Jyotsna came on board as the CFO and Head of IT of Bridgestone India, around two-and-a-half years ago - in April 2018. Since then, she has ensured attentive capacities are in place, thus focusing on maintaining cost control and delegating financial management. Afterall, the tyre industry is highly competitive and market-driven. And yes, digital evolution and safety of her colleagues and business partners have become one of her top priorities during the pandemic.

Raised in a modest and orthodox business family of six daughters, principles such as hard work, humility, and honesty were a natural part of growing up for her. Married at the age of twenty-one, Jyotsna wanted to be more than just a housewife. Thus, she pursued her grinding CA qualification while being a mother of a baby boy.

“I pursued further education and got a professional qualification, CA, in 1994. Not an easy call in any way. The profession itself was demanding and then to be able to garner the support of the larger family was a big task considering the social norms at the time. However, with the great support from my in-laws, my husband Rajesh, and my conviction, I managed to pursue this new path,” Jyotsna recalls.

When asked about what she would attribute to the leadership qualities she has achieved, she reflects on her family background and the formative years of her life. Marriage was the ultimate end-goal for all girls back then, she says. But, her father, who was a civil engineer, and ran a unit into precision tools manufacturing, understood the value of education. He ensured all his daughters received quality higher education. This paid off as all of Jyotsna’s sisters are highly qualified across different streams.

Jyotsna also mentions the underlying importance of financial independence that was ever-present while growing up. These values, coupled with formal education and academics, added to her versatile calibre. However, she says studies were never her cup of tea. Her interests were games, food, and fun. Having done her graduation at BMCC, life was relatively stress-free then.

However, getting married at the early age was a turning point in her life when she braved the conventional social norms at the time and pursued her CA studies. She adds that the journey from 1989-1994 was full of challenges, excitement, courage, and family support. Significant challenges to pursue her CA were to convince the in-laws to allow her to go and live in a hostel and study and to be able to meet social obligations as a newly-wed woman, and not being able to give time to her son.

 “To be able to give my 100% to the studies amidst all of this was quite difficult. However, I always kept my eye on the big picture.”

Jyotsna started her professional career at Kinetic Honda, a manufacturing organisation which, she says, was not perceived to be ideal for women and had limitations to growth. “But that made me work even harder. However, it was a role of my choice, and I worked with them for nine years, and those were my formative career years. A combination of experience at Firodiya, a well-respected business house and a Japanese business brand is great learning for any finance professional. I took additional responsibilities on multiple functions and projects to rise the ladder at a good pace as by now; I had found my Ikigai- a reason to live.”

 “Amidst all this, the family challenges continued as my husband Rajesh had moved to Singapore, and I single-handedly attended to our son”.

At the workplace, she always ensures that she works hard and does everything from grassroots and is never bothered about her designation and qualification as, for her, that is a means and not an end. “Over the years, I worked on building and strengthening relationships and never really kept any limitations to what I wanted to achieve.”

COVID has turned the auto industry upside down. New normal is becoming a part of life and businesses as well. Whereas the challenges of COVID have been unprecedented, it also brought new ways of doing businesses. Now employee safety is becoming a top priority, while digital evolution is bringing a new era ahead of the industry.

At Bridgestone, Jyotsna says, the safety of their people and safeguarding their operations have been the topmost priority. Ever since COVID first hit the country, the company took proactive measures to not only keep the people safe but, also streamline operations in the wake of new normal. Furthermore, at the back of accelerated digitisation, Bridgestone India has been able to bring the right solutions for its consumers as well as ensure the same levels of productivity within the organisation. 

When asked about how she feels about working in such a dynamic industry, Jyotsna says, “The automobile industry is where my professional career is slated. Kinetic Honda, SKF Bearings, NRB Bearings, Sandvik Asia and now Bridgestone are my performing turfs. One side of the industry, i.e., channel partners, are the same - similar channels set up requirements, risks, opportunities, and expectations of the partners. What differs is the strength of the product and strength of the competitor. Bridgestone, with its world-class Japanese technology in tyre manufacturing, is one of the leading and most trusted brands with all the strengths on the product, manufacturing, and innovation.” 

“The market in India is huge, and the progressive growth and demographics of the country are definitely positive. At Bridgestone India, we are financially secure with a good product range, best manufacturing facilities, substantial market share, reliable channel partners and an ambitious and committed workforce. The biggest risk is getting complacent and losing focus on cost. The tyre industry is competitive, and market driven. Also, the capacities are in place, thus keeping focus and maintaining cost control is the financial management challenge which is exciting.”

Like everyone, COVID has influenced Jyotsna’s personal and professional life. According to her, COVID was a blessing in disguise to be able to spend all this time at home and spending time to call and check on all near and dear ones, reconnecting, rejuvenating were positives in this situation.

However, work from home bears multiple challenges and ,for her the divide between official work and domestic duties was practically invisible. As the Head of IT and CFO, Jyotsna had a great responsibility to ensure the digital solutions were up and running and without causing the loss of productivity at the same time managing concerns around security and support. “As a CFO, a time to complete FY 20 financials and audits, and the Mid-term – 3 years business plan process which were very challenging.”

“But I would say the times have tested my abilities to stay strong under all situations. I would like to say this to my fellow leaders that encourage your teams throughout and keep the work exciting as always. This will ensure a positive sentiment in these trying times.”

As much as work is refreshing with so much happening, Jyotsna does take personal time to recharge. She loves to drive and have been doing rallies like Raid the Himalaya, Desert Storm, Spice Challenge. She has also done international driving vacations.

 “Amidst the lockdown, I recently drove to Bangalore to be with my son Prateek. The memory of absolutely traffic-free roads and my car racing at 230-250 with confidence to touch Bangalore from Pune non-stop in 9 hours was wonderful. We drove through Kabini and spent a holiday together, making memories.”

“I also like to read, so I took this opportunity to download the most read books Ikigai, Atomic Habits, Just do It – the Nike story and many more.”

 “Netflix was another relaxing way to spend some time, and the most exciting watch for me was Drills apart from many others. I love to socialise and continued e-socialising as well.”

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In the wake of the devastating floods that struck Punjab in August 2025, a strategic partnership between Bridgestone and ADRA India successfully restored educational infrastructure and learning continuity across 20 government schools in the Gurdaspur district. The natural disaster had inflicted widespread damage on school buildings, with sanitation systems rendered inoperable, while countless students lost access to textbooks, stationery and uniforms – essential items for classroom participation.

Working in tandem with the District Disaster Management Authority, local government bodies, School Management Committees and community stakeholders, ADRA India implemented a targeted three-month rehabilitation project from October 2025 through January 2026. The collaborative approach ensured that intervention efforts reached the most severely impacted educational institutions within a region where flooding had submerged over 324 villages, causing prolonged disruption to essential services including education.

The restoration initiative prioritised the repair and upgrade of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities across 12 government schools, directly benefiting approximately 697 children through renewed access to safe and functional toilets. Beyond infrastructure rehabilitation, the project distributed comprehensive education kits to 585 particularly vulnerable students, including children from daily wage worker families, migrant households, women-led families and historically marginalised communities. This intervention alleviated the financial burden on families already strained by disaster losses while enabling students to resume their education promptly.

Sustainability remained central to the project's design, with School Management Committees receiving orientation on routine maintenance of rehabilitated facilities to ensure their long-term functionality. Infrastructure repairs incorporated enhanced durability measures specifically intended to withstand potential future flooding, thereby strengthening the resilience of educational facilities in this disaster-prone region.

Dr Aaditya Sharma, IAS, SDM Dera Baba Nanak, said, “Following the floods that affected Dera Baba Nanak Sub-Division, several government schools suffered damage to essential infrastructure, particularly Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) facilities, resulting in disruption to the education of school-going children. The restored sanitation infrastructure has helped ensure a safe, hygienic and dignified learning environment for students, especially for girl students.”

Sudhir Kulkarni, Executive Director HR, Admin & CSR, Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone is committed towards Serving Society with Superior Quality. This inspires us to offer the best to the communities that we serve. Education is a critical pillar for communities, and this was most impacted by the floods. We have, in our humble way, contributed towards restoring some of the educational facilities in the Dera Baba Nanak block, thus safeguarding learning and well-being when vulnerable communities needed it the most.”

Imran Majid, Programmes Director, ADRA India, said, “In post-disaster settings like Dera Baba Nanak, children are among the most vulnerable. Restoring safe and functional WASH facilities in schools is not just about infrastructure, it is about protecting children’s health, dignity and right to learn. When sanitation and hygiene are compromised, the risks of illness increase and school dropouts become more likely, especially for girls. Through the School WASH project, we are ensuring that schools become safe, hygienic spaces again, enabling children to return, stay and thrive in their education.”

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CEAT Specialty Tyres has received a nomination for its SUSTAINMAX-VF tyre in the Environmental Achievement of the Year – Tire Design category at the prestigious Tire Technology International Awards 2026. The nomination marks a significant milestone for the company, highlighting advancements made at the intersection of tyre design, performance and sustainability.

The winners are scheduled to be announced on the opening day of the Tire Technology Expo 2026, held in Hannover, Germany, from 3 to 5 March 2026. The recognition on a global stage underscores the company’s commitment to developing responsible and forward-looking mobility solutions, specifically within the off-highway segment.

The nomination reinforces the company’s dedication to engineering products that align with evolving industry standards. CEAT Specialty Tyres anticipates participating in key discussions shaping the future of tyre technology during the event in Hannover.

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JK Tyre & Industries has expanded its premium agricultural tyre lineup with the introduction of ‘Shresth Plus’, unveiled at the Krishi Darshan Expo 2026 in Hisar. The launch was officiated by Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, alongside the company’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Srinivasu Allaphan, and other key officials. This new offering underscores the company’s dedication to delivering innovative solutions tailored to the shifting demands of contemporary agriculture.

Engineered to meet the challenges posed by modern farming techniques, the Shresth Plus tyre is designed for high-horsepower tractors that operate under diverse and demanding soil conditions for extended periods. Its construction features a deep non-skid profile and a broad lug pattern, which together provide superior grip and longevity. The tread design incorporates an angular step lug configuration with connecting tie bars, which enhances stability and minimises tread distortion under strenuous fieldwork. Furthermore, features such as the Eagle Eye sidewall design and a fortified nylon casing contribute to increased durability, offering better resistance against impacts and greater load-bearing capacity for both in-field and on-road applications.

JK Tyre is leveraging the expo to present its comprehensive range of farm solutions, catering to a wide array of tractors and implements used across different agricultural terrains. The display at Stall OA-15-16 highlights the brand's robust portfolio and its commitment to boosting farming efficiency and productivity through reliable technology.

Beyond the product showcase, JK Tyre is adding a dynamic element to the event with a dedicated motorsport arena. Reflecting its legacy as a motorsport pioneer, the company has arranged for a professional driver to perform live tractor stunts, providing entertainment and demonstrating the vehicles' capabilities in a high-energy format. The expo, held at the Northern Region Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute in Hisar, runs from 14 to 16 February, offering attendees a firsthand look at the new tyre’s features.

Srinivasu Allaphan, Director – Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries, said, “Indian agriculture is rapidly embracing mechanisation and higher horsepower tractors. With premiumisation at the core of our business strategy, we are focused on bringing advanced, high-performance solutions to the farm segment. ‘Shresth Plus’ reflects this direction, combining superior traction, durability and stability to meet the evolving needs of modern farming. The product has been designed to help farmers achieve better efficiency, reliability and consistent performance across varied agricultural applications.”

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Ecolomondo Corporation has finalised documentation with Export Development Canada (EDC) for an additional USD 2.7 million in financing aimed at advancing the final phase of operational ramp-up at its Hawkesbury tyre-derived products (TDP) facility. This follows a previously announced agreement in principle reached on 12 January 2026, concerning funding for capital investments and working capital needs at the Ontario site. Alongside this new financial support, EDC has also granted a temporary reprieve on principal and interest payments for existing loans throughout the company's 2026 ramp-up period.

The announcement coincides with recent operational milestones at the Hawkesbury plant, which achieved record production levels during the week of 12 January 2026. During this peak period, the facility successfully processed approximately 150,000 pounds of crumb rubber, yielding around 60,000 pounds of recovered carbon black, 75,000 pounds of tyre-derived oil and 15,000 pounds of syngas. This level of output corresponds to the processing of an estimated 9,375 end-of-life tyres, underscoring the facility's enhanced capacity and operational progress as it moves towards full-scale production.

Jean-François Labbé, Interim CEO, Ecolomondo, said, “This additional financing provides important financial flexibility as we complete the final stage of the Hawkesbury facility ramp-up. It also supports continued workforce expansion and a steady increase in production as we advance towards full operational capacity.”

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