When Effort Gets a Stage, India Moves Forward

Mumbai, April 10, 2026: Bajaj Finserv’s digital-first music discovery platform, Bajaj Dhuniverse, has crowned 19-year-old Mumbai-based singer Ratnika Shrivastava as the winnerof its inaugural season, rising above an impressive 64,000 entries from across India. Unanimously chosen by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, her victory marks a breakout moment signalling the arrival of a powerful new voice on the national stage.

Bajaj Dhuniverse Crowns 19-Year-Old Ratnika Shrivastava

As part of her win, Ratnika steps into the spotlight with a significant opportunity: an independent album with Zee Music Company, a high-profile collaboration with Shankar–Ehsaan–Loyfor an exclusive release on Spotify, and co-create the Bajaj Anthem, transforming her victory into a defining leap from discovery to a sustained career in music.

Commenting on the milestone, Manav Mianwal, President – Digital Platforms, Bajaj Finserv, said: “Bajaj Dhuniverse was built to recognise sustained effort and bring forwardtalent that shows discipline, resolve and consistency. This season reinforced a simple truth: potential exists widely in India, but access does not. When effort is given a stage, the country gets a stage. This is how India moves forward. Platforms like BajajDhuniverse are our way of making that possible.”

Shankar Mahadevan said, “Ratnika has a voice that connects instantly and carries both vulnerability and power. From the very first time we heard her, we knew she was somethingspecial. She truly represents the spirit of what Bajaj Dhuniverse set out to find.”

Ehsaan Noorani added, “What struck me about Ratnika was her command over her craft and her ability to bring genuine emotion to her performance. In a competition of this scaleand calibre, that is what ultimately sets a winner apart.”

Loy Mendonsa said, “Bajaj Dhuniverse has given us immense satisfaction and working with a talent like Ratnika on Bajaj’s sonic identity is something I am genuinely excitedabout. She has the rare quality of making you feel every note. I look forward to what we will create together.”

For generations in India, the circumstances you were born into frequently defined the limits of your ambition. Talent existed everywhere, but stages were few and opportunitieswere uneven. Thousands of voices never found a platform, not for lack of effort but for lack of access.

Bajaj Dhuniverse was created to change that. Built as a digital‑first, nationally accessible music discovery platform by Bajaj Finserv, this platform is anchored in a simplebelief: when merit is given room to rise, progress follows and in turn India advances.

The search began on November 7, 2025, as an open call with no barriers of geography, background, or age, reinforcing the platform’s inclusive approach. By thetime entries closed on January 8, 2026, Bajaj Dhuniverse had received over 64,000 submissions without television amplification or high-decibel mass media campaigns quickly establishing itself as one of India’s largest digital-only music talent searches. Arigorous, multi-stage evaluation process narrowed the pool to the top 100 contestants, followed by mentorship and a competitive finale featuring 10 finalists and a wildcard entrant, culminating in a widely viewed live event on March 31, 2026,drawing over 5.3 lakh views.

Bajaj Dhuniverse reflects Bajaj FinServ’s broader commitment to enable aspiration through equitable access. The initiative stands as one more step in Bajaj Finserv’s long‑standingcommitment to inclusive growth, where technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier Made in India. Made for India. Made by Bajaj.

Watch:Bajaj Dhuniverse on Youtube

Exclusive greeting card collaboration to be available across Palmonas stores nationwide on 7th

& 8th March

New Delhi, 6th March 2026: Palmonas has partnered with leading gifting brand Archies to
launch a limited-edition Women’s Day initiative across 56 Palmonas stores nationwide. The
collaboration will go live on 7th and 8th March 2026, marking Women’s Day with a unique blend
of jewellery and heartfelt expression.
As part of the partnership, exclusive Women’s Day greeting cards, created specially for this
initiative, will be made available to customers across Palmonas stores pan-India. The
collaboration aims to enhance the in-store experience during one of the most significant retail
occasions of the year by combining meaningful messaging with curated gifting.
Commenting on the association, a spokesperson from Palmonas said, “This Women’s
Day, we wanted to celebrate the women who have made Palmonas a part of their lifestyle and
have supported the brand since the very beginning. For us, our customers truly are the queens,
and we wanted them to feel appreciated in a thoughtful way. Collaborating with Archies felt very
authentic — it’s a legacy brand that has always helped people express emotions through
meaningful gestures. Through this association, we wanted to tell our clients that while Women’s
Day is a beautiful occasion, our appreciation for them extends far beyond just one day.”
Speaking on the partnership, Varun Moolchandani and Hanisha Gandhi, Executive
Directors, Archies, said, “Women’s Day remains one of the most important occasions for us as
a brand built on expression. Through this collaboration with Palmonas, we are extending our
legacy of meaningful gifting into a dynamic retail environment. Together, we aim to offer
customers a more elevated and complete celebration experience across 56 stores nationwide.”
The initiative underscores a strategic collaboration between two consumer-focused brands,
leveraging retail presence and occasion-led engagement to create stronger customer connect
during Women’s Day 2026.
About Palmonas
Palmonas is India’s first demi-fine jewellery brand, redefining how the country experiences
luxury. Built on the principles of accessibility, artistic expression, and affordability, the brand
bridges the gap between fast-fashion imitation jewellery and expensive fine jewellery.
Founded by Pallavi Mohadikar and Dr. Amol Patwari, and later joined by actor and entrepreneur
Shraddha Kapoor, Palmonas was created with a strong consumer-first approach. In 2022,
founder Pallavi Mohadikar identified a clear gap in the market: traditional fine jewellery was
often heavy, expensive, and reserved for special occasions, while imitation jewellery lacked

durability, quality, and aspirational value. Palmonas emerged to fill this space by pioneering the
demi-fine jewellery category in India — offering premium quality pieces designed for everyday
wear.
At its core, Palmonas is driven by a simple mission: to create jewellery that women choose for
themselves, not just for weddings, festivals, or gifting occasions. Each piece is thoughtfully
crafted using high-quality gold plating and designed to be waterproof, skin-safe, and anti-
tarnish, making it both durable and accessible.
In just four years, Palmonas has grown into a network of 56+ stores across India, earning the
trust of thousands of customers and investors through its design-led approach, commitment to
quality, and innovation-driven growth.
About Archies
Archies Limited operates a chain of stores that sell greeting cards and gifts for the past 45
years. The company retails photo albums, baby books, jewellery and accessories, gift hampers,
perfumes, stuffed toys, and other gifts. Archies has grown with the spread of modern culture,
increasing urbanization, and improving standards of living. Adorability and sentiment drive its
brand appeal across all age groups and demographics. The company has established
exemplary mastery over its large network of distributors, retailers, and franchisees, with a
conscious focus on targeting malls and other prime retail spaces for store openings. Network of
1000+ sales points including company owned stores, retailers, franchise and distributors.
Website Link: https://archiesonline.com/

To Redefine Youth-Centric Offline Retail

New Delhi, 3rd March 2026: Archies, a legacy brand in the social expression industry, has announced the launch of Archies Express, a new-age retail format designed to connect with today’s fast-evolving, style-conscious consumers. As part of this strategic expansion, the brand plans to open 20 Archies Express stores across India in the current financial year, marking a significant step in its retail transformation journey.
For decades, Archies has been synonymous with emotions, memories, and thoughtful expressions. With Archies Express, the brand is reimagining its legacy for a younger audience while staying rooted in its core philosophy of connection and self-expression. The new format places a stronger focus on lifestyle accessories, trendy collectables, stationery, and everyday expression-led products, reflecting changing consumer preferences that lean towards personalization, immediacy, and design-led purchases.
Commenting on the launch, Varun Moolchandani and Hanisha Gandhi, Executive Directors, Archies, said, “Archies Express is our way of evolving with the times while remaining true to the emotional DNA of the brand. Today’s consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, seek products that blend style, function, and personal expression. With this format, we are creating a retail experience that is faster, more accessible, and deeply relevant, while still
carrying forward the warmth and nostalgia that Archies is known for.”
The first Archies Express store is set to open at Unity One Elegante Mall, Netaji Subhash Place, a location chosen for its vibrant mix of young professionals, sRe.tudents, and families. The mall’s high footfall and lifestyle-driven
The ecosystem make it an ideal launchpad for introducing the youthful and dynamic identity of Archies Express. Distinct from traditional Archies outlets, the Archies Express store features a modern, minimalist, and vibrant design language. The curated product mix focuses on fast-moving, high-appeal categories such as contemporary
gifting essentials, lifestyle accessories, stationery, soft toys, chocolates, fragrances, and seasonal collections. The format is designed to encourage discovery and impulse buying, while offering an engaging, feel-good in-store experience.
In an era increasingly dominated by e-commerce, Archies Express reinforces the brand’s belief in the enduring power of offline retail. By creating compact, experience-led stores, the brand aims to revive the joy of browsing,
discovery, and emotional connection that has always defined the Archies experience—now tailored for a faster, more dynamic retail environment.
Looking ahead, Archies’ expansion strategy will focus on a balanced mix of metros and high-potential Tier 2 cities, with a strong emphasis on mall-based formats in high-footfall locations. Archies Express is designed to complement the brand’s existing stores, strengthening its overall retail presence rather than replacing the traditional format.
The new retail identity follows a cost-efficient, scalable model with lower capex per store, enabling faster rollouts and quicker breakeven. This approach aligns with Archies’ long-term growth strategy, focused on optimized operations, efficient inventory planning, and strong unit-level economics.

As Archies continues to bridge generations, Archies Express stands as a testament to the brand’s ability to evolve with changing times, bringing together nostalgia and modern retail sensibilities, and connecting those who grew
up with Archies and those discovering it anew.
About Archies
Archies Limited operates a chain of stores that sell greeting cards and gifts for the past 45 years. The company retails photo albums, baby books, jewellery and accessories, gift hampers, perfumes, stuffed toys, and other gifts.
Archies has grown with the spread of modern culture, increasing urbanization, and improving standards of living. Adorability and sentiment drive its brand appeal across all age groups and demographics. The company has established exemplary mastery over its large network of distributors, retailers, and franchisees, with a conscious focus on targeting malls and other prime retail spaces for store openings. Network of 1000+ sales points including company owned stores, retailers, franchise and distributors.
Website Link: https://archiesonline.com/