MAM
A Legacy of 65 Years, Hindustan Pencils continues its innovation journey
Mumbai: Hindustan Pencils along with their brands Apsara and Nataraj, in the cutthroat stationery industry. With a remarkable 65 year legacy, the brand revels in its relentless groundbreaking innovation. Since its inception in 1958, the company has demonstrated an enduring commitment to providing quality stationery products dominating six and a half decades by enriching lives through unapologetic creativity and unassailable education.
Nataraj and Apsara brands in the stationery industry secured their status through a combination of strategic factors. Foremost is their unwavering commitment to innovation, consistently introducing groundbreaking products that set industry benchmarks. The Apsara Absolute Pencil, with its unmatched strength, and the Apsara Matt Magic Pencil, with its sleek design and vibrant shavings, exemplify this commitment.
Moreover, both brands display a keen understanding of evolving consumer needs. Apsara eco-friendly initiatives, such as the Apsara Soyfun Crayons made from soybean oil, appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. The Apsara Disney Pencil Range establishes an emotional connection with young learners and Disney enthusiasts, broadening the brand appeal. Nataraj, with products like the Nataraj Fluro Pencils and the Nataraj Gelix Gel Pen, caters to a wide audience, including students and professionals, emphasising quality and performance. The Nataraj Left Hand Sharpener reflects inclusivity, addressing the specific needs of left-handed individuals.
In essence Nataraj and Apsara brands can be attributed to their blend of innovation, consumer understanding, eco-conscious initiatives, inclusivity, and strategic partnerships with educational institutions, all of which collectively contribute to their unrivalled position in the stationery industry.
Hindustan Pencils president Pradip Ughade said, “Over the past 65 years, Hindustan Pencils has been an integral part of consumers’ lives. We keep our consumers at the heart of everything we do. Our success and longevity can be attributed to our relentless focus on innovation, superior quality, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. We are immensely proud of our achievements and look forward to many more years of providing the best stationery solutions to our consumers.”
HPPL has seamlessly been able to blend innovation and design with continuous research and development through Natraj and Apsara’s product offerings further enhancing their position in industry.
For more information about Hindustan Pencils and its range of stationery products, visit www.hindustanpencils.com.
MAM
Sleepwell unveils nationwide sleep study on World Sleep Day
79 per cent use screens before bed, 36 per cent of 18–25-year-olds sleep ≤5 hours.
MUMBAI: Sleepwell just dropped the pillow truth bomb because when India’s sleeping less and scrolling more, even the mattress wants to stage an intervention. On World Sleep Day 2026, Sleepwell released its nationwide Sleep Study, painting a stark picture of India’s escalating sleep crisis. The findings show that 79% of Indians use screens right before bed, fuelling restless nights and drowsy days. Alarmingly, 36% of young adults aged 18–25 sleep five hours or less making them the country’s most sleep-deprived group.
The study also busts the myth of “catch-up sleep”, 65% of respondents actually sleep even later on weekends, pointing to increasingly irregular patterns that spill fatigue into the working week. Mattress discomfort emerged as a frequently overlooked culprit behind late-night wake-ups and constant leak-anxiety checks.
To drive the message home, Sleepwell’s CMO Puneet Gulati appeared on Zee Business, stressing that quality sleep isn’t a luxury, it’s foundational health. He highlighted how the right mattress can transform restless nights into restorative ones.
The brand doubled down with clever late-night activations, partnering with a quick-commerce platform to serve contextual ads between 11 pm and 3 am, gently nudging bleary-eyed scrollers to consider mattress discomfort as the reason they’re still awake and pointing them to the nearest Sleepwell store. Digital influencers and creators also shared relatable stories of how poor sleep fuels impulsive late-night behaviour.
In a nation that celebrates hustle but quietly pays for it in lost rest, Sleepwell isn’t just selling mattresses, it’s selling the radical idea that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is close your eyes and actually sleep well.
