Brands
Bata launches Victoria Ballerina, its most comfortable shoe for women yet
MUMBAI: Life may not always be a stage, but Bata wants women to stride like they own it. The footwear giant has unveiled the Victoria Ballerina, billed as its most comfortable ballerina ever, designed for women who walk with purpose and flair. The launch is part of Bata’s global “Make Your Way” campaign, introduced during the brand’s 130th anniversary in 2024. The Victoria Ballerina draws on the spirit of dance long a symbol of strength, rhythm, and freedom of movement reimagined for modern women who wear ballerinas not just for the stage, but for everyday life.
Blending on-trend design, comfort and affordability, the collection reflects Bata’s promise to marry style with functionality. “Every day is a chance to make your way,” said Bata India chief strategy & business development officer Badri Beriwal. “With Victoria Ballerina, we are celebrating not only the power of the perfect shoe, but the power of women who dance through life with strength.”
The Victoria name is no coincidence. It embodies confidence, triumph, and motion, a mindset as much as a design. The collection is positioned as more than footwear: a companion for women to move freely, express themselves boldly, and embrace the daily rhythm of their journeys.
Backed by a 360-degree global marketing rollout, the campaign is set to amplify across digital, outdoor, and in-store platforms, spotlighting ballerinas as both a style staple and a symbol of empowerment.
From the cobbled streets of Europe to the bustling metros of India, Bata is betting big that the Victoria Ballerina will help women not just walk, but make their way.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
