Author: Neel Achary

Alpha AMC Unveils AIF Platform, a One-Stop Digital Destination for India’s AIF Ecosystem

Mumbai, Aug 10: Alpha AMC, a SEBI-registered Category I Alternative Investment Fund launched an AIF Platform app, a comprehensive digital platform dedicated to India’s Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) ecosystem, to provide investors with structured, transparent, and easily accessible information on SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds.

Designed for HNIs, UHNIs, family offices, institutional investors, founders, and wealth professionals, the platform enables users to discover, compare, and evaluate Alternative Investment Funds through a standardized information framework. By bringing together fund information, manager profiles, research resources, and regulatory disclosures in one place as this AIF Platform aims to simplify the investment research process and help investors make more informed decisions.

As India’s alternative investment industry continues to expand, investors often navigate multiple documents and sources to evaluate funds. Alpha AMC AIF Platform addresses this challenge by consolidating key information into a single investor-friendly destination.

The platform enables users to compare AIFs across multiple parameters, including investment strategy, target returns, tenure, fees, risk profile, minimum investment, fund structure, and performance metrics. Investors can also access fund presentations, factsheets, Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs), regulatory disclosures, benchmark comparisons, asset allocation details, webinars, and educational research articles.

Beyond fund information, Alpha AMC AIF platform also provides dedicated profiles of Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and Fund Managers, offering greater visibility into the institutions and professionals responsible for managing investment strategies. To support the industry, the platform introduces its “Claim Your AMC” and “Claim Your Profile” features, allowing authorized representatives to verify their profiles, update fund information, and ensure investors have access to accurate and up-to-date information.

Sharing his excitement on the launch of the Alpha AMC AIF Platform app, Rajesh Singla, CEO, Alpha AMC, said, “We are delighted to introduce Alpha AMC AIF Platform, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to simplify how investors discover and evaluate Alternative Investment Funds. As the AIF ecosystem continues to evolve, investors need access to reliable, standardized, and transparent information in one place. This platform bridges that gap by bringing together fund data, manager insights, research, and educational resources on a single digital destination. We believe AIF Platform will play a meaningful role in making alternative investments more accessible, informed, and transparent for all stakeholders.”

Organized in accordance with SEBI’s Category I, Category II and Category III AIF framework, the platform offers a standardized approach to exploring India’s growing alternative investment landscape while improving transparency and accessibility for all stakeholders. With a focus on information, comparison, and investor education, AIF Platform aims to become a trusted digital destination for India’s alternative investment ecosystem.

Malaysia Aviation Group Strengthens Safety and Fitness-for-Duty Framework

KLIA, Aug 10 – Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is strengthening its safety and fitness-for-duty framework with enhanced drug screening measures across its airlines. As an immediate step, the Group has commenced mandatory drug screening for all Malaysia Airlines pilots and will conduct stricter screening for all active pilots, beyond industry practice. This swift response reflects the high level of concern with which MAG views the recent incident involving the detention of its pilot, as the Group maintains zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.

Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MAG, said, “Operational safety and crew fitness for duty are non-negotiable at MAG. We take any breach of our safety standards seriously and have acted swiftly to enhance mandatory drug screening across our active pilots. While this isolated incident does not reflect the professionalism of the overwhelming majority of our employees, we will continue strengthening our safeguards to maintain the confidence of our passengers and stakeholders.”

Mandatory Pilot Drug Screening Underway

MAG has commenced the first phase of mandatory drug screening for all pilots across its airlines, beginning with all 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots. The screening is expected to be completed by 15 August 2026. Pilots who do not complete the screening by the stipulated date will not operate flights until they have been cleared in accordance with MAG’s procedures and regulatory requirements.

In addition, the Group will implement mandatory drug screening for all active pilots, complementing its existing random testing programme. The programme will subsequently be expanded to active cabin crew.

Detained Pilot Was Not Operating the Aircraft

MAG confirms that the individual concerned was a Second Officer travelling in the cockpit jump seat as an observer and was not the pilot flying the aircraft. The individual had also been off duty for two days preceding the incident. The aircraft was operated safely at all times by two qualified operating pilots. MAG views the actions of the individual as completely unacceptable and contrary to the professional standards expected of its personnel.

Existing Fitness-for-Duty Framework

The enhanced measures build on MAG’s existing fitness-for-duty framework, which includes pre-employment screening, Class 1 medical certification for pilots, recurrent training, periodic alcohol and drug testing, and mandatory pre-flight compliance checks covering licences, medical certification, training and recency requirements.

Before every flight, the set of operating pilots also complete the IMSAFER* assessment to evaluate each other’s physical and mental readiness for duty. This is complemented by Threat and Error Management (TEM) principles to identify and manage operational risks.

MAG also provides comprehensive wellbeing support through its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and the Malaysia Aviation Group Peer Support (MAPS) programme, a confidential, peer-led initiative that encourages early intervention and supports employee wellbeing.

MAG will continue working closely with aviation, enforcement and regulatory authorities to implement recommendations, strengthen preventive measures and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements across its operations and the wider aviation ecosystem.

*IMSAFER is a pilot self-assessment checklist used before flight to evaluate fitness for duty. It stands for Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion and Recency. 

TransNusa Launch High-Frequency, Twice-Daily Direct Flights Between Jakarta And Bangkok

India’s Next Innovators Take Centre Stage at Vande Bharatam

Ahmedabad, Aug 10: Vande Bharatam, the grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship initiative launched by Adani Group Chairman Mr Gautam Adani, has selected its inaugural cohort from more than 26,000 applications across India. 

Vande Bharatam received applications from every State and Union Territory, with ideas spanning mobility, sustainability, technology, agriculture, defence, healthcare, manufacturing, education and other sectors. The cohort brings together innovators from varied regions, disciplines and backgrounds, united by the ambition to solve the nation’s problems, build nation-building enterprises and create nationwide impact. 

Created on the premise that talent is everywhere, even when opportunity is not, Vande Bharatam aims to connect promising innovators with top mentors, industry leaders, visibility and opportunities, to turn ideas into meaningful enterprises. The initiative is built on Mr Adani’s deeply held belief in giving back to the country that gave him the opportunity to dream, build and grow, and in creating pathways for others to do the same. 

Speaking on the launch of the first cohort, Mr Gautam Adani said: “When I look at these innovators, I see the possibilities of tomorrow’s Bharat. Talent has no city limits and opportunity should not have them either. Years from now, I hope we will look back at this first cohort and see among them the founders and innovators who went on to build enterprises that transformed Bharat. This is their initial chapter. And it is Vande Bharatam’s first chapter too.” 

Selected through a multi-stage evaluation process, the first cohort will take part in Vande Bharatam Immersive Week, featuring mentorship sessions, interactions with business leaders, entrepreneurs and experts, and successive rounds of evaluation. The program will culminate in the Vande Bharatam Grand Finale on 14 August, where outstanding innovators will be recognised and presented with the Vande Bharatam Trophy. 

Vande Bharatam is designed as more than a competition. Its longer-term ambition is to build a national platform that discovers ideas earlier and gives innovators beyond India’s traditional entrepreneurial centres access to people and institutions that can accelerate their journeys.

India Pushes for Fairer Trade and Greater Opportunities for MSMEs at BRICS Meet

Jaipur, Aug 8: India has reaffirmed its push for a more balanced and inclusive global trading system, with the interests of farmers, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and small businesses placed at the centre of its approach to international trade.

A proud day for India’s BRICS Chairship 🇮🇳

At the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur, reaffirmed India’s commitment to balanced trade and expanding avenues in the services sector for our people, while keeping the interests of our farmers, MSMEs and small businesses at… pic.twitter.com/ArkgRsq93G

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) August 7, 2026

The message was highlighted at the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur, where India stressed the need to expand trade opportunities while ensuring that the benefits of global commerce reach a wider section of the economy.

India also emphasised the importance of expanding opportunities in the services sector, which has become an increasingly important source of employment, exports and economic growth for the country.

For India, services ranging from information technology and professional services to business support and emerging digital industries represent a major opportunity to strengthen its position in global markets.

At the same time, the government stressed that greater international market access should not come at the expense of domestic producers. Farmers, artisans, MSMEs and small businesses remain important parts of the country’s economic base and need a trading environment that provides opportunities while protecting legitimate interests.

The discussions at the BRICS meeting also reflected the changing nature of international trade, with digital commerce, technology, investment and cross-border business increasingly shaping global economic relationships.

A fair and rules-based multilateral trading system can provide smaller businesses with greater certainty as they seek to enter new markets. For MSMEs in particular, improved trade access, easier procedures and better financial support could help them expand beyond local markets.

India’s emphasis on balanced trade also comes at a time when global supply chains and trading relationships are undergoing significant changes. Diversifying markets and strengthening economic partnerships have become increasingly important for businesses seeking long-term growth.

For Indian farmers and small enterprises, the larger objective is to turn international trade into a practical opportunity — one that can help increase market access, support incomes, create jobs and encourage entrepreneurship.

The BRICS discussions therefore underline India’s broader effort to combine global economic integration with domestic priorities, ensuring that the country’s growing participation in international trade remains inclusive, balanced and supportive of grassroots businesses.

UWM Engineering Student Brings Metal Casting to the Masses

It’s a typical evening at the bar, glasses clinking and conversation humming, until an unusual sight warrants a double take. At a nearby table, a young man in a T-shirt and jeans — and safety goggles and gloves — appears to be casting metal. Tiny furnace burning and molten tin pouring, a curious crowd is forming fast. Once they realize they’re invited to join in, their surprise turns to excitement. This is definitely not your average Milwaukee happy hour.

The man behind the metal is Swaroop Behera, a doctoral student in engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He’s running Foundry in a Box, a portable outreach kit designed to give people a hands-on intro to metal casting. If you’re lucky enough to stumble across one of these pop-up events, you might walk away not only with a new appreciation for applications of materials science in engineering, but with a freshly cast metal keychain you made yourself.

Recasting Foundry in a Box

Behera has long been active in student organizations, from arts and cultural clubs during his undergraduate studies in India, to international student groups at UWM and, most recently, the student chapter of the American Foundry Society. Participation in the chapter had dwindled — until Behera stepped up as president. He revitalized the group with a new outreach focus, aimed at getting middle school, high school and even UWM undergraduate students excited about how studying metals could enhance their skills in a variety of engineering fields.

“A lot of students have never heard of it,” Behera said. “But so long as anyone is making something out of any metal, metal casting is going to be there.”

That’s where Foundry in a Box comes in. The ultra-portable demonstration allows anyone (even Milwaukee bar patrons) to create their own metal souvenirs using molten tin, showing the metal casting process in a tangible and engaging way. While the activity had existed for years, Behera expanded its reach at UWM, increasing participation from a handful of students each year to hundreds and building partnerships with local schools. Behera co-presented on Foundry in a Box at a Wisconsin Technology Education Association conference — the session was so full that it was standing room only, he said.

“It’s a very simple tool for getting the creative juices flowing in students,” Behera said. “When they make something with their own hands, their mind and their heart attaches to it.”

The path ahead

The success of Behera and his fellow metal casting students hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Foundry Educational Foundation, a national organization dedicated to bridging the gap between universities and industry, was so impressed that it launched a new fellowship to support graduate students in UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science. Behera became its first recipient, earning three years of support for his studies and outreach initiatives.

Behera’s graduate research focuses on developing new aluminum alloys that could one day replace titanium in high-temperature applications. His work could have major implications for industries that rely on lightweight yet strong materials, from aerospace to manufacturing.

As he nears the completion of his PhD, Behera is weighing his next steps. While he loves teaching and outreach, he’s also drawn to industry, where academic innovations move from concept to reality.

“Science has gone really far ahead, and technology is playing catch-up — that’s where materials science comes in. You’re always trying to figure out and solve a specific problem for a given industry,” he said.

Regardless of where he ends up, one thing is certain: His passion for engineering and his commitment to inspiring the next generation will remain at the heart of his work.

“Whatever gives me the opportunity to continue spreading knowledge — I would love to continue doing that.”

GHR Infra Launches ‘2BHK Freedom Offer’ at GHR Callisto, as part of its Independence Day offering

Hyderabad, Aug 8: GHR Infra has launched the ‘2BHK Freedom Offer’ at GHR Callisto, its IGBC Green Homes Pre-certified Gold-rated residential community in Kollur, Hyderabad. Spread across 8.3 acres, with nearly 70percentage open space, the project is located around 10 minutes from Neopolis and offers 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 BHK residences. Introduced on the occasion of Independence Day, the offer applies to select 2 and 2.5 BHK homes starting at INR 83 lakh.

Under the offer, homebuyers receive a complimentary modular kitchen from IKEA, along with the choice of an EV parking provision or two years of common area maintenance. Eligible homes can also be booked with a 10 per cent down payment, helping buyers manage some of the immediate expenses associated with purchasing and setting up a new home.

The announcement adds to the range of Independence Day home offers available to buyers exploring flats for sale in Hyderabad. As the Hyderabad real estatemarket continues to expand across its western corridor, homebuyers are placing greater emphasis on project completion, connectivity, usable open space and the overall cost of ownership.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr Karteesh Reddy Madgula, CEO, GHR Infra, said,

 “The beginning of Phase 1 handovers marks an important moment for GHR Callisto and the families who have chosen to make this community their home. Buyers today assess the complete cost and experience of homeownership, including interiors, maintenance and future mobility needs. Through the 2BHK Freedom Offer, we are addressing some of these immediate considerations while giving buyers the flexibility to select a benefit that is most relevant to them.”

GHR Callisto comprises 1,190 homes across four residential towers, with configurations ranging from 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 BHK. Its 2 and 2.5 BHK residences, measuring approximately 1,195 sq. ft. and 1,295 sq. ft. respectively, are designed for young professionals, first-time homebuyers and growing families looking for 2 BHK apartments in Hyderabad and apartments in Kollur.

For buyers planning to buy a flat in Hyderabad, the commencement of Phase 1 handovers provides greater visibility into the project’s progress and living environment. The offer also positions GHR Callisto among the new residential projects in Hyderabad that combine homeownership benefits with ready community infrastructure.

The project has been planned around GHR Infra’s philosophy of ‘Smart Life in Nature’. Its smart and sustainable features include home automation, EV fast-charging infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, grey-water treatment, organic waste composting and Vaastu-compliant homes.

A 50,000 sq. ft. clubhouse forms the recreational and social centre of the community. The development also includes three swimming pools, an amphitheatre, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, work-from-home and co-working spaces, landscaped open areas and round-the-clock security.

Located in Kollur, GHR Callisto offers access to Neopolis, the Financial District and HITEC City, along with nearby educational institutions, healthcare facilities and leisure destinations. This connectivity, combined with the project’s open spaces and amenities, makes it relevant for buyers considering apartments in Kollur, Hyderabad, as well as those comparing premium apartments in Hyderabad.

With 2 BHK homes continuing to attract interest from end-users seeking a balance of space, value and connectivity, the offer is aimed at buyers evaluating 2 BHK flats in Hyderabad for self-use or long-term ownership.

The ‘2BHK Freedom Offer’is available for a limited period on eligible 2 and 2.5 BHK homes at GHR Callisto. Terms and conditions apply.