Collaboration under the fifth cohort of the Maruti Suzuki Incubation Program focuses on AI, sustainability, software development, and customer experience New Delhi, India: (June 29, 2026) Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced collaborations with five technology startups under the fifth cohort of its Maruti Suzuki Incubation Program (MSIP), reinforcing the company’s commitment to fostering innovation through the startup ecosystem. The selected startups, MiniMines, Easework AI, Sarvam AI, Siftly, and CodeMate AI, will work with Maruti Suzuki to develop solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer engagement, and advancing sustainability initiatives. The incubation program is conducted in partnership with the Nadathur S. Raghavan Center for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL), the startup incubation hub of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore). Driving Innovation Through Startup Collaboration The latest partnerships form part of Maruti Suzuki’s broader open innovation strategy, which brings together emerging technology companies and industry expertise to address evolving business challenges. The selected startups will collaborate across a range of strategic areas, including artificial intelligence, workflow automation, battery recycling, multilingual customer engagement, software development, and digital brand visibility. Commenting on the announcement, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said: “At Maruti Suzuki, we believe collaboration with startups plays an important role in driving practical innovation and addressing real-world business challenges. We are pleased to welcome five new startups into our innovation ecosystem. Their solutions will contribute to improving customer engagement, strengthening operational efficiency, accelerating software development, and supporting our sustainability objectives, including the responsible recycling of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.” Startups to Address Key Business Priorities Each startup has been selected to support a specific business function aligned with Maruti Suzuki’s long-term innovation roadmap. MiniMines will develop environmentally responsible solutions for recycling end-of-life lithium-ion batteries while recovering valuable raw materials, supporting the company’s sustainability initiatives as electric mobility continues to expand. Easework AI will deploy agentic artificial intelligence to automate procurement workflows associated with indirect consumables, helping streamline internal business processes and improve operational efficiency. Sarvam AI will develop multilingual generative AI-powered customer engagement agents designed to enhance communication and service experiences across multiple customer touchpoints. Siftly will leverage generative AI technologies to strengthen Maruti Suzuki’s digital brand visibility and marketing effectiveness through intelligent content and audience engagement solutions. CodeMate AI will introduce artificial intelligence-driven software development tools aimed at accelerating the creation and deployment of business applications used across the organization. Building a Strong Startup Innovation Ecosystem Maruti Suzuki has steadily expanded its innovation platform over the past seven years to encourage collaboration with India’s growing startup ecosystem. During this period, the company has evaluated approximately 7,400 startups, engaged with more than 250 ventures, and established long-term partnerships with 38 startups whose solutions have been integrated into various business functions. The company’s innovation initiatives are designed to identify emerging technologies with the potential to improve manufacturing, mobility, sustainability, customer experience, and enterprise operations. Multiple Programs Supporting Mobility Innovation Maruti Suzuki currently operates several innovation-focused initiatives tailored to startups at different stages of growth. The Maruti Suzuki Accelerator, launched in 2019, works with growth-stage startups to co-develop advanced technologies for the automotive manufacturing and mobility sectors. The Maruti Suzuki Incubation Program, introduced in 2020 in collaboration with NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore, focuses on nurturing early-stage technology startups developing next-generation mobility solutions through mentorship, business guidance, and access to academic and entrepreneurial resources. The Mobility Challenge, launched in 2021, provides a platform for mature startups to showcase emerging mobility technologies and innovative business solutions. In 2023, the company introduced Nurture, a pre-incubation initiative developed with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park to support idea-stage entrepreneurs working on future mobility concepts. More recently, FundRays, launched in partnership with the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, helps alumni startups from Maruti Suzuki’s innovation programs strengthen investment readiness and access growth capital. Strengthening Innovation for the Future of Mobility As the automotive industry undergoes rapid transformation driven by electrification, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, collaborations between established manufacturers and technology startups are becoming increasingly important. Through initiatives such as the Maruti Suzuki Incubation Program, the company aims to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies while supporting India’s startup ecosystem and advancing the development of future mobility solutions. About Maruti Suzuki India Limited Maruti Suzuki India Limited is India’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer and a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of passenger vehicles and continues to invest in advanced manufacturing, sustainable mobility, digital transformation, and customer-centric innovation. Through its various startup engagement and innovation programs, Maruti Suzuki works with entrepreneurs, technology companies, academic institutions, and industry partners to develop practical solutions that address evolving business and mobility challenges. Media Contact Corporate Communication Maruti Suzuki India Limited 1, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi – 110070 Phone: +91-11-4678 1000 Email: corp.comm@maruti.co.in Website: www.marutisuzuki.com X (formerly Twitter): @Maruti_Cor Read Also:  Doctors Warn Diabetes is Driving Rise in Early-Onset Cataract Cases Across India

Ophthalmologists report an increasing number of adults in their 40s and 50s developing cataracts as diabetes and metabolic disorders continue to rise Mumbai, India: (June 26, 2026) Ophthalmologists across India are reporting a growing incidence of cataracts among adults in their 40s and 50s, with diabetes increasingly being identified as a significant underlying risk factor. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to climb nationwide, eye specialists say persistently elevated blood glucose levels are accelerating changes in the eye’s natural lens, resulting in earlier onset and faster progression of cataracts. Medical experts caution that cataracts can no longer be regarded solely as an age-related condition. The increasing burden of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and other metabolic disorders is contributing to a noticeable shift in the age profile of patients requiring cataract treatment, highlighting the need for greater awareness, routine eye examinations, and effective management of chronic health conditions. Growing Diabetes Burden Raising Concerns for Eye Health India is home to more than 101 million adults living with diabetes and an estimated 136 million individuals with prediabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Healthcare experts expect these numbers to continue rising over the coming years, increasing the risk of diabetes-related complications affecting multiple organs, including the eyes. While diabetic retinopathy remains one of the most widely recognized vision-threatening complications associated with diabetes, ophthalmologists say cataracts are emerging as another significant concern. Long-term exposure to elevated blood sugar levels can alter the structure of the eye’s natural lens, leading to clouding that develops earlier than typically expected and progressively impairs vision. Cataracts Increasingly Affecting the Working-Age Population According to specialists, the impact of early cataracts is becoming more pronounced among working professionals whose daily routines rely heavily on digital devices, prolonged screen exposure, and activities such as driving. Common symptoms include blurred or cloudy vision, increased sensitivity to glare, reduced contrast sensitivity, difficulty reading digital screens, and frequent changes in spectacle prescriptions. Left untreated, these symptoms can significantly affect productivity, mobility, and overall quality of life. Commenting on the trend, Dr. Mubashir Parkar Mohammed, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Vashi – Sector 12, said: “Diabetes is increasingly being recognized as a major contributor to early cataract development. We are seeing a growing number of patients in their forties and fifties presenting with cataracts, particularly those with poorly controlled blood sugar levels. Lens changes often develop gradually, but they can substantially affect vision during an individual’s most productive years. Regular comprehensive eye examinations are essential for detecting these changes early and enabling timely treatment before vision loss becomes more significant.” Misconceptions Continue to Delay Treatment Despite advances in cataract surgery and growing public awareness about eye health, specialists say misconceptions surrounding cataract treatment continue to delay timely medical intervention. According to Dr. Mohammed, many patients continue to believe that cataracts should only be removed after they have “matured” or assume that declining vision is simply an unavoidable part of ageing. Others mistakenly expect medications or eye drops to reverse cataract formation, despite there being no clinically proven non-surgical treatment capable of restoring lens clarity. “Delaying surgery based on these misconceptions can result in more advanced cataracts that may be technically more challenging to treat and could potentially influence visual recovery. Seeking medical evaluation as soon as symptoms develop allows patients to receive appropriate guidance and treatment at the right time,” he said. Early Detection Remains Key to Preserving Vision Ophthalmologists recommend that adults over the age of 40, particularly those living with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or other metabolic conditions, undergo regular comprehensive eye examinations even in the absence of noticeable symptoms. Early diagnosis enables clinicians to monitor cataract progression, assess overall eye health, and determine the most appropriate timing for treatment. Modern cataract surgery is widely regarded as a safe and highly effective procedure, with early intervention often contributing to improved visual outcomes and faster recovery. To encourage greater awareness and promote early diagnosis, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital has announced complimentary cataract eye evaluations for members of the public until July 15, 2026. Interested individuals can register by calling 95945 86999. About Dr. Agarwal’s Health Care Limited Dr. Agarwal’s Health Care Limited is one of India’s leading eye care providers, delivering comprehensive ophthalmic services across a broad network of hospitals and vision centers. The organization currently operates more than 285 facilities across 80 cities and four Union Territories in India, in addition to 16 centers across nine countries in Africa. Its clinical services include cataract surgery, refractive surgery, retina care, glaucoma treatment, corneal services, pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplasty, and other specialized eye care solutions. The organization also offers optical products, contact lenses, diagnostic services, and ophthalmic pharmaceutical products, serving millions of patients annually through its integrated eye care network. For more information, visit www.dragarwal.com. Read Also: The Lozenge Reimagined: Inside Medilab Healthcare’s Quiet Revolution

Milestone marks transition from design and simulation to ground and flight testing for the company’s electric air mobility platform CHENNAI, India, (June 24, 2026) The ePlane Company today announced the completion of the assembly of its full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the e200X, marking a significant milestone in the company’s development program and its broader vision for urban air mobility. The completed prototype, designated PT-01, integrates the aircraft’s major systems into a single operational airframe and moves the program from the design and simulation phase into ground and flight testing. The e200X has been developed as a versatile platform capable of serving multiple use cases, including passenger air taxi services, urban cargo transportation, and emergency medical response. A Critical Milestone in Aircraft Development The completion of a full-scale aircraft represents a pivotal stage in any aerospace development program. Beyond validating engineering concepts, it demonstrates that a design can be manufactured at operational scale, that production tooling and supply chains are functioning effectively, and that critical subsystems can be successfully integrated into a complete aircraft. For the ePlane Company, the achievement signals the transition from conceptual development to real-world validation and testing. The e200X will now enter an extensive ground testing phase, during which engineers will evaluate structural integrity, system performance, and operational reliability under simulated aerodynamic and mechanical conditions. Successful completion of these tests will be followed by flight trials and the certification process required for commercial deployment. Designed and Built in India The e200X has been engineered and assembled at the company’s facilities in India, with several major components—including the airframe structure, propellers, landing gear, and battery systems—developed in-house. This vertically integrated approach provides the company with greater control over product development, manufacturing efficiency, and design iteration compared with industry models that rely heavily on externally sourced systems and assemblies. According to the company, this strategy has enabled the program to reach its current stage while maintaining a capital-efficient development approach. To date, the company has raised approximately US$21 million, significantly lower than the funding levels reported by many global eVTOL programs. Addressing Emerging Urban Mobility Challenges The e200X has been designed to address growing transportation challenges faced by cities worldwide, including congestion, logistics efficiency, and access to time-sensitive medical transportation. The aircraft’s adaptable platform architecture enables deployment across three primary operational segments: passenger transportation, urban cargo movement, and emergency medical services. This flexibility allows operators to utilize a common airframe across multiple mission profiles while leveraging existing urban infrastructure. The need for such solutions is becoming increasingly evident as urban populations continue to grow and transportation networks face mounting pressure. In healthcare, rapid access to emergency care remains a critical challenge. According to global health data, timely intervention during the first hour following major trauma or cardiac events can significantly influence patient outcomes. Leadership Perspective Commenting on the milestone, Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder of The ePlane Company, said: “Our objective has been to build a world-class electric aircraft engineered and manufactured in India for global markets. We deliberately designed the e200X to operate efficiently within existing urban environments rather than requiring entirely new infrastructure. The platform’s ability to serve passenger, cargo, and emergency medical applications through a common airframe reflects our commitment to practical innovation, operational flexibility, and capital-efficient engineering.” Positioned Within a Rapidly Growing Market Industry forecasts continue to highlight significant growth opportunities within the electric aviation and urban air mobility sectors. Independent market analyses estimate that the global eVTOL industry, valued at approximately US$1.3 billion in 2023, could expand into a market worth between US$20 billion and US$30 billion by the end of the decade. As governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders increasingly explore sustainable transportation solutions, aircraft platforms capable of reducing congestion and improving mobility are expected to play an important role in future transportation ecosystems. Backed by Experienced Industry Leadership The ePlane Company’s strategic direction is supported by a board that combines expertise across aviation, technology, investment, and business scaling. The board includes Vishesh Rajaram, Founder and Managing Director of Speciale Invest; Eash Sundaram, former Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer at JetBlue and founder of JetBlue Technology Ventures; and Aditya Ghosh, former President of IndiGo and co-founder of Akasa Air. Founder Prof. Satya Chakravarthy and Chief Financial Officer Jayakrishnan R continue to lead the company’s technology development and operational strategy. Next Steps Toward Commercialization The company plans to publicly unveil the completed e200X in the coming weeks before commencing a comprehensive ground testing campaign. Subsequent flight testing will build on experience gained through earlier subscale prototype programs. The ePlane Company intends to pursue Type Certification through India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and subsequently seek international certification validations to support global market expansion. Initial commercial deployment is expected to focus on early operational use cases before scaling across passenger transportation, cargo logistics, and medical mobility applications as regulatory milestones are achieved. The company has also gained international recognition for its work in advanced aerospace technology. Incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, ePlane was featured among the deep-technology ventures showcased at Bharat Innovates 2026 in France and was recently highlighted during NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote presentation at GTC Taipei. About The ePlane Company The ePlane Company is an aerospace technology company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for passenger transportation, cargo logistics, and emergency medical applications. Incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the company focuses on building scalable, sustainable, and commercially viable urban air mobility solutions designed for global markets. Read Also: Leadership Beyond Authority: The Power of Understanding Before Being Understood

Pick up a lozenge, and you know exactly what you are holding. You have held one before, probably while nursing a cold or fighting a scratchy throat on a flight. It is a familiar object; compact, unassuming, a little medicinal. What Medilab Healthcare Pvt Ltd is doing is taking that familiar object and quietly filling it with something entirely new Most revolutions announce themselves loudly. This one comes wrapped in a small, round disc that dissolves on your tongue, and it is changing what Indian healthcare looks like from the inside out. The Pune-based manufacturer has spent years building what is now one of India’s most extensive lozenge portfolios, over 250 formulations across health categories that the format has never traditionally served. Women’s health. Sports nutrition. Heart care. Stress relief. Children’s wellness. The lozenge, in Medilab’s hands, is no longer just a sore throat remedy. It has become a delivery vehicle for daily, preventive, targeted wellness. And this, the company says, is only the beginning. A Problem Worth Solving Compliance, actually taking the supplement consistently, is one of the most stubborn challenges in the wellness industry. Lozenges sidestep most of these objections. They require no water, no preparation, and no convincing yourself that the texture is acceptable. They dissolve at a pace that supports faster mucosal absorption for certain ingredients. They are, frankly, pleasant to consume, which matters more than the clinical literature tends to acknowledge. Medilab recognised this gap and built its entire product philosophy around it. If the format makes compliance easier, then the next question is simple: what else can we put in it? “Lozenges are no longer just for cough and throat relief; they are becoming a powerful and convenient platform for everyday wellness and advanced healthcare support.” First in India. Ready for the World. The phrase appears in Medilab’s corporate communication as a statement of intent, not marketing copy. What it describes is a concrete market reality: the company has developed India’s first wellness-focused lozenge range spanning nine distinct health categories, each formulated to address real, documented consumer health needs. Women’s Health Lozenges fill a gap that the Indian supplement market has historically addressed only through tablets and capsules, targeted nutrition for women’s specific physiological requirements, in a format that actually gets taken. Sports Nutrition Lozenges bring performance and recovery support to athletes who want something more convenient than a protein shake or a bulky supplement regimen. Immunity Support Lozenges combine vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts in a daily-use format that makes consistency achievable. Digestive Wellness and Energy and Vitality variants address the two most common wellness complaints among working adults. Herbal Wellness Lozenges bring Ayurvedic ingredients into a precision-manufactured modern format. Heart Wellness Lozenges offer cardiovascular support in a form factor that lends itself to daily habit-building. Kids Wellness Lozenges solve perhaps the most underrated problem in paediatric health, getting children to actually consume their supplements willingly. And Stress Relief and Relaxation Lozenges address mental wellness at a moment when that category is finally receiving the commercial and clinical attention it has long deserved. Nine categories. Over 250 formulations. All developed in-house. All manufactured in a single certified facility. Where Ayurveda Meets the Lab Medilab’s formulation approach is not a compromise between tradition and science. It is an integration of both, and the distinction matters. The company’s Research and Development Centre employs scientists who work across Ayurvedic pharmacognosy and modern nutraceutical science simultaneously. An ingredient like Ashwagandha does not arrive in a Medilab formulation because it is trending. It arrives because its adaptogenic properties have been documented in traditional use for centuries and validated in contemporary clinical research, and because the R&D team has determined that it can be incorporated into a lozenge at effective concentrations without compromising the final product’s stability, taste profile, or shelf life. This is the kind of rigour that makes the company’s HALAL, GMP, ISO, and HACCP certifications meaningful rather than ornamental. Each certification reflects a manufacturing standard that international markets and regulatory bodies can independently verify. For global buyers, pharmaceutical companies in the Middle East, nutraceutical brands in Europe, and wellness distributors in North America, these certifications are the difference between a promising supplier and a credible long-term manufacturing partner. The Business Case for Lozenges Medilab’s story is not only a consumer story. A substantial part of what the company is building is an infrastructure for healthcare brands, pharmaceutical companies, and private-label entrepreneurs who want to enter or expand within the lozenge category. The contract manufacturing and private-label services Medilab offers are comprehensive. A brand that arrives with a product concept leaves with a finished, packaged, documented product ready for market entry. Formulation development, manufacturing, packaging design, regulatory compliance documentation, the company handles the entire value chain. For international partners in particular, this represents a significant reduction in the time, capital, and complexity typically associated with launching a new health product. The portfolio depth works in the client’s favour here. A brand that wants to launch across multiple wellness categories, say, an immunity range, a women’s health line, and a kids’ product, can do so through a single manufacturing relationship. Consistency in quality standards across all three products is assured because they emerge from the same facility, the same QC processes, and the same regulatory framework. “From concept to commercialisation, Medilab Healthcare offers innovative, high-quality lozenge solutions backed by in-house R&D, world-class manufacturing, and over 250 formulations designed for daily wellness and specialised healthcare needs.” What the Expansion Signals A company investing in manufacturing expansion is a company with conviction about its own future. Medilab’s announced infrastructure expansion goes well beyond lozenges; it is developing an integrated facility that will support Tablets, Capsules, Powders, Liquids, and Ointments alongside its existing lozenge manufacturing unit. The expanded setup includes Advanced Granulation Facilities, a dedicated Research and Development Centre, and Quality Control and Quality Assurance laboratories built to international standards. The full suite of dosage forms, Tablets, Capsules, Powders, Liquids, Ointments, and Lozenges, will be housed under a single roof