MAM
AIDA appoints Bharati Balaji as Deputy Director General
Seasoned policy and legal expert joins apex body for ethanol and distillery sector.
MUMBAI: When the spirits industry needs a steady hand at the wheel, it has just found one with serious horsepower and over 25 years of experience to boot. The All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) has appointed Ms Bharati Balaji as its new Deputy Director General. Balaji brings more than 25 years of diverse experience spanning legal practice, corporate roles and policy advocacy in industry associations.
She began her career at the Supreme Court of India, practising for nearly five years, before moving into the corporate sector. Prior to joining AIDA, she spent over a decade with the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), where she joined in 2012 as Deputy Head. She played a key role in establishing ISMA’s bio-energy arm, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association, and later rose to Director, handling policy formulation, strategic initiatives and legal compliance. She also served as acting head of ISMA for three months during a leadership transition.
Earlier in her career, Balaji worked with The Times of India group as manager for legal for five years and later led the Contract Sourcing & Negotiation team at Microsoft, gaining international exposure in corporate governance and team management.
Vijendra Singh, President of AIDA, welcomed the appointment: “We are delighted to welcome Ms Bharati Balaji to AIDA’s leadership team. Her strong background in policy advocacy and regulatory affairs will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the ethanol, sugar, and potable alcohol sectors.”
Kushal Mittal, Vice President of AIDA, added that the appointment comes at a crucial time as the government focuses on energy security and biofuels. “AIDA remains committed to addressing the evolving landscape of the ethanol, sugar, and potable alcohol sectors, while deepening policy engagement and driving sustained industry growth,” he said.
AIDA is India’s apex body representing both grain-based and molasses-based ethanol manufacturers as well as potable alcohol producers. It works closely with stakeholders on ethanol blending, farmer welfare, energy security, sustainability and future fuel technologies.
From Supreme Court chambers to shaping policy in the sugar and bio-energy space, Bharati Balaji has distilled a formidable career and now she’s set to add real strength to India’s distillery ecosystem.
MAM
G-Shock launches GA-2100CM series with camouflage design
New sand and grey variants priced at Rs 10,995 each in India.
MUMBAI: Time just got a little more tactical and a lot more stylish. G-Shock has unveiled the GA-2100CM series, a fresh update to its popular GA-2100 line, bringing a camouflage twist to one of its most recognisable silhouettes. For the first time in the 2100 series, the watches feature G-Shock’s original camouflage pattern, subtly embedding the brand’s signature ‘G’ motif into the design. The move signals a shift towards more design-led storytelling, blending rugged functionality with fashion-forward detailing.
The new series introduces two colour variants sand (GA-2100CM-5A) and grey (GA-2100CM-8A) extending the model’s appeal across both streetwear and outdoor-inspired aesthetics. Built around the brand’s signature octagonal bezel and hybrid analogue-digital display, the watches retain a clean, modern look while adding layered visual depth.
Under the hood, the GA-2100CM continues to lean on performance. It features the Carbon Core Guard structure for durability, while maintaining a slim, lightweight profile suited for everyday wear. Functional elements include world time across 31 time zones, a 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, LED light and 200-metre water resistance.
In line with evolving material choices, select components use bio-based resin, pointing to a gradual shift towards more sustainable design without compromising on toughness.
Priced at Rs 10,995, the GA-2100CM series is available across Casio India stores and online platforms.
As watch brands continue to balance utility with identity, G-Shock’s latest drop makes its intent clear, durability may be the legacy, but design is the new frontier.
