REHAU Drives Housing Sustainability with 2.1 Million Litres of Water Recycled Every Year
March 24,2025:Celebrating World Water Day, REHAU India stands as a beacon of sustainability, turning the tide on water scarcity with its ground-breaking conservation efforts. By recycling an impressive 2,098,000 litres of water annually—enough to sustain 25 families in Vadodara—REHAU is not just preserving a vital resource but also reinforcing its commitment to a greener, more resilient future. This initiative reflects the company’s vision of harmonizing industrial growth with environmental responsibility, setting a benchmark for sustainable water management in India.
The Imperative of Water Conservation in India
India is facing an escalating water crisis, with per capita water availability shrinking due to population growth and unsustainable groundwater extraction. The ‘National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2024’ offers a comprehensive state-wise overview, serving as a foundation for effective policies and management strategies. According to the latest report, the total annual groundwater recharge is assessed at 446.90 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM), with an extractable resource of 406.19 BCM and an annual extraction of 245.64 BCM. The report highlights increased recharge, mainly due to water bodies, tanks, and conservation structures, and shows improvements in groundwater conditions in 128 units compared to 2023.
Gujarat, with a per capita freshwater availability of just 1,137 cubic meters, is classified as a water-stressed state. Recent assessments have raised concerns about groundwater contamination in the state. Specifically, fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg/L have been recorded in several districts, including Vadodara, posing significant health risks.
Government Initiatives for Water Conservation
The Indian government has launched several programs to promote water conservation. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan focuses on rainwater harvesting, watershed development, and intensive afforestation. In Gujarat, the Kalpasar Project aims to create a vast freshwater reservoir by constructing a dam across the Gulf of Khambhat, potentially storing 10 billion cubic meters of water. Additionally, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has initiated projects to enhance water storage capacity, such as deepening eight lakes to increase storage by approximately 32.94 crore liters, aiming to mitigate flooding and improve water availability.
REHAU’s Commitment to Sustainable Water Management
Amid these challenges, REHAU India has taken a proactive approach to water conservation at its Vadodara facility. The company recycles an impressive 2,098,000 litres of water annually, significantly reducing its environmental footprint while contributing to the local community’s water needs. This volume is sufficient to sustain 33 families in the region, demonstrating the tangible impact of corporate sustainability initiatives.
Mr. Tushar Verma, Executive Vice President of REHAU India, reaffirmed the company’s commitment: “At REHAU, we believe that sustainability must be embedded in every aspect of our operations. Our water recycling initiative in Vadodara reflects our responsibility toward resource conservation and community well-being. We remain dedicated to innovative solutions that support environmental and social progress.”
A Collective Effort for a Sustainable Future
REHAU India’s water recycling initiative in Vadodara exemplifies how corporate entities can play a pivotal role in addressing water scarcity. By aligning their operations with sustainable practices, companies like REHAU contribute significantly to resource conservation and community well-being. As India continues to face water challenges, such collaborative efforts between the private sector and government are essential for ensuring a sustainable future.
Drinkprime Marks 9 Years of Impact on World Water Day 2025
Bangalore, March 24, 2025 – As the world observes World Water Day, DrinkPrime, India’s leading smart water purifier company, proudly announces remarkable growth momentum, having doubled its user base to 250,000 households in less than a year. This milestone coincides with the company completing 9 years in business and touching the lives of 1 million people across India. The achievement highlights the urgent need for sustainable and affordable water solutions amid growing water scarcity concerns in urban India.
With India’s per capita water availability dropping to 1,367 cubic meters by 2031, as per recent estimates, the nation faces an escalating crisis. Over 163 million people in India consume contaminated water, which leads to waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. This exacerbates the already critical issue of clean water scarcity across the country.
DrinkPrime has established dominance in Bangalore with over 100,000 active households and is rapidly expanding in other metropolitan areas, including Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Pune. The company’s newest markets, Mumbai and Pune, have shown particularly strong adoption rates, currently growing at nearly 30% month-over-month.
“Our growth trajectory reflects urban India’s increasing awareness around safe, accessible drinking water without the financial burden of traditional purifiers,” said Manas Ranjan Hota, Co-founder of DrinkPrime. “World Water Day reminds us that water isn’t merely a resource, it’s a fundamental human right. The fact that only 7% of Indian households have water purifiers underscores the enormous gap between water availability and water safety—a gap we’re closing with our rental model.”
While traditional purifiers come with hefty upfront costs of over ₹15,000 and recurring annual maintenance expenses of ₹4,000-5,000, DrinkPrime’s subscription model offers access to safe drinking water at a cost lower than just the yearly maintenance of a conventional purifier. This approach has resonated strongly with consumers seeking alternatives to both expensive purifiers and plastic water cans that contaminate drinking water with microplastics.
To meet evolving customer needs, DrinkPrime has completely revamped its product portfolio over the past year. The company now offers three new models: DrinkPrime Copper as its flagship bestselling product with added health benefits, the premium DrinkPrime Alkaline for enhanced pH balance, and the more affordable RO+ option for price-conscious households.
“The COVID-19 pandemic made one thing very clear—access to clean water isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity,” said Vijender Reddy Muthyala, Co-founder & CEO of DrinkPrime. “Our subscription model addresses the three core pain points of the water can user: affordability over traditional alternatives through monthly rentals, convenience by eliminating the logistics of replacements, and reliability with lifetime free maintenance and service response within 30 minutes on average.”
However, safe drinking water is just one part of the equation. Climate change has worsened India’s water crisis, with erratic monsoons and depleting groundwater levels severely affecting water quality. Recognizing this, DrinkPrime actively promotes water conservation by encouraging users to repurpose RO-reject water for non-drinking uses such as cleaning, gardening, and cooling systems.
The company’s water quality database, built from over 60,000 tests conducted annually, reveals concerning levels of contaminants in municipal water supplies across urban centers. This data drives continuous improvement of DrinkPrime’s purification technology to address local water conditions.
Customer referrals account for over a third of new sign-ups, reflecting strong consumer satisfaction. DrinkPrime’s IoT-enabled technology allows users to monitor water consumption, quality, and purifier performance in real-time, providing greater transparency and ease of use.
With continued investment in research and development, DrinkPrime is adapting its technology to suit varying local water conditions while expanding to more cities. As water security becomes an increasing concern in urban India, the company aims to contribute to long-term solutions that improve access to safe drinking water while promoting responsible water use.
BITS Law School Commends Legal Innovation on Its 2nd Foundation Day
24th March 2025 – BITS Law School, under the aegis of BITS Pilani, an Institution of Eminence, celebrated its Foundation Day at its 63-acre Centre of Excellence, Mumbai Campus. The two-day event brought together legal professionals, academics, and media figures, including Hon’ble Justice Hima Kohli, Mr. Anubhav Sinha, Ms. Jayna Kothari, and others, to discuss key socio-legal issues.
The celebration commenced with an inaugural address by the Dean, followed by a lecture by Hon’ble Justice Hima Kohli, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, who spoke on the evolving role of women in the legal profession. She emphasised the importance of early court exposure, perseverance in litigation, and the increasing opportunities for women in law. She noted, “Women are now joining the judiciary at the first levels, not just at the higher judicial level, and in many states, they make up more than 50% of the judicial service. The legal profession today offers a broader spectrum of opportunities, but success in this field requires resilience, adaptability, and the right guidance. Aspiring practitioners must gain a well-rounded experience before choosing a specialisation, remain open to learning, embrace challenges, and build a strong foundation to thrive in this profession.”
Day 1 concluded with an ʻInaugural Lecture on Pillars of Democracy’ by Dr. M.R. Madhavan, President and Co-Founder, PRS Legislative Research, New Delhi. The session featured insightful discussions, encouraging dialogue on strengthening democratic principles and addressing contemporary challenges. Reflecting on the role of legal professionals and citizens in a democracy, Dr. Madhavan stated, “Parliament is where laws are made, but its true strength lies in accountability. The power of democracy does not rest with institutions alone, it depends on citizens who engage, question, and demand better. As future legal professionals, your role is not just to interpret laws but to ensure they serve the people, uphold justice, and strengthen democratic values. Governance is only as strong as the scrutiny it faces.”
On the second day, the event featured the 2nd Rule of Law Lecture by Ms. Jayna Kothari, Senior Advocate and Executive Director, Centre for Law & Policy Research, where she explored the evolving intersections of law, policy, and social justice in India. Followed by Law & Entertainment: A Fireside Chat Series, featuring a panel discussion on the Portrayal of Gender and Caste-Based Discrimination with award-winning director Anubhav Sinha (Article 15, Thappad, Mulk, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack), Ms. Mrunmayee Lagoo (writer of Thappad), and Mr. Gaurav Solanki (co-writer of Article 15). The discussion highlighted the power of storytelling in challenging deep-rooted societal biases and shaping public discourse around justice and equality.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Prof. (Dr.) Ashish Bhardwaj, Founding Dean, BITS Law School added, “In law, as in life, true progress lies in our ability to question, adapt, and uphold justice with unwavering integrity. As we celebrate this day, let us remember that the pursuit of legal knowledge is not merely an academic endeavour but a profound responsibility to shape a more equitable and inclusive society. At BITSLAW, we are committed to fostering this vision through innovative legal education that prepares our students to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.”
LAVA’s MYBHARATWITHLAVA Holi Edition Celebrates India’s Diversity
Mumbai, 24th March, 2025: Lava International Limited, enthusiastically concludes the Holi edition of brand campaign #MyBharatWithLAVA. The six-day campaign, held from March 12 to March 18, 2025, celebrated India’s vibrant cultural traditions, encapsulating the vivacity and spirit of Holi.
Engaging with 500k+ social natives, the campaign garnered 35K engagements and 470K views across social media platforms, striking a deep emotional chord with audiences. By going beyond colours, #MyBharatWithLAVA paid tribute to the diverse ways Holi is celebrated across the country, capturing the unique stories, rituals, music, and flavours that make each region’s festivities special.
One Country. One Festival. Many Colors.
The campaign brought together six regional influencers who highlighted hyperlocal traditions, from the spiritual intensity of Varanasi Holi and the symbolic Lathmaar Holi of Mathura-Vrindavan, to the ethereal Pushkar celebrations, the cozy charm of Sangla in Himachal, the colourful nostalgia of Rolls Royce Holi in Kolkata, and the ceremonial Holika Dahan in Jaipur.
The campaign, which took over social media during the festive week, sparked a wave of cultural pride and regional storytelling, reaching over 513K digital natives. The campaign also garnered 470K video views and saw active user participation in the hook step challenge.
The campaign’s centrepiece was a high-energy music video featuring all influencers, seamlessly blending regional Holi celebrations into a unified narrative. Conceptualized and executed by Social Panga, the video was set to an exclusive Holi anthem that sparked a nationwide trend with its catchy hook step. Released ahead of Holi, the song and dance challenge encouraged audiences to share their #MyBharatWithLava moments, driving massive engagement as people across India grooved to the beat and showcased their local traditions.
Reflecting on the campaign, Mr. Puravansh Maitreya, Head of Marketing, Lava International Limited, said, “With the Holi edition of #MyBharatWithLAVA, we wanted to showcase the many hues of India’s culture, rooted in local tradition but resonating with national pride. The response we received was heartening. Each story, each celebration, each video revealed the emotional depth and cultural richness of Holi across India. It was a celebration not just of colour, but of connection.”
Adding to this, Mr. Gaurav Arora, Co-founder of Social Panga, the creative agency behind the campaign, shared, “The idea behind #MyBharatWithLava was to create a campaign that felt as real and vibrant as India itself. The engagement we saw is proof that when a brand tells genuine stories, it creates connections that go beyond just a campaign—it builds a community.”
Popular digital creators including Udit, Lavish, Bipradev, Yashvi, Karan, and Shivani were at the forefront of the campaign, each producing immersive video content that blended storytelling with authentic regional expressions of Holi. Creators also hosted Lava smartphone giveaways, creating additional buzz and drawing audience participation.
The #MyBharatWithLAVA Holi Edition served as a powerful continuation of Lava’s mission to celebrate India’s unity in diversity—this time, through the lens of Holi. By documenting local flavours, rituals, and voices, the campaign added meaningful colour to the brand’s ongoing narrative of cultural pride and digital storytelling. The campaign wasn’t just another Holi campaign—it was a vibrant celebration of India’s cultural mosaic.
Shiprocket Revolutionizes Housing of Goods with Same-Day Delivery for MSMEs
24 March 2025: Shiprocket, India’s leading eCommerce enablement platform, has launched Same Day Delivery (SDD) in Bengaluru, bringing enterprise-grade, fast deliveries to every seller of Bharat. Traditionally, fast delivery has been a luxury available only to major eCommerce brands. Shiprocket is changing this by democratizing high-speed delivery, ensuring that MSMEs can also offer quicker deliveries and stay competitive. The service is already live in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
With eCommerce shifting towards speed-driven consumer expectations, merchants who offer quick deliveries see higher conversions and stronger customer retention. A Market Data Forecast report states that India’s Same Day Delivery market is projected to surpass $10 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 23.6%. Shiprocket is leading this transformation by leveraging its advanced tech-driven platform and strategic courier partnerships to bring quick commerce capabilities to a broad spectrum of sellers.
Bringing Speed as a Competitive Advantage to Bengaluru’s eCommerce Ecosystem
Bengaluru is a high-potential eCommerce hub, with an average order value of ₹2,000. The top three selling categories in the city include beauty & grooming, clothing & accessories, and jewellery. Shiprocket’s Same Day Delivery as a product has already proven to be a game changer, with brands such as Bata, Ketch, Mamaearth, BoAt, Giva, NEK, Plum, and Wildcraft leveraging it to drive their business forward. SDD provides Bengaluru-based sellers a powerful tool to enhance customer satisfaction, drive repeat purchases, and scale their businesses.
Key Offerings:
Shiprocket’s Same Day Delivery offers multiple fulfilment solutions designed to cater to various business models:
- Same-Day Delivery: Orders picked up between 12 PM to 1 PM from a merchant’s location will be delivered on the same day.
- 3 PM Pickup/Half-Day Delivery: Orders picked up by 3 PM from the seller’s location or warehouse will be delivered on the same day with PICO as the courier partner.
- Store Pickup/Mall Pickup: Designed for omni-channel brands, this service enables stores within shopping malls to function as supply points. Orders picked up between 2–3 PM will be delivered the same day. Bata and Khadim currently utilise this service at Bhartiya Mall, Brigade Road, Falcon City Mall, Forum Neighbourhood Mall, Garuda Mall, Lulu Mall, Mall Of Asia, Mantri Square, Nexus Forum Mall, Orion Mall, Phoenix Marketcity in Bengaluru.
Powering the Future of Commerce
Shiprocket is a tech platform that empowers sellers with seamless high-speed delivery integration, advanced checkout solutions, and cutting-edge marketing tools. Through AI-driven routing and optimised delivery networks, Shiprocket anticipates merchant needs and offers solutions that unlock massive, baseline-shifting growth. By partnering with leading courier services like Pikndel, PICO, Blitz, Shadowfax, and Xpressbees, Shiprocket ensures merchants can deliver orders with unprecedented speed and efficiency.
Driving MSME Growth with Innovation
Commenting on the launch, Saahil Goel, MD & CEO, of Shiprocket, said, “We at Shiprocket are committed to being the trusted growth partner for merchants across India. By introducing Same Day Delivery, we are empowering MSMEs of Bharat to compete with the best in the industry, providing them with tools to enhance customer experience and drive repeat business. Speed is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity, and we are ensuring that every seller, regardless of size, has access to best-in-class solutions.”
Wienerberger India Revolutionizes Façade Architecture with T-Brick
Bengaluru, Karnataka March 24 2025: wienerberger India, a leading provider of green building materials has recently launched T-Brick, a façade tile system that redefines the future of modern brick architecture with a perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality.
T-Brick Façade Tiles combine robust design, rich textures, with advanced dry cladding system to create a premium and sustainable brick architecture. With an extensive range of colors & finishes, architects and façade consultants can create visually stunning and impressive structures.
“T-Brick is a game-changer in the façade tiles industry,” said Mr. Monnanda Appaiah, Managing Director, wienerberger India. “Its unique blend of aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability makes it the perfect choice for premium and sustainable architecture.”
T-Brick’s innovative design provides a faster, cleaner, and more secure installation process, saving time and money for builders and developers. Its unmatched durability and weather resistance ensure that buildings adorned with T-Brick tiles retain their elegance for decades.
Key Features of T-Brick:
- Unique and sleek design with extensive range of finishes and colours
- Advanced dry cladding technology for faster, cleaner, and more secure installation
- Unmatched durability and weather resistance for long-lasting elegance
- Sustainable and eco-friendly, integrating seamlessly with green building practices
- Special designed installation board makes the system unique
- Ideal for premium projects, T-Brick can be used in few, exclusive places
“We are committed to providing sustainable and innovative building solutions,” added Mr. Appaiah. “T-Brick is a testament to our dedication to excellence and our passion for revolutionizing the facade industry.”
With T-Brick, wienerberger India aims to revolutionize the façade architecture industry with a luxurious and sustainable building solution. The company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence makes T-Brick an ideal choice for architects, builders, and developers seeking to create iconic and eco-friendly structures.
A Feast of Excellence: NDTV Food Awards 2025 Crowns the Best in Food Industry
24th March 2025 – The NDTV Food Awards 2025 concluded with a grand celebration of India’s dynamic food and beverage industry. The event honored top restaurants, bars, bakeries, and emerging dining destinations, recognizing excellence across multiple categories.
A distinguished panel of experts from the food, travel, and entertainment industries judged the awards. Led by Shubham Bhatnagar, Editor of NDTV Food and Travel, and Praerna Kartha, Content Head of NDTV Food and Travel, the panel included renowned food writers, chefs, and industry veterans such as Hansal Mehta, Manjit Gill, Rocky Mohan, Rashmi Uday Singh, and Zarine Khan, among others. Their collective expertise, in conjunction with Ernst & Young LLP as the Process Advisors ensured a fair and insightful selection process.
Award Winners By Category
Modern & Regional Indian Dining
• Best Modern Indian Premium Dining – Indian Accent, Mumbai
• Best Modern Indian Casual Dining – Anardana, New Delhi
• Best Regional Indian Premium Dining – Kappa Chakka Kandhari, Chennai
• Best Regional Indian Casual Dining – Bawri, Goa
Pan Asian & Chinese Cuisine
• Best Pan Asian Premium Dining – Wabi Sabi, Bengaluru
• Best Pan Asian Casual Dining – Foo, Jio World Drive
• Best Chinese Premium Dining – Yauatcha, Mumbai
• Best Chinese Casual Dining – The Oriental Kitchen, Thiruvananthapuram
Asian Specialty & Italian Cuisine
• Best Asian Specialty Premium Dining – Megu, New Delhi
• Best Asian Specialty Casual Dining – Burma Burma, Mumbai
• Best Italian Premium Dining – Le Cirque Signature, Bengaluru
• Best Italian Casual Dining – Coco Osteria, Dehradun
North & South Indian Dining
• Best North Indian Premium Dining – Gulati Restaurant, New Delhi
• Best North Indian Casual Dining – Daryaganj, New Delhi
• Best South Indian Premium Dining – Spice Studio, Goa
• Best South Indian Casual Dining – Malabar Café, Kochi
Cafes & All-Day Dining
• Best Farm-To-Fork Restaurant – The Table, Mumbai
• Best Premium Bakery & Patisserie – Manam Chocolate Karkhana, Hyderabad
• Best Casual Bakery & Patisserie – Anjuna Coffee & Company, Goa
• Best All-Day Premium Dining – Comorin, Gurugram
• Best All-Day Casual Dining – COU COU by Oberoi, Mumbai
Nightlife & Bars
• Best 5-Star Nightclub – High Ultra Lounge, Bengaluru
• Best Standalone Nightclub – Roots Lounge, Kolkata
• Best Microbrewery – Ministry of Beer, Goa
• Best Premium Cocktail Bar – The Library Bar, New Delhi
• Best Casual Cocktail Bar – Monkey Bar, Mumbai
• Best Concept Bar – The 1911 Bar, New Delhi
Awards For Emerging Establishments
• Emerging Premium Dining – Kamei, New Delhi
• Emerging Casual Dining – Bomba Pizzeria & Taqueria, New Delhi
• Emerging Premium Bar – KOKO, Hyderabad
• Emerging Casual Bar – Hylo, Mumbai
Readers’ Choice Awards
• Restaurant For The Best Biryani – Varq, New Delhi
• Restaurant For The Best Momo – Hot Pot Restaurant, Guwahati
• Restaurant For The Best Dosa – Cafe Madras, Mumbai
• Restaurant For The Best Pizza – Queen Margherita’s Pizzeria, Mumbai
• Restaurant For The Best Butter Chicken – Chicken Inn, Gurugram
• Best Food Content Creator – Guntas Sethi
Editors’ Choice Awards
• Mixologist of the Year – Navjot Singh
• Chef of the Year – Shantanu Mehrotra
• Rising Star Chef of the Year – Vardaan Marwah
• Restaurateur of the Year – Rohit Khattar
• Excellence in Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine – Luke Coutinho
• Energetic Chef Restaurateur of the Year – Avinash Martins
STAAH Expands Global Presence with Sayaji Hotels Partnership in MoU Signed with New Zealand PM
India and New Zealand share a growing economic relationship, and the hospitality sector presents significant opportunities for collaboration. As technology continues to transform the way businesses operate, partnerships like this one between STAAH and Sayaji Hotels demonstrate the power of innovation in enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency. I am pleased to see New Zealand’s expertise in hospitality technology contributing to India’s dynamic and fast-evolving tourism industry,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The hospitality landscape is evolving rapidly, and technology is now at the core of optimizing operations and enhancing guest experiences. Our partnership with Sayaji Hotels is a testament to the growing demand for smart, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and revenue growth. At STAAH, we are committed to empowering hotels with cutting-edge technology that enables them to stay ahead in a competitive market. We look forward to a successful collaboration that delivers tangible value to Sayaji Hotels and its guests,” said Tarun Joukani, Director at STAAH.“At Sayaji Hotels, we continuously strive to blend tradition with innovation, offering world- class experiences to our guests. This partnership with STAAH is a strategic step toward integrating advanced digital solutions that streamline operations and optimize revenue management,” said Jameel Sayed, Director at Sayaji Hotels. “By leveraging STAAH’s expertise, we aim to enhance our distribution capabilities, improve efficiency, and provide seamless experiences to our guests across all our properties.”
Continental India Wins Multiple Awards at ACMA Excellence Awards 2024
Gurugram, India, March 24, 2025: Continental’s Gurgaon Plant won the ACMA Excellence Award 2024 for “Excellence in Digitalization” and secured Certificate of Merit for “Excellence in Manufacturing” and “Excellence in Export”. The 59th edition of ACMA Excellence Awards & 10th AMF Technology Summit recognizes the outstanding achievements in quality, innovation, and sustainability within the automotive component supply chain. The awards are a testimony to Continental’s digitalization and continuous improvement, along with its commitment towards localization in manufacturing.
ACMA honored the outstanding accomplishments and efforts of a large number of automotive component makers, who took home awards across different categories. This honor acknowledges Continental’s years of hard work in manufacturing and operational excellence and will further advance the company’s global competitiveness.
Thrilled by the achievements, Prashanth Doreswamy, President and CEO, Continental India said, “This recognition validates Continental India’s efforts towards operational excellence and digitalization. These awards are an attestation to the company’s commitment to innovation, process excellence, and digital transformation in manufacturing. Guided by our ‘in the market, for the market’ approach, we remain focused on localization, sustainability, and global competitiveness, driving us forward as we contribute to the future of mobility. At Continental, we continuously strive to set new benchmarks in technology, further strengthening our position in the evolving automotive landscape. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our team at the Gurgaon plant for their dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Anudeep Garg, Head of the Gurgaon Plant, Continental Automotive India, said, “We are grateful for the recognition and are immensely proud. These achievements underscore Gurgaon Plant’s commitment to Industry 4.0 adoption, process optimization, and global competitiveness. The recognitions serve as a testament to our team’s dedication to digital innovation, cutting-edge manufacturing practices, while expanding our global reach. With these accolades, we continue to strengthen our position as an industry leader, setting new benchmarks in operational excellence and technological advancement. I extend my gratitude to our team for their relentless pursuit of excellence and to our partners for their continued support in this journey.”
Digitalization Efforts at Gurgaon Plant
Continental has embraced the digitalization and automation of diverse processes in pursuit of creating a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem. Right from the production line to top management, the company believes in promoting the culture of meritocracy. Symbolic of a smart factory, the Gurgaon Plant has incorporated cutting-edge technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), 3D Printing and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems).
These technologies help in providing a fast response, reduce downtime and result in the reduction of manufacturing costs as they also support inhouse manufacturing of some spare parts. Tools like MES and e-Jidoka support automated reporting, enhanced quality of the products and big data analysis. These technlogies have been seamlessly integrated into the shop floor of the Gurgaon Plant. These innovations enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance with quality standards, maintain precision and consistency, and foster a high level of transparency across the manufacturing process.
Anudeep further added, “The Gurgaon Plant represents our dedication to localization in manufacturing, reinforcing our commitment to building a globally competitive and future-ready ecosystem.”
Fasting for Faith or Fitness? Comparing Ramadan and Intermittent Fasting
Ms. Shivani Sharma, Dietitian/Clinical Nutritionist, Milann Fertility Hospital, Bengaluru
Fasting have been in practice for centuries, whether for religious, spiritual, or health reasons. It is widely recognized for its metabolic and health benefits, but Ramadan fasting and Intermittent Fasting (IF) differ in keyways.
Intermittent Fasting (IF) follows a structured pattern like 16:8 or 18:6(fasting for 16/18 hours, eating within an 6/8-hour window) where individuals fast for set hours or alternate-day fasting while still drinking water and non-caloric beverages and provides flexibility in food choices during eating periods. It is primarily adopted for weight management, metabolic health, and longevity.
Ramadan fasting, on the other hand, observed during the holy month of Ramadan, follows a stricter regimen for 29-30days. It requires complete abstinence from food and water from dawn to dusk. The fast is broken at sunset (Iftar) and resumes at dawn (Suhoor). Unlike IF, Ramadan fasting is spiritual, focusing on self-discipline, gratitude, and devotion.
Though both involve periods of abstaining from food and drink, the key difference lies in their structure, purpose, and impact on health.
Health Benefits of Both Fasting Types:
- Both fasting styles promoteweight loss and fat metabolism by reducing calorie intake and enhancing fat burning. IF provides a structured approach to weight management, while Ramadan fasting can lead to weight fluctuations depending on food choices during Iftar and Suhoor.
- Studies show that fasting periodshelp regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. IF has been particularly linked to improved glucose metabolism while fasting during Ramadan also benefits those without pre-existing metabolic disorders.
- Fasting triggers autophagy, a natural process where the body removes damaged cells i.e.cellular repair, and regenerates new ones.
- Fasting gives the digestive system a break,improving gut microbiome balance and reducing bloating. However, heavy meals after fasting (especially during Ramadan) can sometimes lead to digestive discomfort.
- Both fasting stylesenhance focus, cognitive function, and emotional resilience. Ramadan fasting fosters a sense of mindfulness, while IF has been linked to improved brain health and mood stabilization.
Clinical Tip:
While both fasting styles offer health benefits, mindful eating is key. Hydration & nutrient-dense meals are crucial to prevent fatigue and dehydration during Ramadan fasting, especially for individuals with diabetes, pregnancy, or chronic conditions. Regardless of the approach, fasting—when done correctly—can be a powerful tool for both body and mind.