Monday, March 23, 2026

Hapag-Lloyd And Government Of India Sign Letter Of Intent On Maritime Cooperation

Hapag-Lloyd reflagging of up to four vessels under Indian flag

Cooperation to support development of a sustainable ship recycling ecosystem

Hapag-Lloyd to invest in infrastructure development at port of Vadhavan

Hapag-Lloyd and representatives of the Government of India have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to deepen maritime cooperation and support the continued development of India’s shipping and logistics sector. The LOI was signed in Mumbai on the occasion of a meeting between Rolf Habben Jansen, Chief Executive Officer of Hapag-Lloyd, and Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The agreement outlines areas of potential cooperation including ship reflagging, the development of sustainable ship recycling capacity, and strategic collaboration related to the development of Vadhavan Port.

“India is one of the most important growth markets in global trade and a key strategic partner for Hapag-Lloyd,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd. “Through this Letter of Intent, we want to further strengthen our long-standing relationships with India and support the country’s ambitions to expand its maritime capabilities, enhance global connectivity and advance sustainable shipping.”

As part of the LOI, Hapag-Lloyd intends to explore the reflagging of up to four vessels under the Indian registry. At this stage, no specific timeline, vessel profile or capacity range has been defined. Any reflagging would remain subject to further discussions, internal assessments, commercial considerations and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

The LOI also includes cooperation on the development of a ship recycling ecosystem in India. Hapag-Lloyd is committed to ensuring that end-of-life vessels are recycled safely and responsibly in facilities that meet the highest environmental and safety standards. The intended cooperation aims to support the development of recycling capacity in India aligned with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR), currently regarded as the leading international standard. The envisioned ecosystem could provide capacity for recycling up to 100 vessels.

In addition, the LOI foresees discussions on a strategic cooperation framework related to the development of Vadhavan Port in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority. As one of India’s major upcoming infrastructure projects, Vadhavan Port is expected to play an important role in strengthening the country’s maritime logistics network. Hapag-Lloyd intends to contribute its global shipping and terminal expertise to support this development.

“India’s port and logistics infrastructure is developing at remarkable speed and scale,” said Dheeraj Bhatia, CEO of Hanseatic Global Terminals and member of the Hapag-Lloyd Executive Board. “Projects such as Vadhavan Port have the potential to significantly strengthen India’s role in global supply chains. We look forward to help developing an efficient, future-ready port infrastructure in India.”

Hapag-Lloyd has maintained strong ties with India for decades and connects the country with global markets through dedicated liner services and an extensive worldwide network. The company continues to expand its presence in India through investments, operational growth and strategic partnerships across the maritime and logistics sector.

Hapag-Lloyd India at a glance

• More than 2,800 employees in India across four business units, making Indians one of the largest nationalities within Hapag-Lloyd

• 17 offices nationwide, supporting customers and operations across the country

• 6 dedicated liner services connecting India to major global trade lanes

• Strategic investment in J M Baxi Ports & Logistics Limited, a leading private terminal and inland transport service provider in India

• J M Baxi operates container terminals, inland container depots, container freight stations and rail services across the country, employing around 7,000 people and handling approximately 3.2 million TEU annually.

• As part of its Strategy 2030, Hapag-Lloyd aims to grow volumes handled in the India area to around 3 million TEU by 2030.

MTR Karunadu Swada – Ugadi Special Edition Brings Karnataka’s Culinary Heritage Alive

Hosted in collaboration with Hon’ble Finance Minister, Shri Krishna Baire Gowda, the festival brought together 40+ regional dishes and 2200+ attendees in a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and community

From North Karnataka to Kodagu, the one-day festival showcased authentic regional flavours and MTR classics, reconnecting consumers with their culinary roots

Celebrating the spirit of Ugadi and Karnataka’s rich culinary legacy, MTR successfully hosted MTR Karunadu Swada–Ugadi Special Edition, a one-day food festival at Sahakar Nagar Ground in Bengaluru. Organised in collaboration with the team of Hon’ble Minister for Revenue, Shri Krishna Byre Gowda, the festival brought food lovers, families, and cultural enthusiasts together for an immersive journey through the state’s diverse food traditions.

Curated to mark the auspicious festival of Ugadi, MTR Karunadu Swada showcased over 40+ authentic regional dishes and traditional sweets from across North Karnataka, South Karnataka, and Kodagu. The festival served as a vibrant platform to rediscover Karnataka’s culinary roots from the bold, rustic flavours of the north to the refined, rich offerings of the south and the distinctive tastes of Kodagu.

Adding to the experience were MTR’s iconic favourites, including the legendary Rava Idli and Masala Dosa, reinforcing the brand’s deep connection with Karnataka’s food heritage. The festival created a lively, community-driven atmosphere, where age-old recipes, cultural narratives, and festive celebrations came together seamlessly.

The event witnessed an enthusiastic turnout, with over 2200+ attendees across multiple time slots throughout the day, reflecting the growing consumer interest in authentic, regional food experiences.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sunay Bhasin, CEO, MTR, said: “Karnataka is where MTR was born, and MTR Karunadu Swada is a heartfelt tribute to our roots. Ugadi marks new beginnings for us, and there is no more meaningful way to celebrate than by honouring the flavours that have defined our land for generations. With MTR Karunadu Swada, we are bringing Karnataka’s rich regional cuisine to the forefront, reconnecting consumers with the tastes, traditions and cultural pride of our Karnataka.”

Karunadu Swada continues to be a testament to MTR’s commitment to preserving regional cuisines while making them relevant for today’s consumers. By bringing together authentic recipes, local culinary talent, and community experiences, the festival strengthens MTR’s role as a custodian of Karnataka’s rich food culture.

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Zydus Launches Aerolife Mini™, To Simplify Inhaler Use For Asthma And COPD Patients


· Aerolife Mini™, an innovative drug device led inhaler has been launched under an exclusive licensing arrangement with AeroDel Technology Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

· The launch marks India’s first foldable next-gen pMDI (pressurised Metered-Dose Inhaler) enhancer

Zydus Lifesciences Limited (“Zydus”), an innovation-led life-sciences company with an international presence, has launched Aerolife Mini™, a next-generation pMDI enhancer marking a significant step in the company’s strategy to drive drug device led innovation that in respiratory care. Aerolife Mini™ is India’s first portable and foldable spacer, making it highly convenient to use. Zydus has launched this device under an exclusive licensing arrangement with AeroDel Technology Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

India faces a significant and growing burden of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis, driven by factors such as rising air pollution, smoking, recurrent infections, and delayed diagnosis. Millions of patients rely on long-term inhaled therapy to control symptoms, reduce exacerbations, and maintain their quality of life.

While inhaled medications remain central to treatment, effective delivery of the drug to the lungs remains a critical challenge. Real-world studies indicate that inhaler technique is frequently suboptimal, with nearly 94% of patients making at least one critical error , resulting in drug loss and reduced therapeutic benefit.

Spacer devices are known to enhance lung deposition of pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI)–delivered drugs by reducing coordination errors. However, the spacer device segment remains largely undifferentiated, with most existing products characterised by bulky form factors that limit daily portability. Additionally, repeated assembly requirements, increase the risk of incorrect use and low real-world adherence, particularly outside the home. Conventional spacers have limitations in delivering consistent value at scale, despite proven clinical efficacy.

Aerolife Mini™ introduces a compact, foldable, and ready to use design that fundamentally redefines how spacers are used. The drug device is expected to achieve better drug deposition, improve compliance enhance patient confidence and provide greater convenience.

This initiative aligns with the Zydus’ long-term strategy of building innovation-led sustainable, differentiated respiratory franchises through patient-centric drug device.

About Zydus Lifesciences Limited

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., with an overarching purpose of empowering people with freedom to live healthier and more fulfilled lives, is an innovative, global lifesciences company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of healthcare therapies. The group employs over 29,000 people worldwide, including 1,500 scientists engaged in R & D, and is driven by its mission to unlock new possibilities in lifesciences through quality healthcare solutions that impact lives. The group aspires to transform lives through pathbreaking discoveries. Over the last decade, Zydus has introduced several innovative, first-in class products in the market for treating unmet healthcare needs with vaccines, therapeutics, biologicals, and New Chemical Entities. For more details visit www.zyduslife.com

About AeroDel Technology Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

AeroDel develops and manufactures patient-centric respiratory devices designed for scale and affordability, with a focus on improving access to care in India and other global markets. AeroDel is supported by Venture Center (Entrepreneurship Development Center, Pune), the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, AIC-CCMB, and the Startup India Seed Fund. For more details, visit www.aerodeltech.com.

Pidilite Industries Limited Showcases Fevicol Professional Series At INDIAWOOD 2026 In Bengaluru


* Showcased advanced woodworking adhesive solutions designed for superior performance, durability and sustainability

Pidilite Industries Limited, India’s leading manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and construction chemicals, showcased its flagship Fevicol Professional Series at INDIAWOOD 2026, highlighting advanced woodworking adhesive solutions designed to enhance performance, durability and efficiency across the furniture and joinery ecosystem. The exhibition was held at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru.

Commenting on the showcase, Mr. Manish Dubey, Chief Business Officer, Fevicol, Pidilite Industries Limited, said, “INDIAWOOD continues to be an important platform for us to engage directly with customers and demonstrate how our portfolio is evolving to meet the needs of modern woodworking industry. We have been consistently strengthening our professional range and solutions such as Fevicol SWR Plus, Fevicol SWR Max and Fevicol BWP reflect our focus on delivering reliable, high-performance products. We will continue to build our lineup, sharpen our execution and bring the right technologies and partnerships to enable our customers to deliver superior quality and performance.”

Pidilite’s participation at INDIAWOOD 2026 underscores its ongoing efforts to support the evolving needs of India’s woodworking sector. The platform enabled the company to connect industry stakeholders, while presenting its latest adhesive advancements focused on improving durability, operational efficiency, end-product quality and reinforcing its engagement with the broader woodworking community.

The showcase witnessed strong engagement from industry stakeholders, including carpenters, OEM partners, architects, modular furniture manufacturers and distributors, with live demonstrations drawing significant visitor participation throughout the exhibition. The Fevicol Professional Series received an encouraging response for its performance-driven solutions tailored to modern woodworking applications.

As a long-standing participant at INDIAWOOD, Pidilite reinforced its leadership role in advancing India’s woodworking ecosystem through innovation, technology adoption and industry partnerships

Apart from the Fevicol Professional Series, the company also highlighted its D4-certified solutions such as Fevicol BWP, which incorporate recyclable IBC packaging, aligning performance with responsible and sustainable manufacturing practices. Pidilite further showcased its partnership with Jowat, reinforcing its capability to offer advanced adhesive technologies aligned with the evolving requirements of the furniture manufacturing sector.

Building on its strong legacy and industry trust, Pidilite Industries continues to focus on driving innovation, expanding its professional solutions portfolio and deepening engagement with the woodworking community. Following a successful participation at INDIAWOOD 2026, Pidilite aims to further expand adoption of advanced adhesive technologies across India’s growing furniture and joinery segments, while continuing to collaborate closely with industry partners to drive quality, efficiency and sustainable growth. The company remains committed to supporting the sector’s future growth by delivering solutions that address evolving customer needs and contribute to a more efficient, resilient and future-ready furniture manufacturing ecosystem.

About Pidilite Industries

Pidilite Industries Limited is a leading manufacturer of adhesives, sealants, construction chemicals, craftsmen products, DIY products, and polymer emulsions in India. The product range also includes paint chemicals, automotive chemicals, art materials and stationery, fabric care, maintenance chemicals, industrial adhesives, industrial resins, and organic pigments & preparations.

Most products are developed through strong in-house R&D. The Fevicol brand has become synonymous with adhesives and is ranked among India’s most trusted brands. Other major brands include M-Seal, Fevikwik, Fevistik, Roff, Dr. Fixit, Araldite, and Fevicryl.

Manipal Academy Of Higher Education Hosts ETAP-2026, Showcasing Innovations In Applied Physics


Manipal Institute of Applied Physics (MIAP), a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, organised the National Conference on Emerging Trends in Applied Physics (ETAP-2026) from March 16 to 18, 2026, at Manipal. The conference was organised to mark MIAP’s first anniversary and saw the participation of leading scientists, academicians, industry experts, and researchers across the country. The inaugural session was presided over by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Prof. Indranil Manna, Vice Chancellor of Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, attended as the Chief Guest. In his address, Dr Venkatesh highlighted the importance of applied physics in driving innovation and addressing real-world challenges. Delivering the keynote address on Laser Additive Manufacturing, Prof. Manna emphasised the growing role of advanced manufacturing technologies and the need for stronger collaboration between science, engineering, and industry.

The conference saw an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers from leading institutions. Plenary lectures were delivered by eminent scientists, including Prof. Umesh Waghmare, Prof. A. C. Bhasikuttan, Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana, Prof. Amit Agrawal, Prof. Vijayamohanan K. Pillai, and Dr Nirmal K. Viswanathan. Invited talks by experts such as Dr Saptarshi Basu, Dr Rabibrata Mukherjee, Dr Sangeeta Kale, Dr Renu John, Dr Kanchana V., Dr Bhoje Gowd, and Dr Soumyadip Sett further enriched the programme. The sessions covered a wide range of emerging and significant areas, including quantum materials, nanoscience, photonics, spectroscopy, biomedical diagnostics, energy materials, and thermal management. The conference also included industry talks, highlighting the translation of scientific research into practical applications.

The event witnessed participation from more than 250 delegates, with over 90 poster presentations. These provided an excellent platform for students and young researchers to present their work and engage with experts, promoting meaningful academic exchange and collaboration.

Dr Sajan D. George, Director, Manipal Institute of Applied Physics (MIAP), expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the conference and noted that ETAP-2026 reflects MIAP’s commitment to promoting interdisciplinary research and advancing the practical applications of science.

The valedictory session was graced by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Technology & Science, MAHE, Dr Narayana Sabhahit, who appreciated the organisers for hosting a high-impact scientific event. In his address, Prof. Vijayamohanan K. Pillai underscored the importance of collaboration and sustained scientific inquiry in advancing research and innovation.

The conference was coordinated by Dr Unnikrishnan V. K, Convener, and Dr Suresh D. Kulkarni, Organising Secretary, along with the dedicated efforts of Team MIAP. The event concluded with the distribution of Best Poster Awards, recognising outstanding contributions from the participants.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence (IoE) status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.

Dhan Announces Launch Of The All-New Trading Terminal - DEXT T3, Designed For Super Traders In India


● Built on top of Dhan’s proprietary & ultra-fast trading engine DEXT, the all-new DEXT T3 delivers a native performance with low latency, real-time updates and seamless experience without browser limitations.

● With DEXT T3, users can fully customise the trading terminal, allowing them to add, arrange, resize, and add widgets across single or multiple screens to suit their trading style.

● Seamlessly integrated into the Dhan ecosystem, DEXT T3 enables traders to access all orders, positions, and portfolios in sync across Dhan Web, App, Options Trader, and the terminal itself.

Dhan (www.dhan.co) - one of India’s fastest-growing stock trading & investing platform, has today announced the launch of its highly anticipated trading terminal - DEXT T3, the trading terminal that allows traders to build their own trading experience via built-in modes or customised trading modes.

DEXT T3 is a state-of-the-art trader terminal, built on top of Dhan’s proprietary trading engine DEXT that has been recognised by Amazon AWS as one of the fastest trading engines for retail traders in India, which executes more than 90% of its trades under 20 milliseconds. DEXT T3 terminal brings the same execution capabilities to its trading terminal and allows super traders to design their terminal exactly the way they trade.

DEXT T3 brings a highly customisable trading environment where traders can design their terminal based on their individual workflows. Users can select and arrange widgets such as Charts, Order Book, Option Chain, Watchlist, Positions, and News, and configure them across single or multiple screens to build a setup that mirrors their real trading desk. The terminal also introduces advanced capabilities, including Price Ladder for precision order placement, Time & Sales for real-time trade flow tracking, Volatility Skew for deeper options analysis, Heatmaps directly on charts for faster market context, custom formula creation on watchlists and positions, and colour synchronisation across widgets to maintain visual continuity while navigating multiple instruments.

“For a long time, trading terminals have been built with only a few traders in mind, making them complex by design, heavy on features, and hard to adapt. We built DEXT T3 from scratch with a different belief - Super Traders should be able to build their terminal around how they trade. That’s why DEXT T3 is designed to adapt naturally to real trading setups, including complex, multi-screen workflows, letting traders navigate, organise, and evolve their workspace seamlessly as their needs change” said Pravin Jadhav, Founder and CEO of Dhan.

With a strong focus on high-performance systems, distraction-free workspaces, fast keyboard shortcuts, flexible layouts, and deep customisation, DEXT T3 is designed for traders who demand speed, control, and precision from their trading setup. DEXT T3 will be offered as a fully downloadable terminal for Windows(.exe) and MAC(.dmg), while traders who prefer browser access can use the terminal through dext.dhan.co.

“DEXT is our in-house trading engine built from scratch at Dhan, giving us the freedom to innovate, iterate, and scale without depending on third-party systems. Moving to our own technology stack and infrastructure has dramatically reduced order response times and helped us build one of the fastest trading experiences in the industry. We've always believed that our continued innovation has taken the industry benchmark of technology infrastructure a few notches up. This is the foundation on which we keep reimagining trading experience for Indian traders” said Alok Pandey, CTO and Co-Founder of Dhan.

The DEXT T3 terminal will be offered for free, at no extra cost to users of Dhan. Traders can expect the same fast performance with ultra-low latency and real-time updates, powered by a single Dhan login and seamless syncing of orders, positions, and portfolios across all Dhan platforms, including the DEXT T3.

About Dhan

Dhan (www.dhan.co) is a technology and product-led investment platform built for Long-Term Investors and Super Traders in India. The platform ranks among the Top 10 stock trading platforms by active clients as per NSE and is known for its innovation-first approach to building transparent, high-performance investing experiences and exceptionally fast speeds for trade execution.

Dhan is headquartered in Mumbai and operated by Raise Securities; Dhan is part of Raise Financial Services, a technology-led financial services company that was founded in January 2021 by Startup Leader and Serial Entrepreneur- Pravin Jadhav, along with Alok Pandey, Jay Prakash Gupta, and Raunak Rathi.

Raise Financial Services was recently valued at $1.2 Bn and is backed by Hornbill Capital, MUFG, BEENEXT and 3one4 Capital, along with the best technology entrepreneurs and leaders from the Indian startup ecosystem.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Launches GLIPIQⓇ (Semaglutide) In India, Setting A New Benchmark In Affordability For GLP-1 Therapy


* GLP-1 therapy with weekly treatment starting at ₹325

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Glenmark), a research-led, global pharmaceutical company, today announced the launch of GLIPIQⓇ (semaglutide) in India for the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), setting a new benchmark in affordability for GLP-1 therapy and expanding access to advanced diabetes treatment for patients.GLIPIQⓇ is available in both vial and pre-filled pen formulations. The product has been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) following a multicentre, randomised, comparative, active-controlled, open-label Phase III clinical study conducted in India, demonstrating favourable efficacy and safety outcomes in Indian patients with Type 2 diabetes.

The expected weekly cost of treatment with GLIPIQⓇ vials range from ₹325 to ₹440, significantly lowering the cost barrier to initiate GLP-1 therapy in India and establishing a more affordable entry point into this class of treatment. In addition to vials, GLIPIQⓇ is also available in pre-filled pen format, offering convenience of self-dosing for long-term therapy. Together, the two formats – vial and pen – enable a structured treatment pathway. This approach supports continuity of care, improved adherence, and sustained treatment outcomes. Both presentations are available in strengths of 2 mg/1.5 mL, 4 mg/3 mL, and 8 mg/3 mL.

Glenmark is also introducing ‘Sankalp’, a patient support program (PSP) designed to support therapy initiations, improve comfort with injectable treatment, and enable long-term adherence. This reflects Glenmark’s commitment to not just improving affordability but enabling patients to stay on therapy and achieve better health outcomes.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Alok Malik, President and Business Head, India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., said, “Affordability is one of the biggest barriers to initiating advanced diabetes therapy in India. With GLIPIQⓇ, we are setting a new benchmark in affordability for GLP-1 therapy, with weekly treatment starting at ₹325. The vial-based format enables us to offer a more affordable option while supporting clinically guided initiation and flexible dosing. Building on our experience in the GLP-1 category, including Lirafit™ (Liraglutide), and supported by our ‘Sankalp’ program, we aim to help more patients access, initiate, and continue therapy over time.”

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