In a bold move that blends artificial intelligence with airport retail, Ospree Duty Free, in collaboration with Voiceback Analytics, has successfully piloted India’s first AI-led, digital-only promotional experience at Mumbai International Airport. Conducted on May 29, 2025, this 24-hour trial marks a significant shift in the future of airport shopping.

Instead of the usual clutter of traditional discount signage, the retail space embraced a minimalist, tech-forward setup. Travellers were invited to interact with a single QR code, which unlocked real-time personalized offers powered by Voiceback’s Dynamic Promotion Engine, hosted on Microsoft Azure.

The pilot eliminated printed promotional material and relied entirely on a seamless, digital interaction. Upon scanning the QR code, travellers input minimal information including mobile number and passport ID and were instantly presented with customized discounts based on their preferences and behavioural cues.

The offers were dynamically generated through Voiceback’s AI system, which analyzed shopping patterns and curated real-time deals, bringing e-commerce-level personalization to the offline duty-free environment.

Ospree staff guided passengers through the digital journey, ensuring a smooth and engaging retail interaction. The interactive and clutter-free experience was met with positive traveller feedback, demonstrating a strong acceptance of tech-led innovations in duty-free retail.

Interestingly, sales performance remained steady despite the removal of visual banners, underscoring the effectiveness of AI-driven personalization in enhancing customer engagement and trust.

One insight from the pilot pointed to the need for improved staff training, especially to elevate on-ground assistance and encourage deeper digital participation among hesitant shoppers.

Speaking on the success of the pilot, an Ospree Duty Free spokesperson said:

“This pilot was a test drive and quite a successful one. It marks a new chapter in how we connect with travellers. As India’s first duty-free store to try something so novel, we see great potential in tech-led engagement that’s seamless, personalized, and built for the modern shopper.”

Following this promising response, Ospree Duty Free now aims to scale the digital-first retail system across additional stores and formats, further reinforcing its position as a leader in tech-powered travel retail.

With this initiative, Ospree Duty Free has set a new benchmark for innovation in the Indian retail space, blending AI, personalization, and customer convenience to create a futuristic shopping journey. The pilot is a testament to how technology can enhance value while reducing visual clutter, offering a glimpse into what the future of airport shopping could soon become.

ISKCON Dwarka is gearing up to celebrate Rath Yatra 2025 with a unique and flavorful twist—a grand Mango Festival beginning June 27 at the Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish Temple in Delhi. This vibrant celebration will blend devotion, tradition, and fruit-filled joy in honour of Lord Jagannath, a deity known for his eternal affection for mangoes.

The highlight of the festival is the sacred offering of 1,100 kilograms of 108 mango varieties—including popular types like Alphonso, Langda, Dasheri, and Safeda—to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. This divine offering will be followed by a grand aarti and distribution of mango prasad to thousands of devotees, making it a spiritually rich and community-focused event.

Festivities will begin at 8:00 AM with a spiritual narration of Lord Jagannath’s divine appearance, setting a sacred tone for the day. As evening falls, the temple will come alive with soulful kirtans during a Kirtan Mela, accompanied by traditional Vedic rituals like Yagna.

A Maha Abhishek will also be performed using sacred waters drawn from the divine well of Jagannath Puri, which symbolizes the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Traditional Odia bhog offerings and a concluding Maha Aarti will cap the spiritual celebration, followed by prasad distribution.

Visitors will also be treated to a curated mango exhibition, featuring over 108 unique varieties. Adding a touch of fun and community engagement, a mango-eating contest is planned, allowing participants to indulge in the Lord’s favourite fruit in a light-hearted way.

“Mangoes hold a special significance in our tradition and are deeply cherished by Lord Jagannath,” said Shri Gaur Prabhu, Vice-President of ISKCON Dwarka. “Through this festival, we hope to celebrate not just the fruit, but the spirit of offering, joy, and unity it brings.”

The outreach doesn’t stop in Delhi. As part of the wider Rath Yatra celebrations, ISKCON Dwarka will also extend its service to Jagannath Puri, the Lord’s sacred abode. In collaboration with the Adani Group, ISKCON will distribute over 3 million glasses of juice and prasadam to devotees. This builds on their earlier partnership during Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, where they jointly served free meals to over 50 lakh devotees.

“The Rath Yatra reminds us of essential values—humility, service, faith, and detachment,” added Shri Gaur Prabhu. “These teachings help us find direction in today's uncertain world.”

The Mango Festival at ISKCON Dwarka promises to be a multi-sensory celebration that captures the spirit of Rath Yatra with a refreshing and meaningful twist, reinforcing devotion through taste, tradition, and togetherness.

The Piano Man, one of India’s most iconic live music venues, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this September by launching a fresh and culturally rich chapter: Clubs @ TPM. This subscription-based initiative aims to build deeper connections beyond music by bringing people together through shared experiences in art, film, food, and community activities.

What started as a cozy jazz bar in South Delhi has evolved into a household name in India’s live music scene. With venues in Safdarjung, Gurugram, and now Malviya Nagar, The Piano Man continues its mission of meaningful cultural engagement by expanding into weekend sessions and club-based formats.

The debut season of Clubs @ TPM introduces a diverse line-up of experiences, including:

 The Choir Club – Guided by renowned musician and educator Manta Sidhu, this initiative offers weekly group sessions in Delhi and Gurugram. Open to individuals aged 25 and above, no prior musical background is required—just a love for singing and connecting with others.

 Paint n’ Vineyard – In partnership with Rajesh Srivastava of Kohlart, this popular event returns with a fresh twist. Guests can sip on wine and indulge in unlimited pizza as they recreate famous artworks by Picasso, Van Gogh, M.F. Husain, Jamini Roy, and more.

 Gourmet Cinema – A collaborative effort with Sunset Cinema Club, this experience pairs film screenings with menus inspired by the story and setting of the movie, making for a multisensory cultural evening ideal for both teenagers and adults.

“The last ten years have been about creating places where music can thrive. But beyond the music, we’ve always believed in building a sense of belonging,” said Arjun Sagar Gupta, founder of The Piano Man. “With Clubs @ TPM, we’re opening the doors a little wider… to people who want to be part of something, even if they’re not getting on stage.”

The overarching philosophy remains the same—artist-first spaces and thoughtfully curated programming—but this new direction signals Phase One of a broader anniversary rollout, focused on deeper community integration and creative expression.

Since its founding in 2015, The Piano Man has hosted over 7,000 concerts, including performances by legends like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Tigran Hamasyan, and Jojo Mayer, along with 500+ international artists. Beyond the stage, every element—from baroque interiors to curated menus—has been part of the venue’s mission to deliver a truly immersive cultural experience.

With Clubs @ TPM, the brand enters its next decade not just as a venue, but as a movement—where art, music, and community come together in a more personal, participatory way.

Subscription packages for Clubs @ TPM are now live, with various options tailored to activity types and engagement levels.