MAM
Jos Alukkas celebrates cultural pride at Miss South India 2025
MUMBAI: Jos Alukkas brought a touch of gold to the 23 edition of Miss South India, held recently in Bengaluru, as Liz Jaymon Jacob claimed the title of Jos Alukkas – Garden Vareli Miss South India 2025. Aishwarya Ullas and Ria Sunil were named first and second runners-up, among 21 finalists representing the vibrant cultural diversity of the southern states.
Jos Alukkas managing director Paul Alukkas said, “Miss South India 2025 is a celebration of individuality and tradition. Every contestant is a reflection of strength, elegance and cultural pride, values that align perfectly with what we stand for.”
John Alukkas managing director, added, “At Jos Alukkas, we celebrate the spirit of womanhood. The pageant brings together confidence, creativity and fashion, while remaining rooted in the rich heritage each contestant represents.”
The event showcased the innovation, grace and cultural vibrancy of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, featuring a mix of performances and personal stories that celebrated the spirit of the South.
Organised by Pegasus Global since 2002, Miss South India is one of the region’s most prestigious beauty pageants, highlighting empowerment and cultural heritage through rounds featuring ethnic wear, cocktail and gown segments.
For over six decades, Jos Alukkas has been a trusted name in jewellery, known for its Bis-certified gold and Iso 9001:2000 recognition, the first of its kind in the industry. Led by chairman Jose Alukkas and managing directors Varghese, Paul and John Alukkas, the brand continues to redefine modern jewellery retail with innovation and integrity across its 60-plus showrooms and online presence.
Brands
Ascenta elevates Adheip Bakshi to sales director amid growth push
Move aligns with expansion plans and flagship Basalt Hills development
MUMBAI: Ascenta has elevated its co-founder Adheip Bakshi to the role of sales director, signalling a sharper focus on scaling operations and expanding its market footprint.
Bakshi, who has been instrumental in shaping the company’s sales and marketing strategy since its early days, brings over a decade of experience in real estate sales and operational planning. He has played a central role in building Ascenta’s channel network and refining its go-to-market approach.
The leadership move comes as the company gears up for its next phase of growth, anchored by Basalt Hills, a 20-acre low-density villa estate positioned within the emerging Mumbai 3.0 corridor. Designed as a hospitality-led, lifestyle-focused community, the project combines serviced plots, bespoke villas and curated infrastructure within a natural basalt landscape.
Speaking on his new role, Bakshi said, “I’m excited to take on this role at a pivotal stage in Ascenta’s journey. Our focus remains on building a disciplined, channel-driven sales ecosystem while aligning closely with evolving buyer expectations for lifestyle-oriented developments. Basalt Hills is a strong reflection of this direction, and we aim to scale thoughtfully while maintaining the integrity of the product and experience.”
Commenting on the elevation, Ascenta founder and managing director Karan Bahl said, “This elevation reflects a natural progression, recognising Adheip’s contribution to the business and his ability to scale sales operations in a competitive luxury segment. As we expand our portfolio of boutique, design-led developments, strengthening leadership across functions remains a key priority.”
With this leadership shift, Ascenta appears to be doubling down on structured growth while keeping its focus firmly on design-led, premium real estate, a space that continues to evolve with changing buyer aspirations.
