ITC Hotels recently hosted an exclusive evening celebrating Indian classical music under its WelcomArt initiative, featuring Grammy Award-winning maestro Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in collaboration with the Prabha Khaitan Foundation.

Held at ITC Maurya in New Delhi, the event brought together patrons of art, culture, media, and hospitality for an intimate musical showcase that highlighted India's rich classical music traditions.

WelcomArt is ITC Hotels' cultural initiative aimed at promoting India's artistic heritage through curated experiences spanning music, literature, visual arts, and traditional crafts. The programme provides a platform for renowned artists while offering guests immersive cultural experiences.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Limited, said Indian classical music represents centuries of cultural tradition and creative expression. He added that WelcomArt seeks to bring audiences closer to India's diverse art forms while celebrating the contributions of maestros whose work continues to inspire generations.

Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is internationally recognised as the creator of the Mohan Veena, an instrument developed by adapting the Western archtop guitar to the traditions of Hindustani classical music. His pioneering work has earned him global acclaim, including a Grammy Award, and has helped introduce Indian classical music to audiences around the world.

Commenting on the evening, Amaan R. Kidwai, Area Manager – Luxury Hotels (North) and General Manager, ITC Maurya, said the performance created an atmosphere of reflection and appreciation, bringing together discerning audiences through music, conversation, and shared cultural experiences. He noted that the event reflected WelcomArt's vision of fostering deeper engagement with India's artistic legacy.

Through initiatives such as WelcomArt, ITC Hotels continues to create platforms that celebrate India's cultural heritage while strengthening the connection between hospitality and the arts.

Khyber Group has launched Khyber Aquaculture, India's largest fully integrated Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)-based Himalayan trout farming facility in Kashmir. The project is aimed at strengthening the region's trout industry by combining advanced aquaculture technology with local farming communities to create a sustainable and export-focused ecosystem.

Located on the banks of the River Sindh in Akhal, Kangan, Ganderbal district, the facility spans eight acres and has been developed with an investment of over ₹100 crore. Built on a technology-driven model, the farm reuses and recycles water through RAS technology, enabling year-round trout production in a climate-controlled environment.

The facility currently has an annual production capacity of 1,500 metric tonnes, which is expected to increase to 7,000 metric tonnes over the next three to five years. Its hatchery can produce up to 20 million fingerlings every year, supporting the long-term growth of trout farming in the region.

Commenting on the launch, Mr Umar Tramboo, CMD, Khyber Aquaculture, said, "Our technologically superior facility is an expansion of cold-water aquaculture in Jammu and Kashmir. Our cluster model is designed to integrate production, hatcheries, processing and supply chains while supporting more than 300 local farmers under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), through modern aquaculture systems and market access."

The integrated project includes in-house production, processing, and packaging facilities and is expected to create more than 3,000 indirect livelihood opportunities across the region. It has been designed to combine modern aquaculture practices with Kashmir's natural environment, promoting climate-resilient and sustainable fish farming.

Sharing the broader vision for the project, Mr Tramboo added, "It has taken us over 5 years to be completely ready. But the wait was worth it. With this launch, we plan to revolutionise India's aquaculture sector, introducing new standards for fish health and operational control. We want to be known as a platform for scaling trout farming with data-driven systems and localised adaptation."

Khyber Aquaculture uses American and Danish-bred eyed ova (eggs) along with precision-controlled systems from Denmark, France, and Germany. These technologies are designed to improve fish survival rates by 25–30%, lower feed conversion ratios (FCR), and reduce pathogen exposure while meeting international quality and export standards.

The fully integrated processing unit uses hyper-hygienic cleaning systems and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) technology to extend the shelf life of trout to 10 days when chilled and six months when frozen. Fresh, chilled, and frozen products are expected to be available from FY Q3 2025.

The facility also maintains water temperatures between 10°C and 14°C, while continuous oxygen injection keeps dissolved oxygen levels at 8–12 mg/L, creating ideal conditions for healthy trout production.

As part of its sustainability strategy, the company has implemented water recirculation, biosecurity measures, responsible feed management, waste management, and environmental monitoring systems. The use of RAS technology significantly reduces freshwater consumption while improving fish health and production efficiency.

Looking ahead, Khyber Aquaculture plans to strengthen both domestic and international market linkages by leveraging Kashmir's natural advantages and the growing demand for premium, traceable, and sustainably farmed seafood.

The processing facility combines Himalayan glacial water with Danish, French, and Swedish technology, supported by IoT-enabled, zero-waste farming systems and advanced cold-chain infrastructure.

According to IMARC Group, India's trout market reached 4,698.7 tonnes in 2025 and is projected to grow to 7,964.7 tonnes by 2034, registering a CAGR of 5.86% during 2026–2034. Rising consumer awareness of trout's nutritional benefits, increasing demand for high-protein and omega-3-rich foods, and government support for aquaculture are expected to drive this growth.

Paisabazaar has announced the launch of PB Pass, a new complimentary airport lounge access benefit developed in partnership with Collinson International, a global leader in airport experiences and loyalty solutions.

The new program provides users access to over 1,800 airport lounges and travel experiences across more than 800 airports worldwide, powered by the LoungeKey network.

PB Pass has been designed to reward customer engagement on the Paisabazaar platform. Users who pay their credit card bills through the Paisabazaar app will get a chance to participate in a monthly “Spin the Wheel” contest, where selected winners receive a complimentary PB Pass.

In addition, the benefit is also extended to new credit card customers. Users who apply for a credit card via Paisabazaar and activate it, followed by their first bill payment through the app, will be eligible to receive a PB Pass as an assured reward.

Each PB Pass allows seamless access to airport lounges or travel experiences through a QR code-based system, eliminating the need for additional memberships or registrations. The network includes lounges such as Travel Club Lounge at Don Mueang International Airport in Thailand, Kyra Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, and Rose Lounge at Vietnam’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Speaking on the launch, Santosh Agarwal, CEO of Paisabazaar, said the initiative aims to deliver value beyond acquisition and enhance customer engagement across the lifecycle. He noted that airport lounge access remains one of the most valued credit card benefits, and PB Pass makes it more accessible and convenient.

Rom Remy, Managing Director for South and Southeast Asia at Collinson International, highlighted growing travel demand in India and the increasing importance of lounge access as a premium travel benefit. He added that the partnership with Paisabazaar will help enhance travel experiences through the LoungeKey global network.

While lounge access is typically restricted by card tiers, spending thresholds, and usage caps, PB Pass introduces an additional simplified access model through a QR-based system and broader network coverage, complementing existing credit card benefits