Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has announced that its iconic brand Taj has once again been recognised as India's Strongest Brand across sectors in the Brand Finance 'India 100 2026' report. The achievement marks the fifth consecutive year that Taj has earned the distinction.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said:

“Being recognised as India’s Strongest Brand across sectors for the fifth consecutive year is a matter of immense pride. For over 120 years, Taj has remained an enduring symbol of Indian hospitality, staying rooted in its timeless values of warmth, authenticity and excellence. This recognition reflects the deep trust and emotional connection that generations of guests have placed in the brand, as well as the unwavering commitment of our associates who bring the spirit of Tajness to life every day through thoughtful service and genuine care.”

He further added:

“Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1903, IHCL’s iconic brand Taj has played a pioneering role in shaping India’s tourism landscape. Today, with a portfolio of 150 hotels across 15 countries, it offers a distinctive collection of grand palaces, landmark city hotels, wildlife safaris, beach and hill resorts and service residences. Guided by Paathya, IHCL’s ESG+ framework, the brand’s growth is anchored in responsible business practices that balance environmental stewardship, social impact and cultural preservation. As a custodian of Indian hospitality, Taj remains committed to creating long-term value while enriching destinations, empowering communities and preserving the heritage and traditions that define its legacy.”

According to the Brand Finance 'India 100 2026' report, Taj recorded a 32% increase in brand value, reaching USD 878 million. The brand also retained its AAA+ brand strength rating, supported by a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 93.5 out of 100.

The report highlights Taj's strong brand familiarity, customer preference, and deep understanding among Indian consumers. It also notes that the brand's signature hospitality experience, widely recognised as 'Tajness', continues to set it apart, with a significant number of respondents identifying Taj as their preferred hotel brand.

Commenting on the recognition, David Haigh, Chairman, Brand Finance, said:

“Taj Hotels’ position as India’s strongest brand for the fifth consecutive year reflects the strength of its reputation and consistency of its brand performance. Brand Finance’s research shows exceptionally high levels of familiarity, preference, and understanding in its home market, underscoring the value of investing in a distinctive brand experience, maintaining the highest standards of hospitality, and delivering what guests value most. As Taj continues to expand its footprint across India and internationally, preserving these strengths will be key.”

The latest recognition further reinforces Taj's position as one of India's most trusted hospitality brands, reflecting more than a century of excellence, guest trust, and continued growth across domestic and international markets.

Punjab & Sind Bank has announced that its Cochin Branch has been awarded the IGBC Green Interiors Certification by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) under the IGBC Green Interiors Rating System (New Interiors), reinforcing the Bank's commitment to sustainable infrastructure and environmentally responsible banking practices.

The certification recognises the Bank's efforts in creating a workplace that incorporates green interior standards, energy-efficient design, and sustainable operational practices. The initiative is aimed at providing a healthier environment for both customers and employees while reducing the branch's overall environmental footprint.

The recognition marks another milestone in Punjab & Sind Bank's ongoing sustainability journey, highlighting its focus on integrating environmentally responsible practices across its operations. The Bank said the certification reflects its commitment to embedding sustainability into its operational framework while promoting resource efficiency and responsible infrastructure development.

Punjab & Sind Bank continues to align its sustainability initiatives with the Government of India's vision of promoting green infrastructure and sustainable development. Through environmentally conscious banking practices and infrastructure upgrades, the Bank aims to contribute towards building a more sustainable and resilient future.

Luxury hospitality is increasingly being defined by memorable experiences rather than exclusivity alone. Built around this idea, Chandi Experiences, an experiential hospitality platform under Iliner Communications, is creating immersive collaborations that bring together hospitality, culture, and storytelling in meaningful ways.

Founded by entrepreneur and brand strategist Khanakh Sharma, Chandi focuses on crafting curated evenings where celebrated bartenders, acclaimed chefs, luxury brands, and guests come together through thoughtfully designed experiences. Instead of hosting conventional events, the platform creates collaborations where every detail contributes to a larger story.

The platform recently showcased its vision through two curated bar collaborations held in June. On June 12, EKAA Mumbai partnered with The Leela Palace Jaipur, followed by a collaboration between PCO Delhi and Jai Mahal Palace on June 20. Rather than traditional guest shifts, both experiences were designed as cultural exchanges, highlighting creativity, craftsmanship, and meaningful conversations.

During the Jaipur collaboration, EKAA Mumbai presented its Dwadash Cocktail Tasting Menu alongside the Dwadash Ayurvedic Menu. The beverage programmes explored Indian ingredients, philosophy, and modern mixology, with every cocktail telling a story through its inspiration, techniques, and cultural influences.

Reflecting on the experience, Apurv Bhatwadekar, Bar Manager at EKAA Mumbai, described the collaboration as "much more than a restaurant takeover, it was an immersive journey built around storytelling, philosophy and craftsmanship." He added that hospitality collaborations are evolving beyond guest shifts into platforms that combine education, creativity, and craftsmanship, leaving guests with lasting memories.

Kaustubh Santosh Kaslay, Head Mixologist at EKAA Mumbai, said the collaboration showcased the depth of EKAA's philosophy, bringing together narrative-led cocktails and ingredient-focused hospitality inspired by Ayurvedic principles. According to him, such collaborations encourage cultural exchange and introduce guests to unique concepts beyond their home cities.

For The Leela Palace Jaipur, the partnership highlighted the growing importance of creative collaborations in luxury hospitality. Deepak Singh Jeena, Executive Assistant Manager – Food and Beverage Service, said the evening successfully brought together two distinct bar identities through a beverage programme that was technically refined, thoughtfully curated, and creatively executed. He also appreciated Chandi's collaborative approach, noting that such initiatives strengthen the beverage community while creating memorable destination experiences.

The platform continued this momentum on June 20 with its collaboration between PCO Delhi and Jai Mahal Palace, further reinforcing its vision of creating immersive hospitality experiences centred on creativity, collaboration, and guest engagement.

For Khanakh Sharma, Co-Founder and Vision & Strategy Lead, Chandi is the result of nearly a decade of experience in communications, brand strategy, and experiential storytelling. A graduate of Columbia University, she has worked with global brands including HBO, Spotify, McLaren, Ferrari, and leading premium spirits portfolios. Her journey led her to hospitality after recognising that the most memorable brand experiences were always built around a strong sense of purpose.

"India has extraordinary talent across hospitality, food and beverage. What excited me was the opportunity to create a platform where these worlds could come together in a way that feels meaningful for everyone involved," says Khanakh. "Chandi is about creating evenings that people genuinely want to be part of, and continue talking about long after they've ended."

Supporting this vision is Sonal Bagul, Co-Founder and Programming & Curation Lead, whose background includes working with Bacardi and founding The Afterhours Collective. She oversees Chandi's bar takeovers, chef collaborations, and beverage programming, working closely with hospitality professionals from India and abroad to create experiences that are distinctive and engaging.

"Great hospitality has never been about doing more," says Sonal. "It's about bringing together the right people, the right food, the right drinks and the right atmosphere. When those pieces come together naturally, the evening develops its own rhythm."

Partnerships are led by Meenal Khandelwal, Co-Founder and Partnerships & Access Lead, who focuses on building meaningful collaborations across India's luxury, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. Her approach centres on creating authentic partnerships that enrich the guest experience while fostering genuine connections between brands and audiences.

"A memorable evening starts long before the first guest arrives," says Meenal. "It's about creating the right environment, bringing together people who will genuinely enjoy one another's company and building partnerships that add something meaningful to the experience. That's what makes an evening worth remembering."

Looking ahead, Chandi Experiences plans to expand its presence across India's leading hospitality destinations while increasing collaborations with internationally recognised bars, celebrated chefs, and luxury brands. The platform also aims to explore partnerships across fashion, art, design, and culture, creating experiences that bring different creative communities together.

With every bar takeover, chef-led collaboration, and immersive gathering, Chandi Experiences continues to position hospitality as a form of cultural storytelling, bringing together people, ideas, and experiences that leave a lasting impression.