Author: Neel Achary

Crafting a Greener Legacy : ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar Celebrate World Environment Day in Style

June 05: As the world pauses to reflect on its relationship with the planet, ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar mark World Environment Day with more than just a statement — they mark it with action. Guided by the philosophy of

Responsible Luxury, these two iconic properties have long recognised that true hospitality must serve not only their guests, but also the world those guests inhabit. Sustainability here is not an afterthought; it is the foundation upon which every experience is carefully built.

A thriving farm-to-table culture, supported by on-site kitchen gardens, ensures that guests enjoy fresh, locally sourced produce — reducing the carbon footprint while elevating culinary authenticity. EV charging facilities on the premises also make it easier for environmentally conscious guests to travel responsibly.

A landmark achievement in this sustainability journey came in April 2026, when ITC Royal Bengal received the coveted LEED Zero Water certification from Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), joining a select circle of properties worldwide recognised under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Zero framework for achieving net zero water consumption. This follows ITC Sonar‘s own LEED Zero Water certification in 2023 — a testament to ITC Hotels’ consistent, measurable impact on environmental stewardship.

This World Environment Day, ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar stand as proof that true luxury and genuine responsibility are not just compatible — they are inseparable.

World Environment Day: Smiling Tree Inspires Positive Change with “One Hand, One Tree, One Hope”

World Environment Day: Smiling Tree Inspires Positive Change with “एकहाथ, एकपेड़, एकआशा” (One Hand, One Tree, One Hope)

New Delhi, India | June 05 – World Environment Day 2026 – Marking World Environment Day, Smiling Tree reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action through its inspiring campaign, “एकहाथ, एकपेड़, एकआशा” (One Hand, One Tree, One Hope). The initiative encourages individuals, families, students, and organizations to plant and nurture trees while taking personal responsibility for protecting the environment.

At a time when climate change, deforestation, and environmental degradation continue to pose significant challenges, Smiling Tree believes that meaningful change begins with simple actions at the grassroots level. Through tree plantation drives, awareness programs, and community engagement activities, the organization is spreading the message that every individual has the power to contribute toward a greener and healthier future.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukesh Kwatra, Founder of Smiling Tree, highlighted the importance of collective action in environmental conservation.

“Environmental protection is no longer an option—it is a shared responsibility. Our campaign, ‘एकहाथ, एकपेड़, एकआशा,’ represents the belief that every helping hand can plant a tree, and every tree can create hope for future generations. Trees are among nature’s greatest gifts. They provide oxygen, absorb carbon emissions, support biodiversity, improve air quality, and help combat the effects of climate change. If each individual commits to planting and nurturing even one tree, the impact can be extraordinary,” said Dr. Kwatra.

Over the years, Smiling Tree has become a recognized environmental and social initiative dedicated to promoting sustainability, tree plantation, environmental awareness, and community participation. The organization has successfully engaged thousands of volunteers, students, environmental advocates, and corporate partners in its efforts to increase green cover and encourage responsible environmental practices.

As part of the World Environment Day celebrations, volunteers participated in plantation activities across residential communities and green public spaces. Educational sessions and awareness campaigns were also conducted to highlight the importance of biodiversity conservation, water preservation, waste reduction, and sustainable living.

The campaign’s message, “एकहाथ, एकपेड़, एकआशा,” serves as a reminder that every tree planted today contributes to a cleaner environment, stronger ecosystems, and a better quality of life tomorrow.

On this World Environment Day, Smiling Tree renewed its pledge to continue driving positive environmental change and called upon citizens across the country to join the movement. By embracing the spirit of “एकहाथ, एकपेड़, एकआशा,” individuals can become active participants in building a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future for generations to come.

CORONA Remedies Marks World Environment Day with ‘Green Footprint’ Sustainability Campaign Across Operations

Ahmedabad,  June 5: Reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship, CORONA Remedies Limited marked World Environment Day through its ‘Green Footprint’ campaign in its Head Office in Ahmedabad and manufacturing facilities in Bhayla, Gujarat, and Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The campaign brought employees together through a range of initiatives focused on sustainable living, carbon emission reduction, resource conservation, greener mobility, and circular waste management. As part of the initiative, the company facilitated the recycling of approximately 100 kilograms of textile waste, undertook plantation activities, and encouraged employees to adopt environmentally responsible practices in their daily lives.

At the company’s Head Office in Ahmedabad, employees organized a unique “Best Out of Waste” plantation activity by reusing plastic bottles as planters, creating a beautiful green vertical garden of over 300 plants within the premises. In an effort to reduce emissions, all 250 employees voluntarily commuted via public transport for the day. The office also observed energy and resource conservation measures by keeping elevators and printers shut throughout the day and conducting a one-hour electricity shutdown, resulting in reduction of 100 kg CO₂ emissions.

CORONA Remedies also partnered with ReCircle for a cloth recycling initiative at both its Ahmedabad Head Office and Bhayla Manufacturing Plant, collectively donating 100 kilograms of old clothes for responsible recycling instead of landfill disposal.

At the company’s Bhayla manufacturing facility, they also distributed more than 300 saplings to employees, encouraging plantation efforts beyond the workplace and into their homes. To promote environmental awareness and engagement, employees participated in quiz competitions, slogan-writing contests, and poem-writing competitions focused on sustainability and conservation. In addition, employees opted for carpooling and shared transportation to help reduce emissions.

Meanwhile, at the Solan manufacturing facility in Himachal Pradesh, employees undertook a plantation drive within the premises and were encouraged to reduce electricity consumption and adopt shared commuting practices for the day, reinforcing the importance of resource conservation and sustainable habits.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Brijesh Shah, Vice President, Human Resources, said,

“At CORONA Remedies, we believe that sustainability is driven by consistent action and collective responsibility. Through our ‘Green Footprint’ campaign, we sought to create meaningful opportunities for employees to contribute towards environmental conservation through simple yet impactful actions, whether by choosing sustainable modes of transport, recycling textile waste, conserving resources, or participating in plantation activities. The enthusiastic participation across our offices and manufacturing facilities reflects our shared commitment to building a greener future. As an organization, we remain focused on embedding environmentally responsible practices into our operations and fostering a culture where sustainability becomes an integral part of everyday decision-making.”

Through the ‘Green Footprint’ campaign, CORONA Remedies reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility across its operations and contributing towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Birla Opus Allwood empowers carefree living with new ‘Khul Ke Jiyo’ campaign

Mumbai, June 05: Birla Opus Paints, housed under Grasim Industries, part of the Aditya Birla Group, has launched its latest campaign film for Birla Opus Allwood with the theme, ‘Khul Ke Jiyo’. Rooted in the belief that homes are meant to be lived in freely, without hesitation, the campaign celebrates the uninhibited moments that make everyday family life, both memorable and joyful.

Through a playful family interaction, the film highlights how Birla Opus Allwood’s scratch-resistant wood protection gives consumers the confidence to let go of constant caution, embracing spontaneity, warmth and togetherness without worrying about every mark or scratch. At the centre of the film is a little boy returning home straight from the football field with shoes muddy and an unmatched energy. As he excitedly reenacts the greatest match of his life, the house transforms into his stadium. Wooden tables become goalposts, sofas turn into defenders, and chairs become cheering crowds as he jumps, climbs and races across the furniture in breathless excitement.

What makes the moment unexpected is not the child’s chaos, but the father’s calm. Instead of stopping him mid-celebration or worrying about scratches and scuffs, he simply watches on with a smile. The reason is simple; the furniture is protected with scratch-resistant wood coatings from Birla Opus Allwood.

The campaign uses a slice-of-life family moment to showcase how durable and scratch-resistant wooden surfaces can transform the way people live in their homes, replacing caution with comfort and worry with freedom. Through humour, warmth and relatable family dynamics, the film reinforces the emotional promise of ‘Khul Ke Jiyo’, where homes become spaces that can truly be lived in without hesitation.

Inderpreet Singh, Head – Marketing, Birla Opus Paints, said, “At Birla Opus Paints, we are building a brand that goes beyond product delivery to enable better living experiences. With Birla Opus Allwood, the focus was not just on showcasing superior scratch resistance, but on the freedom and ease it unlocks for consumers. ‘Khul Ke Jiyo’ captures this philosophy where durable performance empowers people to live fully in their homes, without holding back.”

Shashank Lanjekar, National Strategy Head, BBDO India said, “Wooden furniture in homes is usually the touch-me-not kinds. While families feel proud about having it, there’s always the accompanying fear of it getting spoilt. We used this duality to showcase Birla Opus Allwood’s offering. The story puts equal spotlight on both: the torture test that the teenage son afflicts on the wooden furniture as well as on the completely contrasting reactions of both parents. The message also delightfully balances the functional benefit of the product and brings alive the emotional benefit of ‘Khul Ke Jiyo’.”

Link to the film: Birla Opus Paints | Allwood Wood Paints | Khul Ke Jiyo

Client: Birla Opus Paints
Creative Agency: BBDO India
Production House: Twenty Seventh Film Pvt. Ltd.

Wildcat Discovery Technologies and EnergyX Announce Joint Venture for 15,000-ton Commercial LFP Cathode Manufacturing Facility in Texas

Proposed cathode project near Red River Army Depot would strengthen U.S. national defense and battery supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign cathode materials, and create high-quality manufacturing jobs in Texas

San Diego, California and Austin, Texas—June 5 — Wildcat Discovery Technologies, Inc. (“Wildcat”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Holyvolt Group, and Energy Exploration Technologies, Inc. (“EnergyX”)  announced they have entered into an agreement to advance a U.S.-based lithium iron phosphate (“LFP”) cathode active material manufacturing facility in Hooks, Texas, adjacent to EnergyX’s Project Lonestar™ lithium plant and near the Red River Army Depot.

Under the joint venture, Wildcat and EnergyX plan to establish domestic manufacturing capacity for LFP cathode material, a critical battery component used in energy storage systems, electric vehicles, military platforms, drones, and other advanced energy applications. The proposed facility is designed to produce approximately 15,000 metric tonnes per annum (tpa) of LFP cathode active material in Phase 1, with the ability for future expansion. The project would be located on 330 acres of land already secured by EnergyX at the TexAmericas Center, a strategic industrial location with rail transportation access, available utility infrastructure, competitive energy resources, and proximity to important defense and battery supply-chain assets.

The project represents more than $230 million of total project investment, including substantial private-sector cost share from the project sponsors. If selected for DOE funding, federal support would accelerate construction, commissioning, and scale-up of one of the first meaningful domestic LFP cathode production facilities in the United States. 

In addition to supply-chain and national security benefits, the joint venture is expected to create an estimated 150 high quality, direct permanent jobs, and up to 800-1200 indirect and construction jobs in Northeast Texas. The companies expect to work with local workforce partners, community colleges, and veterans’ organizations to support hiring and training for operations roles including chemical operators, technicians, engineers, maintenance personnel, and plant support staff.

Importantly, it is expected that EnergyX will supply the majority, if not all of the lithium carbonate needed for the joint venture partnership with commercially favorable terms, including a discount from market rates, and a price floor and ceiling. With lithium precursor materials accounting for 60-85% of the bill of materials for LFP cathode production as estimated by IDTechEx, access to stable and affordable lithium supply establishes a distinct competitive advantage. While most LFP producers are extremely exposed to lithium price volatility, the partnership between EnergyX and Wildcat solves this challenge. Further, EnergyX controls approximately 50,000 acres of premium lithium mining rights underneath the co-located cathode production facility and Lonestar™ lithium plant.

Both Wildcat and EnergyX have already validated demonstration-scale LFP cathode and lithium carbonate production capabilities at their facilities in San Diego, CA and Hooks, TX, respectively, and have sampled material to customers across energy storage, mobility, and defense-related markets. Further, Wildcat’s LFP product roadmap includes successive generations of higher-density LFP materials, while its broader cathode platform includes future cobalt- and nickel-free chemistries, creating exciting expansion possibilities for the joint venture. EnergyX’s lithium product portfolio includes not only lithium carbonate for LFP cathodes and lithium hydroxide for NMC cathode chemistries, but also lithium metal anodes for high energy density solid state batteries and lithium isotopes for the nuclear material supply chain.

“LFP cathode materials are essential to the future of energy storage, defense electrification, and affordable electric mobility, yet the United States remains heavily dependent on foreign supply,” said Mark Gresser, CEO of Wildcat. “This project is designed to help close that gap by combining Wildcat’s cathode materials technology and high-throughput development platform with EnergyX’s domestic lithium supply strategy and Texas project footprint.”

Teague Egan, Founder & CEO of EnergyX commented, “EnergyX is thrilled to build one of the largest American cathode plants in collaboration with Wildcat. In addition EnergyX’s global lithium technology and production platform, which includes the Project Lonestar™ lithium plant in Texas, this cathode plant is a critical step towards EnergyX’s larger vision of the Battery Mecca™. Cathode production is a natural next step, which will eventually include lithium metal anode production, and high energy density cell manufacturing. By pairing domestic cathode manufacturing with our domestic lithium supply, this project can help position Texas and Battery Mecca™ as a leader in the next generation of battery materials, and establishes a complete U.S. battery materials supply chain, directly adjacent to the Red River Army Depot.”

“This project is an important stepping stone toward Holyvolt Group’s mission of accelerating the transition to sustainable, resilient, and profitable energy systems across the Western world,” said Mathias Ingvarsson, Founder of Holyvolt Group, which acquired Wildcat Discovery Technologies in February 2026. “Localized battery and battery-material supply chains that are low-carbon, resilient, and strategically independent are essential not only to our mission, but also to maintaining Western competitiveness in one of the world’s most important industries.”

Ingvarsson added, “The proposed facility creates a pathway to bring next-generation proprietary cathode materials to market and to expand the use of Wildcat’s AI-ready, high-throughput materials platform. Over time, we believe this platform can help Western companies close the gap with overseas competitors — and ultimately surpass them. We are also seeing strong support across the battery supply chain, including from major OEMs, which reinforces both the strategic importance and market demand for what we are building.”

Today, most LFP cathode materials are produced in Asia, particularly China, creating supply-chain risk for U.S. energy storage, transportation, and defense markets. Wildcat and EnergyX intend for the proposed joint venture to create a secure, U.S.-controlled pathway from domestic American lithium resources through cathode production, supporting a more resilient North American battery supply chain.

The proposed facility also creates a platform for Western mining, refining, and materials companies to commercialize and scale within the United States. By linking domestic lithium resources, non-PFE raw-material supply, U.S.-based cathode production, and advanced materials innovation, the project is designed to support a more secure and competitive battery supply chain. The companies believe the proposed facility would directly support U.S. priorities around domestic manufacturing, critical materials independence, energy security, and defense readiness. Its location near the Red River Army Depot further underscores the strategic value of establishing advanced battery materials production in Northeast Texas.

TATA AIG introduces MediCare Reserve, a flexible Super Top-up plan with coverage up to INR 5 crore

Mumbai, June 05: TATA AIG General Insurance Company, one of India’s leading general insurance providers, has launched MediCare Reserve, an innovative health insurance solution designed to help customers strengthen their health coverage as their needs evolve. Built on a Super Top-up structure, the plan features a unique ‘Waiver of Aggregate Deductible’ benefit that allows eligible policyholders to transition to a comprehensive health insurance policy after five consecutive policy years, without undergoing fresh underwriting.

The aggregate deductible options range from ₹3 lakh to ₹50 lakh and sum insured choices from ₹5 lakh up to ₹5 crore. This allows customers to tailor their coverage based on existing health insurance protection and affordability preferences.

MediCare Reserve also features the ‘TransiCare Wallet’, an optional benefit which provides financial protection during job transitions. The plan further includes ‘Pocket Protect’ to help manage out-of-pocket expenses during prolonged hospitalizations and ‘Consumables Benefit’ for specified non-medical expenses incurred during hospitalization. Basis TATA AIG’s internal research, traditional Group Medical Coverage (GMC) plans are increasingly falling short of evolving healthcare and workforce realities. With job transitions becoming more frequent, the need for health insurance solutions that extend beyond employment-linked coverage is expected to grow.

The product is particularly relevant for working professionals aged 18–55 years who rely on employer-sponsored group medical insurance across sectors such as manufacturing, IT, technology services, startups, sales and field operations. By offering a pathway to broader health coverage over time, MediCare Reserve helps individuals build sustainable and long-term health protection. For NRIs and OCIs visiting India, the plan includes Emergency Hospitalization Due to Accident Cover of up to ₹3,00,000, providing financial protection against unforeseen medical emergencies during their stay in the country. 

Pankaj Shrivastava, Head – Agency & Health, TATA AIG General Insurance Company stated, “India’s healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, with rising medical costs and growing demand for comprehensive, long-term protection through various life stages. MediCare Reserve is designed to address these needs by combining the affordability of a Super Top-up plan with unique features such as Waiver of Aggregate Deductible, TransiCare Wallet and Pocket Protect. These benefits provide financial support during medical events and coverage gaps. Reflecting our commitment to making health insurance more flexible, relevant and future-ready.” 

The key features of MediCare Reserve include:

• TransiCare Wallet – Provides financial protection during job transitions when employer health coverage may no longer be available.
• Pocket Protect – Offers additional financial support during prolonged hospitalizations, helping reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
• Waiver of Aggregate Deductible – Enables policyholders to transition to a zero-deductible base policy after five consecutive years of coverage under the policy, without fresh underwriting.
• Consumables Benefit – Covers specified consumable expenses incurred during hospitalization, helping lower out-of-pocket costs not typically covered under standard health insurance plans. 

The company’s presence is anchored by over 260 branches and a strong network of more than 100,000 agents ready to guide customers through their coverage transitions. Additionally, Tata AIG has a comprehensive network of over 13,000 hospitals, ensuring hassle-free, cashless treatment. This powerful combination of reach and infrastructure guarantees that comprehensive health protection is always within a consumer’s reach.