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Trivandrum set for UST Marathon with Milind Soman
MUMBAI: Ready, set, go! Trivandrum is set to sprint into the record books. The Kerala capital will host its largest-ever marathon on 12 October 2025 with the second edition of the UST Trivandrum Marathon. Organised by tech giant UST in collaboration with NEB Sports, the event promises four action-packed categories: full marathon, half marathon, 10,000 run and 5,000 run, starting from the UST Thiruvananthapuram campus.
Adding star power to the race, actor, model, fitness icon and film producer Milind Soman will serve as the brand ambassador, joined by sports legends including former Indian badminton star Pullela Gopichand, athlete Reeth Abraham, and badminton player U Vimal Kumar.
With over 10,000 participants expected, the total prize pool tops Rs 22 lakh, making it Kerala’s most ambitious marathon yet. Registrations are open online at bit.ly/3ZnARUv and the official website trivandrummarathon.com.
UST, president, Alexander Varghese said “This marathon is our way of promoting a healthy society and raising awareness of physical and mental well-being. Marathons are a powerful tool for inspiring communities, and we are proud to host this annual event in Trivandrum.”
NEB Sports, cmd, Nagaraj Adiga added, “We are thrilled to host over 10,000 runners and welcome Milind Soman as our brand ambassador, adding extra charm to the event. Training runs earlier this year saw overwhelming participation, setting the stage for an unforgettable marathon.”
From fitness enthusiasts to seasoned athletes, the UST Trivandrum Marathon 2025 promises to blend endurance, excitement and community spirit in the heart of Kerala.
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Nestlé India posts 14.9 per cent sales growth, profit rises in FY26
FMCG major sweetens returns with dividend as strong domestic demand leads
NEW DELHI: Nestlé India has reported a strong financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, with sales and profits rising steadily on the back of robust domestic demand.
The company posted total income of Rs 231,949.5 million for FY26, up from Rs 202,645.5 million in the previous year, marking a growth of 14.9 per cent. Domestic sales remained the key driver, increasing 14.6 per cent to Rs 221,187.0 million, while exports contributed Rs 9,527.6 million to the overall tally.
The final quarter of the financial year added extra momentum, with total sales rising 23.4 per cent compared to the same period last year. This helped lift the company’s annual profit to Rs 35,446.0 million, up from Rs 33,145.0 million in FY25.
Shareholders are set to benefit as the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 5.00 per equity share. This comes on top of the interim dividend of Rs 7.00 per share paid in February 2026. The record date for the final dividend has been fixed as 10 July 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the 67th Annual General Meeting scheduled for 3 July 2026. If approved, the payout will begin from 30 July 2026.
During the year, the company’s paid-up equity share capital doubled to Rs 1,928.3 million following a 1:1 bonus share issue, strengthening its capital base. The results were also supported by a Rs 1,207.8 million credit from exceptional items, including a Rs 2,023.2 million writeback from resolved income tax litigation, partially offset by restructuring costs and expenses related to new labour codes.
On the cost front, material costs rose to 44.8 per cent of sales for the full year, compared to 43.6 per cent in the previous year, reflecting ongoing input cost pressures. Despite this, the company maintained solid profitability, with EBITDA coming in at Rs 53,060.6 million.
Overall, Nestlé India’s performance underscores its ability to balance growth and margins in a challenging environment. With steady demand, disciplined cost management and consistent shareholder returns, the company appears well placed to carry its momentum into the next financial year.
