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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
From utility to aspiration: How design transformed Mahindra's SUV identity
For much of its history, Mahindra's SUVs were built to endure rather than to impress. The Bolero the Scorpio , they all embodied a language where function dictated form. Flat panels, upright stances, squared-off edges, these were vehicles conceived for durability, meant to withstand the chaos of rural roads rather than dazzle in city traffic. For a long time, that rugged authenticity was the brand's calling card. Mahindra's rugged SUVs once spoke utility over style. The 2021 design reset, Twin Peaks logo, Pratap Bose, and now NU_IQ, has flipped the script. Design is no longer garnished, its strategy reshaping Mahindra's identity at home and abroad. Yet, as the Indian auto market matured through the 2010s, design was no longer incidental. Customers started comparing proportions, interiors and finish equal to torque and strength. Competitors such as Hyundai, Kia and Tata capitalised on this shift. Mahindra, once the flag-bearer of ruggedness, suddenly appeared utilitarian in a market that asked for aspiration. Also check these Cars Find more Cars Mahindra XEV 9e 79 kWh 79 kWh 656 km 656 km ₹ 21.90 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING Mahindra XUV500 2025 2179 cc 2179 cc Diesel Diesel ₹ 12 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched Mahindra BE 6 79 kWh 79 kWh 682 km 682 km ₹ 18.90 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING Mahindra e20 NXT 15 kWh 15 kWh 140 km 140 km ₹ 6 - 8 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Mahindra Thar E 75 kWh 75 kWh 400 km 400 km ₹ 25 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Mahindra Vision SXT ₹ 13.50 - 22 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched The 2021 reset That narrative shifted dramatically in 2021. The unveiling of the Twin Peaks logo signalled a change in intent. Gone was the oval badge that had presided over decades of rugged utility, in its place stood two sharp peaks, a symbol of ambition and duality. One peak represented the company's deep SUV legacy, the other its climb toward a more premium, globally relevant future. The badge first appeared on the Mahindra XUV700, and the reception was immediate. Dealers observed that buyers associated the new logo with aspiration, a subtle reminder that in today's market even a badge can carry emotional weight. The latest Mahindra Twin Peak logo was the first project by Pratap Bose at Mahindra which was unveiled in 2021 More consequential still was the hiring of Pratap Bose as Chief Design and Creative Officer. Bose brought not only a new aesthetic language but also an understanding that Indian customers were ready for design maturity. He often remarked that cars could now be designed for India but admired in Munich. Within three years of his appointment, six new production models rolled out, including the Scorpio-N, Thar Roxx and XUV700, each more sculpted, proportionate, and refined inside than anything Mahindra had made before. Also Read : From 30% to all: How Mahindra's NU_IQ targets India's SUV heartland Dual philosophies in EV design The reset in design has also extended to Mahindra's electrification journey, where the company has chosen to tread on two distinct yet complementary paths. On one side sits the BE series, conceived as radical and futuristic, with bold silhouettes and dramatic surfaces meant to appeal to a younger, style-conscious audience. The BE6 Batman Edition, created under an official tie-up with DC, exemplifies this approach, more cultural statement than mere special variant. As Bose observed, today's youth are shaped as much by film franchises as by traditional automotive cues, if design is to resonate, it must speak the cultural language of its time. The second path, however, is deliberately evolutionary. The XEV range, led by the XEV 9e, carries forward the muscular cues and visual ethos of Mahindra's ICE models like the XUV700. It is an approach designed to reassure existing customers, those who have come to associate the brand with rugged authenticity, while easing them into the electric era. Together, these two philosophies represent a delicate balancing act. The BE brand is intended to do what the Scorpio once achieved two decades ago: bring entirely new customers into Mahindra's fold, often from premium segments that had previously ignored the brand. The XEVs, by contrast, are about loyalty and continuity, ensuring that Mahindra's core identity remains intact even as it pivots to an electric future. The next chapter with NU_IQ If BE and XEV represent the two tracks of Mahindra's EV design, the NU_IQ platform unveiled at the Freedom_NU showcase represents the next leap altogether. Compact SUVs, especially sub-four-metre ones, had long been Mahindra's blind spot. Products like the Quanto or KUV100 failed, mostly because of awkward proportions and cramped interiors. With the upcoming products based on the NU_IQ platform, Veluswamy R, President of Automotive Technology and Product Development, Mahindra and Mahindra emphasised that there was a need to rethink stance, dimensions and suspension from the ground up. NU_IQ's flexibility offers a clean slate. The architecture supports a flat floor even for ICE models, which frees up cabin and boot space, while also ensuring electric versions are conceived as 'born electric" rather than retrofitted. The approach is as much about interiors as exteriors: sightlines, seating comfort, and digital engagement are integral to the design brief. Also Read : What is the Mahindra NU_IQ Platform? Here is all you need to know… The centrepiece of this rethink is the NU_UX infotainment system, which integrates tech and voice into the cabin seamlessly, a sharp departure from earlier Mahindra models where digital features often felt bolted on. The rise of Mahindra's design studios None of this would be possible without the strengthening of Mahindra's design institutions. Today, the company operates through two studios: MIDS (Mumbai) and MADE (UK). MIDS provides the local pulse, an understanding of India's tax-driven quirks like the sub-4 metre rule, and the aspirations of value-conscious buyers. MADE brings the global lens, proportion, surfacing, and standards that appeal to customers in Europe, Australia, and Latin America. Together, they enable designs that are equally at home in Pune and Paris. Mahindra currently operates through two studios: MIDS (Mumbai) and MADE (UK). Bose frames this collaboration as the marriage of 'Indian emotion with global sophistication." The speed of execution is itself proof of capability, six production models and multiple concepts in just over three years, a pace made possible only because the studios are not styling outposts but decision-making hubs influencing engineering, interiors, digital UX, and safety. Global credibility in design and safety What ties this all together is the demand for global credibility. Rajesh Jejurikar has stressed that products on the NU_IQ platform are being engineered for five-star safety ratings in Bharat NCAP, Euro NCAP and ANCAP from day one. In other words, safety is now as central to design as surfacing or stance. Also Read : Mahindra to set up new plant for passenger vehicles, to start production by March 2028 This credibility also extends to markets. The sub-4 metre SUV category may be an Indian creation, born of taxation policy, but design maturity now allows these vehicles to travel. Mahindra has already begun re-entering markets such as South Africa, Australia, and Latin America, where its newer SUVs are finding traction. With NU_IQ's flexibility for left- and right-hand drive, the ambition is clear: compact SUVs conceived in India, admired abroad. From utility to emotion For Mahindra, the story of design is no longer about rugged authenticity alone. It is about creating emotional connect, where interiors, infotainment, stance, and even a badge can tilt buyer preference. If the Scorpio helped build Mahindra's identity in the 2000s, the BE series and NU_IQ platform may well define its relevance in the 2030s. Design, once peripheral to Mahindra, is now the central language of aspiration, the difference between merely competing and truly commanding attention in a crowded SUV market. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date:
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Activists, Opposition parties seek probe into West Bengal's Deocha-Pachami coal project
Activists, lawyers and representatives of the Opposition political parties on Monday (August 18, 2025) unanimously demanded a judicial probe into the Deocha-Pachami-Dewanganj-Harisingha (DPDH) coal mining project, over allegations of financial and administrative irregularities. 'The West Bengal government is operating a standalone basalt mine in the name of a coal mining project. There is an unholy nexus between the State and the Centre. The financial arrangement behind DPDH indicates grave wrongdoing. We demand the project be stopped immediately and a judicial probe initiated,' economist and activist Prasenjit Bose said on Monday, after the Calcutta High Court heard his petition regarding the same. On Monday, the Calcutta High Court sought a response from the West Bengal government on the DPDH coal block issue within the next two days. It may be recalled that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the commencement of mining work at the DPDH coal mining project in the Mohammed Bazar block of Birbhum district in February this year. She claimed that it is the largest coal block in India and the second-largest coal block in the world, with estimated reserves of about 1,240 million tonnes (MT) of coal and 675 MT of basalt. However, owing to the thick overburden of basalt rock over the region's coal deposits, the executing agency, the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Ltd (WBPDCL), is currently excavating basalt. This had led to questions among activists over why a power generation company was engaged in basalt mining at the DPDH coal block. Mr. Bose claimed that a company called 'Trancemarine and Confreight Logistics Private Limited' was selected as the mine developer and operator (MDO) following a tendering process by the WBPDCL for basalt mining at DPDH. 'However, in April this year, the company was acquired by another corporation, 'Himadri Speciality Chemical Private Ltd', in direct violation of the tender agreement,' Mr. Bose alleged. In the letter of award for the MDO contract issued by the WBPDCL and accessed by The Hindu, clause 4 prohibits a change of ownership of the selected company during the contract period. Mr. Bose also accused the government of 'salami-slicing' the 3,540-acre project area into smaller parts and 'miscategorising the project to bypass environmental clearances and public hearings required of a coal mine of this scale.' Similar allegations had been made by Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Mohammad Salim on July 3, 2025. He, too, sought a judicial inquiry into the matter. Lawyer and president of the Jai Kisan Andolan, Avik Saha, claimed that the West Bengal government is unable to give satisfactory answers to the questions being raised in the petition at the Calcutta High Court. 'All official documents pertaining to such government projects, by law, should be available in the public domain. But no papers concerning the DPDH project were made public by the West Bengal government… Documents acquired through the court reveal that profits from basalt mining are meant to benefit a select group of people. We demand a judicial inquiry so that the truth about this may be uncovered,' Mr. Saha said. Goutam Ghosh, Secretary of the CPI(M)'s Birbhum District Committee, expressed concerns over the damage to natural resources, including agricultural land, being incurred in the Mohammed Bazar block due to the coal and basalt mine project. 'The government did not keep its promises to the locals from whom they are acquiring land for this project. Based on our surveys in the villages of the project area, like Mathurapahari, Sagarbandi, and Chanda, only 20% to 30% land givers have legitimately received jobs as was promised in the compensation. The local administration is also cracking down heavily on any resistance to this project by the tribals of the area,' tribal activist Jagannath Tudu said.
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First Post
16 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Mohun Bagan outright refuses to send players for Indian national camp, slams AIFF for 'negligence'
A total of 13 players, including seven from Mohun Bagan, are yet to report at the Indian senior men's national camp that is being conducted by newly-appointed head coach Khalid Jamil in Bengaluru and got underway on 15 August. Mohun Bagan Super Giant are set to compete in the AFC Champions League Two after winning the ISL League Winners Shield earlier this year. PTI Reigning Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan on Monday bluntly refused to release their players for the ongoing national camp, stressing that it is 'not mandatory' outside a FIFA window and accusing the All India Football Federation of 'negligence' over player welfare. The on August 15 ahead of next month's CAFA Nations Cup, but 13 players, including seven from Mohun Bagan, are yet to join the camp. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Initially, their absence was attributed to the club's Durand Cup commitments. But even after the in the quarter-finals in Kolkata on Sunday, the club has stood firm, citing their upcoming AFC Champions League Two opener against Turkmenistan's Ahal FC at Salt Lake Stadium on 16 September. More from Football Hitting out at the federation, a Mohun Bagan official pointed to the case of skipper Subhasish Bose, who has been sidelined since suffering an injury during India's Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in March this year. 'Every time they take our players, three-four of them return injured, and the AIFF is least bothered to communicate, compensate, or even check on them,' the official told PTI. 'Look at Bose… He is under rehab, has missed the entire season so far, we are paying his salary, and yet the federation hasn't even called once to inquire about him.' He further added: 'Unless it is a FIFA international window, it is not mandatory for the club to release its players as there is no compensation in case of injury. Hence, we are not releasing anyone for this camp.' The seven Mariners missing from the camp include Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad and Vishal Kaith. Forward Manvir is already nursing an injury. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mohun Bagan have also denied the release of four youngsters – Dippendu Biswas, Suhail Bhat, Priyansh Dubey and T Abhishek Singh – who are with the India U-23 side preparing for next month's AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Qatar. 'Abhishek is a vital cog in our defence in the absence of Bose, and so are Dippendu, Suhail and Priyansh. We will not release them either,' the official said. Bhat also has a niggle. Mohun Bagan's defiance comes even as the AIFF, in its statement, thanked Jamshedpur FC for releasing coach Khalid Jamil 'in the national interest' despite the ongoing season, and appealed for 'cooperation' from all clubs. The Mariners earned a direct entry to the AFC Champions League Two group stage by winning the ISL League Shield last season. Following their September 16 opener at home, they face Sepahan SC (Iran) and Al Hussein (Jordan) in successive away fixtures, before hosting Al Hussein again on November 4. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Their campaign concludes with away and home ties against Ahal (November 25) and Sepahan (December 23). FC Goa, who made the cut to the group stage after a 2-1 victory over Omani champions Al Seeb in the preliminary stage fixture, are in Group C and open their group campaign against Al-Zawrra of Iraq at home on September 17. But four of their players – Hrithik Tiwari (goalkeeper), defenders Boris Singh and Sandesh Jhingan and midfielder Udanta Singh – have reported at the camp.
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Remote Scottish island with beachside B&B that's the 'friendliest' in the country
A picturesque Scottish guest house with breathtaking ocean views has been awarded the 'AA Friendliest B&B of the Year' award, and it's easy to see why the holiday hotspot is so beloved by visitors Scotland's numerous islands remain a favoured option for a staycation. Hundreds of islands are scattered along the Scottish coastline, and many have earned recognition as premier holiday spots. Those looking to enjoy the tranquillity and stunning views that such locations have to offer will, of course, be hoping for a warm, friendly welcome from their hotel or B&B of choice. And although there are a number of charming establishments to choose from, there's one that stands out from the crowd, having been hailed the "friendliest" B&B in Scotland. It comes after one expert claimed 'I'm a pilot with 10,000 flight hours but I won't go near this place'. So what is it that makes Broad Bay House so very special? Scotland's finest bed and breakfasts received recognition in July during the annual AA B&B Awards, reports the Daily Record. Amongst the accolades presented was the 'AA Friendliest B&B of the Year' award, which was claimed by Broad Bay House on the Isle of Lewis. Broad Bay House is a guest house located on the island's eastern shoreline, approximately 7.5 miles from Stornoway. The establishment sits within a small active crofting community, beside a sandy beach offering direct access from the property. The AA highlighted the establishment's "service, simplicity and style", alongside its "special" hospitality. Meanwhile, inspectors declared that guests were "guaranteed to have an extraordinary experience". Following the announcement, Broad Bay House co-owner Sue Reid spoke of the team's delight, remarking: "We're absolutely delighted to receive this award this year for the friendliest bed and breakfast." Broad Bay House boasts four luxury en-suite guest rooms, all fitted with a flatscreen TV, a Bose Bluetooth speaker, and a DVD player. Every room also includes a Nespresso machine, complimentary snacks, and luxury toiletries. Furthermore, each bedroom boasts its own private decking space complete with seating arrangements. According to Broad Bay House, the accommodations feature "soft colours, natural woods and sympathetic furnishings" that "provide a relaxing environment". Additional facilities at Broad Bay House encompass complimentary Wi-Fi, guest laundry services, and a dedicated guest study area. There's also an electric vehicle charging point reserved exclusively for visitors. Regarding dining options, the establishment offers both morning and evening cuisine. The breakfast selection features a complete Hebridean-cooked breakfast, while dinner choices encompass Scottish salmon fillet and locally sourced scallops. The property holds a full licence and stocks an extensive range of wines, gins and single malt whiskies. Patrons can also savour a variety of gin-based cocktails. Broad Bay House has garnered exceptionally favourable feedback from former visitors. On TripAdvisor, the establishment maintains a flawless five-star rating across 478 reviews. One guest commented: "We had the spacious room with sea view, lounge seats, plenty of tea, coffee and fresh milk in the fridge. The room and place is decorated in good taste, with cozy throws, wood furnishings and leather seating. "Tom, our host, is very accommodating, has a good sense of humour and gave us great tips throughout our visit. His wife is an excellent cook-we had the seafood platter at night and fresh made porridge in the morning. Nothing was lacking, and we can highly recommend Broad House to anyone visiting Lewis Island." Another guest gushed: "Had a fantastic stay here for four nights with our dog, you can see why this B and B is five stars. Great host amazing room and fantastic breakfast, they do offer evening meals we didn't experience this but if the breakfast anything to go off you wouldn't be disappointed, lovely view from the guest lounge looking at the sea."
India Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Mohun Bagan refuses to release players for India camp citing injury concerns
Reigning Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan on Monday bluntly refused to release their players for the ongoing national camp, stressing that it is "not mandatory" outside a FIFA window and accusing the All India Football Federation of "negligence" over player senior India squad began its preparatory camp in Bengaluru on August 15 ahead of next month's CAFA Nations Cup, but 13 players, including seven from Mohun Bagan, are yet to join the their absence was attributed to the club's Durand Cup commitments. But even after the Mariners crashed out with a 1-2 derby defeat to East Bengal in the quarterfinals here on Sunday, the club has stood firm, citing their upcoming AFC Champions League Two opener against Turkmenistan's Ahal FC at Salt Lake Stadium on September 16. Hitting out at the federation, a Mohun Bagan official pointed to the case of skipper Subhasish Bose, who has been sidelined since suffering an injury during India's Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in March this year."Every time they take our players, three-four of them return injured, and the AIFF is least bothered to communicate, compensate, or even check on them,' the official told PTI."Look at Bose... He is under rehab, has missed the entire season so far, we are paying his salary, and yet the federation hasn't even called once to inquire about him."He further added: "Unless it is a FIFA international window, it is not mandatory for the club to release its players as there is no compensation in case of injury. Hence, we are not releasing anyone for this camp."The seven Mariners missing from the camp include Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad and Vishal Kaith. Forward Manvir is already nursing an Bagan have also denied the release of four youngsters -- Dippendu Biswas, Suhail Bhat, Priyansh Dubey and T Abhishek Singh -- who are with the India U-23 side preparing for next month's AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Qatar."Abhishek is a vital cog in our defence in the absence of Bose, and so are Dippendu, Suhail and Priyansh. We will not release them either," the official also has a Bagan's defiance comes even as the AIFF, in its statement, thanked Jamshedpur FC for releasing coach Khalid Jamil "in the national interest" despite the ongoing season, and appealed for "cooperation" from all Mariners earned a direct entry to the AFC Champions League Two group stage by winning the ISL League Shield last their September 16 opener at home, they face Sepahan SC (Iran) and Al Hussein (Jordan) in successive away fixtures, before hosting Al Hussein again on November campaign concludes with away and home ties against Ahal (November 25) and Sepahan (December 23).FC Goa, who made the cut to the group stage after a 2-1 victory over Omani champions Al Seeb in the preliminary stage fixture, are in Group C and open their group campaign against Al-Zawrra of Iraq at home on September four of their players -- Hrithik Tiwari (goalkeeper), defenders Boris Singh and Sandesh Jhingan and midfielder Udanta Singh -- have reported at the camp.- EndsMust Watch
