Mumbai, Nitin Sindhu VY

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar is stepping onto a new field—India’s rapidly growing athleisure market—with a venture that’s as strategic as his legendary cover drives. His brand, Ten x You, isn’t just banking on his star power; it’s a calculated play combining a celebrated name, operational brilliance, and heavyweight venture capital backing. With India’s athleisure market projected to soar to $21 billion by 2033, Tendulkar is positioning Ten x You for a winning innings against rivals like Hrithik Roshan’s HRX (₹1,000 crore in revenue) and Virat Kohli’s ₹40 crore-backed Agilitas Sports.

•A Strategic Trifecta: Fame, Operations, and Funding

Ten x You stands out with its potent combination of Tendulkar’s iconic status, operational expertise, and robust financial backing from marquee investors like Peak XV Partners and Whiteboard Capital. The brand’s secret weapon? CEO Karthik Gurumurthy, the mastermind behind Swiggy Instamart’s meteoric rise to ₹600 crore in monthly revenue in just 2.5 years.

"Most celebrity brands rely on a famous face and a factory. Ten x You brings a legendary name, a proven operator, and top-tier VC funding—a powerful trifecta," noted a retail analyst.

Gurumurthy’s expertise in scaling quick-commerce operations is pivotal. His mandate is to build a supply chain that can handle rapid growth while maintaining premium quality—a critical factor where many celebrity-backed brands falter as vendors cut corners and quality dips.

•Product Precision: Engineered for India

Tendulkar isn’t just lending his name; as Chief Inspiration Officer, he’s deeply involved in product development. Unlike brands that rebadge imports, Ten x You designs footwear tailored for Indian consumers, with a focus on wider Indian feet. The product lineup includes regular athletic shoes priced at ₹5,499 and cricket-specific footwear at ₹9,000. These shoes have been rigorously tested with cricket academies since March, ensuring performance and durability.

•A Vision Beyond the Boundary:

Launching as a Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) online brand, Ten x You plans to open its first physical store within six months. The long-term goal is to build a ₹100–150 crore business within two to three years, with ambitions to export to markets like the Middle East and the UK.

•Why It Matters:

Tendulkar’s second innings is a masterclass in strategy, blending his unmatched brand equity with operational rigor and financial muscle. By prioritizing supply chain excellence and product specificity, Ten x You is poised to not just compete but redefine the athleisure game in India—and beyond.

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Nitin Sindhu VY

Pune – Rujuta Jagtap, Executive Director of SAJ Test Plant Pvt. Ltd., delivered an inspiring address at MOTOTECH 2025, Pune’s premier industrial Conference and expo, tracing the company’s 56-year evolution from a modest garage startup to a trailblazer in advanced testing solutions. Highlighting SAJ’s pivotal role in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution and its forward-looking preparations for hi–tech testing solutions, Ms. Jagtap underscored the company’s “DNA of innovation” rooted in its core expertise in mechatronics.

A Legacy of Proactive Innovation
Ms. Jagtap reflected on SAJ Test Plant’s founding in 1969, a time when only two companies worldwide possessed the expertise to manufacture engine and vehicle testing equipment. Starting in a garage, SAJ focused on developing cutting-edge Engine, Vehicle, and Transmission test equipment, including Dynamometers, Control Systems,Accessories and Data Acquisition Software.  
“The goal of our organization has always been to anticipate and cater to emerging technological needs,” she said, emphasizing SAJ’s proactive approach to innovation and customer-centric solutions.

Pioneering the EV Revolution
A key highlight of her speech was SAJ’s seamless transition to support the automotive industry’s shift toward electric mobility. The company’s early contributions to the Reva electric car, which Ms. Jagtap described as “ahead of its time,” laid the groundwork for its current leadership in EV testing solutions. Over the past two decades, under the strategic vision of their Founder, Chairman & Managing Director who is her father Mr. Prakash Jagtap,  Ms. Jagtap and her siblings have diversified SAJ portfolio to meet the demands of the EV sector. And today SAJ over the last more than 5 decades is serving over 1,000 customers with more than 6,500 installations across India.  

The company’s comprehensive EV testing portfolio includes:  
- Motor Test Benches for evaluating electric motor performance  
- E-Axle Test Benches for integrated electric axle systems  
- Vehicle Test Benches (Chassis Dynamometers for 2, 3, 4-wheelers, LCV, HCVs)  
- Battery Testers for assessing battery efficiency and durability  

This strategic diversification has positioned SAJ as a trusted partner for hundreds of EV manufacturers, driving India’s electric mobility ecosystem forward.

Embracing the Future 
Looking to the future, Ms. Jagtap emphasized SAJ’s readiness for the next wave of sustainable mobility. She noted that while hydrogen technologies are gaining momentum, the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) segment, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles and tractors, will continue to play a significant role. SAJ’s adaptable approach ensures it remains at the forefront of testing solutions for both emerging and established technologies, maintaining a broad and versatile technological scope.

Ms. Jagtap’s address positioned SAJ Test Plant not merely as a manufacturer but as a vital enabler of India’s automotive industry, driving innovation and sustainability through advanced testing solutions.

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By Nitin Sindhu VY, Economy Researcher

PUNE, India – On Oct 9, 2025 at a time when India is transitioning its mobility infrastructure, Uday Narang, Founder & Chairmen of Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM), delivered a pivotal Masterclass at MOTOTECH25 in the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Pune. His session, titled "Design and Development of EVs in Emerging Markets," emphasized a critical shift in India’s manufacturing focus: from achieving quality to mastering scale.

The New Thesis for Indian Manufacturing
Drawing on his extensive experience, Narang highlighted that the discourse around Indian products has fundamentally changed.

 ▪️Quality is Solved, Scale is the New Challenge: 
Narang firmly stated, "A few decades ago, the question facing Indian products was one of quality. Today, Indian products are trusted." He argued that the Indian auto industry is now on par with global quality standards. The new, pressing challenge is answering the question: "Can we scale?" This need for massive production capacity to meet both domestic and international demand is what Narang terms the "race for scale."

 ▪️India as an EV Superpower: 
Narang's vision is to leverage this manufacturing capability to position India as an "EV superpower." By designing and building world-class, robust electric vehicles that excel in India's demanding operating environments, the country can establish itself as a global exporter of sustainable mobility solutions. The session ended with the emphatic and nationalistic motto: "Keep India first."

🔸Uday Narang's Success Story: 
The Journey from Wall Street to Sustainable Mobility
Uday Narang’s career path is marked by a powerful vision that transcends borders, ultimately dedicating his expertise to building a formidable homegrown EV brand in India.

▪️The Global Foundation:
 Narang initially made his mark in the highly competitive commodity and energy trading industry in the US, gaining acclaim as one of the world's most innovative fund managers during the deregulation of US energy markets. He went on to lead oil, gas, and power trading portfolios in several leading firms in America and Europe. This successful career in international finance provided him with incisive understanding of global trends and strategic expansion.

▪️The Pivotal Return and Vision (2015-2018):
 Motivated by the severe environmental challenge of air pollution and a belief in the financial empowerment of Indian drivers through reduced fuel costs, Narang returned to India in 2015. He founded Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM) in 2018 with the mission to create sustainable mobility solutions. His core ambition was to nurture OSM into the “Tesla of the East” for cargo vehicles.

▪️Driving Localisation and Innovation: 
OSM rapidly carved out a niche in the commercial EV space, particularly in the three-wheeler and last-mile logistics segments. Key to this success is a strong focus on localisation, with OSM achieving over 85% local content in its EV portfolio. This self-reliant manufacturing strategy, bolstered by four manufacturing facilities (three in Faridabad and one in Pune, where the masterclass was held), has provided the company with crucial control over quality, cost, and supply chain resilience.

▪️Product Milestones and Diversification: 
OSM’s product range, including the popular cargo three-wheeler Rage+ (which has specialized variants like the Rage+ Frost for cold-chain logistics and the Rage+ Garbage Tipper), and the passenger three-wheeler Stream, demonstrates innovative application of EV technology. Further pushing boundaries, OSM launched the ViCKTOR, one of the longest-range electric three-wheelers, and the futuristic Swayamgati, touted as the world's first autonomous electric three-wheeler. This consistent product diversification and commitment to integrating in-house technology, including plans for local battery and powertrain manufacturing with an investment of ₹800 crore, exemplifies Narang’s disciplined approach to achieving future-ready scale.

Narang’s leadership has positioned OSM as a key challenger in the Indian commercial EV market, translating his global financial acumen into a successful, localized manufacturing and mobility strategy—a prime example of the country's capability to deliver world-class innovation.

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Nitin Sindhu VY | Economy Researcher

Recently, at the Mototech Conference at Sheraton Grand, I had the privilege of personally discussing with Uday Narang, Founder and Chairman of Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM), as a business journalist. His story is not just inspiring but a true 'masterclass' for today’s 'young entrepreneurs'!

Ludhiana’s Grit, Wall Street’s Bold Decision

▪️Education to Beginnings:
After graduating from IIM Bangalore, Uday Narang made his way to New York’s Wall Street, handling 'billion-dollar' deals at Credit Suisse. Despite achieving success, his urge to do something 'impactful' for India brought him back.

▪️The Risk:
He took over his family’s steel business and transformed it into the globally recognized Anglian Omega Group. However, his 'ultimate mission' was something bigger.

▪️‘No Funding’ EV Champion
In 2018, he founded OSM, with a plant in Chakan, Pune. At a time when 'funding' is the backbone of every startup, Uday Narang took a bold stand: "Without taking a single rupee of external funding," he led OSM to the pinnacle of success. His belief is clear: 'Make in India' isn’t just about assembling 'Chinese parts' but about building 'capacity' and 'technology' in India!

▪️Impact:
Today, OSM has sold over 25,000 EV three-wheelers worldwide. They manufacture the 'rugged' M1KA truck and export to regions like the UAE, Africa, and beyond.

▪️The Race for Scale:
At Mototech25, Narang firmly stated, "A few decades ago, the question facing Indian products was one of quality. Today, Indian products are trusted." He emphasized that the Indian auto industry now matches global quality standards, but the new challenge is: "Can we scale?" Narang calls this the "race for scale," highlighting the need for massive production capacity to meet domestic and international demand.

▪️Passion and Hustle:
Even in his 50s, Uday Narang’s 'hustle' and 'passion' would put a 20-year-old to shame.

▪️Takeaway:
Uday Narang’s journey shows that without relying on 'shortcuts' or subsidies, with 'self-reliance' and an 'India First' mindset, you can disrupt the world’s biggest markets! The session concluded with his emphatic, nationalistic motto: "Keep India first."

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Amid confusion over the rollout of E20 fuel and its impact on vehicles, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has said that hydrogen is the fuel of the future and will eventually replace traditional fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. He emphasized that the future of transportation and industry will rest on electric vehicles, biofuels, and hydrogen-based energy.

Hydrogen to Power Trains and Aircraft
According to PTI, Gadkari highlighted that hydrogen will not remain limited to road transport but will also be used in railways and aviation. “Trains will run on hydrogen, airplanes will fly on hydrogen, and dependence on fossil fuels will end,” he said.

India’s Rising Automobile Market
India has recently overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-largest automobile market. Gadkari noted that the U.S. auto industry is valued at ₹78 lakh crore, China’s at ₹49 lakh crore, and India’s at ₹22 lakh crore. He added that Mercedes-Benz’s global chairman recently told him the company plans to manufacture electric Mercedes cars in India.

Impact on Environment and Development
Gadkari stressed that adopting electric, biofuel, and hydrogen technologies at scale will accelerate India’s path to carbon neutrality, create jobs, protect the environment, and boost economic growth.

Affordable Hydrogen Could Make India an Energy Exporter
Currently, hydrogen costs around $5–6 per kilogram, Gadkari said. If the price can be reduced to $1 per kilogram, India could achieve the status of an energy-exporting nation, similar to oil-producing countries.

Key Challenge: Infrastructure
The minister acknowledged that the biggest challenge in adopting hydrogen fuel is developing filling stations and supply networks. He said immediate, large-scale efforts are needed in these areas to make hydrogen energy viable.

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Pune, Correspondent

A one-day training session for urban co-operative banks was organized by National Urban Co-operative Finance & Development Corporation (NUCFDC) in association with Cosmos Co-operative Bank Ltd. The initiative, ‘Sahakar Pathshala’ was inaugurated by Cosmos Bank’s Chairman, Adv. Pralhad Kokare and NUCFDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Prabhat Chaturvedi & Chief Technology Officer, Padmabhushan Bahadure. The first training session of this initiative was conducted at the Sahakar Sabhagruha of Cosmos Bank’s Head Office.

NUCFDC is an umbrella organization established for urban co-operative banks to provide them with the latest information technology related facilities and develop skilled workforce at various senior positions through the initiative, Sahakar Pathshala. NUCFDC is a central level organization of India and in the near future such training sessions will be organised for urban co-operative banks at national level.

On the occasion of this Training Programme, Sharad Gangal, Chairman TJSB Bank inaugurated the Digital Learning Platform (online) of Sahakar Pathshala which will provide anytime-anywhere access to the training in English  at present and very soon in regional languages too.

CEOs, Senior Officers and Directors of urban co-operative banks from Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat and Karnataka states participated in this training session. Guidance was provided on the subject of KYC, Fraud Risk Management, Treasury Management etc., during this session.

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Pune: Electric vehicles are undeniably the future of transportation, not just in India but across the globe. However, widespread misconceptions about EVs continue to hinder their adoption. The cost of running an electric car is significantly lower than that of traditional fuel vehicles, but doubts regarding battery life and performance still persist among consumers. Addressing this issue, MSitaram Kandi, Chief Human Resource Officer at Tata Motors, emphasized the urgent need to dispel such myths in order to boost EV adoption in India.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence in E-Mobility, jointly established by the Mechanical Engineering Department of MIT Art, Design & Technology University, Pune, and the Imperial Society of Innovative Engineers (ISIE), Pvt. Ltd.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. Sunita Karad, Executive Director of MIT-ADT University, Gaurav Joshi, Deputy Secretary – Department of Heavy Industries, Government of India, Dr. Rajesh S., Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ramchandra Pujeri, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mahesh Chopade, Registrar, Dr. Virendra Shete, Director – School of Engineering, Dr. Sudarshan Sanap, Dean, Dr. Sachin Pawar, Head – Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Suraj Bhoyar, Director – Student Welfare, and Prof. Shashank Gawade, Program Director – EV Programs.

Kandi further expressed pride in the long-standing collaboration between Tata Motors and MIT-ADT University, highlighting that the first M.Tech batch in EV Technology recently graduated successfully. He noted that this partnership has enabled a large number of students to contribute meaningfully to research in the electric mobility sector at Tata Motors.

Gaurav Joshi elaborated on various initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to promote electric vehicle usage and expressed that this new EV Centre at MIT-ADT would serve as a valuable asset in bridging academic research with ground-level implementation.

The event commenced with a World Peace Prayer and was hosted by Prof. Sneha Waghatkar. Faculty coordinators Prof. Vijaykumar Shef, Prof. Satish Patil, and Prof. Neha Zhope were instrumental in organizing the event successfully.

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Pune : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to John Deere to take the lead in manufacturing smart machines based on advanced technology in Maharashtra to enrich the agricultural sector and make farmers prosperous. He was speaking at the inauguration of the Sanaswadi project of John Deere Intelligent Solutions in Shirur Industrial Estate.

Fadnavis stated that John Deere has made significant progress in Maharashtra, India, and globally while maintaining its values. He highlighted the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector and praised industrial organizations like John Deere for providing new technologies to support farmers. The Chief Minister emphasized the potential of artificial intelligence in agriculture, citing the recent agricultural hackathon held in Pune, where many innovative ideas were presented.

Fadnavis urged John Deere to convert these ideas into products and bring the advanced technological revolution to farmers. He assured the state government would cooperate in the expansion of the organization in Maharashtra. The Chief Minister also praised John Deere's policy of providing employment to 70% women and its adherence to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India', 'Design in India', and 'Make for the World' initiatives.

Rajesh Sinha provided information about the project, stating that John Deere India has made its fifth largest investment in Maharashtra due to the state's favorable industrial environment. The new project will help farmers produce better products using artificial intelligence in agriculture. John Deere has contributed significantly to India in agriculture and road construction over the past seven years, and the products manufactured in Pune are completely made in India.

The Chief Minister inspected the new project and took detailed information about the organization's activities. Fadnavis expressed confidence in John Deere's ability to drive innovation and bring about positive change in the agricultural sector.

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