Archives June 2025

National, June 12, 2025 — Sodexo, a global leader in sustainable food and valued workplace experience services, has been onboarded by Medanta Hospital, Indore, to elevate the patient dining experience. This strategic collaboration is part of Medanta’s pursuit of excellence for delivering high-quality, patient-centric healthcare services that include nutrition, wellness and overall comfort. The partnership will draw on Sodexo’s expertise in healthcare nutrition and culinary innovation to offer customised, nutrition-forward food programs curated in collaboration with the hospital teams and suited to the diverse dietary needs of patients. With a comprehensive suite of food services, Sodexo will manage all food service operations at the hospital including in-patient meal services that support recovery and dining spaces for visitors, making hospital visits a little more comfortable.

With a team of expert chefs, qualified nutritionists, and service professionals, Sodexo aims to deliver a seamless food experience that complements Medanta’s medical excellence. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centric food services that align with Medanta’s excellence in healthcare. We are proud to bring our expertise in insights-driven nutrition programs to enhance the overall patient and visitor experience. From nutritionally balanced meals and seamless digital ordering to a modern retail environment, our focus is on supporting faster recovery and overall wellbeing through thoughtful, safe, and reliable food services. Our teams are fully aligned with Medanta’s vision and will work closely to deliver care experiences that truly complement clinical outcomes”, said, Sharad Misra, Chief Operating Officer, Health & Care Segment, Sodexo India.

“At Medanta, we are committed to a holistic approach to care. Our collaboration with Sodexo is an important endeavour to complement our medical efforts with the right nutrition, an essential element that supports faster recovery, enhances patient comfort, and improves the overall hospital experience for both patients and their families. Sodexo brings deep expertise and comprehensive experience in health and care nutrition which allows us to offer personalised, nutritionally balanced meals tailored to the unique needs of each patient. We believe this partnership will empower our medical teams to elevate the standards of patient care, ensuring that nutrition and healing go hand in hand throughout the recovery journey,” Dr. Sanjay Geed, Medical Director, Medanta Hospital, Indore.

A key feature of the partnership is the introduction of Sodexo’s So’Eze app, a user-friendly digital platform that allows patients and visitors to browse menus, place orders, and receive updates, enhancing convenience and efficiency in meal service delivery.

The offering includes:

• Aarogyum – a tailored in-patient meal service focused on nutritional requirements and recovery.
• YOO Café – a modern, casual dining space for visitors, offering a curated selection of healthy and comforting meals.
• Food Carts – mobile dining options that enhance convenience and accessibility within the hospital premises.
• Health Check Lounge Services – customized food offerings for patients undergoing diagnostic and preventive health check-ups.

The partnership reflects a long-term commitment to enriching the hospital experience by blending Sodexo’s culinary and operational expertise with Medanta’s clinical excellence. Over the next few years, Sodexo will continue to innovate and support Medanta’s goal of delivering integrated, holistic care that promotes healing, comfort, and well-being.

Anupam Rasayan Signs LOI with E-Lyte Innovations and FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY, for Long Term Supply of Electrolyte Salt, Strengthening its Position in the Lithium-Ion Battery Chemicals Market

Surat, June, 12, 2025: Anupam Rasayan India Ltd. a leading provider of custom synthesis and specialty chemicals, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with E-Lyte Innovations GmbH (E-Lyte) a European developer and supplier of electrolyte solutions for energy storage and FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY GmbH a subsidiary of FUCHS SE working on innovative lubricant solutions. This LOI is considered the entry point for Anupam Rasayan’s collaboration with leading European companies within the battery value chain to take the next step in entering the fast-growing lithium-ion battery chemicals market. This agreement now lays the foundation of negotiating a supply contract with an initial term of five years. Commercial deliveries could begin as early as FY 2026-2027. The LOI envisions supply of a volume of up to 1,500 Hexafluorophosphate(LiPF6), based on market conditions. The LOI is subject to standard terms as regards generally accepted rights for an agreement of this nature.

Speaking about the LOI, Anand Desai, Managing Director of Anupam Rasayan, said, “This partnership with E-Lyte and FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY is a significant step forward in our planned journey of diversification and growth into the energy storage segment. This LOI is a crucial step towards establishing a long-term relationship and a strategic partnership with E-Lyte and FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY for supply of high-quality cost-effective electrolyte salts. Our process optimization capabilities have played a pivotal role in ensuring the product’s validation, offering significant advantages over its global commercial scenario. Additionally, our backward integration in fluorine chemistry through our subsidiary, Tanfac Industries Ltd, provides raw material supply chain security— a critical factor that contributed to signing this LOI. Anupam will be one of the first manufacturers of this molecule in India commercially, strengthening our foothold in the rapidly expanding battery ecosystem. Entering the battery chemicals market positions Anupam as a preferred partner for global innovators in advanced energy solutions. This is one of the many products Anupam is working on in the battery space that has been successfully agreed for supply to a customer, with several others in the pipeline.”

E-Lyte is at the forefront of innovation in the battery sector, developing and producing breakthrough liquid electrolytes for innovative energy storage systems used in various applications, with a focus on e-mobility. Since 2022, FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY GmbH has been supporting E-Lyte in its role as minority shareholder and strategic partner in expansion to meet the steadily growing demand.

Dr. Ralf Wagner at E-Lyte, about the signed LOI, stated, “It is of the utmost importance for E-Lyte to be able to source electrolyte components, which are critical for our products, at the highest quality and at stable prices at all times. With Anupam Rasayan, we are therefore very fortunate to have another experienced potential supplier at our side who fulfils these criteria and thus contributes to the future-proof production of our electrolyte solutions for lithium-ion, sodium-ion and next- generation batteries. “

Hyderabad, India, June 12, 2025:  Cyient Semiconductors Private Limited, a fast-growing custom silicon company based in Hyderabad, and MIPS, a global leader in RISC-V processor IP, today announced a strategic collaboration to develop domain-optimized ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) and ASSP (application-specific standard product) solutions that leverage the MIPS Atlas portfolio of advanced, efficient processor IP. The partnership will focus on enabling real-time, safety-critical applications, power delivery, and compute efficiency in demanding platforms for automotive, industrial, and data center markets. Motor Control & Data Center Power Delivery are focal platforms to leverage Cyient’s Analog Mixed Signal capabilities and MIPS Atlas CPU IP.

“As compute systems scale from cloud to the edge, intelligent power delivery is emerging as a key enabler of performance and efficiency,” said Suman Narayan, CEO of Cyient Semiconductors. “Our collaboration with MIPS allows us to bring together embedded intelligence and advanced power architectures in custom silicon platforms built on a scalable, open foundation. Together, we are designing tomorrow’s semiconductors — purpose-built for a more connected and power-efficient world.”

“The problem of power efficiency and motor control are both real-time compute workloads for which MIPS M8500 microcontrollers are the optimal choice,” said Sameer Wasson, CEO of MIPS. “Building around our best-in-class real-time and control-loop performance and efficiency, Cyient can bring their unique capability in intelligent power delivery into custom ASIC and ASSP designs to build differentiated solutions that meet our customers unique needs in their target markets.”

Demand for software defined vehicles, data center infrastructure, and industrial automation is driving growth for custom silicon. Customers can build advanced, differentiated solutions that are easy to program using MIPS advanced processor IP, based on the open RISC-V instruction set architecture, combined with Cyient intelligent power and mixed-signal design expertise.

Targeted applications include motor drive control, intelligent power management, power delivery management, and safety-critical applications, offered as ASSP or ASIC platforms. OEMs and system integrators will benefit from faster time-to-market, avoiding proprietary lock-ins, and optimized platform cost.

Lucknow, India, June 12th, 2025:  Juicy Couture has launched its first Exclusive Brand Outlet in India in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The new store brings the internationally renowned, Los Angeles-based fashion brand to one of India’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. The store, located in the upscale Phoenix Palassio Mall, offers an immersive shopping experience that reflects the brand’s signature blend of casual luxury, glamorous lifestyle, and bold fashion statements.

Juicy Couture is a globally renowned brand known for its trendy fashion, bold use of colours, playful designs, and glamorous aesthetic that appeals to a young, fashion-conscious audience. The newly launched store showcases the brand’s latest collections, tailored to meet the tastes of the modern Indian fashion consumer, and will feature an assortment of velour suits, lingerie, handbags, hair accessories, luggage, and other lifestyle accessories specifically designed for the consumer. The grand opening was celebrated with an exclusive wine and cheese event and a glamorous fashion show, attended by fashion influencers, local celebrities, and media personalities, underscoring the brand’s commitment to creating a unique and luxurious retail experience.

“We are delighted to bring Juicy Couture to the Royal City of Lucknow, marking a key milestone in our strategic retail expansion,” said Nabendu Chakraborty, Chief Operating Officer, Brand Concepts Ltd. “The exclusive sundowner, along with a curated fashion show, was a fitting launch to showcase the brand’s bold and aspirational identity. With this launch, we continue our commitment to delivering premium global fashion experiences tailored for the discerning Indian consumer.”

Juicy Couture’s debut in Lucknow is a part of its strategic expansion plan to bring premium international fashion brands to key markets across India. The store’s design and product range have been thoughtfully curated to deliver an aspirational lifestyle to fashion-forward customers in the region.

This launch follows Juicy Couture’s earlier celebrated collaborations in India with personalities like Chitrangada Singh and Alanna Panday, as well as the Housefull 5 showcase, which were instrumental in shaping the brand’s premium and glamorous appeal among Indian audiences.

With this launch, Brand Concepts Ltd. continues to reinforce its position as a trailblazer in India’s fashion and lifestyle retail sector, offering globally celebrated brands to a rapidly growing base of style-conscious Indian consumers. Brand Concepts Ltd., a pioneer in introducing fashion to travel gear, bags and accessories has partnered with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), a global brand development and licensing company to launch Juicy Couture bags in India.

Store Address: Phoenix Palassio, Lucknow
Store Timings: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Bhubaneswar: Mitsubishi Electric, one of the world’s leading air conditioning manufacturers, has launched its exclusive showroom, Cooling Planet, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The new showroom is located at S.R. Refrigeration, Lane-2, District Center, Chandrasekharpur.

The showroom was jointly inaugurated by Mr. Manish Chaudhary, East India Head – Living Environment, and Mr. Naohiko Hosokawa, Head, Business Operations – LE Division, Mitsubishi Electric India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hosokawa emphasized that Mitsubishi Electric is globally renowned for its superior quality and wide presence across major Indian cities. “We are delighted to bring our complete range of air conditioners to Bhubaneswar, giving customers here the opportunity to experience our world-class products,” he said.

To ensure excellent after-sales support, Mitsubishi Electric India has also established two service centers in Bhubaneswar. The showroom will feature the full range of Mitsubishi Electric products, including Window ACs, Split ACs, and VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) systems.

Mr. Amir Hassan, Odisha Operations Head, was also present at the launch event.

PL Capital’s ‘Ringside View’ Unpacks Implications of India–UK FTA with Harjinder Kang (UK Trade Commissioner), Amisha Vora (Chairperson & MD, PL Capital) & Industry Veterans

Mumbai, June 12, 2025: PL Capital- Prabhudas Lilladher, one of the most trusted financial services organisations in India, convened a high-profile panel to dissect the strategic and economic implications of the recently concluded India–UK Free Trade Agreement. The session was hosted by Amisha Vora, Chairperson & MD, PL Capital, who opened the forum by introducing the UK’s Trade Commissioner Harjinder Kang, alongside co-panelists Manish Singh (CIO, Crossbridge Capital) and Anuj Agarwal (Group Chief Economist, Welspun Group).

Amisha Vora opened the discussion by framing that the FTA signals “India’s trade strategy shifting from a tariff-first to a trust-first model, unlocking $120 billion of opportunity across services, manufacturing, and capital.” She highlighted that 72% of India’s exports to the UK—including electronics, fuels, chemicals, textiles, and apparel—run a trade surplus, positioning sectors like auto components, engineering goods, and textiles for meaningful upside. Emphasizing the FTA’s services dimension, she highlighted India’s $18 billion in services exports to the UK, the second-largest after the US, and called attention to the increased mobility for Indian IT, creative, and professional talent as a soft-power and services export amplifier. From a macro lens, she framed the deal as reflective of two decisive shifts: Britain’s post-Brexit diversification away from China toward democratic demand, and India’s effort to anchor deeper into rules-based, like-minded economies without ceding regulatory sovereignty.

Harjinder Kang said that “This agreement is not just a trade deal; it is a blueprint for the next chapter of UK–India economic cooperation.” With £43 billion in existing trade and £25.5 billion in incremental upside, it opens doors to real gains for manufacturers and services providers alike.” Kang explained the next steps: legal scrubbing, Prime Ministerial signing, parliamentary ratification (expected in 9–12 months), and staggered implementation. He affirmed that services liberalization, auto tariffs (with quotas), and a future-ready tech-security corridor” were built into the agreement, with potential expansion into sectors like pharma, semiconductors, and green tech. He detailed the contours of the FTA:

• 99% of Indian goods to the UK and 90% of UK goods to India will become tariff-free.
• UK’s peak tariff on whisky will reduce from 150% to 40% over 10 years.
• The CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism) is not part of the India–UK FTA, reassuring Indian industry that carbon taxes will not affect bilateral trade terms under this agreement.
• Significant liberalization in services: 36 sectors under Contractual Service Suppliers and 16 under Independent Professionals, including IT, R&D, chefs, yoga instructors, and musicians.

Alongside the FTA, the UK and India have agreed to negotiate a reciprocal DCC, which will mean employees temporarily working in the other country for up to three years will continue paying social security contributions only in their home country. Anuj Agarwal provided a lens on the textiles opportunity: “The sector is 2.3% of India’s GDP, 12–13% of industrial output, and employs 45 million people. But our UK exports are only $1.5 billion—far below Bangladesh and Vietnam. This FTA gives India a fair shot at reclaiming share.” He added that tariff timelines will determine the pace of investment response: “If the reductions are staggered too long, industry excitement may mellow down.”

Manish Singh underscored the role of services and capital access: “The world will be driven by services. Any trade deal that accounts for services is hugely important. London has £1.2 trillion locked in defined benefit pension plans, mostly invested in bonds. Even 4–5% reallocation could unlock serious capital for India.”

Dr. Dheeraj Bhaskaran Nair, Senior Consultant – Emergency & Trauma, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, said, “Journalists, like healthcare professionals and paramedics, are often present on the ground during emergencies & critical care situations. Providing them with basic life-saving skills is essential, not just for their safety, but also to empower them to contribute to community well-being in critical moments. This training programme aims to raise awareness, build confidence, and equip participants with the ability to respond effectively during emergencies. We are pleased to facilitate such an interactive and educational initiative for members of the media.”

National, June 12, 2025–​ Since 1945, the name Sennheiser has stood for pioneering audio technology and passionate engineering. This year, the company is celebrating its 80th anniversary.​ At the same time as looking back on its history, Sennheiser reveals why this celebration is not about the number of years and more about what you learn for the future. The family-owned business is telling the stories behind its legendary products, bold decisions and the vision of building the future of audio.

For 80 years, the independent family-owned business Sennheiser has been building the future of audio. In June 1945, Dr. Fritz Sennheiser founded the Wennebostel laboratory in Wedemark near Hanover. What started out as an idea is now one of the world’s leading audio technology companies. “We live and breathe audio in everything we do. That’s what defines us. We are driven by a passion for creating unique sound experiences for our customers. Genuine, pure sound that you can not only hear, but also feel. This is why we have been building the future of audio for 80 years,” says Daniel Sennheiser, Co-CEO of the Sennheiser Group. “When we look back on our company history, it’s less about the number of years and more about what we have learned from the past for our future,” adds Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, Co-CEO of the Sennheiser Group. It’s about a journey full of exciting experiences, great curiosity, courageous decisions, but also product failures and, above all, a passion for sound. “Every product, every milestone, every challenge has shown us how we can build the future of audio – with new ideas that change the audio world.“

Sennheiser’s wireless technology is an impressive example of this. In 1957, the company together with a German broadcasting partner developed the first wireless microphone system for professional stage and TV use – it was a sensation. Since then, wireless microphones have become an integral part of radio and television – and music stars all over the world use products from the Wedemark at their concerts. In 2024, the next milestone in wireless technology is achieved: Sennheiser launches Spectera, a new bidirectional, digital, wireless broadband ecosystem. A system that once again completely redefines the world of wireless audio technology. A system that incorporates the expertise and experience of many years. A radical innovation, born of the courage to question the familiar. Then as now, one thing is the same – the system was developed together with customers.

Creative dissatisfaction and room for crazy ideas

Fritz Sennheiser once put it in a nutshell: Engineers need room for crazy ideas. This spirit still characterizes Sennheiser today. Because true innovation is not created in the laboratory alone – it unfolds where there is room for the unconventional: on stages and in recording studios around the world. “Through our passion and creative dissatisfaction, we have repeatedly brought groundbreaking products to the market and redefined milestones in the audio world,” describes Andreas Sennheiser.

As early as 1947, the Wennebostel laboratory presented its first own microphone, the DM 2. This was followed by milestones such as the MD 421 (1960), which is still used in studios around the world today, and the HD 414 (1968), the first open headphones to revolutionize the listening experience. The HD 25 (1988) became an icon for professional monitoring and in clubs, the HD 800 (2009) set new standards for audiophile sound and the HE 1 (2015) reinterpreted the legendary Orpheus, the best headphones in the world. During this time, Sennheiser becomes an internationally successful brand: Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Jörg Sennheiser, the company opens numerous sales subsidiaries worldwide.

“Our products tell stories of people from all over the world – of DJs who went on tour with the HD 25, of journalists who captured voices with the MD 421, or of music lovers who discovered new worlds of sound with the HD 800,” explains Daniel Sennheiser. Sennheiser products have also been present at important historical moments and have captured words that have moved people around the world. “These stories are what bring our technology to life – because they show how sound can touch people.”

80 years of experience for the future

The successful products of the past are an important inspiration for the future, but also their toughest competitors. The balance between preserving legendary products and developing innovative technologies and solutions is the key to success. Because it is precisely this balance that has made Sennheiser relevant for more than 80 years. Research and development is and remains one of the most important strategic priorities of the Sennheiser Group. Every year more than 8 percent of turnover is invested in expanding the product portfolio, in new software solutions and in the intelligent combination of hardware and services. “The path to the future is never straightforward,” says Daniel Sennheiser. “That’s why this year we’re not only celebrating our successes, but also products that didn’t become milestones, that didn’t make it onto the market or were simply ahead of their time. “These products were often the starting point for our boldest developments. They show that Innovation is not a destination, but a path. And on this path, each of our products contains 80 years of experience, curiosity – and the will to constantly question the status quo,” continues Andreas Sennheiser.

India, 12th June 2025: Aiming to raise awareness around men’s health ahead of Father’s Day, Redcliffe Labs has released a study revealing that men are consistently at a higher risk of developing heart-related conditions. The three-year study, which analysed over 1 lakh preventive health checkups across India, highlights that men exhibit abnormal cardiovascular indicators 11–17% more frequently than women. It highlights the urgent need to take proactive measures to combat the increased risk around men’s heart health.

In the study, Redcliffe Labs analyzed abnormalities for more than 20 health parameters in males and females. The data unveils that men had significantly more abnormal results in total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides, and hs-CRP, all of which are clinically associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. These parameters serve as early red flags, indicating silent deterioration that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other chronic heart conditions if left unchecked.

The findings of the study were particularly notable across several critical cardiovascular markers. Elevated total cholesterol levels, linked to plaque buildup in arteries and increased blockage risk, were observed in 40.2% of men, significantly surpassing the 29.6% recorded among women. Similarly, LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), commonly known as “bad cholesterol” and responsible for arterial plaque accumulation, was found to be abnormal in 43.9% of men compared to 31.7% in women.

Another crucial highlight was that elevated triglyceride levels, typically resulting from poor lifestyle choices and associated with increased heart disease risk, were detected in 37.4% of men versus 27.1% of women. Another critical marker, hs-CRP (High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein), which indicates chronic inflammation and early cardiovascular risk, was elevated in 45.3% of men. It is much higher than the 34.2% observed among women.

According to the study by Redcliffe Labs, the elevated heart health risk in men is not a short-term trend but a persistent and growing concern. Heart conditions often progress silently, and significant damage may already have occurred by the time symptoms appear. The study highlights the importance of preventive diagnostics, which helps intervene early and mitigate long-term risk.

Aditya Kandoi, Founder & CEO, Redcliffe Labs, said, “Heart disease doesn’t develop overnight. These early markers are like red flags waving years in advance. At Redcliffe Labs, we believe that timely and affordable diagnostics can shift the curve from treatment to prevention. That’s the true transformation India’s healthcare needs. The earlier the intervention, the higher the number can be for saving lives.”

To mark Father’s Day, and as part of its mission to drive awareness around preventive heart care, Redcliffe Labs is offering a complimentary hs-CRP test with every full-body checkup specially curated for men. The initiative aims to help men take control of their health and detect inflammation-driven cardiac risk well before symptoms appear.

What does India crave after its most beloved spicy meals? According to a new survey by Scandalous Foods, India’s fast-growing B2B innovator in preservative-free Indian sweets, the answer is increasingly sweet—and surprisingly specific. Among biryani lovers, Ras Malai has emerged as the most popular post-meal indulgence, accounting for a whopping 40% of all Indian dessert accompaniments. When you crunch the numbers, that means 2.5% of all biryani eaters now follow their meal with this creamy classic.

But the story doesn’t end with biryani. Momos—India’s other street-food superstar—are also finding a sweet companion. While significant momo orders are followed by dessert, the choices reflect an appetite for innovation.Desserts like Ras Malai, Gulab Jamun, and Brownies leading the charge.

“Our findings reflect a larger shift in India’s post-meal behavior,” said Sanket S., Co-Founder of Scandalous Foods. “Desserts are no longer reserved just for celebrations. They’ve become a natural extension of the dining experience—whether you’re enjoying a hearty biryani or a plate of street-style momos.”

Beyond Ras Malai, biryani orders also see high pairing with Shahi Tukda, Gulab Jamun, and Halwa, reaffirming the continued love for traditional mithais.

This trend highlights an evolving consumer palate that blends the comfort of heritage with the thrill of new-age experimentation. From small wins to everyday indulgences, dessert is increasingly seen as a necessary part of the meal rather than an occasional luxury.

Scandalous Foods, known for its preservative-free, single-serve mithais tailored for the restaurant and catering (HoReCa) industry, continues to map these consumer shifts to drive innovation in packaging, distribution, and post-meal snacking formats. As Indian desserts find a renewed place at the table, the brand is helping shape what indulgence looks like in a modern, fast-moving food landscape.