Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the opening of Vivanta Gurugram Sector 95A, strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region (NCR). The launch marks IHCL's 18th hotel in the NCR and further expands the Vivanta brand in one of India's fastest-growing business hubs.

Commenting on the opening, Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – New Businesses and Hotel Openings, IHCL, said, "Gurugram continues to be one of India's most dynamic commercial centres, supported by strong corporate demand and infrastructure growth. The opening of Vivanta Gurugram strengthens IHCL's presence in NCR and expands Vivanta's footprint in a high-growth market. Designed for today's discerning traveller, the hotel combines contemporary design and intuitive service."

The 154-key hotel is strategically located in Sector 95A, offering easy access to Gurugram's key business districts and commercial centres, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers.

Guests can choose from a range of dining experiences, including Mynt, the all-day dining restaurant serving global and local favourites; Wink, the rooftop bar offering panoramic city views alongside signature cocktails; and Tease, a poolside lounge designed for relaxed evenings.

The hotel also features a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Gurugram skyline, a fully equipped fitness centre, spacious banquet halls, and meeting rooms suitable for corporate events, conferences, weddings, and social celebrations.

Sharing her thoughts on the opening, Ashadeep Sidhu, General Manager, Vivanta Gurugram Sector 95A, said, "We are delighted to welcome guests to Vivanta Gurugram. Located in India's Millennium City, the hotel offers a contemporary urban oasis that reflects the city's energy while creating memorable experiences for both business and leisure travellers."

With the addition of Vivanta Gurugram Sector 95A, IHCL continues to strengthen its footprint across key business destinations while catering to the evolving needs of modern travellers.

After a gap of seven years, Zydus Pinkathon is set to return to Chennai, bringing thousands of women together for a celebration of health, fitness, and community. The city's edition was officially unveiled at a press conference held at Hyatt Regency Chennai and is scheduled to take place on August 1 and 2, 2026, at Island Grounds.

Designed to encourage women of all ages and fitness levels to embrace an active lifestyle, the event will feature race categories including 3 km, Lifelong 5 km, 10 km, as well as ultra-distance races of 50 km, 75 km, 100 km, and the 100 km relay.

Over the years, Zydus Pinkathon has inspired nearly a million women across India to take up running as a way to improve their health, build confidence, and become part of a supportive community. The Chennai edition continues this mission by promoting fitness while creating greater awareness about preventive healthcare.

The event also introduced this year's Chennai mascots, each representing determination and resilience. They include Zoha Sanofer, a babywearing mother representing the 3 km category; Nandita Muralidhar, a cancer survivor leading the Lifelong 5 km run; Gaytheri M., a visually impaired runner representing the 10 km category; Geetha Manichandar, a 65-year-old participant leading the 50 km race; Deborah Sushma Lall, representing the 75 km category; and Latha Ravichander, who will lead the 100 km event.

Speaking at the launch, Milind Soman, Founder, Pinkathon, said:

"Every city adds a new chapter to the Zydus Pinkathon journey, and returning to Chennai after 7 years is particularly special. We've always believed that when women come together through fitness, they inspire change not just in themselves but within their families and communities as well. We look forward to seeing Chennai once again embrace this movement and celebrate the many stories of strength that will unfold on race day."

The Chennai edition will also continue The Easiest Exam campaign, encouraging women to perform regular self-breast examinations to help detect breast cancer at an early stage.

Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences, said:

"With the Easiest Exam campaign, we seek to empower women with the knowledge that a simple 3-minute self-examination each month can make a life-saving difference. Zydus Pinkathon aims to reach many more women, raise awareness, and inspire collective action in the fight against breast cancer. We believe that raising awareness on women's health and breast cancer remains equally vital, as early detection has the power to save countless lives."

Along with the main race categories, the event will feature young mothers running with their babies, cancer survivors, visually impaired runners, and participants running in sarees, reflecting Zydus Pinkathon's inclusive approach and its connection with local communities.

Ankita Konwar, Founder, Invincible Women, added:

"Every Zydus Pinkathon reminds us that there is no single definition of strength. Whether someone is preparing for her first run or taking on an ultra-distance challenge, every woman is writing her own story. We hope Chennai inspires many more women to begin their fitness journey, knowing that every step forward counts."

The event is supported by Zydus as the Title Partner, along with Lifelong (Fitness Partner), Sirona (Hygiene Partner), and Hyatt Regency Chennai (Hospitality Partner). Other partners include Fujifilm, MILLD, 3TENX, Bisleri, Zivame, Tasty Nibbles, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Fit India, Inc.5, Big FM, with execution by Smiling Tiger Experiences LLP.

Founded in 2012, Pinkathon has grown into a nationwide movement that uses running to promote women's health, confidence, and well-being. Returning to Chennai marks another important milestone in its 2025–26 calendar, reinforcing the message that fitness is for every woman, regardless of age, ability, or background.

The Telangana Chefs Association (TCA), affiliated with the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) and the World Association of Chefs' Societies (Worldchefs), celebrated its 7th anniversary with the 'Safe Food – Safe Nation' Conclave at Taj Deccan, Hyderabad. The event brought together renowned chefs, hospitality professionals, government dignitaries, healthcare experts, academicians, students, and food entrepreneurs to highlight the importance of food safety, sustainability, and culinary excellence.

The celebrations began with an inaugural address by Chef Amey Marathe, President of the Telangana Chefs Association, who welcomed the guests and outlined the association's vision of strengthening the culinary profession while promoting food safety as a shared national responsibility.

The conclave was attended by Mr. Pascal Loreau, Head of the Bureau de France; Chef Vijayabaskaran, General Secretary of IFCA; Chef Dharmender Lamba, Founder President of TCA; Mr. Hugo Cauvet, Director of Alliance Française of Hyderabad; and Mr. Arnab Gupta, General Manager, Taj Deccan, Hyderabad. During the event, the association also presented its annual report, showcasing its achievements, training programmes, competitions, CSR initiatives, and professional development activities over the past year.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Pascal Loreau highlighted the growing collaboration between France and Telangana in tourism and gastronomy while expressing his appreciation for Hyderabad's rich culinary culture.

Mr. Hugo Cauvet spoke about the long-standing partnership between Telangana and the city of Bordeaux, noting that culinary exchanges, gastronomy, and wine-related collaborations have become some of the most successful initiatives under the cooperation agreement.

Congratulating the association on its milestone, Chef Vijayabaskaran praised TCA's growth over the past seven years and emphasised the importance of making Indian cuisine more globally recognised. He also stressed that food safety should never be compromised, adding that while presentation is important, it holds little value if food is not safe for consumption. He encouraged industry stakeholders to focus equally on education and compliance to strengthen food safety standards.

Addressing the gathering, Chef Amey Marathe underlined that every meal served represents an act of trust between consumers and the culinary community. He reaffirmed the association's five-year commitment to the 'Safe Food – Safe Nation' mission and announced plans to work closely with organisations such as GHMC and FSSAI to strengthen food safety awareness and industry best practices across Telangana.

Chef Dharmender Lamba, Founder President of TCA, urged chefs to wear the chef's coat with pride and responsibility, describing it as a symbol of trust and professionalism. Chef Naveen Nagraj, General Secretary of TCA, highlighted the association's efforts in raising culinary standards while supporting education, skill development, and social responsibility across the hospitality sector.

One of the key moments of the conclave was the 'Safe Food – Safe Nation' Oath, administered by Chef Vijayabaskaran. Chefs, educators, hospitality professionals, students, and dignitaries pledged to uphold the highest standards of food hygiene, nutrition, quality, and public health.

The event also featured a series of technical sessions by leading national and international experts. Chef Garima Arora addressed participants virtually on food safety in Michelin-star restaurants, while Dr. Chef Rajeev Goyal discussed Indian gastronomy and its impact on human health. Chef Takamasa Osawa from Japan shared insights into the global popularity of Biryani, and Dr. Naveen Polavarapu from Yashoda Hospitals spoke about food and waterborne diseases. Additional sessions by Ms. Rabia Jaffar and Shika Singh focused on leadership, storytelling, communication, and public speaking.

A major highlight of the celebrations was the signing and exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with organisations including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Telangana State Biodiversity Board, Telangana Forest Department, and Telangana Tourism. These partnerships aim to promote safe food practices, biodiversity conservation, culinary tourism, sustainable gastronomy, and community engagement across the state.

The conclave also hosted an expert panel discussion on 'Safe Food – Safe Nation', bringing together chefs, healthcare professionals, and food safety experts to discuss nutrition, sustainability, food standards, and the future of responsible gastronomy in India.

As part of its commitment to social responsibility, the Telangana Chefs Association recognised organisations and individuals contributing to skill development and hospitality training for underprivileged youth. Community leaders and child nutrition advocates were also honoured during the event.

The association officially released the TCA Magazine, featuring culinary innovations, research, industry insights, and the association's achievements. Several awards were presented during the celebrations, including the Telangana Culinary Unsung Heroes Awards, Culinary Guiding Star Awards, and TCA Academic Contribution Awards, recognising excellence across the culinary and hospitality education sectors.

The evening concluded with a high-level panel discussion on 'Food Safety & Future', attended by Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, industry leaders, and senior chefs. The session explored emerging trends in food safety, technology, sustainability, and hospitality, followed by the 7th Anniversary cake-cutting ceremony, networking dinner, and interactions among chefs, educators, hospitality professionals, and international delegates.