Thrissur, 21-February-2025 –As Kerala reels from a string of horrifying elephant-related tragedies, Voices for Asian Elephants (VFAE) is stepping up with an urgent, revolutionary solution. The organization, committed to ending elephant captivity and safeguarding endangered Asian elephants, has announced the launch of Shiva Shakthi—a life-sized robotic elephant—at Chakkamparambu Sree Bhagavathi Temple near Mala, Thrissur. This bold initiative aims to transform temple traditions, offering an ethical and cruelty-free alternative while preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. This launch follows a successful pilot project at Sree Sankaran Kovil, a Malayali temple on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, where VFAE introduced Tamil Nadu’s first robotic elephant.

“Science has proven that elephants are highly intelligent, social creatures who belong in the wild with their families—not in captivity where they suffer unimaginable torment,” said Sangita Iyer, Founding Executive Director of Voices for Asian Elephants and award-winning filmmaker of the UN-nominated documentary Gods in Shackles, which exposed the brutal exploitation of festival elephants. “Robotic elephants provide a groundbreaking alternative that allows us to honor sacred traditions without perpetuating unimaginable cruelty. Ahimsa—non-violence—is deeply woven into our culture, and it is our moral responsibility to uphold it.”

Temple authorities are embracing this change. “With their lifelike appearance, robotic elephants ensure that traditions thrive without causing pain and suffering to sentient beings. More temples are realizing that live elephants pose ethical concerns and serious safety risks. We are grateful to Voices for Asian Elephants for generously sponsoring Shiva Shakthi and look forward to welcoming our own life-sized robotic elephant,” said C.D. Sreenath, President of Vijnanadayini Sabha, the public trust managing the temple.

The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated. In just the first two months of 2025, six people have lost their lives due to captive elephant-related incidents. Most recently, on February 13th, a temple festival in Koyilandi, Calicut district, turned into a nightmare when two elephants, spooked by fireworks, deprivation, exhaustion, and relentless abuse, attacked each other. The resulting chaos left three people dead and around 50 injured. Earlier in the month, a captive elephant at a festival in Elavalli, Thrissur, gored two people, including his mahout, who later died. In a desperate bid for freedom, the elephant ran 14 kilometers before being recaptured.

The numbers paint a grim picture. In 2024 alone, 24 captive elephants in Kerala perished due to neglect, brutal mistreatment, and fatal diseases such as foot rot and severe digestive disorders. Over the past six years, a staggering 154 captive elephants have died in Kerala. Mahouts, too, suffer, facing dangerous and often deadly encounters with stressed, enslaved elephants pushed beyond their limits.

Beyond temple traditions, VFAE is making a tangible impact on wild elephant conservation. The organization recently donated a 4.00-acre private plantation to the Kerala Forest Department, securing a vital corridor for approximately 340 wild elephants in South Nilambur. Their efforts have also prevented over 1,139 train-elephant collisions in West Bengal between January 2023 and November 2024, thanks to the implementation of the cutting-edge AI-based EleSense technology. The organization has also planted 50,300 elephant-friendly saplings across the Pallahara and Balasore ranges of Odisha, employing around 200 tribal individuals and creating eight large waterholes to support elephant populations.

With a legacy dating back to 1888, Swiss watch brand Atlantic is renowned for its precision, innovation, and classic design. Blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics, Atlantic timepieces embody superior craftsmanship and timeless appeal. The brand’s latest offering, the Seapair Collection, is a testament to its dedication to excellence, featuring perfectly paired watches for men and women.

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Axis Securities continues to maintain BUY on Kirloskar Brothers with a Target Price of Rs. 2100 reflecting a 19% upside from the current market price (CMP)

Kirloskar Brothers recorded 19% YoY revenue growth in the December 2024 quarter, with the domestic business growing by 3% and the international business expanding by 23%. With an order inflow of Rs. 818 Crores, the domestic order book stands at Rs 1,967 Crores as compared to Rs 1,954 Crores in Q2FY25. Growth in overseas markets was fuelled by strong performance in SPP UK and Dutch subsidiaries, while SPP US saw increased traction post-elections

Kirloskar Brothers has been actively shifting towards high-value products while reducing dependence on low-margin and lumpy EPC orders. Investments in technological upgrades have enhanced operational efficiency and product value, contributing to significant margin expansion over the last two quarters. The management remains confident in sustaining this positive margin trajectory moving forward.

With a robust order book of Rs 3,094 Cr, the company maintains its double-digit revenue growth guidance for FY25, driven by sustained demand across key markets and a strong order book. Order intake is expected to remain robust, while cost optimization initiatives and an enhanced product mix should further support margin expansion. Axis is very Positive in the Sector and for Kirloskar Brothers, the key growth sectors include Building & Construction, Industrials, Water & Irrigation, Power, and Oil & Gas.

Casagrand Millenia Private Limited has acquired a land parcel in Wagholi, Pune, for Rs. 126.04 crore, according to property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards on the website of the Inspector General of Registration (IGR)  The transaction was registered in January 2025.

Anand Moorthy, Co-founder and CBO, Capital Market & Services, Square Yards said, “Pune’s eastern micro market is emerging as the most dynamic commercial hubs, witnessing the highest office offtake in the city. This surge coupled with well-developed physical and social infrastructure, seamless connectivity via the Pune-Ahilyanagar Highway, proximity to the airport and city center, and upcoming metro line is solidifying its position as a preferred residential destination. Key micro-markets such as Kharadi, Wagholi, Hadapsar, and Viman Nagar amongst others are seeing heightened property demand, as the workforce continues to gravitate towards the eastern region. Recent land transactions highlight this momentum, with developers strategically expanding their footprint and focusing on mid-to-high segment projects and gated communities with modern amenities in these localities.”

Wagholi’s strategic location along the Pune-Ahilyanagar Highway and near the Kharadi IT Hub has fueled its transformation into a thriving residential destination. The upcoming ~11 km Ramwadi-Wagholi Metro extension, with 11 new stations, will further enhance connectivity, reinforcing its appeal for businesses and homebuyers alike. With proximity to commercial hubs, reputed schools, hospitals, and shopping centers, Wagholi continues to emerge as a key residential hotspot.

According to IGR property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards, Casagrand Millenia Private Limited purchased a land parcel spanning a total of 1.18 hectares (~14,113 square yards) from Krishna Realtors Skyscraper LLP. The transaction incurred a stamp duty of Rs. 8.82 crore and a registration fee of Rs. 30,000.

According to Square Yards’ Locality Data Intelligence, 5,367 transactions amounting to a gross transaction value of Rs. 4,925 crore were registered with IGR in Wagholi, Pune, between January 2024 and December 2024. Currently, the average property price of Wagholi stands at Rs. 10,823 per sq. ft.

Casagrand Millenia Private Limited is a privately held company that was established on December 25, 2019. It operates as a non-government entity and is officially registered with the Registrar of Companies in Chennai.

India, 21st February 2025: Satin Creditcare Network Limited (SCNL), one of India’s leading microfinance institutions, has been assigned an SQS2 Sustainability Quality Score (Very Good) for its Social Financing Framework dated January 2025. Moody’s Ratings, as a party Opinion, has evaluated and assigned this rating, recognizing SCNL’s strong alignment with international sustainability standards.

SCNL has undertaken this assessment for the first time and received a Very Good (SQS2) rating, which is among the highest ratings awarded within the BFSI sector, reflecting the company’s robust sustainability framework and responsible financing approach.

SCNL’s Social Financing Framework adheres to the highest international standards, including the International Capital Market Association’s (ICMA) Social Bond Principles (SBP) 2023, and the Loan Market Association, Asia-Pacific Loan Market Association and Loan Syndications & Trading Association’s (LMA/ APLMA/LSTA) Social Loan Principles (SLP) 2023. In addition to full compliance with these principles, SCNL has incorporated all best practices identified by Moody’s Ratings across its framework components, reinforcing its dedication to transparency, impact measurement and sustainability in social financing.

21 February 2025, Bengaluru: The Centre for Management Communication (CenComm), a Centre of Excellence at IIM Bangalore, in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), organized a roundtable discussion on the role of sub-national policies in tackling climate change on 19th February 2025, at the IIMB campus. Following a recent publication from CEE titled, ‘Role of Sub-National Policies in Addressing the Climate Change Challenge – Learnings from Karnataka’s SAPCC’, the discussion sought to bridge the gap between global commitments and local execution.

Amid the evolving geopolitical landscape, effectively communicating climate policies and ensuring their grassroots implementation remain key challenges. To address these complexities, the centers convened an elite panel of climate justice stakeholders to shed light on the power of localized policymaking in driving meaningful global climate reparations.

Dr. Deepti Ganapathy, Chairperson, Centre for Management Communication, IIM Bangalore, and Rejini Simpson, Programme Director, CEE South, set the stage for the discussions. As moderators, they guided the discourse on ‘Bridging Global Commitments to Local Impact: Collaborative Pathways for Climate Resilience’, emphasizing the need for multistakeholder cooperation.

One of the panelists, Judith Weinberger-Singh, Resident Representative, Hanns Seidel Foundation India, highlighted the role of multilateral and bilateral collaborations in advancing climate action, drawing key insights from the European Union’s initiatives. She emphasized the significance of joint efforts in addressing pressing environmental challenges, referencing policy frameworks such as the European Green Deal and the role of climate finance in the global system. Citing the strategic EU-India partnership for environmental protection as an example, she underscored the need for inclusive collaboration. She further stressed the importance of engaging a diverse range of stakeholders including academics, private sector leaders, government officials, and local communities to leverage their unique strengths and develop tailored solutions for the challenges ahead.

Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar, IAS, Chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), underscored the pivotal role of subnational governments in strengthening climate resilience, with a specific focus on water management and urban sustainability. He highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on the urban poor, emphasizing its adverse effects on their livelihoods. Drawing from his on-ground observations during Bengaluru’s water crisis last year, he urged various associations to collaborate in implementing policies aimed at curbing groundwater over-extraction. His perspective on viewing challenges and crises as opportunities for resource innovation offered the audience an optimistic and strategic approach to navigating climate-related challenges.

Bringing a corporate perspective, Srinivasa C. K., General Manager – Sustainability (ESG), Promotion Division at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd., discussed Sustainable Mobility & Industry Leadership in Climate Action, emphasizing the automotive sector’s role in driving a greener future. He broadened the conversation to address the wider industrial impact on climate change, highlighting that the energy sector contributes approximately 73% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with transportation’s share steadily increasing. He emphasized Toyota’s commitment to sustainable innovation through the development of electrified and hybrid vehicles, the adoption of circular economy practices, and a strong focus on water sustainability—achieving over 90% reliance on recycled and rainwater. Stressing the critical role of private enterprises in mitigating climate impact, he called for enhanced subsidies, collaborative research and development, and open dialogue between government, industry, and local communities, reinforcing the need for a unified, cross-sectoral approach to tackling climate challenges.

Dhenuka Srinivasan, Environment & Sustainability Manager at ABB India, provided insights into Corporate Sustainability & Climate Action – Driving Innovation & Responsibility in a Changing World, emphasizing the imperative for businesses to embed sustainability within their core strategies. She underlined the significance of public-private partnerships, behavioral change, and early climate education at the school level as key drivers of a positive shift in climate impact—an idea that resonated strongly with the audience. She further stressed that individual actions play a crucial role in addressing climate change, with students, as future leaders, holding the responsibility to champion and implement effective mitigation measures.

The event was attended by a diverse audience, including members of the IIM Bangalore community, industry professionals from top consulting firms, sustainability-driven entrepreneurs, and students from institutions such as Christ University and S P Jain, amongst others. Additionally, the discussion was live-streamed on YouTube, enabling a broader audience to engage with the discourse on sustainable policymaking and climate resilience.

Through this roundtable, CenComm and CEE reinforced the urgency of translating policy frameworks into actionable solutions and fostering multi-sectoral partnerships for long-term climate commitment along with action.

Bengaluru, 21 February 2025: In a significant step towards sustainable water management in Bengaluru, Ms. Angela F. Williams, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide, unveiled an innovative ‘Rainwater Percolation Wells’ model at the Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park (IGMF) in Bengaluru. The initiative, led by United Way Bengaluru (UWBe) under its flagship program ‘One Billion Drops’ aims to enhance public awareness about sustainable rainwater conservation and inspire community participation in recharging the city’s natural aquifers.

At IGMF Park, 12 wells have been established, each capable of conserving 1,28,100 liters of water annually. These wells are built underground, and the newly installed physical model at the park visually demonstrates how they function. This model helps communities understand the process, encouraging them to adopt similar rainwater harvesting solutions in their private spaces to conserve water and recharge borewells.

United Way Bengaluru has been a leader in urban water conservation, constructing nearly 8,000 percolation wells since 2020 across public parks, government institutions, and campuses in Bengaluru, with an additional 2,000 wells in the pipeline. These 8,000 wells have the potential to significantly contribute to the city’s water sustainability efforts, conserving 10.24 million liters of water annually. A similar first-of-its-kind prototype was installed at Lalbagh in 2022, which has since drawn thousands of visitors, generating widespread public awareness about rainwater percolation wells. The success of that initiative paved the way for more such models to be introduced across the city, with the latest one at IGMF Park reinforcing the importance of rainwater conservation.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. M. Jagadesh, Joint Director of Horticulture (Parks and Gardens), Lalbagh said “The Horticulture Department, Karnataka has been working with United Way Bengaluru for several years on various environmental initiatives, from water conservation to greening urban spaces. This rainwater percolation well prototype is a great step toward public awareness and sustainable water management. We look forward to continuing this partnership to drive many more environmental initiatives in the future.

“Water conservation is a critical challenge not just for Bengaluru, but for cities worldwide facing the impacts of climate change and rapid urbanization. United Way believes in local solutions with global impact, and Bengaluru’s ‘One Billion Drops’ initiative exemplifies how Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) can drive meaningful change. By bringing together the government, corporates, and communities to adopt sustainable water conservation practices like rainwater percolation wells, we are not only addressing immediate water challenges but also building a resilient future for generations to come. United Way Bengaluru’s leadership in fostering these collaborations is truly commendable, and I hope to see similar initiatives replicated in other cities worldwide.” said Angela F. Williams, President and CEO, of United Way Worldwide.

“Rooted in a community-focused approach, the ‘One Billion Drops‘ campaign is not just a solution; it’s a movement. A scalable, replicable model that brings together communities and stakeholders for rainwater conservation and sustainability. I am grateful to Angela for joining us to unveil the prototype