India’s leading insurance grievance redressal platform, Insurance Samadhan, has released its Q2 2025 Trends Report, which revealed a 45% increase in complaints registered through its platform. The report analysed 4,004 cases involving claims totalling INR 75.4 crore, which suggests more customers are turning to grievance redressal platforms to seek justice. The number of disputes filed on the platform increased from 684 in Q1 to 974 in Q2, while the value of contested claims rose from INR 83.5 crore to over INR 119.5 crore, showing a growth of 43.10%.
On a YoY basis, the company received 11.2% more complaints on mis-selling compared to Q2 2024, and the value of disputed claims rose by nearly 10%. Health insurance had the largest share of grievances at 67.5% of cases, followed by life insurance at 25.5% and general insurance at 6.9%. Endowment policies were identified as the most mis-sold product category, which exposed policyholders to penalties, reduced returns, and capital erosion. The 31 to 40 years age group was the most active in seeking redressal, while Uttar Pradesh had the highest share of grievances at 16%. These findings reveal consumer vulnerabilities but also show how tools like the Polifyx app are empowering policyholders to check their policy through the ‘Know Your Policy’ feature, flag mis-selling, and file complaints quickly.
Looking at the growing confidence of policyholders, Shilpa Arora, Co-founder & COO, Insurance Samadhan said, “It shows that policyholders, especially the younger generations, are willing to stand up for their rights, knowing there is a platform like Polifyx to rely on. This motivates us to work harder to protect consumer interest and restore faith in the USD 145.80 billion insurance industry.”
This insight comes at a time when instances of mis-selling are on the rise due to the lure of commissions and pressure on agents to sell insurance products to meet their targets. In 2022-23, 20% of all complaints IRDAI received against life insurers were about mis-selling. Of these, half of the complaints against private insurers involved unfair business practices, such as deceptive sales tactics. This industry-wide trend has amplified the need for platforms like Bima Bharosha and the Polifyx app to safeguard policyholders’ interests. Through its Q2 2025 report, the grievance redressal platform seeks to raise awareness about the role of digital tools in resolving complaints and simplifying insurance policies.
About Insurance Samadhan
Insurance Samadhan is India’s leading insurance grievance redressal platform dedicated to protecting policyholders’ rights and enhancing transparency in the insurance sector. Since its inception in 2019, Insurance Samadhan has successfully resolved over 20,000 customer grievances and recovered claims for customers worth more than INR 220 crore. The company leverages innovative solutions like its Polifyx app to simplify and accelerate grievance filing and resolution, especially for non-tech-savvy users. Insurance Samadhan acts as a trusted advocate for policyholders, promoting fair practices and timely claim settlements in the Indian insurance industry while supporting India’s goal of ‘Insurance for All by 2047.’
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have partnered strategically to support the Indian Air Force’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) development.
The consortium intends to respond to the Government of India’s (GoI) Aeronautical Development Agency’s notice of expression of interest within the next few weeks. In order to jointly contribute to India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the alliance will make use of BEL’s experience in defence electronics and systems and L&T’s proficiency in creating strategic defence and aerospace platforms.
In keeping with the GoI’s goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, the partnership represents a critical turning point in the development of India’s defence capabilities. According to a statement from L&T, the alliance aims to provide a state-of-the-art, superior solution by fusing the strengths of the two top defence technology suppliers.
L&T and BEL Playing Strong on Defence Indigenisation
L&T and BEL had already contributed significantly to India’s domestic Light Combat Aircraft programme by creating mission-critical avionics and electronic systems and supplying significant aerostructure modules.
The consortium will build on this history by contributing demonstrated knowledge and a dedication to providing the Indian Air Force with top-notch defence and aerospace platforms on schedule.
The cooperation with BEL represents a major step forward in L&T’s dedication to modernising India’s defence capabilities, according to remarks made by S N Subrahmanyan, chairman and managing director of L&T. It is a privilege for L&T and BEL to collaborate on providing the Indian Air Force with cutting-edge technologies. As leaders in their fields, the two organisations’ combined efforts will be vital to strengthening national security and promoting defence technology self-reliance.
India’s expanding defensive technology capabilities are exemplified by the AMCA project. In order to achieve this goal, BEL’s partnership with L&T is essential.
Manoj Jain, the chairman and managing director of BEL, went on to explain that working with L&T is an essential step in achieving this goal. With BEL’s defensive electronics experience and L&T’s engineering and systems integration skills, the companies are sure to provide the Indian Air Force with a top-notch solution that will last for many years.
Quick
Shots
•The consortium will respond to ADA’s
Expression of Interest (EoI) in the coming weeks.
•Collaboration leverages BEL’s
expertise in defence electronics and L&T’s strength in aerospace and
strategic defence platforms.
•Partnership aligns with the
‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision for defence indigenisation.
•Both companies have previously
contributed to India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.
•The alliance aims to deliver
advanced, high-quality solutions to the Indian Air Force on time.
Going back and forth from WhatsApp to Google Translate when someone sends a message in a different language? Not any more. On Tuesday (September 23, 2025), WhatsApp released a new language translator update inside the app itself. According to Thunderbit, about 2.3 billion (daily active users) worldwide use WhatsApp. For personal and work purposes, messages are shared in different languages. So, the work of copy-pasting after this feature is now zero. Well, many wonder how many languages are available and how efficient the new feature is. Can it also work on group chats and forums? And how can one enable it? For all that, learn more.
Official annoucement of “Message Translations” on WhatsApp
What Is This New Translator Feature?
The new translator feature on WhatsApp allows you to translate messages in real-time directly within the app. The translation is done without leaving the app and takes seconds.
It works in:
Personal chats
Groups chats
Channel updates
Especially for Android users, there’s an option to make translations done automatically. So, instead of manually doing it for every message.
How to Use It (Step by Step)
Update WhatsApp
First things first, open the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iPhone).
Install or update WhatsApp to see the new feature (because the feature is only available on the updated version).
Find a Message in Another Language
Open a message (from a chat, group, or channel) that is in a different language.
Long-press the message, so the options menu pops up.
Tap “Translate”
Then select the “Translate” option from the menu.
WhatsApp will quickly show you the translated version of the message selected.
Choose Your Language
Or if you like the selected message to be translated to a different language, you can do that too.
For that, WhatsApp can ask you to download a language pack, and you’ll have to do that. Now, if you think it is an extra step, note that the pack helps you translate work faster even when you are offline.
Enable Automatic Translation (Android Only)
Once you translate a message you like, you’ll also see an option: “Automatic translation for this chat.”
Keep this option turned on, so that every message you receive in that chat will be automatically translated.
Repeat as Needed
In case you don’t want to turn “Automatic translation for this chat” on, you can long-press and translate each new message manually.
Where Is This Available?
WhatsApp has this feature rolling out to all users, so the availability is for everyone.
The feature is already live in these countries:
India
U.S.
U.K.
Canada
Australia
Brazil
France
Germany
Spain
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
What Languages Does It Support?
The feature is multilingual, so it supports a big list of languages, including:
Major world languages: English (different regions), Spanish (Latin America, Spain, U.S.), Portuguese (Brazil & Portugal), Arabic, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), French, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, and many more (about 50+).
Privacy Note
Many fear privacy every time a new feature is out. For this feature in particular, Translations happen on the app itself.
So, the end-to-end encryption will secure your data, meaning WhatsApp or Meta cannot see the messages you are translating.
Extra Details
On the launch date (September 23, 2025), the feature was available:
Android supports translations in 6 languages to start with.
This article has been contributed by Mr. Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Brawn Globus
Civil engineering has long been seen as the backbone of physical infrastructure. Roads, bridges, buildings, and dams have historically defined the profession. But in today’s dynamic business environment, civil engineers are playing a far greater role than just constructing structures. They are becoming catalysts of business transformation, shaping workplaces, influencing sustainability practices, driving innovation, and enabling organizations to thrive in a competitive marketplace.
As Managing Director of Brawn Globus, a company dedicated to delivering world-class interior fit-out solutions, I have had the privilege of working closely with civil engineers and witnessing this remarkable shift. What was once a discipline purely defined by technical execution has evolved into one that blends engineering with strategy, sustainability, and design thinking.
Civil Engineers in the Interior Fit-Out Industry
The role of civil engineers is particularly critical in interior fit-outs, a sector where aesthetics meet function, and vision meets execution. I believe fit outs are not just about designing visually appealing spaces. They are about creating ecosystems that drive productivity, innovation, and employee well-being.
Civil engineers ensure that the creative vision of architects and designers is translated into structures that are safe, practical, and long-lasting. For example:
When designing a flexible office for a tech giant, civil engineers work to ensure modularity in structures, allowing spaces to adapt as teams grow.
In Corporate fitouts, they play a vital role in ensuring compliance with safety codes while delivering employee-friendly environments.
For financial service firms, engineers integrate acoustic control, fire safety, and energy efficiency, all while maintaining premium aesthetics.
Without their expertise, it would be impossible to transform corporate aspirations into functional realities.
Civil Engineers Beyond Bricks and Mortar
The traditional image of a civil engineer is someone working on construction sites, calculating loads, supervising foundations, and ensuring structural stability. While these responsibilities remain critical, the role today extends well beyond the physical. Businesses no longer view infrastructure as static assets; they view them as enablers of productivity, culture, and growth.
For instance, when a global corporation sets up its Indian headquarters, it isn’t simply looking for an office building. It seeks a workplace that reflects its culture, attracts top talent, integrates sustainable practices, and supports digital transformation. Here, civil engineers step in as problem-solvers who align physical spaces with strategic goals.
In our organistion, we have partnered with civil engineers to transform client expectations into tangible realities, delivering agile workspaces for technology leaders, sustainable campuses for multinational giants, and modern, collaborative offices for Indian enterprises. Their contribution lies in understanding that success is no longer about “building structures” but about building experiences.
Civil engineers today contribute value in three key dimensions:
Technical Expertise Meets Business Insight: Their core strength lies in technical mastery- structural integrity, material knowledge, and execution. But beyond that, they understand the pulse of businesses, ensuring that projects are cost-effective, sustainable, and aligned with long-term goals.
Sustainability and Green Practices: With the global shift towards ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, civil engineers are at the forefront of designing spaces that minimize environmental impact. From energy-efficient lighting systems to materials with lower carbon footprints, they bring sustainable practices into everyday construction and fit-out.
Innovation Through Technology: The adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital project management, and advanced simulation tools has redefined how projects are planned and delivered. Civil engineers leverage these technologies to anticipate challenges, reduce errors, and deliver spaces that are more efficient and future ready.
Shaping India’s Growth Story
India is on the cusp of unprecedented growth, with rapid urbanization, global investments, and digital transformation driving demand for new-age infrastructure. Civil engineers are not only building cities but also shaping businesses that will define India’s economic future.
Consider the workplace revolution post-pandemic. Businesses are rethinking office design, moving towards hybrid models, employee-centric layouts, and sustainability-driven campuses. Civil engineers are central to this transformation, helping companies reimagine their spaces for collaboration, innovation, and efficiency.
At Brawn Globus, we are proud to partner with engineers who embrace this responsibility. From delivering LEED-certified green projects to creating innovative work environments for Fortune 500 companies, our collaborations have shown that civil engineers are no longer confined to the periphery of projects, they are at the heart of strategic decision-making.
The Road Ahead: From Structures to Strategies
Future of Civil Engineering
As the business landscape evolves, civil engineers will continue to redefine their contribution. Their future role will be characterized by:
Sustainability Leadership : Driving carbon-neutral projects and eco-friendly innovations.
Technology Integration : Using AI, IoT, and digital twins to design smarter spaces.
Holistic Impact : Moving from a project-based mindset to a strategic partnership with businesses.
I firmly believe that the future of workplace and interior design will be written in collaboration with civil engineers who understand both construction and commerce. Their ability to balance technical rigor with business insight makes them invaluable to shaping the India of tomorrow.
Civil engineers are no longer just builders of infrastructure; they are builders of possibilities. They are helping businesses grow, adapt, and thrive by aligning physical spaces with strategic vision. As India continues its growth journey, their role will only become more influential impacting not just how we construct, but how we compete, collaborate, and innovate.
This article has been contributed by Mr. Ankit Chadha, Managing Director, TRC Consulting.
A global talent pool, access to broader markets and supply chains, and an endless array of opportunities for innovation characterise globalisation. However, every order comes with a disorder. While participation in global markets and the internationalisation of trade practices have become a critical engine for business and national growth and development, encountering geopolitical risks and uncertainties has been a constant challenge for three centuries.
Today, businesses are accumulating shockwaves and headwinds grounded in geopolitical risks like the rise of new global powers, galloping resource competition, populism, civil wars or military unrest, US-China trade wars, cyber-attacks and climate change. European energy security has been affected negatively by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and trade protectionism has led to trade policy uncertainty in many economies. Additionally, climate change is disrupting the world order further, with mass migration and food uncertainty leading to intensification of the existing resource competition between countries.
For businesses, these pose unique challenges to market entry and financial sustainability that become a test of their resilience and leadership management and, at the same time, bring a host of opportunities. There are many ways in which businesses can continue to grow in upended global supply chains, labour instability, refugee crises and state-sponsored cyberattacks.
Geopolitical Uncertainties and Building Market Strategies
Global economic integration is irreversible. Business and profit-making do not recognise international borders but only mutually beneficial cooperation to establish a connection. Compliance alignment, such as diversification of supply chain, building robust governance, making contingency plans and geopolitical risk mitigation strategies, can be adopted by businesses interested in cross-border economics to overcome the challenges posed by geopolitical risks.
Tariff Smart Supply Chain: Rerouting and Exploring New Markets
With the US-China trade war in full swing and the imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian exports by the US, there have been several operational delays and economic losses for businesses. Geopolitical military conflicts also disrupt trade practices in many regions. However, this creates an opportunity for Indian businesses to reflect on their dependence on one source of income. This could mean rerouting traditional supply chains, broadening customer bases and expanding sources of investment capital, as well as diversifying supplier bases to intercept single-point-of-failure risks.
Creating a smart supply chain also involves onshoring, nearshoring and friend-shoring.
Onshoring: Relocation of manufacturing in India or diversifying avenues of sourcing raw materials reduces the risks posed by global logistics dependence and enhances quality and compliance.
Nearshoring: Exploring supply chains in neighbouring countries or the Asia Pacific, like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Taiwan, can ensure timely production and prevent operational delays caused by volatility.
Friendshoring: Businesses should take into account India’s political and diplomatic ties with nations before aligning operations in foreign markets. For instance, India’s diplomatic ties with numerous African countries are favourable for Indian businesses to expand and thrive.
Overall, to bring more agility and resilience, companies should also prepare themselves for sudden export bans or unexpected climatic conditions that can disrupt global channels. “What if drills” or scenario planning workshops with managers and key decision makers, as well as stocking up inventories, can be effective strategies to streamline marketing.
Using Technology to build Resilience
Leverage Business Technology for Business Success
Today, business leaders who are able to leverage technologies like global trade management (GTM) systems, transportation management systems (TMS) and control tower platforms to eliminate losses due to unnoticed inefficiencies, automate FTA validation and coordinate compliance alongside sourcing and logistics will not only survive but also thrive. Companies are also using digital tools to track US tariffs, validate free trade zones and redesign routeing and fulfilment processes. Additionally, technology can be leveraged to create a fail-proof risk mitigation strategy and for advanced predictive analysis for identifying potential geopolitical disruptions, including cyber threats and climatic calamities.
Taping the Potential of Protectionism
Governments have realised the importance of having a resilient economy which is characterised by having domestic manufacturing. Therefore, they are offering businesses a great opportunity to set up domestic operations and manufacturing with the support of tax benefits and subsidies. Many foreign brands took advantage of this to maximise their profits despite traffic impositions in India. Indian businesses can learn from them to explore opportunities and collaborate with local businesses in target countries to gain the trust of buyers by building social capital locally.
Comprehensive Auditing for Mergers and Acquisitions
The M&A market is significantly affected by volatility in government trade policies. Thus, recent times have seen a shifting trend in M&A, wherein businesses are focusing on in-market consolidation since cross-border corporations face several threats. This is to say, businesses realise that geopolitical tensions are always going to persist but it doesn’t mean a halt on growth. Another way to manoeuvre through this is robust due diligence and using AI to find opportunities for lucrative deals.
Sustainable Practices to Overcome Climatic Challenges
Several conflicts in Europe and the Middle East are driving the cost of energy. This affects business operations, market demand and product costs, which disrupts marketing significantly. However, the solution to this is simple and beneficial for the environment. India is the 3rd largest producer of solar energy and ranks 4th in the world in renewable energy production. Businesses can leverage the huge potential of India’s renewable energy market and reduce their reliance on imported fossil fuels. Moreover, offering sustainable and green solutions in their products and services can significantly boost their sales. They can keep track of countries that offer tax benefits on green products to maximise their profits.
Key Takeaway
Not long ago, we lived in a world ruled by two superpowers, America and Russia. However, China is emerging as a new world leader with a huge influence over key manufacturing sources and raw materials. At the same time, Japan is emerging as a leader in technology and India is growing its influence in the Global South. Free trade agreements, which were an essential part of the neoliberal economy, are now evolving and rapidly changing with the changing leadership of countries, and misinformation is spreading like wildfire, further upsetting businesses globally. With trade protectionism to grow domestic markets and multilateralism gaining popularity, many might think deglobalisation is underway.
However, while geopolitical challenges of the 21st century are plenty and overwhelming for businesses, they have a history as old as the society, and great business empires have established themselves amid them through integrating geopolitical risk frameworks in their business proactively (not just as a reaction). All it takes is an able leadership that understands the importance of building resilient market strategies like secure supply chains, multiple channels of sourcing and a tariff-aware marketing design.
This article has been contributed by Hadi Pirzada, Complex Director of Sales and Marketing at AL Habtoor
As mega hotel developments continue to grow, so does their impact on which cities will market what elements of the tourism sector. With luxurious, high-end properties dominating the travel landscape, hotels have begun rethinking what it means to be an accommodation, as they consider themselves ‘properties’ that can drive consumer interest on their own accord. Contemporary hotels utilize technology, offer elevated service levels, and provide innovative experiences which recast the expectations of a hotel stay, forcing existing properties to improve and offer more to their customers.
While providing luxury places to stay is their obvious contribution, these mega hotels also provide an impact to the local economy, provide sustainable employment on a larger scale, and provide versatility for a city with travel options. When a city can host a mega hotel, it upgrades to that city as an international travel destination and differentiates itself by creating new experiences for arriving visitors, says Hadi Pirzada, Complex Director of Sales and Marketing, Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, Dubai.
Hotels as Destinations
In the current global tourism race, cities are now not just selling landmarks they’re selling experiences, and mega hotels are at the forefront of this. Travelers are now also looking for destinations where the hotel itself draws them in and provides luxury, convenience, and culture as well. Like Dubai’s cluster of hotels right near The Burj Khalifa where world-class dining and stunning skyline views convert stays into events, or Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands where iconic architecture coexists with entertainment and convention spaces. These mega hotel developments do not only foster leisure tourism but MICE business, create jobs and impact local economies.
By taking hotels and merging them into self-sufficient experiences, these urban hubs are changing the definition of hospitality by making accommodations destinations themselves, ensuring a plethora of opportunities for tourists to connect with cities in diverse, intimate, experiential, engaging, personal, memorable ways.
The mega hotel project is transforming the way cities position themselves in the global tourism market. Well-conceived hotel clusters that combine prestige hotels, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, and mixed-use onsite developments are an effective way to provide visitors with a seamless, immersive, authentic experience while strengthening the appeal of a city’s brand. Hotel clusters are not only an attraction for lifting leisure visitation in the city’s overall tourism economy but they can attract the MICE sector by providing integrated venues, accommodation, and infrastructure that lowers the barriers for international conferences and exhibitions.
The economic knock-on effects translate into jobs, the start of supplier networks, visitation-related spending. The impact grows exponentially if supported by a sustainable approach, monetization, digitalization, and workforce capabilities, and not only can it improve a city’s competitive positioning, but create an enduring, unique character. Hotels have become a critical part of urban and global identity.
Integrated Hotel Clusters
Mega hotels are changing the landscape of tourism from where do we sleep to why do we travel. These integrated hotel clusters blur the distinction between accommodation and attraction, incorporating luxury suites, shopping boulevards, Bryn top-rated restaurants, casinos, theaters, and convention centers into one integrated property. Take estimates of Macau’s Cotai Strip, which arose from a sleepy coast saturated by The Venetian and City of Dreams, the fastest rising global entertainment destination. In Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa are intermingled with hotels, Universal Studios, aquariums, and integrated resorts.
Las Vegas perfected this model decades prior, comparing with Hainan’s Sanya which is emerging as “the Hawaii of the East” with sprawling luxury resorts developments. At Al Habtoor City, three distinct hotels—Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, V Hotel Dubai Curio Collection by Hilton, and Al Habtoor Palace—offer guests exceptional choice and flexibility, with access to diverse dining, wellness, and entertainment options. This synergy creates a vibrant, self-sustaining environment that meets a variety of needs, enhances convenience, and fosters a strong sense of community for both guests and staff.
Traveler Psychology
Traveler’s Psychology Journey
Mega hotel developments are no longer just expressions of architecture; they are psychological experiences that capture the shifting mindset of travelers worldwide. Travel has always focused on the experience of visiting a destination, but today’s travelers need more than luxury; they want an experience that makes them feel personally developed, elevated in status, or engaged with culture. A rooftop infinity pool or gold-leaf lobby might have used to have visual prestige, but more and more travelers are seeking hotels that create intimacy, authenticity, and meaning, such as local food experiences, cultural immersion programs, or wellness experiences based on local customs. Mega-hotels have been able to utilize the psychology of individuality and emotional fulfillment to change cities into experiences. Ultimately, in this transformation, mega-hotels are not competing in cities based on their tallest tower, but rather in their ability to change a hotel stay into a story of self-discovery.
Global Examples
Mega hotel developments are elevating travel and tourism through new dimensions of city competition for visitors’ attention. In Japan, Toranomon Hills symbolizes the future of mixed-use hospitality and is designed to link a luxurious hotel with vibrant cultural and business amenities as an anchor for Tokyo’s global experience. Katara Towers, the national architecture and landmark in Qatar, merges world-class hospitality and architectural storytelling to attract global audiences beyond the world cup.
In the United States, Las Vegas Bellagio or New York’s Hudson Yards show how hotels can stimulate entire hospitality and entertainment systems. These developments do not just develop rooms for rent, but are destinations that act as urban landmarks. Consequently, the competition appears to be less about established capacity and in many ways more about providing a destination within a destination, and ideally, an immersive, aspirational, and globally resonating experience.
Challenges
The notable rise of mega hotel developments is changing the urban tourism landscape, and with this comes new industry problems, solely due to their size. As travelers continue to demand sustainable practices, hyper-personalization, and seamless technology integrated and contactless services, there is an increased emphasis for a hotel to invest in the adoption of AI, IoT-enabled rooms, smart technologies, and contactless services through large-scale investment while they are also continuing to face rising operational costs and labor shortages. Beyond pressures on financial performance lies the management of vast guest data that brings considerable privacy concerns, while also potentially serving as a means of differentiation for the hotel.
Equally, social and environmental responsibilities are important: overtourism is straining local infrastructure; acting as though regulations in different countries will not change is foolish (regulatory uncertainty means constant agility is needed). A city such as Miami, that uses mega properties to compete, will eventually need to balance offering world-class innovation, with ensuring that their hotels are responsible to economic viability, socially responsible, and adaptable to changing global forces. This tension represents the new battleground for global tourist attraction.
The Big Picture
Mega hotel developments are no longer places to stay; they are becoming city-scale strategies to drive global tourism. From Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah to Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, these mega-properties bring hospitality, retail, entertainment, and even cultural interactions in one location. The difference is that cities are no longer largely competing on monuments and museums, they’re competing based on self-contained ecosystems their hotels create. For the audience, this shifts the travel experience from the fractured form of exploration to a curated form of immersion: you can dine, shop, go to global conferences, and enjoy world-class entertainment without leaving a mega hotel complex. The takeaway is obvious – mega hotels may not just be responding to demand; they are redefining how cities advertise themselves by turning city skylines into brands.
Future Outlook
The future of mega hotel developments is about more than size; it’s how they intelligently respond to and adapt to changing traveler expectations. As cities entice travelers and compete for the global tourist dollar, hotels are re-defining opulence and becoming ecosystems of personalization, sustainability, and integration of technology, seamlessly. AI-driven insights and learnings will lead to hyper-personalized stays, from room environment to dining choices, while eco-conscious design aspects like solar energy, reuse of grey water, and locally-sourced materials will be the new definition of luxury in the hospitality sector.
Smart hotels that harness digital keys, IoT-enabled room controls, and virtual concierges will become the standard, while enhancing convenience without infringing on privacy. Perhaps most importantly, while health and safety was, for a time, a reaction to a crisis, it is now an institutionalized trust-building standard. These combined changes will create a new era of hotels that will be seen less as a place to stay, but rather a destination in their own right.
Mega hotel development is no longer simply a place to stay; it also represents a strategic asset that changes the profile of a city internationally. The impacts of a mega hotel will reverberate throughout an economy due to its scale, and its innovative presence will set a precedent for hospitality. Ultimately, cities with mega hotels are not just competing for visitors, they are competing for their identity on the global stage.
Jio BlackRock and Paytm Money, the wealth tech division of the fintech titan Paytm, have partnered to introduce a new AI-powered systematic active equity (SAE) fund for individual investors.
The financial giant said in a statement that Paytm Money will only provide Jio BlackRock flexi cap fund subscriptions. On September 23, the new fund offer will go live, and it will end on October 7. According to a release by Paytm, investors can start with a minimum investment of just INR 500 through a lump sum or systematic investment plan (SIP).
According to a Paytm representative, the company has teamed up with Jio BlackRock to offer its flagship flexi cap SAE fund to Indian retail investors. With the entry barrier reduced to just INR 500, all Indian investors can now access strategies that were previously exclusive to international institutions.
What is systematic active equity (SAE)?
The SAE technique was created by BlackRock, a US-based asset management firm, and uses AI and machine learning to examine big, complicated data sets and produce investment insights for almost 1,000 Indian businesses.
The Jio BlackRock flexi cap fund described before asserts that its indicated total cost ratio is 0.5%. It is anticipated that the cooperation will employ Jio BlackRock’s technical know-how, Paytm’s large user bases, zero-commission strategy, and digital onboarding to attract India’s expanding group of retail investors and establish a foothold in the wealth tech industry.
BlackRock and Jio Financial Services have partnered to form Jio BlackRock Asset Management. The company’s announced plan to launch about a dozen equity and debt funds in India by the end of 2025 includes the most recent NFO.
Jefferies Hiking Paytm’s Price Tag
The news comes just a day after broking company Jefferies increased Paytm’s price target (PT) to INR 1,420, citing fresh prospects for the fintech giant in wealth management and BNPL products.
The fintech powerhouse earned a profit in Q1 FY26, reporting a net profit of INR 122.5 Cr as opposed to a net loss of INR 840.1 Cr in Q1 FY25. This is another reason for the bullishness. During the reviewed quarter, Paytm’s operating revenue increased by 28% to INR 1,918 Cr from INR 1,502 Cr during the same period last year.
A rising top line, increased investments in Paytm Money, and lessened regulatory obstacles are all contributing to the company’s stock price increase. The company’s stock has risen over 33% in the last three months and is up almost 15% so far this year.
Quick
Shots
•NFO open from September 23 to October
7, 2025, with a minimum investment of just INR 500 via lump sum or SIP.
•SAE strategy uses AI and machine
learning to analyze complex data for around 1,000 Indian companies, creating
data-driven investment insights.
•Fund is a flexi cap SAE fund with an
indicated total cost ratio of 0.5%, aimed at making institutional-level
strategies accessible to retail investors.
•The collaboration leverages Jio
BlackRock’s tech expertise and Paytm’s large user base and digital onboarding
to tap India’s growing wealth tech market.
Two significant US firms have promoted executives of Indian descent to their top leadership positions at a time when the country is embroiled in intense controversy over President Donald Trump’s decision to charge a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications.
Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced Rahul Goyal as its incoming CEO, beginning October 1, 2025, while T-Mobile has picked Srinivas “Srini” Gopalan as its next CEO, effective November 1, 2025. In view of growing immigration policy conflicts, their promotion is being closely monitored, underscoring the growing impact of Indian-origin executives in influencing multinational firms in spite of legal and political obstacles.
Who is Srinivas Gopalan?
T-Mobile announced that on November 1, current COO Srini Gopalan will take over as CEO in place of Mike Sievert. Sievert will take up a new position as the company’s vice chairman. Gopalan started his career with Unilever India before moving on to Accenture.
He attended Delhi Public School, RK Puram, and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. Prior to joining T-Mobile as COO in March 2025, he had executive positions at Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, and Capital One and most recently was CEO of Deutsche Telekom Germany.
Known for spearheading digital transformation, 5G expansion, and customer satisfaction, his leadership represents a well-thought-out succession for T-Mobile.
Who is Rahul Goyal?
On October 1, one of the biggest brewing firms in the world, Molson Coors Beverage Company, named Rahul Goyal as its new CEO, replacing Gavin Hattersley.
Since joining the company in 2001, Goyal has advanced through the ranks of senior positions, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer, Global CIO, and CFO in India. He graduated from the University of Mysore with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business with a master’s degree in business.
Goyal, who is based in Chicago, Illinois, is well-positioned to guide the business through changing consumer patterns and growing trade barriers in the US market thanks to his extensive tenure and experience in global strategy and operations.
Why Goyal and Gopalan’s Appointments Creating Waves in US?
These consultations are scheduled at a time when professionals and businesses that depend on highly skilled migration are uneasy over the Trump administration’s contentious $100,000 cost for new H-1B visa applications. Indian IT workers, who comprise the majority of H-1B grantees, are uncertain despite the White House’s clarification that the cost only applies to new applications.
In addition to Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Arvind Krishna, Indian-origin professionals have become essential to US firms, as evidenced by the ascent of executives like Gopalan and Goyal. The hiring of Rahul Goyal and Srinivas Gopalan not only highlights the influence of people of Indian ancestry on a worldwide scale, but it also conveys corporate America’s diversity and resiliency.
Promoting executives with foreign expertise is becoming more and more viewed as a competitive advantage as US businesses adjust to geopolitical and legislative shifts. Their ascent illustrates the ongoing narrative of how, despite increasingly stringent immigration laws, skilled immigration has revolutionised the leadership of leading American companies.
Quick
Shots
•Srinivas “Srini” Gopalan will become
CEO of T-Mobile on November 1, 2025, succeeding Mike Sievert.
•Rahul Goyal will take over as CEO of
Molson Coors Beverage Company on October 1, 2025, replacing Gavin Hattersley.
•Their appointments underline the
increasing global influence of Indian-origin executives in shaping US
corporate strategy.
•Despite tougher immigration policies,
US firms see foreign leadership as a strategic advantage in navigating global
challenges.
Perplexity AI has officially rolled out its Comet AI browser in India, giving Pro users access to an advanced AI-powered browsing experience. The browser, first launched globally in July 2025, is designed to make online tasks faster and smarter. Alongside browsing, the Comet AI Email Tool for Max plan users helps automate email drafting, summarisation, and scheduling. The browser is currently available for Windows and Mac, while Android users can pre-order it on the Google Play Store. iOS support is expected soon. Learn how to download the Perplexity Comet AI browser and use the Comet AI Email tool with this easy step-by-step guide.
How to Download Perplexity Comet AI Browser
For Windows and Mac:
Go to the official Perplexity AI website.
Log in with your Pro account.
Download the installer for Windows or Mac and follow on-screen instructions to install.
For Android:
Open the Google Play Store.
Search for “Perplexity Comet”.
Pre-order the app (official release date will be notified later).
For iOS:
Currently, iOS support is coming soon. Keep an eye on the App Store or Perplexity announcements.
How to Download Perplexity Comet AI Browser
Using the Comet AI Email Tool
The Email Assistant is part of Comet’s AI suite for Max plan users. It can:
Draft and summarise emails automatically.
Convert web pages into email content.
Schedule emails to send at specific times.
Integrate with your workspace for better workflow.
How to use:
Open Comet and click the Email Assistant sidebar.
Give simple text commands like:
“Summarise my inbox.”
“Draft an email for meeting follow-up.”
“Convert this webpage into an email.”
Review and send the draft. The AI helps speed up repetitive tasks.
Cost of Comet AI Browser
The Perplexity Comet AI browser is available through the Perplexity Pro Plan, which is a paid subscription for individuals and provides access to the browser on Windows and Mac devices. For users seeking additional functionality, the Max Plan includes extra features such as the Comet AI Email Assistant. Android and iOS users can pre-order the app, though official pricing and release dates will be announced closer to launch.
The pricing plan of Perplexity is as mentioned below:
Plan / Platform
Details
Pro Plan
$20 per month or $200 per year
Enterprise Pro Plan
$40 per month per seat or $400 per year
Enterprise Max Plan
$325 per month per seat or $3250 per year
Android/iOS pre-orders
Pricing details will follow on launch
Free trials: Occasionally offered through partnerships (e.g., Bharti Airtel provides 1-year complimentary Pro access to millions of users).
The Perplexity Comet AI browser offers a new way to work online, combining traditional browsing with AI-powered productivity tools. Its Email Assistant helps users save time on routine tasks and manage their workflow efficiently. With flexible plans like the Pro and Max subscriptions, and pre-orders available on Android, Comet is set to bring AI-powered convenience to millions of users in India. Keep an eye on the App Store and Google Play Store for updates and launch dates.
The round was led by VC Grid and Rainmatter by Nithin Kamath.
P-TAL generates over 55% of its business from global markets and is actively expanding its presence.
Investments will be directed towards product innovation, technology-led supply chain efficiencies, and empowering artisan communities in India
P-TAL (Punjab Thathera Art Legacy), India’s handcrafted copper, brass, and bronze brand blending heritage with modern lifestyle, has raised USD 3 million in its Series A round to bolster its presence in India and accelerate growth across global markets. The round was led by VC Grid, bringing together a powerful community of family offices and accomplished founders, including Ekamya Ventures, the Salarpuria Group, LNB Group and several other marquee backers and Rainmatter, the fund backed by Nithin Kamath of Zerodha.
Connecticut Innovations, the US-based venture firm, also participated, marking its first investment in an Indian company. The round saw participation from Anicut Capital, Zero Pearl VC, Jaipur Rugs Family Office, Ramakant Sharma (Livspace), Sanjay Kapoor (Genesis Luxury by Reliance), Avnish Anand (Caratlane), Shibam Das (Atomberg), and Dr Ritesh Malik (Innov8).
P-TAL’s exports to the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East account for more than 55% of its total business. The brand now aims to deepen expansion across these regions, driven by growing demand for sustainable, wellness-focused lifestyle products. Over the next three to five years, its international business is projected to contribute over 75% of overall revenue. Investments will be directed towards product innovation, technology-led supply chain efficiencies, and empowering artisan communities in India.
On the funding announcement, Aditya Agrawal, Co-founder and CEO of P-TAL said “This fundraise is not just capital; it means something deeper for us. It’s a partnership with visionary investors, who believe as deeply as we do in the revival of beauty and the benefits of traditional metals like brass, copper and bronze and their place in the global homes and kitchens. We stand at the intersection of timeless heritage and modern utility, and this partnership fuels our mission to take P-TAL from the homes of India’s artisans to households across the world. With this backing, we are poised to scale globally, reimagining what ‘Made in India’ means: craft that carries soul, design that speaks the future, and products that are healthy and last generations. This is just the beginning, and together, we are building a brand that will make India proud on the world stage.”
“P-TAL is a rare blend of purpose and performance — rooted in a strong ethos while charting a disciplined growth trajectory. By reviving a centuries-old craft and empowering artisan communities, the founders are building a brand with global resonance. At VC Grid, we are excited to back founders who combine clarity of vision with deep purpose, and with this growth capital, we believe P•TAL is poised to become both a household name and a global ambassador of Indian craftsmanship and conscious living.” said Vansh Oberoi, Founder & Managing Partner, VC Grid
Speaking on the investment, Nithin Kamath, Founder & CEO, Zerodha said, “P-TAL has built an ecosystem that honours traditional craftsmanship by empowering artisan families. It is remarkable that these artisans have increased their earning potential from about Rs 2,500 to Rs 60,000, with one of them even holding ESOPs in the company. With a majority of the revenue coming from outside India, it is encouraging to see Indian heritage crafts finding their place across the world.”
Building on its growing consumer traction, P-TAL also secured an all-sharks deal on Shark Tank India Season 3. This milestone spotlighted the brand’s vision and reinforced investor confidence in its potential to scale globally. The company’s revenues have climbed from ₹5 crore ARR to ₹50 crore ARR since its previous fundraise, underscoring the brand’s rapid scale-up.
Today, P-TAL serves quality-conscious households and wellness enthusiasts globally, with 60% of international revenue coming from foreign buyers. The company is targeting ₹150 crore ARR within the next twelve months, aiming to cement its position as a profitable, sustainable luxury brand redefining Indian craftsmanship worldwide.
About P-TAL
Launched as a student initiative at Shri Ram College of Commerce by Aditya Agrawal, Kirti Goel, and Gaurav Garg, P-TAL has evolved into a fast-scaling premium lifestyle brand. The company partners with 100+ artisan families, raising their monthly incomes from as little as ₹2,000 to over ₹60,000, while safeguarding a 500-year-old legacy. P-TAL’s flagship stores in Delhi—GK-1 and Vasant Kunj—are complemented by a digital presence on Shopify, Amazon, Instamart, Blinkit, and global marketplaces.
With its philosophy of “Artful Utility”, P-TAL is blending heritage, health, and design to build India’s first truly global heritage and lifestyle brand. Positioned at the intersection of wellness, sustainability, and conscious luxury, the company is primed to tap into a $1 billion premium kitchenware market in India and a $10 billion-plus global opportunity.
Muskaan Kapoor
