Brands
Maison D’ Auraine exclusively launches Dutch haircosmetics brand, Keune, in India
Mumbai: Maison D’ Auraine, a conglomerate with a bouquet of the most revolutionary, innovative and luxury brands in the hair, beauty & personal care under its umbrella launches the premium Dutch haircosmetics brand, Keune in India. With over 100 years of legacy in the hair care industry, Keune, a family-owned Dutch brand is recognized worldwide for its innovative products and high-quality ingredients. With this exclusive launch, Maison D’ Auraine has strengthened its commitment to bringing world-class scientifically-backed sustainable and innovative products that drive tangible results.
Driven by the purpose of creating a world where everybody feels empowered, Keune’s line of curated avant-garde progressive solutions for hair have been developed using the latest technology and are designed to meet unique needs. The extensive product portfolio includes luxe colour treatment solutions, rejuvenating care essentials like shampoos & conditioners manufactured using a five-mineral complex and a versatile collection of affordable and premium hair styling staples designed to nourish and tame versatile hair types.
Commenting on the momentous occasion, Maison D’ Auraine founder & MD Arpit Jain said, “We are thrilled to launch Keune in India and bring its high-quality hair care products to our customers. Keune’s commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices aligns with our values, and we are excited to partner with them to offer our consumers in India and our salon partners a range of hair essentials that are innovative, sustainable and effective. Today, Indian consumers are keen to experience premium products from global brands. In line with this idea, we intend to continue to expand our product offerings and foster more such collaborations with international brands to cater to the diverse requirements of our customers. The idea is to democratise beauty and personal care space by making international products available to our Indian consumers by partnering with leading brands across continents.”
Commenting on the partnership, Keune Haircosmetics CEO Eelco Keune said, “We are thrilled to join hands with Maison D’ Auraine for our foray into the vibrant Indian market. This partnership is not just about products; it’s about shared values. With Keune’s 100-year-old legacy, this collaboration gains an added layer of significance. Our shared commitment to social responsibility and sustainable beauty makes this collaboration truly special. Together, we look forward to offering Indian hair dressers & consumers innovative and high-quality haircare solutions that reflect our dedication to excellence.”
Keune, being a global leader in professional haircare products recently attained B Corp certification, underscoring the company’s dedication to environmental sustainability, ethical business practices, and social responsibility. With this strong commitment to engaging in sustainably responsible practices, the 100% cruelty-free and vegan brand has bolstered its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, using recycled materials in its packaging, and sourcing ingredients responsibly.
Acknowledging the significance of skill development within the beauty industry, Maison D’ Auraine actively organises trainings, seminars, and educational conferences for its salon partners & hairdressers. Enabling the hairdresser community and creating seamless processes and efficiency across product portfolio for different markets.
These initiatives span both metro and non-metro cities, aimed at building capabilities and nurturing talent. The Keune product portfolio is exclusively available through Maison D’Auraine at 25000+ premium salons across India.
Brands
Reserve Bank of India cancels Paytm Payments Bank licence
Central bank cites compliance failures; curbs tighten as wind-up looms
MUMBAI: India’s banking watchdog delivered its sharpest blow yet to Paytm Payments Bank, cancelling its licence and effectively ending its ability to operate as a bank under the law.
The Reserve Bank of India said the entity can no longer conduct banking business under the Banking Regulation Act, citing concerns that its affairs were not being run in the interest of depositors or the public and that it had failed to meet licence conditions.
The move escalates a crackdown that has been building for months. The bank had already been barred from onboarding new customers since March 11, 2022, and later faced restrictions on deposits, credit and wallet top-ups. In January 2024, the central bank ordered it to stop accepting fresh deposits, pointing to persistent non-compliance, including lapses in customer due diligence, use of funds and technology systems.
Operationally, the bank is now on a tight leash. It may process withdrawals of existing deposits and facilitate loan referrals through banking correspondents, but it cannot take fresh deposits.
The central bank said it would apply to the high court to wind up the bank.
Paytm sought to ringfence the fallout. In a regulatory filing, it said the licence cancellation applies to Paytm Payments Bank Limited, a separate entity, and should not be attributed to One 97 Communications. It added that there is no exposure or material business arrangement with the bank and that it operates independently, without Paytm’s board or management involvement.
“As informed earlier, Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) and its services, which have been operating without interruption, will continue to operate uninterrupted. These include the Paytm app, Paytm UPI, Paytm Gold and all other services offered by its subsidiaries and associated companies,” the company said.
The distinction may reassure users of the app ecosystem, but the regulator’s verdict is unequivocal. After years of warnings, caps and curbs, the payments bank experiment at Paytm is being shut down—decisively, and with little room left to manoeuvre.
