Rapido records over 11.3 lakh Scooty rides in six months and 50,000 daily trips in Hyderabad, with women accounting for 35% of usage and strong adoption among senior citizens
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Extreme Adventure Ready Smartphone Teased as itel Signals New Sub-₹8,000 Launch
Upcoming itel smartphone is expected to feature military-grade durability, Ultralink connectivity, 6.6-inch HD+ display, 90Hz refresh rate, and 12GB extended RAM, targeting outdoor and high-impact usage in the entry-level segment
itel is stirring curiosity in India’s smartphone market with strong indications of an upcoming launch aimed at extreme adventure and outdoor users. Early buzz suggests the brand is preparing to introduce a designer yet highly durable smartphone that blends rugged protection with modern aesthetics, while staying within an aggressive sub-₹8,000 price point.
The development comes at a time when smartphone manufacturers are navigating rising global memory and storage costs, making affordability-driven launches increasingly challenging.According to early details circulating in the market, the upcoming itel smartphone is expected to feature military-grade certification, a specification typically associated with premium and rugged devices. This certification is designed to offer enhanced resistance to drops, shocks, and humidity, positioning the device for demanding outdoor environments and extreme usage conditions.
Despite its rugged focus, the smartphone is also expected to adopt an ultra-sleek and contemporary design, aimed at users who value both durability and visual appeal. Another anticipated highlight is Ultralink technology, which is expected to deliver enhanced connectivity even in areas with limited or no network coverage.On the specifications front, the device is rumoured to include a 6.6-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a 5000mAh battery with Type-C charging support, and DTS audio for an immersive sound experience. Performance expectations point to an octa-core processor paired with up to 12GB extended RAM through memory fusion, catering to multitasking and everyday usage needs.
If the reported details hold true, the smartphone will launch at under ₹8,000, reinforcing itel’s positioning around durability-focused devices and accessible pricing. The combination of military-grade protection, modern design, and competitive specifications could disrupt the entry-level segment, particularly for consumers seeking reliable smartphones for travel, outdoor work, and high-impact usage.As anticipation builds, the upcoming itel smartphone is shaping up to be a notable entry in the budget category, promising a balance of toughness, performance, and affordability. With durability emerging as a key differentiator in the mass market, the launch could mark a strategic move for itel as it continues to expand its footprint across India’s value-conscious smartphone segment.
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Goa Street Race Set to Decide Title Charge for Hyderabad Black Birds, Says Naga Chaitanya
Hyderabad Black Birds owner Naga Chaitanya reflects on the one-point gap in team standings, the challenges of the Goa street circuit at Manohar International Airport, and the role of Jon Lancaster, Gabriela Jílková and Mohamed Ryan ahead of the Indian Racing Festival weekend.
As the Indian Racing Festival prepares for its first-ever street race at Manohar International Airport in Goa on February 14 and 15, 2026, the spotlight is firmly on Hyderabad Black Birds and their owner, Naga Chaitanya. With the championship battle tightening, the Goa round is shaping up to be a defining moment in the season.
Following a competitive Round 3 at Kari Motor Speedway, Hyderabad Black Birds are placed second in the team standings with 81 points, just one point behind leaders Speed Demons Delhi. The narrow margin has raised the stakes ahead of the transition from traditional circuits to a high-pressure street race format.Commenting on the importance of the Goa race, Naga Chaitanya said that street circuits demand a different level of precision and focus. He noted that unlike conventional tracks with run-off areas, the Goa circuit leaves little room for error, making composure and consistency critical through all 12 corners.
At the centre of the team’s challenge is experienced British racer Jon Lancaster. Chaitanya said Lancaster’s international racing background provides stability under pressure, particularly in conditions where every lap and every second can influence the championship outcome.The team is also banking on the analytical strength of Gabriela Jílková, known for her work in GT racing and Formula E development programmes. Chaitanya commented that her discipline and consistency are well suited to the demands of a narrow and technical street circuit.
Completing the line-up is Indian racer Mohamed Ryan, a former vice-champion who represents the team’s focus on nurturing domestic talent. Chaitanya said Ryan’s familiarity with local conditions and competitive mindset make him a key contributor as the team pushes for the top spot.Reflecting on the broader significance of street racing in India, Chaitanya said leading the Hyderabad Black Birds at this stage of the season aligns with his long-standing aim of supporting motorsport growth in the country. He added that formats such as street racing not only test drivers at the highest level but also help create platforms for young Indian talent to gain exposure and inspire future racers.
The Goa Street Race now stands as a potential turning point, not only for the Hyderabad Black Birds’ title ambitions, but also for the evolution of professional motorsport in India.At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
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Agri, MSME, Finance Outlook Post Budget 2026: PwC, SBI Mutual Fund, Infomerics, Proventus Agrocom, Genus Power, Avaada Group and Others Assess Growth Path
Views from Shashi Kant Singh and Mohammad Athar Saif of PwC India, S. Sankarasubramanian and Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari of The Fertiliser Association of India, Rajeev Radhakrishnan of SBI Mutual Fund, Mahavir Lunawat of Pantomath Capital, Ankush Jain of Proventus Agrocom, Jitendra Kumar Agarwal of Genus Power Infrastructures and other sector leaders on agriculture resilience, MSME credit, capital markets and energy transition
The Union Budget 2026–27 continues to reinforce policy continuity while recalibrating execution across agriculture, MSMEs, capital markets and energy. With sustained public capital expenditure, targeted sectoral allocations and financial system reforms, industry leaders across agri-inputs, finance, manufacturing and energy see the Budget as a framework that balances growth visibility with fiscal discipline.
Shashi Kant Singh, Partner – Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness at PwC India, said the Budget underscores India’s commitment to agricultural innovation, export competitiveness and women’s participation, with focused support for high-value crops, fisheries and dairy aimed at improving farm incomes and strengthening global competitiveness.
Mohammad Athar Saif, Partner and Leader – CP&I and Industrial Development at PwC India, commented that the integration of infrastructure and manufacturing, backed by a ₹12.2 lakh crore outlay, strengthens job creation while advancing India’s transition toward global manufacturing competitiveness under the Viksit Bharat vision.
S. Sankarasubramanian, Chairman, The Fertiliser Association of India and Managing Director and CEO, Coromandel International, said the Budget brings together productivity, resilience and affordability by reinforcing domestic fertiliser capability, rationalising customs duties and addressing inverted GST structures to improve predictability across the value chain.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Director General, The Fertiliser Association of India, conveyed that district-level agricultural programmes, stronger seed systems and continued fertiliser support enhance farm-level decision-making while reinforcing supply security amid global volatility.
From an MSME and agri-processing perspective, Ankush Jain, Chief Financial Officer, Proventus Agrocom Limited, said the focus on high-value crop clusters and export-linked processing reflects a clear shift from volume to value, with potential to improve farmer incomes if backed by infrastructure and market access.
On energy and infrastructure, Jitendra Kumar Agarwal, Joint Managing Director, Genus Power Infrastructures Limited, stated that the Budget’s emphasis on grid resilience, battery energy storage systems and customs duty exemptions for capital goods strengthens India’s medium-term energy transition while lowering system costs.
Vineet Mittal, Chairman, Avaada Group, said the Budget strikes a balance between ambition and discipline, with sustained public capex and reforms such as the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund focused on building long-term productive capacity rather than short-term stimulus.
From a capital markets standpoint, Rajeev Radhakrishnan, Chief Investment Officer – Fixed Income, SBI Mutual Fund, noted that borrowing numbers may keep yields elevated in the near term, making RBI liquidity operations important even as fiscal consolidation remains a long-term positive.
Mahavir Lunawat, Chairman and Managing Director, Pantomath Capital, commented that reforms around municipal bonds, CPSE REITs and market-making frameworks significantly improve capital-raising pathways while strengthening transparency and liquidity in Indian markets.
Dr. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist, Infomerics Valuation and Rating Ltd, said the Budget prioritises stability over surprise, with capex-led growth, manufacturing support and MSME funding providing continuity amid global uncertainty, while execution capacity remains critical.
Shubham Jain, Group CEO, Infomerics Valuation and Rating Ltd, added that steps to deepen corporate and municipal bond markets improve price discovery and investor participation, reinforcing bonds as a sustainable funding avenue.
Conclusion
Taken together, the perspectives reflect broad alignment that Budget 2026–27 focuses on execution, system resilience and long-term competitiveness. With agriculture, MSMEs, finance and energy positioned as interconnected growth drivers, the effectiveness of the Budget will ultimately depend on timely implementation, credit flow and coordination across central and state stakeholders.At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
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Budget 2026 healthcare and biopharma focus shapes outlook for Morepen, Mankind Pharma, BSV, Park Hospitals, HCG Cancer Centre, MediJourn, Ramky Infrastructure, Anondita Medicare, JK Lakshmi Cement and others
Sushil Suri of Morepen Laboratories, Sheetal Arora of Mankind Pharma, Sanjiv Navangul of BSV, Ankit Gupta of Park Medi World, Avik Chauhan of HCG Cancer Centre, Shaaz Mehmood of MediJourn, Sunil Nair of Ramky Infrastructure, Anupam Ghosh of Anondita Medicare and multiple healthcare leaders respond to Biopharma Shakti, duty relief on cancer drugs, medical tourism hubs and workforce expansion under Union Budget 2026–27
The Union Budget 2026–27 places healthcare and biopharma at the centre of India’s human capital and economic growth strategy, with a strong focus on domestic manufacturing, affordability, workforce expansion and global competitiveness. Key announcements including the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti initiative, full basic customs duty exemption on 17 cancer drugs, expansion of medical tourism hubs, strengthening of clinical research infrastructure and skilling of allied healthcare professionals signal a long-term shift toward building resilient, patient-centric healthcare systems. Leaders across pharmaceuticals, hospitals, medical tourism, preventive healthcare and wellness have shared their perspectives on the implications of these measures.
Sushil Suri, Chairman and Managing Director of Morepen Laboratories, said the Budget reinforces India’s position as a trusted global partner in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. He noted that the emphasis on biopharma manufacturing, ease of doing business, infrastructure creation and export competitiveness provides greater confidence to invest, innovate and expand globally while continuing to deliver affordable healthcare solutions.
Sheetal Arora, Promoter and Chief Executive Officer of Mankind Pharma, said the Budget makes a timely choice by placing biopharma at the centre of India’s next manufacturing wave. He observed that the Bio Pharma Shakti initiative and regulatory upgrades will enable faster approvals, attract global investment and strengthen India’s leadership in advanced therapies, while duty exemptions on cancer and rare disease drugs improve patient access.
Sanjiv Navangul, Chief Executive Officer of BSV, commented that the Budget provides much-needed momentum for India’s biopharma journey. He said the focus on innovation, research institutions, domestic production and regulatory strengthening will improve supply security, research capabilities and long-term health outcomes.
Ankit Gupta, Managing Director of Park Medi World, said the Budget presents a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening healthcare delivery as India’s disease burden shifts toward non-communicable diseases. He noted that the addition of allied health professionals, caregiver training programmes and regional medical tourism hubs creates opportunities to scale specialised care, rehabilitation services and global patient outreach.
Avik Chauhan, Cluster Chief Operating Officer of HCG Cancer Centre Mumbai, said the Budget strengthens the healthcare landscape at a critical time for patients. He observed that exemptions on cancer drugs and support for biopharmaceutical capabilities will ease financial burdens, expand access to innovative therapies and reduce dependency on imports.
Shaaz Mehmood, Founder of MediJourn Solutions, said the announcement of five regional medical tourism hubs is a timely step that enhances India’s position as a global medical value travel destination. He noted that integrating modern healthcare with diagnostics, rehabilitation and AYUSH systems creates a coordinated ecosystem that improves scalability and service delivery.
Sunil Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Ramky Infrastructure, said the Budget’s emphasis on biopharma parks, bulk drug parks and healthcare infrastructure strengthens India’s manufacturing and innovation ecosystem. He added that public capital expenditure and asset monetisation initiatives will support large-scale healthcare infrastructure development.
Anupam Ghosh, Managing Director of Anondita Medicare, said the Budget’s focus on healthcare delivery and domestic manufacturing creates a supportive environment for preventive healthcare products. He noted that affordability, steady manufacturing and efficient distribution remain critical to ensuring access to family planning and reproductive health products across urban and rural markets.
Suraj Punjabi, Co-Founder of Medicine Walla, said making essential medicines duty-free is a patient-centric decision that will help reduce treatment costs and strengthen last-mile healthcare delivery through community pharmacies.
Ranjit Ghuliani, Medical Superintendent of NIIMS Hospital, said the Biopharma Shakti programme represents a paradigm shift by placing healthcare innovation at the centre of national growth. He observed that support for clinical trials, regulatory strengthening and tertiary care expansion will improve evidence-based treatment and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.
Dr. Ankita Mittal, Founder and Director of Adrita Menopause Wellness, said the increased focus on mental health is welcome but stressed the need for dedicated resources for women’s health, particularly menopause care. She noted that structured awareness, education and support systems are essential for equitable access.
Sneha Rathor Khandelwal, Chief Executive Officer of Sanfort Group of Schools, said initiatives around digital labs, skilling and education-to-employment alignment will help build future-ready healthcare and life sciences talent over the long term.
Sujay Shetty, Managing Director Health Industries at PwC, said the Budget sends a strong signal of intent for India’s biopharma sector through manufacturing support, skills development and faster regulatory approvals. He added that the emphasis on medical tourism and Ayurveda opens new avenues for innovation and exports.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Director General of The Fertiliser Association of India, noted that healthcare and nutrition linkages, particularly preventive care and affordability, will be shaped by coordinated execution across allied sectors.
Sushil Suri, Chairman and Managing Director of Morepen Laboratories, added that alignment between healthcare manufacturing and export competitiveness supports India’s role as a reliable global healthcare supplier.
Anjana Ghosh, Managing Director of Scale Sherpas, said the Budget’s focus on employment generation, women entrepreneurs and formal workforce models will benefit FMCG and healthcare consumption-driven industries.
Dr. Ankit Gupta, Managing Director of Park Medi World, added that allied healthcare workforce expansion will strengthen long-term care, rehabilitation and geriatric services.
Avik Chauhan, Cluster Chief Operating Officer of HCG Cancer Centre Mumbai, observed that affordability measures and clinical research support will improve long-term outcomes for chronic and cancer patients.
Shaaz Mehmood, Founder of MediJourn Solutions, said effective execution and private sector participation will be key to scaling India’s medical tourism leadership.
Taken together, responses from healthcare, biopharma, hospital networks, wellness providers and medical tourism stakeholders indicate that Budget 2026–27 marks a decisive step toward building a resilient, affordable and globally competitive healthcare ecosystem. With manufacturing, innovation, workforce development and patient access emerging as core pillars, industry leaders believe sustained execution will determine how effectively policy intent translates into improved health outcomes and long-term sectoral growth.
At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
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Budget 2026 technology and semiconductor push shapes outlook for HMD, Fujitsu, STT GDC, Ensono, BenQ, Cellecor, CP PLUS, Hisense, Moglix, Energy Bots and others
Ravi Kunwar of HMD, Manoj Nair of Fujitsu, Bimal Khandelwal of STT GDC, Veena Khandke of Ensono, Rajeev Singh of BenQ, Ravi Agarwal of Cellecor, Aditya Khemka of CP PLUS, Pankaj Rana of Hisense, Rahul Garg of Moglix and Murali Mantravadi of Energy Bots respond to India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, electronics manufacturing incentives, data centre tax relief and AI-led digital infrastructure priorities in Union Budget 2026–27
The Union Budget 2026–27 positions technology, electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, data centres and artificial intelligence as strategic pillars of India’s long-term growth and competitiveness. Announcements around India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, a ₹40,000 crore allocation for the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, tax holidays for global cloud service providers operating from India, safe harbour reforms for IT services, and a renewed focus on AI-led skilling and digital public infrastructure reflect a shift from scale-driven expansion to capability-led development. Leaders across consumer technology, IT services, electronics manufacturing, cloud infrastructure, data centres and digital platforms have shared their perspectives on how these measures could reshape India’s technology ecosystem.
Ravi Kunwar, Vice President and CEO of HMD India and APAC, said the Budget reflects a broad and forward-looking vision across technology, telecom and manufacturing. He noted that the enhanced allocation for the Electronic Components Manufacturing Scheme will support multiple verticals, while the launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 with a focus on industry-led R&D and training centres is a welcome step. Kunwar added that customs warehousing reforms and the emphasis on education-to-employment alignment will help reduce friction and strengthen workforce readiness.
Manoj Nair, Head of Applications at Fujitsu, commented that the Budget strongly reinforces India’s ambition to emerge as a global technology hub. He said the positioning of artificial intelligence as a force multiplier, combined with support for data centres and semiconductor manufacturing, will help build a resilient and future-ready digital ecosystem. Nair also noted that automated safe harbour mechanisms improve tax certainty for IT services companies.
Bimal Khandelwal, Chief Executive Officer of STT GDC, said the Union Budget represents a decisive intervention for India’s data centre sector. He observed that the proposed tax holiday till 2047 for foreign cloud providers using Indian data centres is expected to unlock foreign investment, attract hyperscale workloads, and enhance India’s competitiveness as a global digital infrastructure destination.
Veena Khandke, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Ensono India, said the expansion of the safe harbour threshold to ₹2,000 crore and faster advance pricing agreements bring much-needed tax certainty for IT services. She added that the tax holiday for cloud service providers and the focus on AI, quantum computing and STEM education will help build future-ready talent and attract global technology investment.
Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India and South Asia, said the Budget makes a clear statement on reimagining education as a driver of employability and economic growth. He noted that content creator labs in schools and university townships near industry corridors will support hands-on, technology-enabled learning and strengthen the digital education ecosystem.
Ravi Agarwal, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Cellecor, commented that the near doubling of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay strengthens India’s consumer electronics manufacturing base. He said the expansion of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 into a full-stack programme covering materials, equipment, design and R&D sends a strong signal to global and domestic manufacturers.
Pankaj Rana, Chief Executive Officer of Hisense India, said the Budget outlines a forward-looking roadmap for electronics and innovation. He noted that sustained policy focus on semiconductors, electronics components and AI-led innovation creates a stable environment for long-term investments and localisation.
Aditya Khemka, Founder and Managing Director of CP PLUS, said the Budget signals a decisive shift toward building domestic capability in technology and security systems. He observed that the emphasis on AI and semiconductor self-reliance enables Indian companies to design and deploy mission-critical solutions at scale.
Rahul Garg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Moglix, said the Budget’s focus on artificial intelligence, quantum research and innovation-led missions strengthens India’s technology backbone. He noted that these investments will enable AI adoption across manufacturing optimisation, procurement automation and supply chain forecasting.
Murali Mantravadi, Joint Managing Director of Energy Bots Flosenso, observed that the Budget reflects a structural shift toward building deeper technology capabilities beyond services. He said sustainable advantage will come from owning design, supply chains and execution, with execution now being the key test.
Satya Yeruva, Co-Founder and CEO of FinStackk, said the expansion of the safe harbour threshold for IT services simplifies compliance and reduces uncertainty across companies of all sizes. He added that the ₹10,000 crore growth fund for startups and MSMEs will support innovation and global expansion for technology-driven businesses.
Sundararaman Ramamurthy, Managing Director and CEO of BSE, commented that measures aimed at deepening bond markets, adjusting STT structures and supporting capital formation will have a positive long-term impact on India’s technology and innovation-led companies seeking market access.
Amit Sharma, Founder and Whole Time Director of Matrix Geo Solutions, said the Budget reinforces the growing role of data, geospatial intelligence and digital planning in large infrastructure and technology-led projects, supporting more precise and efficient execution.
Aditya Prabhu, CEO and Co-Founder of Secutech Automation, said the Budget reinforces the convergence of digital transformation, AI adoption and infrastructure expansion. He noted that technology-led efficiency and improved credit flow will accelerate adoption of intelligent security systems.
Mrs. Veena Khandke, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Ensono India, said the emphasis on workforce development, AI upskilling and STEM education for women supports the creation of a future-ready technology talent pool.
Mr. Murali Mantravadi, Joint Managing Director of Energy Bots Flosenso, said the continued focus on semiconductor manufacturing and electronic components signals an intent to build long-term structural capability rather than short-term scale.
Mr. Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India and South Asia, noted that continued support for domestic manufacturing and semiconductors will strengthen the foundation for digital classrooms and enterprise technology adoption.
Mr. Ravi Agarwal, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Cellecor, added that employment-linked skilling initiatives will help create a sustainable manufacturing and service workforce across electronics ecosystems.
Mr. Aditya Khemka, Founder and Managing Director of CP PLUS, observed that clarity in policy direction enables homegrown companies to innovate locally while remaining globally competitive.
Mr. Pankaj Rana, Chief Executive Officer of Hisense India, said localisation and supply chain strengthening will be critical as India moves up the electronics value chain.
Mr. Rahul Garg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Moglix, added that emerging technologies will play a central role in improving productivity across traditional and advanced industries.
Taken together, responses from a wide cross-section of technology, electronics, IT services, data centre and digital infrastructure leaders indicate that Budget 2026–27 marks a decisive shift toward capability building and execution-led growth. With semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence positioned as long-term national priorities, industry stakeholders believe sustained execution, talent development and ecosystem readiness will determine how effectively policy intent translates into globally competitive outcomes.
At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.