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India’s Millennials Say That Tradition Helps Build Connections
New Delhi: Mars Wrigley conducted a survey to understand India’s affinity for all things desi and traditional. The survey reached over 1.5 Million people across New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and focused on decoding what desi elements top India’s list when it comes to making new connections – whether it is chai and chaat with family or even naach gaana at shaadis.
Conducted amongst millennials across the three cities, the results of the survey revealed an interesting fact that over 65% millennials feel that dinner time is when the family bonds the most. In fact, almost 50% of the respondents then went on to say that sharing a post dinner paan with family accounts for some of their fondest memories while growing up and that it was the one thing that built connections with both the old and young within a family. Majority of respondents also said that they would like to experience the traditional paan with a modern twist, with almost half choosing mint as their choice of format.
These insights are in line with the launch of DOUBLEMINT® Paanmint which is the first product by Mars Wrigley developed exclusively for the Indian Market. Inspired by the local favorite Paan, Doublemint captures the spirit of Bringing Together Old and New, through a unique twist. The product offers a tremendous burst of flavour and freshness – thus underlying DOUBLEMINT®’s promise of freshness.
DOUBLEMINT® Paanmint is available across traditional trade outlets for INR 10.
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Maharashtra revokes Ola, Uber, Rapido bike taxi licences
Temporary e-bike taxi permits cancelled as firms fail to meet state rules
MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s roads are set to see fewer zipping two-wheelers after the state government pulled the plug on provisional licences granted to bike taxi giants Ola, Uber and Rapido. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced in the Legislative Council on Monday that temporary permissions would be revoked.
“These companies were given permission for just a month and were required to submit certain documents. Since they have not complied, their temporary licences are cancelled. This is to ensure illegal bikes do not operate on our roads,” Sarnaik said.
The move follows the Maharashtra E Bike Taxi Rules 2024, designed to generate employment for local youth and offer commuters a cheaper, greener ride option. The rules, approved in August 2024, allow electric bike taxis in cities with over one lakh residents.
Under the policy, only electric vehicles can ply as taxis, and operators had 30 days to fulfil licensing and compliance requirements. Yet, officials claim many continued operations without meeting these conditions. Sarnaik added that a large number of bike taxis currently running in Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region are illegal.
In a firm enforcement twist, the government has instructed authorities to focus on vehicle owners rather than riders when registering cases. Safety concerns, particularly for women passengers, and accident complaints have also been flagged by the transport department.
Since April 2024, Regional Transport Offices have taken action against 130 non-compliant bike taxis, collecting fines exceeding Rs 33 lakh. Authorities say further measures will follow to ensure services adhere to regulations before returning to city streets.
Maharashtra’s bike taxi saga has been a rollercoaster. Initially banned in January 2023 due to concerns over private vehicles ferrying passengers, the sector was later formalised through an electric bike framework in 2024. Provisional licences were granted in 2025, but the government now warns that any bike taxi operating on city roads without proper permits will be considered illegal.
Adding to the transport shake-up, the government has also halted the issuance of new auto rickshaw permits from March 9 to ease urban traffic pressures and safeguard livelihoods of existing drivers. A fresh standard operating procedure for future permits is set to go before the state cabinet soon.
Maharashtra commuters may have to find alternative rides as the state reins in its two-wheeled taxi revolution, leaving app-based bikers in a legal limbo.
