After seven long years of perseverance and refinement, Shantanu Deshpande, founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that his company has finally secured a deal with top hotel chain Taj Hotels. Despite initial rejection and setbacks, Deshpande and his team never gave up and worked tirelessly to align their offerings with Taj's high standards. Deshpande also shared valuable lessons he learnt during the seven-year process, including the importance of price, customer preferences, supply chain readiness, and the power of perseverance.
Bombay Shaving Company Secures Distribution Deal with Taj Hotels After Seven Years of Perseverance
Bombay Shaving Company (BSC), a leading men's grooming brand in India, has finally secured a distribution deal with the iconic Taj Hotels chain after seven years of unwavering determination. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the company and is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of its founder and CEO, Shantanu Deshpande.
Background:
In 2016, BSC approached Taj Hotels with a proposal to supply its shaving products to their esteemed guests. However, the proposal was initially rejected due to various factors, including price competitiveness, supply chain readiness, and customer preferences.
Unwavering Determination:
Despite the setback, Deshpande and his team remained undeterred. They worked tirelessly to improve their product quality, streamline their supply chain, and better understand the needs of Taj's discerning clientele. They also engaged in countless meetings and follow-ups with Taj executives, demonstrating their commitment and willingness to align their offerings with the hotel chain's high standards.
Seven Years of Refinement:
Over the next seven years, BSC meticulously refined its products, ensuring they met the luxurious and sophisticated tastes of Taj guests. They also invested heavily in strengthening their supply chain to meet the demand of such a large and prestigious hotel chain.
Perseverance Pays Off:
On X (formerly Twitter), Deshpande proudly announced that BSC had finally secured the deal with Taj Hotels. He attributed this success to the company's unwavering determination, customer-first approach, and relentless focus on quality and innovation.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Why did Taj Hotels initially reject BSC's proposal? A: Due to factors including price competitiveness, supply chain readiness, and customer preferences.
2. How did BSC overcome these challenges? A: They refined their products, streamlined their supply chain, and better understood the needs of Taj's clientele.
3. What lessons did Deshpande learn from the experience? A: The importance of price, customer preferences, supply chain readiness, and the power of perseverance.
4. What products will BSC supply to Taj Hotels? A: The full range of BSC shaving products, including razors, shaving cream, and after-shave care.
5. Will BSC products be available in all Taj Hotels? A: Yes, BSC products will be available in all Taj Hotels across India.
Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC), a Maharatna CPSE under the Ministry of Power, is observing Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 to reaffirm its commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability. The week-long observance includes activities such as workshops, slogan writing competitions, and quizzes to raise awareness and encourage employee participation in promoting a culture of vigilance. PFC's dedication to maintaining a transparent and responsible work environment aligned with the theme "Vigilance – Our Shared Responsibility" highlights its focus on promoting ethical conduct and good governance.
As part of Vigilance Awareness Week, the Vijayawada Division of South Central Railway reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and ethical governance through a series of activities. The program included an Integrity Pledge, a vigilance awareness walkathon, and a street play by the Bharat Scouts and Guides. Divisional railway manager Mohit Sonakiya emphasized the importance of transparency and individual responsibility in building a corruption-free society.
According to a report by The Washington Post, the Modi government has allegedly facilitated a plan for state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to invest around $3.9 billion in companies owned by industrialist Gautam Adani. The move comes at a time when Adani's businesses are facing mounting debt and scrutiny from international banks. Despite acknowledging the risks, government officials pushed for the investment as a means of showing confidence in Adani and promoting economic growth in India.
The India Maritime Week 2025 event, to be held in October, will bring together over one lakh delegates and 500 exhibitors from around the world to explore investment, innovation, and policy advancement in India's maritime sector. With 24 expected MoUs worth Rs 3,000 crore to be signed, the event aims to reinforce India's position as a key player in the global maritime ecosystem. The chairman of Mormugao Port Authority also highlighted upcoming developments in the sector, including hosting container vessels and expanding solar power production.
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has strongly refuted a report by The Washington Post claiming that its investment decisions were influenced by external factors and linked to the Adani Group. LIC clarified that all its investment decisions are taken independently in line with board-approved policies, and there has been no plan or document prepared to infuse funds into Adani companies. The state-owned insurer also denied any involvement of government bodies in its investment decisions, stating that it follows strict due diligence and acts in the best interest of stakeholders. This statement comes after LIC came under scrutiny for its exposure to the Adani Group in the past.
In a critical move, top officials in India's finance ministry pushed for state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India to invest billions of dollars in the Adani Group, a controversial conglomerate headed by billionaire Gautam Adani. The proposal was made despite some officials being aware of potential risks and criticisms surrounding the group, including a recent indictment by US prosecutors for bribery allegations. Many have criticized the move as it involves the usage of middle-class savings and guaranteed returns for the benefit of a private company.
Despite being aware of the risks, officials of India's finance ministry proposed and fast-tracked a plan in May 2025 for the state-owned insurance and investment company, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), to invest approximately $3.9 billion in an Adani group firm. This came at a time when the Adani group was facing corruption charges and reluctance from global banks to extend loans. The decision faced criticism from opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, as it has implications for the long-term savings and guaranteed returns of middle-class investors, who rely on LIC for low-risk investments. The Washington Post's investigation is based on documents and interviews with officials from LIC, the Department of Financial Services, and bank officials familiar with Adani group finances.
Australian batsman Travis Head opens up about his love for challenging batting conditions in the upcoming Ashes series, citing it as an opportunity to score freely and align with his natural aggressive style. While other top-order players have struggled on difficult Australian surfaces, Head has excelled and believes it will continue to be a challenge for England's batters. Former captain Steven Smith also chimes in, saying it will be tough for England if Australia continues to produce lively pitches.
Union Minister Kishan Reddy praised India's youth for their role in propelling the country towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Addressing newly appointed government employees at the 17th Rozgar Mela, he emphasized the transformative potential of young citizens in shaping the country's future. With over 51,000 individuals receiving job offers through the Rozgar Mela initiative, Reddy credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for India's rapid progress in various sectors and encouraged the new recruits to become torchbearers of progress.
The Baltimore Museum of Art has received a generous donation of over $10 million from the Stoneridge Foundation to support their art education department. This donation, the largest in the history of the museum, will fund various educational initiatives, including free family activities and teaching apprenticeships for nearby university students. This gift highlights the importance of museums in promoting education and cultural awareness and sends a message that supporting museums does not have to come only through schools. This funding will also create new positions for museum educators and help the museum better accommodate the numerous education requests they receive.