However, as is evident now, we were caught unawares. Mutated strain of the virus took India in its stride as we were yet to work out a robust vaccination strategy. To curb the spread and manage the health emergency getting out of control in view of paucity of beds, oxygen and ventilators, a large number of states-imposed lockdowns and other restrictions which continue till date. 

As is normal under such circumstances, the economy bears the brunt and that is what seems to have happened. The fragile economic recovery seen in the second half of FY21 seems to have gone derailed. Consumer confidence has hit a new low as shown in a recent survey. Different rating agencies and multilateral organizations have downwardly revised the growth projections for the current fiscal year. From a bullish 11-13% growth (in view of base effect), the projections are now for growths in single digits only.

Needless to say, the pitch for economic revival is queered.  But, curiously, as Covid infections come off from the peak levels and the recovery rates go up, a new kind of confidence is building up. The infection rates are coming down with as much alacrity as they had peaked.

Certainly, there is no room for any complacency as premonitions of a third wave have already been made. However, the vaccination strategy to inoculate a large number of Indians by the end of the year holds much hope. It has been observed that those countries that have already inoculated over 50% of their population have witnessed much less morbidity and mortality rates.

What also holds out hope are a range of high frequency indicators which show the resilience of the Indian economy and the entrepreneurship that shines through whenever an opportunity is provided. The economic growth in the fourth quarter of last fiscal has been better than expected. From a contraction of 24.4% and 7.4% in the first and second quarters, the economy turned around in the third one with 0.5% growth and ended the year with 1.6% growth in Q4.

There are a range of other indicators too. Industrial performance measured by IIP grew by 22.3 percent in March. Merchandise exports grew by 197 percent in April. The output of eight core infrastructure sectors grew by robust 7% in March. Manufacturing PMI has remained at a high of over 55 in March and April. GST revenue collection set a new record of Rs. 1.4 lakh crore in April.

If the tyre  production data for FY21, as released recently, is anything to go by, Tyre Industry will continue to put the wheels of economy in motion against all odds. No doubt, Tyre Industry's overall numbers are down in FY21. However when looked closely, there is ample evidence that points to the resilience  in the sector. Truck & Bus (T&B) tyre production, the bellwether of economy has turned in better performance in FY21 over FY20. And this despite the fact that April’20 was a washout in view of nationwide lockdown. Both T&B and Passenger Car tyre production touched significantly higher figures in March this year with T&B tyre production crossing 20 lakh numbers, a historic high.

FY21 will also go down as a landmark year when Radial Truck & Bus tyre production equalled that of Bias tyre production. Tyre exports from India have charted an upward trajectory in the second half of previous fiscal as the stability was achieved in the exports markets.

Forecast of a normal monsoon (third in a row) and the upcoming festive season can provide much-needed impetus to the economy if vaccination drive accelerates and Covid appropriate measures are followed strictly.

No doubt, the situation is still in a flux, and it is too nascent to gauge the true impact of the second wave on economic growth.  But ramping up the vaccination drive and inoculating the entire adult population as early as possible will help.

And there is a major shift again in the vaccination policy. As this column gets on the editor’s desk, the federal government has decided to provide free coronavirus vaccines to states for inoculation of all above the age of 18.

FY 21 could not live up to the expectations that most Indians had. Hope the next year will. (TT)

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The J&K Bank presents JK Tyre Rally of Himalayas 2026, a premier Cross Country Rally, was flagged off from Manali on 26 September. Organised by Himalayan Xtreme Motorsports and Adventure X Fusion Tribe, the sixth edition achieved a significant milestone by entering the Zanskar region for the first time. The ceremonial start occurred at 5:00 PM at Dev Lok, 15th Mile, near Span Resort, Manali. Bhuvneshwar Gaur, MLA Manali, served as Chief Guest, joined by V P S. Jasrotia, Deputy General Manager of Jammu & Kashmir Bank, as Guest of Honour alongside JK Tyre officials. The rally is supported by J&K Bank as Presenting Sponsor, JK Tyre as Title Sponsor, Ladakh Tourism as Official Sponsor and Impulse and Liqui Moly as Partners.

The competition features 140 participants across Moto, Extreme and TSD categories over five days in the formidable Himalayas. The route traverses Kaza, Jispa, Padum and Pensi La before concluding in Padum, Zanskar, on 30 September. The Moto category includes 80 riders, among them one female rider. The Extreme category comprises 35 participants, including two female drivers and five Army teams. The TSD category has 24 competitors, four of whom are female, testing precision, timing and navigation. This diverse field includes professionals, private entrants, women and Army teams.

This edition serves as a tribute to Hari Singh, the legendary Gypsy King and five-time National Rally Champion, whose legacy inspires competitors. The event's defining feature is its inaugural entry into Zanskar, introducing high-altitude terrain, remote landscapes, long competitive sections and shifting Himalayan conditions. From Kaza, competitors progress to Jispa and into Zanskar, tackling Padum and Pensi La before returning to Padum. Preparation, navigation, endurance and reliability become critical. Since its 2021 inception, the rally has grown into a demanding platform testing riders and drivers against Himalayan challenges.

JK Tyre, synonymous with Indian motorsport, continues its legacy rooted in rallying, embodying endurance and adventure. For J&K Bank, supporting the event reflects nearly nine decades of commitment to regional development and showcases tourism potential. The Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh, partners as a sponsor to position Zanskar as a premier adventure tourism destination, highlighting landscapes, heritage and driving routes to national and international audiences.

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Tegeta Green Planet representatives met with Institute of Design students on 22 September for a practical workshop and discussion. The session focused on proper management of specific waste streams, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles and recycling processes, with particular emphasis on how these concepts intersect with the design discipline. Students gained insight into the complete journey such waste undertakes, from initial collection through to final treatment, with used tyre recycling receiving notable attention as an example of converting discarded materials into valuable new resources.

Rubber samples of varying sizes and colours, all produced from recycled tyres, were displayed during the workshop. These physical materials illustrated the direct connection between tyre recycling and design applications. Participants explored potential uses for recycled tyre materials in product development and examined how design contributes to transforming waste into items with both functional purpose and visual identity, creating new value in the process.

A practical assignment concluded the meeting, requiring students to develop a product concept utilising recycled tyre material and establish its complete identity. This task enables participants to merge their design expertise with authentic environmental challenges while discovering how discarded materials can serve as foundations for new product creation.

Tegeta Green Planet regards education and environmental awareness as essential components of its mission. The organisation regularly partners with academic institutions, disseminating information to young people about specific waste management, circular economy models and resource reuse. Through such collaborations with the Institute of Design, students receive opportunities to combine environmental engagement with hands-on creative experience.

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Goodyear is all set for the showdown at Fuji Speedway this weekend for the sixth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, equipping all 18 LMGT3 cars with the Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres . The Japanese venue ranks among the calendar’s fastest and most demanding circuits.

Its permanent-track straight measures 1.475 km, the longest of the season. That extended run from Turn 16 to Turn 1 allows front tyres to cool substantially before subsequent corners impose heavy lateral and longitudinal loads on the rear tyres, making temperature management critical over the six-hour race.

Every LMGT3 entrant will use the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound, the same specification employed in the opening five rounds. It was engineered for a broad range of circuits and temperatures, suiting Fuji’s famously changeable conditions. Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tyres remain available should rain arrive.

The Medium compound could enable single-stint strategies, prioritising performance from each set over multi-stint approaches, with Fuji’s relatively low wear potentially permitting extended runs when safety car or full course yellow periods make that advantageous. Tyre selection and pit timing gain added importance given swiftly shifting weather. Goodyear Racing Eagles also compete this weekend at Kansas Speedway in NASCAR, Rockingham Dragway in NHRA and Silverstone in the British Touring Car Championship.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager, said, “Fuji’s track surface is relatively smooth, meaning overall wear is comparatively low. This also means that managing heat and bringing the tyres up to temperature can be more difficult, particularly at the start of a stint. Teams need to get the tyres into their operating window quickly, and the quick warm-up characteristics of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium will help them do that.

“The weather can be a major factor at Fuji, so teams need to be prepared to react quickly. The wide operating window of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium gives drivers confidence across changing temperatures, while the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet provides a solution should track running become affected by rain.”

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TyreSafe has entered a new partnership with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, reinforcing joint efforts to prevent road casualties and enhance safety throughout the county. The fire and rescue service becomes part of a widening group of UK fire services collaborating with TyreSafe to highlight the dangers linked to illegal and poorly maintained tyres.

Under the arrangement, both organisations will pool expertise, resources and engagement opportunities to promote tyre safety among South Yorkshire road users. This work will be integrated into broader road safety initiatives. The partnership also builds on South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s existing role within the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership, where education, training and publicity are central to reducing casualties.

The collaboration comes amid a difficult road safety picture. In 2024, a total of 43 people died and 748 were seriously injured in South Yorkshire collisions, amounting to 791 killed or seriously injured casualties. Although this was lower than the 841 recorded in 2023, the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership acknowledges substantial progress is still needed to reach its Vision Zero goal.

Road traffic collisions remain a major operational demand for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, whose community risk work involves joint efforts to cut incident numbers and severity. Serious and fatal crashes occur on major routes linking Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley, and on higher-speed rural roads. Tyres are vital to the Safe System approach, as defects can impair braking, steering and control, raising the risk of serious incidents.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “Fire and rescue services see the consequences of serious road collisions first-hand. Their experience gives them a unique perspective on the importance of prevention, and that makes South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue an incredibly valuable partner for TyreSafe. South Yorkshire has a strong and established road safety partnership, with organisations already working together towards Vision Zero. We want to complement that work by making tyre safety a more visible part of the conversation around safer vehicles and safer roads. We’re delighted to welcome South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue to the growing number of fire and rescue services partnering with TyreSafe. By combining their frontline experience and local reach with our specialist knowledge of tyre safety, we have an opportunity to reach more drivers with simple, practical advice that could help prevent a serious collision.”

Robert Horne, Prevention & Intervention Officer for Barnsley, said, “We are pleased to be partnering with TyreSafe to strengthen the road safety work we already undertake with our partners across South Yorkshire. Our firefighters regularly attend road traffic collisions and see the devastating impact they can have on individuals, families and communities. Prevention is therefore a vital part of our role, and helping people understand the simple steps they can take to reduce risk is an important part of that work. Tyres are a critical safety component on every vehicle, yet they can easily be overlooked. Working with TyreSafe will help us reinforce that message and provide road users with practical information they can use to make sure their vehicles are safe and roadworthy.”

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