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March 2026 · Issue 197

Platters of Holi sweets and snacks with bowls of coloured powder — Spice Route, March 2026

Holi with a Quirky Twist

Khoya by Sid Mathur presents a Holi 2026 collection that celebrates traditional mithai imbued with a contemporary sensibility. The range features reimagined Gujiyas in six variants—Classic, Walnut, Coconut, Chenna, Apple-Cinnamon, and Motichoor—alongside sugar-free options. The offering extends to Orange Rasmalai infused with citrus and saffron, Thandai Powder and ready-to-drink Thandai milk, as well as Rajasthani Hing Kachori inspired by regional flavours. Marking a decade of craftsmanship, the collection reflects a refined approach to festive indulgence, blending heritage recipes with thoughtful innovation.

Available: Khoya stores and online

HOLI CHALLENGE!

The Parsi Dairy Farm adds a fun element to Holi celebrations with a festive line-up that’s traditional and fresh. In addition to the classic offerings available during the season, the brand launches the Maharaja Lassi Challenge, a high-energy in-store activity where consumers are encouraged to drink a large, indulgent lassi in 60 seconds. The drink is topped with milk cake, malai kulfi, and strawberry crush, making it both a treat and a challenge. The winners get a Holi-themed hamper and participate in photo activities, as the stores in Mumbai are converted into festive zones.

Where: Parsi Dairy Farm outlets, Mumbai

When: 20 February - 8 March 2026

LET’S GET ROCKED!

Legendary 1980s rockers Def Leppard will be performing in India for the first time, in a three-city tour that takes in Shillong, Mumbai, and Bangaluru. Expect the Sheffield band, celebrated for its contribution to the genre of arena rock, to belt out the songs that made them the favourite of many a heavy-metal fan, numbers like Love Bites, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Hysteria, and Armageddon It. So, those who grew up in the 80s, get ready for a trip down memory lane!

What: Def Leppard India Tour 2026

When: 25, 27, 29 March in Shillong, Mumbai, Bengaluru respectively

Bowls of rasmalai beside heaps of coloured powder

A bottle of thandai milk beside bowls of rose petals and spices

COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP

Chandigarh University showcases how forward-thinking institutions can effectively hand over leadership to a vibrant, new generation while maintaining robust academic principles. A major driver of this change is Jai Inder Sandhu, Managing Director of Chandigarh University’s Uttar Pradesh Campus with his focus on artificial intelligence, new technologies, and education integrated with industry needs. Supporting this vision is Deep Inder Sandhu, Senior Managing Director of the Punjab Campus. This collaborative leadership embodies a strong blend of seasoned expertise and fresh creativity, placing Chandigarh University as a future-ready institution grounded in excellence.

META: BEST OF INDIAN THEATRE

The Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) is back with its 21st edition, presenting some of the most acclaimed plays from all over India. Chosen from a record 422 entries across various states, languages, and formats, the shortlisted plays will be performed in New Delhi over a week. The festival, which has been highlighting a range of stories covering mythology, identity, and contemporary social issues—among other topics—also promotes innovation in format and narrative. It will culminate with an awards function honouring excellence in Indian theatre.

Where: Kamani Auditorium & Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi

When: 19 - 25 March 2026

MAGIC IN THE MOUNTAINS

Himalayan O2: The Tehri Lake Festival is back with a celebration of adventure, culture, sport and community, with the Himalayas as a backdrop. The four-day fest, which embraces activities such as trekking, rafting and photography, alongside a showcase of music, fashion and food, will feature live performances by—among others—Uttarakhand outfit Pandavaas, and Amit Trivedi, fêted composer, singer and lyricist. Held across Tehri Lake and other nearby locations, Himalayan O2 will focus on the local culture and engage with indigenous communities, making it a key youth-driven event for the state’s tourism sector..

What: Tehri Lake Festival 2026

Where: Tehri Lake, Uttarakhand

When: 6 - 9 March 2026

HONORARY DOCTORATE

VIT Vice President, Mr. Sankar Viswanathan, has been conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Technology Management by the Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK), Thailand. The honorary degree symbolises the highest level of academic recognition for distinguished service and professional excellence. The Ceremony was attended by VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan, Ramani Balasundaram, Assistant Vice President Kadhambari S. Viswanathan, Dr. Sravan Krishna.

Actors performing on a stage in red light

SpiceJet Enters Imphal, Launches Daily Flights from Kolkata, Guwahati and Mumbai Airline’s First-Ever Services to Manipur Boost Connectivity and Offer Seamless Onward Links across India and beyond SpiceJet is set to enter Imphal with the launch of it’s first-ever flight services to the Manipur capital, further strengthening air connectivity to the North-East. Starting February 10, 2026, SpiceJet will operate daily flights to Imphal from Kolkata, Guwahati and Mumbai, using Boeing 737 aircraft. The new routes will significantly improve access to Manipur, offering passengers seamless and reliable connections to the region while enhancing travel options for both leisure and business travellers. Passengers flying from Kolkata and Guwahati will benefit from non-stop services, while those travelling from Mumbai will enjoy a single-aircraft journey with a short stopover at Kolkata, eliminating the need for a change of aircraft. The launch of these services assumes particular significance for Manipur, a State that currently has limited air connectivity options. The new daily flights are expected to greatly improve accessibility for residents, students, medical travellers, government officials, and businesses, providing much-needed capacity and choice for travel to and from the State. In addition to strengthening direct links with Kolkata, Guwahati and Mumbai, the new services will also enable convenient onward connections via SpiceJet’s network to multiple destinations across India and select international points, offering passengers from Manipur smoother, faster and more efficient travel options.

Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said, “The launch of our maiden flights to Imphal marks an important milestone for SpiceJet as we expand our footprint in the North-East. Improved connectivity to the region has long been a priority, and these new services will make travel to Manipur more accessible and convenient for passengers across key metros. We remain committed to strengthening regional connectivity while offering dependable and affordable travel options.” Imphal, the capital of Manipur, is a city known for its rich history, distinct cultural identity and natural beauty. Often referred to as the ‘Jewel of India’, the state offers visitors a unique experience rooted in tradition and heritage. Key attractions include the historic Kangla Fort, the iconic Ima Keithel – believed to be the world’s largest all-women-run market, Loktak Lake with its unique phumdis (floating islands), and the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world and home to the rare Sangai deer.

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DEFYING THE ODDS: THE SKYWING REAL ESTATE STORY

In an industry where success is usually measured over years of persistence and patience, Sunill Kumaar has rewritten the rules . In just 120 days , he transformed an idea into a powerful reality—building Skywing Real Estate from the ground up and achieving an extraordinary As Founder and CEO, Mr.

Sunill Kumaar did not enter real estate to follow entered challenge it . He saw what many had stopped seeing: clients seeking trust, clarity, and guidance during one of the most important decisions of their lives.

is not about people, dreams, and life-changing moments.” day one, Skywing was built around this philosophy.

Transparency replaced complexity. Service pressure.

Trust replaced transactions.

That mindset became engine behind Skywing’s rapid rise.

This is not just a story of fast growth. It is a story of belief, courage, and execution.

Skywing Real Estate is not just building properties.It is building trust, momentum, and the future.

A Vision Fueled by Purpose In only four months, Skywing Real Estate emerged as one of the fastest-growing real estate ventures in the market . This was not luck—it was strategy, discipline, and an uncompromising focus on value. Behind scenes, Kumaar assembled a high-performing team that shared one vision:

to raise the standard of real estate service . Backed by deep market research and sharp execution in high-growth corridors, Skywing quickly gained momentum—and credibility.

million milestone was more than a financial achievement. It was proof that the market believed in Skywing’s approach When excellence moves at this speed, it gets noticed. Skywing’s remarkable journey earned recognition from Shah Rukh Khan , one of India’s most respected global icons and entrepreneurs. Receiving an award from the King of Bollywood was not just a moment of pride, but a powerful acknowledgment of leadership, innovation, and impact. Such recognition goes beyond applause. It signals that Skywing represents the future of real estate , not just its present.

From Startup to Standout Recognition That Speaks Volumes Sunill Kumaar’s journey sends a clear message to entrepreneurs everywhere: You don’t need decades to make an impact.

You need vision, courage, right relentless commitment to your customers . In just four months, Skywing Real Estate has become living proof that when purpose meets action, growth follows naturally. As Skywing continues to rise, this story stands as an inspiration—not only within real estate, but across every industry where bold ideas are waiting to take flight.

A Message to Every Dreamer