As India’s monsoon season begins, concerns about EV safety often resurface. Here’s why electric vehicles like VinFast’s are designed to handle rain, flooding risks, and wet-weather charging more confidently than many drivers expect.
 

Every year, as the monsoon arrives across India, social media fills with images of flooded streets, waterlogged underpasses, and traffic inching through heavy rain. At the same time, many people considering an electric vehicle wonder whether EVs are safe and practical during the wettest months of the year.
 

Electric vehicles like VinFast’s are designed to handle rain, flooding risks, and wet-weather charging more confidently than many drivers expect
 

Part of this concern comes from something most of us learned growing up: electricity and water do not mix. Whether it was warnings about household appliances near water or stories about electrical accidents during storms, the message was clear. Yet modern electric vehicles are engineered very differently from household electronics.
 

With models such as the VF 6, VF 7, and VF 7 MPV now available in India, many prospective EV buyers are asking whether electric vehicles can handle the country’s challenging monsoon conditions. The good news is that many of the common concerns surrounding EVs and rain are based more on myth than reality.
 

Is There Danger in Driving an EV in the Rain?

Driving in the rain is always more challenging because of slippery roads, reduced visibility, and longer stopping distances. However, EVs do not introduce any additional risks simply because they are electric.
 

Modern EV battery packs, high-voltage cables, and electrical systems are carefully sealed and insulated from the outside environment. These vehicles also undergo extensive testing under demanding weather conditions, including exposure to heavy water spray from multiple directions.
 

Electric vehicles are no more likely to be struck by lightning than conventional vehicles. Like any modern car, the vehicle’s structure is designed to direct electrical current around the passenger compartment, helping protect occupants in the unlikely event of a lightning strike.
 

Are EVs More Likely to Hydroplane?

Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water forms between a vehicle’s tires and the road surface, reducing traction and making steering or braking more difficult. Factors such as tire condition, road quality, speed, and water depth all play important roles.
 

In fact, EVs may have certain advantages in these conditions. Because the battery pack is mounted low within the vehicle structure, EVs typically have a lower center of gravity and greater overall weight than comparable internal combustion vehicles. This can contribute to improved stability and stronger tire contact with the road surface.
 

That does not mean drivers can ignore monsoon safety precautions. The same rules apply regardless of what powers the vehicle. Reduce speed, leave extra space between vehicles, brake gently, and avoid areas where standing water has accumulated.
 

Can You Drive an EV Through Flooded Streets?

It is never a good idea to drive any vehicle through deep floodwater. During India’s monsoon season, flooded roads can hide potholes, open drains, debris, or damaged road surfaces that pose risks to both drivers and vehicles.
 

However, EVs are generally less susceptible to stalling from water ingress because their drivetrains are fully sealed. Unlike conventional vehicles, electric powertrains do not rely on air intakes, exhaust systems, or fuel delivery systems that can be affected by water entering the vehicle.
 

VinFast’s battery systems and high-voltage components are designed with multiple layers of protection and safety monitoring. The company also backs its vehicles with long-term warranty coverage. For example, the VF 7 MPV comes with a 10-year battery warranty, a 7-year vehicle warranty, a 5-year suspension warranty, and a 7-year paint warranty, helping provide added confidence for Indian families navigating a wide range of road and weather conditions.
 

That said, no vehicle should be driven through deep floodwater unless specifically designed for such conditions. If roads are significantly flooded, the safest option is always to wait or choose an alternative route.
 

Can You Charge an EV in the Rain?

Yes.

Unlike household electrical plugs, EV charging systems are specifically engineered for outdoor use. Charging ports and connectors are designed with weather-resistant protection and undergo rigorous testing to ensure safe operation in rain and wet conditions.
 

Before charging begins, the vehicle and charger communicate electronically to verify that a secure connection has been established. If any fault or irregularity is detected, power flow is automatically interrupted.
 

For Indian EV owners, this means charging during the monsoon is generally no different from charging on a dry day, provided approved charging equipment is used according to manufacturer guidelines.
 

While home charging remains a convenient option, public charging infrastructure is also designed to operate safely in varying weather conditions, including the heavy rainfall that accompanies India’s monsoon season.
 

The Bottom Line

The arrival of the monsoon often raises questions about EV ownership, but modern electric vehicles like VinFast’s are engineered with wet-weather operation in mind. After all, VinFast vehicles are developed in Vietnam, a Southeast Asian country where heavy rainfall and distinct wet seasons are part of the driving environment. Their batteries and electrical systems are extensively protected, charging equipment is designed for outdoor use, and they are tested to handle challenging environmental conditions.
 

For Indian drivers, the same principles apply regardless of the type of vehicle being driven: slow down in heavy rain, avoid flooded roads whenever possible, and prioritize safety. The technology inside today’s EVs is already designed to handle the weather outside.

Hero Enterprise’s flagship thought leadership event, The Mindmine Summit, returns with its 16th edition on June 15, 2026, at Taj Palace, New Delhi. Centred around the theme ‘Uncertain Times, Confident Choices: India Recalibrates’, the Summit will bring together some of India’s leading policymakers, thought leaders, business leaders, economists, diplomats, investors, healthcare experts and public intellectuals to discuss India’s evolution at a time of churn.

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, will feature in an opening conversation with Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman of Hero Enterprise, and Raamdeo Agarwal, Chairman of Motilal Oswal Securities. In the evening, Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak (Chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), will headline the proceedings as Chief Guest.

The Summit will conclude with the 18th BML Munjal Awards Ceremony, celebrating organisations that achieve business excellence through innovation-led learning and development initiatives. Shri Mohan Bhagwat will present the awards and deliver a keynote address titled ‘Bharat ka Nirmaan: Roots, Values, Future’, reflecting on the foundational values and aspirations shaping India’s journey towards the future.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman, The Hero Enterprise said, “India stands at a defining moment in its development journey, amid great upheaval and disruption around the world. This year’s Summit captures the resolve and spirit with which the nation is capitalizing on opportunities, embracing change, and shaping its destiny. By encouraging dialogue and holding relevant conversations, the Mindmine Summit aims to contribute meaningfully to the narrative that will define the next chapter of India’s story.”

Distinguished panellists who will be engaged in the conversations include: Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Bansuri Swaraj, Member of Parliament; H.E. Antonio Bartoli, Ambassador of Italy to India; Suresh Prabhu, former Union Minister of Civil Aviation; Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC India; Mansi Madan Tripathy, Chairperson, Shell Group of Companies in India and Senior Vice President, Shell Lubricants Asia Pacific; Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Power; Nilesh Shah, Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management; Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman and Managing Director, HUDCO; Meenakshi Nevatia, Country President and Managing Director, Pfizer; Jasleen Kohli, Managing Director and CEO, Go Digit General Insurance; Sanjeev Mantri, MD and CEO, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, among others.

This year’s Summit will explore a wide spectrum of issues that are shaping India’s growth trajectory. Discussions will examine the evolving geopolitical landscape and its implications for sovereign nations, the opportunities emerging from India’s development journey, changing investment priorities, the future of insurance penetration, strengthening institutions and access to justice, energy pathways for a growing economy, and the balance between technology, trust, and accessibility in healthcare.

Over the years, the Mindmine Summit has established itself as one of India’s premier forums for dialogue and ideas, bringing together leaders from government, business, academia and civil society to deliberate on issues of national and global significance. The 2026 edition aims to continue that tradition by fostering conversations that inspire action, innovation and collective progress.

ICEYE, the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space, has raised EUR 450 million (USD 520 million) in a primary Series F funding round led by General Atlantic, at a valuation of over EUR 10 billion (USD 12 billion).

ICEYE Factory

Additional investors include Solidium, Tesi, Varma, Ilmarinen, Lifeline Ventures, as well as Nokia, from Finland, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and TCV. Together with a secondary placement, the total Series F funding round exceeds EUR 1 billion.

The breadth of the investor group signals recognition that sovereign and commercial access to space-based intelligence is essential to national security and resilience worldwide.

Seven governments to date across Europe have procured sovereign satellite systems from ICEYE, making it the leading provider of space-based intelligence. Proceeds from the funding round will drive the expansion of ICEYE’s global footprint and deepen its intelligence capabilities, positioning the company to meet growing demand and deliver sovereign intelligence systems and data to governments and customers at a new scale.

Rafal Modrzewski, Co-Founder & CEO of ICEYE, said, “The quality of investors who have chosen to back us at this scale reflects a shared belief. Sovereign intelligence from space is entering a new era and the window to build it is now. ICEYE has built the world’s most advanced, proven capability to meet that demand. This funding enables us to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to governments and customers faster than ever before.“

Sascha Günther, Managing Director, Head of DACH, and Co-Head of EMEA Technology at General Atlantic, said, “ICEYE has fundamentally redefined Earth observation. The company pioneered the shift to next-generation, agile satellite fleets that deliver greater strategic capability with far greater cost efficiency – and today operates the world’s largest and most advanced SAR constellation on a vertically integrated platform. Rafal and the team are taking breakthrough technology from innovation to commercial and operational success at scale, and we believe global structural demand for ICEYE’s intelligence will continue to accelerate. We are proud to back remarkable builders like ICEYE as they push the boundaries of what’s possible.”

Nokia joins the funding round as a new strategic investor. Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia, said, “Modern defense increasingly depends on combining trusted connectivity with real-time visibility. Nokia and ICEYE bring complementary strengths that can help advance Europe’s defense, resilience and technological sovereignty. This combination will become increasingly important as governments and industries look to build more secure, aware and adaptable critical systems.”

This Series F follows a period of significant momentum for ICEYE. In 2025, ICEYE scaled growth, profitability, and cash generation simultaneously – crossing over EUR 250 million in revenue, and over EUR 100 million in EBITDA, while building a contracted backlog of over EUR 1.5 billion⁽¹⁾. Production is now doubling, from 50 satellites per year today to a target of 100 annually by 2028 and beyond, supported by a matching launch cadence.

Every sovereign system ICEYE deploys strengthens not only the nation that operates it but a broader network of intelligence. ICEYE recently delivered a fully operational sovereign space system to the Polish Armed Forces, from contract signing to operational capability in 12 months, among the fastest sovereign space deployments in history. The model is now being replicated across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and the pace is accelerating.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

About ICEYE

ICEYE is the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. We deliver continuous monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth.

ICEYE owns the world’s largest and most advanced SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite constellation. To our customers we provide intelligence with unmatched quality, latency and revisit times, in any weather, day or night. To governments who choose to operate their own constellation we provide this proven capability as a sovereign system.

ICEYE-built constellations serve customers in defence and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management. We enable fast decisions that contribute to a safer future.

Natively European, founded in Finland. ICEYE operates globally with over 1,000 employees.

We’re a growing international team of builders. iceye.com/joinus

About General Atlantic

General Atlantic is a leading global investor with more than four and a half decades of experience providing capital and strategic support for over 885 companies throughout its history. Established in 1980, General Atlantic continues to be a dedicated partner to visionary founders and investors seeking to build dynamic businesses and create long-term value. Guided by the conviction that entrepreneurs can be incredible agents of transformational change, the firm combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon, and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with and scale innovative businesses around the world. The firm leverages its patient capital, operational expertise, and global platform to support a diversified investment platform spanning Growth Equity, Credit, Energy Transition, and Sustainable Infrastructure strategies. General Atlantic manages approximately USD 126 billion in assets under management, inclusive of all strategies, as of March 31, 2026, with more than 900 professionals in 20 countries across five regions.

For more information on General Atlantic, please visit: www.generalatlantic.com.

⁽¹⁾ Based on unaudited 2025 financial results.

The British School New Delhi welcomed 60 pre-university students from across India for the third edition of the UCL India Summer School, held from 1 to 6 June 2026. Building on the success of previous years, the programme once again brought together UCL’s distinguished faculty and The British School’s commitment to world-class learning, offering students an immersive introduction to university-level study.

Students, UCL faculty and school leaders at the valedictory ceremony of the third UCL India Summer School hosted by The British School New Delhi

The annual programme has become a flagship collaboration between the two institutions, providing students with the opportunity to engage with challenging academic concepts, explore potential fields of study and experience the intellectual rigour of a leading global university. This year’s participants explored specialist pathways spanning law, psychology, sustainability, urban studies and technology, reflecting the breadth of disciplines championed by UCL.

With class sizes limited to 12 students, participants benefited from close interaction with UCL academics through lectures, workshops and discussion-based learning. The programme encouraged students to think critically, collaborate across disciplines and engage with ideas extending beyond the traditional school curriculum.

This year’s Summer School held particular significance as UCL celebrates its bicentenary in 2026, marking 200 years of advancing knowledge and expanding access to education. The milestone reflects values shared by both UCL and The British School New Delhi: a commitment to academic excellence, inclusion, innovation and developing globally minded young people equipped to contribute meaningfully to an interconnected world.

Each day concluded with plenary sessions exploring university admissions, student life and future pathways, while the week culminated in a valedictory ceremony where students presented their pathway projects and received certificates in the presence of UCL faculty, school leaders and families.

Participants engage in a classroom session during the UCL India Summer School

Vanita Uppal OBE, Director of The British School New Delhi, said, “What has been most inspiring this week is not simply the academic work produced by the students, but the curiosity, openness and enthusiasm with which they have approached learning. They have explored complex ideas, engaged in thoughtful discussion and stepped beyond the familiar in pursuit of new perspectives. As UCL celebrates its bicentenary, we are proud of our committed partnership rooted in our shared values and a firm belief that education should be both ambitious and accessible. We believe that education has the power not only to open doors, but to broaden horizons, challenge assumptions and inspire young people to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. The UCL India Summer School is a powerful example of how a shared vision, grounded in our intent of building a better world, can help prepare students for the future.”

Dr Michael Spence, President and Provost of UCL, said, “UCL India Summer School reflects a genuine partnership between UCL and The British School New Delhi, two institutions committed to curiosity, high-level critical thinking, and solving real-world problems. We were delighted to give sixty pre-university students from across India an experience of research-led multidisciplinary learning and a taste of what it is like to study with us this week.“

The continuing success of the UCL India Summer School reflects the shared commitment of UCL and The British School New Delhi to expanding access to exceptional educational opportunities and nurturing the next generation of globally engaged learners and leaders.

About The British School New Delhi
The British School New Delhi is an inclusive, not-for-profit international school located in the heart of the diplomatic area of New Delhi. Founded in 1963 by the then British High Commissioner and his wife, the award-winning school offers high quality education to British, expatriate and local families by drawing on the best facets of a rich and culturally diverse community. In 2018, the school was awarded the Top British International School of the Year and more recently, has been rated as one of the Top 3 Private Schools in India and the Top 150 Private Schools worldwide for the second consecutive year.

www.british-school.org 
 
About University College London (UCL)
UCL is a global top 10 university, set up in London 200 years ago to offer education for all. Today, we gather 60,000 staff and students, from over 150 countries, to create a unique city within a city – a research and innovation powerhouse that leads the world in subjects spanning the arts, sciences, technology and the humanities. We’ve nurtured 33 Nobel Prize winners, because here, brave ideas have the scale and the support they need to succeed. We are University College London. And here, it can happen. 

UCL turns 200 in 2026. Join us for a year of bicentennial events and celebration. 

Read the UCL and India booklet here. .

ucl.ac.uk

Students from Galgotias University secured five Gold Medals at the 1st World Yogasana Championship 2026 held at the EKA Arena, Ahmedabad, from 4 to 8 June 2026.

The inaugural championship brought together 522 athletes from 79 countries across multiple Yogasana disciplines and age categories. Organised by Yogasana Bharat in association with World Yogasana and the Indian Olympic Association, the event marked the largest international competitive platform for Yogasana so far.

Galgotias University students made India proud at the World Yogasana Championship 2026 with five Gold Medals across Traditional, Supine, Artistic Pair, and Group events

India finished at the top of the medal tally with 114 medals, including 102 Gold Medals.

Representing India, first-year students from Galgotias University won medals across artistic, traditional, and individual categories.

Ritu Mondal, a first-year BA Economics student, secured Gold Medals in Traditional Individual and Traditional Group categories. Riya, a first-year BA English student, won Gold in the Supine Individual event in the Senior Category. Deepa Lodhi, a first-year BA English student competing in the Junior Category, secured Gold Medals in Artistic Pair and Artistic Group.

The championship featured competitions in traditional yogasana, artistic single, artistic pair, artistic group, rhythmic pair, and specialised flexibility and balance events.

Dr Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University, said, “Competing at a championship that brought together athletes from 79 countries demands a very different level of preparation, consistency, and discipline. Securing five Gold Medals against international competition is a significant achievement for our students and for Indian Yogasana.”

Deepa Lodhi said, “The scale of the championship was very different from anything I had experienced earlier. Competing against international participants helped me understand the level of preparation required at the global stage.”

Riya said, “The competition environment was extremely demanding because every category had strong international participation. Winning here has given me confidence to prepare for bigger championships ahead.”

Ritu Mondal said, “The event showed how rapidly Yogasana is growing internationally. For us as athletes, it was an opportunity to represent India in a discipline that originated here.”

The achievement adds to Galgotias University’s growing presence on international stages across sports, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and global academic competitions, where students are increasingly competing alongside participants from leading institutions and countries worldwide.

About Galgotias University
Galgotias University is one of India’s leading multidisciplinary universities recognised for academic excellence, research, innovation, global collaborations, and industry aligned education. With a vibrant student community of over 50,000 learners and a global alumni network of more than 100,000 graduates, the University has built a rapidly growing ecosystem focused on technology, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world impact.

In the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds, Galgotias University was placed in the 1201-1400 global band and ranked 15th among private universities and 43rd among all universities in India. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, the University was placed in the 1201-1500 global band and ranked 27th among private universities and 65th among all universities in India. The University is also accredited with NAAC A+, one of India’s highest institutional quality ratings.

Galgotias University offers programmes across engineering, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, business, law, media, design, health sciences, hospitality, liberal education, and emerging interdisciplinary domains. In 2026, students secured more than 5,100 job offers from over 1,250 recruiters. The University has built strong industry and innovation partnerships with organisations including Apple, Infosys, Intel, Cisco, Tata Technologies, L&T EduTech, Capgemini, and Salesforce, while continuing to strengthen its global academic engagement and startup ecosystem.

The Kerala Police has launched a synchronized anti-narcotics enforcement campaign titled Operation Toofan, positioning frontline police units at the vanguard of the mission. Operating with direct tactical, administrative, and data assistance from regional intelligence cells and state administrative departments, the Kerala Police force has established a unified command structure to target interstate supply corridors. This extensive mobilization resulted in the registration of more than 1,500 cases, the execution of more than 1,000 arrests, and the recovery of substantial quantities of synthetic contraband within the first 72 hours of field deployment.

The man behind Operation Toofan, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala

The operation’s success relied on a carefully timed blueprint.

Two weeks before the academic year started, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala finalized a strategy designed to catch school-zone traffickers off guard. Police units then began quietly mapping out the networks. The moment students went back to class, the trap snapped shut, shifting from silent surveillance to aggressive field arrests across state lines.

The word “Toofan” knows no geographic or linguistic borders. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala explained why the administration chose a name with pan-India resonance.

“Kerala, today is a rapidly evolving global hub, welcoming a massive workforce of guest workers from various states, IT professionals, and international tourists. We chose a name that instantly communicates our absolute zero-tolerance policy to everyone who steps into the state,” Chennithala said.

The official launch of the campaign took place at Cotton Hill Girls Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan inaugurated the function, which was presided over by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. The event saw massive participation from students, parents, police officials, and the general public, capturing immense public attention right from the school venue.

From that very moment, social media platforms began flooding with viral campaigns backing the crackdown, creating a digital wall of solidarity against the drug networks. On the ground and across the internet, the operation triggered an unprecedented wave of public support, with citizens courageously stepping up to flood police tip lines and use secure digital nodes to share real-time, actionable information about local peddlers.

Breaking away from formal press releases, Police Chief Ravada Azad Chandrasekhar and the officer in charge, IG Putta Vimaladitya, took to official social media pages, using the native language to personally ask the public for help.

Two days into the campaign, the Home Minister stepped in to launch special mobile and WhatsApp hotlines, guaranteeing complete anonymity to anyone passing on information about local dealers. Rather than just booking local buyers, the state police focused on finding the drug network at its source.

The crackdown included highly unusual incidents, such as a suspect who hid a packet of ganja inside a boiling pressure cooker, only for the cooker’s whistle to emit a strong odor that alerted searching officers. In another case, a tech worker caught growing cannabis claimed the plants were meant for making kitchen chutney.

To dismantle the wider syndicate, investigators used pictures found in seized phone galleries to trace the supply lines backward. This root-level approach led teams straight to the top, resulting in the interstate arrest of two major foreign kingpins, Samuel in Delhi and Elsina in Bengaluru.

Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt uses a four-pillar system to fight drugs. Under Toofan Strike, specialized police teams and supporting departments launch smart, targeted raids at border check posts to stop chemical drug shipments. For health and recovery, Toofan Care links the police with medical departments to provide rehabilitation and clinical counseling for those dealing with dependency. To protect students, Toofan Warriors uses the Student Police Cadet network and local youth under the Education Department to closely monitor school and college campuses.

As part of this initiative, Kerala Police organizes specialized awareness classes for students to educate them against drug abuse under Operation Toofan. To turn this into a massive state movement, the Home Minister and high-ranking officials plan to personally visit as many schools as possible to deliver the anti-drug message.

Furthermore, all campuses have been asked to hoist the Toofan campaign flag to declare themselves as drug-free zones. Additionally, every student across campuses has been asked to wear the “Toofan Warrior” badge, declaring their commitment to actively protecting their campuses.

The operational framework of this unique drug hunt, Operation Toofan, relies heavily on strategies previously established by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

A senior national figure within the Indian National Congress and a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee, Chennithala has adapted successful mechanisms from his earlier landmark campaigns, most notably Operation Kubera. Launched during his previous tenure, that courageous enforcement drive successfully eradicated the state’s predatory illegal money-lending network.

Bisleri International, India’s leading packaged drinking water company, represented India at the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) Training Programme on Demonstration of EPR and Plastic Credit Systems in India held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 8–10 June 2026.

Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, represented India at the South Asian Cooperative Environment Program at Kathmandu

Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International participated as a key resource person and industry representative, sharing India’s practical experience in implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging. The programme brought together government officials, ministers, regulators, producers, brand owners, recyclers, waste operators and sustainability experts from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to exchange knowledge and strengthen circular economy frameworks across South Asia.

As part of the programme, Mr. Ganesh led a practitioner session titled “Experience Sharing: How Indian PIBOs Operate under EPR“, that provided first-hand insights into how Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) navigate India’s evolving EPR ecosystem. The discussion covered registration and compliance management through the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal, engagement with recyclers, aggregators and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), documentation and verification processes, as well as practical challenges relating to data quality, recycler capacity, cost and regulatory compliance. The session formed part of the conference agenda focused on demonstrating India’s EPR framework and operational learnings for South Asian Nations exploring on strengthening similar systems.

 Representatives from South Asian countries discussed circular economy frameworks at SACEP

Mr. Ganesh also contributed to a high-level discussion on the alignment between EPR regulations and emerging plastic credit mechanisms, highlighting opportunities for collaboration between governments, industry and waste management stakeholders to accelerate circularity and improve plastic waste management outcomes across the region.

Commenting on his participation, Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, “Extended Producer Responsibility has emerged as one of the most important policy instruments for creating accountability, improving traceability and driving investment into waste management infrastructure. India’s EPR journey has generated valuable learnings on collaboration between producers, recyclers, regulators and the informal sector. Platforms such as SACEP provide an important opportunity for South Asian countries to share experiences, strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate the transition towards a circular economy. As sustainability challenges increasingly transcend borders, collective action and robust EPR frameworks will play a critical role in building resource-efficient and environmentally responsible societies.”

Bisleri has consistently championed sustainable waste management practices through its initiatives in plastic circularity, recycling partnerships and responsible packaging. Through participation in regional and international forums, the company continues to contribute to policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaborative solutions that support a more sustainable future for the region.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd
With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country’s largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe, and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform – Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating a greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

91Wheels.com, in collaboration with Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited (MEAL), has successfully completed a landmark cross-border electric vehicle expedition from New Delhi, India, to Thimphu, Bhutan.

10 Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs travelled from New Delhi to Thimphu

The expedition saw a convoy of 10 Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs undertake the 1,850-kilometre journey to Bhutan’s capital, demonstrating the growing capability of electric mobility for long-distance and international travel. The achievement has been recognised by the India Book of Records as the “Largest EV Convoy on a Cross-Border International Road Trip.”

Adding to the significance of the expedition was the participation of real-world customers. Families, friends, siblings, and solo drivers joined the journey in a fleet comprising Mahindra XEV 9e, XEV 9S, and BE 6 electric SUVs, bringing together authentic ownership experiences across borders.

The drive showcased the long-distance touring capabilities of Mahindra’s INGLO EV platform, with participants covering diverse terrain and weather conditions while relying entirely on public and planned charging infrastructure. By successfully completing this demanding journey, the drive also helped build greater confidence for EV adoption in India, demonstrating that electric SUVs can support long-distance, intercity and cross-border travel with the right planning and charging access.

The convoy also visited Bhutan’s first Mahindra Electric Automobile showroom in Thimphu, marking a symbolic milestone for the brand’s international EV footprint.

Commenting on the achievement, Bunny Punia, Group Editor, 91Wheels.com, said, “At 91Wheels, we constantly push vehicles beyond conventional test conditions to understand their true capabilities. This New Delhi-to-Thimphu expedition showcased that modern electric vehicles are no longer limited by the myths that surround them. Crossing international borders, mountains and long highway stretches, the Mahindra Origin Electric SUVs and its customers proved that sustainable mobility is ready for real-world adventures.”

Reeti Nageshri, Head of Business Operations – Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited, said, “People still ask if an EV can handle a real road trip. Our customers just answered that question by driving nearly 4,000 kilometres each across two countries, through extreme heat, mountain roads and changing terrain. The story here isn’t just the vehicles. It’s the confidence customers now have to go further than they ever thought possible.”

“At 91Wheels, our goal has always been to simplify personal mobility by helping consumers make informed decisions with confidence. In a category where trust plays a critical role, we continue to invest in expert-led content, technology-driven experiences, and unbiased guidance that empower millions of vehicle buyers across India. As mobility evolves, our focus remains on building a trusted ecosystem that puts the consumer first,” said Sunish Kumar, Founder, 91Wheels.

Route Overview

• Day 1: New Delhi – Agra – Lucknow – Gorakhpur (882 km)

• Day 2: Gorakhpur – Muzaffarpur – Siliguri (647 km)

• Day 3: Siliguri – Jaigaon – Phuentsholing (151 km)

• Day 4: Phuentsholing – Thimphu (170 km)

• Day 5: Thimphu – Paro – Thimphu (additional)

Collectively, the convoy covered nearly 40,000 kilometres by the time all participating customers returned to New Delhi, creating one of the most demanding real-world endurance demonstrations undertaken by customer-owned EVs in the region. Throughout the expedition, the electric SUVs were subjected to consecutive DC fast-charging sessions, temperatures reaching 47°C across the northern plains, and elevations approaching 9,000 feet, further highlighting their ability to handle demanding real-world conditions. The most meaningful border crossed on this journey, however, wasn’t India to Bhutan, but the one between belief and confidence.

AI has not just changed how people search. It has changed who answers. And for the first time, that answer is not a list of links – it is a single response, generated by a model, citing sources it has chosen to trust. For enterprise brands, that shift is not coming. It has arrived.

Industry leaders and marketing executives at INDEX’26 New York, Pepper’s summit focused on the future of AI-driven search and brand discovery

That was the ground truth at INDEX’26 New York, hosted by Pepper on May 27. More than 200 CMOs, VPs of Marketing, growth leaders, investors, and technology builders convened for the New York edition of what Pepper bills as the world’s first The GEO Growth Summit – a forum built not to debate whether generative AI is disrupting search, but to determine what winning looks like on the other side of that disruption.

The results were unambiguous. Across every conversation – from the boardroom to the brand team – the same inflection point kept surfacing: organic discovery has been structurally rewired, and the strategies that drove growth for the past decade are losing their footing fast. CAC is climbing. Traditional SEO signals are weakening. Buyer journeys now fracture across seven or more touchpoints before a decision is made. And through all of it, AI models are forming opinions about brands – from reviews, citations, third-party content, and web authority – long before a human ever enters a search bar.

“INDEX was created to bring together operators who are actively rethinking how growth works in a world where AI has become the primary interface for discovery. Search is no longer about ranking pages – it is about being retrieved, cited, and trusted by AI systems. INDEX’26 is where leaders come together to understand this shift and build practical strategies to win in the new era,” said Anirudh Singla, Co-Founder & CEO, Pepper.

The urgency extended well beyond the marketing function. Investors and board members, as surfaced in one of the day’s most candid conversations, are already asking their portfolio companies about AI search visibility – often without the CMO in the room. For enterprise leadership teams, the message was pointed: Generative Engine Optimization is no longer a content team initiative. It has become a business continuity question.

That reality landed differently for regulated industries. In financial services, the stakes of AI getting it wrong go beyond brand damage. A misattributed claim, a hallucinated product detail, an AI-generated answer that contradicts compliance policy – these are not PR problems. They are regulatory ones. Leaders from DTCC and Arbor Realty Trust gave texture to what it means to navigate brand authority in an environment where no single team controls what an AI says about you.

“I think of myself as much more of an operations and architect of the department than a traditional marketer. We’ve gone from Chief Marketing Officer to Chief Architect,” said Lauren Wagner Boyman, CMO, KPMG US.

The CMO role itself was on trial. Lauren Wagner Boyman of KPMG US and Drew Neisser of CMO Huddles – drawing on data from more than 600 CMO conversations – made the case that the function has been permanently restructured. Speed, agility, and content efficiency have displaced traditional brand stewardship as the core mandate. Consumer brand leaders from Uber, Unilever, Major League Soccer, and Samsung Ads confirmed the same pattern from a different angle: when AI compresses buyer choice to a single recommendation, the brand that wins is the one the model has learned to trust, not the one with the biggest media budget.

“The physical shelf had 100 options. E-commerce became endless but we shop above the fold – so 100 became 5. AI-led search is about to compress 5 into 1. You want to be that one – every time, in every platform,” said Deepak Subramanian, Global VP Marketing, Unilever.

Pepper used the summit to unveil Atlas, its agentic OS for organic growth – positioned not as a GEO tool but as an outcome engine built to own traffic, citations, velocity, and pipeline in the AI era. Guy Yalif of Webflow separately debuted the AEO Maturity Model, grounded in data from millions of B2B websites, giving attendees a diagnostic framework to benchmark where their organizations actually stand. Practitioners from RocketReach, Optimizely, Stacker, and G2 closed the day with a ground-level view of what is working inside the GEO stack right now.

INDEX’26 New York follows the sold-out San Francisco edition in April, which drew more than 200 senior leaders from Salesforce, NVIDIA, Intel, Snowflake, Gong, and Demandbase. Future editions of the summit are planned for additional markets.

Rustomjee Group, one of Mumbai’s most trusted real estate developers, has partnered with the Rotary Club of Bombay Airport to support the Kawale Check Dam project in Vikramgad Taluka, Palghar District, Maharashtra. The project, which will be inaugurated on June 7, 2026, is expected to improve water security, boost agricultural productivity, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for nearly 1,800 farming families across 18 villages. Developed as a long-term water resilience solution, the check dam is designed to capture and conserve rainwater, addressing the region’s persistent challenge of water scarcity despite seasonal rainfall abundance.

Rustomjee Partners with Rotary Club of Bombay Airport to Advance Water Security and Sustainable Livelihoods in Palghar

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable community development, Rustomjee is supporting this transformative initiative in a tribal belt of Maharashtra where limited year-round water availability has constrained livelihoods and agricultural growth. The dam is expected to store water for nearly two kilometres upstream, enabling groundwater recharge and improving access to water throughout the year. Implemented with active community participation, the project promotes local ownership while helping ensure its long-term sustainability and impact.

With a total project investment of approximately Rs. 70.58 lakh, the initiative represents a collaborative effort between development stakeholders, local communities, and institutional partners to create lasting impact through sustainable water infrastructure. The project has been designed not only to address immediate water needs but also to generate long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits for the region.

Commenting on the initiative, Mrs. Namrata Nulwalla, Chief Sustainability Officer, Rustomjee Group said, “At Rustomjee, we believe meaningful sustainability is rooted in creating lasting impact for communities. Water security remains one of the most critical enablers of economic resilience and social progress, particularly in rural regions where livelihoods are closely linked to natural resources. The Kawale Check Dam project demonstrates the power of collaborative, impact-driven interventions in addressing systemic challenges while creating opportunities for growth and self-reliance.

Being a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Bombay Airport, I have seen firsthand the impact that collaborative, purpose-driven initiatives can create. Through its support of the Kawale Check Dam project, Rustomjee aims to contribute to the development of resilient rural ecosystems that generate long-term social, economic, and environmental value. This initiative reflects our broader commitment to sustainable development through solutions that are community-led, scalable, and built to create lasting change. “

Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Pragna Mehta, President of Rotary Club of Bombay Airport, said, “The Kawale Check Dam project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose and a long-term vision for community development. At the Rotary Club of Bombay Airport, we strongly believe that sustainable change begins by addressing fundamental needs, and water security remains one of the most critical enablers of health, livelihoods, education and economic progress.

We are deeply grateful to Rustomjee Group for its generous and visionary support towards this transformative initiative. More than a water conservation structure, the Kawale Check Dam has the potential to become a lifeline for local tribal and farming communities, driving socio-economic development, strengthening livelihoods, supporting year-round agricultural activity, and contributing to environmental restoration through groundwater recharge and ecosystem preservation.

Our partnership with Rustomjee reflects a shared commitment to creating meaningful and enduring impact. What makes this initiative particularly significant is that it is not merely an infrastructure project, but a community-led effort designed to strengthen resilience, empower local communities and create opportunities for future generations.

By combining Rotary’s ethos of Service Above Self with Rustomjee’s commitment to responsible development, we hope to create a model of collaboration that delivers lasting social, economic and environmental value for the region. This project truly embodies the spirit of ‘Together We Rise’ and ‘Unite for Good’, demonstrating how purpose-driven partnerships can create lasting change for generations to come.”

Through initiatives such as this, Rustomjee continues to advance its commitment to creating value beyond real estate by strengthening communities, promoting environmental stewardship, and contributing meaningfully to India’s sustainable development goals.

About Rustomjee Group

Incorporated in 1995, Rustomjee Group (Keystone Realtors Limited) is one of the prominent MMR based real estate developers and a leader in the redevelopment space. The company has a substantial portfolio of projects spanning the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with 39 Completed Projects, 17 Ongoing Projects and 21 Forthcoming Projects that cover all price points from Mass Market to Luxury. So far, the company has delivered over 29+ million square feet of construction area, with a pipeline of over 46 million square feet of construction area in the works. A strategic asset-light approach, an integrated real estate development model, and a strong eye for quality and detail gives the Company’s management team an edge over its peers. By successfully housing 19000+ families including re-housing 1900+ existing families through several redevelopment projects, the company has detailed understanding of (re)development process and is committed to generating value for all its stakeholders.