Category: Business

 By- Sachin Sharma, Owner, The Coco Leaf Cafe, Gokarna

For years, travel was measured by how much you could squeeze into a limited window, more cities, more landmarks, more checkmarks. But in 2026, that mindset is steadily losing its appeal. A new generation of travellers, led by Gen Z, is choosing depth over distance, trading rushed itineraries for unhurried, immersive experiences. This shift, often referred to as slow travel, reflects a broader desire to connect more meaningfully with destinations, whether that means spending weeks in a single town, engaging with local culture, or simply allowing room for spontaneity. After all, as the thought goes, “kitni bhi koshish kar lo, kuch na kuch reh hi jaata hai”—and perhaps that’s exactly the point. In a world defined by constant motion, Gen Z is redefining what it means to truly “arrive.”

The Rise of Experiential Stays

One of the most defining shifts within slow travel is the growing preference for experiential stays over conventional hotel formats. Instead of opting for standardized, often compact luxury rooms, Gen Z travellers are actively seeking spaces that offer character, openness, and a sense of place, be it a homestay tucked in the hills, a coastal cottage, or a farm stay surrounded by nature. These stays go beyond accommodation; they enable travellers to engage with local communities, understand regional lifestyles, and participate in everyday cultural experiences. The appeal lies not in indulgence alone, but in authenticity, where the environment feels less curated and more lived-in, making the journey as meaningful as the destination itself.

Moving away from overtourism toward meaningful locations

Today’s travellers are increasingly conscious of the fatigue that comes with crowded hotspots, long queues, commercialised experiences, and a lack of genuine cultural connection. Instead, Gen Z is gravitating toward destinations that offer calm, authenticity, and a deeper sense of discovery. This is reflected in the gradual shift from places like Goa to quieter alternatives such as Gokarna, where the pace is slower and experiences feel more personal. By choosing offbeat destinations, travellers are not only escaping the chaos but also rediscovering the joy of exploration.  

The Rise of Spiritual and Intentional Travel

A notable evolution within slow travel is the shift from outward indulgence to inward exploration. Rather than being drawn solely to grand infrastructure or visually impressive stays, Gen Z travellers are increasingly prioritising experiences that nurture a deeper connection with themselves and their surroundings. This includes spending time at wellness retreats, spiritual centres, or serene natural settings that encourage reflection, mindfulness, and emotional reset. The focus is less on how a place looks and more on how it makes one feel, calm, grounded, and present. In choosing meaning over materiality, this generation is redefining travel as not just an escape, but a journey toward inner balance and personal clarity.

Curated Food Experiences as a Travel Highlight

Food is no longer just a part of the itinerary, it is becoming the experience itself. For Gen Z travellers, dining is deeply tied to discovery, storytelling, and connection, especially in coastal destinations where cafés and beachside spaces set the tone for the entire journey. Rather than opting for generic menus, travellers are drawn to places that offer inspired dishes, fresh ingredients, and a setting that feels immersive, think ocean views, open-air seating, and a laid-back, community-driven vibe. Beachside cafés, in particular, are emerging as cultural touchpoints where travellers can slow down, savour regional flavours, and engage with the destination in a more sensory way. It’s not just about what’s on the plate, but the atmosphere, the people, and the feeling of being truly present in the moment.

As travel continues to evolve, one thing is clear, today’s travellers are not just passing through destinations, they are seeking places that make them feel something. For hotels and cafes, this presents a unique opportunity to become more than just a dining stop, but a meaningful part of the journey itself. By creating spaces that embrace openness, authenticity, and thoughtful experiences, whether through food, ambience, or community, you become a place where travellers choose to pause, connect, and stay a little longer. In the era of slow travel, it’s these moments of stillness, warmth, and genuine connection that leave the most lasting impression. 

Bhubaneswar, Apr 9 (BNP): Odisha is witnessing a major boost in its textile and apparel industry, with significant investments creating thousands of new employment opportunities. A recently inaugurated project, with an investment of around ₹750 crore, has already generated jobs for over 5,800 youth. On Wednesday, the foundation stone for another unit of Page Industries was laid in Bhubaneswar, with a ₹258 crore investment expected to create 3,500 more jobs. The ceremony also marked the inauguration of an MAS India clothing factory in Bhubaneswar.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The Chief Minister highlighted that the state government is focusing on weaving and apparel industries, where relatively low investments can generate high employment, especially for women. By promoting skill development, industrial growth, and women’s empowerment, Odisha aims to establish new apparel units across districts like Khordha, Cuttack, and Ganjam, boosting the local economy.

During the event, the Chief Minister interacted with young professionals from Salepur and Mayurbhanj working in Tamil Nadu’s textile industry to understand their expertise and work practices. The Minister of Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts, Pradeep Bal Samant, appreciated the government’s commitment to leveraging industry for job creation and skill development, calling Odisha’s textile growth a “golden chapter” in the state’s industrial progress.

Officials added that with multiple investment proposals amounting to nearly ₹7,800 crore under active consideration, the state is accelerating the expansion of its textile and apparel sector, creating opportunities for local talent, reducing unemployment, and positioning Odisha as a hub for sustainable industrial growth.

Kurkumbh, Maharashtra, Apr 09: Marking three decades of brand Gemini, Cargill today opened the doors to its Kurkumbh plant in Maharashtra, offering a closer look at its world class manufacturing standards, stringent food safety and quality practices, while outlining plans to strengthen its edible oils business in India through its flagship consumer brand, Gemini.

The visit was hosted by Dheeraj Talreja, Vice President & Managing Director, Cargill Food South Asia, who shared Cargill’s growth priorities and strategic importance of Maharashtra market, where Gemini is a market leader. Well-known Marathi actor Priya Bapat also joined the visit along with select consumers, influencers and media, adding her perspective as a long-standing consumer of the brand.

Maharashtra is a key market for Gemini, where the brand has strong presence and consumer base.  With highest per capita GDP in the country, high consumption of multiple oils including sunflower, soybean, groundnut and cottonseed, Maharashtra is a strategically important geography and logistics backbone for Gemini’s diversified portfolio of cooking oils. Cargill has had manufacturing presence in Kurkumbh, Maharashtra since 2005. Today this plant employs over 500 people (full time and contractual), engaged in refining and packaging the full range of Gemini oils.

With a strong legacy of 30+ years behind us, Gemini is known for its unshakable consumer trust and superior product quality. As we look at the next 30 years, Gemini is transforming into a future ready edible oils brand, deeply rooted in India’s traditions, while evolving with modern consumers through premiumization, digital engagement, and presence on next generation distribution channels”, said Dheeraj Talreja during the plant tour.   

 Advancing Portfolio to Meet Health & Wellness Preferences

Gemini offers a comprehensive portfolio, including sunflower oil, soybean oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, kachi ghani mustard oil, vanaspati, and blended oils. The brand today reaches over 5 million households catering to diverse consumer needs and is available across 1 lakh+ retail outlets in the state.

With evolving consumer preferences towards premium, health led and lifestyle-oriented oils, Gemini is considering expanding into a range of premium cold-pressed oils. This reflects a premiumization push for the edible oil brand aimed at driving future growth, while focus on maintaining leadership across its core product categories of sunflower and soyabean oil continues.

Channel Expansion Across E-commerce and New-age Retail 

Gemini’s presence across e-commerce and quick commerce platforms is also being strengthened, indicating the growing online consumer purchasing pattern. While a large percentage of business is still driven by physical retail stores, Gemini recorded strong growth in its e-commerce business over the past year, increasing its contribution to overall sales. As online platforms gain momentum amongst urban audiences seeking convenience and easy product discovery, Cargill is also expanding across these channels to remain close to consumers.

Recognized for Food Safety and Quality

Cargill’s Kurkumbh facility has been recognized at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Food Safety Awards 2024, for ‘Outstanding Performance in Food Safety’ in the ‘Large Manufacturing Food Businesses – Fats & Oils’ category.

Gemini was also ranked as No. 1 sunflower oil brand in India in 2023 (extended for two years), as per a brand study by Consumer Voice, a Govt recognized testing organisation. These recognitions reflect the company’s adherence to stringent food safety protocols, consistent quality practices, and alignment with regulatory standards.

Community Development

As an active member of society, Cargill has been collaborating with local stakeholders and government programs on community programs in the state, focused on improving education, nutrition, and public health. Infact, Cargill leadership today inaugurated a school development initiative, Project Vidya Vikas, at the local State Reserve Police School, Daund which includes new playground flooring, provision of additional benches and building toilets for the school, benefitting over 1500 students from local communities.

Past initiatives include, ‘Badhte Kadam’, a program to address health and nutrition deficiencies among school children, reaching over 5,000 children in Kurkumbh over three years. ‘Project Sahyog’, a comprehensive village development program was implemented in Kurkumbh Village of Daund Block of Pune District. In addition, Cargill has been supporting maternal and child health programs by providing monthly micronutrient-fortified food and conducting awareness sessions on nutrition and healthcare in partnership with Anganwadi workers, benefitting over 4,200 beneficiaries across 168 Anganwadi centers. Cargill also supported local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic through relief initiatives, as part of its ongoing community engagement efforts.

New Delhi, Apr 9 (BNP): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) intensified its monitoring efforts in 2025-26, conducting nearly 3.97 lakh inspections across food businesses nationwide.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

In partnership with state authorities, the agency tested 1,65,747 food samples up to the third quarter, finding 17.16% of them non-compliant with safety standards. These violations triggered swift regulatory and legal action to protect consumers.

State governments are actively supporting the enforcement drive, stepping up inspections, awareness campaigns, and guidance for food producers and retailers. Officials said the combined efforts aim to ensure safer food practices, improve compliance, and build public trust in food quality.

FSSAI’s strengthened approach highlights the government’s commitment to public health, encouraging businesses to prioritize hygiene and quality while maintaining accountability across the food supply chain.

Tickets
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Dates: 22nd – 23rd May, 2026

Uganda joins as second focus country as ARMC 2026 draws delegations from the UK, US, Germany, Sweden and Australia ahead of its Johannesburg return this May

Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) returns to Johannesburg on 22nd & 23rd May 2026 for its sixth edition, now backed by the PRS Foundation for the third time and welcoming Australia and Uganda as official focus countries for the first time. Bringing together artists, executives and cultural leaders from across Africa, Europe, the Americas and beyond, ARMC has established itself as the continent’s leading platform for cross-continental music industry dialogue.

A major focus for 2026 is the introduction of Australia and Uganda as official focus countries and bringing curated delegations of artists, executives and cultural leaders into the programme. The Ugandan delegation, led by Amplify Ugandan Music Expo (AUMEX), builds on connections formed at previous editions, while Australia’s inclusion signals ARMC’s growing ties beyond the African continent. Additional delegates from the UK are supported by the PRS Foundation while more from Germany, the United States and Sweden further strengthen the conference’s global reach.

With a growing network of international partners, delegates and speakers, ARMC 2026 is a key platform for cross-continental collaboration that spotlights emerging scenes while connecting them to established global markets. This year sees new strategic partnerships including with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) alongside expanded international participation.

The speaker programme reflects this international outlook, with newly announced headline names including Grammy‑Recording Academy‑inducted producer and award‑winning artist TRESOR, alongside Janesh, Hitboss SA and Brenda Mtambo. Together, they represent a cross-section of artists and industry leaders shaping contemporary African music while engaging with global audiences through songwriting, production and cultural exchange.

Alongside its core programme, ARMC has introduced a Community Access Pledge in partnership with Bridges for Music, shesaid.so South Africa, The Cradle Crew and BTCH$ LUV – enabling brands and organisations to donate tickets distributed to aspiring artists and entrepreneurs who would otherwise be unable to attend.

As African music continues to gain global prominence, ARMC positions itself at the centre of that momentum by bridging scenes, industries and cultures through dialogue, collaboration and live experience. Further speaker and programme announcements are expected in the coming weeks. Phase 2 tickets are on sale now via Quicket.

Apr 9: The government is planning relief measures to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) facing financial stress due to the West Asia conflict.

Authorities may ask the Reserve Bank of India to extend timelines for classifying loans as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) and Special Mention Accounts (SMAs). This would give businesses more time before their loans are marked as stressed or bad.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a similar step was taken, extending the NPA period from 90 days to 180 days. The government is considering doing something similar now to support MSMEs.

MSMEs are an important part of India’s economy, contributing about 30% to the GDP, 35% of manufacturing output, and nearly 45% of merchandise exports. Many MSME borrowers have approached banks seeking relief, and officials say timely action is needed to prevent short-term problems from becoming long-term challenges.

The plan is part of a larger ₹2.5 trillion relief package, including credit guarantees, to help MSMEs stay strong during global uncertainties.

London – UK, 09 April 2026

SLR today announced the launch of its enhanced Digital Services following the acquisition of Planetrics and ClimSystems – two of the market’s most advanced climate‑modelling and analytics platforms. The move significantly strengthens SLR’s digital climate-intelligence capabilities and responds to growing demand from investors, businesses and public sector organisations to understand and address climate risk and associated value at risk with greater accuracy.

As momentum behind long‑term climate commitments fluctuates globally, climate‑related risks continue to intensify. Decision‑makers across sectors are increasingly focused on understanding how physical impacts – such as flooding, shifting rainfall patterns, heat, and wildfire – create both risks and opportunities for how business and governments operate. With physical impacts accelerating alongside heightened regulatory expectations, the financial implications are increasingly material across almost every sector. Organisations face growing pressure to base decisions on robust, science-driven climate intelligence. Traditional risk models – built on historical data – are increasingly unable to capture fast-moving transition dynamics and asset level climate shocks, leaving many businesses exposed. As a result, companies across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, real estate, financial, consumer markets and the public sector are turning to science-based climate modelling for clearer foresight. These analytics – grounded in decades of validated research and high-resolution climate projections – equip organisations to make more confident investment and planning decisions, strengthen risk management, and build long term resilience into their operations and portfolios.

Strengthening SLR’s digital, technical and advisory capabilities

The acquisition of Planetrics and ClimSystems enhances SLR’s strategic advisory, climate and technical expertise, significantly advancing its digital climate analytics and modelling capabilities to create a powerful foundation for the next generation of climate intelligence. These acquisitions build on SLR’s long-standing investment in advanced digital tools and data driven‑intelligence that help organisations to understand, quantify and respond to climate-related risks and opportunities.

Planetrics, acquired from McKinsey & Company, delivers advanced climate scenario modelling through its PlanetView platform, widely trusted by leading banks, insurers, asset owners, managers and corporates. PlanetView converts complex physical and transition risks and opportunities into clear financial metrics – including changes in earnings, asset value shifts and portfolio-level impacts. It also enables organisations to assess how different transition pathways – such as an accelerated energy transition or policy developments could influence operational and financial performance, and impact long-term value. Planetrics data and analytics are used for risk management, stewardship and engagement activities, investment research, opportunity identification, regulatory climate stress testing exercises, such as those conducted by the Bank of England and the European Central Bank, and are commonly featured in climate disclosures, such as TCFD, ISSB, CSRD and CA SB 253 (forthcoming). Planetrics and SLR will continue to collaborate with McKinsey through an ongoing alliance, bringing a world class suite of capabilities to help organisations address critical sustainability challenges while ensuring continuity for clients. SLR is excited to deepen this relationship and to work alongside McKinsey’s board level networks and transformational business leadership.

Building on the strategic partnership established in 2022, and now formalised as a full acquisition, ClimSystems brings 20 years of market-leading physical climate intelligence to SLR, delivering detailed, science-driven modelling that quantifies how climate-related hazards could impact asset values, infrastructure resilience and supply chain exposure. ClimSystems supports a global client base, including market leaders in agriculture, mining, infrastructure and financial services. Its product suite include interactive, tailored dashboards that integrate with business, risk and financial oversight functions – enabling business owners to engage and interact access high-resolution physical hazard risk assessments at an individual asset or portfolio level, crop-specific yield modelling to identify risks, and opportunities of changing climate, residential and commercial real-estate climate risk assessments, and rapid-response due-diligence physical climate risk support.

Together, these technologies set a new standard for accuracy, transparency and usability. By translating complex climate signals into clear, actionable intelligence, SLR enables organisations to make future-proof decisions to price risk more accurately, anticipate regulatory shifts, protect asset value and uncover new opportunities.

Bradley Andrews, Chief Executive Officer at SLR, noted, “Our clients are navigating a new level of complexity – balancing transition opportunities, physical climate impacts, and the transformation required for long-term risk, resilience and reward. In this environment, confidence is only possible with robust scientific evidence. For more than 30 years, SLR has been Making Sustainability Happen by combining deep technical expertise, strategic advisory and cutting‑edge digital intelligence to give clients not only clarity and assurance, but science‑based foresight and insight they can act on.

Today marks a major milestone in SLR’s digital journey. With the integration of Planetrics and ClimSystems, we have two of the most advanced climate platforms enabling organisations to quantify climate risks, explore multiple futures, and understand how physical and transition impacts translate into operational outcomes and financial value-at-risk across assets and portfolios.”

Clients can now make investment, planning and risk decisions with far greater accuracy and confidence – with clear financial insight into climate risks and precise visibility into which assets, crops, facilities or supply‑chain links are exposed, and how that exposure will evolve. To understand what these enhanced capabilities mean for your organisation’s risk, value and long‑term performance, connect with SLR’s Digital Services team: www.slrconsulting.com/digital

Mumbai, April 9: India’s real estate capital markets witnessed a decisive recovery in FY26, shaking off two years of subdued activity to reclaim levels last seen in FY22. According to ANAROCK Capital’s FLUX FY26 Annual Edition, the sector recorded total deal value of USD 4.3 billion — a 13% and 16% rise over FY24 and FY25, respectively — with the uptick underpinned by a far healthier, broad-based deal environment than in previous years.

“India’s real estate capital markets have moved from a period of concentration and caution to one of breadth and conviction,” said Shobhit Agarwal, CEO – ANAROCK Capital. “FLUX FY26 captures a market that is deepening — more deals, more participants, more asset classes — even as it navigates a complex global backdrop.”

Agarwal adds “FY26’s recovery is especially significant for its quality. Unlike FY24 and FY25 – where a single mega-transaction (Brookfield RE Trust/GIC and RIL/ADIA/KKR, respectively) accounted for 37% and 41% of total deal value – the largest deal in FY26 contributed just 9% of total activity. This marks a structural improvement in market depth, with capital flows distributed more evenly across geographies, sectors, and asset classes.”

Deal Volume at a 7-Year Peak

The number of transactions rose to 60 in FY26, the highest in seven years and up sharply from 41 deals in FY25. Average deal size, at USD 71 million, was the lowest in the same period — a reflection not of declining appetite, but of wider market participation with more players transacting across a broader ticket-size spectrum.

Equity Dominates; Office Sees a Strong Comeback

Equity continued to be the preferred deal structure, accounting for approximately 77% of total deal value in FY26 — consistent with the long-term norm and a sharp reversal from FY25, when a single large hybrid transaction distorted the mix. Debt accounted for 23%, with no hybrid deals recorded during the year,

Sector-wise Performance

Commercial office emerged as the standout performer, with 14 transactions aggregating USD 1.6 billion at an average deal size of ~USD 116 million — up from ~USD 80 million across 12 transactions in FY25. Robust office absorption led by Global Capability Centres (GCCs) continued to underpin investor confidence in this segment. Notably, domestic investors made meaningful inroads into commercial real estate, a segment historically dominated by international capital.

Retail real estate staged a notable comeback after being virtually absent in FY24 and FY25, contributing 9% of deal value in FY26. Blackstone’s acquisition of Kolkata’s South City Mall for USD 377 million — the single largest equity deal of the year — anchored activity in this segment, signalling renewed institutional appetite for quality retail assets backed by India’s strong consumption growth.

Residential saw 26 institutional transactions, broadly in line with prior years, with average deal size remaining stable at ~USD 25 million. Strong banking sector support — evidenced by high-teen growth in outstanding credit — continues to provide developers with a more cost-effective funding alternative to private equity. Nevertheless, institutional platforms remained active, particularly for established and credible developers.

Industrial & Logistics, after commanding 47% of deal activity in FY25, moderated to 10% in FY26, though underlying investor interest remains firm, driven by e-commerce-led demand and the rapid evolution of warehouses into tech-enabled fulfilment hubs.

Domestic Capital at a Multi-Year High

Aashiesh Agarwaal, SVP – Investment Advisory, ANAROCK Capital, said,

“One of the most consequential trends is the accelerating rise of domestic capital. Foreign investors’ share of total deal value fell from 82% in FY22 to 52% in FY26, while domestic investors’ share rose from 15% to 38% over the same period — with domestic capital in absolute terms reaching USD 1,642 million, the highest in at least seven years. Rising domestic prosperity, improved market transparency, and growing local conviction in real estate as an asset class are driving this shift.”

Geography: NCR Leads, Pan-India Deals Decline

NCR led city-level deal activity in FY26 with a 23% share, followed by MMR (17%), Bengaluru (13%), and Chennai (9%). Kolkata, buoyed by the South City Mall acquisition, jumped from 0% in FY25 to 9% in FY26. The share of Pan-India/multi-city deals fell sharply from 50% in FY25 to 18% in FY26, reflecting a more city-specific capital deployment strategy across investors.

Platform Deals Open Fresh Frontiers

Platform investing remained a defining feature of FY26, with HDFC Capital participating in half of all platform transactions — backing Eldeco (USD 174 Mn), Hero Realty (USD 112 Mn), and Curated Living Solutions for rental housing (USD 109 Mn). The year also saw the emergence of differentiated platforms in rental housing and luxury second homes, highlighting the evolution of investor strategies beyond traditional residential and commercial plays.

 

Washington, Apr 9 (BNP): The World Bank has revised India’s economic outlook, projecting GDP growth of 7.6% for FY26 while raising its forecast for FY27 to 6.6%. The updated estimate marks an improvement from its earlier projection of 6.3% made in October.

Despite the upward revision, the global lender expects growth to moderate in FY27 compared to FY26. This anticipated slowdown is attributed in part to external uncertainties, including the ongoing tensions in West Asia, which could weigh on global economic conditions.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The report also highlights potential inflationary pressures. Strong domestic demand, along with stabilizing food prices and rising energy costs, may push inflation higher in the coming months.

India’s growth continues to be supported by resilient consumption and steady economic activity. However, the World Bank cautions that managing inflation and navigating global risks will be crucial to sustaining momentum.

Overall, while India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, the outlook suggests a balance between strong fundamentals and emerging challenges in the year ahead.