Next Gen Consulting

Author: admin

  • Heavy Monsoon Rains Disrupt Mumbai

    Heavy Monsoon Rains Disrupt Mumbai; Over 99 Tree Falls and Multiple Power Faults Reported

    Mumbai, July 2: Continuous heavy rainfall has severely disrupted normal life across the city, leading to widespread tree falls and power-related incidents.

    According to initial reports, more than 99 cases of trees being uprooted or falling were recorded, along with at least 13 incidents of short circuits in various parts of Mumbai. The relentless rain has also affected road movement and local infrastructure, causing delays and safety concerns for residents.

    Municipal authorities and emergency response teams are actively working to clear debris, restore electricity, and ensure public safety. Citizens have been urged to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve.

  • South Korea Pharma Exports Surpass Dollar 10 Billion in 2025

    Seoul, July 2: South Korea’s pharmaceutical exports have surpassed $10 billion for the first time in 2025, marking a major milestone for the country’s healthcare and biotechnology sector.

    The strong performance has been driven by rising global demand for biosimilars, vaccines, and advanced drug formulations developed by South Korean companies. Industry experts say increased overseas approvals and expanded production capacity have also contributed to the growth.

    Officials and analysts view this achievement as a sign of South Korea’s growing competitiveness in the global pharmaceutical market, with expectations of continued expansion in the coming years.

  • Precious Metals Trade Mixed as Markets Weigh Possible Fed Rate Hold

    Precious Metals Trade Mixed as Markets Weigh Possible Fed Rate Hold

    July 2: Global gold and silver markets traded mixed amid rising expectations that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates unchanged in the near term.

    Gold prices moved with mild volatility as investors assessed inflation trends and signals from the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy outlook. Silver also saw uneven trading, reflecting cautious sentiment across the commodities sector.

    Market participants are closely watching upcoming US economic data and central bank commentary for clearer cues on the future direction of interest rates, which are expected to influence precious metals in the days ahead.

  • Delhi EV Model Shows INR 1 Lakh Crore Savings Path

    New Delhi, July 2: India’s transition towards electric mobility could deliver significant economic and environmental benefits, with estimates suggesting that achieving 20% electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030 may help save nearly ₹1 lakh crore in fuel import costs.

    According to policy insights, a higher adoption of EVs will substantially reduce the country’s dependence on imported crude oil, thereby strengthening energy security and easing pressure on the import bill. Experts believe that the transport sector, which remains a major consumer of fossil fuels, holds the key to achieving these savings through large-scale electrification.

    The Delhi EV policy has emerged as a notable example of successful implementation, demonstrating how targeted incentives, regulatory support, and infrastructure expansion—such as charging stations and consumer subsidies—can accelerate EV adoption in urban areas.

    Officials and experts further noted that expanding EV usage will not only reduce import costs but also contribute to improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term environmental sustainability. The shift is also expected to promote innovation and investment in clean mobility technologies across the country.

    They emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the Centre and states to scale up charging infrastructure, support manufacturing, and encourage consumer adoption in order to meet the 2030 target effectively.

  • 10on10 Foods Crosses INR14 Crore ARR in Six Months Amid Rising Demand for Freshly Milled Staples

    July 02: As Indian consumers increasingly seek fresher, minimally processed food, Bengaluru-based startup 10on10 Foods is witnessing strong demand for freshly milled staples. Within six months of scaling operations full-time, the company has crossed an Annualised Revenue Run Rate (ARR) of ₹14 crore, expanded to 18 cities, and fulfilled over 2.8 lakh orders since January, averaging 1,560 orders every day.

    Supporting this shift, an offline survey conducted by 10on10 Foods among more than 6,000 families across 35 residential societies in Bengaluru found that over 80% of respondents preferred freshly milled atta over conventionally packaged alternatives, indicating a growing preference for fresh staples without compromising on convenience.

    In March 2026, the company raised ₹2.3 crore in a pre-seed funding round from a group of angel investors, including Dr. Vikas Katoch, entrepreneur and CEO of Adomantra and Adotrip; Sumit Maheshwari, CFO at Odessa Technologies; and Shashikant Shenoy, Partner at Uniqus Consultech, among others. The funds are being used to expand production hubs, strengthen the supply chain and accelerate growth across India.

    Founded by Dr Ashish Bajaj, Avinash Jain and Mohsin Ali, 10on10 Foods was inspired by a personal search for genuinely fresh food after Ashish’s son was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes. The founders recognised that while consumers trusted packaged atta brands, they rarely knew when the flour had actually been milled. That insight led to the creation of a brand focused on making freshly milled staples easily accessible.

    Today, 10on10 Foods serves consumers across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Central Goa, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Noida, Pune and Vizag through production hubs and partnerships with quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit and BigBasket. The company also achieved EBITDA break-even within five months of launch, reflecting strong operating discipline and healthy consumer demand as it continues to scale.

    Consumer loyalty continues to fuel growth, with a 32% repeat purchase rate, while 27% of customers upgrade from a 1 kg to a 5 kg pack within a month. In Bengaluru, its High Protein range has recorded over 60% repeat purchases through quick-commerce platforms. Additionally, Jowar and Ragi contribute nearly 39% of monthly sales, reflecting growing consumer interest in traditional grains.

    “For years, consumers accepted that convenience came at the cost of freshness. We believe India is entering the era of fresh staples, where people expect trusted brands to deliver genuinely fresh food. Crossing a ₹14 crore ARR within six months and fulfilling over 2.8 lakh orders tells us this is more than our growth story, it’s a reflection of changing consumer expectations,” said Dr Ashish Bajaj, CEO and Co-founder, 10on10 Foods.

    As it expands, the company aims to strengthen direct sourcing partnerships with farmers and continue building a category around fresh, minimally processed staples for Indian households.

  • WhatsApp Username Rollout Put Under Government Review

    New Delhi, July 2: The Central Government has raised concerns over WhatsApp’s proposed username feature and has sought clarification from its parent company Meta.

    The Ministry of Electronics and IT has asked Meta to explain the feature and its safety measures before any rollout. The government has also directed that the feature should not be implemented until further review is completed.

    Officials have expressed concern that the feature could be misused for cyber fraud by hiding user identities. At present, WhatsApp accounts are linked to mobile numbers, while the new system would allow users to interact using usernames.

    The matter is under examination, and further discussions are expected between the government and Meta.

  • Malnutrition Still a Challenge in Odisha: Ojan Utsav Intensifies Fight Against Child Undernutrition

    Bhubaneswar, July 2: Despite steady improvements in child nutrition indicators over the past few years, malnutrition continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Odisha, particularly in remote tribal and hard-to-reach regions. To strengthen early detection and ensure timely nutritional intervention, the Odisha Government has launched the first phase of Ojan Utsav 2026 under Mission Poshan 2.0, which will be conducted from July 1 to July 25 across the state.

    Malnutrition Still a Challenge in Odisha: Ojan Utsav Intensifies Fight Against Child Undernutrition

    Representational image

    Ojan Utsav is a biannual growth monitoring and measurement campaign aimed at assessing the height and weight of children below five years of age. The initiative seeks to identify children affected by Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) at an early stage and connect them with appropriate nutrition and healthcare services.

    This year’s campaign places special emphasis on covering children living in remote, tribal and cut-off villages, ensuring that even the most inaccessible communities receive essential growth monitoring. Anganwadi Workers, ICDS Supervisors and frontline health functionaries are conducting the exercise across more than 72,000 Anganwadi Centres in Odisha.

    Unlike routine growth monitoring, Ojan Utsav is conducted under the direct supervision of ICDS officials to ensure accurate anthropometric measurements. The height and weight data collected during the campaign are uploaded in real time to the Poshan Abhiyaan digital platform, enabling authorities to monitor children’s nutritional status and initiate timely interventions wherever required.

    According to available data, nearly 29.1 per cent of children under five in Odisha are stunted, reflecting chronic undernutrition. Around 12.8 per cent are underweight, while 2.9 per cent suffer from wasting. The burden of Severe Acute Malnutrition remains concentrated in districts such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur, where geographical isolation and socio-economic challenges continue to affect child health outcomes.

    Tribal communities continue to face disproportionate nutritional challenges. Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), undernutrition remains significantly higher than the state average, highlighting the need for focused interventions in remote habitations.

    Experts attribute child malnutrition to a combination of poverty, food insecurity, poor maternal nutrition, inadequate sanitation and drinking water facilities, and difficulties in delivering healthcare services to inaccessible villages. These factors often delay early identification and treatment of vulnerable children.

    To address these challenges, the state has strengthened its nutrition strategy through Mission Poshan 2.0, the Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana, AMLAN (Anaemia Mukta Lakshya Abhiyaan) and the expansion of Anganwadi services in underserved areas. Ojan Utsav complements these initiatives by generating accurate growth data that supports evidence-based planning and targeted nutritional interventions.

    Officials of the Department of Women and Child Development said the campaign is not merely a data collection exercise but a statewide effort to ensure that every child receives an equal opportunity to grow healthy. They appealed to parents and caregivers to participate actively in the campaign by bringing their children to the nearest Anganwadi Centre for growth assessment.

    With the first phase continuing until July 25, the Government aims to strengthen child nutrition surveillance and reaffirm its commitment to building a healthier, malnutrition-free Odisha by ensuring that no child is left behind, irrespective of where they live.

  • Heat Stress Raises the Bar for How Gulf Luxury Homes Must Be Built

     

    Keturah founder says new climate research demands rethink from region’s developers

    Heat Stress Raises the Bar for How Gulf Luxury Homes Must Be Built

     

    Dubai, UAE, July 2: Developers across the Gulf region need to fundamentally rethink how luxury homes are designed and built, as rising heat stress exposes the limitations of construction materials and methods that were never engineered for this climate.

    Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand, says developers must respond by selecting materials and systems specifically designed to manage the heat, humidity and air quality challenges that Gulf residents live with year-round.

    His comments follow new climate research published by scientists at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which found a sharp intensification of heat stress globally since the 1970s, with the Arabian Peninsula among the regions most affected.

    The study showed that heat stress, the leading cause of weather-related deaths, involves the build-up of body heat due to high temperatures, often combined with other factors such as high humidity.

    Heat can exacerbate underlying cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health conditions, especially for vulnerable people, outdoor workers and urban residents.

    Across the Arabian Peninsula, the ten warmest days of the year now feel up to 4°C hotter than in the 1970s, and further increases are projected as emissions continue to rise.

    Inside homes, the main risks are moisture build-up, mold from condensation, and volatile organic compounds from conventional paints and finishes that intensify in enclosed, air-conditioned spaces.

    “Outdoor temperatures are only part of the problem,” said Al Gaddah. “How walls manage moisture, how air moves through a space, and the surfaces residents live with daily all determine whether a home genuinely protects the people inside it.”

    As awareness of these risks grows, air quality, material certifications and indoor environmental performance influence how luxury homes are evaluated, and Keturah’s two major Dubai developments have been designed with this in mind.

    At Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion luxury bio-living community, AED200 million has been invested in health-led construction, incorporating antimicrobial tiling, breathable wall systems and zero-VOC finishes chosen for the specific demands of the region’s climate.

    The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Keturah Resort, on the shores of Dubai Creek adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, applies the same principles across a development that combines branded residences, hospitality and a dedicated wellness centre.

    Al Gaddah says health-led construction is no longer an optional consideration for developers in this region, but a baseline standard that buyer expectations and the science now both demand.

    Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan both place a clear emphasis on sustainable and healthy urban development, giving the shift towards health-conscious construction a firm policy foundation across the region’s two largest real estate markets.

    “The next generation of luxury homes in this region will be defined not by how they look but by how well they perform for the people living in them,” said Al Gaddah. “Buyers are sophisticated enough now to ask the right questions, and developers need to have the right answers.”

     

  • Sensex and Nifty Trade Higher on Strong Auto Sales and Softer Crude Prices

    Mumbai, July 2: Indian equity markets traded higher on Wednesday, supported by strong auto sector performance and easing global crude oil prices, which boosted investor sentiment.

    Sensex and Nifty Trade Higher on Strong Auto Sales and Softer Crude Prices

    Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty opened on a positive note and maintained gains through the session as buying interest was seen across key sectors, particularly automobiles and select banking stocks.

    Market sentiment improved following robust monthly auto sales data, which signalled steady domestic demand. Additionally, a decline in crude oil prices helped ease concerns over inflation and import costs.

    Broader markets also reflected positive momentum, with mid-cap and small-cap stocks participating in the upward trend.

    Analysts noted that investor focus remains on global economic cues, crude oil movements, and upcoming corporate earnings for further direction in the markets.

  • Delhi CM Launches Green Drive Portal Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’

    New Delhi, July 2: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has launched the ‘Green Drive Portal’ under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, aimed at encouraging large-scale tree plantation and environmental participation among citizens.

    The initiative seeks to strengthen green cover in the national capital by enabling individuals, institutions, and organisations to actively participate in plantation drives and track their contributions through the digital platform.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the campaign is designed to promote environmental awareness while honouring the emotional bond between individuals and their mothers through tree plantation.

    The portal will serve as a central platform to register plantation activities, monitor progress, and encourage community participation in building a cleaner and greener Delhi.

    The government has urged citizens to take part in the initiative and contribute towards increasing the city’s green cover.