Business

New Delhi: Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel chain by room count, is poised to make India its third-largest market globally. Currently, Marriott has the most hotels in the United States, followed by China, Canada, and Mexico, with India climbing up the ranks rapidly. India’s Rapid Expansion Marriott operates 187 hotels in India with more than 33,000 rooms. According to Rajeev Menon, President of Marriott Asia Pacific, an additional 200 hotels are in the pipeline, which will solidify India as the chain’s third-largest market within the next 2–3 years. When it comes to total rooms, Marriott already leads India, though Taj Hotels (Tata Group) currently holds the top spot by hotel count with 255 properties. Menon projects that in five years, Marriott will have over 60,000...

Udaipur: The lavish wedding of Netra Mantena, daughter of billionaire pharmaceutical entrepreneur Raj Ramalinga Mantena, recently held in Udaipur, has taken social media and headlines by storm. Dubbed one of the most expensive weddings of 2025, the ceremony drew Bollywood stars like Ranveer Singh, Hrithik Roshan, Madhuri Dixit, Karan Johar, as well as Hollywood celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, and even Donald Trump Jr. Who is Raj Ramalinga Mantena? Raj Ramalinga Mantena, though relatively unknown to the public, shot to prominence following his daughter’s extravagant wedding. Originally from India, Mantena resides in Florida, USA, and is a successful entrepreneur in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Net Worth According to The Daily Guardian, Mantena’...

New Delhi: Gold prices have surged sharply this year, driven in large part by central banks around the world stockpiling the precious metal. Among them, China has emerged as a major player—but with a twist. Official figures underreport the extent of Beijing’s purchases, suggesting the nation is quietly acquiring far more gold than it admits. According to estimates, China has purchased around 240 tons of gold so far this year, while officially reporting only 24 tons. The country’s official gold reserves stand at 2,304 tons, but analysts believe the real figure is several times higher. A report by Goldman Sachs revealed that in September alone, China bought 15 tons of gold, even though the official number was just 1.5 tons—ten times more than disclosed. Similarly, in April, China purch...

New Delhi: In a bold move at the start of his second term, U.S. President Donald Trump announced several sweeping initiatives, one of the most talked-about being the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Launched on January 20, the department was tasked with streamlining government spending and reducing federal expenses, with billionaire Elon Musk appointed as its head. However, DOGE faced controversies from the start, with Musk stepping back, and has now been officially shut down. DOGE had claimed it would save billions of dollars by restructuring government departments. Yet, during its brief existence of 326 days, the department failed to curb the rising U.S. debt. In this period, the national debt surged by $2.1 trillion, averaging a staggering $6.5 billion incr...

Bollywood legend Dharmendra, who passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, was not only a celebrated actor but also a successful entrepreneur. Fondly known as Bollywood’s “He-Man,” Dharmendra had a remarkable career spanning over six decades, and he also made strategic investments across various business sectors. Real Estate InvestmentsA significant portion of Dharmendra’s wealth was invested in real estate. He owned a sprawling 100-acre farmhouse in Lonavala, valued in crores. Additionally, he had several properties in Maharashtra, each worth over ₹17 crore, and approximately ₹1.4 crore in agricultural and non-agricultural land. Reports suggest he was planning a luxury resort with 30 cottages near his farmhouse, expanding his presence in the hospitality sector. Restaurants and Hospita...

The Bollywood fraternity and fans across India mourn the passing of legendary actor Dharmendra at the age of 89. Known as the “He-Man” of Indian cinema, Dharmendra enjoyed a career spanning over six decades, appearing in more than 300 films, including classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Satyakam, Anupama, and Seeta Aur Geeta. Dharmendra’s Wealth:Reports estimate Dharmendra’s net worth to be between ₹335 crore and ₹450 crore. His wealth came from a combination of his prolific film career, brand endorsements, and real estate investments. He owned a sprawling 100-acre farmhouse in Lonavala, multiple properties in Mumbai, luxury cars, and had stakes in several restaurants and the hospitality sector. Hema Malini’s Fortune:Hema Malini, a celebrated actress and current BJP MP, has an estim...

Mumbai Real Estate Reality CheckBuying a home in Mumbai has become a lifelong financial commitment rather than a lifestyle upgrade, warns wealth advisor Abhishek K. According to him, India’s middle-class homebuyers are not purchasing houses—they are buying decades of EMIs, often for flats with polluted sea views. EMIs Higher Than SalariesAbhishek K. shared his insights on LinkedIn, highlighting the stark financial reality. A typical 2–3 BHK flat in Mumbai costs between ₹3 crore to ₹8 crore. Even with a 20% down payment, families must pay ₹60 lakh to ₹1.6 crore upfront. The remaining ₹2–6.4 crore borrowed at an 8.5% interest rate translates to monthly EMIs ranging from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5.1 lakh—far beyond the reach of an average middle-class salary. The Mirage of Sea-View LuxuryMany buye...

China Emerges as a Key Export DestinationIndia’s exports to China have surged in the current financial year, providing a buffer against the heavy tariffs imposed by the United States under the Trump administration. Between April and October, India’s exports to China increased 24.7% to reach $10.03 billion, with petroleum products, telecom equipment, and marine products leading the growth. October Shows Exceptional GrowthIn October alone, exports to China jumped 42%, helping offset the slowdown in India’s overall exports caused by the 50% tariffs levied by the US. Despite this, India’s total exports during the period grew by a modest 0.63%, highlighting China’s crucial role as a trading partner in uncertain global markets. Sector-Wise Export Trends Petroleum Products: Exported to ...

Gratuity After One YearThe Government of India has introduced major reforms in labor laws, effective from 21 November 2025. Under the new regulations, employees are eligible for gratuity after just one year of service, replacing the earlier five-year requirement. This change also benefits fixed-term employees, who will now receive gratuity even if their contract is shorter than five years. Fixed-Term Employees to Get Full Benefits According to the new rules, fixed-term employees will enjoy the same rights and benefits as permanent staff, including leave, medical facilities, social security, and salary protections. The government expects this move to encourage companies to hire employees directly rather than relying heavily on contracts. What is Gratuity? Gratuity is a financial...

Copper Demand Soars GloballyTraditionally, crude oil has been the “black gold” powering Gulf economies. For Saudi Arabia, oil remains vital, but the kingdom is now diversifying its focus towards copper (red gold) and gold (yellow gold) as part of its long-term economic strategy. Saudi Arabia’s Plan Under its “Vision 2030” initiative, Saudi Arabia aims to make mining of copper, gold, and other minerals the third pillar of its economy, reducing reliance on oil. The government estimates trillion-dollar reserves of phosphates, copper, and bauxite, crucial for the global energy transition, including electric vehicles and renewable energy. Mining Licenses and Global Partnerships Saudi Arabia plans to quadruple mining revenue by 2030 and is inviting companies worldwide to establish op...