Author: Neel Achary

Blue zones the inspiration for green living in Dubai

New development taking its cue from the world’s longest-lived communities

Dubai, UAE, Feb 24: Scientific research launched just over 20 years ago to find the places where people live longest, identified five ‘blue zones’ where nature played a fundamental role, and healthy behaviour was built into daily life.

American writer, explorer and National Geographic Fellow, Dan Buettner, first coined the term ‘blue zones’ after an expedition in 2000 to investigate historic longevity associated with the remote Japanese islands of Okinawa.

With a team of scientists, he then set out to discover other communities where people not only lived longer, but also enjoyed a high quality of life in their old age. 

Ultimately, Sardinia, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, and Loma Linda, California joined the list of five ‘blue zones’, and Buettner used the term to found an organisation to create healthy communities across the United States. 

The concept is a major influence behind a first of its kind development in Dubai which Talal M.Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand, believes will shape luxury community design across the Gulf region and beyond.

Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion bio-living community at Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7, the first project of its kind in the Gulf, is under development at a moment when Dubai is making nature and human wellbeing central to how it builds its future.

Launched at the recent World Governments Summit, Dubai Municipality’s Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap includes a portfolio of projects valued at more than AED4 billion, showing Dubai as a leading global sustainable city that harnesses nature to enhance human wellbeing.

Over the next five years, this will plant 1.5 million trees, create 120 new parks across nearly 3 million square metres, and weave more than 200 sports and recreational spaces into green networks across the city.

“It’s a masterful plan, which showcases the ingenuity and innovation which has made Dubai one of the world’s best cities in which to live and work,” said Talal. “This inspires us to create communities offering a new quality of life, where nature and its impact on people’s health is an intrinsic element of design.”

Keturah Reserve, itself a veritable explosion of green, is built around the idea that three environmental inputs – air, water, and light – are the foundations of human health. Air purification systems remove not just dust particles but chemical compounds and pathogens that conventional buildings leave untouched. Water infrastructure is treated with similar precision.

The community’s lighting adjusts throughout the day to mirror natural daylight, supporting the body’s sleep and wake cycles in ways that standard artificial lighting cannot. Landscaping is just as deliberate, with centuries-old olive trees, thousands of mature trees sourced from Thailand, and green corridors and Japanese-inspired dry gardens built into public spaces.

For families there are safe play areas, educational programming spaces, a creche and educational daycare centre. Summer camps, Montessori classes, and a Bio Living Farm, all designed to encourage outdoor activity and learning for children of all ages.

“The commercial case is well established, with wellness-centric properties in Dubai commanding price premiums of up to 15%, while branded residences with strong lifestyle credentials are securing premiums of 15% to 25%,” says Talal.

“Developments that successfully integrate green infrastructure, walkable streets, and community-focused amenities are expected to outperform the wider market. It’s a trend that shows no sign of slowing as health and longevity move from personal aspiration to primary purchasing criterion for luxury buyers.”

Censysappoints Meriam ElOuazzani as META Vice President to expand growth in the region

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Feb 24: Censys, the authority for internet intelligence and insights, has appointed Meriam ElOuazzani as its first dedicated Vice President for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region. In her new role, Meriam will lead the company’s end-to-end regional growth strategy, including revenue expansion, partnerships, and ecosystem building, as well as establishing the organization’s position as thedefault external attack surface intelligence layer for organizations across the region.

“We are delighted to welcome Meriam ElOuazzani as Vice President for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. This deepens our investment in a region where Censys has established strong momentum and is strategically positioned for accelerated growth,” said Sarah Ashburn, Chief Revenue Officer at Censys. “Meriam’s proven track record of scaling cybersecurity markets across META, combined with her deep regional insight, makes her the right leader to grow our market presence and meet rising demand for trusted internet intelligence.”

With over two decades of extensive experience in cybersecurity and enterprise technology, Meriam ElOuzzani has consistentlybuiltand scaled markets across the region, assembling the teams, channel ecosystems, and marketing blueprints.Her career trajectory reflects her strong regional leadership through her roles as Senior Regional Director at SentinelOne, where she established the regional go-to-market operation andmultiple leadership roles at VMware across MENA,strengthening the channel, security, and distribution networks to accelerate growth.She has also led the Regional Product Sales for Mobility across the Middle East at Cisco Systems. At Censys, Meriam will focus on expanding strategic partnerships across government and enterprises, including channels, MSSP, and hyperscaler alliances, to scale efficiently across diverse markets.

“The META region is at an inflection point in cybersecurity maturity. Across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, governments and commercial organizations are moving beyond perimeter defense and demanding real-time threat detection and operational visibility into their digital footprint,” said Meriam ElOuazzani, VP META, Censys. “Over the past two decades in this region, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the right intelligence transforms the security operations entirely. Censys’sinternet intelligence platform equips security teams with authoritative, real-time insight into exposure and adversary activity, replacing assumptions with actionable confidence. My mission is to establish Censys as a trusted partner across META, enabling the shift from reactive defense to proactive intelligence.”

Censyshelps security teams identify exposures, monitor changes, and detect threats before they are exploited by continuously mapping internet-facing assets, services, and critical infrastructure. Its platform enables governments and enterprises to make confident decisions by delivering accurate, comprehensive insights into their digital footprint.

Recognized for pioneering internet-scale attack surface mapping and advancing ICS/OT threat intelligence, Censys has earned industry acclaim and built strong partnerships across the cybersecurity ecosystem globally. In the Middle East, Censys has already partnered with Rilian Technologies to bring its internet intelligence and ICS/OT capabilities to sovereign nations and critical infrastructure. With this new appointment, the company is further reinforcing its commitment to supporting national cybersecurity priorities and driving long-term regional growth.

As part of the regional expansion plans, Censys has also appointedRajaee Al-Dalgamounias Regional Sales Lead (META) and Ahmed Ehlayel as Solutions Engineer at Censysto strengthen the regional team under Meriam’s leadership.

Suzuki Motorcycle India Rolls Out the Nationwide Suzuki Motofest Campaign

Gurugram, Feb 24: Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, announced the nationwide roll-out of Suzuki Motofest – a multi-city experiential celebration designed to bring joy of riding closer to two-wheeler enthusiasts across India.

To be held across Suzuki dealerships and prominent locations in multiple cities, Suzuki Motofest transforms everyday spaces into hubs of excitement and energy. From college students gearing up for their first ride and young professionals commuting to work to passionate enthusiasts and proud Suzuki owners, the festival creates engaging activities for every kind of rider to experience Suzuki scooters and motorcycles in real-world environment.

Commenting on this campaign, Mr. Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd, said,

“Suzuki Motofest is a celebration of joy and excitement that comes with riding a Suzuki two-wheeler. We are taking this experience beyond the showroom and closer to customers through multiple on-ground activities. The idea is to let aspiring riders and enthusiasts feel the performance and dynamic appeal of our two-wheelers first-hand while strengthening our growing Suzuki community across India.”

Suzuki Motofest places customers, enthusiasts, and youth audiences at its heart through an array of immersive on-ground events:

• Outdoor Test Ride Experiences: Hosted at prominent marketplaces, lifestyle hubs, and youth hangout zones, these open format test rides will enable participants to assess performance, handling and comfort of Suzuki two-wheelers in practical riding conditions.
• College & University Engagements: Taking the energy up a notch, SMIPL will bring its AVENIS x NARUTO SHIPPUDEN collaboration to campuses. Blending anime culture with mobility, students can test ride the Suzuki Avenis and participate in interactive games & quizzes. The collaboration resonates with young riders whose passion mirror the qualities symbolized by Naruto Shippuden and reflected in the Avenis given its sporty design and agile performance.
• GIXXER 250 series New Colour Showcase: Adding to the festive spirit, Suzuki Motofest will host regional showcases of new colours of the GIXXER SF 250 and GIXXER 250 at dealerships, giving enthusiasts a first look walk‑arounds and test ride opportunity of the motorcycles.
• Community Ride-Outs: Bringing the Suzuki family together, organized ride-outs across cities will unite owners, aspiring riders and influencers in a shared celebration of motorcycling. These rides promote camaraderie and responsible riding as riders exchange tips and stories and create unforgettable memories.

Exclusive Customer Benefits and Rewards: To make the celebration even more rewarding, Suzuki Motofest brings attractive offers & rewards:

• Complimentary extended warranty up to 8 years (worth INR 1,515/-)* on the 150cc GIXXER.
• Complimentary insurance and extended warranty up to 8 years (worth INR 7,000/-)* on the GIXXER SF.
• Complimentary insurance benefits worth up to INR 7,000/-* and INR 9,000/-* on the GIXXER SF 250 and GIXXER 250 respectively.
• A chance to win exciting gifts on purchase of any GIXXER series motorcycles.
• Assured voucher worth INR 5,000/-* for customers purchasing the Suzuki Avenis.

Limelight Diamonds Unveils Exclusive Visakhapatnam Store in the Presence of Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu

Visakhapatnam, Feb 24: Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, India’s largest and most trusted lab grown diamond jewellery brand, has strengthened its presence in Southern India with the launch of its first store in Andhra Pradesh at Visakhapatnam. The store was inaugurated by Nirav Bhatt, Co-Founder of Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds along with the Regional Partners; Sridevi Budankailu and B. Vitalprasad, and the members of the brand’s leadership team. The launch was also graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation.

Located at Sampath Plaza, Opp. Rama Talkies Main Road, Visakhapatnam, the new store marks a key milestone in Limelight’s expansion across high-growth urban markets. Known for its growing preference for premium, design-led jewellery, Visakhapatnam presents a strong opportunity for the brand to engage with a new generation of conscious luxury consumers. The launch further strengthens Limelight’s nationwide presence of 60+ exclusive brand outlets and 40+ shop-in-shops across 45+ cities.

The contemporary retail space reflects Limelight’s focus on craftsmanship, transparency, and responsible luxury. The store showcases an extensive range of CVD-studded lab grown diamond jewellery crafted using Type IIA diamonds, globally recognised for their exceptional brilliance and purity. Customers can explore a thoughtfully curated selection of classic solitaires, elegant necklaces, modern earrings, bracelets, and versatile everyday wear designs, catering to both occasion-led purchases and everyday styling needs.

To celebrate the launch, customers can avail exclusive launch privileges, including 15% off on diamond value and 15% off on making charges, along with a complimentary gold coin on purchases above ₹1 lakh, for a limited period.

Pooja Madhavan, Founder & Managing Director, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, said:

“Our journey at Limelight has been centred on building a scalable, future-ready retail brand for lab grown diamond jewellery, underpinned by design excellence, transparency, and consistent quality across markets. Our vertically integrated model gives us the ability to scale efficiently and expand with confidence, ensuring that each new store strengthens the brand while delivering a uniform, trusted experience to consumers nationwide.”

“Visakhapatnam’s entry into our retail network highlights the growth opportunities in emerging markets and supports our strategy of steadily expanding our footprint while making responsible, contemporary diamond jewellery more accessible across India.”

Nirav Bhatt, Co-Founder, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, added:

“As the lab grown diamond category matures in India, we are seeing strong traction in cities that combine tradition with a progressive outlook. Visakhapatnam reflects this balance, with consumers who appreciate craftsmanship while being receptive to innovation.”

“Our expansion into this market is part of a larger strategy to build long-term consumer trust through accessible retail formats and clear communication. Each new store strengthens our ability to educate customers and reinforce confidence in lab grown diamonds as a credible, future-ready choice.”

B. Vitalprasad, Regional Partner, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, said:

“Limelight has built a strong reputation in the lab grown diamond segment through its consistent focus on quality and transparency, making it a compelling partner for this market. These values align closely with the preferences of today’s informed and design-conscious jewellery consumers in Visakhapatnam.”

“With this launch, we introduce a modern jewellery destination that blends clean design, certified lab grown diamonds, and a premium retail environment that feels welcoming and approachable. We believe the store will connect well with customers seeking jewellery that balances style with substance.”

With the launch of its new Visakhapatnam store, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds continues to expand its retail reach across South India, further strengthening its position as one of the most trusted and widely accessible lab grown diamond jewellery brands in the country. The new store reinforces the brand’s commitment to making conscious luxury more accessible, offering jewellery that is distinctive, responsibly created, and aligned with modern lifestyles.

Star Health Launches 32 Arogya Seva Kendras; to Provide Primary Healthcare Access to over a Million Lives

Bangalore, Feb 24: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited one of India’s leading standalone health insurance companies, on Monday announced the launch of 32 Arogya Seva Kendra’s (ASK) across 9 states under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, aimed at strengthening access to community-level primary healthcare.

The ASK health clinics, being implemented in partnership with Piramal Swasthya, part of Piramal Foundation, will provide structured primary care services at Zero Cost to the patients. These services include doctor consultations, lab diagnostics that help in screening of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as Anaemia, Diabetes, Hypertension, etc. Additionally medicines, counselling and adult pneumococcal vaccination support will also be provided.

The Arogya Seva Kendras in Phase 1 will be launched across 32 key cities including Nagercoil, Thoothukudi, Tiruppur, Chennai and Karur in Tamil Nadu; Mysuru, Hubballi, Belagavi, Davanagere and Ballari in Karnataka; Nizamabad, Khammam, Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar in Telangana; Kurnool and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh; Rourkela and Berhampur in Odisha; Bathinda, Amritsar and Patiala in Punjab; Gorakhpur, Mathura, Prayagraj and Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh; Asansol and Siliguri in West Bengal; and Nashik, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara and Akola in Maharashtra.

India continues to see rising burden of hypertension and diabetes; much of it remaining undiagnosed until advanced complications emerge. In districts across the nine participating states, hypertension prevalence ranges between approximately 20% – 40% among adults, with diabetes prevalence reaching nearly 29% in certain geographies.

Anand Roy, MD & CEO, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited, said: “India’s healthcare conversation must begin within the community. We cannot hospitalise our way out of the non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis; and we believe primary care is where healthcare equity begins.

When screening, medicines and follow-up are consistently accessible, complications are prevented before they become catastrophic. Institutions across the healthcare ecosystem have a shared responsibility to strengthen this foundation. Through this CSR initiative, we are contributing to that collective effort, and ensuring primary healthcare reaches people early, reliably and close to where they live.”

Each ASK health clinic provides the following Free of Cost Services

• MBBS doctor consultations
• Screening for hypertension, diabetes and oral health conditions
• Laboratory diagnostics for Blood Sugar, Haemoglobin, RDT, etc.
• Medicines for common ailments and chronic conditions
• Health counselling and awareness sessions
• Pneumococcal vaccination support for eligible beneficiaries

ASK health clinics will operate with dedicated medical teams and defined service protocols to ensure continuity and structured follow-up with the patients.

Star Health is funding the capital and operational expenditure under its CSR allocation, while Piramal Swasthya will manage implementation, staffing and clinical governance.       

Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group said: Over the past 17 years, Piramal Foundation has worked across India’s most challenging geographies, guided by deep community engagement and systems transformation. This CSR partnership with Star Health Insurance builds on that legacy – bringing trusted, comprehensive primary care closer to communities, impacting over a million lives through accessible consultations, diagnostics, and free medicines.”

Pneumococcal infections remain a significant contributor to respiratory disease burden and Pfizer, is enhancing the initiative with its knowledge and expertise in vaccination.

Saral Gupta, Director Market Access, Pfizer India said: “Adult immunization remains an overlooked yet vital component of India’s preventive healthcare framework. Our country bears 23% of the global burden of community-acquired pneumonia and strengthening access to vaccination, especially for high risk adult groups, is critical to lowering the overall impact of such vaccine preventable diseases.

We congratulate Star Health on making adult vaccination an integral part of their Arogya Seva Kendra initiative, and are pleased to continue supporting it with our expertise. “

Through this initiative we want to reach over a million lives.

The clinics have been in districts identified as having elevated NCD burden and gaps in primary healthcare access.

The Chennai launch marks the beginning of a structured, long-term CSR initiative focused on preventive, accessible and continuous primary healthcare delivery.

Alstom’s trains and ETCS signalling solutions inaugurated for the balance stretch of Namo Bharat RRTS corridor and Meerut Metro

Feb 24: Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, celebrates the commencement of commercial operations of the balance stretch of the  Namo Bharat corridor, India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut and the Meerut Metro, an urban Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) for the city of Meerut, powered by Alstom’s India-made trainsets and advanced ETCS Hybrid Level 3 over LTE 4G signalling solutions. The inauguration of the balance section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor includes sections connecting New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan (5.5 km) and Meerut South to Modipuram (21 km) along with the Meerut Metro section (21 km). 

This milestone, spearheaded by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), is a significant step in enhancing urban mobility in the National Capital Region and intra-city commute for the residents of Meerut. This also makes Meerut Metro India’s first metro system to be powered by the European Train Control System (ETCS) Hybrid Level 3 signalling over Long-Term Evolution (LTE) 4G, a significant technological leap promising enhanced safety, efficiency, and operational flexibility. 

Commenting on the milestone, Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India said, “NCRTC created a breakthrough with RRTS and now Meerut Metro and we are proud to be their preferred partner in this journey. The opening of the complete corridor for RRTS and commencement of revenue service for Meerut Metro will unlock inter and intra city growth opportunities through this advanced urban rail network. It will be our endeavour to support NCRTC in this feat in every possible way.” 

Designed at Alstom’s Hyderabad engineering centre and manufactured at Savli (Gujarat), these trains are 100% made in India, in line with the government’s ‘Make-in-India’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat ambition. The propulsion systems and electricals have been manufactured at Alstom’s facility in Maneja (Gujarat). 

Committed to support urban mobility with advanced solutions for the Meerut Metro project

The new Meerut Metro (MRTS) commuter trains provide an attractive sustainable choice for the promotion of public transport, with outstanding ergonomics, safety and comfort, low life cycle costs and high recyclability, while reducing traffic congestion, air pollution and fuel consumption. They will save travel costs and time, changing the lives of millions of citizens by connecting suburban places with the economic centre of the region. 

The MRTS trains, which are part of Alstom’s Adessia commuter train family offer passenger-centric amenities, including overhead luggage racks, information screens within the coaches, and USB sockets near the seats. They also feature wheelchair spaces for individuals with disabilities and stretcher space for emergency medical transfers. Emergency communication capabilities are integrated into the cars, designed, and manufactured in alignment with International Safety Standards.

The Meerut Metro Line covers a 21-km stretch, connecting Meerut South to Modipuram via 12 stations. Four stations on this line will integrate seamlessly with the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat RRTS, offering residents enhanced inter-city and intra-city travel. 

Providing world-class solutions for the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System

In 2020, Alstom was awarded the contract, with a scope of work including:

• Design, manufacture, and deliver 180 RRTS train cars (30 trainsets) and 30 MRTS train cars (10 trainsets) based on the Adessia commuter platform.
• Design, supply and install the signalling, train control and telecommunication system, platform screen door & LTE radio communication
• Provide comprehensive maintenance services for 15 years 

The primary purpose of this Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is to relieve the traffic congestion in the national capital by enabling allowing faster commute between nearby satellite towns. Since 2002, after the opening of the first section of Delhi Metro , the metro network has grown at a rapid pace. The RRTS network will complement the metro. 

Alstom designed the train and unveiled it in September 2020. It is a game changer in the commuter and inter-regional rail transport space which is set to change the way India travels.

SITL 2026 Strengthens European Focus as International Exhibitor Presence Accelerates

March 31–April 2, 2026 | Paris Nord Villepinte – Hall

Feb 24: SITL 2026, one of Europe’s leading gatherings for transport and logistics professionals, returns this year with a reinforced European outlook and a notable increase in international participation. Under the theme “New territories to conquer,” the exhibition will provide decision‑makers with actionable insights and operational solutions as the continent navigates a pivotal moment for supply chain resilience and competitiveness. This year, international exhibitors represent 30% of the show floor, up from 25% in 2025, with 83% coming from Europe. Strong contingents from Germany (24 exhibitors), Spain (15), Italy (12), Belgium (11), the Netherlands (8), and Switzerland (5) underscore the growing need for coordinated European approaches to logistics transformation. Europe’s Logistics Outlook: A Sector Under Pressure European freight transport accounts for nearly 1,870 billion tonne‑kilometres, with a modest +1% to +3% recovery forecast across segments in 2025–2026. However, companies continue to face intense structural pressures:

• 400,000+ driver vacancies across Europe
• Escalating operational and compliance costs
• Rapid regulatory evolution and customs complexity
• Accelerated sustainability and emissions requirements
• These conditions are reshaping priorities across the continent, pushing logistics players to strengthen resilience, sovereignty, and interoperability. Europe Day: Turning Strategic Challenges into Practical Action Held on Tuesday, March 31, Europe Day will serve as the strategic anchor of SITL 2026. The half‑day program links EU‑level issues with on‑the‑ground execution, offering practical guidance for operators, exporters, carriers, ports, and corridor authorities. Program Highlights“Make Europe Compete Again!” 2:00–2:45 p.m. A debate on Europe’s competitiveness in a market increasingly dominated by non‑European players.
• “Compete globally, act locally: can it work for logistics?” 3:00–3:45 p.m. A discussion on the operational impact of TEN‑T corridors and the scale needed to boost performance.
• “Exporting today: time to relearn the basics?” 4:00–4:45 p.m. A practical exploration of customs fundamentals at a time of rising regulatory complexity.
• Paolo Rangoni, Logistics Director at COOP ALLEANZA 3.0, will speak during Europe Day. “Europe does not lack strengths — it lacks integration, speed, and discipline in execution. Making logistics a strategic capability is essential to regain competitiveness, resilience, and industrial sovereignty.” A Broader European Ecosystem on Display Throughout Hall 7, exhibitors will present solutions in automation, intralogistics, supply chain security, export support, and performance & compliance optimization. Confirmed international exhibitors include: Autoritat Portuària de Barcelona, GEBHARDT Fördertechnik GmbH, Troax Group AB, EP Equipment Europe, GAMMA WOPLA SA, PERIPASS, AR Racking S.A, ULMA Manutención S.Coop., CABKA Group GmbH, System Logistics, FS Logistix S.p.A, and PORTES BISBAL S.L. List as of 11 February 2026.Practical InformationOpening Hours:March 31: 09:00–20:00
• April 1: 09:00–19:00
• April 2: 09:00–17:00

Venue: Paris Nord Villepinte – Hall 7, ZAC Paris Nord 2, 93420 Villepinte, France