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Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
This one change in your night routine could dramatically lower your cancer risk
Cancer specialists are increasingly recognising that modern lifestyle habits — especially those affecting sleep — can influence long-term cancer risk. One of the most overlooked threats is the disruption of our body's internal clock due to artificial light, particularly the blue light emitted from digital screens. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Kiran Kamalasanan, consultant, surgical oncology at Apollo Cancer Centre in Guwahati, explained, 'Exposure to blue light late in the evening tricks the brain into thinking it's still daytime. This delays the release of melatonin — a hormone crucial not just for sleep quality but also for regulating cellular health and immune defense.' Studies suggest that melatonin helps suppress tumour growth and when its levels are reduced consistently, it may create a biological environment where cancer is more likely to develop. Epidemiological evidence links chronic circadian disruption, such as in night shift workers, with higher rates of breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. In fact, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified night shift work involving circadian rhythm disruption as probably carcinogenic to humans. Dr Kamalasanan revealed, 'Our circadian rhythm is a master regulator—coordinating DNA repair, hormone release, and cell division. Disturbing this rhythm can trigger inflammation, reduce the effectiveness of cellular repair mechanisms and impair the body's ability to detect and eliminate abnormal cells.' Bringing her expertise to the same, Dr Ritika Hinduja, consultant, radiation oncology at PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre in Mumbai's Mahim, shared, 'Poor sleep quality is a concerning public health issue. Circadian rhythm or the biological clock is the 24-hour internal clock in our brain that regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment. This is controlled by the hormone melatonin, produced by pineal gland in the brain.' Dr Ritika Hinduja pointed out, 'Disruptions in the body's 'biological clock', which controls sleep and thousands of other functions, may raise the odds of cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate. Exposure to light while working overnight shifts for several years may reduce levels of melatonin, encouraging cancer to grow.' Sleep deprivation also affects our immune system indicative of body being in inflammation. Dr Hinduja highlighted, 'Although vital for normal health, several decades of research have firmly implicated inflammation in the development and progression of cancer.' The English longitudinal study of ageing has assessed the relation between sleep quality and risk of cancer. Having studied over 10000 individuals, they concluded that poor sleep quality is positively associated with the long-term risk of developing cancer in an elderly cohort. Dr Hinduja concluded, 'Both medical staff and the general public should pay more attention to improving sleep hygiene. Cancer and sleep are intertwined in more than a single way. They emulate a chicken and egg phenomenon. Often, cancer survivors suffer from sleep problems, caused by psychological stress and recently proven, owing to the cancer and its treatment too.' Dr Kamalasanan suggested, 'Promoting healthy sleep habits — like reducing screen exposure at night, dimming lights after sunset, and following a regular sleep schedule — is not just good for mental clarity or energy; it may be a critical component in lowering cancer risk. Good sleep is not optional. It's one of the body's strongest and most natural, lines of defense.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Mint
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
With over ₹4,000 crore in cash, Ashok Leyland has eyes on acquisitions, new markets
Ashok Leyland Ltd, the Hinduja Group flagship company that makes trucks and buses, will look to enter new markets with new products this financial year, and possibly at acquisitions as well, after ending 2024-25 with surplus cash. India's third-largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles ended FY25 with net cash of ₹ 4,242 crore, with ₹ 3,284 crore of it generated in the fourth quarter. It had ended FY24 with net debt of ₹ 89 crore. While the company will explore acquisitions and new markets, it plans to maintain its capital expenditure at about ₹ 1,000 crore, similar to that in FY24, Dheeraj Hinduja, executive chairman of Ashok Leyland, told Mint. 'This industry is already quite consolidated. New acquisitions should give us access to new technologies and new geographies which align with our core business,' Hinduja said. 'Even if we don't go ahead with new acquisitions, we will continue to venture into new markets with new products.' Ashok Leyland was able to save more than ₹ 700 crore in FY25, in part because of lower raw material prices and improved operational efficiency, according to the company. However, Ashok Leyland's market and product expansion efforts hit a snag recently with its step-down e-bus subsidiary Switch Mobility Ltd in the UK. In March, the Chennai-based company announced that Switch UK could potentially shut manufacturing and assembly activities at its Sherburn facility due to sluggish demand and outlook for e-buses in the UK. 'Consultations with (Switch UK's) employees are still ongoing, which could lead to shuttering of the operations,' Ashok Leyland's chief financial officer K.M. Balaji told Mint. 'We will look to source vehicles for the UK market from nearby locations.' Hinduja added that India 'remains one of the most exciting electric vehicle markets right now. The government's push is also helping in aiding growth'. "Staggered investments are always better in a market which is growing at a tepid pace. This could explain (Ashok Leyland's) stable capex outlay," Saji John, senior research analyst at Geojit Financial Services. "Ashok Leyland is well-placed from a cash position. Its investments into Switch Mobility will be something to watch as the order book is growing." Ashok Leyland reported a mere 1% growth in FY25 standalone revenue to ₹ 38,753 crore as sales of commercial vehicles remained muted. However, the margin on its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (ebitda) increased by 90 basis points to 15% on the back of lower commodity prices and the company's efforts to cut costs. As a result, FY25 profit after tax surged 26% to ₹ 3,303 crore. In the fourth quarter of FY25, Ashok Leyland's revenue improved 6% to ₹ 11,907 crore while profit after tax jumped 38% to ₹ 1,246 crore. The company's management expects revenue growth to improve in FY26 as it sees India's commercial vehicle market growing in mid single-digits during the year. Volume growth will be driven by macroeconomic growth and better monsoons during the year, which should boost demand for commercial vehicles in the second half of this financial year, said Hinduja. 'This fiscal is likely to see growth compared to the flattish fiscal 2025 for our revenues. Our efforts to improve profitability of the company will continue, which will see improvement in margins,' Hinduja said.
Mint
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
With over ₹4,000 crore in cash, Ashok Leyland has eyes on acquisitions, new markets
Ashok Leyland Ltd, the Hinduja Group flagship company that makes trucks and buses, will look to enter new markets with new products this financial year, and possibly at acquisitions as well, after ending 2024-25 with surplus cash. India's third-largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles ended FY25 with net cash of ₹ 4,242 crore, with ₹ 3,284 crore of it generated in the fourth quarter. It had ended FY24 with net debt of ₹ 89 crore. While the company will explore acquisitions and new markets, it plans to maintain its capital expenditure at about ₹ 1,000 crore, similar to that in FY24, Dheeraj Hinduja, executive chairman of Ashok Leyland, told Mint. 'This industry is already quite consolidated. New acquisitions should give us access to new technologies and new geographies which align with our core business,' Hinduja said. 'Even if we don't go ahead with new acquisitions, we will continue to venture into new markets with new products.' Ashok Leyland was able to save more than ₹ 700 crore in FY25, in part because of lower raw material prices and improved operational efficiency, according to the company. However, Ashok Leyland's market and product expansion efforts hit a snag recently with its step-down e-bus subsidiary Switch Mobility Ltd in the UK. In March, the Chennai-based company announced that Switch UK could potentially shut manufacturing and assembly activities at its Sherburn facility due to sluggish demand and outlook for e-buses in the UK. 'Consultations with (Switch UK's) employees are still ongoing, which could lead to shuttering of the operations,' Ashok Leyland's chief financial officer K.M. Balaji told Mint. 'We will look to source vehicles for the UK market from nearby locations.' Hinduja added that India 'remains one of the most exciting electric vehicle markets right now. The government's push is also helping in aiding growth'. "Staggered investments are always better in a market which is growing at a tepid pace. This could explain (Ashok Leyland's) stable capex outlay," Saji John, senior research analyst at Geojit Financial Services. "Ashok Leyland is well-placed from a cash position. Its investments into Switch Mobility will be something to watch as the order book is growing." Ashok Leyland reported a mere 1% growth in FY25 standalone revenue to ₹ 38,753 crore as sales of commercial vehicles remained muted. However, the margin on its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (ebitda) increased by 90 basis points to 15% on the back of lower commodity prices and the company's efforts to cut costs. As a result, FY25 profit after tax surged 26% to ₹ 3,303 crore. In the fourth quarter of FY25, Ashok Leyland's revenue improved 6% to ₹ 11,907 crore while profit after tax jumped 38% to ₹ 1,246 crore. The company's management expects revenue growth to improve in FY26 as it sees India's commercial vehicle market growing in mid single-digits during the year. Volume growth will be driven by macroeconomic growth and better monsoons during the year, which should boost demand for commercial vehicles in the second half of this financial year, said Hinduja. 'This fiscal is likely to see growth compared to the flattish fiscal 2025 for our revenues. Our efforts to improve profitability of the company will continue, which will see improvement in margins,' Hinduja said. Ashok Leyland's commercial vehicle sales in FY25 improved 0.2% from the year before to 195,093 units. Exports, though, improved 29% to 15,255 units in FY25.
Economic Times
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Economic Times
Ashok Leyland Q4 Results: Profit jumps 38%, declares 1:1 bonus issue
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Hinduja Group flagship firm Ashok Leyland Friday reported a 38% increase in net profit at Rs 1,246 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, company had posted net profit of Rs 900 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial from operations in the period under consideration rose 6% to Rs 11,907 crore compared to Rs 11,267 crore reported in Q4FY24. EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) went up by 15% to Rs 1,791 crore last a statement, Ashok Leyland said it delivered its highest-ever quarterly profits and EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) in this period. Cash generated last quarter stood at Rs 3,284 revenues too grew to a record Rs 38,753 crore. Dheeraj Hinduja , Chairman, Ashok Leyland said, 'It (achieving record profits and revenues) reflects the resilience of our business and the trust our customers place in the Company's strong financial performance in the last three years, the Board of Directors has approved a 1:1 bonus share issue. This is on the back of two interim dividends announced for FY25 amounting to 625%, or Rs. 6.25 per share. With our unwavering focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, and thrust in international operations, we are well-positioned for sustained and profitable growth.'Ashok Leyland has paid two interim dividends, viz. first interim dividend of Rs. 2 per share in November 2024, and subsequently the second interim dividend of Rs. 4.25 per share in May 2025, aggregating to Rs. 6.25 per share of face value Rs. 1 (625%). The company declared Bonus Shares in the ratio of 1:1 at the Board Meeting held Friday, subject to approval of Hinduja said the outlook for the commercial vehicle industry is positive on back of measures being taken by the government to boost economic growth and the rate cuts being engineered by RBI. Hinduja said, 'After remaining neutral last fiscal, the commercial vehicle industry should grow in mid single-digits in FY26.'
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Ashok Leyland Q4 Results: Profit jumps 38%, declares 1:1 bonus issue
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Hinduja Group flagship firm Ashok Leyland Friday reported a 38% increase in net profit at Rs 1,246 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, company had posted net profit of Rs 900 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial from operations in the period under consideration rose 6% to Rs 11,907 crore compared to Rs 11,267 crore reported in Q4FY24. EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) went up by 15% to Rs 1,791 crore last a statement, Ashok Leyland said it delivered its highest-ever quarterly profits and EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) in this period. Cash generated last quarter stood at Rs 3,284 revenues too grew to a record Rs 38,753 crore. Dheeraj Hinduja , Chairman, Ashok Leyland said, 'It (achieving record profits and revenues) reflects the resilience of our business and the trust our customers place in the Company's strong financial performance in the last three years, the Board of Directors has approved a 1:1 bonus share issue. This is on the back of two interim dividends announced for FY25 amounting to 625%, or Rs. 6.25 per share. With our unwavering focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, and thrust in international operations, we are well-positioned for sustained and profitable growth.'Ashok Leyland has paid two interim dividends, viz. first interim dividend of Rs. 2 per share in November 2024, and subsequently the second interim dividend of Rs. 4.25 per share in May 2025, aggregating to Rs. 6.25 per share of face value Rs. 1 (625%). The company declared Bonus Shares in the ratio of 1:1 at the Board Meeting held Friday, subject to approval of Hinduja said the outlook for the commercial vehicle industry is positive on back of measures being taken by the government to boost economic growth and the rate cuts being engineered by RBI. Hinduja said, 'After remaining neutral last fiscal, the commercial vehicle industry should grow in mid single-digits in FY26.'
