21, Aug 2026
Gujarat, Walmart Explore Global Market Access for MSMEs and Artisans
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government and global retail major Walmart have discussed a roadmap to expand international market opportunities for the state’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and artisans, with the proposed collaboration expected to be showcased at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027.
The discussions focused on identifying sector-specific opportunities that can help local businesses improve their export readiness, strengthen product capabilities and gain access to international supply chains. The initiative is aimed at connecting Gujarat’s small enterprises and traditional artisans with wider global markets.
Walmart Executive Vice-President Dan Bryant highlighted the company’s supplier-development efforts in India, while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel discussed the state’s industrial ecosystem and the potential for greater participation of MSMEs in global trade.
The proposed roadmap is expected to be presented during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027, providing a platform to explore further collaboration between the state, global retailers and local enterprises. The initiative could strengthen export opportunities for Gujarat’s MSMEs and artisans while supporting their integration into international value chains.
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- By Neel Achary
21, Aug 2026
Domestic Air Travel Demand Slips 4.8 percent in July
New Delhi: India’s domestic air passenger traffic declined 4.8 per cent year-on-year in July 2026, with airlines carrying around 1.20 crore passengers compared with 1.26 crore in the same month last year, according to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The decline came after domestic traffic touched a record monthly level of about 1.54 crore passengers in May. Industry data indicates that seasonal weakness and relatively high airfares contributed to the moderation in demand during July.
Despite the July decline, the overall passenger count for the first seven months of 2026 remained slightly higher than the corresponding period last year. Domestic airlines carried 984.03 lakh passengers between January and July, compared with 977.79 lakh during the same period in 2025, marking growth of 0.64 per cent.
The latest figures point to a softer phase for India’s aviation sector, although passenger volumes for the year so far continue to remain above last year’s levels.
21, Aug 2026
India Opens Wider Rupee Route for Export Transactions
New Delhi: The Centre has eased rules governing export transactions in Indian rupees, giving exporters greater flexibility to invoice overseas sales and receive payments in the domestic currency. The move is aimed at encouraging wider use of the rupee in international trade.
Under the revised Foreign Trade Policy, export contracts, invoices and payments with countries outside the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) can be denominated and settled in rupees or foreign currencies. Rupee-denominated export realisations will also be treated on par with foreign-currency earnings for applicable trade-policy benefits and export obligations.
The policy change is expected to provide exporters with an additional settlement option and reduce their dependence on foreign currencies for eligible international transactions. It also supports the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the international role of the Indian rupee.
The latest move builds on the rupee trade framework introduced earlier, under which international trade could already be invoiced and settled in Indian currency through arrangements involving authorised banks and Special Rupee Vostro Accounts.
21, Aug 2026
Demetrius A. Matthews Announces Release of New Book Code Switch: The Diary of Demetrius A. Matthews
A gripping memoir on identity, survival, and the hidden language of navigating two worlds
Miami, FL (Aug 21, 2026) — From the streets of Chicago to the boardrooms of corporate America, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and author Demetrius A. Matthews announces the release of his highly anticipated new book, Code Switch: The Diary of Demetrius A. Matthews — a raw, cinematic, and deeply personal exploration of identity, survival, and transformation.
A powerful continuation of the story introduced in Kling: A Hidden Hero, this latest work moves beyond reflection and into revelation. Written in a diary-style format, Code Switch immerses readers in the lived tension of navigating two worlds—one shaped by street codes, loyalty, and survival, and the other by unspoken corporate rules, perception, and power.
Raised in inner-city Chicago, Matthews learned early that success required more than ambition—it demanded awareness, adaptation, and the ability to move between environments without losing oneself. Rooted in the strength of a mother who instilled discipline, possibility, and belief, shaped by a father who taught him the language of survival, and later transformed by the mentorship of Thomas Kling, Matthews developed a dual lens that would ultimately define his path.
“Greatness isn’t about where you start—it’s about how many times you have to shift to keep moving forward,” says Matthews.
Blending memoir, cultural insight, and lived philosophy, Code Switch examines the concept of code-switching not simply as communication, but as a survival strategy—one that transforms pressure into precision and adversity into leverage. The book traces Matthews’ journey through adolescence, higher education, and professional spaces where identity is constantly negotiated, revealing the internal cost—and power—of learning how to belong in environments that were never designed for you.
With vivid storytelling and emotional depth, Matthews offers more than a personal narrative—he delivers a lens through which readers can better understand the intersections of race, environment, identity, and ambition. The result is a work that is both deeply individual and widely resonant, speaking to anyone who has ever had to adapt in order to rise.
Code Switch: The Diary of Demetrius A. Matthews is part of Matthews’ expanding storytelling portfolio, which spans film, literature, and multimedia platforms dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and challenging conventional narratives. The release marks a defining moment in his continued mission to transform lived experience into insight, strategy, and impact.
About Demetrius A. Matthews
Demetrius A. Matthews is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and author whose work explores identity, resilience, and transformation. As the Founder and CEO of Legacy Media LLC, he develops films, books, and multimedia projects that bring overlooked stories to light and challenge cultural narratives with honesty and purpose.
21, Aug 2026
Mosaics Fine Art Festival Secures $24,145 Grant from Missouri Arts Council
Funding supports the 31st annual arts celebration in Historic St. Charles.
(St. Charles, Mo., Aug. 21, 2024) Mosaics Fine Art Festival has been awarded a $24,145 grant with public support from the Missouri Arts Council (MAC), a state agency that invests in the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of communities across Missouri. This marks the fourth consecutive year the festival has received nearly $25,000 in support from MAC.
The grant will fund the festival’s 31st annual event, taking place Sept. 11 through 13, along several blocks of North Main Street in Historic St. Charles, Mo. The free three-day, family-friendly event welcomes all ages and will feature more than 70 juried artists representing 15 states. Attendees can browse and purchase original works while experiencing the charm of a district with more than 30 restaurants and over 75 shops.
MAC provides funding to nonprofit organizations through grants that deliver high-quality arts programming throughout Missouri. Applications are reviewed based on artistic merit, community engagement, and organizational capacity. MAC also prioritizes advancing cultural equity to ensure all Missourians have access to meaningful creative opportunities.
“We are deeply grateful to the Missouri Arts Council for its continued investment in our festival and the artists we serve,” said Denise Wulff, president of Mosaics Fine Art Festival. “This support allows us to expand access to the arts, welcome a diverse group of talented artists, and create an experience that brings people together while celebrating creativity in our community.”
The Mosaics Fine Art Festival is a nonprofit organization that showcases local and regional artists while educating the community’s children and adults on how art can enhance their lives. The festival features a wide array of artwork produced by a mix of emerging, mid-career and established artists in all media. For more information, call (314) 406-2067 or visit Mosaics Fine Art Festival.
20, Aug 2026
16,000 Scholarships in Focus at Shiksharatan India Foundation Training Programme
New Delhi, August 20, 2026
Shiksharatan India Foundation, Gurugram, organised a one-day training programme on education and scholarships at the H.K.S. Auditorium, Inderjit Gupta Marg, Delhi. Trainees from around 20 states participated in the programme.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of SC/ST. Addressing the trainees, Dr. Kulaste said quality education is essential for securing a better future for children. He said scholarships can provide important support to students from economically weaker families and help them continue their higher education.
Dr. Kulaste appreciated Shiksharatan India Foundation’s initiative to provide 16,000 scholarships. He said scholarships give students an opportunity to continue their studies and develop their potential. He also said that greater participation from the government, industry, donors and social organisations can help connect more students with educational opportunities through scholarships.
During the programme, Mr. Satish Kumar, Founding Member of the Foundation, briefed participants about the organisation’s work and its scholarship campaign. He said the Foundation is conducting a national-level examination for meritorious students from economically weaker sections and is working towards providing 16,000 scholarships to top-ranking students.
He said the Foundation is also focusing on skill development and mentorship along with scholarships. It is also undertaking an initiative to recognise schools, educational institutions, principals and teachers for their contribution to education at the national level. The Foundation said the participation of parents, teachers and educational institutions is essential for the success of the campaign.
Mr. Somjibhai Damor, former Member of Parliament and National President, Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad, and Ms. Mayatai Ewnate, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, also addressed the trainees.
During the programme, Mr. Shankar Lal Bodat, National Vice-President of the Parishad, shared details of the organisation’s activities. He said the organisation runs four colleges and 38 secondary and higher secondary schools. He added that it has organised 16 national-level conferences so far, covering issues related to the constitutional rights of tribal communities as well as water, forests, land, education, healthcare, agriculture and employment.
Mr. K.C. Ghumaria, State President, Rajasthan Branch, and Mr. Lukkibhau Jadhav, National President, Youth Wing, also addressed the trainees. Both appreciated Shiksharatan India Foundation’s scholarship initiative and emphasised the need to take the campaign to more students.
During the programme, speakers suggested creating separate groups of urban and rural students for the scholarship initiative. They said this approach could help ensure that more students from both areas benefit from the campaign.
At the conclusion of the programme, Mr. Satish Kumar thanked Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste and all the guests, trainees, students, teachers and other associates for their participation and support. He also thanked members of the media for their cooperation in making the programme a success.
20, Aug 2026
CoverSure Enters Insurance Gifting Space, Target 1 Million Families and INR 100 Crore in 12 Months
Mumbai, Aug 20: CoverSure, a customer-first insurance platform and IRDAI-licensed Corporate Agent, today entered corporate, social, and personal gifting as a new route to insurance adoption, introducing a suite of Insurance Gift Cards built on a single conviction: that protection is among the most meaningful things one person can give another. The cards are co-branded with Oxymoney, an RBI-licensed Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) issuer.
Gifting in India has moved past the standard mithai box and generic hamper toward something more personal, chosen for what it says about how well the giver knows the receiver. Insurance, at its core a promise of protection and longevity, fits that shift naturally, yet has never been part of India’s gifting tradition the way gold or festive cash has. In simple terms, an Insurance Gift Card is a stored value a recipient can put toward the insurance cover that best fits their own life, chosen and timed by the person who will actually be protected, not the giver.
CoverSure is targeting ₹100 crore in insurance gifting value over the next 12 months, with the ambition of reaching 1 million families through this route, positioning gifting as a scalable, additional channel for insurance adoption rather than a one-off campaign.
“Insurance has always been sold, never gifted. We wanted to change that,” said Saurabh Vijayvergia, Founder and CEO, CoverSure. “Every other form of care in India- gold, sweets, blessings- has a place in how we celebrate the people we love. Protection deserves the same place. That is what we are making possible today, without having to say the words out loud.”
Rather than purchasing a pre-selected policy on someone’s behalf, the giver provides a stored value that the recipient can put towards insurance. The recipient retains full control over the insurer, policy, type of cover and timing, and can apply the balance towards a new policy or the renewal of an existing one. This resolves a quiet but persistent difficulty in gifting insurance: the giver rarely knows the recipient’s existing policies, financial responsibilities, protection gaps or renewal dates. The decision, as it should, stays with the person being protected.
The Insurance Gift Card is available in four formats for different occasions and gifting needs. The Corporate Closed-Loop Gift is a customised card that can be redeemed exclusively on CoverSure across multiple insurance products, along with savings and wellness benefits. It is designed for employee rewards, festive gifting, customer engagement, and partner programmes. The Open-Ended Gift Card up to ₹1,000 allows recipients to use the value towards eligible insurance or non-insurance offerings on CoverSure, including in parts, making it suitable for personal gifting and employee appreciation. The Open-Ended Gift Card above ₹1,000 offers additional CoverSure benefits and access to its insurance management and protection services, making it suitable for family gifting and special occasions. The DIY Insurance Gift Card allows the giver to choose the insurance category, occasion and message, with options across Term, Health, Motor, Travel and Personal Accident insurance. Together, the four formats offer different ways to support the recipient’s insurance needs while leaving the final choice with them.
The launch is timed to a wider shift in how the country thinks about long-term wellbeing. In a nation widely regarded as the diabetes capital of the world, the Central Board of Secondary Education has directed schools to set up “sugar boards” educating children on the risks of excess sugar and encouraging healthier choices. CoverSure reads this as a sign that health and security are increasingly treated as things to protect deliberately rather than assume, at both a national and a household level, and sees gifting as a natural entry point for the same instinct.
India issued 41.84 crore insurance policies in FY2024–25, yet insurance penetration remained at 3.7% of GDP, against a global average of 7.3%. The gap points to the need not only for greater access, but for more reasons for people to act on their protection needs.
This mismatch is compounded by how differently the two industries are growing. India’s gifting industry, valued at an estimated $75 billion and expanding at roughly 14% annually, stands in sharp contrast to insurance, which continues to grow at only negative to low single-digit rates in policy volumes, a trajectory CoverSure believes can shift only if the industry attaches itself to larger, already-thriving traditions rather than standing alone as a financial product.
“We are looking at gifting as an additional route through which people can be introduced to insurance by the ambassadors of insurance, i.e. existing policyholders, rather than treating insurance as just another festive product,” Vijayvergia added. “A company, a family member or a friend provides the starting value, but the recipient decides whether it goes towards health, life or motor insurance, and when. It is a small gesture that can begin a lifetime of protection.”
The initiative follows CoverSure’s earlier awareness campaign, #ChitthiAayiHai, run with India Post, which sent more than 10,000 barcode-enabled inland letters to families across 15 cities, urging policyholders to share their insurance details with the people who would one day need them. The gift cards extend the same belief: that insurance grows not through advertising, but through care made visible.
CoverSure expects the corporate segment to be central to the initiative. Companies can build the cards into employee-reward and recognition programmes or extend them to customers and channel partners, reaching families who are often more financially exposed than assumed. For personal gifting, the cards suit festivals, birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones. The offering sits within CoverSure’s broader claim-first, customer-first model, where the claims experience is designed to be straightforward rather than buried in fine print.
20, Aug 2026
Naidu Proposes Bullet Train Link Between Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai
Amaravati/Mahabalipuram, Aug. 20: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has proposed a high-speed rail corridor connecting Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai, with a bullet train route passing through Kuppam, during the Southern Zonal Council meeting held in Mahabalipuram on Thursday.
Representational Image
The proposal was made at the meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where Naidu called for stronger cooperation among southern states on infrastructure, connectivity, water resources, energy and economic development.
Push for Integrated Transport Network
Naidu proposed creating a common logistics network and developing dry ports across southern states to strengthen trade and improve the movement of goods.
He also called for greater integration of the southern power grid with the national grid to improve energy coordination and reliability.
In the education and employment sector, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister suggested establishing a joint consortium involving universities and skilling institutions from southern states.
He also proposed a Mutual Aid Force to improve coordination among states during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Godavari-Cauvery Link Highlighted
Water sharing emerged as another major issue during Naidu’s address. He advocated the diversion of more than 500 TMC of water through the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project.
Naidu said the project could provide a long-term solution to Tamil Nadu’s water requirements and called for coordinated efforts involving Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to address interstate river-water disputes.
He further sought a long-term national plan for Ganga-Cauvery river linking, along with time-bound preparation of detailed project reports and approvals for river-linking initiatives.
Southern States Can Drive $10 Trillion Economy
Naidu said southern states account for around 31 per cent of India’s GDP and argued that the region could collectively contribute towards building a $10 trillion southern economy by 2047.
He urged the states to work together to strengthen the region’s role in India’s broader development and the vision of Viksit Bharat.
The Chief Minister also proposed a common spiritual tourism circuit connecting Tirupati with Kashi, Ayodhya and the Char Dham destinations.
AP Reorganisation Issues Raised
Naidu urged the Centre to resolve pending issues arising from the bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
He pointed out that matters concerning institutions listed under Schedules IX and X of the AP Reorganisation Act remain unresolved even after 12 years. He also sought resolution of the state’s resource deficit and issues related to Section 56 of the Reorganisation Act.
Infrastructure Projects Seek Centre’s Support
Highlighting ongoing development in Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said projects such as Polavaram, the South Coast Railway Zone and Amaravati are progressing with support from the Centre.
He also sought faster approvals for Dugarajapatnam Port and refinery proposals, besides central approval for the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada Metro Rail projects and the Kadapa-JSW railway link.
Naidu stressed that greater Centre-state trust and cooperation would be essential to resolve outstanding issues and accelerate development across southern India.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry, besides the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana.
20, Aug 2026
S Hotels & Resorts Invites Travellers to Reclaim the Luxury of Time
‘It’s About Time’ celebrates slow travel, soulful discovery and nature-immersive escapes designed to restore what everyday life takes away.
Bangkok, Thailand | Aug 20 – With so many demands on our time, S Hotels & Resorts is inviting travellers to reclaim that most precious of commodities, whether they’re burned out and ready for an end-of-year reset or simply looking to recharge before the festive season. The hospitality group’s ‘It’s About Time’ campaign serves as a tropical off-switch for the tired mind.
A lifestyle brand known for its soulful hospitality, SAii Hotels & Resorts brings its new campaign to life across its entire portfolio in Thailand and the Maldives, from the castaway allure of Phi Phi and Phuket’s family-friendly escapes to the adults-only hideaway of Koh Samui and the barefoot ease of the Maldives.
The campaign’s themes capture the elements that turn a simple getaway into time genuinely well spent. Time for Adventure invites holidaymakers to step away from the clock and dive into kayaking through hidden mangrove forests in the Andaman or exploring technicolour reefs in the Indian Ocean. For gentler sun-drenched pursuits, Time for Nature revolves around long beachside lunches and sunsets without the crowds. Time for Yourself is the luxury of doing only what your heart desires, from disappearing into the spa to dedicating an entire afternoon to poolside reading. Meanwhile, authentic local cuisines and freshly caught seafoodtake centre stage with Time for Flavours, just as Time Together brings everyone closer over shared sunsets, family adventures or a friendly game of padel tennis or lively afternoons at SunRay Social & Swim Club.
Finally, Time to Exhale is Santiburi Koh Samui’s exclusive expression of the campaign. As guests step into the 23-acre sanctuary of tropical foliage and lotus ponds, any vestiges of today’s ‘do more’ travel culture fall away, giving them explicit permission to do less. Exhale into Stillness with peaceful moments on Mae Nam Beach, Exhale into Nature amid ancient coconut trees and tropical gardens, Exhale into Wellbeing at Santiburi Spa or the newly upgraded Technogym fitness centre, Exhale into Flavours with refined Thai cuisine at Sala Thai Restaurant, and Exhale into Connection through meaningful moments shared with loved ones.
Book early and save up to 30% at SAii Laguna Phuket, SAii Phi Phi Island Village, SAii Koh Samui Villas, SAii Lagoon Maldives and Santiburi Koh Samui, making it even easier to embrace the luxury of time with a rewarding island escape. For more information, please visit saiihotels.com/ and santiburisamui.com/
20, Aug 2026
PhonePe PulsePro signs MoU with MeitY to power PM GatiShakti
Bengaluru, Aug 20: PhonePe, today announced the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to share insights from PhonePe PulsePro, its enterprise data intelligence platform, to support the PM GatiShakti mission for national infrastructure planning, economic analysis, and holistic urban and rural development.
PhonePe PulsePro transforms aggregated and anonymised transaction data into hyperlocal insights, providing a granular view of trends across geographies, categories and markets. Built on PhonePe’s extensive digital transactions ecosystem, PhonePe PulsePro enables organisations to identify emerging trends, understand market signals and derive actionable intelligence from real-world activity.
Under the MoU with MeitY, PhonePe PulsePro metrics will be integrated into the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan portal, managed in collaboration with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N). By sharing granular transactional insights with the PM GatiShakti portal, PhonePe is making hyperlocal PulsePro data accessible for internal government use to enable them to make smarter, data-based decisions for national development planning.
Sharing his views on the MoU, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), said,
“Data-driven intelligence can play an important role in enabling more informed planning and decision-making. The granular and hyperlocal insights available through PhonePe PulsePro can complement existing datasets and provide additional visibility into emerging trends across markets and geographies. We welcome PhonePe’s initiative to make these insights available through the PM GatiShakti framework and support India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.”
Commenting on the MoU, Karthik Raghupathy, Head of Strategy at PhonePe, said,
“Since the launch of PhonePe Pulse, we have seen how transaction-led insights can help build a more nuanced understanding of markets and emerging trends. PhonePe PulsePro takes this intelligence further through granular, hyperlocal and near real-time market signals. By making these insights available to MeitY, we hope to contribute to a stronger data ecosystem and support more informed, evidence-based infrastructure planning. We are delighted to play our part in enabling the use of data for broader public good.”
The MoU builds on PhonePe’s broader commitment to making data and technology a force for the public good. PhonePe Pulse, the company’s open data platform launched in 2021, is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs, researchers, developers, policymakers and students. PhonePe PulsePro extends these capabilities through enterprise-grade data intelligence and deeper, more granular market insights.
