Restaurant Brands Asia Ltd. (RBA), the master franchisee of Burger King in India, has strengthened its association with the Indian Army by extending its partnership with the Army Central Welfare Fund (ACWF) and creating career opportunities for retired Army professionals through the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO).

The partnership with ACWF, which began on Republic Day 2026, received a strong response and enabled RBA to contribute more than ₹20 lakh towards the welfare fund. Following the response to the initiative, the company has decided to continue its support as an ongoing tradition, marking the partnership around two significant national occasions.

The initiative will continue on Independence Day, 15 August 2026, and Republic Day, 26 January 2027, further strengthening RBA's engagement with the armed forces community.

Expanding the initiative beyond financial support, RBA has also partnered with AWPO to create employment opportunities for retired Army professionals within its organisation. As part of the collaboration, four retired Army professionals joined RBA's Burger King India operations from 21 July 2026.

The initiative is aimed at providing veterans with opportunities to transition their professional experience and leadership capabilities into the retail and hospitality sector, while creating structured career pathways within RBA.

Commenting on the initiative, Rajeev Varman, Group CEO and Whole-time Director, Restaurant Brands Asia, said the company was proud to partner with both ACWF and AWPO and aimed to make a meaningful contribution to the country's armed forces community and their families.

Namrata Tiwari, Group Chief People Officer, Restaurant Brands Asia, highlighted the company's focus on creating long-term opportunities for those who have served the nation. She said the collaboration with AWPO reflects RBA's commitment to welcoming and integrating retired Army professionals into its workforce.

Major General Ajay Singh Chauhan, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal, MD, AWPO, said the partnership with Burger King represents another step towards empowering veterans, widows and wards through meaningful employment. He highlighted the professional competence, dedication and integrity that personnel bring to customer service and operations, adding that the collaboration creates structured career pathways into the retail and hospitality ecosystem.

The initiative reflects a broader approach to supporting the armed forces community through both welfare contributions and employment opportunities, while enabling veterans to continue their professional journeys after military service.

Key Highlights

• RBA's ACWF partnership began on Republic Day 2026.
• More than ₹20 lakh has been contributed to the fund.
• The partnership will continue through Republic Day 2027.
• RBA has partnered with AWPO for veteran employment.
• Four retired Army professionals joined Burger King India from 21 July 2026.
• The initiative creates career pathways for veterans in the retail and hospitality sector. 

The Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Bharatiya Shiksha Board (BSB) to integrate industry-aligned vocational education into India's school ecosystem, supporting the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged at the Bharatiya Shiksha Board headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of Swami Ramdev, Founder Chairman of Bharatiya Shiksha Board; Dr. N. P. Singh (Retd. IAS), Executive Chairman; Shri R. P. Singh (Retd. IPS), Secretary; and senior representatives from participating Sector Skill Councils.

Under the partnership, THSC will serve as the Quality Assurance, Affiliation, Assessment and Certification Partner for vocational education programmes under the Bharatiya Shiksha Board. The council will support school affiliations, establish quality assurance mechanisms, conduct Training of Trainers (ToT), certify vocational trainers, facilitate NSQF-compliant assessments, issue joint skill certifications, and strengthen industry linkages to provide students with experiential learning opportunities.

Speaking at the event, Swami Ramdev said the collaboration marks the first instance of a national education board establishing such a comprehensive academic-industry partnership. He noted that the initiative aims to equip students with industry exposure, internships, practical training, and entrepreneurial opportunities across sectors including tourism and hospitality, IT, green jobs, handicrafts, and wellness.

Commenting on the partnership, Rajan Bahadur, CEO of Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council, described it as a significant step towards building a future-ready education ecosystem where academic learning is integrated with practical skills and industry exposure. He said the initiative would introduce tourism and hospitality education at the school level while equipping students with employability skills, entrepreneurial capabilities, and career pathways.

Bahadur further highlighted THSC's experience of working with 23 State School Boards and conducting over 80,000 student skill assessments annually, stating that the council's expertise in quality assurance, certification, and industry engagement would help create a scalable model for delivering vocational education across the country.

The collaboration aligns with Bharatiya Shiksha Board's vision of introducing NSQF-aligned vocational education for students from Classes IX to XII through industry-recognised courses, standardised assessments, internships, and experiential learning. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom education and industry while ensuring equitable access to skill-based education for students in both urban and rural India.

The partnership reflects the shared commitment of THSC and Bharatiya Shiksha Board to create an education ecosystem that combines academic learning with industry-recognised skill certification, enabling students to transition smoothly into higher education, apprenticeships, employment, or entrepreneurship while contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Ranchi welcomed its new B.Sc. in Hospitality & Hotel Administration (H&HA) 2026–27 batch with its Orientation Programme, Anusthapan, introducing students to the institute's academic environment, training approach, and career opportunities in the hospitality industry.

Affiliated with the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and functioning under the Department of Tourism, Government of Jharkhand, the programme was organised to familiarise students with the institute's academic framework, industry-oriented training, institutional guidelines, and placement process.

The event was attended by Ms. Anjali Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Higher & Technical Education, Government of Jharkhand, and Controller of Examinations, JCECEB, as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Yogesh Kumar, General Manager, Ramada by Wyndham, Ranchi, joined as the Guest of Honour.

The programme began with a tree plantation drive by the dignitaries, followed by the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. Students welcomed the guests with a Ganesh Vandana and a Jhumar folk dance, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Jharkhand. The dignitaries were later felicitated by the institute's Principal.

During the ceremony, Mr. Sarvesh Sinha, the highest-ranking student among the newly admitted batch, was honoured with a certificate by the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour for his outstanding performance in the NCHM JEE Entrance Examination.

Addressing the students, Ms. Anjali Yadav said that joining IHM Ranchi marks the beginning of an important professional journey. She highlighted the institute's focus on quality hospitality education and encouraged students to continuously upgrade their skills by embracing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. She also stressed the importance of industrial internships, communication skills, additional language proficiency, certification programmes, and lifelong learning in building successful careers. She further encouraged students from across the country to explore and promote Jharkhand's tribal heritage, traditional cuisine, GI-tagged products, and cultural diversity.

In his address, Mr. Yogesh Kumar, General Manager, Ramada by Wyndham, Ranchi, spoke about the vast opportunities available in the hospitality industry for disciplined and committed professionals. Sharing insights from his own career journey, he urged students to stay focused, embrace teamwork, and view challenges as opportunities for growth. He also invited students to visit Ramada by Wyndham, Ranchi, to gain first-hand exposure to hotel operations.

Welcoming the gathering with the traditional greeting "Johar," Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, Principal, IHM Ranchi, described the orientation programme as the beginning of a new academic and professional chapter for the students. He encouraged them to pursue excellence through discipline, integrity, dedication, and continuous learning.

Dr. Kumar noted that IHM Ranchi has established itself among the country's leading government hotel management institutes through quality education, modern training facilities, strong industry partnerships, and consistent placement performance. He also acknowledged the continued support of the Department of Tourism, Government of Jharkhand, in the institute's growth and development.

As part of the orientation, students received detailed information about the institute's academic structure, departments, laboratories, library, hostel facilities, industrial training, internship programme, examination system, and placement process. They were also introduced to the Anti-Ragging Committee, Discipline Committee, Internal Complaints Committee, Student Welfare Cell, and other student support systems.

The programme concluded with an interactive session, followed by a campus tour that familiarised the new students with the institute's classrooms, laboratories, recreational spaces, and other facilities. Faculty members, staff, senior students, and the newly admitted batch participated in the event.