Brands
Eveready celebrates the international week of deaf people
Mumbai – Eveready Industries India Ltd., a leading name in the Indian battery and flashlight market, marked the International Week of Deaf People through a first-of-a-kind initiative at the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) in Mumbai. This apex institute, operating under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, is dedicated to providing comprehensive services for individuals with speech and hearing impairments.
The event, titled “Surakshit Kanya: Sashakt Kanya”, aimed to raise awareness of the critical issues faced by deaf women and creating safety measures for deaf women. Eveready actively engaged with approximately 50 attendees, including deaf students, parents, teachers, and staff from over ten schools across the city, focusing on safety for deaf adults, particularly women aged 16 and above.
The session for deaf adults was coordinated by Dr. Gayatri Ahuja, Head of Department, Department of Education at AYJNISHD. With a key focus on women’s safety, the session included a demonstration of Eveready’s Siren Torch for personal safety. Additionally, Mr. Alok Kejriwal and Ms. Pooja Barot from India Signing Hands, were present to address the audience and share their experiences.
Eveready Industries India Ltd General Manager – Flashlights & NPDs Insiyah Chawala stated, “At Eveready, we believe in the power of innovation to make a positive impact on society. Our participation in the International Week of Deaf People reflects our commitment to societal inclusivity and safety for all. The Siren Torch is more than just a product; it’s a means of empowerment, allowing individuals to signal for help in distressing situations, regardless of their ability to vocalise.”
The session aligned with this year’s theme—”Sign Up for Sign Language Rights”—showcasing Eveready’s Siren Torch as a must have essential for individuals facing potentially hostile situations. The torch’s powerful 100 dBA alarm and flashing capabilities can help draw attention in emergencies. After the session, Eveready distributed Siren Torches to attendees as a thoughtful gesture to celebrate the event’s success and honour the attendees’ high spirits.
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities director Suman Kumar commented, “We are pleased to collaborate with Eveready on this important initiative. This session not only equips our students with valuable safety knowledge but also reinforces the message that everyone has the right to feel secure and empowered, regardless of their disability.”
Brands
Reliance Retail acquires Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s haircare brand Anomaly
India’s biggest retailer bets on clean, vegan haircare as it muscles into the country’s fast-growing beauty market
MUMBAI: Reliance Retail has acquired Anomaly, the global haircare brand founded by actor and entrepreneur Priyanka Chopra Jonas, in a move that hands India’s largest retailer full ownership of one of the more internationally recognised homegrown beauty labels. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The deal covers Anomaly’s trademarks, brand assets and digital properties, giving Reliance Retail complete ownership of the brand’s intellectual property and digital ecosystem. Chopra Jonas, who launched Anomaly in 2021, will stay on as creative director, overseeing innovation, product development and brand vision.
Built on a clean, vegan and high-performance positioning at accessible price points, Anomaly has established an international presence across multiple global markets since its launch. Reliance Retail now plans to scale the brand aggressively through its expansive offline retail network and omnichannel platforms, including Tira, its beauty retail arm. India will be a priority market, with a focus on developing products tailored to Indian hair and scalp needs. The company also has its eye on North America, the United Kingdom and the Middle East.
Isha Ambani, who oversees Reliance Retail’s consumer businesses, was forthright about the strategic logic. “Bringing Anomaly into our portfolio marks a strategic step in expanding our basket of new-age, high-growth beauty brands,” she said. “Anomaly’s strong global positioning, clean formulation philosophy, and accessible pricing make it a compelling addition to our ecosystem.” She added that Reliance saw “immense potential in collaborating with Priyanka to scale the brand in India by leveraging our omnichannel capabilities and deep consumer insights, while continuing to grow its international presence.”
Chopra Jonas framed the acquisition as a milestone rather than an exit. “This is a defining moment for Anomaly,” she said. “What began as a deeply personal journey has grown into a brand with real purpose and global ambition, and Reliance Retail’s acquisition marks an exciting new chapter.” She added that Reliance’s “scale, retail expertise, and commitment to innovation will allow us to bring Anomaly to far more consumers in India and around the world.”
The acquisition slots neatly into Reliance Retail’s broader push into premium and digital-first consumer brands across fashion, beauty and personal care. In a beauty market growing at pace and increasingly receptive to clean, ingredient-conscious formulations, Anomaly gives Reliance a brand with genuine international credibility and a founder whose global profile does the marketing almost by itself. For Chopra Jonas, it means her haircare label gets the retail muscle of India’s most powerful consumer conglomerate behind it. Not a bad chapter two.
