Vestige Marketing Pvt. Ltd., India’s leading homegrown direct selling company, marks 22 years since its inception, reflecting on a legacy built on trust, entrepreneurship and distributor-first growth, as it steps into its next phase with the announcement of its theme “Activate the $1 Billion Mindset” to achieve $1 billion growth by 2030.
The goal represents more than a business milestone. It reflects Vestige's commitment to scaling entrepreneurship, expanding opportunities and strengthening its contribution to India's evolving direct selling ecosystem. Built on a foundation of trust and innovation, Vestige aims to accelerate its next phase of expansion through portfolio innovation, digital transformation, distributor empowerment and global market growth.
Over the past two decades, Vestige has built a strong presence across India, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, and has emerged as one of the country’s largest direct selling companies. With a diversified portfolio spanning Health & Wellness, Beauty & Personal Care, and Agriculture, the company continues to create pathways for entrepreneurship and economic participation for millions of individuals. Its growth has been driven by a diverse community of people, including women, young entrepreneurs, homemakers, working professionals and many others who have transitioned into entrepreneurship, became economic independence and embraced flexible income opportunities.
Commenting on the 22nd anniversary milestone, Gautam Bali, Founder & Managing Director, Vestige Marketing Pvt. Ltd., said, "The journey of Vestige has always been about people. Over the last 22 years, we have seen individuals from all walks of life build confidence, achieve economic independence, and create better opportunities for their families and communities. As we look towards 2030, our commitment remains to empower more people to dream bigger, grow further, and transform their lives. The $1 Billion Mindset is not just about scale, it reflects the collective ambition and potential of the entire Vestige family."
As a part of its growth strategy, Vestige will continue investing in digital capabilities, innovation-led product development, operational excellence, and leadership development. The company also remains focused on expanding opportunities for women, youth, and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly across emerging markets.
With the launch of the "Activate the $1 Billion Mindset", Vestige aims to reinforce its position as a key driver of entrepreneurship-led growth while contributing to the advancement of India's direct selling industry.
About Vestige Marketing Pvt. Ltd.
Founded in 2004, Vestige is one of the leading and most trusted direct-selling companies in India. The company is run by veteran industry leaders who have pioneered an indigenous and unique business model that is revolutionising the direct-selling industry. Vestige offers a portfolio of 300+ products across wellness, health, personal care, home, and beauty segments through 2000+ distribution points across India. It has its business in India and in several other international markets.
Monday, June 8, 2026
Go Healthy With Taiwan 2026” Global Proposal Campaign Launched
* Inviting The World To Co-Create A New Paradigm For Healthier Futures
To accelerate the global expansion of Taiwan’s health and wellness industries and deepen international collaboration, the International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, TITA, has once again commissioned the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, TAITRA, to organize the “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026” Global Proposal Campaign. Under this year’s theme, “Designing Healthier Futures Together,” the initiative invites government agencies, legal entities, enterprises, and institutions worldwide to submit innovative application proposals that integrate Taiwan’s strengths in smart healthcare, sports technology, and high-end bicycles to create health solutions that can be implemented internationally and co-create a new Paradigm for healthier futures.
The launch press conference for this year’s campaign was held on May 27. During the event, the Director General of TITA, William Liu, stated that “Healthy Taiwan” is one of the government’s key policy visions. To continue promoting Taiwan’s image as a healthy, innovative, and dynamic industrial powerhouse on the global stage, the “Go Healthy with Taiwan” Global Proposal Campaign has been launched once again. Through a comprehensively upgraded campaign, the initiative aims to generate demonstrative and multiplier effects, positioning Taiwan as the preferred global partner for health solutions. In addition, at the Taiwan Expo in Poland this June, organized by TITA, the top three winning teams from the 2025 campaign will be invited to share their collaboration experiences.
President & CEO of TAITRA, Simon Wang, noted that this year’s campaign will be paired with a series of international trade shows and business-opportunity events to systematically bring Taiwan’s innovative strengths in cycling, sports technology, and smart healthcare to the world stage. The initiative will help Taiwanese enterprises build deeper connections with global buyers, investors, and startup teams, while creating tangible international orders and long-term partnerships.
The event was attended by nearly 100 distinguished guests, including representatives from the Taiwan Bicycle Association, Taiwan Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, the Taiwan Medical and Biotech Industry Association, and Taipei Veterans General Hospital, as well as enterprises and foreign envoys stationed in Taiwan.
Looking back at the inaugural 2025 campaign, “Go Healthy with Taiwan” achieved outstanding results, attracting 638 proposals from 55 countries. Building on this experience, the 2026 campaign will further expand its scale to attract more than 800 proposals from five continents, demonstrating the strong international collaboration and the potential of Taiwan’s health and wellness industries.
The launch press conference also featured a specially curated “Health AI Hub” product experience zone, spotlighting three key sectors: "Cycling," "Fitness & Sports Technology," and "Smart Healthcare". The zone brought together Taiwanese companies, including Acer Gadget, Tokuyo, Makalot, Newtown, Gee Hoo, Ideas Lab, AKIMIA, and Vast, showcasing forward-looking applications in the global health and wellness industry, ranging from low-carbon mobility and smart sports to precision healthcare and healthy aging management. The exhibits collectively highlighted Taiwan’s strengths in integrating technological innovation with sustainability, offering a glimpse into the next generation of healthy living.
The “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026” Global Proposal Campaign is now open for applications until August 5. The top three winning teams will each be awarded US$30,000, taking action to contribute to global health and well-being. Through this platform, Taiwan aims to strengthen the international presence of its health and wellness industries and play a pivotal role in advancing health innovation on the global stage.
How India’s Mangoes Ride Air India’s Long-Haul Network Across The World
On a humid evening in Mumbai, as Air India’s wide body aircraft prepare for their overnight departures to London, New York and Frankfurt, the cargo holds below the passenger cabins are filled with an unlikely but eagerly awaited traveller: boxes of carefully packed mangoes, their fragrance contained but unmistakable.Each year, as India’s summer ripens, this ritual resumes. In 2026, the scale has been striking.
Between March and May 2026, Air India transported more than 3,300 tonnes of fresh produce across its network. Over 1,000 tonnes of that cargo consisted of mangoes, the fruit that occupies a near-mythic place in India’s culinary and cultural imagination, and an equally cherished one among diaspora communities abroad.
For those waiting in distant cities, the mango’s arrival is less a delivery than an event.
A season measured in tonnes
The surge unfolded steadily. In March, as the first consignments began to move, Air India carried 805 tonnes of fruits and vegetables. By April, at the peak of the harvest, that number had risen to 1,275 tonnes, before remaining strong in May at 1,233 tonnes.
Much of this volume traces back to India’s western belt, particularly the mango farms of Maharashtra and Gujarat, where the Alphonso and Kesar varieties are grown. Revered for their sweetness, texture and aroma, these mangoes command loyal followings from Dubai to New Jersey.
And it is Mumbai, with its proximity to this agricultural heartland, that becomes the season’s logistical nerve centre.
From the city’s cargo terminals, shipments fan outward across continents. During this three-month period, London Heathrow saw as much as 180 tonnes of weekly uplift from Mumbai during peak weeks. Frankfurt received around 40 tonnes, while Dubai, Newark and New York JFK each absorbed roughly 30 tonnes weekly.
Following the fruit
The routes themselves tell a story of migration, taste and memory.
In West Asian cities such as Dubai, Indian mangoes arrive at markets where familiarity runs deep. In London and New York, their appearance signals the start of a brief but intense retail window, where specialty grocers stack crates high and customers buy in bulk, often sending them onward again to friends and family.
From Delhi, Air India’s aircraft continue to carry perishables to cities as far-flung as San Francisco, Toronto, Paris, Hong Kong and Sydney, embedding Indian produce into global supply chains that are commercial in function, yet emotional in significance.
The airline today handles over 400,000 tonnes of cargo annually, making it India’s largest international cargo operator.
The infrastructure of freshness
Yet the journey of a mango from farm to overseas shelf is not merely about distance. It is about time and temperature.
Long before the aircraft doors close, the cold chain is already in motion. Produce arrives at airport terminals in refrigerated trucks, coordinated by IATA-approved agents. At origin, it is stored in temperature-controlled environments, typically maintained between 15°C and 25°C, before being loaded into specialised pallets and containers.
The process repeats itself after landing, where temperature-regulated handling continues until final delivery.
Over the past few years, Air India has invested in strengthening this infrastructure. Today, the airline operates cold-storage and active-container capabilities across 14 airports, including major hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and New York's JFK and Newark airports.
Supporting equipment, from cool dollies to thermal blankets, helps ensure temperature stability is maintained even during brief but critical moments on the tarmac.
These facilities are GDP-certified, aligning them with global standards for handling temperature-sensitive cargo.
“Transporting over 1,000 tonnes of mangoes in just three months reflects both the scale of demand and the robustness of our cold-chain processes,” said Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo, Air India. “Perishables require meticulous handling, and our teams work closely with partners to maintain consistency and quality at every step.”
More than logistics
But to view this movement solely as an operational feat would be to miss its deeper resonance.
Each shipment carries more than produce alone. It carries seasonality, something increasingly rare in a globalised food economy, and a shared anticipation that bridges continents.
For members of the Indian diaspora, the first mango of the season often marks a return, however fleeting, to familiar rhythms. For others, it is an introduction to a fruit that has travelled thousands of miles but arrives with its character intact.
In cities such as London and New York, the mango season is fleeting, its peak lasting only a few weeks. Yet during that time, demand surges, shelves empty quickly, and conversations in homes, markets and online frequently return to one question: Have the mangoes arrived?
Shrinking distances
What Air India’s cargo numbers ultimately reveal is something larger than scale. They trace a seasonal artery between Indian farms and global tables, one that is as much about identity and memory as it is about commerce.
In the span of a single night’s flight, fruits harvested in western India reach kitchens half a world away, still fragrant and still evocative of summer.
It is a reminder that aviation does more than move people. It moves tastes, traditions and expectations, compressing distances not just geographically, but culturally.
And in the quiet belly of a long-haul aircraft, somewhere between Mumbai and London, summer travels, one box of mangoes at a time.
About Air India Group
The Air India Group – comprising full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India Group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries travellers to 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents.
Returning to Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India Group is in the midst of a five-year transformation programme, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed orders for 600 new aircraft. In addition to taking new aircraft deliveries, Air India is progressively retrofitting all its legacy aircraft.
The Air India Group operates South Asia’s largest aviation training academy in Gurugram, India. The construction of a new flying school and a greenfield maintenance base is in progress.
With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.
For more news on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom
Between March and May 2026, Air India transported more than 3,300 tonnes of fresh produce across its network. Over 1,000 tonnes of that cargo consisted of mangoes, the fruit that occupies a near-mythic place in India’s culinary and cultural imagination, and an equally cherished one among diaspora communities abroad.
For those waiting in distant cities, the mango’s arrival is less a delivery than an event.
A season measured in tonnes
The surge unfolded steadily. In March, as the first consignments began to move, Air India carried 805 tonnes of fruits and vegetables. By April, at the peak of the harvest, that number had risen to 1,275 tonnes, before remaining strong in May at 1,233 tonnes.
Much of this volume traces back to India’s western belt, particularly the mango farms of Maharashtra and Gujarat, where the Alphonso and Kesar varieties are grown. Revered for their sweetness, texture and aroma, these mangoes command loyal followings from Dubai to New Jersey.
And it is Mumbai, with its proximity to this agricultural heartland, that becomes the season’s logistical nerve centre.
From the city’s cargo terminals, shipments fan outward across continents. During this three-month period, London Heathrow saw as much as 180 tonnes of weekly uplift from Mumbai during peak weeks. Frankfurt received around 40 tonnes, while Dubai, Newark and New York JFK each absorbed roughly 30 tonnes weekly.
Following the fruit
The routes themselves tell a story of migration, taste and memory.
In West Asian cities such as Dubai, Indian mangoes arrive at markets where familiarity runs deep. In London and New York, their appearance signals the start of a brief but intense retail window, where specialty grocers stack crates high and customers buy in bulk, often sending them onward again to friends and family.
From Delhi, Air India’s aircraft continue to carry perishables to cities as far-flung as San Francisco, Toronto, Paris, Hong Kong and Sydney, embedding Indian produce into global supply chains that are commercial in function, yet emotional in significance.
The airline today handles over 400,000 tonnes of cargo annually, making it India’s largest international cargo operator.
The infrastructure of freshness
Yet the journey of a mango from farm to overseas shelf is not merely about distance. It is about time and temperature.
Long before the aircraft doors close, the cold chain is already in motion. Produce arrives at airport terminals in refrigerated trucks, coordinated by IATA-approved agents. At origin, it is stored in temperature-controlled environments, typically maintained between 15°C and 25°C, before being loaded into specialised pallets and containers.
The process repeats itself after landing, where temperature-regulated handling continues until final delivery.
Over the past few years, Air India has invested in strengthening this infrastructure. Today, the airline operates cold-storage and active-container capabilities across 14 airports, including major hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and New York's JFK and Newark airports.
Supporting equipment, from cool dollies to thermal blankets, helps ensure temperature stability is maintained even during brief but critical moments on the tarmac.
These facilities are GDP-certified, aligning them with global standards for handling temperature-sensitive cargo.
“Transporting over 1,000 tonnes of mangoes in just three months reflects both the scale of demand and the robustness of our cold-chain processes,” said Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo, Air India. “Perishables require meticulous handling, and our teams work closely with partners to maintain consistency and quality at every step.”
More than logistics
But to view this movement solely as an operational feat would be to miss its deeper resonance.
Each shipment carries more than produce alone. It carries seasonality, something increasingly rare in a globalised food economy, and a shared anticipation that bridges continents.
For members of the Indian diaspora, the first mango of the season often marks a return, however fleeting, to familiar rhythms. For others, it is an introduction to a fruit that has travelled thousands of miles but arrives with its character intact.
In cities such as London and New York, the mango season is fleeting, its peak lasting only a few weeks. Yet during that time, demand surges, shelves empty quickly, and conversations in homes, markets and online frequently return to one question: Have the mangoes arrived?
Shrinking distances
What Air India’s cargo numbers ultimately reveal is something larger than scale. They trace a seasonal artery between Indian farms and global tables, one that is as much about identity and memory as it is about commerce.
In the span of a single night’s flight, fruits harvested in western India reach kitchens half a world away, still fragrant and still evocative of summer.
It is a reminder that aviation does more than move people. It moves tastes, traditions and expectations, compressing distances not just geographically, but culturally.
And in the quiet belly of a long-haul aircraft, somewhere between Mumbai and London, summer travels, one box of mangoes at a time.
About Air India Group
The Air India Group – comprising full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India Group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries travellers to 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents.
Returning to Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India Group is in the midst of a five-year transformation programme, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed orders for 600 new aircraft. In addition to taking new aircraft deliveries, Air India is progressively retrofitting all its legacy aircraft.
The Air India Group operates South Asia’s largest aviation training academy in Gurugram, India. The construction of a new flying school and a greenfield maintenance base is in progress.
With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.
For more news on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom
Biocon Academy Hosts 10th Graduation Ceremony In 2026, 156 Students Graduate Across Five Programs
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· Strengthening industry relevance: New programs in Artificial Intelligence in Life Sciences, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics introduced
Biocon Academy, a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Learning in Applied Biosciences and a CSR initiative of Biocon Limited, hosted its 10th Graduation Ceremony at its Bengaluru campus, with 156 students graduating this year.
Seven batches across five programs participated in the ceremony: Biocon KGI Certificate Program in Biosciences, Biocon JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (AHER) Certificate Program in Global Regulatory Affairs, Biocon Ramaiah Certificate Program in Quality Control Analytical, BITS Biocon Certificate Program in Applied Industrial Microbiology, and Syngene Ramaiah Certificate Program in Sterile Manufacturing.
The graduating students were felicitated by Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chief Mentor, Biocon Academy and Executive Chairperson, Biocon Limited; Dr E.V. Ramana Reddy, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Karnataka Skill Development Authority (KSDA); and Group Captain Prasanth Nair, Astronaut (Gaganyaatri), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The ceremony was attended by faculty members, industry experts, and mentors.
Seven top-performing students were awarded Gold Medals for Academic Excellence.
Since its inception in 2013, Biocon Academy has focused on bridging the gap between academia and industry. Through its industry-aligned programs, the Academy is equipping students with a strong blend of theoretical knowledge, technical expertise, and practical insights—ensuring they are industry-ready from day one.
To date, over 1,300 students have received rigorous academic training and industry exposure in applied biotechnology disciplines, enabling them to build successful careers across leading biotech and biopharma companies in India.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said: “Biocon Academy has played a pivotal role in building industry-ready talent for the biotechnology sector by combining academic rigor with real-world application. As science evolves, so must skilling. With the launch of new programs in Artificial Intelligence in Life Sciences and Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Biocon Academy continues to align its curriculum with emerging industry needs. Our graduates are equipped not just to participate in the industry, but to shape its future through innovation and impact.”
Bindu Ajit, AVP – Program Dean, Biocon Academy, said: “Biocon Academy is committed to developing a future-ready biotechnology workforce that can drive innovation and strengthen the biopharmaceutical ecosystem. We are confident that our graduates will make meaningful contributions to research, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare, while reinforcing India’s global leadership in biotechnology.”
Biocon Academy’s education partners continue to play a critical role in delivering industry-relevant, globally benchmarked learning programs. Dr Mohamed Abousalem, President, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, joined the ceremony virtually. Other academic partners present at the event included representatives from BITS Pilani, M.S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, and the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB).
Donning The Graduation Caps
Biocon Academy, a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Learning in Biosciences, is a CSR initiative of the Biocon Group, Asia’s leading biopharmaceutical company. It is focused on developing high-quality, industry-ready talent for the Indian biotech sector to address the growing skill gap. The Academy enhances the employability of bioscience graduates through advanced experiential learning and practical training.
It has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of aspiring biotech professionals while bridging the industry–academia gap. The Academy collaborates with leading global institutions such as Keck Graduate Institute (USA), BITS Pilani (India), M.S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce (India), JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (India), and the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bengaluru, to deliver world-class education. Biocon offers scholarships covering 60–75% of the program costs for these international-quality programs. For more information, visit: www.bioconacademy.com
Axis Bank Mobilises Communities Across South India To Drive Environmental Action Under ‘Open For The Planet’
* Multi-city initiative spans five states, engaging over 8000 participants across South India
* Campaign brings together communities, corporates, students and ecosystem partners to accelerate sustainability at scaleMarking World Environment Day 2026, Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, has rolled out an extensive, multi-city sustainability campaign across South India under its flagship platform ‘Open for the Planet.’ The initiative is part of the Bank’s broader commitment to driving environmental awareness and encouraging meaningful community action to protect the environment.
Spanning Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, the campaign brings together communities, corporates, customers, employees, educational institutions and ecosystem partners to enable meaningful environmental action at scale.
With outreach to over 8000 participants through this initiative, Axis Bank aims to create a participatory movement that transforms intent into action—enabling individuals and communities to contribute towards building a cleaner and greener future.
The campaign features a series of high-impact activities, including:
Tree plantation drives across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Puducherry to enhance urban green cover and biodiversity
Clean-a-thon initiatives at beaches and corporate parks to promote waste reduction and responsible disposal
EV display zones to showcase next-generation green mobility solutions
Human chain activations to drive awareness on environmental responsibility
Recycling partnerships to scale reuse, resource efficiency and responsible consumption
Commenting on the campaign, Sanjeev Moghe, Group Head - Branch Banking, South at Axis Bank, said, “At Axis Bank, sustainability is embedded in how we think about long-term growth and value creation. Through these initiatives, we aim to make environmental action simple, inclusive, and accessible for communities across regions. It is encouraging to see citizens come together to participate in building a greener future, and we believe such collaborative efforts are essential to creating lasting environmental impact.”
‘Open for the Planet’ reflects Axis Bank’s continued efforts to deepen its sustainability focus through a people-led, regionally relevant movement— anchored in its dil se open philosophy towards communities, partnerships, and a greener future.
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Virohan Announces ₹2 Crore Scholarship To Promote Healthcare Education Among Women
Virohan, India's leading healthcare education company, today announced the launch of the Virohan Women in Healthcare Initiative, a ₹2 Crore scholarship pool designed to bring more women into India's growing healthcare sector.
Every eligible female applicant whether enrolling in a 4-5 year bachelor’s degree or a 1-year university certificate program through Virohan will receive a ₹50,000 scholarship. Students with 75% or above in Class 12 would qualify for ₹1,00,000 and those with 90% or above for ₹2,00,000 scholarship, applied upfront against the program fee.
Commenting on the initiative, Nalin Saluja, Co-founder and CTO, Virohan, said: "Healthcare is a profession of respect, stability, and purpose and one where women have always played a central role. The Virohan Women in Healthcare Initiative is built on the belief that more women should have access to it. The world is facing a significant shortage of healthcare professionals and India has the talent to meet that demand, both at home and globally. What we have found is that awareness is the biggest barrier. Students don't know allied and healthcare paths exist, and parents don't know the industry demand and career progression these roles offer. This scholarship is our way of saying: the opportunity is real, the universities are ready, and we want more women to seize it."
The launch comes amid a growing shift in how students and parents are approaching healthcare careers. While medical degrees continue to attract significant interest, industry stakeholders are witnessing increased curiosity around allied and healthcare programs that offer structured career pathways across patient care, diagnostics, medical technology, rehabilitation, and healthcare operations.
Indian allied and healthcare graduates are also finding themselves increasingly sought after beyond domestic borders. Countries such as Australia, Germany, and Japan are grappling with ageing populations and acute healthcare workforce shortages and trained professionals from India are emerging as a natural fit for these markets, adding an international dimension to what has traditionally been seen as a domestic career path.
With Virohan, students can apply for programs at UPES (Dehradun), MIT University (Shillong), CMR University (Bengaluru), KIET Deemed to be University (Ghaziabad), HRIT University (Ghaziabad), Lingaya's Vidyapeeth Deemed-to-be-University (Faridabad), Silver Oak University (Ahmedabad), and Vikrant University (Gwalior), among many others.
The initiative marks a significant step by Virohan to expand access to healthcare education for women at a time when the sector's demand for trained professionals is outpacing supply both in India and abroad.
Admission Now Open
Female students and parents looking to explore healthcare programs and apply for the Virohan Women in Healthcare Initiative scholarship can call +91 8448299435 or visit www.virohan.com/scholarship. Applications are open now.
About Virohan
Virohan is India's leading healthcare education company with 13,000+ success stories, 20+ university and college partners, and a network of 2,000+ healthcare employers across the country. With a 98% placement record, Virohan prepares students for job-ready careers across the healthcare sector through its university and industry partnerships and industry-aligned education.
About Virohan
Virohan is India's leading healthcare education company with 13,000+ success stories, 20+ university and college partners, and a network of 2,000+ healthcare employers across the country. With a 98% placement record, Virohan prepares students for job-ready careers across the healthcare sector through its university and industry partnerships and industry-aligned education.
IISc Study Finds Namma Metro Yellow Line Can Improve Bengaluru Commuters' Health And Quality Of Life
Biocon Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Biocon Group, today announced the findings of a landmark study conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Sustainable Transportation Lab on the potential impact of the Namma Metro Yellow Line corridor connecting RV Road and Bommasandra on public health, wellbeing, and urban liveability.
The study demonstrated strong potential to improve the public health and overall quality of life of Bengaluru residents, while also signalling a scalable model that could deliver similar benefits across other Namma Metro lines.
The study, titled Assessing the Impact of Yellow Line Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) System on Public Health and Quality of Life: A Sustainable Urban Mobility Perspective, was supported and funded by Biocon Foundation, with follow-on support from the Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA), and enabled by the Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST Cluster) anchored at IISc. This collaboration underscores the growing role of cross-sector alignment in advancing evidence-based, sustainable urban mobility solutions.
The study represents the first rigorous, longitudinal evaluation of its kind for any Metro rail corridor in India. Its findings position urban transit not just as an infrastructure investment, but as a high-impact lever for advancing health outcomes, liveability, and sustainable urban growth.
Dr. Anupama Shetty, Mission Director, Biocon Foundation, said, “At Biocon Foundation, we have consistently believed that access to sustainable public transport is fundamental to building healthier, more equitable cities. This study reinforces the broader value of investing in mass transit systems, not merely as mobility solutions, but as powerful enablers of public health, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life. The findings also highlight the need for an inclusive mobility ecosystem through stronger last-mile connectivity and safer pedestrian infrastructure. Public transport must remain at the centre of Bengaluru’s long-term urban development agenda.”
Prof. Ashish Verma, Principal Investigator, IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab, said, “This study on the Yellow Line Metro Rail Corridor has the potential to serve as a benchmark for understanding how shared, electric, and active mobility modes contribute not only to sustainable transportation but also to broader development goals such as liveability, public health, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. The findings demonstrate the importance of viewing public transport investments as critical interventions for improving air quality, health outcomes, and overall quality of life.”
Shri Anantharaman, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST Cluster), said, “The BeST Cluster was established to bring science and evidence-based research to address Bengaluru’s most pressing urban challenges. This study exemplifies that mission by integrating transportation engineering with public health research to generate actionable insights for policymakers. We hope these findings will guide Metro authorities, urban planners, and public agencies in building a healthier and more sustainable Bengaluru.”
The study was led by Prof. Ashish Verma, Professor of Transportation Systems Engineering at IISc and Convenor of the IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab. Using a robust longitudinal research design, the team surveyed 600 commuters and residents along the Yellow Line corridor through baseline assessments conducted in September 2025, followed by a post-implementation survey conducted in March 2026, six months after the commencement of metro operations.
The findings also indicate strong public willingness to adopt Metro-based transportation, with 83% of respondents expressing readiness to shift to the Yellow Line. The study further demonstrates that Metro usage can contribute to increased physical activity through additional walking, reduced exposure to air pollution and heat, improved mental wellbeing, stronger social connectivity, enhanced workplace productivity, and lower road accident risk through reduced dependence on two-wheelers.
The study recommends a series of policy interventions to strengthen Metro adoption and maximise public health outcomes. These include strengthening last-mile connectivity through feeder services and shared mobility options, as well as upgrading pedestrian infrastructure for safer station access. It also recommends integrating public health considerations into transport planning and promoting Metro systems as a sustainable mode of transport that reduces pollution exposure while enhancing mental and social wellbeing.
The research was conducted by the IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. The research team comprised Prof. Ashish Verma, Dr. Priyanka Das, and Ms. Ann Das, with advisory support from Prof. Prabhdeep Kaur of the Isaac Centre for Public Health, IISc, and Prof. Aruna Sivakumar of Imperial College London.
About Biocon Foundation:
Biocon Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Biocon Limited and Syngene International Limited, has been advancing social and economic inclusion since 2005. Its programs focus on healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and civic infrastructure, with strong partnerships across government and civil society.
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