Latest news with #RajneeshKumar
Fashion Network
20 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Walmart Vriddhi makes new pledge to MSMEs
Walmart's supplier development initiative, Walmart Vriddhi, has announced a new partnership with the Ideas to Impact Foundation (i2i) to support 100,000 additional micro, small and medium enterprises in India over the next three years. The expanded initiative will leverage Walmart's global supply chain experience and Flipkart's digital commerce ecosystem to help MSMEs scale their businesses nationally and internationally, the business announced in a press release. So far, Walmart Vriddhi has trained more than 70,000 MSMEs, enabling many to achieve around 55% year-on-year growth through personalised mentorship, strategic partnerships and digital tools. 'We are constantly inspired by India's vibrant innovation ecosystem and the growth potential of its MSMEs,' said Jason Fremstad, senior vice president of supplier development at Walmart in a press release. 'As we enter the next phase of Walmart Vriddhi, we're empowering MSMEs with new tools for digital growth, sustainability and export readiness.' The programme also facilitates access to the Walmart Marketplace and Flipkart Marketplace, helping small businesses participate in global and domestic e-commerce. New memorandums of understanding with state governments, including Haryana, are expected to expand outreach. Flipkart Group's Rajneesh Kumar said the partnership reflects an ongoing commitment to making digital commerce more accessible to India's small business community. The programme, launched in 2019, aims to equip entrepreneurs with critical business skills and market access through a free training model.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Kolkata embraces staycations with lighter menus, wellness retreats
With vacations on and long travel plans uncertain, hotels and resorts in and around Kolkata are witnessing a significant surge in demand for staycations. According to the property owners, Kolkatans are seeking refreshing breaks that prioritise relaxation and local exploration without the hassles of distant journeys. Far from being a mere alternative, staying closer to home has become a deliberate choice for many and we speak to the various properties about how they are ensuring a blend of comfort, convenience, and curated experiences for their guests. Summer menus: Light, refreshing and local As the temperature rises, city hotels are ensuring their menus are refreshing. 'We're embracing summer by celebrating the king of fruits – mango. Our specially curated mango menu transforms traditional desserts into refreshing summer treats. From Mango kulfi and Mango shrikhand to Mango cheesecake and Mango gudbad, each dish retains its classic essence while offering a cool respite,' said Glen Dsouza, GM of a south Kolkata hotel. Local escapes register an uptick The staycation trend is booming, with properties noting a significant rise in bookings from locals. 'Our local getaways have seen nearly a 45% increase this month. Seems like people want a quick escape while not travelling too far, and we're happy to provide that here,' says Vinesh Agarwal, owner of Bagan Baithak resort. This demand blends with professional needs, as Rajneesh Kumar, general manager of Novotel Kolkata, explains: 'Staycations offer the perfect opportunity to maintain work-life balance, with guests—families, couples, and solo professionals—seeking a one-stop solution for relaxation purposes and stress-free escapes close to home.' Rakesh Ranjan, vertical head of Ambuja Neotia Hospitality, adds, 'Staycation guests account for about 45% of our total occupancy. ' Wellness-focused staycations see a surge Hotels and resorts are increasingly focussing on holistic experiences with wellness at the heart of their summer offerings. 'Wellness is central to our ethos, with sunrise yoga, Aqua Zumba, spa rituals, energy shots, weekend Fitness Bootcamps, and a social pool hub with mocktails and grills,' says Rajneesh Kumar. This focus aligns with the growing demand for more enriching stays. 'There's been a 30-35% rise in staycations this season, especially on weekends. Guests are seeking hassle-free, nature-close getaways filled with activities—from spa and yoga to kids' programmes. Wellness staycations are now popular,' adds Rajib Roy Choudhury of The Vedic Village. Reimagining traditions Hotels are reimagining comfort food this summer. 'At AltAir, we're serving lighter, seasonal dishes with chilled, yoghurt-based curries, mango-based innovative dishes, seafood biryanis, and fresh mustard-coconut flavours infused in traditional dishes,' says Rakesh Ranjan. Joydeep Das of The Westin Kolkata adds: 'Our summer menus focus on light, refreshing fare with coolers, grills, and chilled desserts. ' Modern guests crave creativity, connection, and peace that help them detaching from their usual routines – Rajneesh Kumar We've partnered with local musicians for live Santoor recitals during breakfast hours – Rakesh Ranjan One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Hathras college principal held for ignoring complaints against prof accused of sexual exploitation
Following the arrest of a senior professor accused of sexually harassing and blackmailing about a dozen female students at PC Bagla Degree College in Hathras in March, principal Mahaveer Singh Chonkar have also been held by the local police for failing to address the complaints by victims, authorities said on Wednesday. Not only the complaints against the accused professor were sidelined, he was even made the chief proctor of college, they said. Hathras superintendent of police (SP) Chiranjeev Nath Sinha said that the action was taken jointly by the Hathras Gate police and Special Operation Group (SOG) in connection with the case already registered against Prof Rajneesh Kumar, who was arrested in March. 'It emerged during investigation that the principal was helping the professor in question by sitting on the complaints from victims and even criminally intimidating them about possible damage to their future. The accused professor, who is the head of geography department, continues to be in jail after being arrested from Prayagraj on March 19, 2025,' Sinha said. 'The victim students remained helpless as college principal Mahaveer Singh Chonkar never acted on the sensitive issue, thus emboldening the accused professor even though he was aware of the video evidence of sexual abuse against the accused,' Sinha said. 'When this case of sexual abuse was brought to his notice in the year 2023, the principal did not care for guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and made a lecturer junior to Prof Rajneesh the chairman of the enquiry committee, which gave him a clean chit,' Sinha said. 'Despite complaints of such serious nature against him, Prof Rajneesh was made the chief proctor and chairman of the discipline committee, the positions he could use to continue to intimidate and exploit the complainants,' the Hathras SP said. 'On the basis of these revelations during investigation, the principal of PC Bagla Degree College was arrested on Tuesday from Hathras under sections 64(2)/68/75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 67 of IT Act,' he added. It may be noted that Prof Rajneesh Kumar was accused of sexually exploiting around a dozen female students for around two decades with impunity. Kumar is also accused of recording and leaking 59 obscene videos online, according to the police. The police said Prof Rajneesh Kumar (59) allegedly installed a special software on his phone and laptop, which helped him record videos in the background. According to the police, he would gift expensive items to female students to gain their trust and then sexually exploit them in his office while also secretly recording intimate moments. The victims remained unaware of the recordings until the same were used later to blackmail them. Even after the students graduated, he allegedly continued to threaten and exploit them, the police said. As per the Hathras SP, the accused professor, a resident of Javra village in Mathura district's Mant tehsil, joined the college as a lecturer in 2001 and became the head of the geography department in 2016. In July 2024, he was appointed as the chief proctor of college. The FIR against him was registered in March after the U.P. State Women Commission received a complaint from an anonymous victim, addressed to the prime minister, Uttar Pradesh chief minister, and other authorities. The complaint contained 12 explicit photos, wherein the accused professor was seen behaving indecently with female students.
