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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on November 11, 2025
Indians swapped kaju katlis and barfis for Kunafa chocolates, the famous Bihari Thekua, and even protein bars this festive season, according to a new report by GoKwik.
GoKwik, India’s leading eCommerce enabler, released its analysis of D2C festive food trends, presenting a Great Indian Festive Food Map shaped by three powerful forces, Nostalgia, Viral Trends, and Wellness.
Based on data from October, the report reveals that D2C brands are not just selling sweets anymore, they’re shipping emotion, identity, and a taste of home. Among all categories, chocolate emerged as the clear winner, with order volumes surpassing the combined total of all other festive items. Its long shelf life, versatility, and universal appeal have made it the new digital shagun, redefining how India gifts sweetness online.
While chocolates led the numbers, traditional sweets fueled a Nostalgia Economy. Thekua, a beloved prasad from Bihar made during the ancient Hindu festival Chhath, became the only regional sweet to record sales in every Indian state and union territory. Interestingly, its top buyers were not from Bihar or Uttar Pradesh but from West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Delhi, showing how India’s migrant population now uses D2C platforms to send home a slice of their roots.
Meanwhile, global influences left a strong flavor. Kunafa, the viral Middle Eastern “Dubai chocolate” dessert, saw an extraordinary rise, with nearly half of its D2C orders originating from Kerala, highlighting the state’s deep cultural and familial connections with the Gulf region.
The Wellness Economy also made its mark. Protein bars became the unexpected celebration snack of the season, particularly in Maharashtra, Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. The shift showcases a growing preference among health-conscious consumers to seek “guilt-free” indulgence and mindful celebration through D2C platforms.
GoKwik’s report also highlighted untapped opportunities. Sweets like rasgulla and gujiya remain dominated by local halwais and quick-commerce players, suggesting room for “premium D2C fresh” brands to emerge. Similarly, Soan Papdi, the iconic last-minute gifting sweet, reflects a gap for more thoughtful, planned gifting experiences that D2C businesses can capture.
Commenting on the findings, Chirag Taneja, Co-founder and CEO of GoKwik, said,
“Festive commerce is no longer defined by geography, it’s defined by identity. Thekua trending in Mumbai or a Middle Eastern dessert peaking in Kerala shows how migration, media, and modern lifestyles are reshaping what India buys during festivals. For D2C brands, these insights are not just cultural curiosities, but growth signals. The brands that localize, personalize, and adapt to emotion-led commerce will own the next wave of festive demand.”
As the festive D2C economy continues to expand, India’s sweet box tells a modern story, one that blends nostalgia with novelty, tradition with wellness, and emotion with convenience. It mirrors a connected nation that celebrates with both heart and modernity.
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Published on March 17, 2026
InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, has introduced its first ‘Heritage Dialogue’ while also unveiling the third edition of its annual exhibition, ‘Tangible Conversations, Intangible Heritage’ (TCIH). The initiative marks an important step in encouraging conversations and collaborative efforts around cultural and heritage preservation in India.
The 10-day exhibition is being held at the Sunken Gardens in Sunder Nursery, with AKTC serving as the venue partner. Open from March 13 to March 22, 2026, between 11 am and 7 pm, the exhibition invites visitors to explore India’s living traditions through an engaging and immersive format.
This year’s theme, “Living Archives: Ritual, Performance and the City,” looks at heritage beyond traditional documentation. Instead, it presents heritage as something that continues to live through the rituals, practices, and everyday experiences of communities. By bringing together elements of tangible and intangible heritage, the exhibition highlights the Foundation’s ongoing work with communities to preserve India’s cultural legacy.
Visitors can experience the theme through a mix of photography, films, and installations that showcase three unique narratives. The first documents the Doli Yatra of Lord Rudranath in Uttarakhand, offering a closer look at the sacred pilgrimage and the devotion of the communities involved. The second focuses on Bhand Pather, the traditional folk theatre of Kashmir, presenting the history and cultural richness of this centuries-old performance tradition. The third narrative explores the idea of the city as a living archive through the ‘My City My Heritage’ initiative, showing how neighbourhood life and local communities shape the cultural identity of cities.
The exhibition also serves as the annual showcase of the InterGlobe Heritage Fellowships. This initiative supports individuals who research and document lesser-known aspects of India’s heritage. Since the fellowship began, nine fellows have been recognised for their contributions toward cultural preservation.
The day began with the ‘Heritage Dialogue’, organised by InterGlobe Foundation along with Sahapedia and IndiGoReach. The forum brought together leaders from corporate, cultural, and academic sectors to discuss ways to strengthen support for India’s built and intangible heritage. The platform is designed as a long-term initiative that encourages collaboration and investment in heritage preservation while connecting it to the broader goals of sustainable development and responsible corporate participation.
The evening continued with the formal opening of the ‘Tangible Conversations, Intangible Heritage’ exhibition at Sunder Nursery. Ms. Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson of InterGlobe Foundation, led the inauguration ceremony in the presence of cultural practitioners, institutional leaders, and heritage enthusiasts. The event concluded with a captivating Dastangoi performance at the historic Humayun’s Tomb Auditorium.
Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, "The ‘Tangible Conversations, Intangible Heritage’ exhibition reflects our deep commitment to protecting India’s diverse cultural legacy. This year's theme beautifully illustrates how our heritage is a living, breathing entity sustained by communities and their practices. Through the InterGlobe Heritage Fellowships and the new Heritage Dialogue, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation for our vibrant traditions and inspire collective action required to ensure they thrive for generations to come.”
For more than a decade, InterGlobe Foundation has supported several important conservation and heritage initiatives through its partners. These include the conservation and cultural revival of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan’s mausoleum in Delhi, the cultural mapping and documentation of eighteen cities through the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign, the restoration of the Indra Kund stepwell in Delwara, the tile restoration of Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum, and the InterGlobe Heritage Fellowships.
By Hariharan U
Migsun Mall in Ghaziabad just added a name to its retail roster that signals exactly where the mall is headed. Calvin Klein has signed a leasing agreement for a 1,114 sq ft space at the mall, bringing one of the world's most recognised fashion brands to a retail destination that has been steadily building its premium appeal.
Calvin Klein's identity, clean aesthetics, modern sensibility, and a design philosophy that has built a global following, fits naturally into what Migsun Mall has been trying to create. The brand speaks directly to urban consumers who value minimalism, quality, and globally relevant fashion, which is exactly the kind of audience the mall is positioning itself to attract.
Rajeev Srivastava, Leasing Head at Migsun Group, put the signing in context. "Retail today is as much about brand alignment as it is about physical space. Calvin Klein represents a global design philosophy that speaks to modern consumers, and we're pleased to have the brand join Migsun Mall. Our approach has been to create a retail ecosystem that feels relevant, uncluttered and experience-oriented rather than purely transactional. Each new signing is evaluated not just on brand strength, but on how well it contributes to the overall shopping journey. Calvin Klein adds a distinct, contemporary dimension to our fashion mix and strengthens the mall's positioning as a destination for refined, modern retail."
The signing also reflects a broader trend playing out across India's organised retail sector. Brands are becoming increasingly selective about the locations they choose, favouring destinations that offer strong footfall potential, a cohesive brand environment, and a shopping experience that feels curated rather than crowded. Migsun Mall's approach of evaluating brands not just on name recognition but on how well they contribute to the overall experience speaks to this shift.
For Ghaziabad, the arrival of Calvin Klein at Migsun Mall is a notable moment, adding a brand with genuine global weight to a retail market that continues to grow in both scale and ambition.
The Aditya Birla Memorial Polo Cup Finals 2026 concluded on an exciting note at the Jaipur Polo Ground, with Rajnigandha Achievers emerging as the champions after a strong performance against Thunderbolts.
The prestigious event was attended by Hon'ble Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who joined as the Chief Guest. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, was also present at the finals, adding to the significance of the occasion.
Several notable dignitaries attended the event, including Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director of Grasim Industries; Sanjay Seth, Member of Rajya Sabha; Naveen Jindal, Member of the Lok Sabha and Chairman of Jindal Steel, who also serves as the Captain of the Jindal Panther Polo Team; and Askaran K. Agarwala, Group Advisor, Birla Group Trusts & Special Community Projects.
The final match saw an engaging contest between Thunderbolts and Rajnigandha Achievers. The Thunderbolts team featured Sipahi Mukesh Gujar, Lt Col Vishal Chauhan, Major Mritunjay Chauhan (MS Chauhan), and Simran Singh Shergil. Rajnigandha Achievers fielded Aryaman Singh, a 14-year-old player with 19 tournament wins, along with Syed Shamsheer Ali, Dhruv Pal Godara, and Captain Daniel.
The match was played over four chukkas of 7.5 minutes each and was officiated by professional umpires from the Kingdom. Demonstrating consistent teamwork and control throughout the game, Rajnigandha Achievers secured a convincing 9–5 victory to lift the Aditya Birla Polo Cup 2026 title.
The final match not only showcased competitive polo but also highlighted the sport’s growing prominence in India, bringing together players, dignitaries, and enthusiasts for a memorable sporting evening at the Jaipur Polo Ground.
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