MAM
Hero Cycles renews sponsorship of India Cyclothon
MUMBAI: Cycling manufacturer Hero Cycles and Sport18, the sports marketing division of the Network18 group, have renewed their association for the Hero Cycles India Cyclothon. Three editions of the event – Delhi on 11 September, Chandigarh on 25 September and Pune on 26 February – will be held.
The India Cyclothon is a movement to promote the culture of cycling among the citizens and is built on the dual planks of environment conservation and fitness.
The event in Delhi would feature an International cycling race spanning 105 km. Two Indian teams will feature in the international race.
Hero CyclesMD Pankaj Munjal said, “It is an event that allows families to enjoy a day out together. We believe that these days there are not too may occasions for families to come play and participate together and this one, with its carnival like atmosphere is designed to make it a memorable day. Away from the confines of the home, away from television and computers, we aim to bring the outdoors alive, cut across age and economic barriers and let families sweat and shine to their heart’s content.”
Sport18 CEO Satish Menon said, “It is an honour to hold the Cyclothon event for the second time in the Capital, We expect a big turnout for the Hero Cycles India Cyclothon. We have been conducting the India Cyclothon in different parts of the country and believe that in these times of global warming and economic slowdown, cycling is an ideal sport to adopt. It serves the dual purpose of staying healthy and being ecofriendly.”
India Cyclothon has seen support from the likes of HDFC Standard Life, Hindustan Times, Parle –G. ,Lotto, RedFM, Café Coffee Day, Taj hotels and Bookmyshow. The fund-raising partner for the event is Wishberry.
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.
