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Start following Kiara Advani’s simple yet powerful morning ritual for glowing skin

Have you ever stopped to marvel at Kiara Advani’s radiant and flawless skin? In the exquisite glamour that is Bollywood, Kiara Advani stands out not just for her acting genius but also for her luminous and healthy skin. Amidst the overwhelming myriad of options surfaced by the beauty industry, this simple yet transformative ritual is not only a fad, but the cornerstone of her radiance.

 

The secret might be simpler than you think. It’s not a gruelling workout or a 10-step skincare routine; it’s a simple cup of warm water, with a slice of lemon in it. Kiara’s morning habit of indulging in warm water infused with the zest of fresh lemons has become a conscious choice rooted in her approach to holistic well-being. The actress recommends this refreshing elixir not only for its skin-enhancing benefits but also for the multiple benefits it has in improving your overall health and vitality.  

 

Hansa Yogendra, Director of The Yoga Institute in one of her videos on the health benefits of lemons mentioned, “Drinking one glass of lemon water every day in the morning will benefit you for a lifetime”.  Her claim can further be supported by a research published in the Journal of Science and Technology which reveals that “It is a healthy appetiser and helps to treat diseases with digestive aids. Lemon does not disclose any adverse effects, according to literature, but it is used all over the world as a traditional medicine”. Vitamin C, which is abundantly present in lemons, fights toxins and increases collagen production in the body, both of which help in treating acne as well as tightening the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. While lemons are famously known for their Vitamin C component, not many people are aware of their Potassium-rich skin, which is an important mineral for nervous stimulation as well as maintaining blood pressure. Here are a few more benefits of adding lemon water to your everyday diet:- 

  • Immediately soothes muscle cramps
  • Peptin in lemons makes us feel fuller, thereby, helping in weight loss
  • Boosts immunity by stimulating the production of White Blood Cells in the body
  • Removal of kidney stones 
  • The lemon peel when infused in water for 30 minutes, activates its bioactive compounds which boost immunity and prevent our bodies from cellular damage
  • It also helps in the release of digestive enzymes which help in better absorption of nutrients

 

This simple kitchen hack has proudly made its way into the celebrity wellness circuit. Not only Kiara Advani but also Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon, and Malaika Arora have this one drink in common at the break of dawn.

Here are 3 ways, you can incorporate the lemon water glow into your morning routine:- 

  1. Warm ginger lemon tea- Boil a glass of water with crushed ginger. When its done, squeeze a lemon into your glass and have it warm. To enjoy it in place of your morning tea, you may add a teaspoon of honey to it.

2. Ginger lemon shot – Take an inch of ginger root, and one squeezed lemon. Add enough water to blend it (3-4 tablespoons) in a blender, and have it as a morning shot.

3. Lemon-infused detox water- Cut up slices of one lemon and add it to your water bottle. Have 1-2 glasses of lemon water in the morning, and keep having the rest throughout the day. 

While lemon water offers a myriad of health benefits, it’s crucial to exercise moderation. One lemon a day is a healthy limit, and people with gastroesophageal reflux disease should be cautious about excessive lemon juice intake. As with any dietary rituals, balance is key to ensuring you enjoy the advantages without overdoing it. 

Emami Targets Rs 1,000 Crore in Male Grooming with ‘Smart and Handsome’ Rebrand

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Emami Targets Rs 1,000 Crore in Male Grooming with ‘Smart and Handsome’ Rebrand

Emami, a well-established FMCG player from Kolkata, is taking a bold step to tap into the rapidly growing male grooming sector. The company has rebranded its long-standing product “Fair and Handsome” to “Smart and Handsome,” aiming to resonate more with younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z. 

Emami is targeting a revenue of Rs 1,000 crore within the next 3-4 years, according to Vice-Chairman Mohan Goenka.

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Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan has been brought on board as the new face of the brand to further connect with its audience. While the male grooming industry in India is currently valued at Rs 18,000 crore, Emami is preparing to expand its product range, transitioning from its niche skincare offerings to a more comprehensive male grooming portfolio.

Goenka highlighted that although the FMCG sector is seeing slow growth, male grooming is a rapidly emerging category as men increasingly seek products that address multiple skincare needs, such as hydration, oil control, and skin health.

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Emami’s “Fair and Handsome” has traditionally catered to a skincare market worth around Rs 250 crore and the Rs 500 crore facewash segment. However, with the rebranding and a broader product line, the company is aiming for a bigger share in the growing male grooming space, which is expected to rise to Rs 32,000 crore in the next five years.

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TIRTIR Brings K-Beauty to India’s Malls in Partnership with Reliance Retail

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TIRTIR Brings K-Beauty to India’s Malls in Partnership with Reliance Retail

Korean beauty brand TIRTIR is making its way into India’s offline retail market through a partnership with Reliance Retail’s Tira, its omnichannel beauty platform. The brand can now be found in select Tira locations, including popular malls like Jio World Drive (Mumbai), DLF Avenue (Delhi), Mall of Asia (Bengaluru), and Infiniti Malls in Andheri and Malad (Mumbai).

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Launched in 2015 by Lee Yoo Bin in Seoul, TIRTIR specializes in skincare, makeup, and haircare products. The brand has gained a loyal following on TikTok’s BeautyTok segment, where users share makeup tutorials and reviews.

After entering the Indian market online in December 2024 via Tira and Nykaa, TIRTIR introduced several products like its cushion foundation, milk skin toner, ceramic milk ampoule, and makeup fixing spray.

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Reliance Retail’s Tira platform, which debuted as an e-commerce site in February 2023, expanded with its first physical store at Jio World Drive in Mumbai in April. Now, Tira operates over 13 stores across the country.

With Korean beauty trends booming in India, TIRTIR joins other brands like The Face Shop, Dr. Jart+, and Cosrx in offering innovative, personalized skincare solutions to Indian consumers through both online and offline channels.

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Subway Opens 100 New Outlets in India, Eyes Growth to Become Top QSR Brand

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Subway Opens 100 New Outlets in India, Eyes Growth to Become Top QSR Brand

In 2024, Subway® achieved a remarkable feat by opening 100 new outlets across India, continuing its rapid expansion in the country. This milestone highlights the brand’s strong growth and commitment to enhancing the customer experience in diverse locations. 

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With aspirations of becoming the largest Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain in India within the next decade, India has quickly emerged as one of Subway’s fastest-growing markets.

To keep up with evolving tastes, Subway has introduced new menu items and revamped its store designs. “The launch of 100 new stores in one year is a clear reflection of the trust our customers have in Subway,” said Tarun Bhasin, CEO of Culinary Brands. 

“This is a significant moment in Subway India’s journey, showcasing our dedication to offering fresh, high-quality, made-to-order sandwiches. We celebrated this achievement by opening our 100th store in the vibrant Lokhandwala area of Mumbai. Now, our network includes over 900 locations across more than 160 cities in India.”

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Innovation and a keen understanding of consumer preferences are key factors behind Subway’s success. This year, the brand introduced the Hot & Cheesy Signature Subs and a diverse Breakfast Range to cater to a broader range of tastes.

Subway remains focused on providing an exceptional experience for every customer, staying true to its core values of quality, innovation, and excellent service with every new store.

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NRAI Considers Legal Action Against Zomato and Swiggy Over Anti-Competitive Practices

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NRAI Considers Legal Action Against Zomato and Swiggy Over Anti-Competitive Practices

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) is reportedly considering legal action against Zomato and Swiggy in response to the launch of their 10-minute food delivery apps, Bistro and Snacc. 

The NRAI is expected to approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to address what they see as anti-competitive behavior by these platforms.

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Sagar Daryani, president of the NRAI and cofounder of Wow Momo, expressed concerns that Zomato and Swiggy are misusing customer data. He criticized the companies for using private labeling and for selling food through Blinkit’s Bistro and Swiggy’s Snacc apps, which focus on rapid delivery. Daryani also pointed out that these platforms have access to valuable consumer data but do not share it with restaurant partners.

“They have full access to our customer data but refuse to share it with us. This leads to what we call consumer masking,” Daryani said. He also raised suspicions that Zomato and Swiggy could be steering customers towards their own private label products on these apps, using data gathered from restaurant partners, whether it’s about tea brands, biryani, or momo dishes.

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The NRAI’s concerns come at a time when Zomato, led by CEO Sriharsha Majety, recently launched its own 15-minute food delivery service through the ‘Snacc’ app in select areas of Bengaluru. Shortly after, Swiggy introduced a similar 15-minute delivery service. This is just the latest chapter in the NRAI’s ongoing battle with both platforms, who are already facing legal challenges from the association over allegations of anti-competitive practices.

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Kuku FM Expands into Spiritual Content with New App Bhakti

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Kuku FM Expands into Spiritual Content with New App Bhakti

Kuku FM, a Mumbai-based audiobook platform, is set to launch a new app called Bhakti, aimed at expanding its service offerings into the spiritual space. The app will debut during the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2025, one of the largest religious gatherings globally.

Bhakti will feature a range of spirituality-focused audio content, accessible through its OTT platform, to cater to a diverse audience of devotees across India. The app will offer more than 2,000 hours of content, including over 500 shows, audiobooks, bhajans, and spiritual lessons. The platform will allow users to explore content centered around Indian festivals, spiritual teachings, and devotional chants.

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Bhakti’s content lineup includes long-form audio series covering India’s spiritual heritage, including iconic texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ram Katha, and Vishnu Puran. Kuku FM plans to significantly grow the app’s catalog over the next year and expand into multiple languages beyond Hindi.

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Jhoomer Sinha, Vice President of Hindi Business at Kuku FM, explained, “There is a lack of high-quality, professionally produced content in this genre, and we aim to address that gap with Bhakti. Drawing from our rich cultural and spiritual history, we’ve developed premium audio shows covering everything from mythology and spirituality to rituals, chants, and bhajans.”

The app has already garnered strong interest during its beta phase, with 500,000 downloads and highly positive feedback. This move coincides with the growing Indian spiritual and religious market, valued at $58.56 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at 10% annually until 2032. With this growth, spiritual-tech startups are increasingly offering services like e-darshan, e-pooja, and doorstep prasad delivery.

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Indian Security Firm Vehant Raises $9 Million to Fuel Innovation and Export Growth

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Indian Security Firm Vehant Raises $9 Million to Fuel Innovation and Export Growth

Vehant Technologies, a homegrown leader in security and surveillance solutions, has secured $9 million (approximately Rs 75-77 crore) in funding from the private credit arm of investment firm True North. 

The investment, made through non-convertible debentures, will fuel the company’s ambitions to ramp up research and development, enhance its product portfolio, and pursue new export opportunities in Europe and the Middle East.

True North Invests $9 Million in Vehant Technologies to Drive Global Expansion

The funding will primarily focus on driving R&D and innovation. Founded in 2005 by IIT Delhi alumni Kapil Bardeja and Anoop Prabhu, Vehant Technologies is known for its AI-driven security solutions, including cutting-edge surveillance systems and smart city applications. 

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About 75% of the fresh capital will be directed toward strengthening R&D, advancing aviation security offerings, and upgrading the company’s existing products. As part of this expansion, Vehant plans to increase its workforce, adding more than 75 R&D experts to bring the total headcount to over 500.

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In addition, the company plans to allocate roughly 25% of the funds to boost its export business in high-growth markets, particularly in the Middle East and Europe. 

Vehant is poised to meet rising demand for advanced security technologies in these regions and is keen to capitalize on India’s “Make in India” initiative to establish a stronger global presence. True North, with over Rs 1,300 crore in private credit assets under management, will play a pivotal role in helping Vehant extend its reach abroad.

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From Delhi to Dubai: BluSmart Accelerates Expansion with $50 Million in Funding

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From Delhi to Dubai: BluSmart Accelerates Expansion with $50 Million in Funding

Electric ride-hailing startup BluSmart is on track to secure $50 million in a fresh funding round, raising its pre-money valuation to $335 million. Based in Gurugram, the company has already locked in half of the targeted amount, with the rest expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

The funding round includes a mix of existing backers, company promoters, high-net-worth individuals, and a few venture capital firms. BluSmart plans to wrap up the round by next month, marking its second major raise in six months after a $24 million pre-Series B round earlier in 2024.

BluSmart Gears Up for $50 Million Funding, Valued at $335 Million

Founded in 2019 by Anmol and Puneet Jaggi alongside Punit Goyal, BluSmart has been steadily growing its footprint in the electric mobility space. The company reported a revenue run rate of $95 million for the financial year 2025. Co-founder Punit Goyal highlighted significant growth in revenues, with FY24 earnings at ₹390 crore compared to ₹160 crore the previous year. However, audited financial reports for the last two years are still pending.

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BluSmart operates an all-electric, on-demand model with scheduled pick-ups and drops, distinguishing itself from traditional players like Ola and Uber. This week, the company launched its services in Mumbai, focusing on neighborhoods such as Goregaon, Bandra, and the Bandra Kurla Complex, with plans to expand across the metropolitan area in the near future.

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The company also recently ventured into the UAE, introducing a premium all-electric limousine service in June 2024. In India, BluSmart already operates in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and now Mumbai, solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable urban transport.

With a fleet of over 8,500 electric vehicles and 5,800 charging stations spread across 50 hubs in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru, BluSmart has built an infrastructure spanning over two million square feet. These hubs support more than 10,000 active driver partners, enabling the company to log over 21 million rides and hundreds of millions of emission-free kilometers to date.

BluSmart’s rapid growth and commitment to sustainable mobility are reshaping urban transportation, and with this new funding round, the company looks poised to accelerate its expansion and innovation in the electric ride-hailing sector.

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Swiggy Instamart Expands to 76 Cities, Set to Launch Standalone App

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Swiggy Instamart Expands to 76 Cities, Set to Launch Standalone App

Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand platform, has revealed that its quick-commerce service, Swiggy Instamart, is now operational in 76 cities across the country. 

The company also shared plans to launch Instamart as a standalone mobile app soon. Already integrated within Swiggy’s broader platform, which includes food delivery and dining options, Instamart promises deliveries within 10 minutes and offers a wide range of nearly 50,000 products.

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What does Swiggy’s CEO have to say?

Sriharsha Majety, Swiggy’s Managing Director and Group CEO, highlighted that Instamart’s fast expansion points to its potential to eventually rival, and even surpass, the company’s core food delivery services. He expressed optimism about Instamart’s growth, noting its success in attracting users in new cities and across various product categories, which positions it well to exceed 100 million users in the future.

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While Instamart will remain part of the Swiggy app, offering seamless integration with Swiggy’s other services, the standalone app will provide a more dedicated and user-friendly experience for customers. Amitesh Jha, CEO of Instamart, emphasized that the new app would simplify access to everyday essentials. Swiggy’s subscription services, including Swiggy One, One Lite, and One BLCK, will continue to offer the same benefits on both platforms.

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Cash on Demand? Harsh Punjabi’s Blinkit Delivery Idea Sparks Debate

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Cash on Demand? Harsh Punjabi’s Blinkit Delivery Idea Sparks Debate

Harsh Punjabi, an entrepreneur and content creator from Pune, has stirred up a debate online with his suggestion that Blinkit introduce a cash delivery service. The idea involves a service that functions like an ATM, where customers can pay via UPI and have cash delivered to their doorstep in just 10 minutes. 

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Harsh took to social media to share his concept, tagging Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa, and pointing out how convenient it could be, especially in situations where people urgently need cash, like before a trip, but are reluctant to visit an ATM.

The post quickly gained traction, racking up over 200,000 views and sparking a range of reactions. Many users mocked the concept, questioning the practicality of such a service and whether there was really a demand for it. 

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Some felt that having cash delivered to your home seemed suspicious, while others suggested simpler solutions like borrowing cash from neighbors or local shops.

Some commenters shared humorous stories of people using inventive ways to get cash, like overpaying at stores to get the change in cash for specific needs. Others pointed out the challenges such a service might face, mentioning that similar attempts by startups have been thwarted by regulatory issues, transaction limits, and the lack of necessary banking licenses. The conversation highlighted a mix of skepticism and amusement over the proposed idea.

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Urban Space Founder Calls for Fairer Terms in Quick Commerce

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Urban Space Founder Calls for Fairer Terms in Quick Commerce

The landscape of quick commerce (Q-Com) is evolving rapidly, offering consumers unparalleled convenience and choice. But behind the scenes, brands face significant challenges as they try to align their operations with the unique demands of these platforms. A recent LinkedIn post by the founder of Urban Space sheds light on some of these pressing concerns, particularly around the cost structures imposed by platforms like Blinkit.

Navigating the Challenges of Quick Commerce: A Founder’s Perspective

The founder highlighted a specific charge imposed on brands: a 2% fee for delivering multiple purchase orders (POs) on the same date. For a brand like Urban Space, delivering goods worth ₹5 lakh could mean an additional ₹10,000 in fees for just one location. Multiply that by 10 locations, and the numbers become staggering. This fee structure, the founder argued, lacks rationality and puts undue strain on brands already grappling with the high cost of logistics and commissions.

To provide context, the quick commerce model often requires brands to fulfill small, fragmented POs across a wide geographic area. Warehouses are frequently located far from city centers, inflating first-mile logistics costs to as much as ₹50–60 per unit. Even for brands with higher-than-average selling prices (ASPs), these costs are unsustainable in the long run.

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Urban Space’s founder acknowledged that the decision to operate on such platforms is ultimately a brand’s own, but stressed the importance of collaboration to ensure the ecosystem thrives. Quick commerce leaders, they argued, must address these structural issues, particularly as brands cannot afford to implement differential pricing across channels without alienating customers.

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In a follow-up edit, the founder praised Blinkit’s team for their proactive response. Sanatan Chhibber from Manish Saini’s team reached out promptly to discuss the concerns and explain the rationale behind the charges. While partial solutions were explored, the fundamental issue of strained unit economics remains. The founder called for Q-Com platforms to invest more in scaling their logistics and first-mile operations to create a sustainable environment for small and mid-sized brands.

The post ends on a pragmatic note: the initial excitement around quick commerce might attract brands for the next couple of years, but without addressing core inefficiencies, the model risks becoming unsustainable. To truly enable a wider choice for consumers while ensuring profitability for brands, platforms like Blinkit must evolve their approach.

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