Archives June 2025

Mumbai, 4 June 2025 Get ready to dive into an anime extravaganza every night with Sony YAY!’s brand-new action-packed block — Ani-mazing! Starting at 9 PM sharp, Ani-mazing is set to deliver pulse-pounding adventures featuring some of the most beloved anime heroes from around the globe.

From the legendary ninja tales of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden to the dark, spellbinding battles of Jujutsu Kaisen, Ani-mazing promises nonstop thrills and spectacular animation that will captivate young viewers and anime fans alike.

Join Naruto Uzumaki as he pushes his limits to become Hokage, witness the fierce confrontations between sorcerers and curses in Jujutsu Kaisen, and immerse yourself in stories of friendship, courage, and epic battles that have won hearts worldwide.

Whether you’re an anime newbie or a seasoned fan, Sony YAY!’s Ani-mazing is your ultimate nightly destination for edge-of-your-seat action and unforgettable characters.

So, mark your calendars and gear up for an adrenaline rush — Ani-mazing, only on Sony YAY! every night at 9 PM!

~ Tune in to Ani-mazing and unleash the anime power! ~

New Delhi, 4^th June 2025: Ahead of World Environment Day 2025, Godrej Enterprises Group reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship by highlighting its achievements in plastic waste management and sustainable manufacturing practices. As one of the plastic negative companies in India, GEG has been recycling plastic equivalent to the packaging quantity used in its sale of products since 2018.

GEG’s EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) programme has expanded significantly, growing its impact from 4 states to 31 states in just 6 years of implementation. This initiative directly supports the Indian government’s ban on single-use plastics, implemented in 2022. In fact, all designated single-use plastic items at GEG have been eliminated from use since as early as 2018.

Aligning with the theme of World Environment Day 2025 ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’, GEG’s comprehensive efforts showcase how businesses can lead charge in environment-positive approaches. “Plastic pollution has emerged as a global crisis that is affecting our planet and combating it demands urgent, collective action. At Godrej Enterprises Group, we pride ourselves on weaving environmental protection into the fabric of our business. Our achievement of the plastic negative status reflects our commitment towards creating a sustainable future. This World Environment Day, we are not just reflecting on the progress made so far. We are also actively accelerating our efforts to create more scalable solutions that can be adopted industry-wide and take bold decisions that can showcase measurable impact.” said Tejashree Joshi, Head, Environment Sustainability, Godrej Enterprises Group.

 As opposed to the conventional 3R process, which is Reduce – Resue – Recycle, GEG follows a 5R process which is Redesign – Reduce – Reuse – Recycle – Recovery. This process allows the promotion of a circular economy for plastics, where it is valued as a commodity, and does not contribute to pollution.  Further, GEG has been associated with India Plastics Pact (a joint initiative between CII and WWF India) as a founding member since 2021, setting ambitious targets to promote a circular economy for plastics. The targets include 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable or recyclable, 50% to be effectively recycled and 25% of the average recycled content across all plastic packaging.

In fact, a strong example of this ambition in action is Godrej Locking Solutions & Systems, a business unit of GEG, which uses multi-ply corrugated board as an insert instead of plastic in packaging.

Looking ahead, GEG plans to systematically phase out the use of thermocol by 2023 and introduce recycled content up to 30% in its plastic product packaging. Its recycling programme is also being scaled to cover both pre and post-consumer plastic waste generated within and beyond the fence, aiming to recycle an estimated 25000 MT of plastic over the next eight years.

As a registered ‘brand owner’ with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, GEG works with Waste Management Agencies (WMAs) across India to offset the amount of plastic packaging material that has been released into the market by virtue of the sale of its products. Parallelly, the company also prioritises substituting non-recyclable plastic material with recyclable type.

Against the backdrop of India being biggest plastic polluter in the world, releasing 9.3 million tonnes (Mt) annually, GEG’s plastic negative status is an example of how businesses can limit environmental damage while maintaining operational excellence.

Gurugram, 04 June 2025: Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (NMIPL) today announced a significant milestone for its popular compact SUV – the Nissan Magnite, which has surpassed 200,000 cumulative sales across domestic and export markets since its launch in 2020. This achievement marks a significant moment in Nissan’s journey in India and underscores the Magnite’s strong resonance with customers worldwide. The Nissan Magnite has disrupted the B-SUV segment by offering an unmatched combination of bold design, safety, class-leading features, and exceptional value. Its success in both domestic and international markets highlights its universal appeal and the strength of Nissan’s ‘One Car, One World’ philosophy.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said: “The 200,000 global sales milestone is a proud moment for the entire Nissan Motor India family! The New Nissan Magnite continues to capture the imagination of customers around the world with its dynamic design, superior quality, value, and innovative features. We are grateful to our customers in India and across global markets for their continued trust and belief in the Magnite and love for the Nissan brand. We are fully committed to the Indian market, our customers, dealer partners and stakeholders as we work towards expanding our domestic and export product portfolio under the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision.”

Nissan Motor India has also recently introduced a government-approved CNG retro-fitment kit for the New Nissan Magnite, catering to the growing customer demand fuel alternatives. Manufactured and quality assured by Motozen, the kit will be installed at government-authorised fitment centres and is priced at an additional INR 74,999. The kit is compatible with the 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine (manual transmission) variant of the New Magnite.

The New Magnite SUV’s bold and stylish design, 20+ first & best-in-segment features, and 55+ safety features make it a standout choice in the compact SUV segment. With its bold road presence, premium features, and expanding global reach, the New Nissan Magnite is now present in over 65 countries, including both the Right-Hand Drive and Left-Hand Drive markets.

Nissan Motor India continued consistent and sustainable growth in India with a consolidated sale of 99,000+ units for FY2024-25, delivering best single year performance for in the last seven years. The year was marked by the continued success of the New Nissan Magnite, which remains a key pillar for Nissan’s domestic business, selling 28,000+ units annually, and expanding export operations from 20 markets to 65+ international markets, resulting in an unprecedented export sale of 71,000+ units, making India an export hub.

Wednesday 04 June 2025: The LiveLoveLaugh Foundation (LLL), a charitable trust founded in 2015, today announced the launch of its Corporate Mental Health & Well-Being Program—a holistic, research-backed initiative designed to help organizations across India build mentally resilient workplaces.

Recent (2023) research by the McKinsey Health Institute found high levels of reported burnout symptoms, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and distress among Indian employees. Nearly six in ten reported symptoms of burnout, and 51% reported they are working under a lot of pressure at work—highlighting the urgent need for focused support.

Dr. Shyam Bhat, Chairperson, The Live Love Laugh Foundation, said: “Corporate India must move beyond offering Employee Assistance Programs as a one-size-fits-all solution. Rather than relying on ad-hoc measures and annual engagement surveys, we need a systemic, data-driven approach that addresses the root causes of workplace mental health challenges. By focusing on awareness, reducing stigma, and using evidence-based insights, organizations can design meaningful interventions that truly shift outcomes.”

In Sep 2022, Deloitte estimated that poor employee mental health cost Indian businesses INR 110,000 crore (~US$14 billion) annually.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Trustee, The Live Love Laugh Foundation, and Chairperson, Biocon Group, said “Mental health is an integral part of overall well-being, and organizations must recognize its impact on productivity, creativity, and resilience. A stressed and disengaged workforce hampers innovation and efficiency, ultimately affecting business outcomes and the broader economy. We must foster a culture of empathy, create an environment that supports psychological safety, encourages open dialogue, and provides access to mental health resources. Investing in mental well-being is not just the right thing to do—it’s a smart business strategy that strengthens both the enterprise and the economy.”

“For a decade, LiveLoveLaugh has championed mental health across diverse communities. We now believe it is equally important to focus on workplace mental health, with a structured program that helps leaders, managers, and employees to make mental well-being central to their culture. With this program, LLL aims to help companies track and improve their mental health metrics year after year. Over time, insights gathered across organizations will contribute to broader policy-level conversations, enabling us to advocate for systemic change,” said Anisha Padukone, CEO, The LiveLoveLaugh Foundation.

LLL’s program was piloted with a range of corporate partners and shaped by research, including group discussions with HR leaders and insights from each pilot. These revealed a growing recognition of mental health as a business priority. Emerging organizational practices include leadership support, emotional check-ins, awareness efforts, targeted support for different employee segments, and leaders increasingly open to sharing their challenges to build trust.

Despite these promising efforts, many companies still rely on scattered, short-term efforts that lack structure and consistency. To close this gap, LLL designed an evidence-based program that translates research and real-world insights into actionable strategies for workplace well-being.

A key feature is the Employee Mental Health and Well-being Assessment, developed in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute, which helps companies understand employee needs and plan customized support.

Jacqueline Brassey, Director of Research Science and Co-Director of Healthy Workforces at the McKinsey Health Institute, said: “Employers have a huge opportunity – and responsibility – to understand and address the different factors driving holistic employee well-being, as well as burnout symptoms, in their workforce. We are proud to collaborate with LiveLoveLaugh to help companies take the first step toward a workplace culture where mental well-being is prioritized, stigma is reduced, and people are empowered to thrive.”

Key Pillars of the Program:

• Psychometrically Validated Assessment: Equips organizations with anonymous, data-driven insights into employee mental health and well-being across key dimensions, benchmarking their scores against Indian and global firms from the broader McKinsey Health Institute research.
• Curated Company Report & Actionable Insights: Each company receives a customized report based on the assessment, with restricted access. The report highlights themes such as leadership commitment, workload sustainability, stigma, and signs of burnout, anxiety, depression, and distress. LLL discusses the reports with the leadership team and helps translate data into clear, actionable priorities.
• Strategic Roadmap for Change: Beyond the assessment, LiveLoveLaugh provides companies with a tailored roadmap with practical, organization-specific recommendations. These include targeted interventions for individuals, teams, managers, and leaders, while embedding well-being into daily operations and building systems that support ongoing psychological safety.
• Enhancing Utilization of Existing Mental Wellbeing Initiatives: By increasing awareness and engagement, the program helps organizations boost the usage of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and other mental well-being initiatives.
• Continuous Improvement & Measurable Impact: By championing annual participation and year-on-year tracking through the assessment, the program integrates mental health into core performance and engagement metrics. Over time, aggregated data across companies reveals industry-wide trends—that will help shape policy, drive systemic change, and sustain a thriving culture of care.

As India’s fintech revolution gains momentum, its most meaningful impact is being felt beyond the metros—in the lanes of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where access to formal banking has long been a challenge. A new wave of fintech disruptors is reshaping how financial services are delivered, ensuring that convenience, credit, and capital reach every corner of the country. Here’s a spotlight on five such players making financial inclusion more than just a buzzword:

BANKIT: Bringing Banking to Every Pin Code

BANKIT is on a mission to make basic banking services accessible in India’s most remote locations by converting local shopkeepers into BANKIT Agents. Through this “phygital” model, people can access services like cash withdrawals, AEPS, insurance, bill payments, and even travel bookings right in their neighborhoods. With over 1,29,000 outlets across 12,000+ pin codes, BANKIT is creating a hyperlocal financial ecosystem—one kirana store at a time.

LendingKart: Easing Credit Access for Small Businesses

LendingKart is helping small businesses in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities rise above the limitations of traditional lending. By providing unsecured, quick-turnaround loans with minimal documentation, it gives MSMEs the credit push they need to grow—whether it’s to buy machinery, expand operations, or simply manage working capital. It’s fast, flexible, and founder-friendly.

KredX: Unlocking Working Capital in Underserved Markets

KredX solves a pressing issue for businesses in semi-urban India—cash flow crunches. By offering invoice discounting and supply chain finance, KredX helps enterprises unlock funds tied up in receivables. The platform also connects businesses to investors seeking secure, short-term fixed-income opportunities, creating a win-win for all.

Digipay.Guru: Digitizing Payments in the Hinterlands

Digipay.Guru is helping financial institutions and telecom providers extend digital payment capabilities to areas with limited infrastructure. From mobile money to agency banking and contactless QR solutions, it enables smoother, safer, and more inclusive financial transactions in rural and semi-urban regions.

Kaleidofin: Designing Finance Around Aspirations

Instead of pushing standard financial products, Kaleidofin builds user-centric solutions driven by individual goals. With a suite of offerings across savings, credit, insurance, and investments—powered by analytics and India’s digital infrastructure—Kaleidofin empowers users in underserved communities to plan, protect, and prosper.

These five fintech pioneers are changing the financial narrative in India’s small towns—not just by offering products, but by building trust, access, and opportunity. In doing so, they’re becoming the new financial backbone of Bharat—lean, local, and truly inclusive.

Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of the paperback edition of The American Doctor by Dr. Salvatore J. Forcina, M.D. This memoir is published by Histria Perspectives an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding works of non-fiction in a variety of fields.

Born in Italy during World War II, Salvatore Forcina was a young boy who survived all odds by living through his young childhood without any real or proper shelter. Like many Italians during this time, a month after turning eight years old his parents followed this migration to Argentina, a developing country at the time rich with natural resources and hope for a more stable life. Sent away to live with Redemptorist priests for seven long years as the only available option to study, this young boy struggled emotionally and psychologically with no social outlets and little emotional development. Salvatore’s dream to study medicine and help people propelled him to carry on and continue his education, eventually being educated and living on three different continents, each with a new language to learn and master. Despite his meager beginnings, which provided no social and little educational opportunity and despite the many years and setbacks it took him to accomplish this, his goal was ultimately accomplished because of his sheer determination.

This true-life story is motivating, uplifting and based on what genuine love of family can provide to someone.

Midwest Book Review calls it “An inherently fascinating and impressively well written memoir, The American Doctor is one of those exceptional life-story memoirs that are ultimately inspiring and truly memorable.”

Dr. Salvatore J. Forcina, M.D. was born in Scauri, Italy in 1941. This was the time of World War II and the war and its aftermath presented locals with few options other than to flee their homes and later, ultimately, their country. Salvatore’s dream to study medicine and help people propelled him to carry on and continue his education, eventually being educated and living on three different continents, each with a new language to learn and master.

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad invites young food enthusiasts to an engaging and flavourful experience at Miyuki with Little Sushi Chefs – a hands-on sushi-making workshop specially curated for children. Led by the hotel’s Executive Chef and in-house Miyuki Chef, this interactive session will take place on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of June, between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Kids can choose to craft one of three delightful vegetarian rolls – Mango Sushi Roll, Avocado Sushi Roll, or Creamy Cucumber Roll. The workshop includes a welcome drink – fruit punch for the kids and a refreshing virgin mojito for parents. Each child will receive a disposable chef hat and apron to gear up like a true little chef, and take home a sweet dessert as a memento of their culinary adventure. During the session, children will learn the art of assembling sushi, rolling and cutting it, garnishing, and even the basics of chopstick handling – all in a fun, interactive setting.

This workshop offers an enriching experience that blends creativity with cuisine. So, bring out the little sushi lover in your child and let them explore the joy of Japanese cooking at Miyuki!

New Delhi, 6 June 2025: Kamdhenu Paints, a leading manufacturer of high-quality paints and emulsions, has announced the launch of its complete Wood Coating range, designed to provide superior protection and enhance the natural beauty of wooden surfaces. This new range is tailored for both interior and exterior applications, ensuring durability, a premium finish, and long-lasting performance.

Kamdhenu Paints proudly introduces the Kamdhenu Wood Coating Range, a premium collection designed to enhance and protect wooden surfaces with superior durability and aesthetics. The range includes Kamwood 2K PU, a high-quality, solvent-based Poly Urethane Coating for a rich matt finish and a Topcoat High Gloss for a superior mirror effect. Kamwood 1K PU Clear Glossy is a single-pack PU offering excellent clarity and superior stain protection. For a high-quality wood finish system, Kamwood Melamyne is available in Clear Sealer, Clear Topcoat Matt, and Clear Topcoat Glossy. Kamwood Wood Stains provide vibrant color options while preserving the natural beauty of wood grains and veneers. Kamwood NC Sanding Sealer is a fast-drying, high-build sealer that delivers excellent grain filling and smooth sanding properties. To ensure the best application, the range also includes Kamwood Thinners, available in NC Thinner and PU Thinner, essential for achieving the desired finish and ease of application.

Mr. Saurabh Agarwal, Managing Director, Kamdhenu Paints, said, “With our new Wood Coating range, we aim to bring world-class wood finishing solutions to our customers. These products are designed to provide unmatched durability, superior aesthetics, and ease of application, making them ideal for professionals and homeowners alike. At Kamdhenu Paints, we are committed to innovation and delivering the best-in-class solutions for the Indian market.”

With this launch, Kamdhenu Paints strengthens its position in the wood coating segment, offering products that blend innovation, aesthetics, and performance to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

“Sustainability is fast becoming the foundation of industrial decision-making, and the explosives sector is no exception. Traditionally associated with environmental disruption, the industry is now evolving with a clear focus on reducing its ecological impact through innovation and responsibility. Electronic detonators, designed for precision blasting, are reducing over-break, ground vibration, and dust generation, making operations safer and more environmentally conscious. Nitrate-free explosives, such as hydrogen peroxide emulsion formulations, are emerging as viable alternatives that help cut carbon emissions and eliminate nitrate contamination. At SBL Energy, we believe this is the direction the industry must move in. By investing in sustainable explosive technologies, cleaner manufacturing, and responsible supply chains, we are committed to enabling growth that respects both productivity and the planet.”

Mr. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS International

 

“World Environment Day on June 5 is a global call to action—urging us all to embrace sustainable choices in every part of life, including travel. Sustainability is no longer an afterthought in tourism; it’s becoming the core. Today’s travellers—especially millennials and Gen Z—are driven by purpose. They seek destinations untouched by industrialization, where nature and culture thrive in harmony.

Countries like Spain and Slovakia are leading by example, promoting responsible tourism through eco-certified stays, green trails, and low-impact travel initiatives that protect their stunning natural heritage. This shift is reshaping tourism into a powerful catalyst for environmental care, delivering meaningful experiences while preserving the planet. From reducing paper use to cutting carbon emissions, the travel industry is embracing its role in building a greener future.”

Dr. Vivek Tandon, Founder, revalyu Group

“Companies are increasingly recognising plastic as a valuable resource with immense untapped potential. India has emerged as a global leader, recycling over 95% of all PET bottles, driven by stringent EPR regulations and growing demand for sustainable materials. At the forefront is revalyu, pioneering a first-of-its-kind glycolysis-based chemical recycling technology that transforms post-consumer PET waste into high-quality rPET chips. Used across textiles, packaging, and bottling, this low-energy, low-water, zero-liquid-discharge process supports circular economy goals. It also helps industries significantly reduce their environmental impact while ensuring compliance and long-term sustainability. Such innovations are turning plastic waste from an environmental challenge into a valuable and scalable resource.”

Ms. Smitha Shetty, Regional Director, APAC, Achilles Information Limited

“On World Environment Day, we are reminded that the responsibility to protect our planet rests with all of us. At Achilles, we believe in harnessing the collective power of industry, data, and responsible procurement to drive the transition toward clean energy and low-impact supply chains. By enabling businesses to work with verified, ethical, and environmentally aligned suppliers, we not only reduce risk but actively contribute to the global push for a just energy transition. A sustainable future is not a distant goal. It is a shared commitment that begins with everyday decisions.”

Dr. Bijal Sanghvi, Managing Director, Axis Solutions Limited

“Sustainability is the foundation of Axis Solutions Limited’s engineering, manufacturing, and innovation processes. In every aspect of our business, we employ precision-led design, ethically sourced materials, and ecologically friendly manufacturing techniques. Our long-term objective is to reduce factory carbon emissions and eliminate environmentally harmful waste. We are dedicated to reducing the amount of plastic in our packaging, converting to recyclable materials, and promoting circular economy principles across our value chain. Axis is constantly striving for a more sustainable and clean industrial future where developing new technologies and protecting the environment go hand in hand.”

San Francisco, CA/Bengaluru, India, June 4, 2025 – Qlik^®, a global leader in data integration, data quality, analytics, and artificial intelligence, today announced at Snowflake’s annual user conference, Snowflake Summit 2025, that it has been named the 2025 Data Integration Data Cloud Product Partner of the Year award winner by Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company.

Qlik was recognized for its achievements in helping joint customers accelerate trusted, AI-ready data pipelines on the Snowflake platform. Through innovations like native support for Snowflake-managed Iceberg tables and the introduction of the Qlik Open Lakehouse architecture, Qlik empowers enterprises to scale high-volume ingestion, optimize cost and performance, and unlock greater value from SAP and other enterprise data sources.

“This award is a reflection of how well-aligned Qlik and Snowflake are in delivering modern, trusted, and governed data engineering at scale,” said David Zember, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Channels and Alliances at Qlik. “We’re proud to help customers harness more value from their SAP and operational data through faster pipelines, Iceberg optimization, and SAP data products tailored for Snowflake environments. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible with AI-ready architecture.”

“The integration between Qlik and Snowflake has transformed how we manage and operationalize data,” said Michael Benassi, Vice President of Enterprise Analytics at United Federal Credit Union. “With near real-time ingestion and streamlined engineering pipelines, we’re able to scale insights across the business and support faster, more trusted AI initiatives.”

“The transformative results Qlik has achieved for our joint customers exemplify innovation in action,” said Kieran Kennedy, Global Leader for Data Cloud Product Partners, Snowflake. “Naming them as our 2025 Data Engineering Partner of the Year is not just recognition of their technical excellence, but of their vital role in shaping how modern enterprises harness the AI Data Cloud.”