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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on January 28, 2025
As India celebrated its 76th Republic Day, the nation honored the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards, recognizing their outstanding contributions across various fields. Among this year’s awardees are individuals who have left an indelible mark on the Indian hospitality and cultural sectors.
Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti
Textile industrialist and philanthropist Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti has been awarded the Padma Bhushan in the trade and industry category. Previously a Padma Shri awardee in 2003, Chetti’s contributions have been pivotal in elevating Indian silk to a global stage.
Taking over Nalli Silks in 1958, Chetti expanded the legacy established by his grandfather, Nalli Chinnasami Chetty, who famously wove a silk shawl for King George V in 1911. Starting with its first showroom in Chennai in 1928, Nalli Silks has grown to include outlets across India and internationally in the US, Singapore, and Canada. Over the years, its clientele has included dignitaries such as Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and legendary Carnatic singer MS Subbulakshmi.
Beyond textiles, He is a patron of Carnatic music in Chennai, supporting venues and Margazhi music festivals. His efforts ensure these festivals remain vibrant celebrations of Chennai’s cultural essence which shapes hospitality sector in the region. Additionally, his Tamil literary works — Vetrikku Moondre Padigal, Needhi Noolgalil Nirvagam, and Thyagaraya Nagar Andrum Indrum — reflect his diverse contributions to society.
Chef Damu
Chef Damodharan Kothandaraman, widely recognized as Chef Damu, has received the Padma Shri, marking him as the third chef in history to achieve this honor after Chef Imtiaz Qureshi and Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. His illustrious career spans 45 years, beginning at Taj Mumbai, and includes numerous accomplishments that have shaped India’s culinary arts.
Chef Damu, a Ph.D. holder in catering science from Madras University, is celebrated for his engaging cookery shows in Tamil and his role as a mentor in hotel management institutes. He is the President of the South India Chef’s Association (SICA) and has organized workshops and events to nurture budding chefs.
Known for his Guinness World Record for the longest single-person cooking marathon, where he prepared 617 dishes over 24 hours and 30 minutes in 2010, Damu’s name is synonymous with culinary excellence. His books and television appearances have made him a beloved figure in households across South India.
Prashanth Prakash
Entrepreneur and venture capitalist Prashanth Prakash has been awarded the Padma Shri for his transformative contributions to India’s startup ecosystem. As a founding partner of Accel India, Prakash has been instrumental in the success of iconic startups like Flipkart, Swiggy, BookMyShow, Freshworks, and Urban Company.
His efforts have not only revolutionized online food delivery with Swiggy but also empowered communities through initiatives such as ACT Grants and Sikshana Foundation. Prakash’s commitment to sustainability and innovation underscores the recognition of startups as a vital force in nation-building.
RG Chandramohan
RG Chandramogan, a pioneering entrepreneur in India’s dairy industry, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his significant contributions to trade and industry. From modest beginnings to steering one of India’s largest private dairy companies, Chandramogan’s journey is nothing short of inspirational.
Starting as a college dropout in 1970, Chandramogan launched a small-scale ice cream venture, which laid the foundation for Hatsun Agro Product. Today, under his leadership, Hatsun Agro stands as a titan in the dairy sector, with its products reaching millions of households across the country.
Hatsun sources milk directly from over 450,000 farmers spread across 12,000 villages, ensuring quality while supporting the rural economy. Its brands, including Arun Ice Cream, Arokya Milk, and Hatsun Curd, have become household names in India. Arun Ice Cream, in particular, enjoys immense popularity for its wide range of flavors and quality offerings, cementing its place as one of India’s favorite ice cream brands.
Beyond business, Chandramogan is known for his philanthropic endeavors, supporting various initiatives aimed at rural development and community welfare. His vision has not only elevated India’s dairy industry but also positively impacted the lives of thousands of farmers and their families.
RG Chandramogan’s recognition with the Padma Shri highlights his role as a trailblazer in the dairy sector, blending business excellence with a commitment to societal upliftment. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and giving back to the community.
These exemplary individuals highlight the diverse contributions to India’s cultural, culinary, and economic fabric, setting benchmarks for future generations. The Padma Awards celebrate their enduring legacies and the significant impact they continue to make on society.
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Published on July 20, 2026
Indian Railways has introduced the country's first indigenously built hydrogen-powered passenger train, marking a significant step in its clean transportation journey. Named NaMo Green Rail, the train will operate on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the hydrogen-powered locomotive ahead of its maiden journey, describing the launch as an important milestone in India's vision of becoming both self-reliant and environmentally sustainable.
With the launch, India joins a select group of countries, including Germany, Japan, China and the United States, that have introduced hydrogen-powered passenger rail services. Germany was the first country to launch a commercial hydrogen-powered train fleet in 2022.
Designed, engineered and built entirely in India, NaMo Green Rail emits only heat and water vapour, making it a zero-emission alternative to diesel-powered trains. The initiative forms part of the government's broader efforts to expand hydrogen-based mobility and reduce carbon emissions across the transport sector.
The 10-coach train has a seating capacity of around 2,600 passengers and can operate at speeds of up to 75 km/h. It will run two return trips daily on the 90-kilometre route connecting Jind and Sonipat.
One of the key highlights of the new service is its affordable pricing. According to railway officials, ticket fares start at ₹5, with the highest fare capped at ₹25, depending on the distance travelled. Passengers on the inaugural service were also able to purchase tickets priced at ₹5.
Although Indian Railways has already electrified nearly all of its 70,000-kilometre rail network, hydrogen-powered trains provide a practical solution for routes where complete electrification may not be feasible.
The introduction of NaMo Green Rail aligns with the government's ambition to make Indian Railways net-zero by 2030, while supporting India's wider clean energy goals through increased adoption of hydrogen, renewable energy and other sustainable technologies.
By Hariharan U
Published on July 19, 2026
Yes Madam, India's leading at-home salon and wellness platform, has launched instant salon and spa services, bringing trained beauty and wellness professionals to customers' homes within minutes. The technology-driven initiative aims to redefine convenience in the beauty and wellness sector by offering on-demand services similar to the instant access models adopted across food delivery, mobility, grocery, and home services.
The company has recorded more than 30,000 instant service bookings within the first month of launch, highlighting strong consumer demand for faster and more accessible beauty and wellness experiences.
Currently, instant spa services are available across all cities where Yes Madam operates, while instant salon services have been introduced in select metro cities, with plans for a phased expansion across additional markets. The average fulfilment time for instant services is currently under 30 minutes, with the company continuing to enhance its operational capabilities to further reduce waiting times.
The launch builds on the growing demand for flexible and convenient personal care solutions. Yes Madam identified an opportunity to bring professional salon and wellness services to customers whenever they need them, whether for last-minute events, professional commitments, festive occasions, or personal relaxation.
The instant services model also creates new opportunities for service professionals by enabling them to fulfil more bookings efficiently. The initiative is designed to deliver value for both customers seeking convenience and service partners looking to increase their earning potential.
Yes Madam currently fulfils more than 3.5 lakh monthly bookings across its platform. Popular services including waxing, facials, massages, and grooming treatments continue to see strong demand, with instant fulfilment making these offerings more accessible for customers with busy lifestyles.
To support the new service model, Yes Madam has strengthened its technology platform to match customer requests with nearby professionals based on location, availability, and expertise. The technology-led approach enables faster service delivery while maintaining quality standards and ensuring a smooth experience for both customers and service partners.
Commenting on the launch, Aditya Arya, Co-Founder and CEO, Yes Madam, said, "Yes Madam has consistently been a disruptor in the at-home beauty and wellness industry. We introduced mono-dose kits to improve hygiene and brought greater pricing transparency by separating product and service costs at a time when no one else in the industry was doing so. We are once again redefining the industry by becoming the only at-home beauty and wellness platform offering instant salon and spa services at this scale. We believe convenience is becoming a vital expectation across different services, and beauty and wellness should be no different."
With instant services gaining early traction, Yes Madam continues to strengthen its position in India's evolving at-home beauty and wellness market. The launch reflects the company's focus on technology, operational innovation, and creating seamless customer experiences.
Published on July 17, 2026
World St. at Worldmark Aerocity, New Delhi has welcomed Starbucks Reserve, bringing the premium coffee brand’s elevated café experience to one of the capital’s most vibrant lifestyle and dining destinations.
The opening strengthens World St.’s vision of creating a globally inspired urban destination featuring celebrated brands, immersive experiences, and curated food and beverage offerings. Positioned as “The Social Spine of Worldmark,” World St. is designed as a walkable F&B and lifestyle hub within Delhi’s prominent business district, offering guests a blend of dining, leisure, and social experiences.
The launch marks the fourth Starbucks Reserve store in India and the third Starbucks Reserve destination in Delhi NCR, further expanding Starbucks’ premium coffee footprint in the country. Built around Starbucks’ philosophy of creating a welcoming “third place” between home and work, Starbucks Reserve offers guests an enhanced coffeehouse experience focused on connection, discovery, and community.
The café showcases the craftsmanship behind specialty coffee through a selection of rare and premium coffees, signature espresso creations, handcrafted beverages, and curated food offerings. Guests can also enjoy the brand’s bake-in menu, designed to complement the premium beverage experience.
A key highlight of the store is the Black Eagle espresso machine, an advanced brewing system that enables Coffee Masters to achieve greater precision in extraction and preparation. The technology further enhances the artistry and expertise behind every cup served at Starbucks Reserve.
The arrival of Starbucks Reserve adds to World St.’s expanding portfolio of globally recognised dining and lifestyle brands. Spread across approximately half a kilometre through Worldmark 4, 5, and 6, World St. covers nearly 2,60,000 sq. ft. of gross leasable area and has been developed as a pedestrian-friendly destination featuring global cuisine, alfresco dining spaces, green courtyards, art installations, and contemporary street furniture.
Connecting three iconic Worldmark developments, World St. brings together work, leisure, and culture through a diverse mix of cafés, patisseries, restaurants, and bars. The destination has established itself as one of Delhi-NCR’s prominent food and lifestyle destinations, featuring brands such as India’s first Olive Garden, P.F. Chang’s, and Magnolia Bakery.
With the addition of Starbucks Reserve, World St. continues to strengthen its positioning as a destination for premium experiences, attracting visitors seeking international brands, culinary discovery, and vibrant social spaces.
Starbucks Reserve at World St., Worldmark, Delhi will be open to customers from 15 July 2026, operating from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
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