Category: Business

Mar 10: Boon, a leading water tech company known for transforming complex water data into intuitive digital intelligence, has been honored with the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for design excellence. The award was presented in the Mobile Application category for the Boon WaterAI™ App, recognizing its innovative approach to turning water quality insights into an intuitive and engaging digital experience.

Established in 1953, the iF DESIGN AWARD is globally recognized as a benchmark of outstanding design. Each year, thousands of designers, architects, and companies from around the world participate, with their work evaluated by an independent jury of leading design and sustainability experts. In 2026, the competition received over 10,000 submissions from 68 countries, with winners selected by a panel of 129 international experts through a rigorous evaluation process — making it one of the most competitive design recognitions globally.

This recognition places Boon among some of the world’s most design-forward technology companies and reinforces the company’s belief that the future of water technology is not only about purity and safety, but also about intelligent, intuitive, and beautifully designed user experiences.

The Boon WaterAI™ App brings the hidden life of water into view by transforming real-time data on pH levels, TDS, pressure, temperature, flow, and filter health into clear visual signals, interactive insights, and a gamified experience that encourages users to build a more conscious relationship with the water they consume. Recognized for its human-centric design, the app simplifies advanced monitoring technology into an intuitive interface that blends information with storytelling.

Designed in Boon’s signature blue and orange palette with green accents, the platform transforms complex system data into an experience that feels less like a utility dashboard and more like a daily wellness companion. More than a traditional monitoring tool, WaterAI™ enables users and organisations to track system performance, monitor water quality trends, and receive proactive alerts, turning previously invisible infrastructure into a transparent digital experience.

Commenting on the recognition, Advait Kumar, Founder & CEO, Boon, said

“Winning the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 is a proud milestone for us and a strong validation of our belief that intelligent design and intelligent technology are not trade-offs. For decades, water technology has been built around anxiety — contamination alerts, compliance dashboards, and complex interfaces that treat water purely as a problem to be managed. With WaterAI™, we wanted to take a different approach by making the invisible visible, translating complex water data into a clear and intuitive experience that people actually want to engage with every day.”

Launched in 2025, the platform currently serves industry stakeholders across Africa, Asia, and Europe. WaterAI™ is part of Boon’s broader product ecosystem, where advanced filtration technology, IoT-enabled monitoring, and premium physical design come together to create a unified experience across digital and hardware products. Today, Boon’s technology is trusted by over 400 corporates and hospitality properties across 11 countries, helping deliver safer and more transparent water systems in workplaces, hospitality environments, and public spaces.

The iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 winners will be celebrated at the official ceremony in Berlin on April 27, 2026, bringing together leading innovators and designers from across the globe.

Interio by Godrej’s Projects Business Set to Cross ₹1,100 Cr Revenue in FY26; Delivers Turnkey Workspace for State Bank of India Office in BKC, Mumbai

Chandigarh, Mar 10: The Projects business of Interio by Godrej, a leading furniture brand from the Godrej Enterprises Group, is set to cross ₹1,100 crore in revenue in FY26, supported by demand for turnkey workspace solutions across banking, corporate, infrastructure and institutional sectors. The brand recently completed a turnkey interior fit-out spanning 75,000 sq.ft. across four floors for State Bank of India’s Local Head Office at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. The project features India’s biggest dealing room, designed to support the bank’s critical treasury and investment operations.

 The project’s comprehensive turnkey execution features specialized ceiling systems, modular partitions, complete modular furniture, AV Works & Fire Rated Storages. Resource optimisation, process improvements and an extremely committed young professional team transformed this high-pressure challenging work-front to a well appreciated handover by client.

Interio is chasing a sustainable vision of 1500 crs revenue in the coming FY, Projects are on the fast track to scaling its competencies with multiple trusted partners across the country and digital enablement of offline workflows to deliver high quality and timely projects across the diverse sectors. The business has launched and sponsors many programs under its wing to address industry gaps including ProGenXT: A digital way of working enabled by AI for increasing transparency and seamless communication between all stakeholders.

Speaking on the partnership, Swapneel Nagarkar, EVP & Business Head, Interio by Godrej, said, “The Indian banking industry has seen robust growth, driven by strong economic expansion, rising disposable incomes, growing consumerism, and easier credit access. As India’s banking sector continues to modernize its infrastructure to support increasingly sophisticated financial operations, our role is to create workspaces that combine operational efficiency with the scale and security requirements of critical financial functions. The project exemplifies our ability to execute comprehensive turnkey solutions under tight timelines in budget while maintaining the highest standards of quality. We look forward to partnering with more financial institutions to create workplaces that support India’s growing economic ambitions.”

Value addition in terms of fast paced procurement of long lead items well within the client’s budget was achieved by the business’s long-standing partnership and rate contracts established with various OEMs. Project planning and monitoring was done on an inhouse developed project planning software ‘Prostream’ based on Critical Chain Path Method (CCPM) principle which gave complete project stage visibility to all stakeholders. Faster turnaround times were achieved on site by using Godrej developed apps for Safety and Quality. Project management processes based on the Theory of Constraints(TOC) principle enabled a seamless and timely delivery.

The Projects business at Interio by Godrej has solidified its position as a leader in creating innovative, functional, and aesthetically pleasing spaces for global brands entering the Indian market, having executed over 1000 projects spanning more than 100 million sq.ft. across diverse sectors including Corporate Offices, Government facilities, Banking, Infrastructure (Metros, Airports), Museums, Auditoriums, Healthcare, Hospitality, Warehouse, and Retail spaces.

Recent landmark design and build projects include: ArcelorMittal Design & Engg. regional offices in Surat & Kolkata, CINDA’s clientele in Bangalore, JMS Mining Pvt Ltd head office expansion in Kolkata, NCDFI administrative facility in Anand-Gujarat and the award winning neurodiverse inclusive project for Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited at Infopark, Kochi; to name a few.

The business has also delivered notable projects and working with key clients like ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Federal Bank, Berger Paints India Ltd., Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd., Tokyo Electron Ltd., Tata Motors Ltd., Pinnacle Infotech Solutions, Mindtree Ltd., Cognizant Technology Solutions, Pegatron Corporation, Indian School of Business, Plaksha University, Garware Health Club, Petronet LNG Ltd. and more.

Offering comprehensive Design and Build services, general contracting and interior design services, Projects business of, Interio by Godrej stands ready to deliver ‘Designs with impact’ and world-class interior turnkey solutions that meets the unique need of each client as companies continue to invest in state-of-the-art facilities in India.

Gold eased on Monday, drifting back toward the USD 5,100 per ounce consolidation zone as a firmer US dollar and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve monetary policy weighed on the metal.

Disruptions in the Middle East pushed crude oil prices above USD 100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, reigniting fears of renewed global inflation pressures. Rising energy costs affected the monetary policy outlook and reduced the expectations of near-term rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, leading to higher yields. The latter could continue to weigh on gold, limiting its upside potential.

However, geopolitical tensions continue to provide structural support. Ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East maintain elevated risk premia. Institutional demand also remains resilient, as evidenced by continued ETF inflows and ongoing central bank purchases.

Looking ahead, markets will closely monitor US inflation data later this week, including CPI and PCE releases. These indicators could prove decisive in shaping expectations for monetary policy and gold‘s near-term trajectory.

New Delhi, Mar 09: The sixth edition of ‘Lineman Diwas’ was celebrated today in New Delhi by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, in collaboration with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (Tata Power-DDL). The event honoured the dedicated frontline workforce of the power sector, recognising the crucial role of linemen and ground maintenance staff in ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply across India.

The event was graced by Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy; Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power); Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA; and Mr. Dwijadas Basak, CEO, Tata Power-DDL, along with senior leaders and stakeholders from across the power sector.

Around 250 linemen and supervisors from more than 66 State and private power distribution and generation companies, as well as transmission licensees nationwide, participated in the celebrations. The programme provided a platform for experience sharing, discussion of operational challenges, and collaborative learning, with a strong emphasis on safety and best practices in the field.

The event commenced with a safety pledge, reaffirming participants’ commitment to adhere to safety practices to protect themselves, their families, and society at large.

Key Highlights and Remarks:

• Shri Shripad Yesso Naik emphasised the importance of strengthening safety culture, the use of personal protective equipment, proper shutdown protocols, and adoption of modern technologies such as smart grids, AI-enabled predictive maintenance, and drone-based inspections to reduce risk to field personnel. He highlighted the theme of the sixth edition: “Seva, Suraksha, Swabhiman”, reflecting service, safety, and dignity of the workforce.

• Shri Pankaj Agarwal referred to linemen as the warriors of the power sector, noting their dedication during harsh weather and natural disasters. He urged power utilities to institutionalise daily safety awareness, including safety drills and informative videos before each shift.

• Shri Ghanshyam Prasad acknowledged the linemen’s contribution as a key pillar of nation-building and highlighted the evolution of Lineman Diwas into a nationwide movement recognising frontline workers’ efforts.

• Mr. Dwijadas Basak said, “‘Lineman Diwas’ not only honours our frontline warriors but amplifies their voices, enables experience sharing, and reinforces our collective commitment to their safety and well-being.”

Event Highlights:

• Release of a special Lineman Geet dedicated to the courage and contribution of linemen.

• Launch of a ‘Safety Pocketbook’ providing essential safety guidelines for field operations.

• Introduction of a safety awareness video on lightning hazards and precautions.

• Felicitation of High Performing Discoms and Linemen for their contributions to a safe and secure power sector.

• Hands-on display of safety equipment and advanced tools for practical learning.

• Event live telecast across power utilities nationwide to encourage wider participation.

The celebrations of Lineman Diwas 2026 reinforced the power sector’s commitment to safety, service, and empowerment of its frontline workforce, ensuring that linemen remain recognised, protected, and equipped to sustain India’s reliable electricity supply.

Jaipur, Mar 09:  Surya Brasil, the Brazilian clean beauty brand known globally for its natural henna-based hair colour solutions, hosted a two-day gathering in Jaipur that brought together wellness practitioners, industry professionals and invited guests to discuss clean cosmetics, ingredient transparency and plant-based hair care.

 At the centre of these discussions was the brand’s long-standing formulation policy. Surya Brasil stated that it has eliminated more than 9,000 potentially toxic ingredients from its cosmetic products. With consumers increasingly questioning what goes into personal care formulations, the company emphasised the need for greater transparency and more informed decision-making when it comes to everyday beauty products. The brand also noted that its formulations avoid harsh chemicals such as ammonia and its by-products, including ethanolamine and triethanolamine, as well as other commonly used ingredients such as PPD, EDTA, parabens, lauryl sulfate and synthetic fragrance

Held at Pachewar Garh Fort in Jaipur, where the setting provided a distinctive backdrop for conversations around clean beauty and wellness, the programme also featured cultural performances celebrating Indian artistic traditions. Guests witnessed a classical music recital by Grammy Award winner and Padma Bhushan awardee Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, along with a Kathak performance by Uma Sharma.

The discussions also touched upon the growing number of hair and scalp concerns linked to modern lifestyles. Stress, pollution, hard water and environmental exposure are often cited as factors contributing to hair fall and scalp imbalance. Surya Brasil shared how its formulations seek to address these concerns by combining botanical ingredients with contemporary cosmetic science.

One of the key product lines presented during the event was the brand’s Hair Therapy range, developed using herbal ingredients sourced from India, the Amazon and other regions of Brazil. The formulations range from 92% to 100% natural and are designed to support scalp health while strengthening hair using plant-based ingredients.

The company also showcased its Balanced Cleansing Shampoo, formulated to help remove excess oil, mineral residue caused by heavy water, pollutants and chlorine exposure. The shampoo is designed to cleanse the scalp effectively without triggering the rebound oiliness often associated with harsher cleansing agents.

Speaking during the event, Clelia Cecilia Angelon, Founder and CEO of Surya Brasil, said:

“At Surya Brasil, we believe beauty should come from nature and be guided by responsibility. Since 1995, our company has been built on the principles of nature, Ayurveda and technology working together. Consumers today are far more aware about what goes into the products they use, and our focus has always been on developing hair and scalp solutions that rely on plant-based ingredients while remaining transparent about formulations.”

The brand also spoke about the importance of reading cosmetic labels carefully. In some cases, products marketed as ammonia-free may still rely on alternative compounds that perform a similar chemical function. Surya Brasil encouraged consumers to look closely at ingredient lists and make informed choices when selecting personal care products.

The Jaipur gathering forms part of the company’s continued engagement with the Indian market, where interest in clean beauty and plant-based hair care solutions continues to grow.

The national oil company will showcase its role in shaping offshore investment opportunities, recent exploration milestones and initiatives to prepare Suriname’s private sector for the country’s emerging oil and gas boom

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Mar 09: Suriname’s national oil company Staatsolie is set to highlight the country’s expanding offshore opportunities at the inaugural Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2026, taking place March 30 to April 1 in Paramaribo. Offshore Exploration Manager Sharista Kalapnat-Kisoensingh is expected to speak on Staatsolie’s strategic offshore initiatives, alongside sessions on the company’s Enterprise Development Center (EDC), which aims to strengthen the local private sector and prepare Surinamese businesses for participation in the country’s growing oil and gas industry.

Staatsoilie has been at the center of Suriname’s offshore oil boom. The company’s declaration of the Sloanea field as commercial in November 2025 marked a major milestone, highlighting the basin’s growing hydrocarbon potential. Staatsolie’s seismic survey program with TGS and BGP Offshore, launched late last year, is generating critical geological insights across multiple offshore blocks, while new production sharing agreements for Blocks 9 and 10 are attracting further international investment. Together, these initiatives position Staatsolie not just as a producer, but as a strategic enabler – coordinating development, structuring investment opportunities, and shaping Suriname’s broader offshore growth agenda.

Further supporting the sector’s growth, Staatsolie launched an Open-Door Offering in late 2025, making roughly 60% of Suriname’s offshore acreage available under flexible exploration agreements. Alongside its 20% stake in the $10.5 billion GranMorgu development on Block 58 – which is set to generate over $1 billion in local content expenditure – Staatsolie is driving Suriname’s evolution from a modest onshore producer into a globally relevant offshore player with significant investment, production and local economic potential.

At CEW 2026, Staatsolie’s sessions will also highlight the EDC, a flagship initiative to prepare Suriname’s private sector for offshore participation. As GranMorgu and other developments advance toward production, the EDC will ensure that local companies are equipped to capture opportunities arising from exploration, construction, and supply chain activities.

Staatsolie’s upstream operations already account for roughly 9.5% of Suriname’s GDP and 32% of government revenues, figures expected to rise as offshore production ramps up. Kisoensingh’s participation is expected to outline how the company is managing Suriname’s offshore growth, supporting private sector engagement and positioning the country as an emerging hub in regional energy markets.

Arnav S Gusain elevated as Chief Executive Officer, Rivet, to drive the next phase of growth

Mumbai, Mar 09: WeWork India Management Limited (“WeWork India”), one of India’s leading premium flexible workspace operators, today announced the launch of Rivet by WeWork India – a design & build platform delivering integrated, experience-led, customised workspaces tailored to the unique needs of enterprises and end users – backed by a proven large-scale operating footprint and expertise. The launch comes at a defining moment for India’s commercial office market. As enterprise expansion accelerates, GCCs scale rapidly, and workplace strategies grow more complex, the demand for execution certainty is rising — a need the fragmented, multi-vendor design and build (D&B) ecosystem has struggled to meet. Built on WeWork India’s extensive experience designing, delivering, and operating commercial workspaces across industries and businesses of all sizes, from global enterprises to high-growth startups, Rivet introduces a fundamentally distinct model to the market: a single contract, unified accountability, and end-to-end delivery from concept to commissioning. Alongside the launch, WeWork India has elevated Arnav S Gusain as Chief Executive Officer, Rivet, in addition to his ongoing role as Chief Supply Officer at WeWork India, underscoring the strategic significance of this new vertical and ensuring leadership continuity.

India’s office market is witnessing unprecedented momentum, with gross leasing activity reaching 83.3 million sq. ft. in 2025 alone, according to JLL. This surge underscores growing demand for high-quality, future-ready environments that place human experience at the centre, enabling collaboration, productivity, and ESG-led performance. Today, WeWork India has evolved from a flexible workspace operator into a full workspace-as-a-service platform, supporting members at every stage of growth — from a day pass for an entrepreneur to fully customised managed offices for large enterprises and GCCs. Despite the scale of opportunity, the D&B ecosystem in India remains deeply fragmented. Enterprises today are required to manage multiple vendors across design, engineering, and construction, with limited cost visibility, dispersed accountability, and significant execution cost risk. The result is workspaces that are delivered late, over budget, and underperforming against the brief.

Rivet represents the next step in that evolution, addressing the gaps through an integrated, governance-led delivery model that combines unified ownership with full lifecycle visibility. The platform is powered by BIM-led planning, real-time site monitoring, and structured financial governance, offering enterprise clients the transparency and delivery performance that the traditional D&B model has struggled to provide. The launch of Rivet reflects WeWork India’s broader vision to build a comprehensive workspace-as-a-service ecosystem, and over time, extend into infrastructure-as-a-service – removing friction points for enterprises as they scale.

Commenting on the launch, Karan Virwani, Managing Director & CEO, WeWork India, said, “India’s workplace landscape is evolving rapidly. Over the past eight years, we have built deep insight into how enterprises operate and how workspace shapes performance, while designing, evaluating, and operating over 8.2 million square feet across markets. Working with businesses of varying scale and sizes, and a broad partner ecosystem has given us real-time understanding of what truly drives workplace success. Rivet brings that experience together into an integrated platform by combining behavioural insight, operational depth, and execution capability. It is built to deliver premium commercial workspaces that perform at scale, with the precision and confidence that enterprises demand.

As we launch this new vertical, Arnav takes on the role of CEO of Rivet, bringing deep domain expertise and a proven track record. With over three decades of experience, he brings a holistic understanding of the real estate and workspace ecosystem. In his capacity as Chief of Supply at WeWork India, he has been instrumental in expanding our portfolio and strengthening delivery capabilities. Furthermore, backed by an experienced team that has delivered large-scale projects across markets, we are committed to building Rivet into the benchmark for end-to-end workspace delivery in India.”

Rivet’s delivery model is powered by technology and built for long-term performance. Its tech-enabled systems bring structure, precision, and real-time visibility to every stage of the design-and-build process – improving cost control, timeline predictability, and execution clarity while reducing inefficiencies. Sustainability is embedded from the outset, with durable materials, efficient layouts, and design choices that enhance longevity and minimise waste, alongside eco-conscious options tailored to client goals. Rivet’s accountability extends well beyond handover, supporting the workspace as an evolving ecosystem through integrated infrastructure, workplace technology, and a curated network of trusted partners. Backed by scale and long-standing vendor relationships, the platform delivers smarter value, consistent quality, and execution certainty without compromising speed or design integrity. Some of the successfully completed projects include workspace for a global leader in agricultural equipment and smart farming solutions, One World Centre, and Embassy One (EMBARK/Embassy Group HQ), spanning over 1 lakh sq. ft. and representing a cumulative project value of nearly ₹ 50 crore. “Rivet is a natural extension of our core business. It allows us to continue serving members who have grown with us and may now seek their own independent spaces, while also engaging new enterprise clients who can benefit from our integrated design and build expertise. It strengthens our ability to serve their broader workspace needs across markets. Together, flexible workspaces, managed offices, and D&B create a connected ecosystem that removes friction and enables seamless scale – advancing our vision to evolve into a comprehensive infrastructure-as-a-service platform for enterprises in India,” added Karan Virwani.

Arnav SGusain, CEO, Rivet by WeWork India and Chief Supply Officer, WeWork India, added, “Enterprises today are making increasingly strategic workplace investments, yet the delivery ecosystem has not evolved at the same pace. Rivet is connected to our larger vision of building infrastructure as a platform and service, where D&B is not isolated from real estate intelligence, but informed by it. Having assessed over millions sq. ft. of real estate across markets, we bring a deep understanding of site potential, constraints, cost variables, and delivery risks, allowing us to integrate those insights into design, cost optimisation, and execution planning from day one.

What differentiates us is our operational DNA. We don’t just design spaces, we understand how they perform at scale and over time. That perspective enables future-ready design thinking – from smarter space planning and adaptability to embedding human-centric elements that enhance collaboration, productivity, and well-being. We also recognise that every organisation carries a distinct design language and cultural identity. Rivet’s role is to translate that into a workspace that is not only aligned to brand and behaviour, but engineered for long-term performance. In my role as CEO, my focus is to build Rivet into a delivery platform enterprises can rely on with complete confidence – not just to create a space, but to deliver infrastructure that performs consistently, sustainably, and in step with how people actually work.”

Rivet further differentiates itself through the operational intelligence embedded within its platform. Drawing on WeWork India’s experience designing and executing large-scale commercial workspaces, Rivet integrates real-world performance insights into every design and infrastructure decision. Transparency is embedded within its operating architecture, with technology-enabled systems providing continuous visibility into timelines, cost structures, and project milestones, ensuring informed decision-making throughout the lifecycle.

With the launch of Rivet WeWork India further strengthens its position across the full workspace lifecycle, from operating flexible workspaces to enabling how modern offices are designed and delivered. As enterprises place greater strategic importance on workplace performance and execution certainty, Rivet positions WeWork India to play a more strategic, end-to-end role in shaping India’s next phase of commercial office development. WeWork India is currently operational across 8 cities, with over 1.21 lakh desks, with robust relationships across key stakeholders such as landlords, IPCs, and members. With solutions for all kinds of businesses – solopreneurs to startups to Fortune 500 companies – WeWork India offers the perfect workspace solutions that deliver a premium experience.

Greater Noida, India  Mar 09: Coforge Limited, a global digital services and solutions provider, today announced that it has won a 2026 ServiceNow Partner Award (APAC), a recognition that underscores the company’s deep domain expertise and its ability to apply the ServiceNow AI Platform to modernize complex workflows and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Coforge was honored as the Partner of the Year winner within ServiceNow’s Domain Expertise–CRM category for the APAC region. This award recognizes Coforge for its specialized mastery in Customer Service Management (CSM) and industry‑specific CRM solutions built on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Coforge was honored for elevating customer engagement, accelerating innovation, unifying omnichannel interactions, automating case management, and delivering proactive, personalized service experiences that drive higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

“Our partners are essential to how ServiceNow wins, and Coforge is a great example of what makes our partner ecosystem so vibrant,” said Michael Park, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships and Channels at ServiceNow. “Customers today are looking for the fastest path from AI ambition to real business results, and that doesn’t happen without partners who can turn platform potential into measurable outcomes. We’re proud to recognize Coforge for the role they play in helping customers move from adoption to action and realize the full value of ServiceNow‘s AI platform.”

“ServiceNow has fundamentally redefined what an enterprise AI platform can be,” said Ashish Kumar, SVP and Global Business Head (Cloud), Coforge. “At Coforge, we believe that the

convergence of the platform’s AI capabilities with our deep domain expertise unlocks the true potential of AI to deliver outsized outcomes for our clients. This recognition reflects our team’s relentless focus on elite level execution, an innovation‑first mindset, and our unwavering commitment to accelerating our clients’ AI‑powered transformation journeys.”

The ServiceNow 2026 Partner Awards recognize partners across multiple award categories and geographies. The awards are based on a rigorous evaluation process that considers factors such as customer success, innovation, and business impact.