3, Feb 2026
Industry Leaders Weigh In on Union Budget 2026 at BCIC Meet
“Our recommendation is that tax incentives extended to foreign service providers must also be made available to Indian businesses serving overseas customers, so that domestic players can build scale and compete on equal terms.”
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- By Neel Achary
3, Feb 2026
CFTI Fast-Tracks School Development Initiatives Pre FY-End
Mumbai, Maharashtra, Feb 03: With the March 31 financial year-end approaching, the Centre for Transforming India (CFTI) has rolled out a set of education-focused initiatives across schools in Mumbai and rural regions to support the timely utilisation of unspent CSR funds. These projects are designed for execution within short timelines and aim to address persistent gaps in school infrastructure, access to learning resources, and student mobility—key factors impacting attendance and learning outcomes in government and rural schools.
The initiative spans a wide range of school development and education support interventions that can be implemented within FY-end timelines. These include student mobility support such as bicycle distribution for girls; provision of academic kits and scholarships; digital learning enablement through tablets and computer installations; classroom and furniture upgrades; drinking water and sanitation improvements; and the development of sports and physical education infrastructure in rural schools.
CFTI brings significant on-ground implementation experience, having previously executed similar initiatives across multiple states. This includes the distribution of over 35,000 bicycles, award of more than 1,300 scholarships covering students from early education to postgraduate levels, and deployment of over 800 tablets and 100 computers to improve digital access. Infrastructure interventions have included upgrades to more than 90 classrooms, donation of over 1,200 benches across Maharashtra, Bihar, Vizag, and Pondicherry, installation of 34 RO water purifiers, integrated upgrades across 144 schools, and the development of sports facilities in select rural locations.
Commenting on the initiative, Amit Deshpande, Chief Operating Officer, Centre for Transforming India (CFTI), said,
“As the financial year draws to a close, CSR teams often face time and execution constraints. Having projects that are implementation-ready enables CSR funds to be deployed within the reporting cycle while addressing specific, on-the-ground needs of schools and students.”
Through an approach centred on execution readiness, monitoring, and transparent reporting, CFTI partners with corporates to deliver education projects within the financial year, with the objective of converting CSR allocations into clearly defined and measurable outcomes at the school and community level.
3, Feb 2026
AU Small Finance Bank partners with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India for two-wheeler financing
Mumbai, Feb 03: AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), Indias largest Small Finance Bank and the first in over a decade to receive in‑principle approval to transition into a Universal Bank, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI). The collaboration will offer customers affordable and convenient financing options for purchasing Honda two-wheelers across India.
As a preferred financier for Honda two-wheelers, AU Small Finance Bank will provide STP-enabled, analytics-based faster credit decisioning supported by Account Aggregator, along with digitally enabled repayment solutions to deliver a smoother, simpler, and more convenient financing experience. The partnership also includes joint marketing and promotional efforts across HMSI dealerships and AU Small Finance Bank branches.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
This collaboration will help to fulfil the dream of customers across segments including the first-time two-wheeler buyers, by enabling quicker eligibility assessment with paperless process, making it easier to own their vehicle. Honda customers will benefit from competitive schemes, promotional offers, and pre-approved offers, along with end-to-end tech-enabled loan support from AU Small Finance Bank.
AU Small Finance Bank customers will also gain the ability to purchase Hondas trusted range of motorcycles and scooters, supported by the banks seamless system integration that enables online applications, real-time status tracking, and a frictionless financing experience. The tie-up further provides AU customers with direct access to HMSIs extensive dealership network across India.
Commenting on the occasion, Uttam Tibrewal, ED & Deputy CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “Partnering with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India marks a significant milestone in AU Small Finance Banks journey of expanding mobility finance across the country. Honda is one of the most trusted and aspirational two‑wheeler brands in India, and this collaboration strengthens our commitment to enabling millions of customers with easier access to high‑quality mobility. As we progress toward becoming a Universal Bank, such partnerships reinforce our national distribution strength, customer‑first philosophy, and our ability to deliver transparent and innovative financial solutions at scale.”
Mr. Yogesh Mathur – Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “Strengthening the financing ecosystem is central to HMSIs customer-centric approach. This collaboration with AU Small Finance Bank is aimed at enhancing the credit solutions offered to the customers at HMSI dealerships across India. It will simplify the purchase journey and enable us to offer customers affordable and convenient financing options, while creating trust and transparency at every stage of the buying experience.”
Through this integrated operational framework, both organizations aim to maximize the effectiveness of the partnership and deliver a consistent, efficient, and customer‑focused financing experience.
3, Feb 2026
AWL Agri Business Ltd. (formerly Adani Wilmar Ltd.) Reports Q3 FY26 Financial Results
Q3 FY26 Performance
AWL Agri Business recorded robust revenue growth in Q3 FY26, supported by a 3% increase in volumes. Edible oils led the growth, while operational EBITDA and PAT remained resilient. On a last-twelve-month (LTM) basis, the company delivered record revenues and operational performance.
Distribution & GTM Strategy
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Direct reach expanded from ~600,000 outlets in March 2023 to 949,000 outlets as of December 2025
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Rural town coverage increased from 13,000 to over 60,000 towns
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98 stock points nationwide, supported by micro-fulfilment centres for smaller-town distribution
Alternate Channels
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E-commerce, Q-commerce, and Modern Trade achieved strong volume growth in Q3 FY26
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Edible oils’ alternate channel share increased from ~5% to 9%; Food & FMCG from 11% to 25% over 15 quarters
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Q-commerce contributed ~30% of volumes within alternate channels
Other Channels
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HoReCa volumes grew 54% YoY; branded exports up 43% YoY, supported by global distribution networks
Project Updates & Capex
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Fully operational integrated food complex at Gohana expected to drive efficiencies and operational synergies
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New oleochemical facility planned in South India
New Product Development (NPD)
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Launch of Fortune Multi Grain Atta strengthens value-added offerings in staple foods
Segment Performance – Q3 FY26
| Segment | Volume (MT) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Edible Oil | 1.1M | 12% |
| Food & FMCG | 0.3M | 9% |
| Industry Essentials | 0.3M | 1% |
| Total | 1.7M | 10% |
Financial Summary – Q3 FY26
| Metric | YoY Change |
|---|---|
| Revenue from Operations | 10% |
| EBITDA | -20% |
| PAT | -35% |
Comment from the MD & CEO
Mr. Shrikant Kanhere, MD & CEO, said:
“Despite a challenging macro environment, AWL Agri Business achieved steady volume growth, led by resilient performance in edible oils and a rebound in our Food & FMCG portfolio. We continue to enhance distribution reach, strengthen alternate channels, and focus on sustainable, profitable growth. Leveraging the Wilmar Group’s global network and our integrated operations, we remain confident in capturing emerging opportunities in India’s evolving food ecosystem.”
3, Feb 2026
Budget 2026 Boosts Emotional Wellbeing and Tech-Driven Healthcare, Says coto CEO
Tarun Katial, Founder & CEO at coto
“The Union Budget 2026 marks an important shift in how India is re-imagining healthcare and human development. By reinforcing preventive healthcare, holistic wellbeing and early intervention, the Budget creates space to recognise emotional and mental wellbeing as a foundational pillar of long-term health and quality of life.
The articulation of the government’s third core kartavya aligns with the vision of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” towards a Viksit Bharat, and its explicit focus on empowering vulnerable communities to access mental health and trauma care is a significant and timely acknowledgement of emotional well-being as an inclusion priority.
Equally important is the government’s forward-looking approach to technology, including the announcement of a high-powered committee to assess the impact of artificial intelligence on the services sector. This reflects a clear intent to enable responsible, technology-led innovation.
Together, these policy directions create an enabling environment for platforms like coto to expand access to emotional wellness through human-centred, digitally delivered and ethically designed solutions that support individual resilience and societal wellbeing.”
3, Feb 2026
St. Joseph’s School Celebrates 25 Glorious Years with Spectacular AgLumina Festival
Feb 3: St. Joseph’s School, Asmangadh Palace, Malakpet, Hyderabad, celebrated its Silver Jubilee Annual Cultural Festival, AgLumina — Illuminating Talent, Celebrating Excellence, at GSR Conventions, Hasthinapuram. The two-day festival stood as a fitting reflection of the institution’s legacy built over 25 years of dedicated service.
The programme commenced on Saturday, 31st January, 2026 with a welcome address by the Principal, Mrs. U. A. Sundari, who briefly outlined the significance of the Silver Jubilee celebrations and the school’s journey over the years. The Chief Guest for the day was Dr. K. S. Jawahar Reddy, IAS (Retd.), Chief Secretary (Retd.), Government of Andhra Pradesh, who addressed the gathering and appreciated the school’s consistent academic and co-curricular growth. The event was also graced by the presence of Shri M. Anil Kumar, IRS, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, AP & Telangana Region.
The celebrations continued on Sunday, 1 February 2026 with the blessings of Rev. Msgr. Yeruva Balashowreddy, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Hyderabad.
The Chief Guest for the day was Prof. Dr. V. Balakista Reddy, Chairman, Telangana Higher Education Council (TGCHE).
Mrs. Dhatri Reddy, IAS, CEO, Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and an alumna of St. Joseph’s School, attended as Guest of Honour.
The event gained further distinction through the gracious attendance of Shri T. Vijay Kumar Reddy, Indian Information Service (IIS), eminent civil servant and distinguished administrator, and U Alexander Reddy, Secretary, St. Anthony’s Education Society, across both days of the celebration. Parent representatives of the School Cabinet were also invited as the special guests on the occasion.
Students from various classes presented cultural performances spread across the two days. A special highlight of the programme was the dance drama by the students of Grade 9, “A Vision That Became a Legacy,” tracing the journey of the founder and the growth of the institution from its inception to its present standing. Gold medals were awarded to the school’s ICSE Board Examination 2025 toppers and class wise proficiency winners, acknowledging their scholastic achievements.
The Silver Jubilee Annual Cultural Festival, AgLumina, concluded on a high note, embodying the event’s motto of illuminating talent and celebrating excellence. As gold medals gleamed under the lights and applause echoed for the students’ stellar performances, the event not only honoured 25 years of transformative education but also inspired a new generation to carry forward this illustrious legacy with pride and passion.
3, Feb 2026
What Remains Awake: Dream, Depth & the Fourth – Sonika Agarwal Solo Exhibition Preview
The preview of What Remains Awake: Dream, Depth & the Fourth (Jagrat · Swapna · Sushupti · Turiya), a solo exhibition by Sonika Agarwal, was held on Friday, 30 January 2026, at Kalamkar Gallery, Bikaner House, New Delhi. The event was attended by artists, curators, collectors, and members of the cultural community.
The opening was led by Ms. Uma Jain, Director of Dhoomimal Gallery, as Chief Guest. Special Guests included H.E. Ms. Mahishini Colonne, High Commission of Sri Lanka, and Shri M. Sovan Kumar, Regional Secretary, Lalit Kala Akademi.
The exhibition explores consciousness through four traditional Indian states of awareness—waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and the fourth state. Rather than representing these states directly, Sonika Agarwal interprets them through abstract forms, colour, and spatial composition.
Working across painting, sculpture, and installation, the artist moves beyond the traditional canvas. Her use of colour shifts with light and time, inviting viewers to slow down and engage deeply in today’s fast-paced world.
Curated under the guidance of Myna Mukherjee, the exhibition emphasizes inner reflection and awareness. Sculptural works add depth to the show, exploring themes of desire, silence, power, and compassion.
A self-taught artist with over seventeen years of experience, Sonika Agarwal has exhibited widely in India and internationally. She is a recipient of the National Stree Shakti Award from the President of India, and her works have been recently acquired by the Museum of Sacred Arts (MoSA), Belgium.
What Remains Awake encourages viewers to reflect on their own consciousness, offering a quiet, contemplative experience beyond the rush of everyday life.
3, Feb 2026
US Tariff Cut Boosts India’s Solar Exports: Saatvik CEO
Mr. Prashant Mathur, CEO of Saatvik Green Energy,
“The U.S. decision to reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, along with the elimination of the additional punitive levy, represents a strategic turning point for the solar sector, rather than just a routine policy change.”
He noted that “India’s solar exports, which include solar cells and solar modules, have already reached billions of dollars, making the United States our most important foreign market.” The seven-percentage-point reduction in tariffs significantly enhances the cost-competitiveness of Indian-made solar cells and modules. This improvement will make projects more profitable for U.S. developers and create a substantial new demand for high-efficiency, Made-in-India products in the coming years.
“This change also strengthens the case for supply chains that are open and reliable. It alleviates long-standing concerns about Chinese producers circumventing tariffs and positions India as a credible and dependable alternative manufacturing base that aligns with U.S. trade and industrial objectives. For companies like Saatvik, this transforms the U.S. market from being high-risk to one full of opportunities, emphasizing the need to accelerate investments, upgrade technology, and establish long-term, bankable partnerships with American utilities and developers.”
3, Feb 2026
Reinventing a Legacy Brand in the Digital Age
For many heritage brands, history can feel less like a foundation and more like an anchor. In an era of rapid technological change and evolving consumer habits, sticking to “business as usual” often leads to irrelevance. To thrive, these iconic brands must execute a Legacy Pivot—a strategic shift that embraces a digital-first approach while honoring their heritage. By focusing on four key principles—utility, speed, design, and connectivity—legacy brands can evolve from local favorites into global digital leaders.
The Utility Shift: From Niche Products to Lifestyle Emotions
Legacy brands often struggle with shrinking niches. When a brand is strongly tied to a single product that no longer holds daily relevance, it must expand into broader lifestyle categories. The goal is to transform occasional purchases into daily interactions.
For example, a traditional greeting card company might expand into home décor and everyday stationery. The most significant transition, however, is moving from product-centric to emotion-driven marketing. Today’s consumers invest in the feelings and experiences a brand evokes, not just the products.
A tiered strategy can help: offering entry-level digital products for younger audiences while maintaining premium physical collectibles for dedicated enthusiasts. This ensures relevance across demographics.
The Velocity Shift: Redefining Distribution and Speed
In the digital era, “how fast” a brand delivers is as crucial as “what” it delivers. Legacy brands must move from traditional operations to agile, consumer-centric models.
Quick commerce, micro-warehouses, and “dark stores” can enable sub-30-minute deliveries. Meanwhile, phygital strategies position physical stores as experience hubs while digital channels handle fast transactions.
Building proprietary Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) platforms allows brands to eliminate intermediaries and retain full ownership of customer data—the modern “oil” fueling growth.
The Aesthetic Shift: Modernizing the Visual Narrative
“Brand fatigue” is a growing challenge for heritage brands. To stay relevant, brands must modernize visually and tonally, appealing to younger audiences without losing their identity.
This includes clean, aesthetic designs suited for social media and nostalgia-driven storytelling to engage older millennials. Strategic collaborations with influencers or “cool” brands can bridge generational gaps and borrow cultural capital.
The Connectivity Shift: Global Reach through Data and Tech
Digital transformation enables brands to expand globally without costly physical expansion. Data-driven personalization shifts marketing from mass campaigns to tailored experiences powered by AI and CRM insights.
Participation in open platforms, such as ONDC, ensures brands remain visible wherever customers search, capturing every moment of consumer intent.
The Transformation Matrix: From Legacy to Digital
This evolution changes every core pillar of business. Inventory shifts from slow-moving, product-specific stocks to fast-moving, lifestyle-oriented offerings. Stores no longer wait for customers—they deliver directly, sometimes within ten minutes.
Marketing transforms from nostalgic storytelling to aesthetics-driven dialogues supported by influencers. Most importantly, brands shift from local or community-based operations to borderless, global entities.
Reinventing a legacy brand doesn’t mean abandoning its history. It means translating enduring values into a digital language, ensuring relevance, resilience, and vitality for the next century.
3, Feb 2026
GCPL Welcomes MAT Credit Relief in New Tax Regime
Mr Sudhir Sitapati, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.
“We particularly welcome the MAT credit set-off being allowed up to 25% of the tax liability under the new tax regime. This move improves cash flows and makes the new tax regime smoother for companies with accumulated credits, freeing up capital for reinvestment into growth and consumption-led categories”
