Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi

On the occasion of World Bicycling Day 2026, SmartBike, India’s largest Public Bike Sharing company, in association with the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi and the World Cycling Alliance, Brussels, organized a National Seminar on “Smart & Sustainable Mobility Through Cycling: A Pathway to Cleaner Air and Healthier Cities” on 3rd June 2026, at the India International Centre (IIC) Annexe, New Delhi.

The seminar was conceived against the backdrop of an urgent and pressing reality: recent studies suggest that vehicular pollution & consequent very high AQI levels continue to severely diminish the quality of life and the very lifespan of citizens in Indian cities, particularly in Delhi. With the National Capital consistently ranking amongst the most polluted cities in the world, the need for credible, scalable and immediately actionable alternatives to fossil fuel-driven transport have become imperative. Cycling as an effective first-mile and last-mile connectivity solution and as a primary mode of sustainable urban mobility, offers precisely such an alternative and this National Seminar placed it firmly at the centre of national policy discourse.

The seminar brought together an exceptional panel of distinguished speakers. Shri K N Shrivastava, IAS, Director of the India International Centre & former Secretary Civil Aviation graced his presence as the Chief Guest of the National Seminar and shared his valuable thoughts about the concept of sustainable mobility and its ever increasing value in Delhi and NCR region. Shri D. V. Manohar, Chairman of SmartBike and First Vice President of the World Cycling Alliance, who prepared the draft National Cycling Policy as desired by the Government of India, made a presentation on the draft National Cycling Policy. Shri Mayank Srivastava, IPS, Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India, reinforced Government of India’s commitment to citizen fitness through active mobility.

The seminar was also addressed by Miss Rohina Gupta, Director Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, whose ministry oversees the Smart Cities Mission. Sir Graham Watson, President of the World Cycling Alliance, Brussels, brought a global perspective on cycling policy and urban mobility, drawing from best practices across Europe and beyond. Ms. Laurianne Krid, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation, offered insights from Europe’s most successful cycling economies.

The presence of the esteemed speakers of such repute lent the occasion particular gravitas, given that the challenge of vehicular pollution & consequent very high AQI levels are most acutely felt by the citizens of Delhi.

The distinguished speakers’ panel, along with Shri D. V. Manohar, also deliberated upon the forthcoming World Bicycle Day Mega Cycling Events scheduled to be organized on Sunday, 7th June 2026 in Hyderabad and Chandigarh, as an extension of the national effort to mainstream cycling as a pillar of sustainable urban mobility, citizen fitness and cleaner cities. The speakers emphasized that while policy formulation and institutional frameworks remain critical, public participation and community-led cycling movements are equally indispensable to bringing about meaningful behavioural change in urban mobility.

The Hyderabad celebration, being organized jointly by SmartBike Mobility and the Hyderabad Bicycling Club at the SmartBike Hub, Narsingi, Hyderabad from 6:00 AM onwards, is expected to witness participation from nearly 5,000 cyclists and fitness enthusiasts. The event shall be graced by Former Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, as the Chief Guest and shall feature 5 KM and 10 KM community cycling rides, road safety and cycling awareness initiatives, and a collective call for healthier and more sustainable lifestyles through active mobility.

Similarly, the Chandigarh celebration, being organized by SmartBike Mobility at the Art Gallery, Chandigarh from 6:00 AM onwards, is expected to bring together nearly 3,000 cyclists, families, students and community participants in a large-scale public celebration of cycling. Shri H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, Chief Secretary, U.T. Chandigarh, shall grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. Together, the two events are expected to witness participation of over 8,000 cyclists across both cities, reinforcing the growing national momentum behind cycling as a catalyst for cleaner air, healthier citizens and smarter urban futures.

SmartBike, the principal organizer of the event, has established itself as the foremost name in Public Bike Sharing (PBS) in India, operating across multiple major cities with around 10,000 SmartBikes including Electric SmartBikes. Its Chandigarh PBS project has been conferred the First Prize in the Mobility & E-Governance category amongst all 100 Smart Cities in India by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, an honour conferred by the Hon’ble President of India in September 2023. SmartBike was also among the handful of startups selected by Startup India to present policy recommendations directly to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and those recommendations are being implemented. SmartBike additionally collaborates with the Indian Defence Forces, with its initiatives having been inaugurated by Former CDS General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy Sanjay Bhalla, and Major General Sanjay Chandra Kandpal.

The National Seminar on 3rd June 2026 was more than just a conference; it was a call to action. As India’s cities grapple with the compounding challenges of pollution, congestion, and public health, the seminar sought to catalyse a national conversation that translates awareness into policy, and policy into change. SmartBike, the World Cycling Alliance, and the India International Centre had invited all stakeholders committed to building smarter, greener, and healthier cities to be a part of this important initiative. The clarion call was clear: “Be the Future Maker”

The post NATIONAL SEMINAR ON SMART & SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY THROUGH CYCLING appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi

On the occasion of World Bicycling Day 2026, SmartBike, India’s largest Public Bike Sharing company, in association with the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi and the World Cycling Alliance, Brussels, organized a National Seminar on “Smart & Sustainable Mobility Through Cycling: A Pathway to Cleaner Air and Healthier Cities” on 3rd June 2026, at the India International Centre (IIC) Annexe, New Delhi.

The seminar was conceived against the backdrop of an urgent and pressing reality: recent studies suggest that vehicular pollution & consequent very high AQI levels continue to severely diminish the quality of life and the very lifespan of citizens in Indian cities, particularly in Delhi. With the National Capital consistently ranking amongst the most polluted cities in the world, the need for credible, scalable and immediately actionable alternatives to fossil fuel-driven transport have become imperative. Cycling as an effective first-mile and last-mile connectivity solution and as a primary mode of sustainable urban mobility, offers precisely such an alternative and this National Seminar placed it firmly at the centre of national policy discourse.

The seminar brought together an exceptional panel of distinguished speakers. Shri K N Shrivastava, IAS, Director of the India International Centre & former Secretary Civil Aviation graced his presence as the Chief Guest of the National Seminar and shared his valuable thoughts about the concept of sustainable mobility and its ever increasing value in Delhi and NCR region. Shri D. V. Manohar, Chairman of SmartBike and First Vice President of the World Cycling Alliance, who prepared the draft National Cycling Policy as desired by the Government of India, made a presentation on the draft National Cycling Policy. Shri Mayank Srivastava, IPS, Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India, reinforced Government of India’s commitment to citizen fitness through active mobility.

The seminar was also addressed by Miss Rohina Gupta, Director Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, whose ministry oversees the Smart Cities Mission. Sir Graham Watson, President of the World Cycling Alliance, Brussels, brought a global perspective on cycling policy and urban mobility, drawing from best practices across Europe and beyond. Ms. Laurianne Krid, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation, offered insights from Europe’s most successful cycling economies.

The presence of the esteemed speakers of such repute lent the occasion particular gravitas, given that the challenge of vehicular pollution & consequent very high AQI levels are most acutely felt by the citizens of Delhi.

The distinguished speakers’ panel, along with Shri D. V. Manohar, also deliberated upon the forthcoming World Bicycle Day Mega Cycling Events scheduled to be organized on Sunday, 7th June 2026 in Hyderabad and Chandigarh, as an extension of the national effort to mainstream cycling as a pillar of sustainable urban mobility, citizen fitness and cleaner cities. The speakers emphasized that while policy formulation and institutional frameworks remain critical, public participation and community-led cycling movements are equally indispensable to bringing about meaningful behavioural change in urban mobility.

The Hyderabad celebration, being organized jointly by SmartBike Mobility and the Hyderabad Bicycling Club at the SmartBike Hub, Narsingi, Hyderabad from 6:00 AM onwards, is expected to witness participation from nearly 5,000 cyclists and fitness enthusiasts. The event shall be graced by Former Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, as the Chief Guest and shall feature 5 KM and 10 KM community cycling rides, road safety and cycling awareness initiatives, and a collective call for healthier and more sustainable lifestyles through active mobility.

Similarly, the Chandigarh celebration, being organized by SmartBike Mobility at the Art Gallery, Chandigarh from 6:00 AM onwards, is expected to bring together nearly 3,000 cyclists, families, students and community participants in a large-scale public celebration of cycling. Shri H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, Chief Secretary, U.T. Chandigarh, shall grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. Together, the two events are expected to witness participation of over 8,000 cyclists across both cities, reinforcing the growing national momentum behind cycling as a catalyst for cleaner air, healthier citizens and smarter urban futures.

SmartBike, the principal organizer of the event, has established itself as the foremost name in Public Bike Sharing (PBS) in India, operating across multiple major cities with around 10,000 SmartBikes including Electric SmartBikes. Its Chandigarh PBS project has been conferred the First Prize in the Mobility & E-Governance category amongst all 100 Smart Cities in India by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, an honour conferred by the Hon’ble President of India in September 2023. SmartBike was also among the handful of startups selected by Startup India to present policy recommendations directly to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and those recommendations are being implemented. SmartBike additionally collaborates with the Indian Defence Forces, with its initiatives having been inaugurated by Former CDS General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy Sanjay Bhalla, and Major General Sanjay Chandra Kandpal.

The National Seminar on 3rd June 2026 was more than just a conference; it was a call to action. As India’s cities grapple with the compounding challenges of pollution, congestion, and public health, the seminar sought to catalyse a national conversation that translates awareness into policy, and policy into change. SmartBike, the World Cycling Alliance, and the India International Centre had invited all stakeholders committed to building smarter, greener, and healthier cities to be a part of this important initiative. The clarion call was clear: “Be the Future Maker”

The post NATIONAL SEMINAR ON SMART & SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY THROUGH CYCLING appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

This massive national project is estimated to cost between 18,000 and 18,500 crore rupees, with the central government funding around 9,280 crore rupees and state governments covering the rest. Individual city networks will cost between 800 crore and 1,300 crore rupees depending on the local infrastructure needs. Officials note that water metros are much faster and cheaper to build than traditional concrete metro rails. The Inland Waterways Authority of India is teaming up with Kochi Metro Rail Limited to execute the plan, which will also give a major boost to local tourism and waterfront development across the country.

The post India to Launch Water Metro Systems in 18 Cities Following Kochi Model appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Dr. Shankar Goenka, Managing Director of WOW Go Green LLP, along with Shri A.S. Sahney, Managing Director of Indian Oil, met Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri and presented the hydrogen-powered drone. This collaboration highlights India’s growing focus on clean energy innovation under the Make in India initiative.

The hydrogen-fuelled drone was showcased at India Energy Week 2026, where it demonstrated an impressive flight time of up to three hours, much longer than conventional battery-operated drones. The technology has the potential to transform operations in **defence, agriculture, and logistics**, offering longer endurance, cleaner energy use, and greater efficiency.

This breakthrough signals the beginning of a new era in sustainable aviation and next-generation mobility, reinforcing India’s commitment to clean energy and future-ready technologies.

The post India Unveils Hydrogen-Powered Drone at Energy Week 2026 appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

New Delhi, 18 December 2025 | In a first-of-its-kind move that brings together sustainable mobility and conscious lifestyle rewards, Fabindia has partnered with Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs to introduce a benefit for Fabfamily members. Customers can now book premium electric SUVs using loyalty currency alone — just 1,000 Fabcoins, boosted to a booking value of ₹21,000. This collaboration between two iconic Indian brands — both deeply rooted in sustainability and innovation — sets a new benchmark for how loyalty programs can deliver meaningful, real-world value far beyond traditional discounts.

 A milestone in loyalty innovation

Through this partnership, Fabfamily members can now redeem their Fabcoins to book Mahindra’s Electric Origin SUVs, namely the BE 6 and the XEV 9e. The offer effectively allows customers to secure a premium eSUV booking entirely through loyalty earnings, making Fabfamily one of the most generous and innovative loyalty programs in the country. William Nanda Bissell, Managing Director, Fabindia Ltd, said: “Fabfamily was built on the belief that loyalty should create extraordinary value and not just transactional benefits. Partnering with Mahindra allows us to demonstrate that belief at its boldest: enabling our members to book an Electric Origin SUV using just 1,000 Fabcoins. It’s an unprecedented 21X value unlock and a proud moment for us as two Indian brands come together to promote conscious consumption, sustainable mobility and customer empowerment.  For us, this reward is a signal of where modern loyalty programs are headed: towards becoming unreasonably generous, personalised and caring.”

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd, said: “At Mahindra, we believe the future of mobility is not just electric, it is experiential, accessible, and deeply integrated into the lifestyle of our customers. This partnership with Fabindia is a powerful example of how two purpose-driven brands can come together to redefine value. It’s a step forward in democratizing eSUV ownership and creating meaningful touchpoints that go beyond the vehicle itself.”

Fabfamily: Building India’s Most Distinctive & Generous Loyalty Ecosystem

Fabfamily is designed as a long-term lifestyle ecosystem that rewards intent, continuity and conscious choices. Key program features include:

• • Earn Generously: Up to 10% back in Fabcoins on every Fabindia purchase.
  • Secure-Now, Redeem-Later: Members can lock an eSUV booking with 400 Fabcoins and complete the balance over time. Once 1,000 Fabcoins are accumulated, the booking is auto-processed.
  • Partner Multipliers: Premium brand collaborations, including The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Indian Accent, offering up to 30X value on Fabcoin redemption.
  • Cause Contributions: The ability to donate Fabcoins towards WWF-India and the Centre for Science & Environment; because generosity works both ways.
  • FabONE: Concierge services that enrich the customer journey.
  • Gentle Tier Migration: A unique “single-tier downgrade” policy makes retaining status easier and more customer-friendly.

Fabfamily’s latest evolution is built on choice architecture, emotional loyalty and long-term affinity moving beyond points-for-discounts into high-utility, high-experience, life-enhancing rewards.

The partnership with Mahindra Electric Origins SUVs demonstrates how loyalty programs can influence the future of mobility, sustainability and lifestyle consumption in India.

The Mahindra eSUV reward will go live on 19th December 2025.

The post Fabindia partners with Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs, enabling customers to book premium eSUV’s for just 1,000 Fabcoins  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.