MAM
Deep Purple’ all set to rock Mumbai
Hard rock band Deep Purple will be in the city soon and are slated to perform live at the MMRDA grounds on May 3. This is part of the group’s tour covering Australia, the Far East, Japan and India.
The live concert will have the band playing their decades-old hits like Smoke on the Water, Fireball, Black Night and Woman from Tokyo.
The concert is in support of Child Relief and You (CRY) and the Mumbai leg of the concert is presented by BPL Mobile in association with Pepsi, Parx and MTV.
Deep Purple’s Ian Paice, the constant element in Purple’s signature sound, plays the drums, while Ian Gillian, whose golden voice landed him as Jesus Christ Superstar is still part of the band.
Purple gained global prominence especially after the release of the 1970s hit album Deep Purple in Rock.
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Harsh K. Rai named CEO of Mahindra’s farm division & gromax
Seasoned business leader returns to India to head farm division and gromax
MUMBAI: Mahindra Group has appointed Harsh K. Rai as CEO of its farm division and gromax business, marking a significant new chapter in the executive’s three-decade corporate journey.
In his new role, Rai will steer the strategic direction and growth of Mahindra’s farm equipment and agri solutions portfolio, focusing on innovation, scale and deeper market reach across the agricultural ecosystem. His appointment comes at a time when India’s farming sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by mechanisation, technology and evolving rural aspirations.
Announcing his move, Rai struck a personal note. “Back in India. Back to roots. Joined Mahindra Group as CEO – farm division & gromax,” he shared. Reflecting on his first few weeks in the field, he spoke of meeting “talented teams, passionate partners and friendly farmers”, and praised Mahindra’s legacy of trust and its enduring commitment to innovation in agriculture. “Looking forward to build it together,” he added.
Rai joins Mahindra after serving as CEO of overseas spinning at Aditya Birla Group in Jakarta from August 2023 to January 2026. Prior to that, he was senior executive president at UltraTech Cement, where he spent over four years in Mumbai overseeing key business operations.
A large part of his career, however, was shaped at PepsiCo, where he held multiple leadership roles over 14 years. From marketing head for new brands such as Tropicana and Gatorade to vice president sales and commercial unit gm for India food and beverage, Rai built a reputation for driving growth across regions and categories. He also served as CEO and managing director of NourishCo Beverages Limited, the joint venture between PepsiCo and Tata, and sat on its board.
His early career began at Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, where he rose through the ranks from management trainee to regional manager in the lighting division.
From beverages to building materials and textiles, Rai has led businesses across sectors and geographies. Now, as he returns to India’s heartland with Mahindra’s farm portfolio in hand, the focus shifts to fields rather than factory floors. If his track record is anything to go by, the seeds of growth may already be sown.
