Brands
Festive table goals Chumbak plates up a Christmas-ready hosting range
MUMBAI: If Christmas tables could talk, Chumbak’s latest launch would be humming carols already. India’s contemporary lifestyle brand Chumbak has unveiled its new Lost in Paradise Hosting Range, timed for the festive rush and the long, leisurely countdown to New Year 2026.
Dressed in deep reds and lush greens, the ceramic collection leans into winter warmth, pairing blooming hibiscus and fig motifs with Chumbak’s signature wilderness-inspired illustrations. Designed for both hosting and gifting, the range blends visual cheer with everyday utility, making it as functional as it is festive.
At the heart of the edit is a playful mini baking collection. Highlights include a hen-shaped ceramic Egg Basket, a Tea Kettle and tumbler set for slow winter mornings, a generously sized casserole for baked comfort food, and a four-piece measuring cup set aimed squarely at enthusiastic home bakers. The assortment is rounded out with snack bowls and flat platters suited for everything from fig salads to classic chip-and-dip spreads.
The Egg Basket stands out as the most conversation-worthy piece, doubling as kitchen décor and a serving dish, a nod to Chumbak’s knack for turning everyday objects into visual talking points. Across the collection, the brand keeps things light-hearted without tipping into novelty, striking a balance between festive flair and practical design.
Commenting on the launch, Chumbak founder Shubhra Chadda said the Lost in Paradise range draws inspiration from nature and the simple joys of everyday living, aiming to bring warmth and cheer to year-end gatherings.
The Lost in Paradise Hosting Range, including the hen-shaped Egg Basket, is now available across Chumbak stores and online, just in time to dress up festive tables and gifting lists alike.
Brands
Uidai partners with Google to help users locate Aadhaar centres
Verified Aadhaar centres to appear on Maps with services and access info
MUMBAI: Finding an Aadhaar centre may soon be as easy as finding your favourite café. In a move aimed at making public services more accessible, the Unique Identification Authority of India has partnered with Google to display authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. The feature, expected to roll out in the coming months, will allow residents to locate verified centres quickly and confidently.
More than 60,000 Aadhaar centres, including state of the art Aadhaar Seva Kendras, will be mapped. When users search on Google Maps, they will be directed to authorised facilities rather than unverified listings, helping curb misinformation and confusion.
The listings will do more than drop a pin. Users will be able to see the nature of services offered at each centre, whether it is adult enrolment, child enrolment, or limited to address and mobile number updates. Details such as operating hours, parking availability and divyang friendly infrastructure will also be shown wherever applicable.
Uidai CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, said the collaboration is part of the authority’s continued effort to improve ease of living for Aadhaar holders by making authorised centres simpler and faster to navigate.
The partnership will deepen in its next phase, with Uidai using Google Business Profile to manage information and respond directly to public feedback. Looking ahead, the two organisations are also exploring the option of enabling appointment bookings through the Google Maps interface, potentially allowing residents to plan their visits with greater efficiency.
Google India country head, strategic partnerships Roli Agarwal, said integrating verified Aadhaar centres would help millions access trusted services with confidence, bringing essential government infrastructure closer to the people who need it most.
If all goes to plan, a routine Aadhaar update may soon begin not with a queue, but with a search bar.
