“We have about 400 member companies, and they each have made their own public and verifiable commitment to sustainability,” says Susan Inglis, executive director of the council. It’s a level of transparency that includes aspects like using clean energy sources,” explains Maher. Look up, say, garden furniture, and see what best practices various manufacturers have put in place.“Sustainability is complex,” she says.

 A lot is happening on the fashion-design front, too, to explore new, sustainably sourced and even compostable types of textiles. “There’s a groundswell of creativity that’s continuing to reverberate. From a factory standpoint, it’s also a matter of asking whether they’re solar-powered, and how much water they use.

“Companies like Adidas and Nike are at the cutting edge of some of these innovations, and their work — and innovations in textiles used for apparel — does trickle down to textiles in other realms,” Maher says.”At the Fashion Institute of Technology, students have been experimenting with using milkweed and flax to create luxurious “fur” from 100 per cent plant material.An exhibit of textile innovations at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York City, on view through Jan.Rugs and outdoor fabrics, for instance, are increasingly being made with recycled materials instead of new plastics. “There’s a real push for sustainability now, and the home textiles industry is waking up to that consumer call,” says Shannon Maher, chair of Home Products Development at the Fashion Institute of Technology, in New York.It’s about reducing waste during textile production, she said, and reusing or recycling waste to produce other products.

Another effort to help consumers reliably identify more eco-friendly companies is a new level of Oeko-TEX certification, called “Made in Green,” certifying that no harmful chemicals have been used in the manufacture of a certain product. There’s a prototype for Adidas sneakers made entirely of ocean plastic; another prototype of sneakers that would be entirely compostable; and a textile made from algae. “Zero Waste has definitely become a watchword,” she said. Consumers today have a heightened awareness of the harm plastic does to the environment, and “are willing to pay 5 or 10 per cent more for a sustainable product as a way of contributing to the circular economy, and helping the environment,” she says.Another student design team there came up with the idea for a Spandex-type elastic fabric using a protein found in oysters.Washington: Whether it’s how they’re made or what they’re made of, textiles are evolving to meet air jet loom consumer demand for sustainability. 20, includes a dress made by a Japanese design team that features naturally glowing silk, made from silkworms injected with a green fluorescent protein derived from jellyfish.“People are talking more these days about ‘the value chain,’ showing that not only are you certified as being environmentally responsible, but all of the factories in your production process are certified.

“There’s a level of optimism when you look around and see designers really taking on the challenge of all this,” says Andrea Lipps, a curator at the Cooper Hewitt who helped organise the exhibit. That won them the Stella McCartney Prize for Sustainable Fashion at the Biodesign Challenge Summit earlier this summer. To help companies get the word out about steps they’re taking, and help consumers identify environmentally responsible companies, the Sustainable Furnishing Council provides an online list

Let’s speak about the car’s interior. Adorned with black and beige layout, it comes with segment first tilt adjustable steering.5-3.14 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)Further solidifying the Alto clan’s supremacy, the Alto K10 is a more powerful version of the Alto 800. Apart from the manual, it comes with an AMT version as well. The AC works really well and cools the cabin in a short span of time. No Bluetooth on offer though. The Alto 800 is a narrow car, the width is even smaller than that of the Nano’s, in turn calling for tight rear cabin space.9kmpl. Why buy – looks, premium interiors, space and after salesWhy not – lighter steering on highways and slightly higher NVH levelsSource: CarDekho. The Alto K10’s appearance is aggressive and looks proportionate, unlike the Alto 800.To make the car selection process a bit easier for you, we have handpicked top six cars under the price tag of Rs 4 lakh.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)Recently facelifted the Alto 800 has been a marathon car for India’s largest passenger carmaker -- Maruti.Why buy – easy manoeuvring, space, strong AC, fuel efficiency, city driving, ground clearance and AMT Why not – underpowered engine, highway driving stability and sub-standard plastic quality Maruti Alto 800 - Rs 2.To make the car selection process a bit easier for you, we have handpicked top six cars under the price tag of Rs 4 lakh. The 1.

The 300 litres of the boot space is the largest in the segment.1kmpl.07kmpl. The openable boot is a big plus in the Nano, though it’s just 94 litres. It is one of the more sober looking cars amongst its quirky and contemporarily styled competitors. With respect to dimensions, it’s the second widest car (1647mm) in the segment after the Hyundai Grand i10. Nowadays, it's difficult to pick one car from a long list of brands -- from the newly launched Datsun redi-GO, Tata Tiago or the hot-selling Maruti Alto K10 and Alto 800. Though, not one of the greatest looking cars, it is still an all-rounder that every Indian entry level buyer opts for. The South Korean hatch is a looker with plenty of aerodynamic curves flowing across its body.0 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)When it comes to listing down affordable cars, the Tata Nano’s name is bound to appear.7 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)Undoubtedly, the Renault Kwid has received an overwhelming response from the Indian buyers.0-litre K-Series petrol engine which belts out 68PS and 90Nm of torque. As the name water jet loom suggests, the Alto 800 is powered by a 796cc engine which pumps out 48PS of power and 69Nm of max torque. With the SUV-esque body, the Kwid gets cladding and muscular elements which no other car offers in the segment.2-litre Revotron engine belts out 85PS of power and 114Nm of torque and returns a decent fuel economy of 23. The lower capacity engine churns out 55PS of power and 74. The cabin looks futuristic and is more than just a basic box.

It’s available in petrol as well as diesel options, but if your budget is limited to Rs 4 lakh, you can only opt for the petrol variant. The interior comes with dual tone upholstery, with improved plastic quality compared to the 800. It also offers more headroom comparatively.If you are willing to buy a car and all you have is Rs 4 lakh then here’s a list of cars that you can pick from.8 and a 1. The build quality is better than the segment leader Alto and even the space offered is more.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)Tata’s latest offering in the small car category, the , has been in news because of its value for money quotient. On the exterior front, the Nano is a decently styled car with a short bonnet and tall boy design which provides the driver a good view of the road.

This provides some additional space within the cabin, but the rear bench is still best for two adults and a child. It might not have beaten the sales cruncher -- the Alto, nor has it stormed the record books, but the Eon certainly has impressed those who are ready to look beyond Maruti. Linked to a five-speed manual/ Automated Manual transmission, the car returns an impressive fuel economy of 21. Why buy – looks, fuel efficiency, space, features, style statement and AMTWhy not – underpowered engine, lack of proper service network (although, it’s improving)Tata Tiago – Rs 3. Despite being a decade old, the exterior by no means look dated. The car is aesthetically pleasing and has been the talk of the town. Why buy – design, fuel efficiency, city driving and featuresWhy not – no AMT and rear AC ventsHyundai Eon – Rs 3. The exterior, as said earlier, is not very inspiring with wedge shaped grille at the front, while the headlamps now get an orange tinge on the reflectors. The music system supports CD, radio, USB and AUX.3-4. The redesigned bumper, sharp headlamps, prominent shoulder line are some of the characters which differentiate the K10 from its cousin. The raised stance helps in easy ingress and egress from the car. The compact dimensions of the car helps in easy manoeuvring and parking it in tight spots. A ground clearance of 170mm ensures it works fairly well in tackling small humps. With a ground clearance of 170mm, the Eon sits higher than the Alto.Powered by a small 624cc engine, it generates 38PS of max power and 51Nm of peak torque. The rear space is also better than its competitors. The Eon is available in a 0. On top of it, the massive 190mm of ground clearance just eases things further. Not only restricted to power, the differences with the 800 boil down to exterior, interior arrangement and ride quality. If you are still not pleased with its styling and want it to appear as ‘only yours’, then have no fear, as Renault offers an array of accessories to personalise your Kwid. Launched in September last year, the manufacturer is selling nearly 10k units each month.

The boot space of 240 litres is marginally behind the Grand i10’s 256 litres.7 lakh.17kmpl.2-5. The seating position is low compared to other cars in comparison.Under the bonnet, the K10 holds a 1. Coupled to a five-speed manual/AMT transmission, the Renault hatch is powered by a 799cc engine which pumps out 54PS and 72Nm of torque.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)The Hyundai Eon has been an unsung hero in the entry level segment. With so many options, buyers can get easily confused as all of them are good in their own way. A chilled glove box and the availability of additional storage spaces are some of the other convenient features on offer in the Tiago. The compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre in city’s bumper-to-bumper traffic. Interiors of the Nano are very spacious and can comfortably seat four occupants. It delivers an excellent fuel economy of 25. With features such as an all-digital dashboard and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, USB, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity, it’s hard to believe that the Kwid’s starting price is just Rs 2. You can seat four occupants, but don’t think of accommodating a fifth one. Overall the cabin is basic and seat comfort is mere average. The boot is decently sized at 177 litres.84kmpl.Why buy – performance, AC, fuel efficiency, city driving, after sales service and AMT (comes with an additional charge of Rs 10,000 above the said price of Rs 4 lakh) Why not – rear seat spaceRenault Kwid – Rs 2. It delivers an impressive fuel economy of 22. The AC is a chiller and cools the car in no time, even in scorching heat.com. This small car offers a mileage of 24.5Nm of torque. The car takes a leap from all the previous Tata cars offered in the hatch segment and is quite refreshing inside-out. At the front, the Tiago gets sweptback, smoked headlamps and a ‘Humanity Line’ along with neatly placed chrome-lined fog lamps. The comfort too is satisfactory, if not great. But it’s not only the price that makes it a comprehensive bet, its spacious interiors and class leading fuel economy are some of the other factors contributing towards the Nano’s success. Interestingly, the cabin colour code changes as per the car’s paint job.Why buy - fuel efficiency, city driving and after sales serviceWhy not – rear space, no automatic and looks (or rather lack of it)Maruti Alto K10 – Rs 3. A sharp character line runs through the side and meets the wraparound tail lamps. Although, it has no automatic avatar.1-3. It returns a mileage of 21.7-3.With an excellent ground clearance of 180mm, the car swiftly tackles the occasional bumps. Seats are well-cushioned, but the angle of the rear seats is upright, not suitable for long journeys. The seats offer excellent comfort and under thigh support – a trait missing in this segment.74kmpl.0-litre engine options, however, the latter goes beyond the Rs 4 lakh mark. It gets some segment first features such as an 8-speaker sound system by Harman, Multi drive modes, Smartphone apps developed specifically for the Tiago, turn-by-turn navigation and Juke car app among others.29-4.Tata Nano – Rs 2

Such operations are extremely challenging," he had said.Bhubaneswar: Conjoined twins - Jaga and Kalia - from Odisha were "successfully" separated on Wednesday by a team of doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. We hope things will go well with the blessings of Lord Jagannath," Jena said.The Odisha government has sanctioned Rs one crore from the Chief Minister&weft feeder suppliers39;s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the twins' treatment.

"Also, there is less than a 20 per cent chance of survival among those who undergo this surgery. The health condition of the children is stable. After the separation, plastic surgery experts are now working on them.The first phase of the surgery was performed on August 28 when the doctors created venous bypass to separate the veins shared by the babies that returns blood to the heart from the brain.The surgery is feasible only on 25 per cent of the survivors, while the rest continue to live with the condition."

Bhuyan Kanhar, the father of the twins, said, "The surgery is being done as the condition of Jaga deteriorated."No experts from abroad are involved in the procedure. The surgery began at 9 am and is expected to last for over 22 hours," he had said earlier in the day.Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has congratulated the team of specialists from the institute's neurosurgery, neuro-anaesthesia and plastic surgery departments for the successful separation of the heads. The Odisha government is ready to bear the expenses of the foreign doctors.The second phase of a marathon surgery is still underway, and will go on till Thursday morning, Odisha Health and Family Welfare minister Pratap Jena said in Bhubaneswar.

The twins were shifted to the operation theatre at 6 am. The operation procedure is likely to be completed by 9 or 10 # am tomorrow," he said."After 11 hours of surgery, the heads of the conjoined twins have been separated successfully. This is a very rare condition, a senior doctor at AIIMS said.A K Mahapatra, the chief of the neurosciences centre, earlier had said the twins suffer from the condition which afflicts one in 30 lakh children, of which 50 per cent die either at birth or within 24 hours."We had suggested to the AIIMS authorities to engage experts from across the world in the operation process, if needed.The 28-months-old twins, hailing from Milipada village under Phiringia block in Kandhamal district, are craniopagus conjoined twins, joined at the heads

The police has registered a case of ‘exposure and abandonment of child under 12 years by parent or person having care of it’ against unknown persons.J. The incident came to light after some locals heard the muffled cries of a baby coming from a narrow ally between two buildings on Wednesday around 9.30 pm.Mumbai, the city of dreams, truly also has a heart of gold.

“The photograph of the baby girl brought tears to my eyes.. Hours after a two-day-old infant girl was found abandoned in a plastic bag near Hazrat Abbas Lane in Dongri, support started pouring in from all quarters. I have children of my own and would like to take care of the infant too,” said Ms Nargis Bhimani, a homemaker from Dongri. When contacted, senior police inspector of Dongri police station Nitin Bangarle said that they too had been receiving calls from people who are willing to take care of the infant. After taking down details, the cops took the baby away but my supporters had already posted pictures of the baby on my Facebook page,” he said.

On close inspection, the locals found an infant wriggling her hands and feet inside a plastic bag. Currently, she is in the paediatric ward there. While the police took the newborn in their custody, news of an abandoned baby spread like wildfire in the locality.The shocked residents immediately called a local politician, who iro weft feeder in turn informed the Dongri police. “We have moved her to J. “Investigations are on and we hope to track down the parents soon,” said Mr Bangarle. Hospital. We will transfer her to the children home later,” he said. Afzal Dawoodani, vice-president of the BJP’s state transport union, who lives in Dongri, said that he rushed to the spot immediately. “I asked my boys to bring the baby to my office and informed the Dongri police. I wanted to make her feel secure in my house. The FB post went viral and Mr Dawoodani has been inundated with calls from people across the city, who are willing to take care of the infant and even adopt her.Several people from the locality, including Syed Iqbal, a tailor; Shoeb Shaikh, a social activist and Mumtaz Noorani, a homemaker among others called Dawoodani, asking if they could take care of the baby till the police trace her parents. They also took sniffer dogs to the spot where the baby girl was found