UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Unveils Hinduja Foundation Book on Ancient North Indian Coinage

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Unveils Hinduja Foundation Book on Ancient North Indian Coinage

By Hariharan U

Published on January 10, 2026

The Hinduja Foundation unveiled its latest publication, Early North India and Its Coinage, at a distinguished ceremony in New Delhi, with Shri Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, formally releasing the book. The event was attended by scholars, historians and dignitaries, including Shri Jaiveer Singh, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Prakash P. Hinduja, Trustee, Hinduja Foundation, and Mr. Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman, Hinduja Foundation.

Published in both English and Hindi, the book is India’s first comprehensive and illustrated study of early North Indian coinage, documenting coins dating from 300 BCE to 300 CE. Authored by historian Devendra Handa, the publication features over 850 coins, making it the largest documented assemblage of indigenous coinage from this period in North India.

The book examines coinage from republics, tribes and monarchies that emerged after the Mauryan period, covering regions such as Mathura, Kannauj, Panchal and Kaushambi in the Ganga–Yamuna doab, along with parts of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. Through detailed visuals and commentary, it reflects the religious, cultural and geopolitical context that shaped early Indian society.

Plans are underway to showcase select coins from the collection at the Lucknow Museum, allowing the public to engage closely with this aspect of India’s heritage. The Hinduja Foundation’s numismatic collection today includes over 34,000 historically significant coins, with around 7,000 from North India and nearly 4,200 from Uttar Pradesh alone.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Yogi Adityanath said, “Understanding and preserving history is a national responsibility, and I commend the Hinduja Foundation for this remarkable initiative. The book sheds light on the economic, cultural and political fabric of early North India and highlights the importance of preserving the region's historical heritage for future generations. This book not only chronicles India's heritage but also underscores the enduring contributions of our civilisation to world history, making it an invaluable resource.”

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman, Hinduja Foundation, said, “I extend my sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath ji, for unveiling this important volume and supporting the plan for public display of these coins at the museum in Lucknow. With a legacy rooted in India, the Hinduja family has always seen itself as a custodian of the country’s cultural and civilisational heritage.”

Mr. Raman Kalyanakrishnan, CEO, Hinduja Foundation, added, “This publication marks an important step in introducing a significant part of North India’s glorious heritage to the public. By showcasing these coins, we enable scholars, students and the wider public to engage with India’s early civilisations first-hand.”

The book showcases a wide variety of coin shapes, metals and symbols, including early depictions of deities such as Kārttikeya, Śiva and Lakṣmī, as well as temples and cultural motifs. Drawing on archaeological findings and the Foundation’s collection, it demonstrates how coins provide insights into trade, governance, religion and everyday life in ancient India.

With this publication, the Hinduja Foundation reinforces its commitment to preserving India’s heritage, promoting scholarship, and ensuring that the country’s cultural legacy is documented and passed on to future generations.


FIFA World Cup 2026: Paraguay Stuns Germany as Late-Night Food Orders Rise in India

FIFA World Cup 2026: Paraguay Stuns Germany as Late-Night Food Orders Rise in India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 1, 2026

Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup 2026 history by defeating four-time champions Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the Round of 32 clash ended 1-1 following 120 minutes of play.

The victory marks Paraguay's biggest-ever World Cup triumph. The South American side, which last reached the quarter-finals in 2010 and had not qualified for the tournament since, booked its place in the Round of 16 with a memorable performance.

Paraguay took the lead late in the first half through a header from Julio Enciso, before Kai Havertz equalised for Germany in the 52nd minute. The match remained level through extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. Jose Canale converted the first sudden-death penalty, while goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves to seal Paraguay's historic victory.

In another Round of 32 fixture, Brazil edged past Japan with a 2-1 victory to progress to the next stage. Morocco also booked its place in the Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

While football fans continue to enjoy thrilling knockout action, the tournament is also influencing late-night food habits in India. With FIFA World Cup matches being played at 12.30 am, 3.30 am and 6.30 am IST, food delivery platforms and restaurant chains have witnessed a rise in overnight orders.

According to data shared by Swiggy Food Marketplace, nearly half of all late-night food orders placed between 11 pm and 3 am during June 11 to June 24 were made between 11 pm and midnight, making it the busiest hour for deliveries on match nights.

Football fans largely preferred comfort food, with pizzas, burgers, fries and beverages topping the order list. The most popular items included Pepper Barbecue Chicken Pizza Mania, Crispy Chicken Burger Peri Peri Meal, Crispy Veg Burger Peri Peri Meal and Garlic Breadsticks.

Among metro cities, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai recorded the highest number of late-night football-related orders, while Surat, Thiruvananthapuram and Patna emerged as the leading cities among India's growing markets.


Aditya Birla Housing Finance Expands Delhi Presence with Shahdara Branch

Aditya Birla Housing Finance Expands Delhi Presence with Shahdara Branch

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, has expanded its presence in New Delhi with the launch of a new branch in Shahdara. With this addition, the company now operates four branches in the capital, strengthening its distribution network in one of India’s key housing finance markets.

Shahdara, a well-connected and steadily developing residential locality, continues to witness consistent housing demand supported by strong metro and rail connectivity and proximity to key commercial hubs across Delhi and the NCR region. ABHFL’s new branch aims to improve accessibility to tailored housing finance solutions for homebuyers in the area.

The company offers a wide range of housing finance products including affordable housing loans, prime housing loans, construction finance, and loans against property. These services cater to salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, and emerging income groups, supported by a digital-first onboarding system that enables faster approvals and improved transparency.

To mark the launch, ABHFL has introduced a limited-period offer featuring zero login fees along with spot loan sanctions of up to ₹50 lakh. The offer is valid from June 24 to June 30, 2026, and is designed to encourage quicker and more affordable access to home financing.

Speaking on the expansion, Pankaj Gadgil, MD & CEO of Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited, said that New Delhi remains a key growth market for the company. He added that ABHFL is focused on deepening customer engagement by combining its expanding physical presence with strong digital capabilities to simplify the home loan journey.

The expansion aligns with ABHFL’s broader strategy of strengthening its retail lending portfolio while promoting financial inclusion and delivering a smoother, customer-centric “Happy Home Loan Journey” for borrowers across India.


Ginger Strengthens Presence with New Hotels in Siwan and Agra

Ginger Strengthens Presence with New Hotels in Siwan and Agra

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 30, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has expanded the footprint of its Ginger brand with the opening of Ginger Siwan, Chapra Road in Bihar and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road in Agra.

Commenting on the expansion, Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – Hotel Openings & New Businesses, IHCL, said, "With the launch of Ginger hotels in Siwan and Agra, Ginger continues to strengthen its presence across India’s commercial and cultural cities. Siwan is rapidly emerging as a center for trade and commerce in Bihar, while Agra remains one of the country’s most iconic tourist destinations with strong demand from both domestic. The openings of Ginger Siwan and Ginger Agra reflect our strategy to expand in high-potential markets."

Located on Fatehabad Road, Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road features 70 keys, offering modern amenities and cityscape views. Guests can dine at Qmin, Ginger's signature in-house restaurant, which serves a selection of Indian, Mughlai and international cuisine. The hotel also includes a bar, providing a space for guests to relax and socialise.

In Bihar, Ginger Siwan, Chapra Road offers 30 keys designed for convenience, comfort and hassle-free stays. The hotel also features Qmin, the brand's all-day dining restaurant, serving a mix of local favourites and international dishes.

Both Ginger Siwan and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road are equipped with banquet halls and meeting venues, making them suitable for corporate events as well as social gatherings.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.