SEPTEMBER, 20259MANAV KAPUR APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF ACMA AFTERMARKET DIVISIONJHARKHAND'S CM SEES URANIUM RESERVE DRIVING DEFENSE SELF-RELIANCEThe Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) has appointed Manav Kapur as Chairman of its Aftermarket Division. The aftermarket sector plays a vital role in supporting vehicle maintenance, employment, and road safety, making it a key pillar of India's automotive ecosystem.In his new role, Kapur will focus on enhancing the competitiveness of Indian auto component manufacturers, promoting localisation, and expanding the global footprint of the industry. Having previously served as Chairman of ACMA's Young Business Leaders Forum, Kapur has been actively involved in strengthening industry engagement and developing future leadership.Speaking on his appointment, Kapur stated, "India's aftermarket is at an inflection point. With rising vehicle ownership, increased emphasis on safety, and our growing integration into global mobility value chains, there is a tremendous opportunity to transform the sector. Our focus will be on driving initiatives that not only make India self-reliant but also establish our aftermarket industry as a trusted global partner."Alongside this development, ACMA has also announced Vikrampati Singhania as President for 2025­26 and Sriram Viji as President Designate. Together with ACMA's Director General, Vinnie Mehta, the new leadership team will steer the auto component industry through a period of technological transformation, electrification, supply chain realignment, and international expansion. Jharkhand's Chief Minister Hemant Soren stressed the important role of uranium reserves in the state Defense East Tech symposium in Ranchi, he emphasized that the state will act in partnership with the Centre to develop India's defense systems and strengthen indigenous capabilities.CM Soren distinguished the abundance of raw materials in Jharkhand- especially uranium- as meaningful for future defense manufacturing, including sensitive applications involving uranium.He called for cooperation from both state and national governments to advance and invest in policies and infrastructure for responsible uranium use, while praising Jharkhand's commitment to indigenization initiatives."Jharkhand is endowed with uranium and can contribute to nuclear weapon manufacturing. The state government is ready to cooperate fully with the centre to make the defense sector self-reliant," he said.For the business sector, Soren's remarks signal another growing opportunity for the mining, metallurgy, nuclear technology, and defense manufacturing sectors to participate in projects of strategic importance.Capitalizing on uranium resources sets a framework for investment for research, extraction, processing, and possible advanced defense applications. With Jharkhand's aspiration to leverage resources for economic development and India's self-reliance in defense, collaboration, regulatory clarity, and sustainable practices will be critical. TOP STORIESSEPTEMBER, 20259
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