ASHRAE Recognizes Outstanding Member Achievements at Annual Conference

ASHRAE Recognizes Outstanding Member Achievements at Annual Conference

Honors and Awards recipients recognized for outstanding leadership, service and contributions to the HVAC&R industry

ATLANTA (June 28, 2026) – ASHRAE recognized outstanding member achievements during its 2026 Annual Conference in Austin, Texas, honoring individuals whose leadership, service and technical excellence have advanced the Society and the built environment. Through the ASHRAE Honors and Awards program, recipients were recognized for their contributions to innovation, sustainability, research, education and the continued advancement of HVAC&R and building sciences.

“ASHRAE’s strength is built on the expertise, dedication and leadership of its members,” said 2025–26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “This year’s Honors and Awards recipients have made meaningful contributions to our Society, our industry and the communities we serve. Their achievements exemplify ASHRAE’s commitment to advancing the built environment and creating a more sustainable future.”

ASHRAE Recognizes Outstanding Member Achievements at Annual Conference

A list of the awards and recipients are below:

Dan Mills Chapter Programs Award
Alvin Lo received the Dan Mills Chapter Programs Award, which recognizes excellence in chapter program endeavors. Lo is a Director, Decarbonisation Business at CLPe, Hong Kong, China.

Donald Bahnfleth Environmental Health Award
Iain Walker received the Donald Bahnfleth Environmental Health Award, which recognizes excellence in volunteer service focused on environmental health issues. Walker is a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif.

George B. Hightower Technical Achievement Award
Pratik Deokar received the George B. Hightower Technical Achievement Award, which recognizes excellence in volunteer service in the area of Technical Committee, Technical Group and Technical Research Group activities. Deokar is a Research Engineer at Rheem Manufacturing Company, Lewisville, Texas.

Government Affairs Award
Eid Mohamed Abdelmoneim received the Government Affairs Award. The award recognizes individuals for outstanding effort and achievement in state, provincial and local government activities in connection with technical issues related to the Society. Abdelmoneim is Senior Mechanical Engineer – Design Department at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Lincoln Bouillon Award 
Kwaku Asiedu Boateng received the Lincoln Bouillon Award, which recognizes a member who performs the most outstanding work in increasing membership. The award commemorates Presidential Member Bouillon’s efforts in recruiting new members. Boateng is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Atlantic Climate Control Limited, Accra, Ghana.

Ralph G. Nevins Physiology & Human Environment Award
Federico Tartarini and Meng Kong, Ph.D. received the Ralph G. Nevins Physiology & Human Environment Award, which recognizes significant accomplishment in the study of human response to the environment. Tartarini is an Assistant Professor at The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Kong is a Principal Engineer at GTI Energy, Des Plaines, Ill.

Residential Buildings Service Award
Philip Fairey received the Residential Buildings Service Award, which recognizes excellence in volunteer service focused on Residential Building issues. It serves to heighten general membership awareness of, and interest in, Residential Building activities. Fairey is a Principal at Building Consultants Group, LLC., Merritt Island, Fla.

Standards Achievement Award
Steven Emmerich received the Standards Achievement Award, which recognizes excellence in volunteer service for developing ASHRAE standards and guidelines. Emmerich is a Group Leader at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md.

William J. Collins, Jr. RP Award
Kevin Clannon received the William J. Collins Jr., RP Award. The award, named in honor of Presidential Member Collins, recognizes a chapter RP chair who excels in raising funds for ASHRAE’s RP campaign. Clannon is a Senior Applied Sales Specialized Equipment professional at The Master Group Inc., Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada.

YEA Award of Individual Excellence
Tina Abbasi, Mohamed Faizal and Abraham N.O. OKOKO received the YEA Award of Individual Excellence, which recognizes YEA members for superior efforts during the preceding Society year in the promotion and success of YEA and its programs. Abbasi is Director of Operations at Zapas, Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada. Faizal is an IAQ Consultant at Intercool, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. OKOKO is a Sales & Supports Engineer at AHI-Carrier, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

ASHRAE Journal Paper Award
David Traxler received the Journal Paper Award for the best article published in the previous volume year of the ASHRAE Journal. Traxler is an Associate Mechanical Engineer, Burns & McDonnell, Baltimore, Md.

Science and Technology for the Built Environment Best Paper Award
Shahzad Yousaf, Craig R. Bradshaw, Rushikesh Kamalapurkar and Omer San received the Science and Technology for the Built Environment Best Paper Award for “Development and performance evaluation of empirical models compatible with building energy modeling engines for unitary equipment.” The award is for the best paper published in the volume year of the Science and Technology for the Built Environment, the ASHRAE research journal.

Yousaf is a Research Assistant at The University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Champaign, Ill. Bradshaw is an Associate Professor and Executive Director of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Center (ACRC) at The University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Ill. Kamalapurkar is an Associate Professor at The University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

Crosby Field Award
Lukasz Sztaberek, Christopher Koenigsmann, Ken Haesslein, Arham Jamshaid, Jack Loughney and David Chacon, Jr. received the Crosby Field Award for “Understanding PCO Air Purification Systems” which was judged to be the best paper presented before the Society. The Crosby Field Award is named for a former Presidential Member.

Sztaberek is an Associate Professor at NYC College of Technology, Brooklyn, N.Y. Koenigsmann is an Associate Professor at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. Haesslein is a Research Assistant, Fordham University, Bronx, NY. Jamshaid is at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. Loughney is a Research Assistant at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y.

Willis H. Carrier Award
S. Kia. Mossalaei received the Willis H. Carrier Award given to a member 32 years of age or younger for presenting an outstanding paper at a Society conference. The award was presented for “Laboratory Evaluation of Control Verification Procedures for Certification of Variable-Speed Heat Pump Behavior.” Mossalaei is a Research Assistant at Herrick Laboratories, West Lafayette, Ind.

ASHRAE Best Paper Award
The following papers received a Best Paper Award, which recognizes the authors of the best papers presented at Society conferences during the previous year:

  • Philip Boudreaux, Ph.D., Stephen Killough, Rui Zhang, Gurneesh Jatana and Diana Hun received an award for “Development of Novel Techniques for Non-Invasive Air Leakage and Moisture Detection in Building Envelopes.” Boudreaux is on the R&D Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn. Zhang is an R&E Engineer at GTI Energy, Des Plaines, Ill. Hun is a Section Head at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
  • Habib Arjmand Mazidi, Sajith Indika Wijesuriya, Ph.D., Ravi Anant Kishorem, Ph.D. and Chuck Booten, Ph.D. received an award for “Retrofit Solutions to Improve the Energy Performance of Existing Operational U.S Administrative Buildings.” Mazidi is an Assistant Professor at Milwaukee School of Engineering University, Milwaukee, Wis. Wijesuriya is at National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, Colo. Kishorem is a Senior Research Engineer at National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, Colo.
  • Amy Allen, Ph.D., Jing Wang, Shadi M. Abdel Haleem, Matt Mitchell, Nicholas Long, Gregor P. Henze, Ph.D., P.E. and Jay Tulley received an award for “From Theory to Practice: Feasibility Study of a Thermal Microgrid at a US DoD Installation.” Allen and Wang are Research Engineers at The National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, Colo. Haleem is an Adjunct Professor at Washington State University, Pullman, Wash. Long is a Senior Researcher at National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, Colo. Henze is an Endowed Professor at The University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colo. Tulley is a Research Engineer at USACE Construction Engineering Research Lab, Champaign, Ill.
  • Hye-Jin Cho, Seong-Yong Cheon and Jae-Weon Jeong, Ph.D. received an award for “Experimental Investigation of Vacuum-Based Membrane Dehumidification and Evaporative Cooling-Assisted Dedicated Outdoor Air System.” Cho is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea. Cheon is a Research Assistant Professor at Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea. Jeong is a Professor of Architectural Engineering at Hanyang University, South Korea.

Poster Presentation Award
The Poster Presentation Award recognizes the authors of the best poster session paper presented at a Society conference during the previous year.

  • Marie-Pier Trépanier and Louis Gosselin received an award for “When Variability on Climate and Occupants Meet – How Climate Change Can Affect Different Occupants in Their House?” Trépanier is a Ph.D. Candidate at Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
  • Farouq Issam Riziq, Mingzhe Liu, Wei-An Chen, Zheng O’Neill, Ph.D., P.E. and Mario A. Medina, Ph.D., P.E. received an award for “Design and Operation of PCM-Embedded Radiant Cooling Systems for Enhanced Energy Flexibility.” Riziq is a Student at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Liu and Chen are Instructional Assistant Professors at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. O’Neill is a Professor at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Medina is Director of Architectural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

 Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award salutes members of any grade who have served the Society faithfully and with distinction and who have given freely of their time and talent in chapter, regional and Society activities. The following members were recognized:

  • Aleksandar Anđelković is a Professor of Faculty of Technical Sciences at The University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
  • Don Bailey, Dunnellon, Fla.
  • Charles Bertuch, P.E., LEED AP is a Project Manager at Colliers Engineering and Design, Syracuse, N.Y.
  • Marcus V A Bianchi is Owner of Marcus V A Bianchi, Littleton, Colo.
  • Carrie Brown, Ph.D. is a Director at Resource Refocus LLC, Piedmont, Calif.
  • Yan Chen, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Engineer & Team Lead at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash.
  • Bob Coleman is a Lead Engineer at Trane Technologies, Lexington, Ky.
  • Kimberly Cowman, HFDP is Director of Engineering at LEO A DALY, Omaha, Neb.
  • Charles Cromer, Cocoa Beach, Fla.
  • Mahroo Eftekhari, C.Eng., CDPhil, Fellow ASHRAE, SFHEA is a Professor and Course Director MSc in Net Zero Building Services Engineering at Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
  • Charles Eley is a Retired Architect & Engineer, San Francisco, Calif.
  • Niss Feiner, CHD is Principal Mechanical Designer at Delta-T Designs Inc., Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada.
  • Stan Gatland is the Manager of Building Science and Comfort at Saint-Gobain North America, Malvern, Pa.
  • Reid Hart, P.E. is Chief Engineer at BirchGrove Hearth, LLC, Eugene, Ore.
  • Kyle Hasenkox is a Principal at Rocky Point Engineering Ltd., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Heric Holmes, P.Eng. is Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering at Bird Construction, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Joshua Hughes, P.E. is an R&D Engineer at The Chemours Company, Wilmington, Del.
  • Elizabeth Jedrlinic is a Sales Manager at Trane, New York, N.Y.
  • Manfred Kehrer is a Senior Associate at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., Northbrook, Ill.
  • Elise Kiland, P.E. is Founding Building Engineer at Cambio, San Francisco, Calif.
  • Bruce B. Lindsay, P.E., CDP is a Principal at Lindsay & Associates, Melbourne, Fla.
  • Carol Lomonaco is a Senior Product Manager at Vista Lake Consultants, LLC, Wauwatosa, Wis.
  • Nicholas Long is a Senior Researcher at National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, Colo.
  • Genevieve Lussier is President at Eequinox, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
  • Eduardo Maldonado, Life Member ASHRAE is a Professor at Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
  • Andrew Manos is a Mechanical Engineer at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, N.Y.
  • Meghan K. McNulty, P.E., is a Building Systems Engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash.
  • Kevin B. Mercer, P.E. is a Sr. Principal Engineer at Rheem Manufacturing Co, Fort Smith, Ark.
  • Gwelen Paliaga is a Senior Director at TRC, Oakland, Calif.
  • Scott Peach, P.E. is President at SP Engineering, Inc., Mobile, Ala.
  • Les Pereira is Retired, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Tulia I. Rios is an Applications Engineer at Stan Weaver, Miami, Fla.
  • Michelle Shadpour is an Executive Project Manager at SC Engineers, San Diego, Calif.
  • Carey Simonson is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • Bill Simpson is a Sales Engineer at Harrison Energy Partners, Little Rock, Ark.
  • Jeff Stein, P.E. is a Principal at Taylor Engineers, Alameda, Calif.
  • Elia Sterling is at Theodor Sterling Associates LTD, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Fitsum Tariku is a Professor at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Rick Vowels, P.E. is Retired, Louisville, Ky.
  • Bruce A. Wilcox, P.E. is President at Bruce A. Wilcox, P.E. Inc., Berkeley, Calif.
  • Jason Woods is a Sr. Research Engineer at National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, Colo.

Exceptional Service Award 
The Exceptional Service Award recognizes Distinguished Service Award recipients who have continued to serve faithfully and with exemplary effort. The following members were recognized:

  • Robert Bean, RET, PL(Eng) is a Retired Practitioner, Lake Chestermere, Alberta, Canada.
  • Robin Bryant is a Senior Project Manager at B&I Contractors, Inc., Fort Myers, Fla.
  • Susanna Hanson is a Principal Engineer at Solstice Advanced Materials, Morris Plains, N.J.
  • Isabelle Lavoie is General Manager at Johnson Controls, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
  • Corey Metzger is a Principal at Resource Consulting Engineers, Omaha, Neb.
  • Ahmed Alaa El Din Mohamed, Ph.D. is Chairman at Portec Link General Trading LLC, Green Vision Contracting, and Cool Pro, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Carey Simonson is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • Iain Walker is a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif.
  • David A. Yashar, Ph.D. is Deputy Director of the Standards Coordination Office, The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md.
  • Douglas Zentz is an Emeritus Professor at Ferris State University, Elkhart, Ind.

Distinguished 50-Year Member Award
The Distinguished 50-Year Member Award is given to individuals who have been a member for a minimum of 50 years, and are either a past Society president, Fellow ASHRAE or Distinguished Service Award recipient or who have performed outstanding service to ASHRAE or its predecessor societies – the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE), the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE), and the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE).

  • Mark Allen is President at A.J. Allen Mechanical Contractors, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Erv Bales, Summit, N.J.
  • Albert Black, III, Creve Coeur, Mo.
  • Robert Cappelletti, Lansing, Mich.
  • Dale Carter, ComoxBritish Columbia, Canada.
  • Julian de Bullet, Gainesville, Va.
  • Michael N. Hart is Chairman of the Board at EEA Consulting Engineers, Austin, Texas.
  • Donald C. (Don) Herrmann, BEAP is Owner at Building Resources LLC, Hudson, Fla.
  • David E. Knebel, P.E. is a Consultant, Tulsa, Okla.
  • Reza Mashayekhi is President at Mashatyekhi Consultants, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla.
  • Frank Mills is Owner of Frank Mills Consulting, England
    Awarded posthumously to Garry Neil Myers, Retired, Allendale, N.J.
  • Thomas Reinarts, Rio Verde, Ariz.
  • Richard Rooley, FREng, with Rooley Consultants in Stoke Poges, England.
  • Ronald Shelton, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
  • Phil Trafton is Principal Advisor at Coffman Engineers, Woodland Hills, Calif.
  • Saul V. Villanueva, P.E. is President at Mechanical Applications Consultants, Inc., San Jose, Calif.
  • Timothy G. Wentz, HBDP is an Emeritus Professor at The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.

Distinguished 75-Year Member Award
The Distinguished 75-Year Member Awards is given to individuals who have been ASHRAE members for a minimum of 75 years.

  • Joseph S. Lea, P.E. is Retired, Jamaica, N.Y.

 Andrew T. Boggs Service Award

Larry J. Fisher received the Andrew T. Boggs Service Award. The award, named after ASHRAE’s executive vice president emeritus, recognizes an Exceptional Service Award recipient for continuing unselfish, dedicated and distinguished service. Fisher is Founder of ECT Service, Louisville, Ky.

Eunice Foote Decarbonization Award

Luke Leung, P.E., P.Eng, BEMP received the Eunice Foote Decarbonization Award, which recognizes a member who works to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment. Leung is a Principal at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Chicago, Ill.

 Louise & Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award

Costas Balaras received the Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award. This annual award is given to an ASHRAE Fellow for continuous preeminence in engineering or research work. The honor was initiated in 1979 by Presidential Member Bill Holladay. Balaras is the Research Director for the Institute for Environmental Research & Sustainable Development at The National Observatory of Athens, Greece.

India storm into quarterfinals of Badminton Asia Junior Team Championships after win over Kazakhstan

June 2026: India have secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Junior Team Championships following a comprehensive victory over Kazakhstan in their group-stage encounter.

The Indian junior squad displayed strong control throughout the tie, delivering consistent performances in both singles and doubles matches. The players maintained pressure from the start, converting key points and minimizing errors to ensure a comfortable win.

The result confirms India’s qualification for the knockout stage, keeping their campaign firmly on track in the continental tournament. The team’s depth was evident, with multiple players contributing to the overall victory rather than relying on individual performances.

Coaching staff praised the squad’s discipline, tactical awareness, and growing confidence on the international stage. They highlighted that the focus now shifts to preparing for the quarterfinal clash, where the competition is expected to be significantly tougher.

The win adds momentum to India’s junior badminton programme, which continues to produce promising talent and strengthen its presence in Asia’s competitive badminton landscape.

Amit Shah launches ‘Bharat Taxi’ cooperative ride-hailing service in Gujarat

Gujarat, June 27: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today launched ‘Bharat Taxi’ in Gujarat, marking a major step in expanding India’s cooperative-based ride-hailing initiative.

The service is designed as a driver-owned cooperative platform, aiming to provide an alternative to private ride-hailing companies by ensuring better earnings, transparency, and ownership for drivers.

Officials said Bharat Taxi will operate on a cooperative digital model, where drivers are stakeholders in the system rather than just service providers. The initiative is expected to improve income stability for drivers while offering affordable and reliable transport services to passengers.

The launch in Gujarat is part of a broader plan to scale up the cooperative mobility model across India, supporting self-reliance in the transport sector and reducing dependence on private aggregators.

The government stated that Bharat Taxi will also promote digital integration, cashless payments, and improved service accountability, contributing to a more inclusive urban mobility ecosystem.

Piyush Goyal Lauds Women’s Team, Wishes Success in T20 World Cup

London / New Delhi, June 27: Union Minister Piyush Goyal, currently on a visit to the United Kingdom, praised the Indian Women’s Cricket Team during a welcome reception and extended his best wishes for their ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign.

Piyush Goyal Lauds Women’s Team, Wishes Success in T20 World Cup

Pic Credit: https://x.com/PiyushGoyal 

Calling the team the “Women in Blue,” the Minister said they continue to inspire millions across the country through their determination, resilience, and performance on the global stage. He appreciated their efforts and encouraged them to continue making the nation proud.

Goyal wished the team success in the remaining matches of the tournament and expressed confidence in their ability to perform well and compete strongly in the upcoming fixtures.

India is currently participating in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup group stage and remains in contention for a place in the semifinals.

Indian Markets Close Week Higher on Soft Crude Prices

Mumbai, June 27: Indian equity benchmarks ended the week on a positive note, with the Nifty and Sensex registering modest gains supported by easing crude oil prices and selective buying across key sectors.

Market sentiment improved as a decline in global crude oil prices helped ease concerns over inflationary pressures and input costs for domestic industries. Investors also showed interest in select banking, energy, and consumer stocks, contributing to the overall upward movement in indices.

Despite intermittent volatility during the week, the broader market maintained stability, with participation from both institutional and retail investors helping absorb fluctuations in global cues. Analysts noted that easing commodity prices provided relief to sectors sensitive to energy costs, supporting overall market confidence.

However, caution persisted due to mixed global economic signals and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, which kept gains in check. Market participants are expected to closely monitor upcoming economic data releases and global developments for further direction.

Overall, the week reflected a balanced market environment, where supportive commodity trends and steady domestic participation helped Indian equities close with modest gains.

CareEdge ESG Ratings Upgrades Adani Ports, Cites Strong Sustainability and Governance Performance

Mumbai, June 27: CareEdge ESG Ratings has upgraded the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) score of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, recognising the company as a strong performer in sustainability and responsible business practices.

The upgrade reflects the company’s continued progress in strengthening its ESG framework, with improvements across environmental management, social responsibility initiatives, and governance standards. The rating agency noted that Adani Ports has demonstrated consistent efforts to embed sustainability considerations into its core operations and long-term strategic planning.

According to the assessment, the company’s environmental initiatives, including efficiency improvements and better resource management across its port operations, have contributed significantly to the upgraded score. On the social front, initiatives focused on workforce welfare, community engagement, and safety standards were highlighted as key strengths.

The report also underscored the company’s robust governance systems, including enhanced risk management practices, compliance mechanisms, and transparent operational oversight, which have helped strengthen overall ESG performance.

The recognition places Adani Ports among leading infrastructure companies in ESG performance, reflecting its growing alignment with global sustainability benchmarks and investor expectations.

Company representatives stated that the upgrade validates their long-standing commitment to sustainable and responsible growth while continuing to expand port infrastructure and logistics capabilities. The company added that it will further strengthen its ESG initiatives to support long-term value creation and environmental stewardship.

Centre to launch Aarogya Setu 2.0 to boost digital healthcare access

New Delhi, June 2026: The Government of India is set to launch Aarogya Setu 2.0, along with a series of new digital health initiatives aimed at strengthening inclusive and accessible healthcare across the country.

The upgraded platform will focus on providing citizens with enhanced health tracking, real-time medical alerts, telemedicine support, and improved integration with government health services. Officials said the new version will be more user-friendly, secure, and connected with India’s expanding digital health ecosystem.

Alongside Aarogya Setu 2.0, the government is also rolling out additional digital initiatives designed to improve health data management, early disease detection, and access to healthcare services in rural and underserved areas.

Health authorities stated that these initiatives are part of a broader mission to build a digitally empowered and inclusive healthcare system, ensuring better reach, faster response, and improved public health outcomes.

The launch is expected to significantly strengthen India’s digital health infrastructure and support the goal of universal healthcare access.

GI-Tagged Rewa Sundarja Mangoes Exported to UAE

Rewa / New Delhi, June 27: GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes from Madhya Pradesh have been successfully exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant step in expanding the global reach of India’s premium agricultural produce.

The export highlights growing international demand for region-specific Indian fruits recognised for their unique quality and geographical identity. The Rewa Sundarja mango, known for its distinctive taste and aroma, carries a Geographical Indication (GI) tag that certifies its origin and authenticity.

Officials stated that the export reflects India’s continued efforts to promote GI-tagged products in global markets and strengthen agri-export ecosystems. The initiative is expected to benefit local farmers by improving market access, enhancing income opportunities, and encouraging value-added agricultural practices.

The shipment to the UAE is seen as part of a broader strategy to position India as a reliable supplier of premium horticultural products in international markets. Authorities also emphasized ongoing support for farmer producer organisations and export facilitation measures to boost the visibility of indigenous products abroad.

Experts believe such exports will help strengthen rural economies while promoting India’s rich agricultural heritage on the global stage.

Tilaknagar Industries Doubles Down on Bartisans with Strategic Growth Capital

Tilaknagar Industries Doubles Down on Bartisans with Strategic Growth Capital

New Delhi, June 27: Leading Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) manufacturer, Tilaknagar Industries Limited, has made a follow-on investment of INR 2 crore in Round The Cocktails Private Limited, makers of ready-to-pour cocktail and mocktail mixers under the brand name Bartisans. With this investment, TI’s stake in Bartisans will increase from 36.17 per cent to 41.45 per cent on a fully diluted basis.

The INR 2 crore investment is a primary infusion and the capital will be utilized to accelerate Bartisansgrowth initiatives, bolster its quick commerce presence and support the launch of new single-serve packaging.

TI had first invested in Bartisans in September 2024, driven by its conviction in India’s rapidly evolving cocktail culture and the growing preference for premium and convenient at-home drinking experiences. This follow-on investment reinforces TI’s confidence in Bartisansgrowth journey and strengthens the partnership as the brand enters its next phase of expansion. 

Founded in 2021 by mother-son duo Jovita and Jordan Mascarenhas, Bartisans is an all-natural cocktail mixer brand offering ready-to-pour mixers crafted to suit the evolving tastes and preferences of Indian consumers. The brand has built a differentiated position in the premium mixer category by combining convenience, innovative flavour profiles and quality ingredients. 

Mr Ameya Deshpande, Chief Strategy Officer, Tilaknagar Industries Limited, said, “Our increased investment in Bartisans reflects our confidence in the fast-growing premium mixer category and the brand’s strong potential. Since our initial investment, Bartisans has demonstrated encouraging momentum and delivered successful collaborations such as Golden Hour, the bespoke mixer created for Monarch Legacy Edition Brandy.”

TI is also exploring multiple product collaborations with Bartisans across its premium portfolio and is excited to support the company’s continued growth, Mr Deshpande added

Bartisans has seen robust growth on quick commerce platforms since launch, reflecting the growing consumer preference for convenience-led purchasing and instant availability of beverage essentials. The volumes through quick commerce have more than doubled in FY26 compared to last fiscal, making it the brand’s largest sales channel with a salience of nearly 65 per cent. The planned investment will help strengthen its presence and visibility across leading quick commerce platforms, capitalizing on one of India’s fastest-growing retail channels.

Ms Jovita Mascarenhas, Co-Founder, Round The Cocktails Private Limited said, “We are delighted to grow our partnership with Tilaknagar Industries as we take Bartisans to newer heights. The additional capital will help us accelerate our geographical expansion, new product launches and introduce innovative formats that make premium cocktail experiences more accessible and convenient for consumers.”

The cocktail mixer category in India continues to benefit from premiumisation trends, rising cocktail culture and increasing demand for convenient at-home consumption experiences. Through strategic partnerships and investments, TI continues to strengthen its premium ecosystem and expand into emerging consumer segments.

The investment in Bartisans will be funded through TI’s internal cash resources.

Dubai Shines as The Grand Iconic Star Business Awards 2026 Concludes in Spectacular Style

Dubai Shines as The Grand Iconic Star Business Awards 2026 Concludes in Spectacular Style

 

Dubai, UAE – June 27: Avighna Productions, in association with ISPAY Global, proudly hosted The Grand Iconic Star Business Awards 2026 at the prestigious Airport Millennium Hotel Dubai, marking an extraordinary evening of recognition, celebration, and global business excellence.

The grand event brought together more than 300 distinguished guests, including prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, dignitaries, celebrities, media professionals, and industry influencers from around the world. The awards ceremony created an inspiring atmosphere of achievement, networking, and prestige, honouring individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions across diverse industries.

Widely recognized as one of the most talked-about business recognition events of the year, the evening stood out as a dynamic fusion of international business excellence, glamour, entertainment, government representation, and strong media presence. Guests experienced a memorable celebration featuring prestigious award presentations, high-level networking opportunities, cultural entertainment, and inspiring stories of success and innovation.

The event also welcomed several notable personalities, including H.E. Dr. Mohamed Saeed Al Kindi, Former Minister of Water and Environment, H.E. AarefA Al Falahi, Board Member of RAK Chamber of Commerce and RAK Insurance Company Dr. Hanan Al Mheiri, CEO & Founder of Hanan Empire;; Dr. Mohamed Rafique, Medical Director of Prime Hospital;, UAE; and Heena Arora Dhawan, Business Entrepreneur and Tarot Reader.

Dubai Shines as The Grand Iconic Star Business Awards 2026 Concludes in Spectacular Style

 

The resounding success of The Grand Iconic Star Business Awards 2026 was made possible through the invaluable support of its valued sponsors, esteemed award recipients, media partners, volunteers, event coordinators, and dedicated support staff. Their professionalism, commitment, and collaboration played a vital role in delivering an event of exceptional impact and distinction.

Avighna Productions and ISPAY Global extend their heartfelt gratitude to every individual and organization that contributed to this remarkable achievement. The overwhelming response and enthusiastic participation reaffirm their commitment to creating world-class platforms that celebrate excellence, inspire innovation, and promote leadership on a global stage.

As the curtain falls on this year’s successful edition, Avighna Productions and ISPAY Global look ahead with renewed passion to continue their mission of recognizing outstanding talent, empowering entrepreneurs, and building meaningful global business connections.