Loading...
You have Successfully logged In !
Already have an account? Login
By clicking Register you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Don't have an account?Register
Enter your E-mail address below, We will send the verification code
Please enter the code send to
Didn't receive the email?Click to resend
Your password has been successfully reset!.
Please login again to access your account.
An OTP has been sent to
Enter the 4-digit code
By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on November 19, 2024
BL Agro, a prominent FMCG brand, and its agritech arm, Leads Connect, launched SAMARTH 1.0 during Krishi Bharat 2024 in Lucknow. This initiative aims to tackle critical agricultural challenges through scientific collaboration and innovative solutions. The event saw participation from dignitaries, including Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Uttar Pradesh's Agriculture Minister, Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS, Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, and Jan-Kees Goet, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature from the Netherlands.
SAMARTH 1.0, an acronym for "Seminar on Agricultural Modeling and Assessing Risks for Transforming Humanity," focuses on fostering dialogue among stakeholders, including researchers, academics, and industry leaders. The initiative prioritizes sustainable agro-ecosystem development and value chain enhancements.
Highlighting the initiative’s purpose, Dr. Alok B. Mukherjee, Director of Research, Analytics & Modeling at Leads Connect, remarked, “SAMARTH is more than just a research journal. It’s a way to create real, on-ground impact… By combining advanced technology with an interdisciplinary approach and hyper-local intelligence, we are moving beyond conventional AI to embrace strong AI.”
The event also included the announcement of SATI (Satellite Analytics & Transfer Intelligence), a scientific journal aiming to spotlight cutting-edge research in agriculture, climate resilience, and value chain analytics. The top three research papers will be awarded Rs. 50,000, Rs. 30,000, and Rs. 20,000, with selected articles published in SATI after a rigorous peer-review process.
Kisan Samvad, a unique interactive session, enabled farmers to voice their challenges and contribute valuable insights for developing practical, sustainable solutions. This engagement underscored the initiative’s commitment to addressing real-world agricultural issues.
Navneet Ravikar, Chairman and Managing Director of Leads Connect, emphasized the broader mission, stating, “Our efforts are driven by a deep commitment to developing robust and sustainable solutions for agriculture and the environment… SAMARTH 1.0 is a testament to our dedication to transforming lives and bringing smiles to people through impactful solutions.”
Jan-Kees Goet highlighted the Netherlands' shared commitment to agricultural innovation, commending SAMARTH 1.0 for its collaborative vision. He remarked, “It is inspiring to see initiatives like SAMARTH 1.0 echoing values of productivity and sustainability by integrating global and local expertise.”
Shri Manoj Kumar Singh praised Uttar Pradesh’s agricultural heritage and BL Agro’s efforts, noting that advanced technologies like embryo development and zero-waste integrated farming are vital for enhancing productivity and sustainability in the region.
About the Organizations
Leads Connect Services specializes in data-driven agritech solutions, focusing on risk management, climate resilience, and sustainable farming practices. Their expertise in GIS, analytics, and crop assessment fosters resilience in the agricultural sector.
BL Agro, headquartered in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, has grown from a mustard trading business to a leading FMCG conglomerate. Known for its popular brands Bail Kolhu and Nourish, the group also champions dairy innovation and sustainable agritech solutions through its subsidiaries.
Welcome Bappa in Style: Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Hampers & Moda...
As the joyous festival of Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 approaches, ...
Is the In-Room Guest Phone a Thing of the Past?
TigerTMS origins date back to the early 1980s and has carrie...
Tamarind Global Elevates Amal Senan to Lead Sales & Operatio...
Tamarind Global, one of India’s foremost DMCs and a trusted ...
RevOpt Global Transforms Hotel Revenue with Innovation and S...
RevOpt Global is a leading provider of innovative revenue ...
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on August 18, 2025
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.
ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.
Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.
Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,
"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."
ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.
Published on August 10, 2025
Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.
Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.
Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.
By Author
Published on August 4, 2025
In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.
Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.
“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.
The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.
Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.
“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.
The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.
As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.
Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!
Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.
By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.
Already have an account?Login
By clicking you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Subscribe for ₹2,000 and receive our monthly magazine for one year (12 months) from the coming month and save 2 months cost.