Bengaluru March 26, 2014: The global investment firm, The Xander Group Inc., has hired Rajeev Radhakrishnan as Chief Financial Officer of Xander Finance, their fast growing Indian NBFC.  Prior to joining Xander Finance, Rajeev worked at Goldman Sachs for 8 years and held various roles in Bangalore, New York, and Mumbai, the last as India Treasurer and Executive Director. As Treasurer, he was responsible for managing capital, liquidity, funding and banking relationships for Goldman Sachs across its businesses in India.  Earlier he also held the role of Controller for broker dealer, NBFC and investment banking entities of Goldman Sachs in India. A Chartered Accountant by training, he took a degree in Commerce from St. Xavier’s College Kolkata. Commenting on the appointment, Amar Merani, Chief Executive Officer of Xander Finance, said, “We are pleased to have Rajeev join Xander Finance at this exciting time for the firm.   We believe that he will enhance our team’s ability to deliv

Gladrags Little Miss and Master India Mumbai pageant finale during the C N Wadia Gold Cup   Mumbai, March 3, 2014: This weekend, its family time with a lot of fun, frolic and fashion topped up with a multi-million horses’ race at the Mahalaxmi Race Course! The highly prestigious C N Wadia Gold Cup Race will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, March 9, 2014 at the Mahalaxmi Race Course along with the glamorous Gladrags Mrs. India Mumbai pageant and the endearing Gladrags Little Miss and Master India Mumbai pageant & fancy dress. Coming on the heels of the International Women’s Day, the C N Wadia Race Day will also be a day of high voltage glamour thanks to Mrs. Maureen Wadia, who is also dedicating the day to married women, families and children. The original style icon, who has launched a thousand glamorous faces including Aishwarya Rai, John Abraham, Lisa Ray and Dino Morea amongst others, is hosting the one-of-its-kind Gladrags Mrs. India Mumbai pageant at the Mahalaxmi

Students from renowned institutes from Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Gandhinagar & Bangalore win scholarships worth Rs. 15 lakh Chintamani’s, Titan, Malabar, Anmol, Abaran, PC Chandra amongst winners Regional jewellery firms also shine: Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers Ltd. (New Delhi) wins 3 awards; Hariprasad Gopi Krishna Saraf Pvt. Ltd. (Gorakhpur) & Hazoorilal & Sons Jewellers Pvt Ltd. (New Delhi) win 2 awards each The winners from Mumbai are as follows: Best Platinum Jewellery Design Of The Year - Uni-Design Jewellery Pvt. Ltd.; Best C Z Jewellery Design Of The Year -Dm3 Gems Pvt. Ltd.; Unique Jewellery Design Of The Year -Anmol Jewellers; Paramparik Jewellery of The Year (West) - H.K Jewels Pvt. Ltd.; and Best Diamond Jewellery Of The Year- Bridal - Tikamdas Motiram Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. Anmol Ratna Award to Mr. Arun Kaigaokar of Chintamani's; Yuva Ratna Award to Mr. Mohit Kamboj of India Bullion

GJF seeks immediate abolition of 80:20 formula for gold import; & reduction of gold import duties to 2% GJF expresses disappointment at Government’s complete ignorance of the G&J industry, which had a size of Rs. 400,000 crore (in 2013) & employs over 2 crore people     GJF demands that gold should not be single handedly held responsible for CAD GJF urges Government to discourage smuggling of gold by bringing in right policies New Delhi, February 26, 2014: The All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF), the national trade federation for the promotion and growth of trade in Gems and Jewellery (G&J) Industry across India, and all major G&J Trade Associations, has demanded an immediate end to the Gold Control Raj and abolition of the 80:20 formula for gold import introduced by the Government in July 2013. GJF has also demanded a reduction in gold import duties 2% from 10%.   Mr Haresh Soni, Chairman, GJF GJF and all major

Street Art Inspired by Bollywood, Urbanisation & Environment Enhances Surat's Cultural Scene from February 22nd-March 23rd 2014 Monday, February 24, 2014: Virtuous Retail, India's largest institutionally owned developer-operator of lifestyle shopping centers, is delighted to announce opening of the 2 nd edition of Dumas Art Project 2014 at VR Surat with over 15 artists and curated art works across key themes such as environment, urbanisation and pop culture.  In keeping with Virtuous Retail’s commitment to championing public art their VR branded Flagship Centers, the festival provides a platform to emerging artists with art installations on display from February 22 to March 23rd, 2014. Dumas Art Project also marks the Phase III launch of VR Surat, which will celebrate the tourism potential of the city through a campaign titled “Chalo Surat!”. Promoted, hosted and organised by VR Surat, the inaugural Flagship Retail Center from the Virtuous Retail portfolio

By Aryan Rana Mumbai, February 21, 2014 – Asia Retail Congress, Asia’s most important global platform to promote world-class retail practices, honored Paresh Mishra, Director – Operations, Western Region, Virtuous Retail, as one of the 50 Most Talented Retail Professionals in India. Mishra, who has over 23 years of experience in retail and hospitality, joined Virtuous Retail in July 2013. He covers managerial, commercial, marketing and compliance functions for VR Centers under his helm, and is responsible for the operations of all VR Centers in Western India with direct responsibility of Virtuous Retail’s community oriented lifestyle destination, VR Surat. Anupam Yog, Director – Marketing, Virtuous Retail said “We are delighted and proud of Paresh’s accomplishment and are sure he will continue with even more successes. His specific experience in hospitality and retail real estate gives him a unique perspective to steer VR Centers, which are designed as community orie

A Three-Day Campaign of Celebrations to share with your Loved Ones February 14th - 16th 2014 February 13, 2014 – At the occasion of Valentine's Day, VR Surat intends to show some love to its visitors with a set of memorable experiences. From February 14th to 16th, VR Surat will host a 3-day long campaign called ‘Love Blossoms’ that includes non-stop celebrations for you, your parents and siblings this Valentine. Love is in the air this spring with special activities organized for all members of the family at Gujarat’s only world-class community centric lifestyle destination. The Runway and other select venues at the center will be the hub of fun and bonhomie with events such as Instant Photography and Say it with Flowers - Message Tree on the 2 nd floor of the Center. In a dedicated area, shoppers participating in Instant Photography will be able to capture memorable moments with their loved ones and share them on social media, or take a print as a keepsake fo

Leading jewellery brand PC Jeweller Limited (PCJ) has announced its October-December quarter results for the financial year 2013-2014. The company reported a net profit of Rs 79.98 crore for the third quarter of FY2014 whereas the net sales stood at Rs 1297.95 crore.   The topline of the company comprised of a domestic turnover of Rs 1033.96 crore and export turnover of Rs 263.99 crore. The company’s profit before finance costs and exceptional items was reported as Rs 152.72 crore for Q3 FY2014 and the EPS for the quarter was Rs 4.47. For the nine-months comrising April – December, the company reported a net profit of Rs 272.74 crore whereas the net sales stood at Rs 3788.68 crore for 9MFY2014.   For the same nine-months period, the topline of the company comprised of a domestic turnover of Rs 2898.5 crore and export turnover of Rs 890.15 crore. The company’s profit before finance costs and exceptional items was reported as Rs 454.90 crore for 9M FY2014 and the EPS was R

Everest Spices signs MOU with Zanzibar to set up spices manufacturing unit in Africa Mumbai, February 10, 2014: Everest Spices, India’s leading spice manufacturer, distributor and marketer, signed an MOU with Zanzibar to set up its first overseas spices manufacturing unit in the African country. The MOU was signed on the occasion of the visit of His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein, President of Zanzibar & Chairman of the Revolutionary Council (Zanzibar), visited the ultra modern Manufacturing facility of Everest Spices (makers of Everest Masala), a leading manufacturer and distributor of spices in Mumbai. He was given a warm reception on his arrival by Mr. Vadilal Shah, Chairman together with Mr. Sanjeev Shah & Mr. Rajeev Shah, Executive Directors, Everest Spices. His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein, President of Zanzibar & Chairman of the Revolutionary Council (Zanzibar), said, “This is my second visit to India and we, in Zanzibar & Tanzania have been

Partners blueFROG and Unveils “Whitefield Blues” Musical Festival Virtuous Retail, India's largest institutionally owned developer-operator of lifestyle shopping centers, announced the Brand Launch of its Flagship Retail Center VR Bangalore at a gala event held at the Retail Leadership Summit . Following the successful launch of VR Surat in May 2013 which also saw the debut of Zara in Gujarat, VR Bangalore is the second retail lifestyle destination in a series of developments under the Virtuous Retail umbrella in key locations across India’s top cities including Chennai, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata. On the occasion of the Brand Launch, Virtuous Retail announced its partnership with blueFROG , India’s premiere live music performance club which will open doors at VR Bangalore, and will be a part of an exclusive collection of luxury and super-premium retail, entertainment and F&B brands. As part of Virtuous Retail’s 'Connecting Communities' programme, VR Bangalore