Archives February 2025

Ahmedabad, 25 February 2025: ACC, the cement and building materials company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, along with the Adani Foundation, continues to drive social impact through the ‘Meri Sangini Meri Margdarshika’ (MSMM) programme. Implemented across 17 ACC locations, the women-led initiative has connected rural community members to more than 20 government welfare, insurance, financial schemes and entitlements, unlocking a total value of Rs. 612 crore. MSMM facilitators are all trained local women volunteers, called ‘Sanginis’.

By simplifying bureaucratic processes, MSMM has helped beneficiaries access schemes related to healthcare, education, financial inclusion, and livelihoods — boosting household incomes and social security. So far in FY’25, the programme has linked 28,000 beneficiaries to government schemes across Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and others.

MSMM has so far unlocked total value of Rs. 612 crore in government benefits during the fiscal, with Rs. 3.51 crore directly transferred into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, driving financial inclusion. Communities located around ACC’s Kudithini, Wadi, Sindri, and Madukkarai plants have received higher benefits amongst all the covered locations including Bargarh, Chanda, Chaibasa, Damodar, Gagal, Jamul, Kymore, Lakheri, Thondebhavi, Tikaria, Chilhati, and Salaibanwa.

Beneficiaries have gained access to eligible welfare schemes including Ayushman Cards, e-Shram Cards, Crop Insurance, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atmnirbhar Nidhi, and others, significantly improving their financial security and livelihoods. Overall, MSMM has unlocked a value of 885 times the invested amount, underscoring its efficiency in driving social transformation.

ACC and the Adani Foundation’s commitment to inclusive growth and empowerment of women as changemakers is reflected through initiatives including MSMM, enabling maximum benefits from government schemes for thousands of underserved families in rural communities.

S M Sehgal Foundation organized an Inter-Stakeholder Knowledge Exchange Workshop to mobilize collective action for sustainable crop residue management (CRM) at Gurugram, Haryana. The event brought together key stakeholders including policymakers, researchers, agriculture experts, industry representatives, and farmers to deliberate on innovative solutions for reducing crop residue burning and promoting sustainable alternatives.

 The workshop aimed to enhance collaboration among diverse stakeholders, share best practices, and explore sustainable solutions to address the challenges of crop residue management. Key focus areas of the workshop included the following:

 1. Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Encouraging the adoption of sustainable CRM practices to reduce air pollution and enhance soil health.
2. Facilitating Knowledge Exchange: Providing a platform to share innovative technologies and best practices that can improve crop productivity and offer alternatives to residue burning.
3. Sharing Community Experiences and Insights: Highlighting community experiences to foster collective learning and guide future interventions that are sustainable and impactful.

 Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), agriculture universities like Punjab Agriculture University, industry experts from CII, The Nature Conservancy, Energy Harvest Charitable Trust, and Center for Science and Environment actively participated, emphasizing the need for a multi-stakeholder approach. Experts discussed successful case studies on innovative CRM models which have the potential to reduce burning incidents significantly.

 Special Guest, Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Director General, Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) shared, “Collective action and willingness can be the only way to address this issue. Lots of efforts are being made in this direction, and it needs a collective view and approach by several players, including the farmers.”

 During the workshop, the farming community members shared their experiences highlighting the importance of awareness on CRM, access to cost-effective farm machinery, and the significance of crop diversification. The knowledge exchange provided valuable experiential insights, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities from an inter-stakeholder perspective.

 Speaking at the event, Nishant Gupta, Social & Environmental Impact Advisor, Walmart.org, mentioned, “Sustainable crop residue management is critical for environmental protection, soil health and air quality improvement. Collaborative efforts are essential to scale up solutions that are both economically viable and ecologically sustainable.”

 Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation, said, “The workshop has been a vital platform for sharing innovative solutions and aligning stakeholders toward a common goal. The topical discussions will lead to convergence of efforts in this regard and pave the way for collaborative action.”

Bharat Tex 2025, India’s largest global textile event, was successfully organized from February 14 to 17, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event spanned 2.2 million square feet and featured over 5,000 exhibitors, providing a comprehensive showcase of India’s textile ecosystem. More than 1,20,000 trade visitors, from 120+ countries including global CEOs, policymakers, and industry leaders, attended the event.

Bharat Tex 2025 served as a platform to accelerate the government’s “Farm to Fibre, Fabric, Fashion, and Foreign Markets” vision. India’s textile exports have already reached ₹3 lakh crore, and the goal is to triple this to ₹9 lakh crore by 2030 by strengthening domestic manufacturing and expanding global reach. The event demonstrated India’s leadership in the textile sector and its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.

Defining Achievements of Bharat Tex 2025

India’s Textile Industry: A Key Driver of Economic Growth
India is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles globally, contributing 8.21% to the country’s total exports in 2023-24. The sector holds a 4.5% share in global trade, with the United States and European Union accounting for 47% of India’s textile and apparel exports.

From an employment perspective, the textile industry provides direct employment to over 45 million people and supports the livelihoods of over 100 million individuals indirectly, including a large proportion of women and rural workers. It aligns with key government initiatives such as Make in India, Skill India, Women Empowerment, and Rural Youth Employment, reinforcing its role in inclusive economic development.

The government’s focus on increasing textile manufacturing, modernizing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and upgrading technology has strengthened India’s position as a global textile hub. Bharat Tex 2025 provided a platform to showcase these advancements while promoting sustainable and high-value textile production.

Supportive Policy Framework
Vested by forward-thinking government initiatives, the Indian textile sector is set to spin a remarkable tale of innovation, fortitude, and economic flourishing in the years to come. With the support of proactive policies, the industry is primed to unleash creative potential, demonstrate resilience, drive economic growth, etc.

1. Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks

Scheme

Creating an Integrated Textiles Value Chain

7 mega textile parks with an expected investment of USD 10 Bn are being set up with world-class infrastructure, plug-and-play facilities, and an integrated ecosystem.

2. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
Boosting manufacturing of MMF fabrics, Apparel & Technical Textiles

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme with approved incentives of INR 10,683 crore (~USD 1 Bn) to promote the production of MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and Products of Technical Textiles

3. Samarth
Building Capacity, addressing skill gaps in the textile value chain
The scheme is a demand-driven and placement-oriented program across the textile value chain. In addition, various States have their own skilling/training support schemes.

4. National Technical Education, Training
Promoting Technical Textiles – towards USD 300 Bn by 2047
National Mission to support and promote Research, Innovation and Development, Education Training, Skill Development, and Market Development in Technical Textiles

5. Liberal State Policies
Generous support & incentives by State Governments / Union Territories – Capital support, wage and skilling incentives, power and water support
To boost the textile industry, the Ministry of Textiles, in the 10th Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) meeting, approved four Start-Ups under the ‘Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)’ scheme, granting each INR 50 Lakhs for innovations in Medical, Industrial, and Protective Textiles. Additionally, three educational institutes, including IIT Indore and NIT Patna, received INR 6.5 Crores to introduce specialized courses in Geotextiles, Geosynthetics, and Sports Textiles, aiming to strengthen technical expertise in the sector. Further, 12 Skill Development Courses in Medical, Protective, Mobile, and Agriculture Textiles, developed by SITRA, NITRA, and SASMIRA, were approved to provide industry-focused training across the textile value chain.

Global Textiles redefined from India to the World

Bharat Tex 2025 is where India’s rich textile heritage meets modern innovation, setting the stage for global textile leadership. As the world’s youngest and largest global textile show, it’s a platform for forging partnerships and driving economic growth.
It serves as a premier platform for industry leaders, manufacturers, exporters, and innovators, bringing together key stakeholders from across the textile sector. The event facilitates collaboration among manufacturers, exporters, and importers, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their expertise, cutting-edge innovations, and latest collections to a global audience.

Focused Zones for Focused Business

Intelligent Manufacturing

Intelligent manufacturing is revolutionizing the textile industry by integrating advanced technologies and data-driven approaches to improve efficiency, quality, and innovation. This transformation leverages automation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics to modernize traditional textile production processes.

Technical Textile

Technical textiles are revolutionizing the textile industry in India by offering innovative solutions across various sectors. These specialized fabrics are designed for specific performance attributes and applications, ranging from automotive and aerospace to healthcare and construction. With a growing emphasis on technology and research, India is positioning itself as a global leader in this field, leveraging its strong textile heritage and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Home Textile

India’s home textile sector is known for its rich traditions and craftsmanship, with various regions specializing in unique textile techniques and patterns. Gujarat is renowned for its vibrant and intricate embroidery, while Kashmir is famous for its luxurious woolen shawls and rugs. This diversity reflects India’s extensive heritage and expertise in textile production.

Fabrics

India is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of fabrics, catering to both domestic and international markets. The sector is characterized by a mix of large-scale industrial manufacturing and small-scale artisanal production, reflecting a vibrant tapestry of innovation and tradition. Major fabric hubs in the country include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and West Bengal, each known for its unique textile specialties.

Apparel & Fashion
In India, the apparel and fashion industry is a major economic driver, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. The country is renowned for its rich heritage in textiles and traditional craftsmanship, including intricate handloom fabrics, embroidery, and dyeing techniques. India’s apparel sector is characterized by a vibrant blend of traditional and contemporary styles, catering to diverse consumer preferences both domestically and internationally.

Handloom
India’s handloom sector is renowned for its variety of textiles, including intricate saris, shawls, scarves, and other woven items. Each region of India boasts distinct handloom traditions and techniques. For example, the Banarasi silk from Varanasi, the Kanjeevaram silk from Tamil Nadu, and the Jamdani from West Bengal are highly esteemed for their quality and craftsmanship. These textiles often feature elaborate patterns, vibrant colors, and traditional motifs, making them highly sought after both domestically and internationally.

Handicrafts & Carpets

The handicraft and carpets sector in India is a vibrant and culturally significant component of the country’s artisan economy, renowned for its rich heritage and exceptional craftsmanship. This sector encompasses a wide range of products, from intricate handcrafted textiles and decorative artifacts to exquisite hand-knotted carpets. Each region in India contributes its unique traditions and techniques, resulting in a diverse array of products that reflect the country’s artistic diversity.
A key attraction of the event was “Indie Haat,” held from February 12 to 18, 2025, at the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, New Delhi. It showcased over 80 different types of handcrafted and handwoven products, created by 85 artisans and weavers from various states. Indie Haat underscored India’s vast handloom and handicraft traditions, aligning with the government’s vision of promoting rural artisans.

Breathing Threads: Fashion Show at Bharat Tex 2025
The office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India organized a fashion event titled “Breathing Threads” to feel the pulse of craftsmanship, honor a living legacy, and witness the timeless elegance of Indian handlooms in modern silhouettes.

The beauty of handloom and the brand’s mission aligns with sustainability and a zero-waste strategy, reflecting the living habits of Indian villages. The event attracted international buyers and key stakeholders, reinforcing India’s potential in sustainable fashion and craftsmanship.

Bharat Tex 2024: A Landmark Event

Bharat Tex 2024 set the stage for India’s emergence as a global textile powerhouse, bringing together 3,500+ exhibitors, 3,000+ overseas buyers, and over 1,00,000 visitors from across the world. Covering an expansive 2 lakh sq. meters, Bharat Tex 2024 featured 50+ knowledge sessions, fostering discussions on global trade, innovation, and industry transformation.

The event played a pivotal role in reinforcing India’s position as a key player in the global textile supply chain. Its success laid a strong foundation for Bharat Tex 2025, which scaled new heights in exhibitor participation, international collaboration, and industry impact.

Weaving Tomorrow: India’s Textile Revolution

Embodied in a vibrant tapestry of timeless craftsmanship and pioneering innovation, the Indian textile industry stands at the threshold of a resplendent future. With each passing year, it continues to evolve—leveraging cutting-edge technology, embracing sustainability, and setting global trends.

As it forges ahead, the industry is not only preserving its rich heritage but also redefining excellence through research-driven advancements and digital integration. With a strong commitment to sustainability and a vision for global leadership, India’s textile sector is poised to shape the future of fashion, technical textiles, and intelligent manufacturing, reinforcing its position as a key driver of economic growth and innovation on the world stage.

Bengaluru, February 25, 2025: HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurers, has launched its latest product HDFC Life Click 2 Achieve Par Advantage. This participating product has been designed keeping in mind milestones associated with the different life stages of an individual. As one continues to save for their growing aspirations/goals, it is observed that there is a preference for early liquidity (for short term needs), flexibility and financial security for the future.

HDFC Life Click 2 Achieve Par Advantage comes with following key features:

• Policy Continuance Benefit (PCB) – Through this option, future premiums are waived in case of death of the Life Assured. The Death Benefit is paid out as a lump sum immediately and also the future benefits under the plan continue for the nominee or survivor.
• Choice of Death Benefit Multiple – This option enables one to choose a customised Death Benefit Multiple – 5x, 7x or 11x – as per their need.
• Paid Up Addition – Through this option, one can convert partial or the entire cash bonus payable into Paid-Up Additions which can be encashed anytime during the term of the policy.

Customers can choose any combination from the above options as per their future needs.

Along with life insurance cover for financial security of the family, the plan also offers:

Additional Life Coverage – One can choose to cover one’s spouse

Tax benefits – As applicable for an individual, based on prevailing tax laws

Life insurance is a necessity for every working individual with financial responsibilities. HDFC Life has been an innovator in the life insurance space offering customisable products that meet the ever-evolving needs of Indian consumers. The Company offers a robust digital platform that provides multiple servicing options to customers as per their convenience. HDFC Life’s commitment to customers is reflected in its consistently high claim settlement ratio, which was 99.50% for FY24.

Speaking on the product launch, Aneesh Khanna – Head Products & Segments, HDFC Life, commented, “We, at HDFC Life, believe that life insurance products need to be designed to fit the specific needs of every individual, depending on their age, life stage, current income and future plans. Every individual dreams of a financially secure future for their loved ones and also of achieving goals such as buying a home, sending their children for higher education to a prestigious institute, etc. These dreams need long-term planning with an instrument that offers flexibility, liquidity and financial security. HDFC Life Click 2 Achieve Par Advantage has been designed to offer a solution to individuals who endeavour to create a better future and protect their dreams against uncertainties with a financial safety net.”

CHENNAI, 25TH FEBRUARY 2025: Veranda Learning Solutions has taken a 40.41% stake in BB Publications Private Limited (“BB Virtuals”) and acquired 65% stake in Navkar Digital Institute Private Limited (“Navkar Digital”).

Veranda Learning will acquire an additional 10.59% stake in BB Virtuals by June 2025. The acquisitions amplify Veranda Learning’s position as a leader in commerce education across India and the company’s commerce vertical is expected to achieve a pro forma EBITDA exceeding Rs 120 crores for FY25.

BB Virtuals, founded by the renowned Chartered Accountant (CA) educator Mr. Bhanwar Borana, has established itself as a top-notch online platform for CA and commerce aspirants. With a strong focus on accessible and high-quality resources, BB Virtuals has trained over 200,000 students online, producing more than 500 all-India rank-holders. Notably, the top four All-India rankers in the November 2024 CA Final Results—Mr. Rishabh Ostwal (Rank 1, shared with Mr. Heramb Maheswari), Ms. Riya Kunjankumar Shah (Rank 2), Ms. Kinjal Ajmera (Rank 3), and Ms. Poonam Sheoran (Rank 4)—were students of BB Virtuals’ online platform, highlighting its impact on CA education.

Navkar Digital, founded by Mr. Hiteshkumar Shah, is a well-established offline education platform for Chartered Accountancy (CA), Company Secretary (CS), and Cost & Management Accountancy (CMA) aspirants in Gujarat. With over 17 years of teaching experience, Mr. Hitesh Shah has built a reputation for excellence in professional education, guiding thousands of students toward their career goals.

Prof. J.K. Shah, founder of JK Shah Classes, commented on the acquisitions, “By bringing in BB Virtuals and Navkar Digital into the Veranda ecosystem, we are building a powerful alliance that provides students pursuing commerce education with unparalleled academic support. This strengthens our mission to deliver exceptional learning experiences and expand our reach to aspiring finance professionals across India.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Mr. Hitesh Shah, Managing Director, Navkar Institute, stated, “We are thrilled to be part of the Veranda ecosystem, leveraging our combined strengths to grow the business and continue supporting students in achieving their professional dreams. This partnership will allow us to integrate technology-driven learning methodologies while retaining the rigor and discipline of our offline teaching model.”

Mr. Bhanwar Borana, Founder of BB Virtuals, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to join forces with Veranda Learning. This partnership will allow us to extend our reach and continue providing top-notch resources and mentorship to CA and commerce students. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks in the realm of commerce education.”

25th Feb 2025, Chennai – The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has outlined an ambitious strategic vision to establish India as a “Global Logistics Hub,” leveraging the nation’s rapidly expanding logistics sector and economic potential. As India strengthens its position as a key player in the global logistics landscape, this initiative aims to harness its unique strengths to create employment opportunities, attract investments, and drive economic growth.

The logistics sector in India is fueled by the growth of e-commerce, manufacturing, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). India has already emerged as a preferred GCC hub for global enterprises seeking efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and innovation. This expanding sector is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 1.5 to 1.7 crore jobs within India by 2030.

India has all the essential elements to emerge as a global leader in logistics. The country boasts a rapidly developing logistics infrastructure, which lays a strong foundation for seamless connectivity and efficient supply chain management. Complementing this growth is a diverse and skilled workforce that spans all levels of management, ensuring expertise and adaptability across the sector.

Additionally, India has a strong talent pool of business and technology leaders who drive innovation and strategic growth within the industry. The expanding presence of Global Capability Centres further strengthens India’s position as a hub for international business operations.

The nation’s thriving startup ecosystem fosters creativity and technological advancement, fueling disruptive innovations in logistics solutions. This progress is supported by a robust education system that encourages early industry engagement, preparing the next generation of professionals to meet future challenges. Moreover, government policies have been increasingly supportive, creating an environment conducive to growth and international collaboration in the logistics sector.

‘Logistics for All’ – A Transformative CII Initiative To achieve this vision, CII has launched the “Logistics for All” initiative, a collaborative effort to engage all stakeholders in the logistics ecosystem. This initiative will create a multitude of opportunities across industries and geographies, offering aspirational career paths, professional growth, and leadership opportunities.

“The ‘Logistics for All’, a CII initiative, engaging all stakeholders, is critical to realize the vision of positioning India as a global logistics hub. This initiative will create numerous opportunities, offering aspirational careers that span industries and geographies. This initiative will offer career growth, job satisfaction, and leadership opportunities in the increasingly important human-machine collaboration,” said Mr. R Dinesh, Chairman, of the CII-Institute of Logistics Advisory Council.

The CII Institute of Logistics serves as a collaborative platform that brings together policymakers, industry stakeholders (both logistics service providers and user sectors), academia, training centers, and aspirants to collectively work towards India’s emergence as a global logistics powerhouse.

Strategic Workforce Development for Logistics Excellence

A key pillar of CII’s strategy is the comprehensive development of the logistics workforce. This approach emphasizes industry-aligned training programs designed to deliver strong placement outcomes, ensuring that trainees are well-prepared for real-world demands. It also focuses on providing early exposure to logistics careers for senior and senior secondary school students, fostering interest in the field from a young age. To meet regional demands, localized training centers are being established in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, expanding access to skill development across the country. Additionally, the strategy aims to promote logistics as an aspirational career path to attract skilled talent. Strategic collaborations are being pursued to develop internationally recognized training programs, ensuring global relevance. CII also engages with international industries to standardize knowledge and facilitate global placements for trainees, aligning India’s logistics workforce with global benchmarks.

CII’s six-pronged workforce development strategy is designed to bridge the rural-urban divide, address the unique needs of both SMEs and large enterprises, and enhance gender diversity in the logistics workforce. These integrated strategies will help shape aspirations for careers in global logistics and supply chain management, further solidifying India’s position as a dominant force in the global logistics industry.

The SPACE TOWER is a product from Blum, which manufactures products in Austria and is a global leader in furniture fittings. If you’re looking for a tall storage unit with plenty of storage space, customizable inner pull-outs, and easy access to objects from all three sides, look no further than the SPACE TOWER. This is the most convenient and ergonomic way to store items.

For further user convenience, the unit can be equipped with a variety of motion technologies. It pulls out and opens automatically – with just a single touch — thanks to the SERVO-DRIVE electrical motion support system. They close again softly and effortlessly with soft-close BLUMOTION. Pull-outs can also be equipped with mechanical TIP-ON BLUMOTION, and handle-less doors can also be opened with TIP-ON, which requires just one push to open the door and a push to close.

The SPACE TOWER has full extensions that give you clear visibility and easy access to provisions from all three sides (left, right and even the front). Inner dividing systems or inner organizers tidy up interiors and give you clear visibility of contents. They also make sure that nothing falls over. Each drawer has an impressive load-bearing capacity (up to a total weight of 70 kg) so the larder unit can even safely hold heavy items such as bottles. It is available in a variety of heights, widths, and depths, and can be tailored to your individual storage space needs.

This SPACE TOWER is equipped with LEGRABOX or TANDEMBOX which is spacious enough to hold provisions for the whole family along with endless design options. It provides ample storage space and easy access to contents, making it ideal for kitchens, bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms, too. The unit makes everyday kitchen use easier by providing easy access and enhanced user convenience. Even smaller models of the SPACE TOWER can accommodate large amounts of food.

Mumbai, February 25, 2025 – Vietjet, Vietnam’s new-age airline, is ushering in the spirit of Holi with an exclusive Holi Festive Sale offering Indian travelers one-way Eco-class fares starting from just INR11 (*). This limited-time offer is available from now through February 28, 2025, for travel between March 10 and September 30, 2025 (**), on all routes between India and Vietnam.

Indian travelers can avail of this special deal for flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore to Vietnam’s largest cities–Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Bookings can be made via Vietjet’s official website (www.vietjetair.com) and the VietJet Air mobile app.

Vietjet is strengthening its position as the airline with the most routes between India and Vietnam. In March 2025, Vietjet will launch two new direct services connecting Bangalore and Hyderabad to Ho Chi Minh City, expanding its India-Vietnam flight network to 10 routes with 78 flights per week.

From Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, Indian visitors can easily explore other tourist hotspots across Vietnam thanks to Vietjet’s robust domestic flight network. Additionally, Vietjet offers seamless connectivity between Vietnam and top destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and major cities in Australia and Northeast Asia.

To add even more color to the Holi celebrations, Vietjet will bring the festive spirit onboard with special in-flight entertainment, festive treats, and delightful surprises at 10,000 meters, ensuring a fun and memorable journey. For those seeking a premium experience, Vietjet offers SkyBoss and Business classes, with a choice of nine hot meals, including wholesome vegetarian options.

Hyderabad, 25th Feb 2025: Thalassemia Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) a registered non-profit organization has today organized Telangana’s Biggest blood donation camp at Kings Palace, Gudimalkapur, Hyderabad. Akbaruddin Owaisi, MLA Chandrayangutta along with a few renowned personalities visited the blood donation camp and supported the cause. M A Aleem Baig, Joint Secretary – TSCS along with Abu Aimal and the dedicated staff of TSCS participated in the donation camp where the blood units collected are going to be used for Thalassemia patients, who need blood for every 15 days just to survive.

TSCS President Dr. Chandrakant Agarwal briefed Akbaruddin Owaisi & other guests, about the situation of Thalassemia in Telangana and the need of blood donors to come forward for transfusion of blood to Thalassemia patients. Ms. Ratnavali Kothapalli, Vice President – TSCS, Dr. Suman Jain, CEO – TSCS, Manoj Rupani were also part of the blood donation camp. The collected blood will be utilised for patients who need a blood transfusion at regular intervals. TSCS has also appealed to the Hon’ble MLA to help in releasing the G.O for mandatory antenatal test – HbA2 (which TSCS has been requesting) for every pregnant woman to help prevent the birth of Thalassemia Major Children.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Chandrakant Agarwal, President – TSCS said, “We are really thankful to the 1955 donors who have come forward and donated blood to meet the blood requirement for Thalassemia patients. We are extremely honoured that Chandrayangutta MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi ji has visited the blood donation camp. We explained him about the situation of Thalassemia in our state & country and also urged him to encourge the need of blood donors to come forward and donate on a regular basis”.

Speaking about the blood donation camp Abu Aimal said “TSCS has been at the forefront in conducting mega blood donation camps in Hyderabad. We thank all the guests and donors who have extended their support to us and also promised to promote awareness of Thalassemia and its eradication”.

Hyderabad, 25th February 2025: The exhilarating four-day journey of eBAJA SAEINDIA 2025 which started with registration of 85 teams came to a thrilling conclusion today, marking another milestone in India’s electric mobility and engineering innovation. Hosted at B V Raju Institute of Technology, Narsapur, near Hyderabad, the final day witnessed intense endurance event, groundbreaking innovations, and the crowning of this year’s champions.

Since its inception in 2007, BAJA SAEINDIA has grown from a single- category event to a multi- category transformative event. The 10 glorious years of eBAJA SAEINDIA is special as this year witnessed the maximum participation of teams in the history of the eBAJA event. The Theme “Fusion 4 Future” stands on the core pillars of Technology, Diversity, Sustainability and Connectivity, encompassed in mBAJA (IC Engine), eBAJA (Electric), hBAJA (HCNG) and aBAJA (Autonomous). This season truly reflects these values, as the four-day event showcased every aspect.

The highlight of the day was the much-anticipated Endurance Event, where out of 77 teams from across India present at the facility, 51 teams cleared Technical Inspection successfully, out of which 44 teams qualified for the final leg of the event by undergoing the rigorous challenges in the previous days which included rounds of Safety Scrutiny like Technical Inspections and Brake test. The Endurance race flagged-off by Senior leaders from Automotive Industry and Academia led by Mr. Aditya Vissam, Secretary of Sri Vishu Educational Society; Mr. Shravan Kumar, Territory Manager, Nizamabad of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd; Mr. Balraj Subramaniam, Chairman, Organizing Committee, BAJA SAEINDIA and Dr. K. C. Vora, Advisor, BAJA SAEINDIA. The other members present were Ramanathan S from Automotive Test System, Ramesha S from Altair, Mayank Kumar Dwivedi from ANSYS, Feroz Khan from Hero Motocorp, Padmesh Sewda from TVS Motors, Arun Jaura from JK Tyres & Industries and the Conveners Vinoth Kumar, Manoneet Singh and Pranav Khatekar.

The day concluded with Valedictory ceremony to celebrate the hard-work of the teams, where top- performing teams were recognized for their excellence in different domains. The ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest Prof. (Dr.) V. Balakista Reddy, Chairman, Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) and Mr. Sukhmal Jain, Director, Marketing, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. Dr. K. V. Vishnu Raju, Chairman, Sri Vishnu Educational Society gave the welcome address on behalf of host institute to the audience.

The Chief Guest, Prof. (Dr.) V. Balakista Reddy, Chairman, Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) said “India has good young population and they should contribute in innovation in Electric Automotive & Semiconductor manufacturing. Lot of scope and opportunity in India for young talent.”

The Guest of Honour, Mr. Sukhmal Jain while addressing the audience said “As we accelerate towards an electric future, BPCL is proud to power the next generation of innovators through our association with eBAJA. Empowering young minds to shape the future of mobility in India, we remain committed to supporting sustainable energy solutions and fostering a cleaner tomorrow.”

Overall Winners:

Best All Girls Team:

Women’s Driving Best Driver Award went to Miss Surekha, Sri Vishnu Engineering College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh State. The second prize winners were Singari Gupta, Maharashtra and the third prize winners were Sakshi Khate, Uttar Pradesh.

Best All Men’s Team:

Faculty Advisors from 77 teams participated in the Dronacharya evaluation event, where they were subjected to Group Discussions and Personal Interviews by Senior Judges and the winner is Prof. Bhimagoud Patil of MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune of car number E47.