IKEA INDIA TAPS INTO THE NEED FOR HOME DESIGN PLANNING WITH ITS VERY FIRST PLAN" PLAN AND ORDER POINT'IN BENGALURU.

Located in Whitefield in Bengaluru, the new format offers personalized home design,expert planning support and seamless installation services,will serve the growing home design needs of East Bengaluru  residents. IKEA,the world's most loved Swedish Home Furnishings retailer,announces the launch of its very first plan & Order Point (PaOP) in India,at Bengaluru, located at the Essensai 067 Experience centre on Whitefield-Hoskote Road, East Bengaluru.

Ms.Susanne Pulverer, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer,IKEA  India said,' we are beyond excited to launch this new IKEA meeting point format in India.With the new Plan & Order point,we are strengthening our local presence and deepening our understanding how people live at home.This is a strategic step in our continued investment towards scalable,omni channel expansion in the region".

Ms.Pooja Grover, Country Expansion Manager IKEA -India says" Today consumers value convenience & accessibility -even in home planning and design.  They no longer want to travel far to create their dream spaces and neither do they want to go through the hassle of working with multiple partners.Our"Plan & Order Point' has been designed to meet this very need'.

IKEA is currently present across five markets in India with with 3 large format stores in Hyderabad,Navi Mumbai and Bengaluru & one city store in Worli .The Company has Two distribution centres in India -one in Pune and another in Gurgaon.

SLEEPY HEAD EXPANDS ITS FOOTPRINT IN BENGALURU WITH FOUR STORES LAUNCH IN A SINGLE DAY.

SLEEPY HEAD,the modern furniture and sleep solutions brand,has opened  four branches in Bengaluru yesterday in Marathahalli, Dasarahalli,Airport Road & BEL Road. They already have 3 three stores in Bengaluru at Banaswadi, HSR Lay out & Koramangala.To celebrate the mega launch,Sleepy Head,has introduced special "Bangalore Starter Kit'  give away across six  stores.The first 100 customers who walk in with their job offer letters and ID Cards on Saturday, April,26,2025 will receive a free mattress & pillow set along with a keepsake "Bangalore Survival Map" featuring curated recommendations for the best places to eat ,visit and hangout in the city.Additionally,all visitors can enjoy exclusive in-store 50% discounts available across all seven stores in the week end.

Speaking on the occassion,Mr.Sridhar Balakrishnan, Group CEO ,Duroflex.said," our Bangalore expansion-growing from three to seven stores -is a direct response to the overwhelming success of our initial stores. With the new stores, we are thrilled to be reaching our customers across more touch points where people can discover first hand experience how great design makes every day living better".

Speaking on the occasion,Mr. Sudhansu Krishna,Chief Sales Officer,Consumer Business-Duroflex, said," Expanding Sleepy Head's footprint in Bengaluru  is a  strategic move to be closer to the market that truly embodies the spirit of modern home living'.TheSleepy Head's  stores showcases the extensive range of mattresses,smart furniture and cozy furnishings-all crafted to deliver comfort that is as effortless as it is aesthetic.

' MATTER' AERA NOW LAUNCHED IN NAMMA BENGALURU -WORLD'S FIRST MANUFACTURED HYPERSHIFT MANUAL GEAR BOX.

MATTER,India's trailblazing tech innovation company,has officialy launched its flagship electric motor bike  with gear box -the AERA-in Bengaluru.  MATTER Motor Works, an electric mobility start up founded in 2019,in Ahmedabad, is redefining the future of mobility with its ' Innovate in India" approach.Its flagship product AERA, world's first manufactured geared electric motorbike,has been recognised as the "Editor's Choice Electric Motorcycle of the year" by Top Gear India ,alogside prestigeous accolades like "EV Bike of the Tear 2025"by ACKO Drive and "Innovation Start up of the Year" at the Outlook Business Spotlight Awards.

Powered by a team of over 600 innovators,MATTER is at the forefront of cleaner mobility through in-house technology & groundbreaking innovations.With over 350 patent filings & 68 granted patents,spanning powertrain,liquid cooling,battery management,gear box technology,charging infrastructure,and manufacturing automation,MATTER is shaping the evolution of India's EV landscape-driving the nation towards energy independence.

                                           Mr. Mohal Lalbhai,Founder & CEO MATTER riding the bike.

Salient features of the electric motorbike with gears are :

* Weight :168 kgs.

*Top Speed : 105 kms/Hr.

* MATTER Aera is available in 5 Colours.

* AERA takes 6 hours to get fully charged.

* Battery capacity of MATTER Aera is 5 KWH.

* Mileage of MATTER Aera is 172 Kms / Fully charged.

* 17.78 (7") smart Touch screen Dashboard.

* Onboard charger- comes with a 5 amp Compatible cable for easy plug-and Charge access,anywhere.

*Bold,Futuristic design.

* Safety & Comfort: Dual brakes with ABS,telescopic front fork,and dual rear suspension.

* MATTER Mobile App-Complete connectivity with real time bike data,remote lock,geofencing and service alerts.

The MATTER Aera is now available at a Pre -registration showroom price starting from Rs.1.88 lakhs.As a limited time launch offer,the first 500 riders in Bengaluru can own the AERA at a special price starting at Rs.1.79 lakhs,bundled with a free lifetime battery warranty worth Rs.15,000-MATTER's bold nod to its early believers.To bring the brand closer to people,MATTER is set to unveil its first Experience Hub in BTM Lay out -2nd stage near Vysya Bank Colony,100 ft.road,Bengaluru.

8th EDITION OF WHITEFIELD ART COLLECTIVE.

 The Eighth edition of Whitefield Art Collective with the theme " FUTURE IS NOW" was inaugurated on 27th March,2025  at VR Whitefield, Bengaluru. It is supported by the Yuj Foundation Ms.Alison Barrett MBE-Director,India British Council,inaugurated the month long festival..The ceremony commenced with the unveiling of the "Kala Car" an artistic creation by Kalki Subramaniam,a renowned LGBTQ+activist.artist,writer & poet and a traditional lamp lighting.It was followed by a mesmerising veena recital by maestro Rajesh Vaidya and a classical dance performance by the students of Srishti Nritya Kala Kuteera,

The eight Whitefield Art Collective  showcases art installations,sculptures,paintings,Photography and workshops . Collaborators include global organisations such as the UNESCO ,British Council,and the new York based Arts for the Future Festival (powered by the United Nations Civil Society Conference) alongside esteemed institutions like Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath,Bangalore University and Bangalore School of Design.

The Whitefiekd Art Collective has evolved tino a dynamic platform that brings together artistic voices

 from across the world.Various workshops hosted at the centre encourage participants to explore their creative potential,creating an environment that nurtures learning and innovation in the arts. 

IIHM FOUNDER Dr.SUBORNO BOSE LAUNCHES HIS THIRD BOOK "AI IN HOSPITALITY"IN BENGALURU.

Dr.Suborno bose,Founder of International Institute of Hotel Management(IIHM) launched a groundbreaking book titled " Harmonizing human touch and AI in Tourism & Hospitality".This book showcases real world examples of how AI enhances guest satisfaction,sustainability & Operational excellence".This book  will serve as a vital resource  for students ,educators & industry professionals demonstrating how AI can compliment,rather than replace the human essence of hospitality says Dr.Bose while addressing media persons during the launch.

Celebrity Chef Padmashri. Sanjeev Kapoor said "Technology is a tool -it doesn't have a soul. Hospitality professionals must bring the soul while using technology as a support system".Professor David Foskett,Chairman,International Hospitality Council said," AI doesn't eliminate jobs;it enables professionals to deliver better, more personalized guest experiences.IIHM is setting an example by balancing technology and the human touch". 

Dr.Bose has also announced that will be one of the biggest positive disruptors of the industry- the decision to launch NamAIste,IIHM Hospitality GPT-the world's first Generative AI powered knowledge engine for the hospitality industry."The IIHM Hospitality GPT is designed to provide students,faculty hospitality professionals & industry stake holders with real time access to insights,trends,and best practices.The main objective is to provide real time AI powered insights to enhance learning & operational excellence in hospitality & equip students,faculty,& industry professionals with next generation AI' he added. 

SOUTH INDIAN BANK WINS 5 AWARDS ATTHE 20th ANNUAL IBA TECHNOLOGY AWARDS 2024.

 Kerala based,one of the leading private sector banks,South Indian Bank (SIB) was recognised at the 20th edition of  the Annual Banking Technology Awards,2024,organised by the Indian Banks' Association. The awards recognise organisations that have brought in transformational changes in their businesses by adopting modern digital solutions.At a glittering ceremony held  on 24th January,2025,in Mumbai.SIB was declared the winner in the category of " Best Tech Talent & Organisation.Addtionally,SIB received a special mention in the categories of  "Best Digital Sales,Payments & Engagement","Best IT Risk Management" & " Best Fintech & DPI Adoption". Moreover, South Indian Bank was adjudged as "Runners Up" in the " Best Financial Inclusion" category.

Mr.P.R.Seshadri.MD & CEO,South Indian Bank said," These awards underscore our commitment to leveraging technology to enhance customer experience,drive financial inclusion & ensure secure  digital transactions".

FREEDOM HEALTHY COOKING OILS FELICITATE THE WINNERS OF THE BUMPER DRAW OF " GO FOR FREEDOM GOLD OFFER 2024.

Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils,one of the leading brands of edible oils in the country, announced the winners of the Bumper draw of Go For Freedom Gold Offer for Bengaluru. One Lucky winner received a 50 gms Gold Coin while Two winners received a 10 gms Gold coin each. The Kannada film actress Ms.Ashika Ranganath, gave away the awards to the lucky winners.The promotional scheme  "Go For Freedom Gold offer 2024 "was introduced by the Company to engage with the customers during the festive season. 

Mr.P.Chandrashekara Reddy, Senior Vice President,Sales & Marketing,Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd.,said," At Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils,has always been driven by the zeal to look beyond just offering quality & safe products to our consumers through unique promotional schemes like " Go For Freedom Gold Offer 2024" across the geographies we operate in ".