In celebration of World Kindness Day 2025, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru is embracing the true essence of empathy, generosity, and connection through a series of meaningful initiatives that bring together guests, families, and the local community.

Guided by the brand’s Golden Rule to treat others as we wish to be treated and inspired by the Four Seasons for Good initiative, the hotel is dedicating this season to acts of kindness that uplift both people and the planet.

Biswajit Chakraborty, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, shared, “At Four Seasons properties around the world, kindness is more than a gesture; it is a way of being that shapes every interaction. World Kindness Day 2025 beautifully reflects our philosophy of fostering genuine connections through heartfelt service, right here in the heart of Bengaluru.”

This year’s celebration unfolds across three key themes Kindness to Others, Kindness to Self & Others, and Kindness to the Planet each expressed through interactive, hands-on experiences that continue throughout the festive season.

Kindness to Others: The hotel’s Postcards of Kindness initiative invites guests to pen heartfelt messages and drop them in a special post box placed in the lobby. These messages will be delivered by the Concierge team to local children’s hospitals and orphanages. In addition, the Kindness Creative Corner at the CUR8 Brunch on the World Kindness Day weekend encourages children to draw and write messages of love and hope, with part of the brunch proceeds donated to charity.

Kindness to Self & Others: Guests can participate in Family Rest + Reset, a gentle yoga and guided meditation experience designed for families and children. Offered on a donation basis, all contributions will go toward local charitable organisations. Adding a joyful surprise, the Kindness Cart will make rounds by the Pool Side on weekends, offering complimentary treats to spread cheer.

Kindness to the Planet: On November 1, the hotel’s Herb Garden was renamed the Gratitude Garden, with its launch tied to the annual Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony. Families and children took part in decorating planter boxes and planting herbs, a creative and hands-on activity that nurtures awareness of nature and sustainability as the holiday season begins.

A portion of the proceeds from all World Kindness Day activities will support local youth initiatives, particularly the Jyoti Seva Home and School for the Blind Children. This partnership will continue into the festive season, with the children performing carols at the hotel’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, a symbolic continuation of the kindness movement.

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru warmly invites guests, residents, and partners to take part in these initiatives, celebrating kindness not just for a day, but as a way of life.

GIFT City, India’s first operational smart city and International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), has announced that Bastian Hospitality, one of India’s leading premium food and beverage groups, is set to make its Gujarat debut with a flagship dining and lifestyle destination at GIFT City’s Central Park.

The upcoming venue, Bastian Republic, will operate the food zone spread across one lakh sq. ft. at Central Park, marking a major milestone in enhancing GIFT City’s growing social and lifestyle ecosystem. The project is part of the first phase of Central Park’s development, which also includes public plazas, event spaces, jogging and cycling tracks, and lively social zones designed to offer a seamless blend of business, leisure, and living.

Speaking on this announcement, Mr. Sanjay Kaul, Managing Director & Group CEO, GIFT City, said, “The entry of Bastian into GIFT City marks a significant addition to our expanding social ecosystem. Bastian’s presence will bring a new dimension to the city’s lifestyle experience, benefitting professionals, residents, and visitors alike. This development also reflects the growing confidence of marquee brands in GIFT City’s vision as a modern, vibrant, and globally connected urban centre.”

Mr. Ranjit Bindra, CEO and Founder of Bastian Hospitality, added, “GIFT City represents the future of India, a space built on vision, innovation, and global ambition. Bringing Bastian here is not just about expanding our footprint, but about being part of something that adds to the nation’s growth story. We aim to create a destination that celebrates food and culture in a way that feels truly world-class.”

From its origins as a seafood-focused restaurant, Bastian has evolved into a multifaceted brand defining India’s contemporary dining and nightlife scene. Its diverse portfolio includes Italian indulgence at Bizza, Peruvian-Asian flair at Inka, American comfort at One Street, the charm of Blondie Café, and the regional authenticity of Ammakai, each concept blending gastronomy with art, music, and culture.

At GIFT City, Bastian Republic will build on this philosophy, curating a vibrant destination that unites food, culture, and community in an atmosphere designed for connection and celebration. The group is also in advanced discussions to establish an additional outlet within GIFT City, further strengthening its presence in Gujarat.

With this landmark development, GIFT City continues to shape its identity as a “live, work, and play” hub, supported by a world-class social infrastructure featuring international universities, a five-star hotel, GIFT City Club, upcoming riverfront projects, and metro connectivity to Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

McDonald’s India (West & South), under Westlife Foodworld, has announced a new partnership with the Indian Padel Academy (IPA by Game Park Pvt Ltd) to promote and grow the sport of padel across the country.

This collaboration marks a key milestone for Westlife Foodworld, the company that owns and operates McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India. It’s part of the brand’s broader commitment to go beyond restaurants, fostering community development and empowering young India through sport.

Building on McDonald’s global legacy of supporting sports from the Olympics to grassroots programmes this initiative brings that same spirit home, aligning with India’s fast-evolving sports culture.

Padel, a dynamic racquet sport that’s taking the world by storm, has been gaining fans in India for its exciting mix of energy, teamwork, and accessibility. Through this partnership, McDonald’s India aims to strengthen padel’s footprint in the country by improving infrastructure, training, and tournaments, making the sport more inclusive and within reach for all.

Akshay Jatia, Chief Executive Officer, Westlife Foodworld, shared, “At McDonald’s India, we have always believed in the power of bringing people together, whether through food, community initiatives or shared experiences. Sport is a natural extension of that belief. In the same spirit that has connected communities across continents, McDonald’s India is now bringing that global ethos home, using sport as a platform to inspire, include, and uplift. Through our partnership with the Indian Padel Academy, which is one of India’s largest Padel academies, we hope to inspire young people to dream bigger, play stronger, grow together and someday make India proud at a global platform.”

The initiative aims to go beyond courts and restaurants, focusing on creating opportunities for children to access quality padel facilities and learn from top coaches. The goal is to nurture not just strong athletes but well-rounded individuals who embody teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Nikhil Sachdev, Co-founder & Head of Marketing, Brand Development, and Strategy – Padel Park India, added, "India is ready for the next chapter in padel. This goes beyond the courts, focusing on global partnerships and world-class infrastructure. Our collaboration with McDonald’s India (W&S) is a major step forward. We are joining hands with leading international padel academies to build a strong and inclusive community. The goal is to bring the sport to more people, especially children. We aim to enroll students nationwide through school programmes, certified training, and city leagues, and hope to see future world-class padel players emerge from India.”

This partnership perfectly aligns with McDonald’s long-standing philosophy of supporting sports and community growth, extending it locally to nurture grassroots talent. For McDonald’s India (West & South), which continues to back local causes and social initiatives, this collaboration is another meaningful stride toward being not just a restaurant brand — but a catalyst for community and cultural growth.

About Westlife Foodworld:

Westlife Foodworld Limited (BSE: 505533) focuses on setting up and operating Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) in India through its subsidiary, Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. (HRPL). The company operates McDonald’s restaurants across West and South India under a master franchise agreement with McDonald’s Corporation USA.

About Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd:

HRPL owns and operates over 450 McDonald’s restaurants across 72 cities in India, serving more than 200 million customers annually. With formats like McCafé, Drive-Thrus, McDelivery, and dessert kiosks, HRPL continues to deliver on McDonald’s core values of Quality, Service, Cleanliness, and Value.

About Game Park Pvt. Ltd.:

Game Park Pvt. Ltd. develops and operates sports infrastructure across India, creating racquet-sport and multi-sport venues, leagues, and grassroots programmes in partnership with schools and brands to boost participation.

About Indian Padel Academy (IPA):

An initiative by Game Park Pvt. Ltd., the Indian Padel Academy is India’s largest structured padel academy, building a national pathway from grassroots to elite. It designs training programs, operates high-performance squads, certifies coaches, and hosts tournaments to make padel a year-round sport in India.