Latest news with #Saraogi
Mint
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Why is every fitness fanatic in love with Hyrox?
Less than a decade ago anyone active or interested in fitness couldn't go a single day without hearing, reading or seeing posts about CrossFit. After all the first rule of CrossFit was, 'always talk about CrossFit." Today, one hardly sees people talk or post much about CrossFit. One of the biggest probable reasons for that is a new fitness trend that has exploded globally and is steadily climbing the popularity charts in the fitness world: Hyrox. More than half a million people participated in about 80 Hyrox races globally in the 2024-25 season, and Delhi just hosted India's second Hyrox race on Saturday. The event attracted 2,600 participants from different parts of India and the rest of the world. That is a sharp rise of about 1,000 participants from the inaugural Hyrox race that was held in Mumbai back in May when 1,650 took part. WHAT MAKES HYROX TICK? Hyrox covers all aspects of fitness and that's what makes it attractive, says Mamta Saraogi, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Kolkata who was at both the Mumbai and Delhi events and also completed one Hyrox in Singapore in between the two India races. 'I love working on each and every element of fitness from cardio to weight lifting to functional movements and Hyrox covers all these aspects," says Saraogi, who turned to exercise as a way to heal and come out of a dark place in life about six years ago. Hyrox, which describes itself as the World Series of Fitness Racing, involves eight 1km runs and eight different workouts. The aim is to do it all in the quickest time possible. People can participate as individuals, in teams of two, including mixed doubles, and in relay as teams of four. The race format remains the same no matter where you sign up. Every individual and team does the same exercises, performs the same number of reps and covers the same distance. Start with a 1km run. Then 1,000m on the ski machine. Run a kilometre again and then 50m sled push (152kg for men, 102kg for women). Run again and then pull a 103 kg sled (78 kg for women) for 50m. The fourth kilometre is followed by 80m of burpee broad jumps. The next run ends with rowing 1,000m. After another kilometre of running, do 200m of farmer's carry with a 24kg (16kg for women) kettlebell in each hand. Do 100m lunges with a 20kg (10kg for women) sandbag over your shoulders after another kilometre of running. The eighth and final kilometre of the race leads to 100 wall ball shots. While elite athletes finish a Hyrox in under an hour, regular participants usually take closer to two hours – a sub-90 minute finish is considered an impressive outing. Post-pandemic, the social element of exercise has become very important leading to people all over the world signing up for run clubs, group fitness classes, yoga retreats and more. Hyrox scores here as on race day the organisers dial up the social element several notches with loud music, hundreds of people competing together and ensuring that the venue has ample spaces to let participants and supporters hang out and interact with each other. Meeting like-minded people and mutual encouragement is what makes Hyrox attractive to a lot of people. Like Saraogi, Prashanth Ponnappa, 36, co-founder of Troop Fitness in Bengaluru and a pilates instructor, took part in the Mumbai and Delhi Hyrox races and says, 'Hyrox is fun. It's social, high energy and really cool. A lot of people are doing the same thing together at the same time. Seeing others around you doing it makes you push yourself, and an element of healthy competition also comes in. And as Hyrox also has team events, you can see people encouraging and supporting each other. It's all very positive vibes." CROSSFIT GOT THE ICK The rise of Hyrox coincides with an increase in the number of 'hybrid athletes," which a popular meme correctly describes as 'someone who is an average runner and below par at strength and function training but insists on doing both to stay fit". In a way, this is an apt description of Hyrox as well, which according to Ponappa, is not as technical as CrossFit. Trishna Agarwala, 42, a psychologist from Bengaluru, who participated in the Hyrox Pro in Mumbai doesn't mince words when she says CrossFit takes ages to master as its movements are high skill, need a solid aerobic capacity, and can really hurt if you do them wrong. 'Hyrox is time-consuming for sure but the movements involved are more forgiving so a competitor can dial it up or down as per their will. CrossFit takes ages to master and is far less forgiving," she explains. Saraogi adds it's this high entry bar that makes advanced skills a necessity to stick with CrossFit that's one of several reasons for its waning popularity. 'One of the most common movements in CrossFit is handstand walks and handstand push-ups… these are way too difficult for most people, even fit people," she notes. The fact that the movements involved in a Hyrox are simple give many people the belief that it is easy and manageable and that's why you see many runners flocking to Hyrox races. Despite the simpler exercises, Hyrox is gruelling and all those who underestimate it end up getting their socks knocked off. CrossFit has a social element in all its boxes too but it's annual CrossFit competition—the CrossFit Open—is virtual for the most part. Only a few hundred CrossFit enthusiasts who make it to the CrossFit Open finals get to experience what each and every Hyrox participant enjoys on race day. Another reason why Hyrox is winning over CrossFit is branding. 'Hyrox's branding is very attractive and it works while CrossFit doesn't have that anymore," explains Saraogi. Additionally, a lot of brands such as Puma have tied up with Hyrox ensuring it has its own world of merchandise, accessories and equipment, says Ponnappa, adding that he saw a lot more competitors wearing Hyrox-branded gear at the Delhi event compared to Mumbai. While Hyrox has made all the right kind of noise – its founders have appeared on news shows globally and have publicly declared their ambition of making Hyrox an Olympic sport – CrossFit has struggled in recent times. The organisation has had internal problems, its public image has taken a beating following the death of a participant at CrossFit Games in Dallas last year, several former CrossFit Games winners have switched to Hyrox and the investment firm that owns CrossFit has put it up for sale. Several people who used to swear by CrossFit, myself included, have fallen out of love with it because it is injury-prone owing to its focus on lifting heavier, high reps and extremely high intensity. Finally, another thing that is working for Hyrox, but not for CrossFit, is social media. CrossFit mostly inspires memes nowadays and is attacked by almost all the exercises — Olympic lifting, gymnastics, calisthenics and cardio — that come together in CrossFit. 'There is a lot of content about Hyrox on all kinds of social media and it is being noticed. There are a lot of influencers creating Hyrox content even while participating in an event," says Agarwala confessing that the last bit can get irritating. Shrenik Avlani is a writer and editor and the co-author of The Shivfit Way, a book on functional fitness.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Integrated land records mgmt system portal launched to eliminate disputes
Patna: Bihar became the first state in the country to launch an Integrated Land Records Management System (ILRMS)-Spatial Mutation portal, developed by IIT-Roorkee, on Tuesday, said revenue and land reforms minister Sanjay Saraogi. Spatial mutation is a process, through which automatic updating of revenue maps and rights records will be possible after purchase and sale of land or inheritance. Under this, the 'raiyat' will first have to apply for a pre-mutation sketch before purchasing and selling land, on the basis of which, applications will be made for registration of land and mutation. This portal will update not only 'jamabandi' with the purchase and sale of land, but also the map. Saraogi said everyone will start getting the benefit of the spatial mutation soon after the work on the special survey is completed. Quick justice and quick work is the main objective of the department, he added. Additional chief secretary Deepak Kumar Singh said the department has a plan to launch this system in all those villages where the final rights record has been published under the special survey. Secretary Jai Singh said if a brother sells his share, then his map will also be automatically attached with it on the portal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)* ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now Undo "Information about who sold his share where in joint property will be easily known through this system," he said. At present, it is being started in more than 80 villages and will be improved sequentially on the basis of feedback. Professor Kamal Jain of IIT-Roorkee said the GIS solution, developed by the institute, and used in it has been done under 'Make in India' programme. "Earlier, all the work done on the above solution was based on foreign technology and its cost has to be paid always. Now no fee will have to be paid for it year wise," he said. In this new process, all 'raiyats' will be given an account number and after the purchase of land, the 'khesra' will be added to their account. Under this process, govt land will be saved from tampering as it will not be available in the login of common 'raiyats'. This will eliminate the need to make changes in the maps manually and the entire process will be transparent, accurate and time-bound. Under the ILRMS, all digital services, including local mutation will be made available to the citizens simultaneously on one platform. There are several other benefits of the system as well. Now, common citizens will be able to see the status, size and location of their land online, along with the map concerned, increasing transparency in purchase and sale. Also, with the availability of accurate land information, the benefits of various govt schemes will be available to the right eligible beneficiaries. Besides, updating of revenue maps will make the boundaries of govt land, public places, roads, canals etc. clear, which will make it easier to identify and control encroachment.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sugarcane to sustainability: India gets its first fully integrated PLA plant as Balrampur Chini unveils Bioyug
In a major boost to India's green manufacturing push and agri-industrial integration, Kolkata-headquartered Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd (BCML) has launched 'Balrampur Bioyug ', touted as the country's first industrial-scale PLA (Polylactic Acid) biopolymer brand, offering a bio-based, eco-friendly alternative to fossil-derived plastics. Balrampur Chini says that the initiative is positioned as a sustainable, 'earth-to-earth' solution, representing a strategic milestone in reducing fossil-fuel reliance in packaging and single-use plastics, while unlocking new value for sugarcane, a key crop in northern India. India's first fully integrated PLA plant BCML, one of India's leading sugar manufacturing companies, has launched Balrampur Bioyug with an investment of Rs 2,850 crore in a phased manner. The PLA project will be operational at the end of 2026, as per the company. Guided by bio-circularity, Bioyug is not merely a plastic alternative but a holistic vision for sustainable manufacturing, says the company, adding that the first-of-its-kind initiative further aligns with national goals under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat , offering a pathway for home-grown innovation to lead the global sustainability narrative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Direct Shopping From Adidas Franchise Store, Up To 50% Off Original Adidas Shop Now Undo 'The Bioyug initiative is centred around a fully integrated facility that will convert sugarcane derivatives directly into PLA through a circular, renewable energy-powered process. This is the first facility globally to consolidate the entire PLA production cycle—from sugarcane to biopolymer—at a single site,' Avantika Saraogi, Executive Director at Balrampur Chini Mills, told ET Online. The plant, located in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh, adjacent to BCML's existing sugar mill, will produce annually 80,000 tonnes of PLA—a 100% compostable, plant-derived alternative to conventional plastic. The material, derived from renewable sources like sugarcane, will have applications across food service, packaging, biomedical, textiles, and 3D manufacturing. The plant also aims to produce PLA for products like food trays, curd cups, disposable cutlery, and packaging materials, according to the company. Live Events What sets Bioyug apart The company claims several elements make Bioyug a pioneering effort. Besides being India's first industrial-scale PLA brand derived from sugarcane, it also boasts end-to-end integrated production—from agri-feedstock to biopolymer—at one location. It is also fully powered by renewable energy, significantly cutting lifecycle emissions, with direct value linkage to sugarcane farmers. Notably, it targets banned single-use plastics in packaging and food service. 'We are not just launching a brand—we are creating a platform to reimagine India's agri-value chain,' said Saraogi, adding that Bioyug aligns with national priorities under the BioE3 and Bioplastic Policy frameworks and enables the conversion of agricultural surplus into high-grade, globally competitive green materials. Among those present at the launch, S.K. Nayak, former DG of CIPET (The Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology), commended the initiative, underlining it would drive sustainability throughout the nation's extensive sugarcane value chain, and said, 'The launch of Bioyug marks a pivotal advancement in India's biopolymer landscape—establishing the country's first fully integrated PLA value chain, from biomass conversion to polymerisation, at a single site. This end-to-end model enhances operational efficiency, supports the circular economy, and contributes meaningfully to carbon footprint reduction through renewable, bio-based inputs.' According to Stefan Barot, President of BCML's Chemical Division, the Bioyug plant's integrated, renewable energy-powered model sets a global standard for low-carbon, efficient production. The initiative, whose name translates to 'The Era of Bio-Circularity,' is seen as a major step forward in India's transition toward a bio-based, low-emission future. 'Bio' reflects the company's focus on sustainable, plant-derived materials like PLA and its strong linkages with India's agricultural ecosystem, particularly sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, 'Yug'—drawn from Sanskrit—symbolises the beginning of a new era founded on ecological responsibility and circular economy principles. Empowering sugarcane farmers The launch event, held at Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre, was attended by policymakers, scientists, and sustainability leaders, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The initiative was launched in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Sarogi adds that the launch is expected to be a 'game-changer' for sugarcane economies in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. By focusing on non-edible, high-value derivatives of sugarcane, BCML aims to reduce reliance on traditional sugar and ethanol markets and integrate Indian farmers into the global bioplastics supply chain. 'Through Bioyug, we are creating a new revenue pathway for sugarcane growers,' she said, adding that it links grassroots agriculture with advanced green manufacturing, helping rural India become a part of the circular economy. Vivek Saraogi , Chairman & Managing Director, Balrampur Chini Mills Limited, says, 'PLA is a bio-based, compostable material that emits 68% less CO₂ over its lifecycle compared to fossil-based plastics, offering an environmentally friendly alternative for a sustainable planet. This project is aimed at fuelling India's journey towards achieving net zero emissions by 2070.' According to Saraogi, India has the raw material and the intent, and now, with Bioyug, the country is seeing the first scaled demonstration of how sugarcane can power not just energy or ethanol—but materials that replace plastic. Saraogi further emphasised that PLA has the potential to be one of India's strongest export stories from the bioeconomy, as it plays to our natural advantage in agri-residues and aligns perfectly with Atmanirbhar Bharat and the vision of Viksit Bharat. The company expects Bioyug to catalyse MSME participation in downstream packaging and green innovation. The company has called for policy incentives to support early adoption, develop composting infrastructure, and spur market demand.
Economic Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
JM Financial retains Buy on Balrampur Chini Mills, raises target price to Rs 700
Balrampur Chini Mills' key products/revenue segments include Sugar, Alcohol (Industrial), Power, Bagasse, Others, By Products for the year ending 31-Mar-2024. Financials For the quarter ended 31-03-2025, the company has reported a Consolidated Total Income of Rs 1513.16 crore, up 26.21 % from last quarter Total Income of Rs 1198.92 Crore and up 5.19 % from last year same quarter Total Income of Rs 1438.56 crore. Company has reported net profit after tax of Rs 218.56 crore in latest quarter. The company's top management includes Saraogi, Gupta, Saraogi, Bhushan, Kishore Mishra, Hingarh, Binani. Company has Lodha & Co. as its auditors. As on 31-03-2025, the company has a total of 20 crore shares outstanding. Live Events Investment Rationale Balrampur?s upcoming PLA plant has strong offtake visibility on account of i) no equipment cost for switching to PLA from existing polymers, ii) incremental favourable government measures, iii) marginal cost differential between PET and PLA, and iv) large opportunity arising from non-recyclable PET. In JM Financial's view, the company could look to build on this and even consider phase II after a PLA ecosystem is established. The brokerage remains constructive on the name as they see a clear long run shift from sugar/ethanol to a specialised bio plastics manufacturer. JM Financial keeps its estimates unchanged and reiterates a BUY with a revised SoTP based Sep'26 target price of Rs 700 (from Mar'26 target price of Rs 635 earlier). Promoter/FII Holdings Promoters held 42.87 per cent stake in the company as of 31-Mar-2025, while FIIs owned 12.01 per cent, DIIs 27.13 per cent. (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel JM Financial maintains a Buy call on Balrampur Chini Mills with a revised target price of Rs 700 (earlier Rs 635). The current market price of Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd. is Rs 600.0 Time period given by analyst is year when Balrampur Chini price can reach the defined target. Balrampur Chini Mills, incorporated in 1975, is a Mid Cap company with a market cap of Rs 12323.11 crore, operating in Sugar Chini Mills' key products/revenue segments include Sugar, Alcohol (Industrial), Power, Bagasse, Others, By Products for the year ending the quarter ended 31-03-2025, the company has reported a Consolidated Total Income of Rs 1513.16 crore, up 26.21 % from last quarter Total Income of Rs 1198.92 Crore and up 5.19 % from last year same quarter Total Income of Rs 1438.56 crore. Company has reported net profit after tax of Rs 218.56 crore in latest company's top management includes Saraogi, Gupta, Saraogi, Bhushan, Kishore Mishra, Hingarh, Binani. Company has Lodha & Co. as its auditors. As on 31-03-2025, the company has a total of 20 crore shares upcoming PLA plant has strong offtake visibility on account of i) no equipment cost for switching to PLA from existing polymers, ii) incremental favourable government measures, iii) marginal cost differential between PET and PLA, and iv) large opportunity arising from non-recyclable PET. In JM Financial's view, the company could look to build on this and even consider phase II after a PLA ecosystem is established. The brokerage remains constructive on the name as they see a clear long run shift from sugar/ethanol to a specialised bio plastics manufacturer. JM Financial keeps its estimates unchanged and reiterates a BUY with a revised SoTP based Sep'26 target price of Rs 700 (from Mar'26 target price of Rs 635 earlier).Promoters held 42.87 per cent stake in the company as of 31-Mar-2025, while FIIs owned 12.01 per cent, DIIs 27.13 per cent. (Disclaimer: Recommendations given in this section or any reports attached herein are authored by an external party. Views expressed are that of the respective authors/entities. These do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for, endorse any of its contents and hereby disclaims all warranties, express or implied, relating to the same. Please consult your financial adviser and seek independent advice.
