MAM
Naagin appoints Mint and Milk PR as their new communications partner
Mumbai: Mint and Milk PR has announced the onboarding of Naagin as part of its expanding client roster. With a focus on elevating the brand’s visibility and shaping its communication strategy, Mint and Milk PR will help Naagin strengthen its market presence through strategic media outreach, influencer collaborations, and impactful campaigns.
Founded in 2019 by Mikhel Rajani, Arjun Rastogi, and Kshitij Neelakantan, Naagin brings a bold twist to everyday meals with its hot sauces, crafted from indigenous Indian chilies such as Guntur, Byadgi, Sankeshwari, Kanthari and Bhut Jolokia. Known for its versatile and unique yet authentically Indian flavors, Naagin has also expanded into essential modern-day pantry staples like crispy chilli oil, salsa & pizza-pasta sauces, all while upholding a commitment to the same quality that has won them International hot sauce awards. With a focus on sustainability through responsible sourcing, the company is also plastic-neutral. The sauces are available in over 700 premium outlets across India and can also be purchased internationally through platforms like Amazon USA, and successful pilots with Walmart Canada and Carrefour UAE.
Commenting on the collaboration, Naagin co-founder Mikhel Rajani said, “As a brand that was born out of our passion for Indian spices, we’re always looking for ways to tell our story in new and engaging ways. Mint and Milk PR has a strong track record of working with brands that stand for innovation and quality. We believe their expertise will help us reach even greater heights.”
Mint and Milk PR co-founder Komal Rukhana added, “Naagin is a truly unique brand that brings together the bold flavors of India’s diverse chilies with a strong commitment to sustainability. We’re excited to onboard them and share their story in a creative, yet engaging manner.”
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
