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Weekend Unwind with: Europe Girl Cosmetics Waqas Lasania
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind—a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, Europe Girl Cosmetics founder Waqas Lasania.
Without further ado, here it goes…
1. Your mantra for life
Ans: The mantra that I have always believed in is “Enjoy the journey.” Life is about savoring experiences and embracing the challenges that come along but what is important is finding joy in that. It is important to appreciate every moment and not just focus on the end goal.
2. A book you are currently reading or plan to read
Ans: One book that I am currently reading is the ‘Art of Thinking Clearly’ by Rolf Dobelli. This book opens the door to life-changing experiences and leads the reader to improve clarity and rationality in our daily lives.
3. Your fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
Ans: My fitness mantra during the pandemic has been “adapt and persevere.” Staying active has been crucial not just for physical health, but for mental well-being too.
4. Your comfort food
Ans: My comfort food is a hearty plate of curry with rice. It’s simple, filling, and always hits the spot. The rich flavors and warmth of the curry bring me a sense of home and comfort, making it the perfect dish to enjoy when I need a little extra cheer.
5. A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
Ans: When the chips are down, I remind myself that tough times never last, but tough people do. I have always believed that challenges are opportunities in disguise and with resilience and a positive mindset one can overcome any obstacle.
6. Your guilty pleasure
Ans: My guilty pleasure is spending an evening with a great movie and some classic music. There’s something so comforting about losing myself in a good film and then relaxing with timeless tunes.
7. The last time you tried something new
Ans: The last time I tried something new was when I took up pottery. It was both relaxing and rewarding to shape clay into something beautiful. This experience reminded me of the joy in learning and creating from scratch.
8. A life lesson you learned the hard way
Ans: A life lesson I learned the hard way is that patience truly is key. I used to expect immediate results and grew frustrated when things didn’t go as planned but with time, I realised that true success requires persistence and resilience through challenges. Trusting the process has made all the difference in achieving my goals.
9. What gets you excited about life?
Ans: the endless possibilities for growth and discovery are what get me excited about life. Whether it’s exploring new places, meeting inspiring people, or delving into fascinating ideas, every day offers a chance to learn and evolve.
10. What’s on top of your bucket list?
Ans: On top of my bucket list is opening a store globally and ensuring every girl has the freedom to express her beauty with confidence through our products. Empowering women to feel their best and spread confidence worldwide is my ultimate dream and driving passion.
11. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Ans: If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be to trust the process and be patient. Everything falls into place with time, and worrying won’t change the outcome. Embrace each moment, learn from every experience, and remember that growth often comes from the journey, not the destination.
12. One thing you would most like to change about the world
Ans: Equal access to education for everyone is one thing that I want to change about the world. I firmly believe that education empowers individuals, breaks the cycle of poverty, and encourages understanding and empathy across cultures.
13. An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Ans: An activity that keeps me motivated and charged during tough times is running. Hitting the pavement clears my mind and gives me a sense of accomplishment. The physical exertion and fresh air work wonders for my mood and energy levels.
14. What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
Ans: What lifts my spirits when life gets me down is spending time with loved ones. Whether it’s a heartfelt conversation, a shared meal, or just being in their company, the support and warmth from family and friends always brighten my day and remind me of the good things in life.
15. Your go-to stress buster
Ans: My go-to stress buster is taking a walk in the park while listening to music. The combination of fresh air, nature, and my favorite tunes helps me unwind and clear my mind.
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YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
