MAM
AYUSH-ASCI to regulate advertisements
MUMBAI: Progressing with the impetus towards supporting co-regulation in advertising, the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has signed an MoU partnering with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).
Addressing the cases of misleading advertisements with respect to Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy Medicines, treatment and related services, ASCI will comprehensively monitor these advertisements across print and electronic media. ASCI has been given a self-monitoring mandate by the Ministry of AYUSH to identify potentially misleading advertisement in the AYUSH sector and process complaints through its Consumer Complaints Council (CCC). The Ministry of AYUSH will also redirect complaints against misleading advertisements they receive to ASCI, which will be reviewed using ASCI’s code and guidelines. The MoU also requires ASCI to report to the Ministry of AYUSH, advertisements in potential violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and Rules thereunder as well as non-compliance of ASCI’s CCC recommendations for the Ministry of AYUSH to take further action.
This partnership will put in place, a much needed formal mechanism to monitor & curtail misleading advertisements in the AYUSH sector and will lead to effective implementation though strong support locally from the State Licencing Authorities as well as Centrally through the Ministry of AYUSH.
Ministry of AYUSH secretary Ajit M. Sharan said, “The arrangement would also ensure that any advertisement making claims for diseases and disorders, in violation of the notification issued by our ministry for indications that have been prohibited from claiming, are immediately brought to our attention. We have entered into an MoU with ASCI to effectively weed out such advertisements so that consumers are protected from unscrupulous manufacturers selling products making false claims. This is vital for the propagation of AYUSH system of medicine within India and beyond.”
ASCI chairman S.K. Swamy added, “At ASCI, we have been relentlessly working to encourage self-regulation in advertising content and ensuring the protection of the interests of the consumers. AYUSH is among top three sectors where we find a high incidence of misleading advertisements and some of the advertisements in the AYUSH sector claiming treatment of certain diseases in violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Regulations have been a cause of concern. ASCI’s partnership with the Ministry of AYUSH will provide the necessary support to our efforts in effectively curtailing misleading advertisements in this sector.”
MAM
Raymond Lifestyle appoints Kalpana Singh as CMO
20-year HUL veteran to lead marketing and brand growth from 5 March 2026.
MUMBAI: Raymond Lifestyle just stitched a marketing masterstroke because when your profits are feeling the pinch, you bring in someone who knows how to make brands irresistible. Raymond Lifestyle Limited has appointed Kalpana Singh as chief marketing officer (CMO), effective 5 March 2026. She will report to the CEO and join the senior management team, leading marketing strategy, brand development and customer engagement across the company’s fashion and lifestyle portfolio.
Singh brings 20 years of experience in brand building, consumer insights and category strategy, largely from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). Most recently she served as marketing director at HUL, driving integrated campaigns to strengthen brand positioning and customer engagement. Her earlier roles at HUL included Personal Care Business Group Director for the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa region, and Brand Development Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Russia and Turkey. She holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
The appointment arrives as Raymond Lifestyle navigates a challenging quarter. Consolidated net profit fell 33 per cent year-on-year to Rs 42.86 crore in Q3 FY26 (from Rs 64 crore in Q3 FY25) and dropped 44 per cent sequentially from Rs 75 crore in Q2 FY26. The company cited headwinds in its international business, particularly garmenting and B2B exports, due to higher US tariffs causing deferred orders and margin pressure.
The company is focusing on brand repositioning, innovation in marketing and deeper consumer connections to support growth in India’s fashion and lifestyle market.
In an industry where every thread counts, Raymond Lifestyle isn’t just adding a CMO, it’s weaving fresh vision into the fabric, hoping the right marketing stitch turns the tide one campaign at a time.
