Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Titan Company Ltd. Inaugurates Titan Vanam, Plants 2 lakh+ Saplings, Aims For 800 Tonnes Of CO2 Sequestration Annually Over 20 Years


* Unveils Titan Vanam at Thorapalli, Hosur in accordance with Earth Day, hosting 120+ native species, revives 45 acres of Degraded Tropical Thorn Forest 

Titan Company Ltd. inaugurated Titan Vanam, a cohesive afforestation initiative at Thorapalli in Hosur, Tamil Nadu; which has already transformed 45 acres of degraded grazing porambokku land into a budding forest with close to 120+ native species. Vanam, reflecting Titan’s sustained efforts towards improving green cover, was unveiled in the presence of Mr. C K Venkataraman, Managing Director - Titan, Mr. N E Sridhar, Chief Sustainability Officer – Titan, Tmt. V R Latha, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri, Mr. Dinesh Kumar, Collector, Krishnagiri District, Ms. R A Priyanga, Sub-Collector – Krishnagiri and Mr. Yashwant Ambulkar, Asst. Conservator of Forest - Tamil Nadu. The opening was also graced by representatives from Biotasoil Foundation, Medius Earth, local industry associations and community leaders.

Initiated in December 2024, the project began with immediate planting under the technical guidance of Medius Earth and the on-ground expertise of Biotasoil Foundation. To date, more than 208,000 saplings have been planted across two restoration sites at Thorapalli (33 acres) and Billanakuppam (12.5 acres). Baseline ecological surveys conducted identified 241 existing plant species, while targeted invasive species management has paved the way for healthy native growth in the region. This restoration was further supported by organic soil amendments, beneficial microbes, and carefully designed bio-fencing. With planting densities approaching 4000+ saplings per acre, Titan Vanam has the potential to emerge as India’s largest high-density polyculture afforestation project- sequestering an estimated 800 tonnes of CO? equivalent annually.

Beyond its carbon?neutrality objectives, Titan Vanam is engineered to recharge groundwater, reduce soil erosion, enhance air quality and restore the region’s historic elephant corridor ecosystem.

Sharing his views, Mr. C K Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company Limited, said, “Vanam is more than a plantation project—it’s a living blueprint for how industry can drive large?scale ecosystem restoration. By integrating cutting?edge science and sustained stewardship over 45 acres, we’re not just planting trees; we’re cultivating a carbon?neutral future and a self?sustaining forest that will thrive for generations.”

The unveiling at Thorapalli featured the ceremonial planting of 30 saplings by the Collector, Titan leaders, and local representatives. The event also included the unveiling of Titan Vanam’s signboard and species list, along with a technical briefing on soil and water management, invasive species control, and long-term monitoring. Titan has committed to caring for Vanam for the next three years, installing bio-fences, and conducting quarterly growth checks to ensure that the forest thrives. About 10–15% of the area is set aside for endangered and protected species such as Acacia catechu, Tricalysia sphaerocarpa, and Suregada angustifolia, as well as rare plants like Gloriosa superba (Tamil Nadu’s state flower), Ceropegia juncea, and Celastrus paniculatus

Mr. N E Sridhar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Titan Company Limited, emphasized on the program's impact, stating, "From barren Porambokku lands to a biodiverse tropical thorn forest, Titan Vanam exemplifies our long?term vision for climate resilience. Over the next three years, we will rigorously monitor growth, expand community engagement and refine our species mix, scaling this model to other regions where environmental and social imperatives align."

Sharing his views, Mr. Dinesh Kumar, IAS, Collector, Krishnagiri District said, “This plantation of over 2 lakh trees is a shining example of what meaningful public-private partnerships can accomplish. I sincerely thank Titan Company for their commitment to sustainability and commend Biota Soil Foundation for their knowledge, passion, and scientific approach in restoring this landscape with diverse native species. Let this initiative stand as a model, encouraging us to identify and rejuvenate more such barren lands across Hosur and Krishnagiri district.”

Looking ahead, Titan Vanam will set an iconic example of corporate-led afforestation through data-driven management, annual scientific reviews, and community involvement. Titan Company Ltd. invites stakeholders, researchers, and local residents to join in nurturing this living laboratory for a greener, climate-resilient future.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment To Road Safety Across India


In alignment with its vision of building a safer and more responsible mobility ecosystem, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) reiterates its long-standing commitment to advancing road safety through structured initiatives across the country. TKM’s efforts span awareness, education, and innovation, positively impacting over 10 lakh individuals through its comprehensive road safety programs.

At the heart of Toyota’s safety commitment is the Toyota Safety Education Program (TSEP), a flagship initiative launched in 2007 to nurture road safety awareness and behavioural change among school children from 5th to 9th standard in government and private schools. Under the theme “Road Safety – My Right, My Responsibility,” the initiative empowers young minds through a proven ABC approach—Awareness, Behavioural Change, and Campaigns. Using engaging formats such as skits, poster-making, and Road Safety Clubs, awareness levels among participants have increased significantly, underscoring the program’s effectiveness in instilling critical road safety knowledge.

To date, TSEP has reached 9,29,288 students, supported by 1643 trained educators across 140 schools since FY23. It follows a sustained three-year intervention model:

Phase 1: Implemented in Bangalore during FY 2023–24, with the final leg concluding in FY 2025–26.

Phase 2: Currently ongoing across Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai in FY 2024–25.

Notably, the program adopts a child-to-community model, wherein each participating student becomes a road safety ambassador—spreading knowledge and safe practices within their homes, neighbourhoods, and peer groups. This ripple effect is instrumental in transforming community-level attitudes toward responsible road usage. The program’s momentum is maintained through annual engagements across Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai, with continued integration into school curricula for long-term behavioural impact, supported by active involvement from teachers and schools.

Complementing TSEP is the Toyota Hackathon, a youth-led innovation platform that nurtures creative thinking and solution-building among school students from 7th to 12th grade. Designed to solve real-world road safety challenges, this initiative has reached 77,200 students across regions. Conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, the hackathon has generated over 350 innovative concepts covering school zone safety, IoT integration, inclusive infrastructure, and traffic flow management. Participants go through a five-phase journey—from ideation to incubation—with expert mentorship and continued engagement to develop implementable prototypes. The initiative aims to equip students not just as problem solvers but as "Change Agents" influencing broader societal behaviours and policy thinking.

To further amplify enforcement and community education, TKM has supported the setup of seven Traffic Parks across regions, creating simulated environments where school children can learn road safety rules and pedestrian behaviour in a practical and engaging manner.

Recognizing the critical role of commercial drivers, TKM’s Road Safety and Health Initiative in Mizoram has benefitted 800 drivers through structured awareness and health check-up drives, conducted in collaboration with local enforcement and medical teams. These sessions cover road discipline, vehicle maintenance, and mental well-being. Cumulatively, the program has benefitted 7,822 individuals.

To strengthen traffic monitoring infrastructure, 34 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and 20 CCTV cameras have been installed at key junctions across Mizoram, contributing to a reduction in violations and encouraging compliance. These interventions now benefit over 4 lakh road users.

Speaking on the company’s continued efforts, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President - Corporate Affairs and Governance, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, road safety is a fundamental commitment deeply embedded in our vision of responsible mobility. Through structured educational programs, targeted innovation, and meaningful community collaboration, we strive to instill a culture of safety across diverse road users—from school children and youth innovators to drivers.  Our holistic approach is designed to drive lasting behavioral change with measurable impact. With every step, we are working towards our vision of zero road fatalities in India.”

Toyota’s road safety initiatives are anchored in its global 3-pillar approach—people, vehicles, and traffic environment—supported by a legacy of programs dating back to the 1960s. With a focus on sustained impact and collaboration, Toyota Kirloskar Motor remains committed to building a safer, smarter, and more responsible mobility future for every road user in India. 

HerKey Launches BEE: A Pioneering Marketing Solution To Engage The Aspirational Indian Woman


* A data-driven platform to help brands build authentic connections with India’s fastest-growing workforce segment: women professionals

HerKey, India’s largest AI-powered career engagement platform for women, today announced the launch of BEE – Brand Engage Experience — a first-of-its-kind comprehensive suite of marketing solutions tailored to enable brands in engaging implicitly with the modern, aspirational Indian woman.

HerKey’s BEE (Brand Engage Experience) provides a strategic solution designed to bridge this engagement gap. Backed by HerKey’s thriving community of over 5 million women professionals, 20,000+ companies, and 200,000+ mentors and experts, BEE marks a timely move to support brands in navigating a workplace revolution led by women charting their own financial and professional paths. As more women step into boardrooms, lead businesses, and influence major purchasing decisions, BEE endows brands to build not just visibility, but authentic trust and relevance.

Women are not only entering the workforce in record numbers but are also becoming key decision-makers—influencing over 85% of all household purchases. Brands today face a growing challenge in transcending transactional communication to build authentic, value driven connections with India’s rapidly evolving female workforce. BEE enables brands to engage with this powerful demographic in more authentic, impactful ways. It bridges the growing gap between what women expect and how brands communicate. BEE ensures personalized engagement for every woman’s unique journey—whether she’s a fresher, returnee, working mom, caregiver, or aspiring leader.

“Women are no longer just consumers—they’re culture-shapers, wealth-creators, and the backbone of India's workforce resurgence. They now control over 30% of global wealth, and this figure is projected to rise to 50% in just five years,” said Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO of HerKey. “BEE is built to help brands not just market to this powerful demographic, but to meaningfully connect with them—through stories, experiences, and conversations that matter.”

“BEE (Brand Engage Experience) is a marketing ecosystem designed to drive real, measurable impact. By tapping into HerKey’s vast network of creators, consumers, candidates, brands, and experts, BEE allows companies to craft high-impact campaigns that resonate with India’s most influential consumer group — women. BEE amplifies brand presence through rich visual storytelling to aspirational women consumers via immersive experiences like fireside chats, master classes, and expert-led sessions.”, said Wasim Sayed, VP Growth & Marketing, HerKey.

Over 20,000 companies, from startups to large enterprises, have already partnered with HerKey to build general, contemporary brand identities. BEE will now serve as the strategic vehicle for brands to amplify these efforts, scale outreach, and build credibility in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

To learn more or partner with HerKey’s BEE marketing solutions, visit:

(https://www.linkedin.com/company/herkeyofficial/,   https://www.herkey.com/).

About HerKey:

HerKey is India’s largest AI-powered platform dedicated to unlocking women’s earning potential. Founded in 2015, HerKey (formerly JobsForHer) connects over 5 million women to opportunities at over 20,000 companies, learning from over 2 lakh experts and networking with each other. HerKey’s innovative technology platform offers a personalized career development experience tailored exclusively for women. Using AI and machine learning, it analyses user profiles, career goals, as well as life stages to provide customised sessions that connect women to job opportunities, expert guidance, inspiration, and a thriving community of her and for her. By fostering connections and providing targeted resources, HerKey enables women to overcome career barriers, take on leadership roles, and achieve their professional aspirations. With a vision to support 30 million women in India, HerKey continues to expand its impact. Recognised for its contributions to social transformation, HerKey was honoured with the prestigious BusinessLine Changemaker Award 2023. As India’s largest AI-powered platform dedicated to unlocking women’s earning potential, HerKey is committed to enabling women’s growth, opening doors to new opportunities, and fostering a supportive ecosystem. Through expert-led sessions and networking, women can enhance their careers, achieve financial independence, and strengthen their decision-making power—onwards and upwards.

Jaquar Group Redefines Workforce Excellence With SAP SuccessFactors To Drive HR Transformation


SAP, global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, today announced that Jaquar Group, a leading brand specializing in holistic bathroom and lighting solutions, is transforming its HR operations, driving organizational excellence and modernizing workforce management with SAP’s cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) offerings— SAP SuccessFactors. This curated portfolio of HCM offerings will cover core HR, talent management, employee experience, and HR analytics for the company’s 8000+ employees, including both white-collar and blue-collared workers.

As one of India's most trusted bathroom brands, Jaquar continues to elevate industry standards, empowering people and redefining modern living spaces. Using SAP’s intelligent HR solutions, Jaquar will offer employees self-service tools for leave, performance tracking, and updates, while automating HR processes that will fast-track onboarding, Performance and Goal Management (PMGM), trackability and reduced payroll cycle time. This will help HR teams to prioritize strategic goals and equip managers with AI-driven insights for faster, data-backed decisions, fostering a more efficient and engaging workplace.

Commenting on the announcement, Ranjeeka Sachdev, CHRO, Jaquar Group, said, “At Jaquar, our people are the driving force of company’s success and growth. We are excited to partner with SAP on our journey to use superior technology, as we transform our traditional HR practices to a dynamic, data-driven approach, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and real-time data insights, ensuring our workforce is supported with the best self-help tools. This will elevate the experience for our people, boosting engagement and productivity.”

On the path to be a global leader in Bath + Light solutions, Jaquar’s move towards HR transformation is shaping the future of workforce. Ninad Raje, CIO, Jaquar Group, remarked, “Our association with SAP emphasizes the growing role of digital HR solutions in prioritizing employee experience through automation and AI-driven insights and shaping the future of work. By using SAP’s intelligent enterprise solutions, we're not just streamlining our hire-to-retire process – we're redefining workforce excellence. This transformation elevates both our HR's strategic impact and employee experience, creating a blueprint for building more engaged, productive, and future-ready organizations across industries."

“Successful transformation of any business starts with people at its centre. And in a digital-first era, this transformation is accelerated by cloud and AI-enabled technology solutions. We are excited to support Jaquar’s evolving talent and performance management needs, while supporting to create a more connected and engaged workforce.  By prioritizing employee experience, we're helping businesses like Jaquar set a new standard in HR excellence and workplace transformation setting industry benchmarks, said, James Thomas, VP & Head - SAP SuccessFactors.

Step Into The World Of Wit With Pranav Sharma - Live At Phoenix Mall Of Asia, Bengaluru


This May, gear up for an evening of intelligent humour, observational insights, and laughter-filled storytelling as stand-up comedian Pranav Sharma takes the stage at Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru. The much-anticipated performance will take place on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, at Fan Park, 2nd Floor, with the show kicking off from 5:00 PM onwards.

Known for transforming everyday experiences into sharp, relatable comedy, Pranav brings his unique take on middle-class mindsets, career woes, and life’s unexpected ironies. His storytelling flows naturally from lived experiences, peppered with hilarious commentary and crowd interactions that breathe spontaneity into each performance. Drawing inspiration from the people around him, his travels, and life’s little absurdities, he creates material that resonates with audiences—thoughtful, relatable, and not intended to offend.

Catch this rising voice in Indian comedy live and in his element. Tickets are available now on BookMyShow — don’t miss your chance to be part of a memorable evening at Phoenix Mall of Asia.

Event Details

Event: Pranav Sharma Stand-Up Comedy Show

Date: Saturday, 3rd May 2025

Time: 5:00 PM Onwards

Venue: Fan Park, 2nd Floor, Phoenix Mall of Asia – Bangalore North

Entry: Tickets available on BookMyShow

Shoppers Stop Reports Q4 Revenue Of Rs 1022 Cr, +2% YoY And EBITDA Of Rs 187 Cr Annual Revenue Of Rs 4436 Cr, +5%


Highlights 

Consistent improvement in Operational KPI’s ATV +8%, ASP+4% and IPT +4%

Premiumization on track, contribution increases to @ 65%, +7% YoY

First Citizen contributed 82% +390 bps with Repeat sales 69%; 12.3M Members as on date

Profitability for Private brands improved, aided by higher productivity and Intake margin

Added 21 Stores during the quarter: 5 Department, 15 INTUNE, and 1 Beauty

New Business

INTUNE reported 54 Cr Sales in Q4 (3x YoY) and recorded Annual Sales of Rs.192 Cr (5x YoY)

INTUNE opened 15 Stores in Q4, 52 for full year

Global SS Beauty reported 67 Cr Sales in Q4 (+61 %) and recorded Annual Sales of Rs.236 Cr (2x YoY)

Capex investments of Rs 52 Cr for Q4 and Rs 192 Cr for the year

Shoppers Stop Ltd., a leading department store with premier fashion and beauty brands, has declared its results for the quarter ended 31st March 2025.

Key financial highlights for Q4 FY25:

Management Comments:

Commenting on the Q4 performance, Mr. Kavindra Mishra, MD and CEO of Shoppers Stop Ltd, he said, “Shoppers Stop delivered consistent performance despite continued softness in demand and a challenging macro environment. We achieved 4% revenue growth with 3% Like-for-Like growth (Non-GAAP), marking the second consecutive quarter of LFL growth. Our two campaigns “India Weds with Shoppers Stop” a comprehensive wedding shopping experience, offering a wide array of wedding-related products and services and “Gifts of Love” an initiative featuring a range of products designed to be given as gifts, celebrating love in various forms are successful.

Our strategy of premiumization continues to yield strong results, with premium brands contributing 65% of total sales, +7% YoY. This emphasizes our position as a destination of choice for modern Indian consumers seeking aspirational and world-class experiences. Our First Citizen loyalty program continues to be a cornerstone of our success, driving 82% of sales with growing repeat engagement.

Despite the gradual demand recovery, we are optimistic due to structural changes like premiumization, customer engagement campaigns, and India's rising affluence and evolving consumer aspirations. We will continue to build strong momentum in premiumization, Beauty and value fashion INTUNE and focus on experiential retail, digital personalization, expansion to drive sustainable growth in FY26 and beyond."

Performance of strategic pillars in Q4FY25:

First Citizen –First Citizen Members contributed 82% to our sales, of which 69% were repeat and the balance 13% from new members. Our Premium Black Card members contributed 16% to our sales,

+38% YoY. Our customer engagement activities continued with round the clock programs and campaigns. The AI personalized video led to 2X increase in conversion.

Beauty – Beauty delivered Sales of Rs 209 Cr, (6% YoY) excluding distribution business and Rs 264 Cr

+3% YoY including distribution. Our customer engagement continues with 60K+ makeovers, 115+ Master Classes and 10 beauty Soirée events. We opened First “PRADA” boutique during the quarter, further enhancing our luxury beauty portfolio.

Beauty Distribution – Global SS Beauty Brands Limited, our 100% subsidiary continues to outperform with sales of Rs 67 Cr during the quarter +61% YoY growth and year to date Sales of Rs 236 Cr with profitable growth. We expanded our network to 25 Retailers/460+ POS and strengthened our distribution by partnering Zepto in Quick commerce and Wellness Forever in the Pharmacy segment.

Private Brands –With a continued focus on profitability, Private Brands sales were at Rs 145 Cr, contributing 11% to overall sales and 16% in the Apparel segment, with improved productivity and higher intake margin. This was supported by the usage of digital prints, natural and sustainable fabrics.

INTUNE –Added 15 new stores during the quarter and 52 during the year. As at Q4 end, we have 71 Intune stores across 30 cities. INTUNE generated sales of Rs 54 Cr in Q4 and year to date Rs 192 Cr. The focus remained on productivity improvement for the current portfolio.

Store Expansion – We launched 21 stores in this quarter, including 5 Department, 15 INTUNE, 1 Beauty stores. The total capex investment was Rs 52 Cr in Q4 and Rs. 192 Cr in FY25.

EKA Mobility In Consortium With Chartered Speed secures LOA For 675 Electric Buses To Be Deployed Across Rajasthan


EKA Mobility, a leading electric vehicles & technology company, in consortium with Chartered Speed, has been awarded the Letter of Award (LOA) for deploying 9-meter and 12-meter electric buses across the state of Rajasthan under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme.

This large-scale deployment will span eight major cities: Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, Bikaner, Bhilwara, and Jodhpur.

The order includes 565 nine-meter (9m) and 110 twelve-meter (12m) fully electric buses, designed to offer clean, efficient, and modern mobility solutions across the state. This deployment aligns with Rajasthan’s commitment to reducing air pollution, lowering fossil fuel dependency, and upgrading its public transport infrastructure.

The LOA for Rajasthan’s 675 electric buses follows CESL’s issuance of Letter of Confirmation of Quantity (LOCQ) for electric buses pan India, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s e-mobility journey.

Mr. Rohit Srivastava, Business Head & Chief Growth Officer, EKA Mobility, said, “This win reinforces our belief that electric mobility is not just the future—it’s the present. Rajasthan’s bold move toward electrification aligns perfectly with our vision of transforming the way millions commute daily and accelerating India’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future”

Mr. Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed, said, "This reflects our commitment to a greener, more efficient transport network. Through the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa Scheme, we’re transitioning to an electric fleet that will transform urban mobility. Our goal is to lead the shift to a low-carbon future and offer commuters cleaner, smarter travel options shaping a more connected and sustainable India."

This order comes shortly after EKA secured two major contracts worth approximately Rs 150 crore from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), as well as an order for approximately Rs 400 crore from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).  

This further expands EKA’s presence in India’s e-mobility landscape, reinforcing its commitment to zero-emission, sustainable public transportation solutions.

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