By – Mr. Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO & Managing Director, Renault India 

“The Reserve Bank of India’s decision to reduce the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5%, marking a cumulative 100 bps cut in recent months (25bps cut in Feb 2025, followed by 25bps in April 2025 and 50 bps in June ), is a welcome and timely move.

Combined with a significant 100 bps reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), which releases ₹2.5 lakh crore into the banking system, this policy is expected to strengthen liquidity and accelerate the transmission of lower interest rates to consumers, which will spur demand in the economy. For the automotive sector, this translates directly into improved access to affordable vehicle financing, especially in the entry and mid-level segments.

The reduction in CPI inflation forecast to 3.7% for FY26 will likely increase real disposable income, supporting consumer sentiment. With private consumption already on a healthy trajectory and the festive season on the horizon, we expect this policy environment to drive demand further. Moreover, robust gross FDI despite global headwinds reaffirms India’s attractiveness as a long-term investment destination.

The RBI’s proactive measures are poised to spur automotive retail, enhance customer affordability, and strengthen the economic cycle. We are optimistic that FY2025-26 will see an upward growth trajectory for the auto industry, powered by favorable macroeconomic indicators, strong fundamentals, and evolving consumer confidence.”

6^th June 2025, Thursday: Marriott India proudly achieved its ambitious goal for World Environment Day 2025, a commitment to plant 100,000 trees across its extensive portfolio of over 150 hotels nationwide. This significant undertaking marked a powerful escalation of Marriott India’s dedication to sustainability and ecological restoration, building upon the success of its previous environmental initiatives.

This landmark endeavor was built upon the successful foundation of last year’s “Two Trees per Room” initiative, launched on World Environment Day 2024. That program, a cornerstone of Marriott India’s environmental stewardship, saw over 32,600 trees planted by more than 4,900 volunteers. This year, Marriott India exponentially scaled its impact, with over 15,000 volunteers planting 100,000 trees. This monumental achievement reinforced its commitment to tangible environmental action and a healthier planet.

To achieve this ambitious goal, each Marriott India property actively participated in localized tree-planting initiatives. This collective effort, in collaboration with reputable reforestation organizations, was designed to dramatically expand our collective green footprint. Trees were strategically planted in areas optimized for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and climate change mitigation, while also providing vital support to local communities.

“Marriott India is incredibly proud to have successfully achieved our goal of planting 100,000 trees, a testament to our profound dedication to environmental responsibility,” said Sanjay Gupta – Chairman of the Marriott India Business Council. “This ambitious goal truly underscores our belief that sustainability is not just a passing trend, but a fundamental pillar of responsible hospitality. We are committed to making a lasting, positive impact on our environment for generations to come.”

JW Marriott Kolkata participated enthusiastically in this initiative, planting 25 saplings on World Environment Day in the presence of Arun Kumar – Market Vice President, North India, Bhutan & Nepal, along with the hotel’s leadership and volunteers. As part of their year-long pledge, the hotel will plant a total of 1,124 trees, aligning with the commitment of four trees per room. This ongoing effort highlights the property’s long-term vision of nurturing green spaces and leading by example in the heart of the city.

Marriott India’s dedication extends beyond this signature initiative. We continue to implement a wide array of innovative practices aimed at minimizing our ecological impact, including energy-efficient operations, robust waste reduction programs, and responsible sourcing. By leading through example, Marriott India is committed to setting new benchmarks for sustainable hospitality within the industry.

Hafele’s Loox Range has been meeting the demands for lighting in furniture as well as the growing needs for networking and digitalization since the last 10 years. The solutions offered within this range maximize simplicity and flexibility as well as assure high reliability. The range presents itself as a unique combination of elegant design and state-of-the-art technology making it the perfect choice for any home furniture application, be it Task Lighting for Kitchen cabinets and plinths, Decorative Lighting for Living Room Showcases, Mood Lighting for Bedroom Applications or pure Functional Lighting in Wardrobes.

With the ever-increasing demands for quality and specialized lighting solutions not just for furniture but also for rooms, Hafele in 2019 expanded its range offering to include ceiling cove lighting which incorporates our high-quality strip lights. It was during this period that we realized that among the numerous ceiling light types available in the market, interior architectural lighting had a huge demand, however there weren’t many prominent brands that offered these solutions. On one side, there existed local market players that offered these solutions without effective quality assurances, while on the other there were international brands that only catered to projects with no stable price offering or service support. This left majority of the customers without a viable choice in the market. Identifying this distinct gap early on as an opportunity, Hafele initiated the research and engineering for a range of lights that enhances the design of architectural spaces as well as provides opportunities of achieving different illumination techniques and functionalities. As a brand, Hafele understands design and is known for its bend towards innovation.

It also understands the importance of home ergonomics, lifestyle conveniences and ease of mobility within your surroundings. Our efforts towards this exercise led to the development of a versatile range of architectural lights; Hafele Architectural Lights was brought into existence. With Hafele’s New Architectural Lights Range, you will find all your lighting needs taken care of. Whether it is lighting up a small area, highlighting a wall texture, emphasizing a work of art, illuminating the floor space at night or simply ensuring even distribution of light across the entire space – these lights have got you covered. The range, consisting of 9 series, covers various applications, installation techniques and design themes. Each series comes with a comprehensive offering of the different types of interior lights, be it down lights, spotlight or wall washers, which allows you to implement a consistent design theme (in terms of the lighting fixtures) across the space available, even with differentiated illumination techniques. The biggest advantage this range carries is the absolutely low Unified Glare Rating (UGR). The lower the UGR rating, the lower the glare from the light fittings which therefore results in comfortable illumination in your living spaces. The convenient plug and play assembly, impressive product specifications, flexibility in ordering components, luminaire finishes, and availability of glare reduction accessories provide an overall customized option tailored to your specific requirements. Engineered on the same philosophy of ‘easiness’ and ‘flexibility’ as the Loox furniture lighting system, Hafele can now be your holistic lighting solutions provider, delivering premium ambient, task and accent lighting for your living spaces.

The Stanford Series                                                                                    

Designed on the concept of modularization, Hafele’s Stanford series offers you customization options like never before. The ordering process involves selecting the type of Light Engine, Baffle and Mounting Bracket, enabling the series to offer 42 different luminaire combinations. Selections in terms of wattage, beam angle, tilt angle and shape give you unmatched possibilities in ensuring a unified look for your interiors. The 7 trendy baffle colour options provide creative flexibility for incorporating elegant pops of colours that effortlessly highlight your ceiling or provide a seamless look that immaculately blends with your interior design. Enhancing this experience is the addition of Multiwhite Light Engine to the series which offers unmatched flexibility in tuning the colour temperature to suit your needs.

The luminaries from the Stanford Series are suitable for use as spotlights and down lights. They have a low UGR (Unified Glare Rating) which enhances the visual clarity and provides comfortable aesthetics in the living spaces. With easy installation and wide customization options, the Stanford series is your ideal solution for contemporary aesthetics.

“Hydration and rejuvenation are the foundation of youthful and glowy skin—especially during harsh summers and humidity-filled monsoons,” says Dr. Blossom Kochhar, Founder of Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic. “With the Hydra Pro Plus Kit, we’re delivering modern skin science backed by aromatherapy to provide deep, lasting hydration. The Mocha Facial Kit is our love letter to those who want kind skincare with results; they both represent our commitment to clean beauty and seasonal wellness.”

Chandigarh, June 06, 2025: Council for Green Revolution, a Hyderabad-based Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), has successfully raised approx. Rs. 69 lakhs on the NSE–SSE platform and has listed on June 4, 2025, on the eve of the globally significant World Environment Day as the 14th project listing on its social stock exchange platform (NSE–SSE). This also represents the listing of the first project working for the environment and climate action.

This project fund raising will support their “Young Youth Leadership Programme” enabling it to plant saplings, establish kitchen gardens and conduct climate education trainings with domain experts with an outreach and benefit to over 45,000 student earth leaders.

The successful fundraise marks a significant milestone for both Council for Green Revolution and the NSE SSE platform as it has attracted over 150 retail donors contributing to the issuance with as small as Rs. 1,000/- This is a testament to the SSE’s potential to unlock large pools of retail investment and democratise philanthropy.

NSE–SSE has recently enabled e-IPO via both ASBA and UPI mechanisms. Following the same, this ceremony also acknowledged and felicitated the efforts and initiatives of one of trading members – Fyers, which has championed this initiative by developing and enabling the UPI mechanism on NSE–SSE, resulting in over 50 organic donations in the current issuance. This will inspire and encourage other trading members to enable the UPI mechanism and donation seamlessly.

Speaking on this momentous occasion and on the impact of the project of Council for Green revolution, Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE elucidated, “In order to contribute to the vision of the Government of India to bring capital markets closer to the masses and to facilitate social inclusion through NSE’s SSE, the exchange platform under the guidance of SEBI has been taking steadfast and concrete steps to this effect. The listing of the Council for Green Revolution is a significant milestone, as it represents the first environment and climate action-focused initiative on the platform, reinforcing our dedication to sustainability and social impact”.

National, 5^th June 2025: Furlenco marks World Environment Day 2025, themed “Ending Plastic Pollution Globally” by reaffirming its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible living. From cutting down plastic use to scaling its EV fleet, the company is driving real environmental impact through thoughtful, measurable action.

Furlenco’s delivery operations have undergone a green transformation. What began in 2023–24 with 5% Electric Vehicles (EVs) has now scaled to a fleet of 35% EVs covering all larger cities Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, and NCR in 2024–25. By 2025–26, the fleet will grow to over 50% EVs, helping prevent over 600,000 kg of CO₂ emissions to date and counting.

In alignment with this year’s focus on reducing plastic pollution, Furlenco has made significant strides in minimizing plastic waste through its sustainable remanufacturing practices. By replacing disposable one time packaging with innovative reusable packaging materials, the company has saved over 25,000 kg of carton sheets. Additionally, it has eliminated the use of plastic-based materials such as bubble wrap, stretch film, and EPE, while replacing PVC tapes with cable ties collectively reducing plastic consumption by 5 tonnes. These efforts reflect the brand’s deep commitment to eco-conscious operations at every stage of its supply chain.

Furlenco’s refurbishment facilities have introduced dry chemical washing, a technique that dramatically reduces water usage in furniture maintenance. Through continued refurbishment and upcycling practices, the company estimates it has saved over 50,000 trees, reinforcing its commitment to circular economy principles.

Mr. Ajay Agarwal, Chief Operations Officer, Furlenco, states, “At Furlenco sustainability isn’t a side initiative, it’s embedded in how we operate and innovate. As we observe World Environment Day 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to reducing plastic, conserving natural resources, and transforming last-mile delivery through clean mobility. This is how we’re helping redefine what it means to live sustainably in India.”

With strong intent and scalable initiatives, Furlenco continues to demonstrate how businesses can lead the way in tackling plastic pollution and environmental degradation.

5th June 2025: As the world collectively observes World Environment Day 2025, Merino Industries reflects and builds upon its deep-rooted focus on environmental leadership through meaningful actions, guided by its flagship Nirmal Program and a holistic sustainability vision that integrates planet, people, and progress.

At Merino, sustainability is deeply imbibed in its culture that informs everyday decisions. From rainwater harvesting to energy efficiency, soil health to circular waste management, the company’s approach is rooted in reverence for the five elements of nature Bhūmih (Earth), Apah (Water), Agnih (Fire), Vayu (Air), and Khang (Space) which together form the philosophical foundation of the Nirmal Program.

This nature-first mindset is backed by measurable action. Over 75% of Merino’s total energy now comes from renewable sources, largely through biomass and solar power, helping the company significantly reduce its carbon footprint. In FY 2024 alone, Merino reduced more than 75,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions a result of its continued shift away from fossil fuel dependency. Its water sustainability efforts follow the 5R principle: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replenish, and Restore. More than 82,500 litres of water are recycled annually across Merino’s operations.

Merino’s relationship with the soil runs even deeper in the past year alone, the company produced 215 metric tons of nutrient-rich bio-manure and compost using agricultural waste like paddy straw, factory byproducts, discarded potatoes, and vermicomposting from its bamboo farms, all contributing to healthier farmlands and greener factory ecosystems.

Perhaps most heartening is how nature has responded to these efforts. At Merino’s manufacturing campuses in Hapur and Halol, various species of native birds have found refuge, turning industrial plants into thriving habitats. What began as afforestation now breathes life as a symbol of balance between industry and ecology.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manoj Lohia, Director at Merino Industries Ltd., shared, “Sustainability, for us, is not merely a responsibility. Instead, it’s a way of life. With every tree planted, every litre of water saved, every emission avoided we’re investing in a future that’s abundant and inclusive. Through the Nirmal Program, we’ve created a culture that’s environment first. This World Environment Day, we stand by our belief that meaningful impact comes from daily choices, and that growth and green goals can and must coexist.”

Merino’s broader sustainability model also integrates economic and social dimensions. The company follows a Triple Bottom Line philosophy: Planet, People, and Profit – ensuring that profitability is balanced with environmental care and social responsibility. From supporting farmer livelihoods through agroforestry to producing clean, formaldehyde-reduced furniture-grade boards and composting organic waste back into the earth, Merino’s circular ecosystem is quietly leading by example.

On this World Environment Day, Merino Industries renews its pledge: to produce responsibly, consume mindfully, and leave behind a legacy backed by innovation, as well as regeneration.

05 June 2025, Gurugram, Haryana- Stride Green, a climate-tech focused asset financing and lifecycle management platform, has announced the successful raise of $3.5 million as part of its Seed Funding Round, led by Micelio Technology Fund, Incubate Fund Asia, and other strategic investors. This infusion of capital is set to bolster Stride Green’s mission to provide innovative, tech-enabled financing and leasing solutions tailored for India’s burgeoning clean energy transition sectors, such as electric mobility, battery storage, renewable etc. The funds will also be used to expand the team, bringing in critical expertise to strengthen capabilities and support future growth.

Founded by Ishpreet Gandhi & Vivek Jain, Stride Green is on a mission to empower sustainable businesses through innovative asset management and finance solutions and data-driven insights, driving the transition to a greener economy. In an industry where early-stage clean technologies are usually not able to find growth capital and scalability in operations, Stride Green is providing a novel, end-to-end leasing and financing platform that is impact-focused as well as operationally optimal. The company’s in-house technology facilitates real-time data analytics, intelligent alerts, and operational insights, enhancing asset performance and longevity.

Vivek Jain, Co-Founder & CEO, Stride Green, said, “At Stride Green, we’re driven by deep domain expertise and a clear purpose to develop innovative and scalable solutions for the climate-tech ecosystem. We are grateful to have eco-conscious, mission-aligned partners like Micelio and Incubate, whose support empowers us on our journey to deliver bespoke, high-impact solutions for a more sustainable future.”

India’s clean-tech sector has witnessed a surge in investments, surpassing China in clean technology funding during the third quarter of 2024, with deals worth approximately $2.4 billion. This momentum underscores the country’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Stride Green is enabling this shift by equipping eco-conscious businesses with the tools to boost operational efficiency, cut emissions, and scale sustainable solutions across the clean energy value chain.

Rajeev Ranka, Partner, Incubate Fund Asia, said, “We are very excited to partner with Stride Green to co-create the new age green financing and asset management platform to meet the needs of the evolving energy sector, electric mobility, and financial Institutions. StrideGreen, Ishpreet, and Vivek have been at the forefront of creating scalable new age financing products, very glad to support their vision and join the journey.”

Stride Green is poised for geographical and technological expansion, aiming to broaden its presence across new regions and diversify into emerging verticals within the climate technology sector. This growth strategy reflects the company’s dedication to scaling sustainable solutions and driving innovation in the clean energy ecosystem.

Alok Chauhan, Principal, Micelio Technology Fund, added, “At Micelio, we have held a strong belief that the transition to clean mobility requires specialized financing infrastructure that can evolve with innovation. Stride Green‘s tech-first platform addresses a critical gap between traditional financing and clean mobility’s unique needs—helping unlock significant capital for the sector. We’re excited to support this ecosystem-focused approach that aligns perfectly with our portfolio’s mission to advance the clean mobility ecosystem through strategic technology investments.”