MAM
Goa crowned India’s best romantic destination at Travel + Leisure awards
NEW DELHI: Goa has done it again. India’s most free-spirited state has been named Best Romantic Destination at the Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2025, sealing its status as the country’s most enduring love affair with travellers.
The award was presented on December 16 at a glittering ceremony at Nandiya Gardens, ITC Maurya, New Delhi, and received on behalf of the department of tourism, government of Goa, by Swati Prabhu Shastri, currently posted at Goa Sadan on deputation from the education department.
The citation celebrates Goa’s intoxicating mix of sun-washed beaches, intimate hospitality, living culture and an easy marriage of luxury with languor—an allure that continues to set hearts racing.
Reacting to the win, tourism minister Rohan A. Khaunte called it “a proud moment for Goa”, adding that the state’s appeal runs deeper than scenery. “Goa offers experiences rooted in culture, warmth and authenticity,” he said. “Our focus is firmly on regenerative tourism, where romance, leisure and sustainability move together and benefit local communities.”
Tourism director Kedar Naik said the recognition reflected sustained work on the ground.
“From heritage stays and wellness retreats to immersive cultural experiences and responsible tourism initiatives, Goa is evolving without losing its soul,” he said.
Now in its 14th year, Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards is one of the industry’s most keenly watched barometers of travel excellence, spanning destinations, hotels and hospitality leaders.
For couples and curious travellers alike, Goa continues to deliver: beachfront hideaways, heritage quarters, lush hinterlands, wellness and spiritual circuits, and carefully curated luxury stays.
Celebration or solitude, buzz or bliss—Goa still knows how to strike the balance.
In a crowded tourism market, the message is clear. Goa is not just a destination. It is a mood—and romance is very much in season.
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
