Author: NNI Editor
Saris at Chaasmi | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement If you are keen to know about the art, craft, culture and cuisine of erstwhile Indian royal families, this event brings a range of products crafted within palace studios. The Artisanal Tale, an event by design platform Royal Fables in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry Ladies Organization (FICCI-FLO) Chennai, brings together 12 royals who will present everything from automotive art, bespoke textiles, jewellery and heritage weaves. Vidita Singh’s painting of a Delahaye at a polo match | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Vidita Singh of Barwani will be in…
Judging from the twelve designers who showcased their work on Day one alone, there is going to be plenty to pick from for your wardrobe this year, from gender fluid palazzos to edgy street wear. Sustainability was a theme that ran through the collection, with designers emphasising on the value of slow fashion, and the importance of creating clothes that last.The event was held in Jaipur’s graceful old Diggi palace, which dates back to the 19th century. Now a heritage hotel, it continues to be a home to the family that has always owned it. With expansive lawns and intriguing…
RBI’s Deputy Governor Rajeshwar Rao said that financial sector entities must shoulder some responsibilities to educate the investor despite the RBI’s “progressive steps” to do the same. File | Photo Credit: Abhijith Financial entities must see that their customers fully understand the risks of leveraged products and speculative investing, said Reserve Bank of India’s Deputy Governor Rajeshwar Rao, highlighting the vulnerabilities that come from “reckless financialisation.”Mr. Rao acknowledged the role of technology in financial inclusion but warned that it could also increase the risk of exposure and over-leveraging. He cautioned that it may increase the vulnerabilities of individual investors and…
Moody’s Analytics said India’s growth will slow to 6.4% in 2025, from 6.6% in 2024, as new U.S. tariffs and softening global demand weigh on exports. File | Photo Credit: V. V. Krishnan The rupee pared initial gains and settled 7 paise lower at 86.71 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Friday (February 21, 2025), weighed down by sustained foreign fund outflows and a recovery in the American currency index.Forex traders said the Indian rupee declined on Friday (February 21, 2025) on weak domestic markets and a recovery in the U.S. dollar index. However, weak crude oil prices cushioned the…
The weekend featured some of the 26 shows, from the country’s most established designers as well as bright new talent, including Rajesh Pratap Singh, JJ Valaya, Shantanu & Nikhil, Varun Bahl, Ashish N Soni, Bloni and more, showcasing innovative approaches and silhouettes to materials and techniques. This year also featured, for the first time, four women designers with an interesting take on men’s wear: Mandira Wirk, Mahima Mahajan, Nikita Mhaisalkar and Nirmooha by Prreeti Jaiin Nainutia. Sunil Sethi, chairman, The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), explains how the organisation, which has about 400 members from the industry, works to further…
Weak U.S. markets and tariff threats also dented investor sentiment. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Friday (February 21, 2025), dragged by auto stocks and relentless foreign fund outflows.Weak U.S. markets and tariff threats also dented investor sentiment.The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex dropped 424.90 points or 0.56% to settle at 75,311.06. During the day, it tanked 623.55 points or 0.82% to 75,112.41.The NSE Nifty declined 117.25 points or 0.51% to 22,795.90.In four trading days, the BSE bellwether gauge tumbled 685.8 points or 0.90% while the Nifty declined 163.6 points or 0.71%.From the…
“Currently, around 15 million air-conditioners are installed annually, more than double from just seven million four years ago,” Mukundan Menon said. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu “With the impact of climate change and people looking for comforts, India’s Air-conditioner (AC) market has doubled in four years to 15 million units,” a top industry official said. “The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC&R) industry in India is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the residential air conditioning segment witnessing a 35% increase in sales last year alone,” Mukundan Menon, Executive MD and RAC head, Voltas, said.“Currently, around 15 million air-conditioners are installed annually, more than double…
(from left) Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Industries Minister P. Rajeev and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and during the inaugural session of Invest Kerala Global Meet in Kochi on Friday. | Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Friday (February 21, 2025) that the Left front government has ensured that no investor coming to Kerala will have to face the “cobweb of procedural delays and meet the barriers of red tape.”“We have made major strides in simplifying procedures as regards investments. The government considers that it has a great…
We are at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity where I am trying to sneak a picture of a block print of cultural icon Begum Akhtar on a blouse. Its wearer, Mamta Varma, runs Bhairavi’s Chikan in Lucknow, with 300 women who do fine chikankari embroidery. Noting my interest she reveals that the unusual blouse was made by Meeta Mastani, co-founder of Delhi-based printmakers Bindaas Unlimited, to commemorate the singer’s 100th birthday.A few feet away, the inimitable Darshan Mekani Shah, founder of Kolkata-based not-for-profit Weavers Studio Resource Centre, points to a gold-and-black cotton sari covered in hand-woven motifs of earrings. “This is a dul [earring…
Image used for representative purpose only. | Photo Credit: Reuters India’s service sector activity, as measured by the HSBC Flash India Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), rose to 60.6 in February, up from 57.7 in January 2025, according to a statement from HSBC. This marks the fastest growth in six months. The HSBC Flash PMI reflects private sector activity before the final reading is published, based on a sample that includes about three-quarters of the total companies surveyed for the final reading. A value above 50 indicates expansion.The rise in private sector activity was driven by a Flash services PMI…