Chief Product Officer, HCLSoftware; Kristina Rogers, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head, Retail and CPG; Arjun Sethi, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head, Public Sector, Aerospace & Defense and PE Practice; Abhay Chaturvedi, Corporate VP, Tech Industries and Jill Kouri, CMO. A key highlight of HCLTech’s presence at WEF will be the AI Lounge, a dedicated space w...

HCLTech, a leading global technology company,   announced the elevation of company veteran Sandeep Saxena to Chief Growth Officer – Growth Markets 2, to lead India and other key markets, including the Middle East and Africa. The appointment is part of HCLTech’s strategy to sharpen its focus, in particular, on the India region. Sandeep will be based in Mumbai, India and report to the CEO & Managing Director, C Vijayakumar. Commenting on the appointment, C Vijayakumar said, “HCLTech has played a defining role in shaping India’s technology growth story through sustained innovation and global leadership. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India presents a significant opportunity, and we will bring our global scale, deep expertise and full-stack capabilities to help enterprises harness next-generation technologies and accelerate growth. We are equally committed to advancing the Government of India’s Viksit Bharat and Digital India vision, driving public sector digita...

The photo captures Uma Maheshwari, the In-charge of the Villivakkam Ration Shop, as she distributes Pongal gift hampers to rice ration card holders. Each hamper includes a cash amount of Rs 3000. The beneficiaries are seen receiving these gifts at the fair price shop, highlighting the initiative of the Tamil Nadu government to support the people during the Pongal festival.

  Novotel Mumbai International Airport Marks Makar Sankranti with a Special Lunch Marking the joyous harvest festival of Makar Sankranti, Novotel Mumbai International Airport invites guests to indulge in a thoughtfully curated Special Lunch on 14th January 2026 at its chic all-day dining destination, Food Exchange. Designed to honour tradition while embracing contemporary elegance, the festive spread promises a warm, flavour-filled afternoon steeped in the spirit of togetherness.   Makar Sankranti, celebrated across India as a symbol of new beginnings, abundance, and gratitude, finds a delicious expression at Food Exchange through a menu that blends regional favourites with modern culinary finesse. The specially crafted lunch highlights the essence of the season -wholesome ingredients, nostalgic flavours, and celebratory indulgence - presented in a vibrant, interactive dining format.   Guests can look forward to an elaborate spread featuring Undhiyu, thoughtfully ...

               By Krishna Khatwani, Head of Sales - India, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd The Union Budget 2026 will arrive at a time when the FMCG sector would see the building blocks for a sustained consumption upcycle fall into place. GST rationalisation, income tax relief, benign inflation, and supportive rural schemes over the last year have created a foundation; the next Budget can determine whether this translates into broad-based, durable growth across both urban and rural India. From a household’s lens, three levers will matter most: how much additional disposable income is created, how evenly it is distributed across segments, and how predictably it flows into daily consumption rather than one ‑ time spending. Consolidating the GST and tax stimulus The first priority is to consolidate the gains from GST 2.0 and recent direct tax relief rather than introduce fresh complexity. GST reductions in October 2025 have already released subs...

Interio by Godrej, a home and office furniture brand of the Godrej Enterprises Group, announced its plans to grow its kitchen business at a 10% CAGR over the next five years. The brand has seen strong momentum across Tier 2-3 cities, driven by consumer demand for functional kitchen spaces in modern Indian homes. The Kitchen & Dining Furniture market in India is projected to reach US$251.32 million in 2025 , growing at a 2.28% CAGR through 2030. Interio is positioned to outpace this growth, backed by new product launches, expansion of Kitchen galleries to 250 locations across 120 cities and the advanced manufacturing facility at Khalapur, Maharashtra, which now produces up to 250 kitchens per day. Dev Narayan Sarkar, Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business, Interio by Godrej , said, “The Indian kitchen is no longer just a utility space, it's becoming a lifestyle statement. Consumers today want modular solutions that blend design, functionality and long-term dur...