Brands
Aashirvaad Atta’s Ganesh idols on wheat grains set record this Ganpati
MUMBAI: Holy grain! In a record-breaking festive twist, ITC’s Aashirvaad Atta has proven that devotion need not be larger than life. Sometimes, it fits on a single grain of wheat.
During the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the iconic ‘Andheri cha raja’ pandal in Mumbai, Aashirvaad pulled off a feat that earned it a place in both the India book of records and the Asia book of records for the ‘biggest distribution of Ganesha idols on wheat grains.’
Yes, you read that right. Lord Ganesha, meticulously engraved onto actual grains of wheat, was at the centre of this unique campaign. Over 2,000 micro-idols were distributed to devotees, each grain carefully enclosed in an acrylic display box with a built-in magnifying lens. Think of it as a divine collectible with a sprinkle of science and a whole lot of soul.
The initiative was part of Aashirvaad’s festive campaign: “Gehu gehu hai vishesh, har gehu mein hai Ganesh,” spotlighting the purity and cultural significance of wheat in Indian homes. Through this punny yet poignant message, the brand wove a connection between the grain that sustains millions and the god who removes obstacles.
Commenting on the milestone, ITC, chief executive, staples & adjacencies, foods division, Anuj Rustagi said, “Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival where devotion meets grandeur, and we wanted to offer something truly unique. By engraving Lord Ganesha on a single grain, we showcased how tradition and innovation can come together to celebrate purity in a memorable way.”
From its trusted ‘chakki MP sehori aata’ to ‘organic aata,’ Aashirvaad continues to win hearts across India by delivering quality flour that meets local tastes and now, sets records too.
Looks like when it comes to devotion and innovation, Aashirvaad truly doesn’t grain and bear it, it goes the extra (milli)metre.
Brands
Lululemon picks former Nike executive to be its next chief
Heidi O’Neill, who helped grow Nike into a $45 billion giant, will take the top job in September
CANADA: Lululemon has found its next chief executive, and she comes with serious credentials. The athleisure giant named Heidi O’Neill as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a search that has left the company running on interim leadership since earlier this year. O’Neill will take charge on September 8, 2026, based out of Vancouver, and will join the board on the same day.
O’Neill brings more than three decades of experience across performance apparel, footwear and sport. The bulk of that time was spent at Nike, where she was a central figure in one of corporate sport’s great growth stories, helping take the company from a $9 billion business to a $45 billion global powerhouse. She oversaw product pipelines, brand strategy and consumer connections, and played a significant role in shaping how Nike spoke to athletes around the world. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss. She also brings boardroom experience from Spotify Technology, Hyatt Hotels and Lithia and Driveway.
The board was unequivocal in its enthusiasm. “We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent,” said Marti Morfitt, executive chair of Lululemon’s board.
O’Neill, for her part, was bullish. “Lululemon is an iconic brand with something rare: genuine guest love, a product ethos rooted in innovation, and a global platform still in the early stages of its potential,” she said. “My job will be to accelerate product breakthroughs, deepen the brand’s cultural relevance, and unlock growth in markets around the world.”
Until she arrives, Meghan Frank and André Maestrini will continue as interim co-CEOs, before returning to their previous senior leadership roles once O’Neill steps in.
Lululemon is betting that a Nike veteran who helped build one of the world’s most powerful sports brands can do something similar for an athleisure label that has genuine love from its customers but is still chasing its full global potential. O’Neill has done it before at scale. The question now is whether she can do it again.
