Exploring TOTO’s Unique Underneath Seat Cover Technology and Its Inception

India, 25th March 2025 – Since introduction of WASHLET in 1980’s, our WASHLET has become synonym with innovation and comfort, trusted by millions worldwide. By 2022, Sales of WASHLET surpassed an impressive 60 million units globally, reflecting its growing popularity. Led by the tremendous surge in growth from India post-COVID-19, TOTO India has recorded a 2X growth in WASHLET units sold in the last three years; cementing its emergence as one of the brand’s key markets worldwide. TOTO has revolutionary focus on the underside of the toilet seat has given rise to its latest breakthrough: EWATER+ for UNDER SEAT. This feature addresses a frequently overlooked yet critical hygiene concern—the cleanliness beneath the seat cover—where stains and bacteria often accumulate. By prioritizing this area, TOTO sets a new benchmark in restroom technology.

The Challenge of Keeping Underneath the Seat Clean

The underside of the toilet seat is a common trouble spot, particularly prone to the accumulation of urine splashes and bacterial growth. Over time, these contaminants can lead to stubborn yellow stains that are difficult to remove. User surveys conducted in July 2020 among 800 purchasers of warm-water washing toilet seats across various countries revealed this concern to be universal. Regardless of geography, a significant percentage of respondents identified the area beneath the seat as a primary worry.

The EWATER+ Solution

EWATER+ specifically targets the area underneath the toilet seat. After each use, it automatically sprays electrolyzed water made from tap water beneath the front of the seat. This advanced cleaning process effectively prevents fouling caused by urine splashes and inhibits the growth of bacteria. Furthermore, EWATER+ sprays again automatically Post 8 hours after the last use, ensuring continuous cleanliness and Hygiene.

What makes EWATER+ stand out is its environment friendly technology. Generated from tap water, the electrolyzed water contains no harmful chemicals and naturally reverts to regular water over time, making it safe and sustainable for everyday use.

Real-World Impact

To showcase the effectiveness of EWATER+, practical tests were conducted with families of four. Over a two-week period, toilets equipped with EWATER+ showed nearly no yellow staining beneath the front of the seat, while those without the feature exhibited significant fouling and discoloration. These results demonstrate how TOTO has innovation in approach eliminates a persistent hygiene issue and provides a long-lasting clean.

The Inspiration Behind the Invention

The inspiration for EWATER+ stemmed from TOTO as company has dedication to addressing user concerns and enhancing daily life through thoughtful innovation. By studying the areas of the toilet that are most prone to dirt and bacteria, the company identified a critical gap in existing cleaning technologies. This insight drove the development of EWATER+ for UNDER SEAT, a solution that combines advanced science with user-centric design.

Shaping the Future of Hygiene

With EWATER+ for UNDER SEAT, TOTO has redefined what it means to maintain a clean and hygienic restroom. By focusing on the underside of the toilet seat, the company has tackled a problem that is often overlooked, delivering a solution that enhances both comfort and peace of mind.

As hygiene awareness continues to grow worldwide, EWATER+ and its innovative focus on underneath seat cover cleanliness positions TOTO as a leader in sustainable and effective restroom technology. Join the movement towards a cleaner, healthier future with ground breaking EWATER+ for UNDER SEAT proposed by TOTO.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Announces Bhavnish Lathia’s Appointment as CTO

Bengaluru, 25th March 2025 –Kotak Mahindra Bank today announced the appointment of Bhavnish Lathia as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the Bank.

Announcing the appointment, Ashok Vaswani, MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, said, “Bhavnish has been instrumental in driving our technology initiatives for the last three years, building a world-class team of engineers to help drive our technology agenda. The rapid deployment of technology, with business leaders working closely with their respective technology teams, will be key to transforming our businesses for scale. This approach will drive customer satisfaction and organizational efficiency. And with Bhavnish’s leadership, we will achieve our ambitious agenda and set the bar for technology leadership in the banking industry.”

Bhavnish Lathia, CTO, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “I am honoured to take on this new role at Kotak Mahindra Bank. Technology is a key driver of our strategy to transform for scale, and I am excited to lead our efforts in this area. Together with our talented team, we will continue to push the boundaries of innovation to deliver exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders.”

Bhavnish’s appointment is part of Kotak’s strategic efforts to strengthen its leadership team and drive growth through innovation. His leadership will be crucial in ensuring that Kotak remains at the forefront of technological advancements in the banking sector.

PropEquity: Housing Sales Down 23%, Supply Declines by 34% in 9 Cities for Q1 2025

New Delhi, March 25, 2025: The housing market continued its downward trend with housing sales in India’s top 9 cities falling by 23% while supply declining by a whopping 34% in Jan-March of 2025, said a report by NSE-listed data analytics firm PropEquity.

Housing sales in Q1 2025 stood at 1,05,791 units as compared to 1,36,702 units in the same period last year.

Except Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR, all 7 cities witnessed a decline in sales.

Housing supply, on the other hand, stood at 80,774 units in Q1 2025 as compared to 1,22,365 units in the same period last year, marking three consecutive quarters of under-1 lakh units launched.

Except Bengaluru, all 8 cities saw a decline in new supply in the first quarter.

Samir Jasuja, Founder & CEO, PropEquity said: “The housing market is witnessing some correction after three years (2021, 2022, 2023) of record supply because of which absorption/sales is also on a declining trend. Rise in home prices and caution on the part of investors due to geo-political developments and certain weaknesses in the Indian economy have resulted in drop in sales. However, the market has displayed strong demand as is evident from the healthy absorption to supply ratio, which stood at 131% in Q1 2025, 132% in Q4 2024 and 127% in Q3 2024.”

“The traditionally high supply markets – Hyderabad, Pune and Thane – continue to decline. These cities had the highest supply among all tier 1 cities for 2 years running 2022 and 2023 before touching a low in 2024. In this quarter, they cumulatively saw 28,227 units of lesser supply as compared to the same period last year. In fact, the share of the three cities to the total launches has come down from to 29% in Q1 2025 as compared to 38% in the same period last year.”

Housing sales increased by 10% to 18,508 units in Bengaluru in Q1 2025, with the city accounting for 17% of the total sales, rising from 12% in Q1 2024.

Sales rose 10% in Delhi-NCR to 11,221 units in Q1 2025 with the city accounting for 11% of the total sales, rising from 7% in Q1 2024.

Sales dropped the most in Hyderabad (47%), followed by Mumbai 36%, Pune 33%, Kolkata 28%, Thane 27%, Navi Mumbai 7% and Chennai 2%.

Housing supply rose by 17% in Bengaluru to 20,227 units in Q1 2025. The city accounted for 25% of the total launches in Q1 2025, rising from 14% in the same period last year.

It fell the most in Kolkata at 62% followed by 50% each in Mumbai and Thane, 48% in Pune, 46% in Chennai, 38% in Hyderabad, 24% in Navi Mumbai and 14% in Delhi-NCR.

Campus France Brings 35 French Institutions to APAIE 2025

New Delhi, 25 March 2025: Under the French Pavilion coordinated by Campus France, 35 French institutions and nearly 120 delegates, accompanied by five diplomatic representations in Asia, will take part in the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) institutional conference, organized in New Delhi, from March 24 to 28 (Yashoboomi, Booth E15). As a major annual event for higher education institutions worldwide, this fair provides a unique opportunity to create and strengthen academic and mobility partnerships with institutions in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly India, a priority country for France, which aims to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030.

France at APAIE: A Key Event for Attractiveness in the Asia-Pacific

Established in 2004 in Seoul (South Korea), APAIE has become the largest professional fair dedicated to higher education in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025, more than 2,000 participants from over 60 countries are expected to participate.

The 2025 edition of the conference highlights the key role of higher education in shaping global citizens capable of addressing common challenges in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Through research, academic collaboration, and the inclusion of diversity, higher education institutions play a fundamental role in building sustainable solutions for a shared future.

The strong presence and diversity of French institutions participating in APAIE 2025 illustrate France’s commitment to strengthening its ties with key higher education stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Olivier Chiche-Portiche, Director of Geographic Coordination at Campus France: “The Asia-Pacific region remains the main driver of student mobility growth worldwide. It is also a strategic area for scientific and technological research: the significant presence of French institutions, including universities, business schools, and engineering schools, will reflect this importance.”

There are over 400 active MOUs between French and Indian institutions, fostering academic exchanges, dual-degree programmes, and credit transfers. The Embassy of France in India, through its academic and scientific cooperation team, actively supports institutions from both countries by offering guidance and facilitating connections with relevant partners.

What Career Paths for Asia-Pacific Alumni Educated in France?

As part of the conference’s scientific program, Campus France will present a poster session on the career paths of Asia-Pacific alumni who studied in France. A survey conducted among 10,000 former students, including around 1,200 from the Asia-Pacific region (mainly India, China, and Vietnam), highlights the positive impact of their experience in France, particularly on their entry into the job market:

• 37% of Asia-Pacific alumni found their first job in France
• 64% secured employment within six months of graduation
• 93% recommend France for higher education studies
• 85% recommend France as a destination for work

The presentation will take place in the exhibition hall at Yashoboomi on Wednesday, March 26, from 1:15 PM to 2:00 PM at display point 6. The infographic will be displayed throughout the conference.

Winpe Leadership Summit and Awards 2025: Empowering Diversity to Shape the Future of PE-VC

Mumbai, 25th March 2025: Winpe, a gender diversity-focused not-for-profit platform, successfully hosted the third edition of the Winpe Leadership Summit and Awards (WLSA) at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. The event convened top private equity and venture capital (PE-VC) leaders to address the pressing need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the investment ecosystem and was followed by an awards ceremony recognising firms and individuals driving meaningful change in the industry.

The investment ecosystem continues to be a male-dominated space where the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles creates barriers to entry for women entrepreneurs, hindering their career advancement and limiting access to networking and mentorship opportunities. While gender diversity in India’s PE-VC sector has improved over the years, significant gaps persist, particularly in leadership roles.

Leading PE-VC firms such as Warburg Pincus, ChrysCapital, Multiples Alternate Asset Management, Everstone Capital, Gaja Capital, Peak XV Partners, Fireside Ventures, AZB & partners, British International Investment (BII), Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, (CPPIB) have been actively collaborating with Winpe, supporting initiatives that drive greater gender diversity and inclusion in the investment ecosystem.

A 2020 survey across 25 Indian PE firms showcased that women constituted only 16% of the workforce, with merely 5% holding senior leadership positions. The ‘Mind the Gender Gap’ report by CFA Institute Research and Policy Center suggests that women constitute less than 20% of the overall workforce and hold only 10% of key managerial personnel (KMP) roles. This gap showcases a lack of representation at key decision-making levels.

Recognising these issues, Nupur Garg, Founder, Winpe, said. “Despite growing evidence that diversity drives better returns, women hold less than 20% of roles in PE-VC and remain significantly underrepresented at leadership levels. In today’s climate, where DEI faces both momentum and backlash, silent support is not enough. Winpe Leadership Summit and Awards 2025 is a call to action—to move from intent to impact, from conversations to measurable change. The future of investing must be built on merit and inclusion, not outdated barriers.”

Featuring 65 speakers and around 400 attendees, WLSA 2025 served as a critical forum to address these gaps and drive solutions. Through expert-led panel discussions on fundraising strategies, mentorship, and leadership acceleration, along with masterclasses focused on pitching and entrepreneurial success, the summit reflected a legacy that stands strong since the WLSA’s inception in 2023. Notable attendees included Ashley Menezes, Partner and COO, ChrysCapital; Manish Kejriwal, Managing Partner and Founder, Kedaara Capital; Upasana Taku, Co-Founder and CFO, MobiKwik; Kanwaljit Singh, Founder and Managing Partner, Fireside Ventures; Anita George, Chief Executive Officer, ProsperETE; Renuka Ramnath, Founder, Managing Director, and CEO, Multiples Alternate Asset Management; Vikram Raju, Managing Director and Head of Climate Investing for Private Credit and Equity, Morgan Stanley; Anand Unnikrishnan, Managing Partner- Private Markets, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund; VT Bharadwaj, Co-Founder and General Partner, A91 Partners; Sunil Mishra, Partner – Primary Investments, Adams Street Partners; Ralitsa Rizvanolli, Partner and Head of Investments, Sarona Asset Management; Diane Jegam, Regional Director, South Asia, Proparco; Puja Sondhi, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Co; and Roshini Bakshi, Managing Director and Head of Impact, Everstone Capital Asia Pte, among others.

The jury for this year’s Winpe Leadership Awards included eminent global leaders such as Debbi Sutuntivorakoon, Partner, Axiom Asia Private Capital; Pamela C. Fung, Partner, Morgan Stanley; Ralitsa Rizvanolli, Partner and Head of Investments, Sarona Asset Management; Sunil Mishra, Partner – Primary Investments, Adams Street Partners; and Thomas Kronsbein, Director, Private Equity, Global Markets, DEG.

The comprehensive list of winners:

• Firm of the Year: Private Equity – India Alternatives
• Firm of the Year: Venture Capital – Elevar Equity
• Deal of the Year: Private Equity – Multiples Alternate Asset Management for their investment in Svatantra Microfinance
• Deal of the Year: Venture Capital – Fireside Ventures for their investment in Moxie Beauty
• PE-Backed Company of the Year – Gynoveda and India Alternatives
• VC-Backed Company of the Year – Eloelo and WaterBridge Ventures
• Changemaker of the Year: Private Equity – Vishal Tulsyan from Motilal Oswal Alternates
• Changemaker of the Year: Venture Capital – Manish Kheterpal from WaterBridge Ventures
• PE Leader of the Year – Nithya Easwaran from Multiples Alternate Asset Management
• VC Leader of the Year – Richa Bajpai from Campus Fund
• Special Acknowledgement – Leadership – Shweta Jalan from Advent International

The representation of women in PE-VC and the broader corporate workforce remains a global challenge. The recent backlash against DEI has led companies to practice diversity quietly rather than champion it publicly. However, visibility is critical to driving real change. Winpe Leadership Summit and Awards 2025 brought these issues to the forefront, creating a platform where industry leaders not only discussed the barriers to diversity but also committed to driving measurable progress.

Empowering Accessibility: Paranjape Schemes Construction Ltd. Introduces Swaniketan Homes for Differently-Abled at Purple Fest 2025

New Delhi, India – March 25, 2025 – In a pioneering move towards inclusive living, Paranjape Schemes has launched Swaniketan, India’s first dedicated residential community designed specifically for differently abled individuals and their families at the prestigious Purple Fest 2025, held in Delhi, an event focused on promoting accessibility, inclusivity, and empowerment for persons with disabilities. The Project is located in Bhugaon, Pune. Swaniketan is set to redefine independent living by providing a secure, supportive, and empowering environment tailored to the unique needs of residents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome.

 Swaniketan is more than just a residential development—it is a thoughtfully designed space to foster independence, skill development, and long-term care. The gated community comprises 240 apartments across two towers, offering 2 and 3 BHK homes, along with specialised facilities that cater to the well-being and growth of its residents. Every aspect of the project is aimed at providing a comfortable, accessible, and dignified living experience, ensuring that residents can lead independent lives while being part of a supportive and caring community.

 Key Features of Swaniketan:
•Skill Development & Vocational Training Centers – Empowering residents with hands-on learning through activities like crafts and therapeutic gardening, enabling them to contribute to society.
•Therapy & Wellness Centers – Offering specialised therapeutic environments to enhance the overall quality of life.
•Caregiver Support Facilities – Ensuring families and caregivers receive the necessary assistance and respite.
•Early Intervention & Development Center – Providing expert guidance to identify and address developmental needs at an early stage.
•Long-Term Care & Assisted Living Support – Offering continuous care and vocational training for young adults, ensuring sustained independence.

 “Swaniketan represents a groundbreaking step towards inclusivity and compassionate living. At Paranjape Schemes, our mission has always been to create homes that meet diverse needs. With Swaniketan, we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment that not only meet the physical accessibility needs of residents but also foster a sense of belonging and independence” said Shashank Paranjape, Managing Director of Paranjape Schemes.

 At the core of Swaniketan is a robust CARE ecosystem, designed to provide residents with expert supervision and specialised support. Paranjape Schemes has partnered with Forum for Autism and Saad to form Tarangan, an association that will oversee the management and operations of the community.

 Understanding the financial concerns of families with differently abled children, Swaniketan offers trust-based financial planning solutions. Parents can create trusts to secure their child’s future, ensuring that living, medical, and caretaker costs are covered even after their passing. Additionally, if a home is sold, proceeds can be directed into these trusts, guaranteeing long-term security.

Tailwind AMC’s Alpha Edge PMS Sets Sail with Rs 50 Crore AUM

Mumbai, 24 March 2025: Tailwind Asset Management Company (Tailwind AMC), a specialist in model-driven investment strategies for high-net-worth individuals and family offices, has announced the launch of its flagship Alpha Edge Portfolio Management Service (PMS). This sophisticated investment solution, powered by proprietary quantitative models, debuts with Rs 50 crore in assets under management (AUM).

The launch of Alpha Edge PMS underscores Tailwind AMC’s commitment to innovation by integrating advanced technology with deep market expertise to generate consistent alpha for discerning investors.

“The strong initial response to our Alpha Edge PMS reflects investors’ growing preference for systematic, model-driven strategies that can deliver consistent returns,” said Vivek Goel, Founder and CIO of Tailwind AMC. “In today’s dynamic market, our systematic approach offers a compelling alternative to traditional bottom-up investment strategies.”

Alpha Edge PMS: Quantitative Excellence
The Alpha Edge PMS employs a sophisticated multi-layered investment approach:
• Strong Investment Pillars: Our core philosophy – Simple. Stable. Secure. aligns well with investors who are looking at sustainable growth over long term.
• Quantitative Factor Models: Proprietary algorithms analyze over 100 strategic, broad-based, and sectoral factors to identify investment avenues.
• Risk-Optimized Portfolio Construction: Focus on risk management to balance return potential with limiting downside in the long term.
• Continuous Model Evolution: Continuous learning capabilities allow strategies to adapt to changing market regimes

“Our Alpha Edge strategy has been extensively back-tested and has demonstrated resilience across diverse market environments,” added Goel. “Rather than pursuing high-risk, high-reward allocations, we prioritize systematic risk management to deliver sustained outperformance. The key to long-term success isn’t complexity—it’s structured excellence and measured wisdom. Our investment approach is designed to navigate markets while keeping investors’ financial security at the forefront.”

Investor-Centric Structure
Alpha Edge PMS upholds high standards of transparency and investor alignment. The performance-linked fee structure incorporates a high-water mark and sets the Nifty 50 TRI index as the hurdle rate, ensuring profit sharing only applies when returns exceed the benchmark.