Brands
Air India Express gives wings to first-time flyers from Jamshedpur
JAMSHEDPUR: For 150 children from Jamshedpur, Christmas came with seatbelts, safety briefings and a view from above the clouds.
Air India Express, partnering with Tata Steel Foundation, organised a first-ever flying experience for students from Masti Ki Pathshala, turning a festive season promise into a 45-minute joy flight from Ranchi. For most of the children, it was their maiden encounter with an aircraft and the world it opened up.
The day began before sunrise, with buses ferrying students and teachers from Jamshedpur to Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi. Before take-off, the children met pilots and cabin crew, peppering them with questions and curiosity, and catching an early glimpse of careers they had only imagined.
The flight itself was carefully choreographed to delight and reassure, complete with an in-flight meal and a smooth introduction to the rituals of air travel. Tata Steel Foundation supported the initiative with venue and food arrangements at ITI Tamar, ensuring the experience extended well beyond the runway.
Aloke Singh, managing director of Air India Express, said the collaboration was about more than flying. It was about opening minds. Moments like these, he said, show that aviation connects aspirations as much as destinations.
Sourav Roy, ceo of Tata Steel Foundation, called the joy flight a spark for imagination and confidence, adding that the initiative marked the start of deeper engagement with Air India Express to create opportunities for communities.
The flight may have lasted less than an hour, but for the children on board, it stretched horizons far wider. Sometimes, inspiration does not arrive with textbooks or speeches. Sometimes, it arrives at cruising altitude.
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
