Sony YAY! has introduced an interactive voice-based experience that brings the popular animated character Shin chan to Amazon Alexa, allowing fans across India to engage with the mischievous character in a new and immersive way.

The initiative enables users to interact directly with Shin chan through simple voice commands, transforming everyday conversations into playful exchanges filled with humour, wit, and the character’s signature style of mischief. The experience is designed to extend Shin chan’s presence beyond television screens and into Indian households through smart home technology.

To begin the interaction, users can activate the experience by saying, “Alexa, Shin chan kahaan hai?”, after which the character responds with humorous replies, jokes, and conversational banter that reflect his well-known personality traits. The integration aims to recreate the fun and unpredictability that has made Shin chan a cult favourite across generations.

Known for his bold humour and distinctive storytelling style, Shin chan has remained one of the most recognisable animated characters among Indian audiences. With this Alexa integration, Sony YAY! is offering fans a more interactive and personalised way to connect with the character beyond traditional viewing formats.

According to Ambesh Tiwari, Business Head at Sony YAY!, Shin chan has maintained a strong emotional connection with audiences in India over the years. He noted that this collaboration is part of the channel’s broader effort to celebrate the character’s long-standing popularity while leveraging technology to enhance engagement for fans and families.

The initiative reflects Sony YAY!’s continued focus on expanding entertainment experiences through digital innovation. By combining animation content with voice technology, the brand aims to create deeper engagement opportunities that align with evolving media consumption habits among younger audiences.

With this launch, Sony YAY! continues to explore new ways of making animated content more interactive, reinforcing Shin chan’s position as one of India’s most beloved animated characters

Ravi Surya Group has announced the launch of Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur, a new luxury destination resort managed by Black Rock Hotels & Resorts. Spread across 40 acres in the Aravali landscape, the property features 351 rooms and is among the largest luxury resort developments in Rajasthan.

Located off the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, the resort has been designed as an experiential destination that blends Japanese-inspired aesthetics with Rajasthan’s warmth and vibrant celebration culture. The launch comes at a time when demand for destination weddings, wellness-focused stays, immersive travel experiences, and large-format hospitality destinations continues to grow across India.

The resort offers 351 rooms, suites, and villas across five accommodation categories. These include private pool suites and presidential residences measuring up to 3,600 sq. ft. Guests can also access wellness facilities, a luxury spa, landscaped gardens, dedicated celebration spaces, an exclusive kids' zone, and multiple event venues.

A major highlight of the property is its wedding and events infrastructure. The resort houses 12 event venues, including the 19,000 sq. ft. Sakura Ballroom and the 70,000 sq. ft. Suijin Lawn, which is surrounded by waterfalls and plunge pools. It also features a dedicated 16-pillared ceremonial Pagoda designed for baraat processions, ghudchadi, and traditional wedding ceremonies. With India's wedding market witnessing strong growth, the resort is expected to further strengthen Jaipur's appeal as a premium wedding destination.

Speaking on the launch, Ravindra Pratap Singh, Chairman, Ravi Surya Group and owner of Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur, said, “Ananta Jaipur has been envisioned as more than a luxury resort. We wanted to create a destination that allows guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience celebrations, leisure and hospitality in a deeply immersive way. Rajasthan already has a powerful tourism identity, but we saw an opportunity to create something globally inspired and emotionally distinct from the conventional palace hospitality experience. The response we are witnessing reflects the growing appetite for experiential luxury destinations within India.”

Gaurav Mudgal, Managing Director, Black Rock Hotels & Resorts, said, “We want to create a destination that serves as the perfect meet, greet and celebrate space, catering to every segment, from leisure and MICE to weddings. By offering every experience in one place, Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur is poised to become one of Rajasthan’s most sought-after resorts for every occasion.”

The resort has been developed around the Japanese philosophy of Omotenashi, which focuses on sincere hospitality and anticipating guest needs. This concept is reflected throughout the property’s design and guest experience. The reception area takes inspiration from Japan’s Arakurayama Sengen Park, while Zen-inspired pathways, waterfalls, plunge pools, wellness zones, and peaceful sit-out spaces create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

Several unique spaces further enhance the guest experience. These include the Inori Temple for reflection and ceremonial gatherings, the Kissaten Tea Lounge inspired by traditional Japanese teahouses, and Shio Kosho, the resort’s vegetarian dining venue serving both regional and international cuisine.

The property also features a two-storey entertainment-focused Kids Zone, a fitness centre, luxury spa and salon facilities, EV charging stations, and dedicated group checkout facilities for large-scale weddings and conferences. Designed for younger guests, the kids' zone offers a range of modern and age-appropriate activities and play areas.

The resort enjoys convenient connectivity, with Jaipur Airport and Jaipur Railway Station located approximately one hour away. Guests can also explore nearby attractions such as Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Elephant Village, and Motocross Adventure Park.

As experiential hospitality continues to gain momentum across India, the launch of Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur reflects Rajasthan’s growing emergence as a global-scale destination for luxury travel, celebrations, and immersive guest experiences.

L'Oréal India has inaugurated its largest Beauty Skilling Centre in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), marking a significant step in its ongoing efforts to support skills development and women's empowerment in India. The inauguration took place in the presence of Union Minister of Industry & Commerce, Shri Piyush Goyal.

Established under L'Oréal's flagship Beauty for a Better Life programme, the new centre is located at CII's North Mumbai Skill Centre and spans 4,267 sq. ft. The facility is designed to train nearly 3,000 individuals every year in professional hairdressing, makeup artistry, and beauty services.

The initiative focuses on helping women from underserved communities gain industry-relevant skills and access sustainable livelihood opportunities. Through partnerships with NGOs and industry stakeholders, the programme offers professional training, career guidance, job placement assistance, and trainer development support.

The launch of the centre also coincided with the unveiling of L'Oréal India's first Socio-Economic Impact Study, conducted by Paris-based economic research consultancy Asterès. The report highlights the company's growing contribution to India's economy and employment ecosystem.

According to the study, every direct job created by L'Oréal India supports 39.5 additional jobs across its value chain, contributing to a total of 90,500 jobs nationwide through activities such as logistics, packaging, raw material sourcing, and retail operations.

The report further revealed that 95% of L'Oréal products sold in India are manufactured locally at its facilities in Chakan, Maharashtra, and Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, supporting the Government of India's "Make in India" vision. These facilities also serve as export hubs, supplying products to 25 international markets.

L'Oréal has also played an important role in the growth of India's professional hairdressing industry, partnering with more than 54,000 salons across the country and contributing to the development of a professional haircare ecosystem valued at over INR 2,000 crore.

Over the past decade, the company has upskilled 3.3 million hairdressers and supported 42,000 women through its Beauty for a Better Life programme. Today, women account for nearly 60% of the top stylists in India, reflecting the programme's impact on gender diversity and inclusion within the industry.

An independent PwC Impact Study conducted in 2025 found that L'Oréal's skilling programmes generate a 25x Social Return on Investment (SROI). Beneficiaries have reported an average 44% increase in monthly household income, helping families move towards greater financial stability and independence.

In addition to its skilling initiatives, the company has reached more than 1.3 million people through programmes focused on women's education, social inclusion, and community development.

Aseem Kaushik, Non-Executive Chairman, L'Oréal India, noted: "Upskilling has always been central to L'Oréal India's vision of creating inclusive and sustainable impact. As India's beauty industry continues to evolve and expand, the demand for professionally trained talent is growing across services, retail and entrepreneurship. Our new Beauty Skilling Centre reflects our commitment to equipping women with industry-relevant skills, future-ready capabilities and access to meaningful career opportunities, while contributing to the growth of India's beauty economy."

Jacques Lebel, Managing Director, L'Oréal India, added: "India stands at the forefront of the future of beauty, powered by immense talent, creativity and aspiration. Through this skilling centre, we hope to expand access to high-quality professional education, equip underserved women with industry-relevant skills, and help nurture the next generation of beauty professionals and entrepreneurs who will shape the growth of India's beauty economy."

As India's beauty market continues to grow, L'Oréal India says it remains focused on investing in skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development to support both the industry's future and the country's broader socio-economic progress.