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Category: News Desk

  • Central Bank of India Reconnects with the Parsi Community as Growth Momentum Builds

    Shri Kalyan Kumar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Central Bank of India, outlines the Bank’s customer centric approach and improving performance for the quarter ended December 31, 2025

    Central Bank of India engaged with members of the Parsi community in Mumbai as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen long standing relationships with key stakeholders. The interaction comes at a time when the Bank has reported improved financial performance for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, reflecting steady progress across its core business segments.
    Central Bank of India shares deep historical ties with the Parsi community. The institution was founded in 1911 by Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala, who described the Bank as the property of the nation and a national asset. The Bank’s first Chairman, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, also hailed from the Parsi community. Over its 114 year history, the Bank has navigated multiple economic cycles while remaining anchored to its founding philosophy of being a people owned and people focused institution.

    During the interaction, the Bank acknowledged the significant role played by the Parsi community in India’s economic development, particularly across industry, finance, trade, and philanthropy. Contributions from the community have led to the creation of several institutions and enterprises that continue to shape India’s corporate and social landscape.
    The programme was attended by prominent members of the Parsi community, including descendants of the Bank’s founder and its first Chairman. Among those present were Keki Mistry, Non Executive Director at HDFC Bank, Jimmy Mistry, Mickey Mehta, Dinshaw Mehta, former Chairman of the Bombay Parsi Panchayat, Viraf Mehta, present Chairman of the Bombay Parsi Panchayat, Padma Shri awardee Penaz Masani, and Ratan Luth. Their presence added historical and cultural significance to the engagement.

    The interaction also highlighted the Bank’s customer focused initiatives and its role in supporting economic activity across the retail, MSME, agriculture, and industrial sectors. Central Bank of India has reported strong growth in total business, supported by a robust CASA base, healthy growth in advances, and improved asset quality.
    Senior leadership reflected on the founder’s vision of creating a bank owned and operated by Indians at a time when the banking sector was largely dominated by foreign institutions. They noted that the values of trust, resilience, and excellence, often associated with the Parsi ethos, continue to guide the Bank’s approach to banking and customer engagement.

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kalyan Kumar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Central Bank of India, said, “The interaction with the Parsi community provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views and better understand their evolving banking expectations. The keen interest shown in our products and services reinforces our commitment to continue serving the community and strengthening long term relationships.”
    The Bank reiterated its gratitude to the Parsi community for its support during the institution’s formative years and reaffirmed its commitment to ethical, inclusive, and customer centric banking. Similar engagements are planned as part of the Bank’s broader strategy to deepen stakeholder relationships and strengthen its retail banking franchise.
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  • New Creative Mandate Enters a Fresh Phase for AMFI’s Flagship Awareness Campaign

    Venkat N. Chalasani, Chief Executive, Association of Mutual Funds in India, confirms Concept Communications has been appointed following a competitive pitch

    Association of Mutual Funds in India has appointed Concept Communications as its new mainline creative agency following a competitive multi agency pitch process. The appointment marks the beginning of a new phase for AMFI’s long running ‘Mutual Funds Sahi Hai’ campaign, one of India’s most recognised financial awareness initiatives.
    Under the new mandate, Concept Communications will lead the creative refresh of the campaign while supporting AMFI’s objective of expanding mutual fund participation and growing the overall investor base across the country. The platform has played a significant role in shaping financial awareness and encouraging informed participation in mutual funds over the years.

    Speaking on the appointment, Venkat N. Chalasani, Chief Executive of the Association of Mutual Funds in India, said, “We are happy to on board Concept Communications as our creative partner for AMFI’s iconic ‘Mutual Funds Sahi Hai’ campaign. Concept Communications stood out for their understanding of the evolving Indian investor and their vision for the future of brand AMFI. We are confident that this partnership will play a pivotal role in accelerating our investor inclusion agenda.”
    Vivek Suchanti, Chairman and Managing Director of Concept Communications, said the agency looks forward to building on the campaign’s strong foundation. “AMFI is an extremely strong brand that has fundamentally transformed financial awareness and investor participation in Indian markets. We are deeply honoured by AMFI’s trust and excited to partner in the next chapter of this iconic brand. Our focus will be on making mutual fund conversations more accessible, relatable, and action oriented for India’s next generation of investors, especially across emerging and underserved markets.”

    Founded in 1988, Concept Communications is an independent integrated communications agency with a presence across 16 cities in India. The agency has established capabilities in financial and capital markets communication, working with institutions across sectors to deliver insight driven and purpose led communication programmes.

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  • India’s post-Independence identity traced through naming patterns in iMeUsWe’s new national report

    Vivek Desai, Co-Founder, iMeUsWe, said the decade-by-decade study analyses 1.6 billion records to show how belief, cinema, and aspiration shaped Indian names from 1947 to 2025

    India’s social history has often been documented through milestones, movements, and leaders. A new report by iMeUsWe takes a different route, tracing the country’s post-Independence evolution through the names Indian families chose for their children over nearly eight decades.
    Launched ahead of Republic Day, The Names of India Report is India’s first decade-by-decade study mapping naming trends from 1947 to 2025. The report is based on the analysis of 1.6 billion real public records and examines how belief systems, cinema, cultural shifts, and aspiration quietly shaped Indian identity across generations.

    According to the study, early post-Independence naming patterns reflected faith, mythology, and nation-building ideals, with families gravitating towards names rooted in tradition and religious symbolism. As India moved through economic change, urbanisation, and greater exposure to media, naming choices evolved alongside the country’s social and emotional landscape.
    The report highlights how cinema began influencing naming trends more visibly from the late 1970s and 1980s, accelerating through the 1990s. Popular names such as Rajesh, Sanjay, Rahul, and Pooja gained widespread adoption, mirroring the cultural impact of mainstream films and public figures of the time. With liberalisation and increased global exposure, Indian naming conventions gradually shifted towards shorter, more fluid names that were easier to adapt across cultures and geographies.

    Speaking on the launch, Vivek Desai, Co-Founder, iMeUsWe, said, “India’s history is usually told through dates, events, and great leaders. We believed its most intimate story was hidden in its name. The Names of India Report shows how each generation quietly expressed its dreams, values, and inspirations through the names it gave its children.”
    Beyond trends, the report positions naming as a deeply personal act that reflects collective mood, migration, ambition, and changing social norms. It underscores how families used names as expressions of hope, continuity, and identity during periods of transition, from post-Independence optimism to a more globally connected present.

    The launch also aligns with iMeUsWe’s broader mission of helping families preserve ancestral stories, build connections across generations, and understand how individual identities are shaped by shared history. By documenting naming patterns at scale, the report adds a new dimension to how India’s cultural narrative can be understood, not through institutions alone, but through everyday decisions made within homes.
    Timed around Republic Day, the study serves as a reminder that India’s national story has unfolded not only through policy and politics, but through intimate, generational choices that continue to shape how Indians see themselves and the future they imagine.
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  • India outlines a new skilling execution model in partnership with the World Economic Forum

    Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of Education, Government of India; Shri Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education; Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv Ltd.; and Shobana Kamineni, Executive Chairperson, Apollo Health Co and Promoter Director, Apollo Hospitals, spoke on the initiative

    India has set out a new framework for vocational education and workforce preparation through a partnership with the World Economic Forum, focused on execution, industry participation, and measurable outcomes in skilling and Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
    The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Economic Forum to establish a Skills Accelerator in India. The platform is designed to bring together government, industry, education institutions, and global partners to identify gaps in workforce readiness and translate them into practical training, financing, and deployment models.

    The Accelerator will operate as a multi stakeholder mechanism to support vocational education reform, closer links between education and employment, and structured pathways for upskilling and reskilling. It will work across institutions involved in vocational and higher education, with reference to the National Education Policy 2020 and India’s long term workforce objectives.
    Speaking on the development, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of Education, Government of India, said, “What began as a strategic vision to align India’s skilling ecosystem with the future of work has now taken a structured and global form. The formalization of the India Skills Accelerator, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, marks a key milestone in building a future-ready, globally competitive workforce. By bringing government, industry, and education together, the initiative supports coordinated action to address current and emerging skill gaps, enable outcome-based skill financing, and promote lifelong learning and alignment with global labour market demand. Aligned with NEP 2020 and Vision India@2047, it places skilling at the centre of inclusive growth and national development.”

    Shri Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education, said the collaboration connects education systems more directly with employability and future job requirements. He said, “I warmly welcome the landmark MoU between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum to launch the Skills Accelerator in India. This collaboration complements the National Education Policy 2020 by integrating education with skilling, supporting lifelong learning, and linking curricula with industry needs.”
    From the private sector, Sanjiv Bajaj, Co-Chair for the India Skills Accelerator and Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., said, “The India Skills Accelerator initiative is a strategic step toward India’s long-term competitiveness. Using global insights on the future of work alongside India’s talent base can help create skilling systems that are scalable, industry-led, and linked to productivity and innovation.”

    He added that with a large young population, investment in skills remains central to economic outcomes over the coming decades.
    Shobana Kamineni, Co-Chair for the India Skills Accelerator and Executive Chairperson of Apollo Health Co and Promoter Director of Apollo Hospitals, said, “India’s workforce advantage lies in linking scale with skills. The India Skills Accelerator connects policy intent with on-ground implementation by bringing together industry, educators, and innovators to convert emerging workforce needs into deployable skills and sustainable jobs. In partnership with the World Economic Forum, the initiative supports India’s role as a reliable talent contributor to the global economy.”
    The Skills Accelerator will also engage with higher education institutions, vocational training bodies, and regulators including AICTE and UGC to support implementation and scale. Focus areas include flexible curricula, mutual recognition of qualifications, institutional capacity building, and collaboration in future work domains such as artificial intelligence, robotics, green energy, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.
    The partnership reflects coordination between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of External Affairs, and builds on discussions held during India’s participation at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in January 2025.
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  • Free angel investor accreditation initiative launched to support SEBI compliance

    Vinay Bansal of Inflection Point Ventures explained the move ahead of the September deadline

    A new initiative has been launched to help angel investors meet regulatory requirements under the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s updated framework, which now mandates accreditation for individuals investing in startups.
    Early stage investing platform Inflection Point Ventures has announced that it will facilitate angel investor accreditation free of cost for individuals who take its membership, aligning with SEBI’s guidelines and the upcoming compliance deadline of 7 September.

    Under SEBI regulations, investors seeking to participate in startup investments are now required to obtain accreditation from a SEBI recognised agency such as NSDL or CVL. Once accredited, investors receive an Angel Investor Accreditation Certificate that remains valid for a period of two or three years, depending on the option selected. The change is expected to have a significant impact on the early stage investment ecosystem.
    Currently, the number of accredited investors in India remains limited, with fewer than 1,500 individuals accredited through CVL, one of the recognised agencies. Industry participants have noted that the requirements could further narrow the pool of eligible angel investors, potentially affecting deal flow in the startup ecosystem.

    Through its initiative, Inflection Point Ventures is offering end to end support across the accreditation process. This includes eligibility assessment, documentation assistance, verification, coordination with SEBI recognised agencies, application submission, validation, and issuance of the accreditation certificate, subject to investors meeting regulatory criteria. The platform stated that eligible members would be supported through the entire process at no additional cost.
    Commenting on the development, Vinay Bansal, Founder of Inflection Point Ventures, said, “The introduction of investor accreditation by SEBI is a major regulatory development for the early-stage investment ecosystem. This might bring in certain new considerations for investors and startups alike, but essentially, with one of the largest angel investing platforms in the country, we see it as our responsibility to support the intent of the regulation and help move our investor community through this transition smoothly.”

    The initiative is aimed at ensuring continuity for long term investors while aligning with SEBI’s evolving regulatory framework. Investors associated with Inflection Point Ventures may seek guidance through their relationship managers, while others can access relevant information through the platform’s official communication channels.
    With the September deadline approaching, timely completion of accreditation is expected to be critical for investors seeking to continue participating in angel investments under the revised regulatory structure.

    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.

  • Language training aligned to workplace contexts emerges through École French

    Kunal Gupta, Chief Executive Officer at Henry Harvin Education, outlines how learners are prepared for Francophone academic and professional settings

    Language education in India is increasingly being shaped by workplace requirements rather than academic instruction alone. Responding to this shift, École French, operating under the School of Languages at Henry Harvin Education, has positioned its French language programmes around professional and real world application.
    Launched as a dedicated specialty language school in October 2025, École French builds on Henry Harvin Education’s experience in language training since 2019. The institute focuses on learners who require functional French skills for academic progression, employment, and cross border professional engagement, rather than purely theoretical knowledge.

    The demand for French language proficiency continues to grow in India, driven by expanding Indo French trade, international academic collaboration, and employment opportunities across sectors including hospitality, aviation, tourism, diplomacy, education, and global services. With French spoken across more than 29 countries, proficiency in the language is increasingly viewed as a practical requirement in multinational environments.
    École French offers structured learning pathways from A1 to C2 levels, aligned with internationally recognised proficiency standards. Each level emphasises pronunciation, conversational fluency, professional communication, and contextual language use across business and social settings. Learners undergo regular assessments and certification processes to support academic admissions, career advancement, and migration related goals.

    Commenting on the institute’s professional orientation, Kunal Gupta, Chief Executive Officer at Henry Harvin Education, said that language learning today is closely linked to career mobility and global exposure. He noted that École French is designed to prepare learners to function effectively in Francophone academic institutions and workplaces, rather than limiting instruction to classroom theory.
    Beyond language mechanics, the institute incorporates cultural intelligence into its curriculum. Learners are introduced to French workplace etiquette, communication norms, and social conventions to support smoother integration into Francophone environments. This applied approach reflects a broader change in how language education is being approached in India, where proficiency is increasingly treated as a career skill.

    Through structured learning, practical exposure, and cultural orientation, École French continues to support students and working professionals seeking long term language competence aligned with international academic and professional pathways.
    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.

  • Critical mineral recycling scheme gathers pace as recyclers sign up at IMRC 2026

    Dr Anupam Agnihotri of JNARDDC said over 70 companies have registered under the Rs 1,500 crore incentive programme

    The government’s Rs 1,500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme has begun gaining traction across the recycling industry, with more than 70 companies registering since its operational rollout, according to officials speaking at IMRC 2026 in Jaipur.
    Addressing the International Material Recycling Conference 2026 organised by the Material Recycling Association of India, Dr Anupam Agnihotri, Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre, said the scheme has moved from policy announcement to implementation, with eligibility norms and incentive structures now clearly defined.

    The Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, announced by the government in October 2025 and operationalised through guidelines issued shortly thereafter, is designed to promote domestic recycling and recovery of critical minerals at a time when global supply chains are tightening. According to Dr Agnihotri, more than 10 recycling companies have already received formal acknowledgements under the scheme, reflecting early industry confidence.
    Dr Agnihotri said the scheme targets the creation of 2.7 lakh metric tonnes of recycling capacity and introduces a differentiated incentive framework based on company scale. Group A recyclers, defined as companies with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 200 crore, are eligible for incentives of up to Rs 50 crore or 20 percent of plant and machinery costs, whichever is lower. Group B recyclers, with turnover below Rs 200 crore, can access incentives of up to Rs 25 crore or 20 percent of plant and machinery costs.

    With operational guidelines now in place under the National Critical Mineral Mission, speakers at the conference underlined that recycling, rather than primary mining alone, will be central to India’s ability to secure long-term access to critical minerals.
    “India has identified 24 critical minerals, many of which remain fully or largely import-dependent, making scrap availability, processing and recovery a strategic priority,” Dr Agnihotri said. He added, “There is a narrow window of five to six years. Countries are already moving towards resource nationalism. Soon, they will restrict exports not just of ores but also of scrap and waste. India must act now to build domestic recycling and recovery capacity if it wants secure supply chains.”

    Explaining the design of the incentive framework approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2025, Dr Agnihotri said the scheme prioritises quality and technological capability over rapid volume expansion. “Only R3 and R4 category recyclers are eligible. Group A recyclers must process at least 10,000 tonnes per annum, while Group B recyclers must process a minimum of 5,000 tonnes, with defined purity benchmarks. Incentives are capped at Rs 50 crore or 20 percent of plant and machinery cost, ensuring support is directed toward serious, technology-driven recycling investments,” he said.
    The scheme combines capital expenditure-linked incentives with phased operational expenditure support over a five to six year period. Incentives are restricted to entities engaged in actual extraction and recovery of critical minerals, excluding black-mass-only operations. Dr Agnihotri said this structure is intended to provide stability for recyclers investing in advanced scrap-processing infrastructure.

    Placing the initiative in a broader global context, Dr Agnihotri said critical minerals have emerged as a determinant of geopolitical and economic power. “The green transition, EV manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and defence technologies all depend on reliable access to critical minerals. Recycling and urban mining will increasingly define national competitiveness,” he said.
    He added that JNARDDC, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Mines, has been designated as the nodal agency for recycling across aluminium, copper, lead and zinc, with recycling and critical minerals formally added to its mandate. “From funding startups beyond TRL-3 to supporting pilot plants through nine Centres of Excellence with financial backing of up to Rs 20 crore, the institutional ecosystem for scrap-based recovery is now firmly in place,” he said.

    Offering an international perspective, Dr Rachana Arora, Director Climate Change and Circular Economy at GIZ India, said India’s recycling-led approach reflects shifting global supply chain realities. “Critical raw materials are no longer a single-country issue. India and the European Union are moving toward coordinated approaches on batteries, renewables and electronics, with recycling and urban mining emerging as common priorities,” she said, citing India Germany cooperation across exploration, processing, recycling and technology development.
    On the technology front, Dr Alok Ranjan Paital, Principal Scientist at CSIR CSMCRI, said the policy push aligns with recycling technologies that are ready for scale-up. “Hydrometallurgy remains central to battery recycling, but advanced processes such as direct cathode-to-cathode regeneration can further reduce energy use and material loss, provided purity challenges are addressed,” he said.
    From an industry standpoint, Vijay Pareek, Executive Director and SBU Head at Gravita India Limited, said the incentive scheme provides long-awaited clarity. “Clear eligibility norms, incentive structures and timelines provide confidence to investors and recyclers, accelerating formalisation and capacity creation in scrap-based recovery,” he said.
    IMRC 2026 is being held from January 20 to 22, 2026, at the Novotel Jaipur and Convention Centre in Jaipur, bringing together policymakers, recyclers, manufacturers and global stakeholders. Speakers agreed that developments since September 2025, including notification of guidelines, opening of applications through April 2026, establishment of Centres of Excellence and expanding international cooperation, mark a structural shift in India’s mineral strategy, with recycling positioned at the core of critical mineral security.
    On the sidelines of the conference, the MRAI Battery Recycling Excellence Awards 2026 were presented. Ardee Industries Limited was named Recycler of the Year in the MSME category, while Gravita India Limited received the Recycler of the Year award in the large scale category.
    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.

  • Leaders from BenQ, Hisense, Moglix, Avaali, Lumina Datamatics, and Paras Defence weigh in ahead of Budget 2026

    Rajeev Singh, Pankaj Rana, Rahul Garg, Srividya Kannan, Sameer Kanodia, Siddhartha Abburi, Chanakya Bellam, Nandagopal P, Taranbir Singh, Hiren Shah, Amit Mahajan, Raj Kumar Medimi, Murali Mantravadi, and Madhu Rajputra Peravalli share expectations

    As India approaches the Union Budget 2026, leaders across technology, manufacturing, logistics, defence, energy, and deep tech are calling for policy clarity that goes beyond short-term stimulus and focuses on long-term capability building. With digital public infrastructure firmly in place, industry voices now emphasise the need to deepen innovation, manufacturing competitiveness, R&D intensity, and global relevance.

    Technology, AI, and Digital Infrastructure

    Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India and South Asia, said expectations from the Budget are centred on education technology, local manufacturing, and skilling.
    “The Union Budget 2026–27 will boldly advance India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision by prioritizing transformative investments in education technology, youth skilling, and middle-class prosperity essential catalysts for the consumer electronics and edtech sectors. As a pioneer in monitors, projectors, and interactive flat panels (IFPs) that power modern homes, hybrid offices, and smart classrooms across the nation, we anticipate a comprehensive strategy that aligns fiscal measures with our sector’s growth trajectory

    In particular, we foresee a substantial allocation under PM SHRI and Samagra Shiksha schemes to revolutionize smart classrooms, mandating at least 50% local procurement of IFPs and projectors to equip 1.5 lakh schools and transform hybrid learning for 20 million students, enabling brands like ours to deploy over 2.5 lakh units annually. Complementing this, an enhanced PLI 2.0 scheme with ₹10,000 crore outlay would offer 7–10% incentives for localizing advanced 4K/8K panels, laser projection technology, and eye-care monitors, slashing import dependence from 45% to under 10% while scaling manufacturing capacity.
    Moreover, a dedicated skilling fund for display manufacturing, AV integration, and optics training would empower the upskilling of over 4 lakh youth across 20 Tier-2/3 hubs, generating 6 lakh direct and indirect jobs in the ecosystem.”

    Pankaj Rana, CEO, Hisense India, highlighted the importance of localisation and vocational skilling.
    “The Union Budget 2026–27 offers a transformative platform to operationalize India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, with youth skilling and middle-class empowerment as foundational pillars that will cascade benefits to high-growth sectors like consumer electronics. As Hisense India accelerates its Make in India commitment producing advanced MiniLED TVs, smart ACs, refrigerators, and washing machines we anticipate a few targeted measures to unlock our sector’s potential.
    For instance, an increase in allocation for electronics by 20–25% with simplified norms for next-gen components like RGB MiniLED panels and AI chipsets would enable us to localize 60% of TV production value by FY27. Moreover, a dedicated fund for vocational training in semiconductors, display tech, and assembly lines, potentially partnering with tech brands, would also serve to skill 5 lakh youth annually and create 2 million jobs in the electronics value chain.
    Furthermore, fast-tracking electronics parks in Tier-2/3 cities with subsidized power and land, plus duty drawbacks on exports would help target $50 billion in TV and appliance shipments by 2028, aligning with global innovation.”

    Ravi Agarwal, Co-founder and Managing Director, Cellecor, emphasised stability and localisation.
    “The Union Budget 2026–27 is a pivotal opportunity to accelerate India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision by reinforcing domestic manufacturing as the backbone of the consumer electronics sector. For Cellecor, which is steadily expanding its Make in India footprint across smart TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators, and kitchen appliances, policy stability and targeted manufacturing support will be critical to building long-term scale and competitiveness.
    A sharper focus on electronics manufacturing incentives, rationalised component duties, and simplified input norms can meaningfully deepen localisation and help the industry progress towards 50–60 percent domestic value addition. Strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem through investments in skilling, electronics clusters, and MSME supplier networks will be essential to move up the value chain and reduce import dependence.
    With Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets emerging as the next engines of both consumption and production growth, a manufacturing-first policy approach can enable Indian brands to serve domestic demand while building globally competitive capabilities.”

    AI, Data, and Enterprise Technology

    Srividya Kannan, Founder and CEO, Avaali, stressed the importance of trust, privacy, and AI adoption.
    “As India prepares for Union Budget 2026, the focus should continue on building a robust ecosystem for technology, innovation, and trust. We hope to see continued support for AI research and development, including grants, incentives, and policy measures that encourage enterprises to adopt AI and automation, strengthen efficiencies, and make data-driven decisions. Strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure and frameworks will be essential as digital and AI workflows become more pervasive.
    India’s Data Protection and Privacy landscape also marks a critical juncture. While the DPDP Rules introduce global-standard protections, enterprises face the challenge of aligning compliance with trust. Budget 2026 could help by supporting technology-driven approaches to privacy, promoting architectures where consent, encryption, access controls, and automated governance are foundational, not performative.
    Continued focus on the Global Capability Center ecosystem, Tier-II and Tier-III city growth, and future-ready talent development, including initiatives promoting women in tech, remains crucial.”

    Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director and CEO, Lumina Datamatics Limited, pointed to AI-led productivity in publishing and commerce.
    “As India prepares for the Union Budget, we expect a sharper policy focus on strengthening digital and AI-led infrastructure that underpins knowledge services, publishing, and the fast-growing retail and e-commerce ecosystem. Continued investments in advanced technologies such as AI, automation, and cloud platforms will be critical to improving productivity across content creation, digital publishing workflows, and large-scale retail operations.
    For the publishing sector, targeted support for technology-enabled content production, research digitisation, and global content services exports can help Indian companies deepen their role in the international knowledge economy.
    Aligned with our expectations, a strong emphasis on AI-focused skill development, R&D incentives, and ease of doing business for technology-driven service providers will enable companies to continue building globally competitive solutions from India.”

    Nandagopal P, CEO, Asymmetri; CTO, Gacsym Ventures; and Limited Partner, Arya Ventures, framed Budget 2026 as a strategic inflection point.
    “India is approaching Budget 2026 at a stage where its vast digital scale must now evolve into true global digital leadership. Over the last decade, we’ve built remarkable digital public infrastructure, but global competitiveness will be decided by depth of compute, AI capability, R&D, cybersecurity, and talent.
    The approval of the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme is a bold and timely step, but capital alone will not create global technology leaders. Budget 2026 must provide the policy backbone, stronger R&D tax incentives, clear IP commercialisation pathways, and support for deep-tech venture funding, so that innovation can move faster from lab to market.
    If Budget 2026 gets this right, India can shift from being a large digital market to becoming a true digital superpower.”

    Chanakya Bellam, Director, AION-Tech Solutions Ltd., highlighted AI and full-stack capabilities.
    “As India prepares its Union Budget for 2026–27, AION-Tech Solutions urges policymakers to place future-ready technologies at the center of national economic planning. Strategic investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, full-stack digital platforms, business intelligence, and cloud infrastructure will be critical for sustained economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.
    To fully realize this potential, proactive governance is essential, including R&D incentives for AI and digital startups, stronger public-private partnerships, large-scale skill development, and responsible frameworks that balance innovation with ethics, privacy, and security.”

    Logistics, Manufacturing, Energy, and Defence

    Taranbir Singh, Founder and CEO, Bharat Supply, spoke on logistics and rural infrastructure.
    “As India’s consumption story deepens beyond metros, the Union Budget holds an opportunity to meaningfully strengthen last-mile and beyond-metro logistics. A key step would be to simplify and rationalise GST for logistics, particularly last-mile delivery services, to lower operating costs and unlock new private investment.
    Equally important is sustained focus on rural consumption, where logistics is the critical backbone connecting farmers, MSMEs, and small retailers to markets.”

    Hiren Shah, Managing Director, Jyoti Global Plast, addressed MSMEs and defence manufacturing.
    “The importance of MSMEs is growing at a fast pace in the economy. The industry is emerging as a key pillar supporting India’s manufacturing renaissance in the defence sector and beyond. Targeted capex incentives, output-linked support, rationalised taxation, and R&D enablement can help MSMEs scale indigenous technologies and accelerate adoption.”

    Amit Mahajan, Director, Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited, called for deeper industry-led R&D.
    “As India accelerates its transition from import dependent to a technology-driven and self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem, the Union Budget 2026 must deepen industry-led research, design and development… Beyond core defence platforms, strong support is needed for drones, counter-drone systems, and aerospace technologies.”
    Raj Kumar Medimi, Executive Director, Trinity Cleantech, focused on power infrastructure.
    “The upcoming Union Budget presents a critical opportunity to strengthen the country’s power and energy infrastructure at the grassroots level… Incentivizing high-efficiency, low-loss transformers and supporting indigenously manufactured electrical equipment can significantly reduce long-term system costs for DISCOMs.”
    Murali Mantravadi, Joint Managing Director, Energy Bots, emphasised long-term tech capacity.
    “India’s digital ecosystem has reached a structural inflection point… This budget must treat AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and deep tech as national digital infrastructure.”
    Madhu Rajputra Peravalli, Co-founder, Troogue, addressed startups and skilling.
    “We keep talking about enabling startups, but real scale comes when the government becomes a customer, not just a regulator… Strengthening R&D tax incentives for startups building original IP will boost innovation.”
    Closing Context
    Taken together, the voices reflect a consistent theme ahead of Budget 2026: the need to move decisively from scale to sophistication, from access to capability, and from incremental incentives to long-term policy certainty across technology, manufacturing, logistics, energy, and defence.
    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.

  • Postgraduate engineering education expands through IIIT Dharwad and TeamLease EdTech

    Prof. S. R. Mahadeva Prasanna, Director, IIIT Dharwad, and Shantanu Rooj, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, TeamLease EdTech, describe the programme framework

    Postgraduate engineering education in computer science is being expanded through a new online M.Tech programme associated with Indian Institute of Information Technology Dharwad and TeamLease EdTech. The programme has been structured to offer advanced academic and applied learning pathways in key technology domains relevant to industry and research.
    The online M.Tech programme in Computer Science and Engineering includes three specialisation tracks: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and Cloud Computing. Each track is designed to combine foundational theory with applied learning to support both working professionals and recent engineering graduates seeking deeper technical expertise.

    The Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning specialisation covers areas such as deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and intelligent data driven systems. The Cybersecurity track focuses on threat modelling, cryptography, governance, risk and compliance, and resilient digital infrastructure. The Cloud Computing pathway addresses cloud architecture, multi cloud deployment models, container and serverless technologies, DevOps practices, and cloud native system design.
    According to Prof. S. R. Mahadeva Prasanna, Director of IIIT Dharwad, the programme reflects the institute’s focus on academic rigour, applied research, and alignment with evolving technology requirements. He said the structure is intended to support learners in developing domain specific expertise across emerging areas of computer science.

    Shantanu Rooj, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TeamLease EdTech, said the collaboration aligns with the organisation’s focus on building education to employment pathways that are responsive to industry needs. He noted that the programme is designed to help learners build relevant skills for professional environments where advanced computing systems and human decision making intersect.

    The programme is positioned for software engineers, technology professionals, cybersecurity and cloud practitioners, and graduates seeking to transition into specialised technical roles. Learners will engage with academic content supported by project based learning, drawing on IIIT Dharwad’s academic environment and industry oriented approach.
    Admissions for the first cohort are currently open, with programme details including eligibility criteria, curriculum structure, and application timelines available through official channels.
    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.

  • Delays in thyroid cancer diagnosis persist despite high treatability at HCG Cancer Centre

    Dr Nikhil Mehta, Consultant Onco Surgeon at HCG Cancer Centre, Mansarovar Jaipur, discusses how missed early symptoms continue to affect timely detection in India

    Delays in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer continue to affect patient outcomes in India, even though the disease is considered highly treatable when identified early. The challenge often begins with symptoms that appear minor and do not interfere with daily life, leading many individuals to postpone medical consultation until the condition becomes more serious.
    According to Dr Nikhil Mehta, Consultant Onco Surgeon at the HCG Cancer Centre, early warning signs of thyroid cancer are frequently overlooked. He explains that a small, painless swelling in the neck, mild changes in voice, or a sensation of fullness in the throat are often ignored or attributed to temporary causes such as stress or infection.

    The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck and plays a key role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and body temperature. When cancer develops in this gland, symptoms in the initial stages are subtle. As a result, many cases are detected only during medical examinations or scans conducted for unrelated health concerns.
    Dr Mehta notes that limited public awareness remains a significant factor behind delayed diagnosis. When individuals are unaware that persistent neck changes require evaluation, opportunities for early intervention are missed. He adds that early discussion and timely medical advice can make a substantial difference in outcomes.

    Family members and caregivers often play an important role in recognising early changes. Visible swelling, fatigue, or difficulty swallowing may be noticed by those close to the patient before the individual seeks care. Encouraging open conversations around such symptoms can reduce hesitation and shorten the time between symptom onset and diagnosis.
    Unlike certain other cancers, thyroid cancer does not have a routine population wide screening programme in India. Screening is largely risk based. Individuals with a family history of thyroid disorders, prior radiation exposure to the head or neck, long standing thyroid nodules, or hormonal imbalances are advised to remain more vigilant. Women, particularly in middle age, are also more likely to experience thyroid related conditions and should not ignore persistent symptoms.

    Clinical examination of the neck and ultrasound imaging are commonly used to assess thyroid nodules. These non invasive methods help determine whether further investigation is required. However, access to specialised diagnostic procedures remains uneven, particularly outside urban centres, contributing to delays in confirmation and treatment.
    Fear of surgery or lifelong medication can also discourage patients from pursuing timely evaluation. Cultural tendencies to normalise discomfort and prioritise family responsibilities over personal health further add to the delay, especially among caregivers and working women.
    Dr Mehta emphasises that outcomes improve significantly when thyroid cancer is diagnosed early. Treatment typically involves surgery followed by appropriate medical management and long term monitoring. Early detection often results in less extensive procedures, fewer complications, and better quality of life after treatment.
    He adds that improving awareness is a form of preventive care. Recognising that some cancers progress quietly and acting on persistent symptoms can lead to timely diagnosis and effective treatment. A simple neck examination, when done without delay, can help address the condition before it advances.
    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.