The event brought together industry leaders, innovators and marketing experts to discuss strategies for positioning Indian brands on the global stage.

Keynote address

Mr. Ganesh Mani S, President and COO of Ashok Leyland delivered the keynote address.

Drawing from his three decades of expertise in manufacturing, strategy, and innovation, Mr. Mani emphasized the need for creating brands that evoke emotional and aspirational value.

India’s journey to global prominence hinges on consistent innovation, leveraging digital transformation, and designing customer-centric solutions, said Mr. Mani speaking at the event at Great Lakes Institute of Management.

He highlighted the nation’s unique geopolitical and cultural strengths as key drivers for achieving leadership in quality, sustainability and technological advancement.

Drawing inspiration from India’s achievements in space exploration and diplomacy, he urged the audience to embrace collaboration and resilience to propel India toward global recognition.

• Crafting Iconic Indian Brands: The Power of Advertising, which included industry leaders such as Ramya Ramachandran (Founder, Whoppl) and Kiran Bhat (MD, Xebec).

• Homegrown Champions: Competing with Global Brands in India by Blending Tradition with Modernity, featuring experts like Tanay Chothani (CEO, Travel XP) and Dipinder Bedi (Jimmy’s Beverages).

Highlight

A highlight of the event was the RapteeHV x Great Lakes Chase the Case Competition, which challenged students to position RapteeHV’s T30 Electric Motorcycle as a futuristic alternative to ICE motorcycles.

This was held in partnership with Raptee, a cutting-edge electric motorcycle manufacturer, the competition featured real-world problem-solving and high-stakes presentations, say sources from Great Lakes Institute of Management.

Finalist teams presented their innovative solutions to company executives and a distinguished panel of judges during the conclave, showcasing their creativity and strategic thinking, say sources from Great Lakes Institute of Management.

Branding and marketing

Dean of Great Lakes Institute of Management Suresh Ramanathan said the Brand Conclave 2024 has brought together some of the brightest minds in branding and marketing to discuss how Indian brands can lead on the global stage.

This dialogue is crucial as we look to redefine what it means to craft brands that resonate universally while staying true to their roots, he said.

Focus

The Brand Conclave 2024 reaffirmed Great Lakes Institute of Management‘s strong focus on preparing students for success by connecting them with new-age brands and thought leaders.

This initiative is part of the institute’s broader commitment to delivering cutting-edge, industry-relevant education.

Known for its innovative curriculum and strong industry connections, Great Lakes offers a range of management programs, including the pioneering one-year MBA, designed to develop socially responsible and business-ready leaders.

With over 13,000 alumni in more than 33 countries, the institute is committed to fostering a global mindset and excellence in management education.

Great Lakes 32 acre green campus in Chennai was the first campus in South Asia to be given the LEED Platinum rating.

It is also recognized among the most beautiful educational campuses in the country. Set on the scenic ECR road which runs from Chennai to Pondicherry and just 9 kms from UNESCO heritage site Mahabalipuram, the LEED Platinum rated – green campus provides a serene and tranquil environment with ideal setting for pursuing extremely rigorous and intellectually challenging programs.

The facilities on campus include a state of the art gym, a library that caters to the needs of every reader, be it fiction or business, a football field, a basketball court and an auditorium that provides the perfect backdrop for every occasion or performance.

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Designed to monitor the freshness of seafood in real-time by responding to pH changes, the film offers a practical solution for improving food safety and reducing waste.

This film detects the release of volatile amines, compounds typically associated with spoilage, and indicates food quality through visible color changes, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

These natural components make the film biodegradable, safe, and responsive, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a non-invasive way to assess seafood freshness.

Findings

The findings of this research have been published in the journal Food Packaging and Shelf Life in a paper co-authored by Prof. Preetam Sarkar (as the lead corresponding author), along with his research scholars, Mr. Rahul Thakur, Miss Harshi Singhi, Mr. Vedsagar Rajesh Suryavanshi, and Dr. Ravichandran Santhosh.

Other co-authors in this work include Dr. Khalid Gul from NIT Rourkela, Dr. Swarup Roy from Lovely Professional University, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy from South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA and Dr. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from IIT Roorkee.

Fishing

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing approximately 8% of global fish production, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

It also holds the distinction of being the top five producer of shrimp globally, with frozen shrimp being the top export commodity.

Given the scale and importance of seafood production, innovations that ensure freshness and reduce spoilage are of immense value, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

In this context, intelligent packaging systems, which preserve food while monitoring its quality, are rapidly gaining global interest.

Unlike conventional packaging that serves merely as a protective barrier, the intelligent packaging film developed by NIT Rourkela team offers visual cues about the product’s condition, making it a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

The beetroot peel extract was prepared separately, and then combined with the starch, gum tragacanth, and a small amount of glycerol to cast the films.

These were dried and tested for their pH-sensitivity and effectiveness in monitoring seafood freshness, said Prof Preetam of NIT Rourkela.

Pigments

Beetroot peels contain betalains, a group of pigments known for their bright colours and pH sensitivity, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

These pigments also offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making them suitable for food-related applications.

Incorporating these natural compounds into the starch-based film creates a biodegradable, safe, and responsive packaging material.

When the seafood begins to spoil and pH levels rise, the film changes colour, providing a clear visual indicator of freshness.

Starch

The choice of Kodo millet starch and gum tragacanth contributes to the film’s biodegradable and eco-friendly profile.

Kodo millet is an underutilised grain with excellent film-forming properties, while gum tragacanth enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material.

The researchers believe that using such agricultural by-products not only supports sustainability but also adds value to food processing waste, such as beetroot peels.

At the laboratory scale, the cost of producing the film was estimated approximately Rs. 900 per kilogram.

When scaled up for industrial production, the cost is projected to range between Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 per kilogram, making it a potentially viable option for commercial use.

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