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AB INBEV INDIA’S SMARTBARLEY PROGRAM EMPOWERS 2,000+ FARMERS AND PROCURES 14,000+ TONS OF BARLEY IN 2025

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AB INBEV INDIA’S SMARTBARLEY PROGRAM EMPOWERS 2,000+ FARMERS AND PROCURES 14,000+ TONS OF BARLEY IN 2025

~Celebrates the 5th edition of Barley Growers Day in Farrukhnagar, Haryana~

  • The SmartBarley program has achieved 100% performance across farmer skill development, digital connectivity, and financial empowerment metrics for three consecutive years
  • This initiative expanded from 1,000 farmers in 2016 to over 2,000 farmers in 2025, demonstrating the successful scaling of sustainable agriculture practices
  • Empowers farmers with new age technology, sustainable farming practices and more business opportunities
  • Procures 14,000+ tons of domestic barley in 2025, strengthening India’s position in malt-quality barley production

Farrukhnagar, February 19th, 2025 – AB InBev India, the leading beer and beverage company, marked the 5th Annual Barley Growers Day, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a resilient and prosperous farming community through its pioneering SmartBarley Program. With over 2,000 farmers engaged, the initiative has significantly enhanced barley cultivation across Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh—regions that collectively contribute more than 50% of India’s barley production. The event underscored AB InBev’s unwavering commitment to building thriving communities and resilient agricultural supply chains by empowering farmers with skills, connectivity, and financial stability.

The event showcased a comprehensive displays of crop management trials and innovative agricultural technologies, and success stories from more than 350 progressive farmers. Since its inaugural edition in Sirsa in 2016, which focused on upskilling and digital connectivity for 1,000 farmers, the program has evolved into a comprehensive agricultural transformation initiative.

A cornerstone of AB InBev’s global Smart Agriculture initiative, the SmartBarley program has been instrumental in driving sustainable practices and improving livelihoods in key barley-growing regions since 2009. The initiative has achieved remarkable success, delivering consistent yield improvements of 5-15% and maintaining an unprecedented 99% compliance rate with industry quality standards, demonstrating the power of combining traditional farming wisdom with modern agricultural innovation.

“The beer industry stands as a powerful catalyst for economic growth in India, uniquely positioned at the intersection of agriculture, manufacturing, and hospitality,” said Kartikeya Sharma, President, AB InBev India. “Our sector’s strength lies in its inherently local and natural character, creating value from farm to glass. The impact extends far beyond direct employment – from empowering thousands of farmers through sustainable agriculture to energising an extensive network of suppliers, retailers, and hospitality partners. Through our SmartBarley Program, we’re leveraging this multiplier effect at scale, transforming barley cultivation into a cornerstone of rural prosperity while building a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future for India.”

The SmartBarley Program has emerged as a transformative force in India’s agricultural landscape, introducing innovative solutions to modernize barley cultivation. At its core, the initiative takes a multi-faceted approach to agricultural advancement, combining cutting-edge research in crop development with hands-on farmer education. Through its ecosystem of experts, technological tools and financial resources, the initiative has created a sustainable framework that positions farmers at the forefront of modern, efficient barley cultivation while promoting environmental stewardship.

Building on this vision, Abhinav Bodas, Director – Procurement & Sustainability, AB InBev India, emphasised the program’s innovative approach, “The success of our SmartBarley Program lies in its holistic integration of technology, sustainability, and community empowerment. By achieving 100% performance across all metrics for three consecutive years, we’ve proven that when farmers are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and support, they become catalysts for transformative change. We are on our journey to creating a sustainable ecosystem where agricultural innovation drives both environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.”

Furthering its commitment to farmer welfare, AB InBev India is launching a groundbreaking vision care initiative for the barley farming community in Farrukhnagar, Haryana. This program addresses a critical yet often overlooked aspect of agricultural productivity – farmer vision health. Research has shown that clear vision can boost individual productivity by up to 32%, making it a crucial factor in agricultural efficiency. The comprehensive initiative will provide vision screenings to 400 barley farmers, along with the distribution of eyeglasses and specialized care referrals where needed. Beyond individual farmers, this program promises to create a ripple effect of positive change, as improved vision enables farmers to better support their families, contributing to both household well-being and community prosperity.

Looking ahead, AB InBev India plans to expand the program’s reach while maintaining its focus on sustainable practices and farmer empowerment. This expansion comes at a crucial time, as India’s barley sector shows strong potential for growth, with domestic demand expected to increase by 15% compared to 2015 levels. 

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When a Basin Becomes Architecture: Valueline Unveils Talea by Hatria

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ValueLine

New Delhi, May 2026: Valueline, a pioneer in premium home solutions since 2001, introduces the Talea basin collection by Hatria, bringing a distinctly sculptural approach to the wash space. Known for its precision-led manufacturing and refined surface finishes, Hatria continues to draw from advanced production technologies and a responsible approach to material use, ensuring both performance and longevity.

ValueLine

Water, in its quiet rhythm, shapes the way a space is used and understood. The basin, often approached as a utilitarian element, has the potential to hold far greater presence through form, proportion, and the way it engages with light and touch.

ValueLine
The Talea collection is shaped by an idea of continuity, of forms that evolve rather than repeat. Its design takes cues from the act of propagation, where something grows outward while remaining connected to its origin. This thinking is reflected in the basin’s profile, which opens gently from its base into a wider, expressive form. The structure feels grounded yet fluid, carrying a sense of movement without excess.

Valueline

There is a deliberate weight to the piece. The volume is solid, almost architectural, allowing it to hold its own within a space. At the same time, the contours remain soft enough to invite use, creating a balance between presence and comfort. Light travels easily across its surface, accentuating the precision of its finish and the clarity of its lines. Beyond form, the collection reflects Hatria’s focus on efficient production and sustainable processes, where material is used with care and waste is kept to a minimum. The result is a basin that is considered in both design and making.

Available at Valueline, Hatria’s Talea, wash basin moves beyond function, becoming a composed element within the interior defined by structure, material, and a quiet sense of intent.

About Valueline

Since 2001, Valueline has been at the forefront of enhancing the lifestyle, health, and wellness of its discerning clients with a portfolio of luxury products from renowned international brands known for refined design and supreme quality. With its expertise in curating world-class sanitaryware, bath fittings, wellness products, tiles, wooden flooring, aluminium windows and doors, Valueline has brought sophisticated elegance to India. Their exclusive product range has been integral to numerous iconic projects nationwide, reflecting their commitment to excellence and unmatched customer service. With the offer of a 24/7 customer care service, Valueline’s reputation as a trusted leader synonymous with innovation, reliability and impeccable  craftsmanship, complemented by their unique collection of international luxury products, has been well established.

Availability

Address: Second Floor, Khasra No. 356-357, Sultanpur Village, M.G Road, Tehsil Mehrauli, New Delhi-110030

craftsmanship, complemented by their unique collection of international luxury products, has
been well established.
Availability
Address: Second Floor, Khasra No. 356-357, Sultanpur Village, M.G Road, Tehsil Mehrauli,
New Delhi-110030

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“Continuum” Brings Art Into Living Spaces Through an Immersive Showcase

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Continuum art exhibition at The Art Hub Gallery Gurgaon featuring immersive installations and artworks displayed across living spaces including rooms, hallways, and outdoor areas.

Continuum, an immersive art exhibition curated by Gauri Minocha, successfully previewed on 11 April 2026 at The Art Hub Gallery, Gurgaon. The exhibition runs from 12 April to 1 May 2026 and marks a new chapter, inviting audiences to experience art in a thoughtfully designed domestic setting that encourages a more personal, lived engagement.

Unfolding across rooms, hallways, stairways, terraces, and lawns, each space becomes an active site of interaction. This fluid spatial narrative mirrors the rhythms of everyday life—encouraging moments of rest, reflection, transition, and conversation, while allowing viewers to encounter art in an intimate and immersive manner.

Bringing together nearly 100 artworks, Continuum presents a carefully curated selection of South Asian artists across generations, ranging from modern masters to contemporary practitioners. Moving away from a linear curatorial framework, the exhibition creates intergenerational dialogues, placing works in conversation across time, mediums, and artistic approaches. These juxtapositions generate meaningful intersections between tradition and experimentation, memory and immediacy.

The exhibition features a diverse and expansive roster of artists including Avijit Roy, Badri Narayan, Bazil Habib, Deepak Kaushlya, Dharmanarayan Dasgupta, Francis Newton Souza, Ganesh Haloi, Hadia Hassan, Haneen Almoosawi, Jamini Roy, Jogen Chowdhury, Kanchan Chander, Kumari Nahappan, Lalu Prasad Shaw, Madhuri Bhaduri, Pallav Chander, Prakash Karmakar, Rabin Mondal, Ram Kumar, Ramkinkar Baij, Sanjay Kumar, Shakil Solanki, Simran KS Lamba, Somnath Hore, Sonaly Gandhi, Suhas Roy, Susanta Das, Tahira Noreen, The Art Hub Designs, Thilini Jinadasa, and Vivan Sundaram, among others—spanning generations, geographies, and artistic disciplines.

By situating artworks within lived interiors as well as open-air settings, Continuum dissolves boundaries between art and everyday life, as well as between interior and exterior, and private and public spaces. The exhibition encourages a slower, more contemplative mode of viewing—where art is experienced not in isolation, but as part of a continuous, evolving environment.

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From Social Stigma to Olympic Glory: Dreamers Chronicles Sakshi Malik’s Fight to Redefine Wrestling for Girls

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Dreamers-The Storytelling Series, helmed by celebrated storyteller Sudhanshu Rai, returns with a powerful third episode that chronicles the extraordinary journey of India’s wrestling icon, Sakshi Malik, a story of belief, defiance, setbacks, and historic triumph.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LewXq-HEGMA%3Fsi%3D_GqGcsdG6j4iD73O

In this deeply moving episode, Sudhanshu Rai brings to life Sakshi Malik’s early childhood, highlighting how her grandparents were the first to recognize her exceptional talent. Long before medals and podiums, it was their unwavering faith that nurtured a fearless young girl who dared to step onto the wrestling mat, often against boys, and stunned onlookers with her strength and skill at a time when many believed wrestling was “not a sport for women.”

The episode vividly captures the social barriers Sakshi confronted as she challenged entrenched stereotypes and proved, bout after bout, that wrestling belonged to women as much as men. Her journey didn’t just redefine perceptions, it paved the way for countless young girls who dreamed of a career in wrestling but hesitated under the weight of societal expectations. Sakshi Malik became a symbol of possibility, courage, and change.

The narrative then turns to her historic achievement as the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal, a moment that reshaped Indian sports history and inspired a generation. Yet, Dreamers does not shy away from the harder chapters. Rai sensitively explores Sakshi’s period of struggle, when losses, even to her juniors, tested her resolve and threatened to dim her fighting spirit.

What follows is a stirring account of resilience and comeback. Rising from adversity, Sakshi Malik reclaimed her place at the top with a gold medal victory at the Commonwealth Games 2022, reaffirming her legacy not just as a champion, but as a relentless fighter who refused to give up.

Speaking about the episode, Sudhanshu Rai said, “Sakshi Malik’s story is not just about medals, it’s about mindset. It’s about family belief, social change, failure, and the courage to rise again. Dreamers exists to tell such stories that remind us why dreams matter.”

The new episode of Dreamers: The Storytelling Series stands as a tribute to every young girl who dares to dream beyond limitations, and to a champion who showed them the way.

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