MAM
Sweet victory as Fortune cooks up record 800 kg modak for Ganesh Chaturthi
MUMBAI: When it comes to Ganesh Chaturthi, size clearly does matter especially if you’re serving up an 800 kg modak. Fortune Foods, India’s No. 1 staples brand and part of AWL Agri Business Ltd (formerly Adani Wilmar Ltd), has officially entered the World Record Book of India with the “Biggest Modak Using Traditional Ingredients.”
Crafted from Fortune Besan, Fortune Sugar, milk and mawa, the mammoth sweet took centre stage at Girgaon Cha Raja, one of Mumbai’s oldest and most revered mandals. The giant creation wasn’t just a crowd-puller but also a statement of Fortune’s presence in 1 out of every 3 Indian households. With 5,000 sq. ft. of branding at the pandal, Fortune made sure its name was as much a part of the celebration as the devotional chants.
The brand went full throttle with its 360-degree festive campaign rolling out branding across 25 pandals in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur, covering an eye-popping 166,800 sq. ft. Add to that Mygate activations in 132 societies, branding in 800 plus lifts, two LED screens at Lalbaugh Cha Raja, and a quirky digital contest where users built virtual Ganeshas to unlock festive greetings. Influencers only helped sweeten the buzz.
AWL Agri Business Ltd joint president of sales & marketing Mukesh Mishra summed it up: “At the heart of every festival lies food, and for Ganesh Chaturthi, nothing says devotion like modak. We wanted to celebrate tradition at scale.” The Girgaon Cha Raja Mandal echoed the sentiment, calling the unveiling a “historic moment that blended tradition with grandeur.”
Founded in 1928, Girgaon Cha Raja is known for its eco-friendly clay idol and emphasis on heritage over spectacle. This year, Fortune’s record-breaking sweet offering gave devotees a story to remember proving once again that festivals are as much about flavour as they are about faith.
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.
