Author: Neel Achary

LG Electronics India redefines visual excellence with the launch of LG MAGNIT Gen 2 Micro LED Display

 “With the launch of the LG MAGNIT Gen 2, LGE India is setting a new gold standard for ultra-premium visual experiences, introducing a product that represents the absolute apex of display technology. We are bringing an unrivaled premium quotient to the market—empowering luxury retail and hospitality sectors with an immersive canvas that elevates brand storytelling to an art form. Simultaneously, its pixel-perfect, fail-safe precision makes it the ultimate choice for corporate boardrooms and mission-critical command centres, while offering elite residences a bespoke cinematic masterpiece. Information Display continues to be one of our fastest-growing segments, and we remain deeply committed to providing our discerning Indian clients with futuristic innovations that seamlessly blend technological brilliance with absolute reliability, redefining what is possible for enterprises and premium consumers alike.”

Ganesh Chaturthi Fever Grips Cities as Festive Demand Gives Local Businesses a Boost

Pic Credit: Pexel 

New Delhi, Sep 8: With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner, cities across India are beginning to take on a festive look. Streets, markets, homes and community pandals are being decorated with colourful lights, flowers and traditional ornaments as preparations for welcoming Lord Ganesha gather pace.

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 14 this year, and the approaching festival is already creating a visible buzz in local markets.

For businesses, the festival is bringing a fresh wave of demand across several categories. Shops selling decorative items, lighting, flowers, torans, rangoli materials and puja essentials are seeing increased interest as families and community groups prepare their homes and pandals.

The festive rush is also benefiting sweet shops and food businesses. Laddoos, modaks and other traditional sweets remain an important part of Ganesh Puja, with families buying them both for offerings and for sharing with relatives, friends and neighbours. The rise in festive activity provides an important opportunity for small sweet shops, local food makers and home-based sellers to increase their sales.

Ganesh idols remain at the heart of the celebrations. Artisans and idol makers are busy preparing idols in different sizes and designs to meet demand from households, housing societies and large community celebrations. Markets are offering everything from traditional clay idols to more decorative designs.

At the same time, an important change is becoming visible in the way people are choosing their idols. Eco-friendly Ganesh idols are gaining attention as consumers look for ways to celebrate the festival while reducing their impact on the environment. Natural clay and other biodegradable materials are increasingly being preferred over Plaster of Paris and idols finished with chemical-based paints.

The idea behind eco-friendly idols is simple: devotion does not have to come at the cost of nature. Idols made from suitable natural and biodegradable materials can break down more easily during immersion, reducing the amount of long-lasting waste entering rivers, lakes and other water bodies. Natural, non-toxic colours can further reduce the environmental impact.

This shift is also creating opportunities for artisans and small businesses producing sustainable festival products. From clay idols and natural colours to reusable decorations and traditional handmade items, the demand for greener alternatives is opening another segment within the festive economy.

The Ganesh festival therefore represents more than a religious celebration. It brings together consumers, artisans, sweet makers, decorators, flower sellers, retailers and small businesses, creating economic activity across multiple parts of the local market.

As the final preparations begin, the combination of colourful streets, decorated homes, traditional sweets and beautifully crafted idols is setting the stage for another vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi. For consumers and businesses alike, the festival is becoming an occasion to celebrate tradition while also giving greater importance to sustainability and responsible choices.

India’s Employment Outlook Strengthens in Q4 as Changing Roles and Skills Reshape Why Employers Add Staff

• Finance & Insurance and Hospitality report the strongest NEO for Q4 2026 at 60% and 58% each, followed by Information at 57%.
• India‘s most competitive sector, Finance & Insurance is expected to grow by 4 points since last quarter and since Q4 2025. Globally, India holds the second position for its employment expectations in this sector, above the sector’s global outlook by 24 points. 
• Highest Q-on-Q increase is seen in Hospitality by 21 points, followed by Public Sector, Health & Social Services with 15 points and Trade & Logistics sector by 9 points.
• Utilities & Natural Resources reported the most decline from Q3 by 23 points followed by Professional, Scientific & Technical Services by 3 points. 
• Hiring intentions have strengthened in all four regions compared with the previous quarter and year-over-year. The most competitive region in India is the East region with a NEO of 59, rising by 7 points since last quarter and 23 points compared with the same quarter last year. This region reports the greatest growth in expectations since last quarter and this time last year.
• South reported the second highest growth in expectations since Q4 2025 with an increase of 10 points.
• Employers in very large organizations with 1,000 to 4,999 employees are the most optimistic with a NEO of 58, rising by 8 points since last quarter and 5 points since Q4 2025. Globally, India ranks third for its employment expectations in these organizations, beating the global outlook by 29 points.
• When compared to Q3, employment expectations have risen in all organization sizes except those with 10-49 employees where it declined marginally by 2 points. 
• Employers in small organisations with less than 10 employees have seen the most growth from last year by 20 points followed by large organisations with 5000+ employees by 12 points. 

PM Modi Praises Vadodara’s Cleanliness Drive, Calls Citizen Participation Encouraging

Vadodara, Sep 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised Vadodara residents for their enthusiastic participation in the city’s cleanliness campaign, saying the effort reflects the strong spirit of public participation in keeping the city clean.

The appreciation came during PM Modi’s visit to Vadodara, where he attended the ‘NaMo 4 Viksit Bharat’ programme and inaugurated and dedicated several development projects. The city had launched a large-scale cleanliness and environmental campaign ahead of his visit under the Gujarat government’s ‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ initiative.

The cleanliness campaign brought together residents, sanitation workers, civic officials, elected representatives, educational institutions and voluntary organisations. The drive covered public spaces, lakes, gardens, healthcare centres, heritage sites and other important areas of the city.

Large numbers of citizens joined the campaign across Vadodara’s 19 wards. The initiative also included tree plantation and environmental awareness activities, giving the cleanliness drive a broader focus on protecting the city’s natural and public spaces.

The campaign saw particularly strong participation around heritage and recreational locations. Thousands of residents also joined cleanliness activities along important routes and public areas, while saplings were planted and distributed at several locations.

A cyclothon organised as part of the wider campaign further brought residents and children together to promote both fitness and cleanliness. Around 1,500 children participated in the event, reinforcing the message that keeping the city clean is a shared responsibility.

PM Modi’s remarks have placed the spotlight on the role citizens can play alongside municipal authorities in improving urban cleanliness. The Vadodara campaign has shown how community participation can turn a civic initiative into a broader public movement.

With the festive season approaching, the cleanliness effort is also expected to encourage residents to maintain cleaner streets, neighbourhoods, markets and public spaces. The emphasis is now on sustaining the momentum beyond the campaign and making cleanliness a regular part of civic life.

The Vadodara initiative reflects a wider effort to combine cleanliness, environmental awareness and public participation, while creating a cleaner and more welcoming city for residents and visitors.

Akoirah by Augmont Introduces ‘Sculpted by Nature’, A Contemporary Fine Jewellery Collection Inspired by Nature’s Timeless Forms

Mumbai, 8th September 2026: Nature has long been one of design’s greatest muses, inspiring architecture, fashion, interiors, and art with its effortless balance of beauty and structure. Drawing from this enduring influence, Akoirah by Augmont unveils Sculpted by Nature, a contemporary fine jewellery collection that reimagines botanical forms through sculptural silhouettes, refined craftsmanship, and laboratory-grown diamonds.

The collection celebrates the quiet elegance of nature, translating blooming petals, graceful vines, delicate leaves, and organic curves into wearable works of art. Designed for the modern consumer who values individuality as much as craftsmanship, Sculpted by Nature reflects a new perspective on fine jewellery, where timeless inspiration meets contemporary expression.

The collection features standout creations including The Diamond Cluster Studs, inspired by petals in full bloom and finished with striking pear-cut diamond drops; The Enchanted Vine Hoops, which reinterpret climbing vines through fluid, diamond-studded silhouettes; The Pear Halo Studs, a modern take on a timeless classic with layered pear-shaped brilliance; and The Botanical Laurel Ring, inspired by intertwined foliage and designed to capture nature’s graceful movement.

Crafted in recycled gold and set with laboratory-grown diamonds, each piece balances artistic design with everyday versatility. Rather than being reserved for special occasions, the collection is designed to become part of the wearer’s personal style, seamlessly transitioning from everyday dressing to celebratory moments.

Commenting on the launch, Namita Kothari, Founder, Akoirah by Augmont, said: “Nature has an effortless way of creating forms that are timeless, balanced, and endlessly inspiring. With Sculpted by Nature, we wanted to capture that beauty through a contemporary lens, creating jewellery that feels artistic, versatile, and deeply personal. Every piece is designed to celebrate craftsmanship while allowing the wearer to express their individuality, making it as relevant for everyday wear as it is for life’s special moments.”

As consumers increasingly gravitate towards jewellery that reflects their personality rather than tradition alone, design is emerging as one of the strongest differentiators in the luxury jewellery category. Today’s buyers are seeking pieces that are versatile, expressive, and thoughtfully crafted, moving beyond occasion-led purchases to jewellery that becomes part of their everyday identity.

Sculpted by Nature, Akoirah continues to redefine modern luxury by creating collections that combine contemporary design with conscious craftsmanship. Inspired by nature yet designed for today’s lifestyles, the collection offers a fresh interpretation of fine jewellery, one where every piece is intended to be worn, cherished, and collected.

Influence is what happens after people listen’: Ranveer Allahbadia

Hyderabad, Sept 08: “Influence is not about how many people listen to you; it is about what happens after they listen.” That was the message from prominent podcaster, content creator and entrepreneur Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, at a special session on the future of digital influence organised by FLO Hyderabad at ITC Kakatiya on Monday.

Speaking at “Beyond the Algorithm: Building Influence in the Digital Age,” Allahbadia said influence should not be measured merely by followers, views or reach, but by the ability to change perspectives, inspire action and make people believe in themselves.

The 33-year-old engineer-turned-content creator was in conversation with Seetha Reddy, Chairperson, FLO Hyderabad, before an audience of more than 400 FLO members, past chairpersons of FLO and YFLO, entrepreneurs and professionals.

One of Allahbadia’s key messages to businesses was to rethink the way they approach digital marketing. “I think it is time for enterprises to create a youth department to handle such tasks,” he said, adding that young people below 25 from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities could bring a fresh perspective to digital marketing, given their familiarity with rapidly changing platforms, trends and online behaviour.

He said algorithms are changing at an extremely rapid pace and are becoming increasingly difficult and tiring to manage, making it important for organisations to bring younger perspectives into their digital strategies.

 Allahbadia also identified WhatsApp marketing as an emerging area of opportunity, saying that audiences and marketers are increasingly moving beyond conventional social media platforms into more direct and demanding forms of digital engagement.

Explaining the role of different platforms, he said X drives conversation, LinkedIn builds business connections, Instagram creates visual influence, Facebook builds communities, while YouTube establishes authority through storytelling.

On the future of podcasting, Allahbadia said the space has become increasingly crowded and that there has been some decline in podcasting.

He, however, said talk shows and long-form conversations will continue to have relevance.

His advice to aspiring podcasters was to begin with short-form content before graduating to long-form conversations.

“Political podcasting is scary,” he said, referring to the challenges and sensitivities associated with the space.

Sharing a personal insight, Allahbadia said he had learnt a great deal from Priyanka Chopra after podcasting with her.

“I want to give back to society through my work by creating more jobs. I want to spread values through my work,” he said.

Looking ahead, Allahbadia identified quantum computing as one of the technologies that could have a major impact on the future, suggesting that it could dramatically expand computing capabilities.

His comments highlighted the rapidly changing technology landscape and the need for businesses and professionals to keep looking beyond today’s dominant technologies.

Speaking about Hyderabad, Allahbadia revealed that he had tried Hyderabadi biryani in Mumbai and was keen to experience the authentic version in Hyderabad.

He also invited his followers in Telangana to send him suggestions through social media and direct messages about places he should explore in the state, saying he would like to discover more of Telangana based on recommendations from his audience.

The session examined a fundamental question of the digital era: Does visibility automatically translate into influence?

For generations, influence was largely associated with institutional positions, credentials, professional achievements and years of experience. Digital platforms have dramatically changed that equation. Today, an individual with a phone, an idea and the ability to communicate can potentially reach millions.

But, as the discussion highlighted, attention is not influence, reach is not trust, and popularity is not necessarily credibility.

Speaking about the relevance of the session, Seetha Reddy, Chairperson, FLO Hyderabad, said: “Influence today is no longer something that simply comes with a position or title. The digital world rewards speed, visibility and attention. But attention is not influence, and a large audience is not necessarily trust. The real challenge is to build relevance, credibility and staying power. Influence has to be built deliberately—through what we say, what we stand for and the conversations we create.”

She said the issue was particularly relevant for women as more women take on public-facing roles as entrepreneurs, founders, professionals, spokespersons, creators and thought leaders.

“FLO believes that the ability to communicate effectively, shape conversations and establish credibility is becoming an increasingly important component of modern leadership,” she added.

The “Beyond the Algorithm” session brought together digital influence, entrepreneurship, personal branding and leadership, encouraging women to look beyond simply being visible online and focus instead on building credibility, trust and lasting impact.

From Water to Wealth: Technology Reshapes India’s Aquaculture Growth Story

New Delhi, Sep 8: India’s fisheries and aquaculture industry is undergoing a significant transformation as advanced technologies, rising investment and growing demand for seafood push the sector towards more efficient and commercially viable production models.

Technologies such as Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Biofloc are emerging as important tools in this transition, enabling fish farmers to produce more in controlled environments while making better use of water and other resources. The shift is also opening new opportunities for rural businesses, employment and investment across the wider fisheries value chain.

The fisheries and aquaculture sector already plays a major role in India’s rural economy, supporting the livelihoods of nearly three crore fishers and fish farmers. Its economic footprint extends well beyond primary production, encompassing feed, equipment, processing, cold-chain infrastructure, transportation, packaging, retail and exports.

India is now the world’s second-largest fish producer, contributing around 8 per cent of global production. It is also the second-largest aquaculture producer, the world’s largest producer and exporter of shrimp and the second-largest producer in capture fisheries.

Sustained public investment has helped accelerate this growth. Since 2015, more than ₹39,272 crore has been approved or announced through various government initiatives aimed at strengthening fisheries infrastructure, improving production, encouraging technology adoption, expanding market access and boosting exports.

The results are reflected in the sector’s production performance. Annual fish production has more than doubled from 95.79 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to a record 198 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Inland fisheries and aquaculture have been at the centre of this expansion, with output increasing 147 per cent from 61.36 lakh tonnes to 151.60 lakh tonnes over the same period.

India’s seafood export performance has also strengthened considerably. Exports rose from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to a record ₹73,890 crore in 2025-26, underlining the growing importance of fisheries to India’s export economy and its integration with global seafood markets.

Technology is now expected to play a larger role in sustaining this momentum. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), RAS and Biofloc systems are helping shift aquaculture towards controlled, intensive and resource-efficient production.

RAS relies on water treatment and recirculation, enabling farms to reuse a large proportion of their water. The systems can recycle up to 90-95 per cent of water, reducing freshwater requirements and making aquaculture possible in locations where conventional farming may be difficult. Production units can also be established closer to urban consumption centres and major markets, potentially improving supply efficiency and reducing logistical distances.

Biofloc technology takes a different approach by using beneficial microorganisms to maintain water quality and support fish growth. The system can help farmers make more efficient use of resources while creating controlled production conditions.

Under PMMSY, 9,467 RAS units and 4,573 Biofloc units have been approved, backed by an investment of ₹4,120 crore. The expansion of these systems is helping promote year-round production and extend aquaculture beyond conventional farming regions.

The economic impact could extend well beyond fish farms themselves. As technology adoption increases, demand is likely to grow for aquaculture equipment, specialised feeds, water-treatment systems, farm automation, digital monitoring, cold storage, logistics, processing and technical services. This creates space for both established businesses and new rural enterprises to participate in the emerging aquaculture ecosystem.

Technology-led production could also strengthen India’s position in high-value seafood markets. Controlled farming environments can offer greater consistency in production, improved biosecurity and better traceability, all of which are becoming increasingly important as international markets place greater emphasis on quality and food safety.

The applications are expanding across different segments of aquaculture. RAS and Biofloc systems are being adopted for premium-value trout production in cold-water regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. They are also being used in shrimp farming in saline and brackish-water areas and in ornamental fish production, creating opportunities in specialised and higher-value markets.

The next phase of the sector’s development could see aquaculture increasingly integrated with digital technologies. Artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring, drones and renewable energy solutions have the potential to improve farm management, monitor water conditions, optimise resource use and reduce operating costs.

At the same time, greater diversification towards high-value species such as shrimp, trout, seabass, tilapia, murrel and pangasius could help farmers improve returns while expanding India’s presence in international seafood markets.

For the rural economy, the transformation carries significance beyond higher fish production. A stronger aquaculture industry can generate additional income opportunities, create skilled and semi-skilled jobs and stimulate demand for businesses involved in processing, storage, transportation and marketing. It can also provide farmers with alternatives to traditional sources of rural income.

As investment, technology and private-sector participation deepen, Indian aquaculture is gradually evolving from a largely traditional activity into a more organised and technology-driven industry. If supported by skills, infrastructure and efficient market linkages, this transformation could strengthen rural livelihoods, expand the seafood export base and establish fisheries as an even more important pillar of India’s emerging blue economy.