Brands
KISNA strengthens finance muscle as retail expansion gathers pace
Mumbai: KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery has bolstered its leadership bench with the appointment of Rajeev Toshniwal as chief financial officer, sharpening its financial firepower as the brand scales its retail footprint across Bharat.
The appointment comes as KISNA, the flagship jewellery brand of the Hari Krishna Group, accelerates expansion through an asset-light model, deepening its presence in tier 2, tier 3 and emerging markets while strengthening its omnichannel play.
In his new role, Toshniwal will oversee finance, strategy, compliance and governance, working closely with the leadership team to drive disciplined growth, tighten operational efficiencies and reinforce financial systems as the brand expands nationally.
Toshniwal brings over two decades of experience across retail, FMCG and apparel, with senior finance leadership roles at Noble Group SA, Think9 Consumer, Raymond and the Future Group. A chartered accountant and company secretary, he has led finance functions across large, multi-location retail networks, focusing on profitability, governance and scale.
KISNA’s growth strategy has been anchored in rapid retail rollout through franchise and shop-in-shop formats, supported by a strengthening omnichannel framework that blends digital discovery with offline inventory and assisted commerce. Alongside expansion, the brand continues to invest in design-led innovation, accessible diamond jewellery and transparent customer policies aimed at building long-term trust.
Commenting on the appointment, Ghanshyam Dholakia, founder and managing director, Hari Krishna Group and KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery, said the move reflects the brand’s focus on building leadership depth as it scales nationwide.
Parag Shah, ceo, KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery, said the brand is at a key inflection point, with rising demand for design-led and accessible diamond jewellery across Bharat.
Toshniwal said KISNA’s strong foundation in trust and accessibility presents a compelling opportunity to strengthen financial systems and support profitable growth.
With scale accelerating and systems tightening, KISNA is polishing its balance sheet for the next leg of its retail sprint.
Brands
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.
