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April 17: Mars Incorporated announced the launch of a new digital-first campaign for the PEDIGREE® brand in India, in collaboration with Indian cricketer and pet parent Jemimah Rodrigues. The campaign is based on the changing reality of modern pet-parenting, which encourages a shift towards more informed, nutrition-led feeding without compromising on what their pets love: taste. Equivalent to the protein of 8 chicken livers¹, combined with 100% complete and balanced nutrition, when fed as recommended, PEDIGREE® Gravy is a delicious and nourishing choice for pets. 

As a devoted pet parent and one of India’s prominent young sports personalities,  Jemimah is known for her discipline, energy and performance-driven mindset. She lends her strong voice to the campaign, not only as a cricketer but also as a pet parent who understands the importance of making the right feeding choices for pets.

PEDIGREE® Gravy is positioned as an everyday feeding solution, supported by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. This reflects Mars Pet Nutrition’s leadership in the wet food category in India. By integrating decades of global nutritional research with formats that align with local feeding habits, the brand has significantly helped make balanced nutrition more intuitive and a complement to home-cooked meals.  

The campaign brings this to life through cricket-themed films featuring Jemimah Rodrigues, capturing everyday moments between pets and their parents, and highlighting how PEDIGREE® Gravy can turn routine feeding into moments of joy and connection.

Ayesha Huda, Chief Marketing Officer, Mars Pet Nutrition India, said,

“As the pioneers, Mars Pet Nutrition has contributed significantly towards creating the gravy category in India. Backed by decades of research from the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, we have helped shape the understanding of wet food as a complete nutritional option that aligns with familiar feeding habits. She added, “While pet parent intent is evolving, there remains a gap in everyday feeding practices, especially with over-reliance on home-cooked food that may not meet pets’ nutritional needs. With PEDIGREE® Gravy, we bring together irresistible taste and complete, balanced nutrition, making better feeding choices simpler, more relatable, and part of everyday routines.”

Jemimah Rodrigues shared,

“As a pet parent, I’ve always believed that caring for your pet goes beyond just feeding; it’s about knowing what’s right for them. Like in cricket, where the right nutrition fuels performance, I’ve realised the same applies to our pets. What I love about PEDIGREE® Gravy is that my pet Jade genuinely enjoys it, and at the same time, I know it provides complete nutrition. This campaign reflects those simple, everyday moments that matter to pet parents.”

This campaign launch is part of Mars’ broader commitment to drive category growth and build stronger awareness of wet food as a complete everyday feeding option, while encouraging more pet parents to adopt scientifically formulated food.

 

Apr 17 (BNP): India’s construction sector, valued at around $685 billion in 2025, is projected to grow to $1.2 trillion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 6.9 per cent, driven by sustained infrastructure investment and urban development, according to a report released on Friday.

The report by Savills India and Hotelivate said demand for office spaces remains strong, supported by the expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and growing preference for Grade-A, sustainable workspaces. It also noted that construction costs have risen by 6.4 per cent to 7.6 per cent due to higher mechanical, electrical, and plumbing expenses.

According to the report, retail and residential segments have seen the sharpest rise in construction costs, with increases ranging from 3.8 per cent to 13.9 per cent between 2023 and 2025.

It added that mall construction costs have surged the most due to complex designs, deeper basements, and higher technical requirements. In the residential segment, luxury housing recorded the highest cost increase, followed by mid-income and affordable housing projects.

The report observed that residential demand continues to remain strong, with a growing shift towards premium and quality-focused developments across urban centres.

It further highlighted that rising input costs, wage inflation, and volatility in key raw materials such as steel, cement, and crude oil are impacting project economics. Construction labour wages have increased significantly in recent years, adding to overall expenses.

In the hospitality sector, performance has improved with occupancy levels stabilising at around 67–68 per cent and average room rates crossing ₹9,000. The sector also continues to attract investor interest, with a strong project pipeline and new developments underway.

The report advised developers to focus on efficiency, cost control, and sustainable planning to maintain long-term value and competitiveness in the evolving market.

Apr 17 (BNP): India is planning a major expansion of its nuclear energy capacity, targeting an increase from the current 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047, according to the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

The roadmap is part of the country’s long-term strategy to strengthen clean energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Nuclear power is expected to play a key role in meeting rising electricity demand while supporting India’s low-carbon growth goals.

The CEA Chairperson said the expansion plan is aligned with India’s broader energy transition efforts, which aim to raise the share of non-fossil fuel-based power in the overall energy mix.

He also noted that achieving this target will require sustained policy support, technological progress, and investment participation from both public and private sectors.

Apr 17 (BNP): India is increasingly being recognised as a stable destination for global investment, supported by a market capitalisation of around $4.4 trillion, according to Tuhin Kanta Pandey.

He said the country’s equity markets continue to show resilience, backed by steady economic fundamentals and long-term growth potential. This is helping strengthen investor confidence in India as a reliable capital market.

Pandey added that India’s expanding financial ecosystem and rising participation from both domestic and foreign investors are enhancing its position among major global investment destinations.

Uttar Pradesh: The state has produced 89.26 lakh tons so far, against last year production of 91.10 lakh tons. At present, 6 mills are operational, compared to 22 mills which operated last year on the corresponding date.

Maharashtra & Karnataka: Production has reached 99.3 lakh tons in Maharashtra and 48.10 lakh tons in Karnataka, compared to 80.88 lakh tons and 40.40 lakh tons, respectively, during the same period last year. All the factories in both the states have closed their operations for the main season. However, few mills in Karnataka will also operate in the special season from June/July’2026.

Additionally, some mills in Tamil Nadu will also continue their operations in the special season.

Following table gives state-wise details of sugar production this year vis-à-vis last year:

 As the sugar season nears its close, the industry is seeking an early revision of the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). Rising production costs and weak ex-mill realizations are straining mill cash flows and increasing cane payment arrears. A timely MSP revision, aligned with current cost structures, is essential to restore financial viability, enable prompt farmer payments, and stabilize the market—without any additional fiscal burden on the Government.

Simultaneously, rising crude oil prices and evolving geopolitical conditions highlight the need to accelerate ethanol blending. With an estimated production capacity of around 2000 crore litres (including grain-based), the Government may consider advancing a roadmap beyond E20 towards higher blends such as E22, E25, E27 and E85/E100, alongside faster rollout of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) and GST rationalisation to support adoption.

Further, the lack of revision in ethanol procurement prices for sugarcane-based feedstocks and lower allocation to the sector have created a mismatch between installed capacity and domestic offtake, leading to underutilised distillation capacity and inventory build-up. Timely price revision is needed to ensure feedstock parity and provide long-term policy clarity.

In addition, ongoing LPG supply disruptions have impacted food outlet operations, dampening sugar consumption and adding to industry pressures.

Addressing these issues through timely policy measures will help optimise capacity utilisation, strengthen financial stability, safeguard farmer interests, stabilise sugar markets, and support India’s energy security and rural economy.

 

Apr 17 (BNP): Crude oil prices fell more than 2 per cent in futures trade on Friday, as easing geopolitical tensions and expectations of a possible US-Iran agreement reduced concerns over global supply disruptions.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil futures for May delivery declined by ₹180, or 2.1 per cent, to ₹8,396 per barrel.

Market sentiment turned weaker following indications of progress toward a potential diplomatic understanding between the United States and Iran. This eased worries over extended supply disruptions in global crude markets.

Analysts said the development led traders to reassess the geopolitical risk premium that had recently supported oil prices, resulting in downward pressure on futures.

Apr 17 (BNP): Aditya Birla Capital has announced that its housing finance subsidiary, Aditya Birla Housing Finance Ltd (ABHFL), has raised ₹2,750 crore through the sale of a 14.29 per cent stake to Indriya Ltd, an entity associated with private equity firm Advent International.

In a regulatory filing, the company said that following the transaction, ABHFL is no longer a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital. The parent company now holds an 85.505 per cent stake in the housing finance arm.

The board of ABHFL approved the allotment of 12.32 crore equity shares at a price of ₹223.12 per share to Indriya Ltd as part of the deal.

The transaction marks a strategic capital infusion aimed at strengthening the housing finance subsidiary’s balance sheet and supporting its future growth plans.