Brands
Gold swap gets smarter with Indriya’s zero deduction exchange offer
MUMBAI: Why let your old gold gather dust when it can shine anew without losing a single rupee? Indriya, the Aditya Birla Group’s fine jewellery brand, has unveiled ‘Smart gold exchange’, a bold nationwide initiative that offers India’s only zero-deduction policy on old gold, starting from 14kt upwards. Whether it’s a well-worn 14kt trinket or a family heirloom in 22kt, customers can now exchange their pre-loved gold jewellery at full market value, with absolutely no hidden charges or deductions, a rare promise in an industry notorious for its fine print. The initiative reimagines the traditional exchange process with a sharp focus on transparency, trust, and transformation.
“At Indriya, we believe trust is the most precious element in every piece of jewellery,” said Indriya CEO Sandeep Kohli. “With this initiative, customers can upgrade to our new collections without losing value. It’s seamless, smart, and sincere.”
The exchange scheme is now available at all 25 Indriya stores across India, including:
. Delhi (5)
. Hyderabad (4)
. Mumbai & Pune (3 each)
. Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Patna (2 each)
. Indore, Surat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (1 each)
The campaign doesn’t just appeal to those seeking a style refresh, it targets a broader shift in consumer behaviour, where value retention and brand transparency are gaining currency. By removing deductions regardless of karatage and keeping the process fuss-free, Indriya is not just offering new jewellery, it’s offering peace of mind.
With the Smart gold exchange, the brand adds sparkle not only to jewellery boxes, but also to the way Indians think about their old gold as an asset ready to be reimagined, not reduced.
Brands
Suresh Agarwal named MD and CEO designate of Mahindra-Manulife JV
Industry veteran to steer new 50:50 venture in India’s growing life cover market
MUMBAI: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Manulife have named Suresh Agarwal as the managing director and chief executive officer designate of their proposed life insurance joint venture, subject to regulatory approvals.
The 50:50 partnership, first announced in November last year, marks Mahindra’s formal entry into the life insurance arena. With Agarwal at the helm, the venture is looking to blend rural reach with global insurance expertise in what is one of the world’s fastest-growing life cover markets.
Agarwal brings close to three decades of experience spanning life and general insurance, as well as corporate and retail lending. He played a pivotal role in building and scaling Kotak’s life insurance business and later led the transformation of Kotak General Insurance, including its joint venture formation with Zurich Insurance. Known for his sharp eye on multi-channel distribution, governance and operational efficiency, he has built a reputation for pairing ambition with execution.
Currently serving as managing director and chief executive officer of Mahindra Insurance Brokers Limited since September 2025, Agarwal will step down from that role on 30 April 2026 and assume his new responsibilities from 1 May 2026, subject to regulatory clearances.
The joint venture aims to offer long-term savings and protection products tailored to India’s diverse and evolving needs. The idea is simple but powerful: combine Mahindra’s strong presence in rural and semi-urban India with Manulife’s global capabilities in agency building, product development and underwriting, particularly for urban customers.
Mahindra Group executive vice president and member of the group executive board Puneet Renjhen, described life insurance as a key pillar in India’s push towards deeper financial inclusion. He said the partnership, backed by Mahindra’s trusted brand and governance standards along with Manulife’s global expertise, is well placed to build a customer-focused franchise. With Agarwal’s appointment, he added, the business is set to scale with discipline and long-term value creation at its core.
Manulife chief marketing officer for Asia and principal officer for the proposed insurance JV Harshal Shah, called India one of the most compelling long-term opportunities in global life insurance. He said the company had been deliberate in choosing both the timing and the partner for its India entry. The ambition, he noted, is to become the first choice for customers through a digital-first approach and solutions tailored to varied protection needs.
With leadership now in place, the Mahindra-Manulife venture is gearing up to turn intent into action, bringing fresh competition and renewed energy to India’s life insurance landscape.
