Brands
Polycab sparks festive joy with safe and happy connections across India
MUMBAI: Festivals may be about faith and fireworks, but this year it’s Polycab India limited that’s turning up the voltage on celebration. As India steps into its busiest festive calendar from Navratri in Gujarat to Durga Puja in Kolkata and Dasara in Mysuru Polycab is proving that a safe connection can be just as powerful as a spiritual one.
At the heart of it all is the brand’s promise: “India’s Safe & Happy Connection.” And Polycab is delivering it with community-first activations that blend tradition, comfort, and inclusion.
In Ahmedabad’s Heritage Garba, revellers are welcomed with selfie installations and cooling zones to keep spirits high (and temperatures low). Vadodara’s VVN Garba takes it a step further with illuminated connect points designed to help people meet, plus mobile charging stations that keep phones buzzing long after the dandiya beats. At the iconic Nyay Mandir Garba, grand Polycab-branded entry gates greet thousands, lighting up the festive nights with style and safety.
Polycab’s theme “Priyojoner Safety, Anonder Connection” (Loved ones’ safety, the connection of happiness) is making a cultural splash across the city’s pandals. At Samaj Sebi Sangha, Goddess Durga’s Vaahans come alive with Polycab products woven into their design, symbolising modern innovation anchored in tradition. Over at Ballygunge Cultural Association, a striking curved LED tunnel narrates Polycab’s journey through culture and light.
For the crowds weaving through Kolkata’s Puja routes, comfort zones offer not just shade and seating but also mobile charging hubs, wheelchair assistance for the elderly, and baby care rooms for young mothers thoughtful touches that make pandal hopping more inclusive.
In Karnataka, Polycab’s footprint shines during the grandeur of Mysuru Dasara. At the Chamundi Hill Temple, devotees find relief in cool zones with water and charging points, while the brand backs the Mysuru Traffic Police with branded jackets and booths to aid crowd management. High-visibility hoardings across the Nada Habba routes ensure that Polycab remains part of the city’s most iconic spectacle.
“At Polycab, our purpose has always been to put people first, and India’s festivals are a natural extension of this belief,” said Polycab India senior vice president for brand & marcom Shwetal Basu. “By creating activations rooted in tradition yet aligned with evolving community needs, we aim to make celebrations safer, more inclusive, and truly memorable.”
This isn’t Polycab’s first tryst with cultural milestones. From Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai to Rath Yatra in Puri, the brand has consistently delivered comfort zones, safety booths, and charging hubs to millions of devotees. With its 2025 festive activations, Polycab has cemented its role not just as an electrical brand but as a partner in India’s most cherished celebrations.
In a season where lights, sound, and spirit converge, Polycab has managed to weave in its own sparkle ensuring that the connection of happiness is not just felt, but safely shared.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
