Brands
Samir Ahluwalia, pinkshastra.com in race for Superbrand Award; entries close on 11 Nov
MUMBAI: The Superbrand’s SuperStartUps Awards has met with an overwhelming response. The organisers are having to close entries early on 11 November.
“The response we got was phenomenal, but most of the entries till now are from later-stage startups” said Shivjeet Kullar, Council Leader “We’re looking for the younger ones, the different ones, the brave ones, the ones who may have launched only a few years back but feel they can take on the world.” To this he adds “since the entry is free anyway, there’s only a fee when they win, it becomes an investment – to be recognized by the world!”
For over 20 years, Superbrands has been the definitive honour for top brands across the world. From Australia to Argentina, Germany to Ghana and UAE to USA in over 50 countries over the globe, Superbrands has been the ‘Oscar’ of the business world.
The SuperStartUp Council in India, led by legendary brand-builder turned online entrepreneur, Shivjeet Kullar, who has over 100 national and international awards to his credit, also features Make My Trip founder Deep Kalra, Sanjiv Bikchandani – the poster boy of the Internet world, Lightbox founder turned VC Sid Talwar, Prahalad Kakkar – India’s top Ad Film Maker, and Weber Shandwick CEO Valerie Pinto.
Samir Ahluwalia ex-CEO – Content Zee Media, who has just launched his start-up, says ‘we might not be the biggest start up, but we believe in our idea and our site, so we are entering and since these awards will be judged by the public we have as much a chance to win as anyone else.’ Adding to this thought, Shubho Sengupta, noted Internet evangelist and founder pinkshastra.com says ‘quite frankly it’s an investment. You only pay any fees if you win, and if you do – you immediately stand out from everyone else looking for recognition and investors!’
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Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
