Thumbay Group’s Hospitality Division launches premium ‘Dolci’ brand of blends & brews Coffee Shoppe
Ajman: Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe, the network of UAE-born coffee shops under Thumbay Group’s Hospitality Division has launched its premium brand ‘Dolci’ with its first outlet opened at Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Medicity, Ajman, on 14th January 2020.
Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President of the Healthcare Division of Thumbay Group was the chief guest of the opening ceremony held in the presence of Mr. Farhad C, Director of the Hospitality Division and Dr. Faisal Parvez, COO of Thumbay University Hospital.
The ‘Dolci’ concept combines premium features with the impeccable service standards of the Blends & Brews brand, delivering an exclusive, personalized experience to customers. The new coffee shop features a wide variety of hot and cold beverages and an assortment of short-eats catering to local and international tastes. It also features a range of sugar-free delicacies including drinks, cookies and cakes.
Blends & Brews Dolci is located at the ground floor of Thumbay University Hospital - the largest private academic hospital in the region - close to the hospital’s main entrance and reception area. It is an important addition to the excellent amenities available at the hospital for the community. The store offers comfortable seating, keeping in mind the requirements of hospital visitors as well as the medical students who spend considerable lengths of time at the academic hospital. Above all, the baristas manning the coffee shop are experienced professionals who are keen on giving customers exceptional services in line with the brand’s values.
“The Dolci brand is the latest in the service innovations of Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe. Through this new brand, we aim to give our customers a true premium coffee shop experience. The new store is a perfect combination of aesthetic design, latest technology and outstanding baristas, complete with well-designed lighting and relaxing, soft music for the ideal ambience,” said Mr. Farhad C, explaining the features of the new store and the idea behind the new brand.
One of the fast-growing chains of coffee shops in the region, Blends & Brews has multiple outlets in the different Emirates of the UAE, in addition to Hyderabad, India. The brand has outlets at major shopping malls, offices, universities, government offices, hospitals, health clubs, etc. and the numbers are growing owing to its huge popularity and demand. It has a drive-thru outlet and also operates ELITE outlets catering to upmarket customers.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, the Founder President of Thumbay Group said that the launch of the first Dolci store signifies a new milestone in the growth and expansion of Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe. “I am very pleased with the opening of the first outlet under the Dolci brand of Blends & Brews. This new brand will be instrumental in advancing our strategic expansion plans in the region and beyond,” he said.
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Railways: FM Sitharaman allocates Rs 2.77 lakh crore for capital expenditure
New Delhi (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday allocated Rs 2,77,830 crore to the Ministry of Railways for capital expenditure in the financial year 2026–27.
The Budget allocation includes the construction of new lines and the purchase of locomotives, wagons, and coaches, among other works.
The ministry had received Rs 2,52,000 crore in FY 2025–26. The current allocation for the upcoming financial year is 10.25 per cent higher, making it the highest ever. Besides, the ministry will get Rs 15,000 crore from Extra Budgetary Resources, the document showed.
According to the Budget document, the railways’ total earnings are projected at Rs 3,85,733.33 crore, while expenditure is estimated at Rs 3,82,186.01 crore, resulting in a surplus of Rs 3,547.32 crore at the end of the financial year.
"Since the railways' earnings are too meagre to fund asset creation and support new works, it receives funds from the government. Accordingly, the ministry has been allocated Rs 2,77,830 crore to undertake activities such as laying new lines, converting narrow gauge to broad gauge, and constructing double lines on single-line routes," a railway official said.
The Budget document has earmarked funds from the Rs 2,77,830 crore allocation for various construction and asset creation projects. These include Rs 36,721.55 crore for new lines, Rs 4,600 crore for gauge conversion, Rs 37,750 crore for doubling, Rs 52,108.73 crore for rolling stock (locomotives, wagons, etc.), and Rs 7,500 crore for signalling and telecom, among others.
The allocation under the signalling and telecom head is significant as the automatic train protection system, Kavach, falls under this department. The ministry has laid strong emphasis on expanding Kavach coverage across the rail network.
The document also presents the actual earnings and expenditure of the railways in 2024–25. During the year, railways earned Rs 3,35,757.09 crore and spent Rs 3,32,440.64 crore, recording a surplus of Rs 3,316.45 crore. The budgetary allocation for the year stood at Rs 2,51,946.56 crore.
"As far as FY 2025–26 is concerned, the actual figures for earnings and expenditure will be available only after the financial year ends,” an official said, adding that largely earnings and expenses are on expected lines with minor changes.
Out of the total expenditures of the railways, the biggest share goes on paying pensions to its employees.
According to Budget documents, expenditure on pensions was Rs 58844.07 crore in 2024-25, which is expected to rise to Rs 74500 crore in 2026-27.
