American Pistachios Growers Appoints Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador

American Pistachios Growers Appoints Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 13, 2024

American Pistachios Growers (APG) has named Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world’s top cricket players, as the brand ambassador for California-grown pistachios for the 2024-25 season. The announcement was made by APG’s India office, highlighting Bumrah’s association with the brand as a move to promote the nutritional benefits of pistachios among Indian consumers.

Garth Thorburn, the Minister Counselor for Agriculture at the US Embassy in India, expressed excitement about this partnership, stating, "Jasprit Bumrah's unwavering commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, makes him the ideal ambassador for American Pistachios Growers (APG).” He further mentioned that the collaboration is significant due to the number of Indian-origin pistachio growers in California, strengthening ties between the two nations. Thorburn added, “This partnership promotes a shared vision of health and wellness for people everywhere.”

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Bumrah, who is exclusively represented by RISE Worldwide, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration. “I’m delighted to partner with American Pistachio Growers. For an athlete, nutrition plays a huge role in performance, and I find pistachios to be a perfect snack. They are packed with protein and healthy fats, offering me sustained energy throughout the day. American pistachios are my go-to because they provide the nutrients I need to stay at my best,” said Bumrah.

Diet specialist and celebrity nutritionist Dr. Siddhant Bhargava also spoke about the health benefits of pistachios, particularly for athletes. “American pistachios are a powerful ally for athletes. They're rich in antioxidants that protect healthy cells from free radical damage and provide complete protein essential for muscle regeneration and repair. They also offer beneficial fats, fiber, and crucial nutrients that support peak performance and overall health,” he explained.

Sumit Saran, the Indian representative of APG, expressed pride in associating with Bumrah, acknowledging his remarkable achievements that have inspired many. Saran pointed out that India is a growing market for American pistachios, and although India does not produce pistachios, awareness of their health benefits is driving demand. “With Jasprit Bumrah, we are looking to take the information about American pistachio nutrition and health to health-conscious consumers across the country,” Saran added.

American pistachios are available on major e-commerce platforms and with leading dry fruit retailers across India. Consumers can find them by searching for "California pistachios," with several brands offering them in the country.


Hilton Chennai Appoints Shakti Singh as General Manager

Hilton Chennai Appoints Shakti Singh as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2025

Hilton Chennai has announced the appointment of seasoned hospitality leader Mr. Shakti Singh as its new General Manager. With an impressive career spanning over 23 years in India’s top hotel chains, Mr. Singh brings a wealth of operational knowledge and strategic vision to the prestigious property. His arrival reflects Hilton Chennai’s commitment to raising the bar in guest experience and service standards in one of South India’s most competitive hospitality markets.

Mr. Singh takes the reins following his recent leadership at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, where he implemented innovative F&B concepts and elevated employee engagement through wellness-driven initiatives. Prior to that, he also served as General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum and has held leadership roles across leading brands like Hyatt, Oberoi, and Accor before joining Hilton a decade ago.

Throughout his journey, he has been known for his ability to drive results, enhance team culture, and deliver excellence in guest services. “I am honored to take the helm at Hilton Chennai,” said Mr. Shakti Singh. “This property has established itself as a benchmark for hospitality excellence, and I look forward to working with our talented team to build on this strong foundation. We will continue to innovate while maintaining the highest standards of service that our guests expect from Hilton.”

Team Hilton Chennai extended a warm welcome to Mr. Singh, expressing confidence that his leadership will usher in a new era of growth, innovation, and continued success.


Rajnish Sharma Joins Accor Hotels as Food & Beverage Manager

Rajnish Sharma Joins Accor Hotels as Food & Beverage Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2025

Accor Hotels has announced the appointment of Rajnish Sharma as its new Food & Beverage Manager. With over 10 years of dynamic experience across some of the most prestigious names in hospitality including The Leela, Hilton, Marriott, and Sheraton, Rajnish now brings his proven expertise to one of the world’s most prominent hospitality groups.

Known for his sharp operational acumen, seamless event execution, and unwavering guest-centric focus, Rajnish has consistently driven excellence across food and beverage functions. In his new role, he steps into a strategic position where he will oversee key F&B operations, craft memorable dining experiences, and contribute to Accor’s broader vision of innovation and quality. His appointment further strengthens the brand’s leadership team, reinforcing its commitment to delivering world-class hospitality driven by passion and precision.


From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 3, 2025

Parag Milk Foods Ltd., one of India’s leading dairy FMCG and nutrition companies, has announced the elevation of Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar, its rapidly growing sports and active nutrition brand. This strategic move underlines Parag’s strong belief in grooming internal talent and fostering leaders who exemplify its core values of performance, purpose, and passion.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Nitin joined Parag Milk Foods with a robust foundation in financial strategy and operations. Over time, he displayed remarkable agility, moving beyond the world of numbers to take on roles in marketing and brand building. His leadership has been instrumental in crafting impactful campaigns and positioning Avvatar as a credible, homegrown challenger to global protein brands—cementing consumer trust and driving the brand’s expansion in India’s health and wellness market.

Speaking on his new role, Nitin Kanodia shared,

“It has been an incredible journey — from decoding balance sheets to now decoding the minds of modern consumers. Avvatar is not just a product; it’s a mission to bridge India’s protein gap with clean, effective, and trusted nutrition. I look forward to scaling this brand to new heights, building stronger consumer trust, and innovating across formats.”

Akshali Shah, Executive Director, Parag Milk Foods Ltd., echoed these sentiments, saying,

“At Parag, we believe that when individuals grow, the organisation grows with them. Our culture is built on recognising performance, empowering potential, and giving people the freedom to evolve across functions and roles. Nitin’s progression from finance to marketing to now leading a high-growth brand like Avvatar is a reflection of this belief. We’re equally focused on bringing in strong leadership talent from outside and nurturing promising individuals from within. This balance is helping us build a future-ready organisation that values entrepreneurship, agility, and accountability at every level.”

As India witnesses a growing shift toward health-conscious lifestyles and protein-rich diets, Avvatar stands poised to play a pivotal role in this wellness transformation. With forward-thinking leadership and a talent-first approach, Parag Milk Foods continues to set benchmarks not only in product innovation but also in building a workplace where passion seamlessly meets purpose.

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