20, Jul 2026
Cotton Strengthens India’s Agricultural Economy as ‘White Gold’ Gains Momentum
New Delhi, July 20: Cotton continues to play a vital role in India’s agricultural economy, earning its reputation as the country’s “white gold” due to its contribution to farmers’ livelihoods, textile industries, and exports.
India’s cotton sector supports millions of farmers and serves as a key raw material for the country’s vast textile and apparel industry. The crop remains an important contributor to rural employment and economic growth across major cotton-producing states.
With growing demand for sustainable textiles and value-added cotton products, the sector is witnessing increased focus on improving productivity, modern farming practices, and strengthening supply chains.
Government initiatives and industry efforts are aimed at enhancing cotton quality, supporting farmers, and boosting India’s position in the global textile market.
The continued growth of the cotton sector highlights its importance in driving rural prosperity, supporting the textile ecosystem, and strengthening India’s agricultural economy.
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- By Neel Achary
20, Jul 2026
L&T Wins Orders (Mega) for Metals & Minerals Business
Bengaluru, July 20: The Metals & Minerals (M&M) business vertical of L&T has secured multiple orders from leading domestic metals and mining companies, reinforcing its leadership in delivering world-class engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solutions across the metals and minerals value chain.
The first order is from a public sector company, India’s largest iron ore producer. As part of its expansion programme to achieve 100 MTPA of iron ore production capacity by 2030, the company has awarded L&T Package #BE-01C of the 18 MTPA Iron Ore Handling Plant in Chhattisgarh.
The scope includes design and engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning of downhill conveyor system, screening plant, stockpile, yard equipment, Rapid Wagon Loading System (RWLS) and associated auxiliaries.
The second order is from another public sector Navratna company, which has undertaken the expansion of Steel Plant in West Bengal, from 2.5 MTPA to 7.1 MTPA. L&T has secured various Design & Build and Balance of Plant packages for this.
L&T also continues its long-standing association with a major private sector metals producer, having secured an EPC order for a Zinc Processing Plant. The scope comprises design and engineering, procurement, installation, commissioning and associated site services, reaffirming L&T‘s expertise in delivering complex non-ferrous metallurgical projects.
Commenting on the order wins, Mr S N Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director, L&T, said: “This reaffirms L&T‘s enduring leadership in the minerals and metals EPC sector and reflect the deep trust customers place in our ability to deliver projects of exceptional scale and complexity. As India accelerates investments in augmenting its Metals & Minerals capacity to support long-term economic growth, L&T remains committed to partnering with the country’s leading enterprises in developing world-class industrial infrastructure”.
Mr T Kumaresan, Senior Vice President & Head – Utilities & Metals, L&T, added: “These orders across the mining, ferrous and non-ferrous sectors reaffirm our customers’ confidence in L&T‘s engineering expertise and project execution capabilities. They strengthen our position as a trusted partner in developing India’s metals and minerals infrastructure. We remain committed to delivering the projects with the highest standards of quality, safety and sustainability”.
Background:
Larsen & Toubro is a USD 32 billion Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing, Products and Services, operating across diverse domains and multiple geographies. With a strong impetus towards AI & technology, customer–focussed approach and the constant quest for top-class quality have enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.
20, Jul 2026
Nushrratt Bharuccha Honoured with Best Actress Award at NEXA Indian Streaming Academy Award
Mumbai, July 20: Actor Nushrratt Bharuccha has won the Best Actress award at the NEXA Indian Streaming Academy Awards for her notable performance in the digital entertainment space.
The actor expressed her happiness over the recognition, stating that such honours encourage her to take on new challenges and continue delivering meaningful performances. She highlighted that appreciation from the audience and industry serves as a motivation to keep growing as an artist.
The NEXA Indian Streaming Academy Awards recognised exceptional talent and creative excellence across India’s streaming entertainment industry, celebrating impactful performances and innovative storytelling.
Bharuccha’s achievement marks another significant milestone in her career and reflects the increasing recognition of artists contributing to the growth of digital content in India.
The award further highlights the evolving landscape of streaming platforms and the opportunities they provide for diverse stories and performers.
20, Jul 2026
India, Spain Advance Talks to Link UPI with Bizum for Seamless Digital Payments
New Delhi, July 20: India and Spain have agreed to accelerate discussions for linking India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Spain’s Bizum digital payment system, marking a step towards stronger digital financial cooperation between the two countries.
The proposed integration aims to enable faster, secure, and more convenient cross-border digital transactions for citizens, businesses, and travellers. The move is expected to improve payment connectivity and support greater economic engagement between India and Spain.
The collaboration highlights India’s expanding digital payment ecosystem and its efforts to build global partnerships for seamless financial transactions.
The UPI-Bizum linkage is expected to benefit sectors such as tourism, trade, and services while promoting innovation in digital finance.
The initiative reflects the growing importance of digital payment solutions in strengthening international economic ties and creating a more connected global payment network.
20, Jul 2026
eVTOL Aircraft Set to Transform Urban Mobility Landscape in India
New Delhi, July 20: Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are emerging as a potential game-changer for urban transportation in India, offering new possibilities for faster and cleaner mobility in congested cities.
The technology is expected to support the development of advanced air mobility solutions by enabling quick passenger movement across urban areas while reducing dependence on traditional road transport. With electric propulsion and vertical take-off capabilities, eVTOL aircraft could help address challenges such as traffic congestion and travel delays.
Industry experts believe that the adoption of eVTOL technology could open new opportunities in areas including urban connectivity, emergency services, and logistics. However, factors such as regulatory approvals, infrastructure development, safety standards, and public acceptance will play a key role in its wider implementation.
India’s growing focus on electric mobility and advanced transportation solutions is creating opportunities for innovation in the aviation sector. The development of eVTOL systems could mark a significant step towards building smarter, more sustainable urban transport networks.
The emerging technology represents a new chapter in India’s mobility evolution, combining aviation innovation with the need for efficient and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.
20, Jul 2026
Uttarakhand’s Frozen Food Export Gets Global Boost with First French Fries Shipment to Iraq
New Delhi, July 20: Uttarakhand has marked a significant milestone in its agricultural export journey with the first shipment of frozen French fries from the state reaching Iraq, with support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
The export highlights the growing potential of India’s processed food sector and reflects efforts to connect local producers with international markets. The move is expected to create new opportunities for potato growers, food processors, and exporters in Uttarakhand.
APEDA has been actively supporting the promotion of value-added agricultural products by facilitating market access, strengthening export networks, and encouraging Indian food products in global markets.
The successful consignment demonstrates the rising demand for Indian processed food products worldwide and is expected to encourage further expansion of agricultural exports from the state.
The initiative represents a step forward in strengthening India’s position in the global food supply chain while supporting growth in the country’s agro-processing sector.
20, Jul 2026
India Clears QDENGA Dengue Vaccine, Expanding Protection for People Aged 4-60 Years
New Delhi, July 20: India has approved QDENGA, the country’s first dengue vaccine, for people aged 4 to 60 years, marking an important step towards strengthening dengue prevention and healthcare efforts.
The approval introduces a new preventive measure against dengue, a mosquito-borne disease that continues to pose a public health challenge in several parts of the country. The vaccine is expected to support efforts to reduce the impact of dengue infections among eligible age groups.
Health experts said vaccination, along with existing preventive measures such as mosquito control, maintaining hygiene, and early detection of symptoms, will be important in managing the spread of dengue.
The availability of QDENGA is expected to provide an additional layer of protection for communities and support India’s broader efforts to improve public health preparedness against mosquito-borne diseases.
The approval marks a significant milestone in dengue prevention and highlights continued progress in strengthening healthcare solutions in India.
20, Jul 2026
Consumer Market Maintains Investment Momentum with Dollar 981 Million Deals
New Delhi, July 20, 2026: Consumer sector deal activity remained resilient in the second quarter of 2026, with transaction values reaching $981 million, according to a recent report.
The report highlighted continued investor interest in the consumer segment, supported by changing consumption patterns, business expansion opportunities, and growth potential across various categories.
Despite evolving market conditions, the sector maintained steady momentum as companies focused on strengthening their market presence, expanding operations, and attracting strategic investments.
Industry experts said the sustained deal activity reflects confidence in India’s consumer market and its long-term growth prospects. The sector continues to remain an important area for investors due to rising demand and increasing consumer opportunities.
The report noted that ongoing investment trends are expected to support innovation, expansion, and growth across the consumer industry in the coming periods.
20, Jul 2026
Arete Group reinforces Employee-Centric Growth Strategy with AI, Upskilling and Well-Being, Targets 80 plus hires
Vapi, Gujarat July 20: Arete Group continues to reinforce its commitment to building a future-ready and employee-centric workplace by embracing digital capabilities, promoting continuous learning, prioritizing employee well-being, and fostering a collaborative work environment. With a workforce of over 700 employees and 80 new hires as part of its ongoing growth, the company is focused on empowering talent while fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion, and professional development. As part of its continued expansion plans, Arete Group also aims to hire 80+ employees in the current fiscal year, strengthening its capabilities and supporting business growth.
As part of its digital transformation journey, Arete Group has transitioned departmental operations to AI-enabled digital platforms, enhancing productivity, streamlining routine tasks, and improving collaboration. Complementing this, its dedicated learning and development centre, Excelerate, offers certification programmes across Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and Investment to strengthen functional expertise, encourage continuous learning, and support employee career growth.
Employee well-being remains a key focus at Arete Group. Through its Umatter employee well-being programme, the company fosters a supportive workplace by promoting mindful resilience, wellness, and employee engagement through wellness challenges and awareness initiatives focused on stress management and emotional well-being. Employees also benefit from competitive compensation, health insurance, statutory benefits, structured leave policies, welfare support, and continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
Mr. Siraj, Director, Arete Group said, “The modern workforce is undergoing a clear shift toward continuous learning, digital fluency, and purpose-driven careers, particularly in manufacturing and engineering, where digital transformation is reshaping skill requirements. We view people capability as central to business growth. Our focus is on enabling employees with AI-driven tools, structured learning pathways, and a strong well-being ecosystem that supports both performance and growth. By aligning talent development with evolving business needs, we are building a workforce that is agile, skilled, and ready for long-term industry transformation while sustaining our growth through quality talent acquisition and a strong employee-centric culture.”
To foster collaboration and work-life balance, Arete Group’s Vapi campus features thoughtfully designed recreational spaces, including an amphitheatre, turf, play area, and sports room, which encourage team interaction, employee engagement, and a positive workplace experience, while also offering the lifestyle advantages of a Tier 2 city such as lower cost of living, shorter commute times, improved work-life balance, and the opportunity to build rewarding careers without relocating to larger metropolitan centres.
20, Jul 2026
Luxury off-plan homes bring AED 3.72 billion June sales
Keturah founder says premium property market keeps proving its durability as villa, apartment deals average AED 12.1 million
Dubai, UAE, July 20: The Dubai luxury real estate market continued to attract a steady flow of investment in June, with developers generating sales transactions worth AED3.72 billion for off-plan homes priced above AED5 million.
A market analysis from the Keturah luxury brand today reveals that villa buyers accounted for AED1.61 billion across 141 off-plan transactions last month, while apartment sales reached AED2.12 billion from 166 deals – an average of AED 12.1 million per home.
The strongest villa activity came in the AED5-10 million bracket, where 99 transactions generated AED639.2 million in developer off-plan sales, with a further 30 deals worth AED415.6 million recorded in the AED10-20 million range.
Data from DXBinteract shows that apartment sales were concentrated in the AED5-10 million bracket, with 111 transactions worth AED722.3 million, followed by 33 deals worth AED475.7 million in the AED10-20 million range.
Added to the 307 off-plan transactions last month, developers recorded another AED1.01 billion in sales of 58 ready properties above AED5 million at an average of AED17.4 million each.
“The premium end of the property market keeps proving its durability,” said Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand. “Investors are continuing to back Dubai’s long-term trajectory as one of the world’s leading real estate destinations.”
The company currently has two luxury communities under development in Dubai – Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion bio-living community in Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7, and the Ritz-Carlton Residences at Keturah Resort, on the shores of Dubai Creek, adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
Both developments sit within the top tier of the market, which last month saw seven villa sales in the AED20-50 million range for a total of AED207.9 million, and five deals in the AED50-100 million range worth AED344.9 million.
Meanwhile, 18 apartment sales in the AED20-50 million range amounted to AED521.5 million and three deals in the AED50-100 million sector totalled AED197 million, while a penthouse in Business Bay sold for AED200 million.
Dubai Islands was the area recording the highest number of off-plan transactions above AED5 million last month with 48 sales, followed by Dubai South with 39, and Palm Jumeirah with 22.
