Author: Neel Achary

Government Approves Major Pulses & Oilseeds Procurement Drive Across 4 States; Uttar Pradesh Leads Beneficiary List

Pic Credit: Pexel 

New Delhi, June 19, 2026: In a significant boost to India’s agricultural support framework, large-scale procurement of pulses and oilseeds has been approved across four states, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as the biggest beneficiary under the programme.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening minimum price support mechanisms, ensuring assured market access for farmers, and reducing price volatility in key agricultural commodities. By expanding procurement coverage, the government seeks to provide greater income security, particularly for pulses and oilseeds growers who often face fluctuating market prices.

Uttar Pradesh, with its large agricultural base and extensive cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, will receive the highest allocation under the procurement plan. Farmers in the state are expected to benefit significantly through improved price realization and timely procurement support.

Officials said the move will also help stabilize domestic supply chains for essential food items and reduce dependence on imports of edible oils and pulses, thereby improving overall food security.

From an economic perspective, the procurement drive is expected to have a positive multiplier effect. By increasing rural income, the initiative will boost farm liquidity, strengthen rural consumption demand, and support allied sectors such as transportation, warehousing, food processing, and agri-logistics. This, in turn, is likely to contribute to broader economic stability and reinforce growth in the agricultural economy.

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair returns to farmers while promoting crop diversification and strengthening India’s self-reliance in key agricultural commodities.

Further details on procurement agencies, timelines, and state-wise allocations are expected to be announced by the concerned authorities shortly.

Sensex, Nifty Start Lower as IT Stocks Weigh on Market Sentiment

Mumbai, June 19: Indian equity markets opened lower on Friday, with benchmark indices coming under pressure amid a sharp decline in information technology (IT) stocks. Investor sentiment weakened following cautious guidance from global technology services firm Accenture, raising concerns over the near-term growth outlook for the IT sector.

The BSE Sensex opened over 500 points lower at 76,852.86, while the NSE Nifty slipped more than 150 points to begin the session at 23,991.20.

Technology shares led the losses, with the Nifty IT index witnessing a significant decline. Mid- and small-cap IT and telecom stocks also traded lower as investors reacted to global industry trends and moderated growth expectations.

Broader market sentiment remained subdued, with sectors such as real estate, consumer durables, financial services, metals, automobiles, and FMCG trading in negative territory during early trade.

However, defensive sectors provided some support to the market. Pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks attracted buying interest, reflecting investors’ preference for relatively stable sectors amid heightened market uncertainty.

Despite the weakness in technology stocks, market experts remain optimistic about the broader market outlook. Improving domestic macroeconomic indicators, easing inflationary concerns, and declining crude oil prices continue to support investor confidence.

Foreign institutional investor (FII) activity has also contributed to recent market resilience, particularly in the banking sector, where short-covering and selective buying have helped sustain momentum.

Global developments further influenced market sentiment. Crude oil prices moved lower following reports of easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the resumption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The decline in oil prices is viewed as a positive development for India, which relies heavily on energy imports.

Meanwhile, Asian markets traded mixed during the session, while major US indices closed higher overnight, reflecting cautious optimism among global investors.

Market participants will continue to monitor global economic developments, corporate earnings, foreign investment flows, and commodity price trends for cues on market direction in the coming days.

Athulya Senior Care, Dementia India Alliance Train Future Caregivers to Close India’s Dementia Care Gap

Chennai, June 19:  With nearly 90 percent of India’s dementia cases going undiagnosed and demand for trained caregivers rising, Athulya Senior Care, in association with Dementia India Alliance, trained more than 45 students and aspiring healthcare professionals at a “Healthy Brain, Healthy Ageing” workshop held today at its Maduravoyal facility in Chennai, as part of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month 2026.

Participants from disciplines including psychology, social work, caregiving and allied healthcare attended expert-led sessions on brain health, dementia awareness, healthy ageing and caregiving practices, and received certificates upon completing the programme.

Sessions, led by mental health professionals and dementia care experts, covered the early signs and symptoms of dementia, risk factors associated with cognitive decline, current approaches to dementia care and treatment, and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, giving participants practical insight into supporting people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Beyond raising awareness, the workshop aimed to strengthen India’s dementia care ecosystem by equipping students and aspiring professionals with foundational caregiving knowledge, contributing to a skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s growing number of people living with dementia and age-related cognitive disorders.

The initiative comes as India faces a rapidly growing dementia burden. Recent research estimates that approximately 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above currently live with dementia, of which nearly 70 percent are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease translating to more than 6 million Alzheimer’s cases nationwide. As India’s ageing population continues to grow, that number is projected to rise to nearly 16.9 million by 2036. Globally, more than 75 percent of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are expected to occur in low- and middle-income countries by 2050, underscoring the urgency of strengthening awareness, diagnosis and care infrastructure.

Dr. Nivedha Pathmanathan, Consultant Psychiatrist, Athulya Senior Care said “Many families mistake the early signs of dementia for normal ageing, and that delay can cost months, sometimes years, of care a person could have received”, Early intervention significantly improves quality of life for someone living with dementia and gives families time to prepare for the journey ahead. Workshops like this one are how we move the needle on early detection and informed care.”  

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Ramani Sundaram, Executive Director, Dementia India Alliance, said, “India is entering a phase where dementia is increasingly becoming a public health and caregiving challenge, yet we continue to face a significant shortage of professionals trained to support those living with the condition. Through our association with Athulya Senior Care, this workshop introduced to participants the realities of dementia care and encouraged a more informed and empathetic approach towards cognitive health.”

Speaking about this initiative, Mr. Srinivasan G, Founder and CEO, Athulya Senior Care said, “The shortage of caregivers trained to support people with dementia is one of the biggest gaps in India’s senior care system today. Through our association with Dementia India Alliance, this workshop gives students and aspiring professionals a foundation in dementia care, and the skills they build here will shape how well India’s ageing population is supported in the years ahead.”

The workshop is part of Athulya Senior Care’s ongoing efforts to build awareness around healthy ageing, cognitive health and specialised senior care, while supporting the development of a trained workforce for individuals living with dementia and their families.

NICMAR Highlights Talent Imperative for India’s Next Infrastructure Leap

New Delhi, June 19 : NICMAR, India’s premier institution for Construction, Real Estate, Infrastructure and Project Management education, has highlighted the growing importance of domain-specific management education as the country’s infrastructure sector enters a more technology-driven and innovation-led phase of growth.

As India accelerates investments in transportation networks, smart cities, renewable energy, urban development, and industrial infrastructure, the nature of leadership required to drive these projects is also evolving. While management education has traditionally focused on developing generalists equipped with broad business knowledge, the increasing complexity of infrastructure projects is creating a strong case for specialised management education.

Unlike many sectors, construction, real estate, and infrastructure projects demand a unique blend of technical understanding, project execution capabilities, financial acumen, regulatory awareness, sustainability expertise, and stakeholder management. Leaders today are expected to navigate large-scale investments, emerging technologies, environmental considerations, and complex project lifecycles while ensuring timely and efficient delivery.

As India transitions from a construction-led economy to an infrastructure innovation economy, organisations are increasingly seeking professionals who can combine managerial excellence with deep domain expertise. Technologies such as Building Information Modelling , digital twins, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and digital project management tools are reshaping how projects are planned, executed, and monitored, further strengthening the need for industry-focused talent.

Recognising this shift, domain-specific management programmes are playing an increasingly important role in preparing future leaders. Such programmes equip students with specialised knowledge in areas such as project management, construction technology, infrastructure finance, procurement, contracts, sustainability, and urban development, enabling them to address real-world industry challenges more effectively.

For over four decades, NICMAR has been at the forefront of developing specialised talent for India’s built environment sector. Through its focused academic programmes and close industry engagement, the university continues to contribute to building a workforce capable of supporting the country’s ambitious infrastructure and urban development goals.

Commenting on the growing relevance of specialised management education, Mr. Tapash Kumar Ganguli, Director General, NICMAR said,

 “India’s infrastructure ambitions today extend far beyond construction—they demand innovation, sustainability, technological integration, and efficient project delivery at scale. As the sector evolves, the need for professionals who combine managerial excellence with deep domain expertise has never been greater. While general management skills remain valuable, industries such as construction, real estate, and infrastructure require leaders who understand the unique complexities of project execution, stakeholder management, regulatory frameworks, and emerging technologies. Domain-focused management education plays a crucial role in creating this talent pool and will be instrumental in shaping the future of India’s infrastructure growth story.”

With infrastructure expected to remain a key driver of India’s economic development, the demand for professionals who possess both strategic business skills and sector-specific expertise is only set to increase. As the industry evolves, domain-focused management education is poised to play a critical role in shaping the next generation of infrastructure leaders.

AD Ports Group Launches Noatum ‎Ports – Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions in Jordan

Aqaba, Jordan / Abu Dhabi, UAE – 19 June 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, today announced the operational launch of Noatum ‎Ports – Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions, a joint venture between AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC). The initiative marks a significant step towards reinforcing Aqaba’s position as a leading regional trade and logistics hub, while supporting Jordan’s broader economic development plans.

The joint venture, operating under Noatum Ports, the Group’s international ports operating arm, was established following an agreement signed with Aqaba Development Corporation to develop and operate a Port Community System (PCS). The project aims to enhance digital integration and facilitate information exchange among port users, the container terminal, relevant authorities, and all stakeholders, contributing to increased operational and logistical efficiency in Aqaba.

In addition, the joint venture is delivering a truck management project at the ports of Aqaba by deploying advanced digital solutions that connect relevant entities through a unified digital window. This contributes to streamlining procedures, expediting the issuance of necessary permits, and enhancing the seamless flow of logistics while raising the efficiency of services across the city.

The official launch of operations was marked by a ceremony held in Aqaba, attended by His Excellency Shadi Ramzi Al Majali, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority; His Excellency Hussein Al Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation; and Mohamed Al Tamimi, CEO of Noatum Ports – AD Ports Group; alongside key stakeholders and partners from both entities.

His Excellency Shadi Al Majali, Chief Commissioner, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), said: “The launch of Noatum ‎Ports – Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions represents a tangible step towards realising our vision of positioning Aqaba as a fully integrated digital logistics gateway on the Red Sea, while also reflecting the depth of the strategic partnership between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Today, we are not merely launching a company, we are laying the foundation for advanced digital infrastructure powered by artificial intelligence and smart analytics, designed to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce time and costs, and elevate transparency and security across cargo and truck movements.”

His Excellency added: “The company has already commenced implementation of its first project, the truck management system at Aqaba ports, which will help regulate truck traffic, reduce waiting times, and improve cargo-handling efficiency. This milestone reflects the partners’ commitment to accelerating digital transformation across the ports and logistics sector, while enhancing Aqaba’s competitiveness as a leading regional trade and logistics hub.”

His Excellency Eng. Hussein Al Safadi, CEO – Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), said: The launch of the company’s operations marks an important milestone in the development of Aqaba’s digital infrastructure and reflects the success of the strategic partnerships that ADC continues to forge with leading regional and international entities. This partnership brings together world-class strategic partners, foremost among them AD Ports Group, one of the most experienced global entities in the development, management, and operation of ports. Through its extensive international presence and proven operational expertise, AD Ports Group is well positioned to support the advancement of Aqaba’s logistics and maritime ecosystem and contribute to its long-term growth and competitiveness.” 

Mohamed Al Tamimi, CEO of Noatum Ports – AD Ports Group, said: “AD Ports Group continues to strengthen its presence in Jordan. The launch of Noatum ‎Ports – Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions marks another milestone in our strengthening partnership with Aqaba Development Corporation. We remain fully committed to deploying our global expertise and advanced technological solutions to drive supply chain efficiency and support the digital transformation of the ports and logistics sector in Aqaba.”

Al Tamimi added: “This launch aligns with AD Ports Group’s growing and increasingly diversified portfolio in Jordan, reflecting our long-term commitment to the Kingdom. Our presence spans the management and operation of the Aqaba Multipurpose Port, the development of landmark tourism assets such as the Aqaba Cruise Terminal and Marsa Zayed, as well as the deployment of advanced customs solutions to facilitate and streamline cross-border trade through the Al Madouneh Customs Centre. We look forward to supporting our partners’ efforts to enhance Jordan’s economic competitiveness and reinforce its position as a leading regional and international trade gateway.”

In February 2026, AD Ports Group signed a 30-year concession agreement with Aqaba Development Corporation to manage and operate the Aqaba Multipurpose Port. The agreement follows the inauguration of the Aqaba Cruise Terminal in January 2023.

In January 2025, AD Ports Group appointed MAG Group Holding to lead the first phase of development of Marsa Zayed, a 3.2 million m² beachfront tourism and business community in Aqaba, designed to position the city as a regional tourism centre and gateway to the Red Sea. This was followed in February 2025 by an agreement with the Jordan Customs Department to manage and operate the new Al Madouneh Customs Centre in Amman, strengthening cross-border trade and supply chain efficiency.