Brands
Castrol India rolls out mobile classrooms for truckers in Uttar Pradesh
MUMBAI: Castrol India has launched mobile classrooms for truck drivers in Uttar Pradesh, taking training on wheels to highways and halt points under its Sarathi Mitra initiative.
Branded ‘highways as classroom’, the programme deploys a specially designed truck that will travel to 46 locations in the state in its first phase, offering bite-sized lessons in road safety, health, financial planning and digital literacy.
The move targets a workforce critical to India’s supply chain but often exposed to accidents, poor health outcomes and limited access to formal education. By meeting drivers where they work, Castrol aims to nudge safer driving habits, improve wellbeing and strengthen household finances.
The company is also extending the programme online through Digital Sarathi Mitra, a platform providing round-the-clock access to learning modules and practical information.
“Truck drivers are the backbone of our logistics ecosystem,” said Castrol India managing director Kedar Lele. “These initiatives are about helping them drive safe and live safe, while making learning inclusive and sustainable.”
Launched in 2017, Sarathi Mitra has trained more than 2.5 lakh truckers nationwide. Castrol said the expansion underlines its push beyond lubricants, investing in human capital to support safer roads and more resilient families.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
