Mumbai, January 23, 2025 – Marking half a decade of serving the less-privileged and the needy in ways that enable them to believe and take the lead, the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF) held a close-knit celebration in Mumbai on January 22nd 2025 at The Bombay Club. Tributes and acknowledgments from friends, family, well-wishers, and non-profit partners, paved the event as STF reaffirmed its commitment to ensure better living with primary focus areas of health, education, and sports for children.

The theme of the evening, “Shine Brighter Together” shed light on the Foundation’s core idea of impacting lives, especially children through sports, health and education. For Sara Tendulkar, who recently donned the mantle of Director at the Foundation, the evening was her first official engagement. Stepping on the path shown by her parents at such a young age, Sara brings in a fresh perspective of connecting with the youth and helping them take flight with their aspirations.

Reflecting on her family’s commitment to bettering lives and the transformative potential of the Foundation’s initiatives, Sara said, “Growing up, I was always inspired by my family, who shaped my understanding of the power of giving. I had the opportunity to witness the Foundation’s work and see the spark of hope that lights up in the lives of not just the children but in entire families. Over the last five years, the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation has touched over a 10,00,00 young lives, and that’s a hundred thousand reasons to keep going. I am grateful to everyone who believed in us and stood by our side to make this journey possible.

“As Director, I cannot wait to build on what my parents started and make sure that every little dream gets noticed and nurtured. I look forward to this journey as we light up a world of possibilities for children who are the future.”

A short film introduced the guests to the Foundation’s work. The audience were enlightened on the continued dedication of the Tendulkars and STF towards a shared dream of empowering the young dreamers, through strategic partnerships. The work done by the 15+ NGO partners who STF collaborates with was acknowledged and applauded.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin was in attendance and engaged in a Tête-à-tête, on stage with Sachin Tendulkar. Pressing on the Foundation’s journey, Sachin Tendulkar shared, “When I walked back to the pavilion one last time, I had an inkling in my mind that my innings was far from over. Anjali and I had this vision to do something to ease living for the less privileged and give young dreamers some assistance to believe in themselves and take flight. We realized that the germination of the idea was easier than implementing it. Eventually, STF came into being and now we’ve traversed half a decade of doing our bit. The journey is in full swing and with Sara leading the way now, I am confident that STF will continue to transform million dreams into reality and give wings to the doers.”

Starting with a humble vision of connecting with people and assisting them in realizing their full potential, STF is at the threshold to expand its sports-for-development initiatives multi-fold, so that millions more children and youth across the corners get benefitted. The futuristic vision looks at creating more advanced infrastructure in rural areas, strengthening healthcare access for children through collaborations with local hospitals and authorities, and introducing innovative education programs aimed at bridging opportunity gaps and skill development. By merging the core vision with a new zeal, STF aims to make the next decade a decade of fulfilling ‘billions of dreams.’

EasyTurn transforms larger vehicle models into highly agile entities, allowing them to navigate tight parking spaces and perform U-turns in exceptionally confined areas, equivalent to the width of soccer goal. This significant advancement improves the turning radius for a typical midsize passenger car up to 30%, simplifying numerous urban driving scenarios.

Aligned with the global shift towards sustainable mobility, EasyTurn is compatible with rear-wheel drive vehicles commonly seen in electric cars. Additionally, it fits seamlessly with MacPherson axle systems, which cater to around 80 percent of modern vehicle platforms, showcasing its suitability for widespread market adoption.

“EasyTurn represents a major leap forward in our commitment to innovative mobility solutions,” says Akash Passey, President, ZF Group India. “By increasing the steering angle to an unprecedented level, we provide enhanced agility and efficiency that meet the demands of urban environments and contribute to a sustainable future for mobility.”

The innovative EasyTurn axle system offers substantial benefits for both passenger and cargo vehicles, particularly in congested urban areas. It excels in narrow alleys, construction sites, parking spaces, traffic jams, and loading zones, delivering nearly effortless turning and parking manoeuvres.

ZF continues to enhance vehicle technology, driving forward the next generation of mobility solutions that meet the demands of modern transportation. With EasyTurn, ZF sets a new standard in vehicle steering capability, expanding possibilities for vehicle design, driving experiences, and Redefining India’s Mobility.

New Delhi, January 23, 2025 – In a compelling call to action, Apurv Mishra, member, Prime Minister’s economic advisory council (EAC) on Wednesday, emphasized the critical role of education in shaping India’s future as a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) and global power by 2047.

“There is an immediate need for systemic reforms, highlighting education not only as a social and economic imperative but as a cornerstone of national security and strategic autonomy,” Mishra said at North India Education Summit 2025, organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Delhi.

“Education is not just a social or economic issue; it is a pressing national security concern. If India aims to be a developed country by 2047 and a leading global power, we must build world-class capabilities in frontier technologies. Incremental improvements—like faceless assessments, updated teaching practices, better infrastructure, real-time parent-student accountability, alumni involvement, state university funding, and a healthy PhD ecosystem—are crucial to reforming our higher education system,” Mishra further stated.

The summit brought together policymakers, educators, and thought leaders to explore strategies for addressing challenges in teaching, training, and institutional frameworks. Discussions centered on fostering a thriving ecosystem for deep science, building capabilities in frontier technologies, and driving incremental yet impactful changes, such as modernized curriculums, improved infrastructure, and enhanced state university funding.

Simrin Bakshi, chairperson, North India Education Committee , ICC, addressed the dual role of education in individual and national transformation, stressing the need for stronger industry-academia linkages, quality faculty, and innovative solutions for inclusive and globally competitive education.

“There is an urgency of aligning India’s education system with its global aspirations. By addressing systemic gaps and embracing innovation, we can position education as a catalyst for societal and economic transformation.” said Bakshi.

A key theme of the summit was innovation in education, encompassing advancements in technology, pedagogy, and sustainability. The event also focused on creating equitable learning environments to empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.

Chandigarh, 23 January, 2025 – The Lalit Chandigarh is thrilled to unveil a new progressive pan-Asian menu at its signature restaurant, OKO. Renowned for its masterful presentation of the distinctive cuisines of South East Asia, OKO offers an unforgettable dining experience showcasing the finest flavours.

Situated within the premises of The Lalit Chandigarh, the new OKO brings an elevated dining concept to the region, blending exceptional cuisine with an ambiance that transforms seamlessly from a tranquil day retreat to a vibrant nightlife haven. Guests can savour signature dishes such as Spicy Tuna Maki, Pan-Fried Lamb Dim Sums with Peanut Butter Sauce, Balinese Prawn Curry with Sticky Rice, and Chef Vijender’s exquisite Dessert Sampler featuring Green Tea Cheesecake and Date Pancake. The expertly crafted menu celebrates the bold and intricate flavours of South East Asia, offering a harmonious blend of authenticity and innovation.

In collaboration with ASK Consultants, OKO is set to redefine dining in Chandigarh by merging authentic flavours with innovative culinary techniques. The restaurant takes pride in embracing diversity, celebrating inclusivity, and empowering a variety of artists through special performances, reflecting The Lalit’s ethos of respect and care.

The menu has been thoughtfully crafted by the newly appointed Executive Chef Ankur Sharma, who brings over 18 years of expertise in the hospitality industry. Chef Sharma’s vision is to redefine pan-Asian cuisine by blending traditional recipes with contemporary techniques and presentations. Guests can look forward to signature dishes, live teppanyaki stations, and an exquisite fine-dining experience

“OKO at The Lalit Chandigarh is a tribute to the rich, layered cultures of South East Asia. Each dish is crafted with precision and passion, ensuring every guest experiences the authenticity of traditional flavours while enjoying a modern twist,” said Ankur Sharma, Executive Chef, The LaliT Chandigarh.

Mr. Devinder Walia, General Manager, The Lalit Chandigarh said “The new menu at OKO reflects our commitment to pushing culinary boundaries while celebrating the authenticity of Asian flavours”

NEW YORK and NOIDA, India, Jan 23, 2025—A study by HCLTech, a leading global technology company, and MIT Technology Review Insights has revealed that while 87% of business executives believe that responsible AI principles are critical to adopt, 85% of all the executives say they are not well prepared to implement them.

The findings reveal that despite the recognized importance of responsible AI, a significant gap exists between the acknowledgment of its importance and the ability to implement it effectively.

The challenges attributed to the adoption vs preparedness gap include:

On a more optimistic note, the study revealed that business executives plan to increase investments in building responsible AI in the next twelve months.

The report — Implementing Responsible AI in the Generative AI Age — was released at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos. It outlines the key challenges faced by enterprises as they integrate responsible AI, with major concerns including bias and fairness, data privacy and security, compliance with regulations, operational disruptions and user adoption. The report also details how organizations can integrate responsible AI effectively and sustainably following best practices to enhance readiness.

The quantitative study is based on a survey of senior business leaders across multiple industries globally.

Some of the key report findings:

GenAI and AI-driven transformation are progressing from proof of concept to wider adoption, with executives acknowledging AI’s potential to drive productivity and innovation in key business functions like customer service, software development and marketing.

Responsible AI can provide competitive advantage. Most executives say their business will increase investments in building responsible AI in the next twelve months.

Agentic AI, which operates autonomously with minimal human involvement, is being adopted and gaining traction in lower-risk areas, such as IT operations, where it can work alongside humans.

While half of respondents are confident in managing operational risks, less than a quarter feel prepared to handle issues related to user adoption, change management and bias.

Steven Hall, President of Europe and Chief AI Officer of ISG, whose advisory firm covers the AI space and who was interviewed for the report, said that although we all know AI is the most influential change in technology today, there is still a huge disconnect on how to embrace it. “Everybody understands how transformative AI is going to be and wants strong governance, but the operating model and the funding allocated to responsible AI are well below where they need to be given its criticality to the organization.” Hall said.

According to Vijay Guntur, CTO & Head of Ecosystems, HCLTech, “AI can be a tremendous force of positive change in businesses and society at large, but its full potential can only be realized when it can be trusted.”

Guntur continued that to support responsible AI adoption, the ethical use of technology and to close the “readiness gap” to widespread adoption and implementation, HCLTech has several key recommendations.

First, companies should architect a robust responsible AI set of enterprise-guiding frameworks and capabilities that provide guardrails for trustworthiness, ethics, responsibility, safety and security, sustainability, regulatory compliance, change management and user empowerment.

Second, organizations should lean into their tech partner ecosystems to pilot, test and learn to bring the most appropriate technologies and best practices together to move at pace.

Third, establishing a dedicated team (or Center of Excellence) is advisable to act in a cross-functional driving role across the organization.

HCLTech recently established an Office of Responsible AI and Governance led by SMEs with experience on NIST frameworks, the Europe AI Act, ISO, risk and compliance, ethics and bias mitigation. This office drives co-innovation and the development of consulting capabilities and intellectual property solutions, with a focus on Responsible AI and partnerships.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing the country’s leading automobile manufacturers, hosted the 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Circularity (ICSC) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on the sidelines of Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Theme ‘Nature Positive Recycling – Systemic Transformation to Automotive Circular Economy in India’, the conference emphasised the need for systemic transformation through regulatory frameworks, technological advancements and collaborative efforts across stakeholders, underscoring India’s potential to lead global efforts in sustainable automotive practices.

Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, who was the Chief Guest during the inaugural session of the conference, launched the SIAM Strategy Paper ‘Towards Circular Future in the Indian Automobile Industry: Integrating EPR Regime in Waste Stream Regulations’ and said, “As the automotive industry observes a notable growth, it is imperative to reflect on our environmental obligations. Nature, with its innate capacity for regeneration, serves as an exemplar for our operational strategies. Our focus extends beyond mere waste management to stimulating economic development, diminishing emissions and cultivating societal advancements through the promotion of green jobs. Initiatives such as the Vehicle Scrappage Policy 2021 and the endorsement of electric vehicles manifest our commitment to sustainable practices. As we navigate towards a circular economy, our actions must be guided by a steadfast dedication to environmental integrity and ecological stewardship. SIAM has done an admirable job of initiating discussions on circularity which showcases its commitment to the growth of the automotive sector and promoting India’s green goals.”

SIAM organised panel discussions centred on the vital topic of ELV recycling, covering themes such as the Impact of EPR on ELV Recycling and Compliance, Regulatory & Policy Challenges in ELV Recycling, Harnessing Technologies and Business Models, and Closing the Loop on Automotive Materials. These sessions united policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts to explore key aspects of ELV recycling, including regulatory frameworks and technological innovations, promoting dialogue for advancing sustainable circularity.

A handbook on “Automotive Circularity in India: Unlocking a Sustainable Future” co-created by SIAM and Recykal was unveiled by Mr Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in the presence of  Mr Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, Mr Timo Unger, Chairperson, ACEA, Mr Sanjay Mehta, President, Material Recycling Association of India, Mr A L N Rao, Circularity Head, Recykal, Mr Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM, Mr Arvind Kumar Nautiyal, Joint Secretary & Member Secretary, CAQM, Mr Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director & CTO, Hero MotoCorp, and Mr Anandkumar M S, Senior General Manager & Head, TVS Motor Company. The handbook outlines a visionary approach to reimagining the automotive value chain. It offers practical insights and sustainable innovations, addressing challenges like material procurement and end-of-life vehicle management. It also provides a strategic roadmap for transitioning India’s mobility sector from linear to circular models, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Rajendra M Petkar, President and CTO, Tata Motors Ltd and Chairperson, SIAM Sustainable Mobility Group, R K Goyal, Director, Saarloha Advanced Materials and Managing Director, Kalyani Steel, Sonal Choithani, Vice President and Head of Market Development, Vedanta, Sosho Kitajima, Chairman, Japan Automobile Recycling Alliance (JARA), R Mukhopadhyay, Director (R&D), J K Tyres, David Nolan, Executive Director, Auto Recycler Association of Australia, Sarvesh Tomar, General Manager, BPCL, Prabhjot Sodhi, Sr Programme Director, CEE, Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, Member, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Ashim Sharma, Senior Partner, NRI Consulting & Solutions, Vinod Babu, Director, CPCB, Masaru Akaishi, Managing Director, Maruti Suzuki Toyotsu India Pvt Ltd, Kartick Nagpal, President, Rosmerta, Nitin Chitkara, CEO, Meta Material Circular Markets (MMCM), Prabhakar Bhangare, CEO, Global PCCS, Anant Bhargava, IFP Petro, Ved Prakash Mishra, Joint Secretary – HSM, MoEFCC, Government of India, Kiran Sarkar, Co-Chairperson, SIAM Recycling and Material Groups and Head – Sustainability, Mahindra & Mahindra, Likith Koundinya, Consulting Specialist, S&P Global, Anand Kumar, Director, CPCB, Sumit Agrawal, Director, BigMint Technologies Pvt Ltd (SteelMint), Dr Rashi Gupta, Founder & MD, Vision Mechatronics, V Manjunath, Regional Standards Manager – South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, UL Standards & Engagement Inc. (ULSE) also participated in the conference addressing the challenges and potential solutions for the adoption of formal circular economy practices.

Bengaluru, 23rd January — Students from Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology (NMIT) have clinched first place at Eco-Avengers 2025, a prestigious National Level Sustainability Pitch Battle competition. The event, organized by Mount Carmel College and EIMR Business School, Bengaluru, was held recently, showcasing innovative solutions for environmental challenges.

The winning team, TEAM BOREAS, comprising Tanush SN, Kevin Joseph, Abhay PS, Jeevan S, and Sathvi Nagaraj, impressed the panel of distinguished judges, including Supriya Panchangam, CEO at The Future Founders Co. and Rohan Subash, Sustainability Education at The Futures Founders Co. with their innovative project: a low cut-in speed Eco-Friendly Dual-Axis Wind Turbine (DAWT). Their innovation stands out for its sustainable design, incorporating recyclable materials and advanced features that maximize energy output while minimizing environmental impact.

Under the exceptional guidance of Dr. L. Harish Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NMIT, three teams from the institution qualified for the finals, with all three securing positions in the top five. The other two finalist teams, TEAM HORUS and TEAM TRYDAN presented innovative projects on solar electric vehicles and eco-friendly automobile body panels, respectively.

Speaking about the student’s achievement Dr. L. Harish Kumar, NMIT said, “This achievement reflects our institution’s commitment to promoting sustainable innovation. “Our students have demonstrated exceptional creativity and technical expertise in developing solutions that address critical environmental challenges.”

The winning project demonstrated several notable sustainable features. It incorporated recyclable materials in its key components, while achieving enhanced energy efficiency even at low wind speeds. The design successfully reduces its carbon footprint and employed a modular approach that facilitates easy maintenance. During operation, the project maintained minimal environmental impact, making it an environmentally responsible solution.

This victory marks a significant milestone for NMIT, highlighting the institution’s dedication to sustainability and innovation in engineering education. The comprehensive eight-month mentorship provided by Dr. Harish Kumar, which included technical guidance, training sessions, and pitch preparation, played a crucial role in the teams’ success.