Brands
Senco strikes gold with sparkling new store in Hazaribagh
MUMBAI- Hazaribagh is glittering a little brighter this week and it’s not just the winter sun. Senco Gold & Diamonds, one of India’s biggest names in fine jewellery, has opened its first-ever store in Hazaribagh, marking its expanding footprint across Jharkhand, where it now operates eight stores.
The new showroom, located on PTC Road near PTC Ground, Matwari, spans an impressive 5,500 sq. ft., and brings with it Senco’s trademark blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design flair. Inside, customers will find everything from bridal finery to everyday adornments, with the brand’s hallmark collections Shagun, Aham, Everlite and 9kt taking centre stage.
What Senco has attempted with the Hazaribagh store is more than just retail expansion; it’s cultural curating. “Each region in India holds a distinct charm, and we try to capture that essence in the jewellery pieces we create inspired by the traditions and people of that area,” said Senco Gold & Diamonds director Joita Sen adding that the brand is delighted to bring its design legacy to the city.
The new outlet operates under Senco’s FOCO model (Franchise Owned, Company Operated) and is owned by Jagriti Sen and Samrat Chaudhuri, a partnership that aims to ensure the brand’s high standards remain uncompromised.
“We are very excited to share the unique Senco in-store experience with locals here,” said Chaudhuri, noting that the store aims to become part of the region’s jewellery traditions and family celebrations.
Senco Gold & Diamonds currently boasts over 192 stores across India, steadily strengthening its presence both domestically and internationally. The Hazaribagh launch is another glittering link in a chain that continues to shine brighter with every new region it steps into.
With its sweeping design catalogues, carefully curated collections, and a legacy trusted for generations, Senco’s arrival is set to make Hazaribagh sparkle, one handcrafted piece at a time.
Brands
6 in 10 face bias, 58 per cent delay care: India’s LGBTQIA+ health crisis
Study highlights bias in care and unsafe spaces shaping everyday choices
MUMBAI: A significant number of LGBTQIA+ women in India are putting off essential healthcare, with 58 per cent reporting delays or avoidance due to discrimination, according to a new study. The figure is the highest among five countries surveyed, pointing to deep-rooted systemic challenges.
The research, conducted by Kantar in partnership with DIVA Charitable Trust and The Curve Foundation, draws insights from over 3,200 LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary individuals globally. Released around Lesbian Visibility Week, the findings highlight how bias continues to shape access to care.
In India, 60 per cent of respondents said they had faced discrimination in healthcare settings, often feeling dismissed or not taken seriously by providers. This has led many to delay seeking treatment, underscoring how trust deficits in the system directly impact health decisions.
The study also reflects broader social realities. Instances of verbal or physical abuse were commonly reported across platforms such as social media, public transport and social venues, reinforcing a persistent sense of insecurity in everyday life.
At the same time, expectations from brands are evolving. In India, 78 per cent of respondents believe companies should actively contribute to advancing diversity and inclusion, signalling a growing demand for corporate accountability.
Kantar India HR head Mridul Shekhar said, “LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people remain underrepresented and overlooked. Their experiences are shaped by uneven access to care and systems not designed with them in mind. When people are invisible in data, they become invisible in decision-making.”
DIVA Charitable Trust executive director Lady Phyll added, “When people delay healthcare because they fear discrimination, we are no longer talking about symbolic inclusion. These are life decisions driven by the need to feel safe.”
The findings underline a stark reality. While awareness around inclusion is growing, bridging the gap between intent and lived experience remains an urgent priority.
