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DMart owner appoints Kalpana Unadkat as chairperson of Avenue Supermarts
Corporate lawyer to take the helm in April as Chandrashekhar Bhave steps down after completing his second term as independent director
MUMBAI: The boardroom baton at Avenue Supermarts, the company behind DMart, is set to change hands next month.
The retailer has appointed Kalpana Unadkat, an independent director on its board, as chairperson of the company with effect from 1 April 2026. The move was approved by the board at its meeting on 14 March.
She will succeed Chandrashekhar Bhave, who will step down as chairman at the close of business on 31 March. Bhave’s second term as an independent director is scheduled to end on 16 May 2026.
Unadkat brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate law, governance and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. A dual-qualified solicitor in India and the United Kingdom, she previously served as senior partner at Khaitan & Co and as co-head of the India practice at London-based international law firm Ashurst. In those roles, she advised global companies on cross-border deals and strategic joint ventures.
On the board, she is known for her focus on corporate governance, regulatory frameworks and board effectiveness. Her experience advising companies during key turning points in their growth has given her a vantage point on long-term strategy, risk oversight and governance discipline.
Unadkat is also widely regarded as a strong advocate for boardroom leadership and governance standards. Over the years, she has worked with boards and senior executives on improving governance practices, mentoring more than 200 directors and senior leaders along the way.
Her appointment signals a shift from regulatory stewardship to governance leadership at the top of Avenue Supermarts’ board, as the company continues to scale its retail footprint across India.
The company said Unadkat is not related to any of the directors on the board.
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HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
