Category Archives: Business

UP International Trade Show 2026 Closes on Strong Business Note with INR 6,500 Crore MoUs

Greater Noida, September 30, 2026: The Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) 2026 has concluded with significant commercial activity, positioning the five-day exhibition as an important platform for businesses from Uttar Pradesh to connect with domestic and international markets.

The fourth edition of the trade show resulted in around 4,400 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at approximately ₹6,500 crore, while business enquiries generated during the event indicated a potential business pipeline of nearly ₹15,500 crore.

Organised at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida from September 25 to 29, the event brought together manufacturers, MSMEs, exporters, entrepreneurs, buyers, investors and industry representatives. The scale of participation reflected the growing emphasis on connecting Uttar Pradesh’s production base with wider markets.

One of the major features of UPITS 2026 was the volume of business-to-business interaction. According to figures associated with the event, around 41,500 B2B meetings were conducted during the five-day programme.

The meetings included interactions facilitated through the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM) as well as business discussions held directly at exhibition stalls. The RBSM component alone accounted for approximately 13,500 meetings, providing participating enterprises with opportunities to engage with international buyers.

The overall number of B2B meetings was higher than the approximately 31,650 meetings recorded during the previous edition. The increase points to greater emphasis on direct commercial engagement rather than simply showcasing products.

For Uttar Pradesh’s MSMEs, the trade show offered an opportunity to move beyond local markets and present products to buyers from different parts of India and overseas.

Enterprises representing manufacturing, textiles, handicrafts, food processing, agriculture, leather, engineering, electronics and other sectors participated in the exhibition. The platform enabled smaller businesses to present their capabilities alongside larger industrial and commercial participants.

A significant attraction was the representation of products associated with the state’s One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative. Products linked to traditional skills and district-level manufacturing ecosystems were displayed for buyers looking for distinctive Indian products and suppliers.

UPITS 2026 also had a strong international component, with Russia, Austria, Japan, Singapore, Belarus and Vietnam participating as partner countries.

The presence of overseas delegations added an export-oriented dimension to the event. Businesses from Uttar Pradesh were able to explore potential relationships with international buyers and companies across areas such as manufacturing, electronics, information technology, textiles and agri-food processing.

For exporters, such interactions can be particularly important because establishing overseas market relationships often requires direct discussions around product specifications, pricing, supply capabilities, regulatory requirements and distribution.

The trade show attracted close to 5.99 lakh visitors and business buyers over its five-day run. The attendance included both business visitors and members of the general public.

The large footfall gave participating companies an opportunity to generate brand visibility in addition to pursuing direct commercial discussions. For consumer-oriented businesses, the exhibition also provided an avenue to understand customer responses to products and identify potential markets.

While the headline numbers underline the scale of activity at UPITS 2026, the figures need to be viewed in their proper context.

The ₹6,500 crore MoU figure represents agreements signed or announced during the event, while the ₹15,500 crore figure represents estimated potential business generated through enquiries and commercial discussions. These figures should not be interpreted as equivalent to realised investment, confirmed revenue or completed orders.

The next stage will be conversion. Businesses will need to turn meetings into purchase orders, distribution agreements, investment commitments and long-term commercial partnerships. The eventual economic impact will therefore depend on how successfully the opportunities generated at the exhibition translate into actual business.

The trade show comes at a time when Uttar Pradesh is seeking to strengthen its position as a manufacturing, investment and export destination.

Its large MSME base, district-specific products and expanding industrial ecosystem provide a broad platform for companies looking to source products or establish manufacturing and commercial relationships.

Events such as UPITS provide a common marketplace where these capabilities can be presented to buyers in a concentrated format. For smaller enterprises in particular, access to organised buyer-seller meetings can reduce some of the barriers involved in entering new markets.

The conclusion of UPITS 2026 now shifts attention from the exhibition floor to the commercial follow-up.

Thousands of meetings have created a sizeable pool of business leads, while the MoUs provide a framework for potential partnerships. The coming months will determine how many of these discussions progress into actual contracts, investments, exports and business expansion.

For Uttar Pradesh’s entrepreneurs and MSMEs, the significance of the trade show will ultimately be measured not only by the number of visitors or agreements signed, but by the business generated after the exhibition closes.

With ₹6,500 crore worth of MoUs and an estimated ₹15,500 crore potential business pipeline, UPITS 2026 has created a substantial set of commercial opportunities. The next challenge—and opportunity—will be converting those opportunities into sustained economic activity and market growth.

Peavey Commercial Audio sees strong interest in networked solutions at InfoComm India 2026

Exhibiting alongside distribution partner ProFX in Mumbai, Peavey Commercial Audio showcased its latest MediaMatrix SCION DSP platform and Crest Audio loudspeaker ranges, resulting in its most productive InfoComm India to date

 Mumbai, India – Sept 30 – Peavey Commercial Audio re-established its presence at InfoComm India 2026 this month, describing the event as its most productive to date, with strong interest in its latest professional audio portfolio, particularly its networked management capabilities, from the show’s 13,275 attendees.  

 According to forecasts, the India professional audio market is projected to grow from $1.9 billion to $3.4 billion by 2031, perfectly positioning Peavey to capitalise on new business opportunities and support growing demand across the Indian market.

 Exhibiting alongside Indian distribution partner ProFX at the Jio World Convention Centre, the company left the show with positive leads, ranging from hospitality to transport sectors.

 At the centre of the ProFX booth was the latest MediaMatrix SCION digital signal processing platform. Building on MediaMatrix’s history in networked audio, SCION offers a flexible foundation for designing and managing professional audio systems. It supports AES67 MediaMatrix sNET protocols, along with Dante, and combines modern processing capabilities with the backwards compatibility needed when upgrading established MediaMatrix installations.

 Conversations at the show reflected growing interest in how IP audio can simplify the management of systems across buildings, venues and larger estates. SCION’s modular architecture allows integrators to configure processing and management around the requirements of each project, from an individual site to a multi-site deployment.

 ProFX has been instrumental in developing Peavey Commercial Audio’s presence in India. Its local product knowledge, system design expertise and technical support have helped consultants, integrators and customers specify and deploy Peavey technologies across the region. The partners’ joint presence at InfoComm India gave visitors access to both the technology and the local expertise needed to take projects forward.

 Raja VN, Sales Manager SAARC at Peavey Electronics commented: “It was truly a testament to Peavey Commercial Audio in terms of the excitement from visitors at our booth who were delighted to see a 60 year legacy make a comeback to India at InfoComm Mumbai. We sensed genuine appreciation towards our comprehensive solution capabilities as well as our wide product range across Peavey, Crest Audio and Media Matrix.”

 Show also explored Crest Audio’s CiP range of networked loudspeakers. The range uses IP infrastructure to carry audio, power and control, helping to reduce cabling and the need for locally installed amplification. Dante connectivity and PoE++ power support make CiP suitable for networked

AV projects across corporate, education, hospitality and public-space applications.

 Peavey also presented the Crest Audio CPL+ series, a passive loudspeaker range for installed and portable sound reinforcement. Its two-way loudspeakers and subwoofer options provide a choice of configurations for venues requiring clear reproduction, consistent coverage and higher output. Rotatable high-frequency horns offer flexibility for vertical and horizontal installation, while EASE and CLF data support system planning.

 Shayne Thomas, GM Peavey Commercial Audio and Peavey APAC Director Akshay Vaidya, both attended the show and entertained question from a non-stop foot fall at the booth and were both extremely excited about the opportunities that are developing in India.

 “The booth was busy throughout the show, and it was encouraging to see such strong interest in the breadth of our portfolio,” said Thomas. “IP audio management prompted particularly valuable conversations. It was, without doubt, the busiest InfoComm India I’ve witnessed.”

 He added: “Thank you to all that spent time with our staff and the great people at ProFX. Working alongside ProFX gives us the chance to discuss these opportunities in detail with the people delivering projects on the ground. The conversations we had at InfoComm India have given us a strong launchpad for more exciting work ahead.”

The Dylan Amsterdam Introduces Fall Within: An Invitation to Look Closer

Discovering the stories, perspectives, and places hidden beyond Amsterdam’s façades

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands — September 30, 2026 — Every city has a version of itself that most visitors never see. Not because it is hidden, but because it requires a different way of looking. Beyond Amsterdam’s iconic canals, gabled houses, and well-known cultural landmarks lies another layer of the city, one found within tucked-away courtyards, historic interiors, private collections, and centuries-old stories waiting to be uncovered. As the energy of summer gives way to a more reflective atmosphere, attention naturally shifts from what is immediately visible to what lies beyond the façade.

Inspired by this idea, The Dylan Amsterdam introduces Fall Within, a new autumn experience that invites guests to explore Amsterdam through its history, architecture, creative community, and cultural spaces, revealing aspects of the city often overshadowed by its most recognizable attractions.

Situated along the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam’s historic canal district, The Dylan Amsterdam has long embodied a more intimate perspective of the city. Occupying the site of Amsterdam’s first stone theatre, the hotel unfolds gradually, opening from the canal into an inner courtyard that offers a sense of seclusion amid the energy of the canal district. The experience draws inspiration from that same sense of discovery, encouraging guests to engage with the craftsmanship, traditions, and cultural character that have become integral to Amsterdam’s identity.

While many visitors experience Amsterdam through its landmarks, Fall Within focuses on the histories, architecture, and local traditions woven throughout the canal district. Through a personally curated heritage walk, guests explore the neighborhood beyond the major sights, gaining insight into the people, places, and influences that have helped define Amsterdam’s character over time.

The experience also explores the history of The Dylan Amsterdam itself. An audio storytelling journey traces the evolution of the site from Amsterdam’s first theatre to the hotel it is today, while insights from the concierge team offer a connection to the neighborhood and the people who know it best.

Among the local creatives who reflect the spirit of Fall Within is Amsterdam-based gallerist and mirror restorer Anouk Beerents. Located just moments from The Dylan Amsterdam, her gallery is dedicated to antique mirrors that reveal centuries of craftsmanship through reflection, light, and texture. Through introductions to local artisans, ateliers, and cultural spaces, guests encounter a side of Amsterdam beyond its most familiar sights. One of Beerents’ restored mirrors hangs above the fireplace in Bar Brasserie OCCO, offering guests another opportunity to encounter her work during their stay.

That same sense of perspective can be found within some of Amsterdam’s most remarkable cultural interiors. At the Cuypers Library within the Rijksmuseum, soaring bookcases, intricate architectural details, and generations of collected knowledge reveal a side of the city often overlooked by visitors focused on its better-known highlights. These spaces offer insight into the artistic, architectural, and intellectual traditions that continue to influence Amsterdam today.

“Some of the most memorable travel experiences are the ones that aren’t planned,” says Emma Schrijver, Marketing Manager at The Dylan Amsterdam. “They often begin with a conversation, an unexpected place, or a detail that might otherwise go unnoticed. With Fall Within, we wanted to create an experience that encourages curiosity and offers guests a more nuanced understanding of Amsterdam, its history, and the people who continue to shape it.”

Returning to The Dylan Amsterdam, the spirit of Fall Within continues throughout the property. Guests can gather beside the fireplace at Bar Brasserie OCCO, linger in the courtyard, or dine at two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Vinkeles, housed within a restored 18th-century bakery, where the hotel’s connection to Amsterdam’s past remains evident today.

Available from September 21 through December 20, Fall Within includes a minimum two-night stay, daily breakfast at Bar Brasserie OCCO, a personally curated heritage walk through the surrounding canal district, admission to the Museum of the Canals, and an audio history experience exploring the story of The Dylan Amsterdam. Rates begin at €1,275 for two nights.

Ultimately, Fall Within is not about seeing more of Amsterdam, but about taking the time to see it differently. Through lesser-known stories, remarkable interiors, and unexpected encounters, the experience reveals facets of the city often overshadowed by its most familiar attractions.

IIT Bombay Batchmates – Epigamia Co-Founder and Former Housing.com CXO Launch Kokasa, a Deep-tech Company Building Critical Systems and Autonomous Technologies

New Delhi, 30 September, 2026: Former leaders from Epigamia, Housing.com and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) launch Kokasa, a deep-tech start-up focused on building the critical systems and autonomous technologies that will power the next generation of defence, aerospace, space and other high-performance platforms. The company also aims to strengthen India’s domestic technology and supply capabilities.

The company’s vision is to build Collaborative Autonomous Systems where multiple autonomous and semi-autonomous platforms, sensors and effectors operate together through a common software architecture to achieve a shared mission objective. Kokasa is building toward this vision from the deep physical-system engineering layers, with a common software architecture designed to work across platforms.

The name ‘Kokasa’ is inspired by the legendary architect associated with the Kailasa Temple at Ellora – the world’s largest monolithic temple, carved top-down from a single rock. The name reflects a legacy of engineering excellence, precision and unconventional problem-solving that Kokasa aims to carry into a new generation of critical systems and autonomous technologies.

Today, Kokasa designs and develops mission-critical electromechanical and electrohydraulic systems spanning actuation, motion control, sensing, instrumentation and embedded control, giving it deep ownership of how advanced platforms sense, move and act. Building on this foundation, the company is developing autonomy and mission-system capabilities across perception, sensor fusion, decision-making, guidance and control, and real-time multi-system coordination.

By bringing engineering, software, product development and advanced manufacturing together under one roof, Kokasa aims to bridge a gap increasingly critical to modern platforms: connecting intelligence and decision-making directly to reliable physical action.

Commenting on the launch, Rahul Jain, Co-Founder at Kokasa, said, “Our vision is to build advanced technologies in India for sectors that are critical to the country’s future. India today has the engineering talent, manufacturing capability and policy momentum needed to build globally competitive systems locally. Kokasa aims to contribute to the next phase of India’s deep-tech capability.”

Kokasa is already executing indigenisation programmes across major defence platforms, including the Su-30MKI, MiG-29 and T-72 building systems where reliability, performance and supply assurance are mission-critical.

Speaking about Kokasa’s long-term vision, Snehil Gautam, Co-Founder, Kokasa, said, “Building mission-critical systems requires deep understanding and ownership of the technology layers within them. That is why we are building capabilities from the physical layer upward, alongside a modular software architecture that can work across systems and platforms. It is exciting to see experienced scientists, researchers and engineers joining us to solve these complex problems.”

Bringing an aerospace engineering perspective to Kokasa’s mission, Vikalp Bagdi, Co-Founder, Kokasa, who has formerly worked with HAL and Textron, said, “In mission-critical engineering, getting a prototype to work is only the beginning. The real challenge is making a system perform consistently across demanding environments, qualifying it rigorously and supporting it reliably through its lifecycle. That engineering discipline is what we are building into Kokasa from day one.”

India has already built significant capability in manufacturing individual platforms and components. The next opportunity lies in building the critical systems, autonomy and system-level intellectual property that sit within and across those platforms. Kokasa’s stated ambition is to build globally competitive critical systems and autonomous technologies – engineered in India, for India and the world.

Urban Square Mall’s ‘Urban Weekender’ Brings Food, Family & Fun to Udaipur

Udaipur, Sep 30: Urban Square Mall, Udaipur, hosted its latest ‘Urban Weekender’ experience, bringing together food, family, entertainment and community engagement under one roof. The weekend IP is designed to offer visitors engaging experiences beyond shopping and create opportunities for families to spend quality time together.

Speaking on the initiative, Nandini Taneja as CEO, Bhumika Enterprises, said, “With Urban Weekender, our aim is to create experiences that bring people together and give families more reasons to spend their weekends with us. The encouraging response to our culinary event reflects the growing interest in experiential engagements. We look forward to introducing more unique and interactive formats that make Urban Square Mall a destination for shopping, entertainment and memorable experiences.”

As part of the initiative, the mall hosted ‘Sweet & Savoury Festive Bites’, a family chef competition organised by Tarika Bhanupratap, Owner, She Circle India, and Nirmala Soni and Karan Madhwani of Tastemakers India. The event witnessed participation from over 100 contestants, who showcased their culinary creativity through a variety of homemade dishes.

The event was graced by Manveer Kapoor, General Manager, Wyndham Garden, as Chief Guest, along with Vinit Chobisa, General Manager, Radisson, and Vikram Madhwani, Ashoka Group, who joined as special guests and shared their industry expertise.

With ‘Urban Weekender’, Urban Square Mall continues to curate diverse experiences including food events, family games, movie screenings, Tambola evenings and other community-led activities, reinforcing its positioning as an experiential destination for Udaipur.

Getnet and Nayax Announce Global Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Integrated Payments and Commerce Solutions Across Latin America and Iberia

The agreement will enable operators of vending machines, electric-vehicle chargers, self-service kiosks and other automated self-service businesses to benefit from Nayax’s payment technologies and Getnet’s local acquiring network. Nayax will roll out across Getnet’s acquiring network in Chile first, followed by Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

Madrid (Spain) and Herzliya (Israel), Sept 30. Getnet, the global merchant payments platform and the leading payment solutions provider in Latin America and Iberia, and Nayax Ltd (NASDAQ: NYAX, TASE: NYAX), a global commerce enablement, payments, and loyalty platform helping merchants scale their business, announced its partnership aimed at accelerating integrated payment acceptance and commerce services across key markets in Europe and Latin America.

The agreement will enable operators of vending machines, electric-vehicle chargers, self-service kiosks and other automated self-service commerce businesses to access an integrated payment solution combining Nayax technology with the Getnet acquiring platform in Latin America and Iberia. Operators will gain a single, reliable way to accept cashless payments across their unattended machines, and their customers will gain a smoother, more familiar checkout process wherever they pay.

The partnership will open key new Latin American markets for Nayax and strengthen its regional presence. Getnet, in turn, will broaden its product portfolio into the unattended space and increase processing volumes. The rollout will begin in Chile within the coming weeks and expand progressively across Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, offering Nayax a scalable route into the region and a foundation for sustained growth.

“This partnership is an important milestone for Nayax, opening new markets across Latin America while strengthening our offering in the countries where we already operate,” said Oren Tepper, Nayax’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Together with Getnet, we can provide merchants a stronger, more integrated way to accept payments.”

“This agreement represents another important step in our strategy to become the preferred payments partner for technology companies, ISVs and commerce platforms around the world,” said Fabrice Mendez, Global Head of Partnerships at Getnet. “Nayax is a recognized global leader in unattended commerce, and together we will help merchants benefit from integrated payment experiences that combine global innovation with local acquiring expertise.”

National Seminar Sets Out Road Safety Priorities for Indian Cities: Context-Based Speeds, Safer Design and Stronger Enforcement

New Delhi, September 29: Speed management in Indian cities needs to move beyond the setting of speed limits and focus on the interaction between road design, enforcement, local conditions and the behaviour of road users, experts said at the National Seminar on “Rethinking Urban Speed: Speed Management for Safer, More Livable and Inclusive Cities”, held today at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.

Organised by the Road Safety Network (RSN) in collaboration with IIT Delhi’s Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Centre (TRIP Centre) and IIT Kharagpur, the seminar brought together policymakers, researchers, public health experts and road safety practitioners to examine how speed management can contribute to safer and more inclusive urban mobility.

The seminar featured participation from several leading experts and institutions, including Dr Nitin R. Gokarn, Chairman, National Road Safety Board; Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Prof. Geetam Tiwari, Emeritus Professor, Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Centre (TRIPC), IIT Delhi; Prof. Bhargab Maitra, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur and Member, Road Safety Network; Dr. Gautham M. Sukumar, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Head, WHO Collaborating Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, NIMHANS, Bengaluru; Dr. Mohammed Asheel B, National Professional Officer, Injury & Disability Prevention, WHO India; Ranjit Gadgil – Program Director, Parisar; Dr. Reenu Aneja, transport Specialist, World Bank; Ashim Sanyal, Managing Trustee, Consumer Voice and other road safety and urban mobility experts.

The discussions highlighted the need to ensure consistency among design speed, posted speed, and actual operating speed, while taking into account the function of a road, surrounding land use, and the presence of vulnerable road users. Experts also emphasised that speed management needs to be supported by appropriate engineering and enforcement rather than relying solely on awareness or speed-limit signage.

Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, noted that speed management needs to be communicated alongside broader development priorities and supported through effective enforcement and locally relevant interventions. “One of the biggest challenges in speed management is convincing people that higher speeds do not necessarily reduce travel time, but can increase the risk and severity of fatalities. There is also considerable pressure to increase speeds on highways and expressways in the interest of economic growth and competitiveness. In urban areas, however, the multiplicity of authorities makes implementation more complex, and interventions have to be local and suited to the road environment. Stronger enforcement, including electronic enforcement, and greater certainty of punishment will be critical to making these measures effective.”

Dr Nitin R. Gokarn, Chairman, National Road Safety Board (NRSB), highlighted the need to address the gap between vehicle capabilities and the environments in which they operate. “Road safety requires us to look at the entire road environment and not vehicles in isolation. Vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians and two-wheeler users, remain highly exposed to the consequences of unsafe speeds. We need better data on two-wheeler crashes, stronger attention to pedestrian infrastructure and effective implementation of safety measures. The National Road Safety Board looks forward to working with stakeholders such as the Road Safety Network to take these recommendations forward.”

The seminar also discussed the Safe System Approach, which recognises that road users can make mistakes and that road environments must be designed to prevent such mistakes from resulting in death or serious injury. Participants highlighted safe speeds, safe streets, safe vehicles, safe behaviour and effective post-crash response as key pillars of this approach.

The vulnerability of pedestrians and two-wheeler users emerged as a key concern. Experts noted that mixed-traffic environments and large differences in vehicle speeds can increase risks for two-wheeler users. The discussions called for greater attention to pedestrian infrastructure, accessible footpaths, safe crossings, traffic-calming measures and complete streets.

Prof. Bhargab Maitra, IIT Kharagpur and Member, Road Safety Network, emphasised that speed management provides an immediate opportunity to improve road safety. “Speed management is doable, implementable and workable in the short term. It is not merely about reducing speed limits; it requires the right combination of engineering, enforcement and context-based speed regulation. Aligning road design, speed limits and operating speeds, while prioritising pedestrians, cyclists and two-wheeler users, can help make our urban roads safer and more inclusive.”

The seminar also examined safer school zones, the need for better crash and speed data, and the importance of integrating road safety with urban planning and public transport. Experts stressed that infrastructure designed primarily around vehicle movement can marginalise pedestrians and cyclists, and called for greater adoption of people-centred and context-sensitive road design.

The seminar concluded with a call for data-driven, locally relevant and people-centred speed management, with engineering, enforcement and policy working together to create safer urban environments. Participants emphasised that managing speed is not only a road safety intervention but also an important component of building cities that are safer, more accessible and more inclusive for all road users.

Residential Property Prices Rise 63 percent Across 11 Emerging Cities, Outpacing Major Real Estate Markets

New Delhi, September 29, 2026: India’s residential real estate market is witnessing a broader growth story, with emerging cities increasingly playing a significant role alongside the country’s major metropolitan markets. According to a joint report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Knight Frank India, residential property prices across 11 emerging markets increased by 63% between 2021 and 2026, compared with a 42% increase across eight major markets.

The report identifies Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh Tricity, Goa, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam and Coimbatore as emerging residential markets. Between 2016 and 2026, these markets recorded an average Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% in residential prices, twice the 4% CAGR recorded across the eight major markets.

Mr. Rajni Kant Mishra, Founder & Chairman, Amrawati Group, said, “The growth story of India’s real estate market is no longer limited to the major metropolitan cities. Better infrastructure, stronger connectivity, new employment opportunities and rising economic activity in emerging cities have given fresh momentum to residential demand. The 63% increase in residential prices across these markets between 2021 and 2026 reflects this changing landscape. At the same time, relatively affordable property prices and better lifestyle opportunities are attracting homebuyers. Going forward, emerging cities can become important centres of real estate development and investment in India.”

According to the report, improved infrastructure and connectivity, expanding economic activity, rising consumption and new employment opportunities are among the key factors supporting residential demand in these markets. Residential property prices across these emerging cities currently range from approximately ₹4,500 to ₹13,500 per sq. ft., depending on the market.

The findings highlight the changing dynamics of India’s residential real estate sector, with emerging cities gaining greater importance as residential destinations. As infrastructure improves and economic opportunities expand, these markets are increasingly contributing to the country’s broader real estate growth.

Apollo Knowledge and BITS Pilani partner to advance healthcare research and build India’s healthcare technology workforce

Chennai, 29 September 2026: Apollo Knowledge and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) have come together to work on healthcare research, education and workforce development. The two signed a Memorandum of Understanding today in the presence of Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder-Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, and Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani.

The collaboration brings together the clinical environment of the Apollo network and BITS Pilani’s strengths in engineering, technology and data science. Clinicians and BITS Pilani researchers will explore joint research on clinical and healthcare problems, with specific areas to be identified as the collaboration develops.

The two institutions will collaborate to develop Work Integrated Learning programmes for healthcare professionals. These programmes allow doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and healthcare managers to earn a qualification while continuing in their jobs. Potential areas include healthcare logistics and supply chain, pharmacy, and hospital finance, with the curriculum built around the work these professionals actually do.

The partners will also explore technology learning for students, built around the role each student is training for. This would extend to learners at The Apollo University, at the medical and nursing colleges in the Apollo network, and at Apollo Healthcare Academy’s partner institutions.

Specialised programmes in allied health and healthcare technology are a further area the two institutions will explore, combining BITS Pilani’s competency centres with clinical training in Apollo hospitals.

Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder-Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Healthcare today runs on technology as much as it runs on clinical skill. The people who deliver care need to learn that technology properly, and they need to learn it without stepping away from their work. BITS Pilani has taught working professionals for over four decades. We have the hospitals, the clinicians and the students. Putting the two together lets us train the healthcare workforce this country needs, and take up research that answers the questions our doctors are asking today.”

Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, “Healthcare is one of the areas where good engineering makes a direct difference to people’s lives. The collaboration creates opportunities to work with Apollo‘s clinical ecosystem and with a large base of healthcare professionals and students. We bring the technology, data science and a proven model of teaching people who are already working. We expect this collaboration to produce both research and trained professionals.”

MDI Gurgaon’s Samvaad X ScaNxt NXT STEP to Put Strategic Decision-Making Under Polycrisis Conditions to Test

Gurugram, September 29, 2026: As businesses increasingly operate amid interconnected disruptions spanning markets, technology, geopolitics, supply chains and changing consumer behaviour, the ability to adapt strategy in real time is becoming an important management capability. Reflecting this shift, Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon’s PGDM-BM 38th Batch, as part of Samvaad 2026, is organising Samvaad X ScaNxt – NXT STEP: The Polycrisis Challenge, a national-level case competition focused on strategic decision-making in an evolving business environment.

Built around the broader Samvaad 2026 theme of “Thriving in a Polycrisis,” the competition is designed to move beyond conventional case-solving. Participants are required to analyse a business situation, identify the central strategic challenge, develop recommendations and subsequently revisit those decisions when the underlying circumstances change.

The format reflects a broader question facing management education: how should future managers make decisions when the assumptions underlying a strategy can change faster than the strategy itself? Rather than evaluating a solution only on the basis of its initial logic, the final round places emphasis on participants’ ability to recognise changing conditions, reassess their choices and communicate a revised course of action.

“Today’s business environment demands the ability to learn, unlearn and adapt quickly. The assumptions behind a decision can change rapidly, and leaders need to be willing to test, learn and reinvent rather than remain constrained by an earlier approach. NXT STEP reflects this reality by asking participants to revisit their decisions as the situation evolves,” said Amitayu Roy, Managing Director – AI Strategy & Transformation, Accenture Strategy & Consulting, and Guest of Honour at Samvaad 2026.

Simran Thapar, HR Leader, Carrier – HVAC Business, said, “Polycrisis is not simply about the number of disruptions an organisation faces; it is about how we interpret those disruptions and navigate their interconnected impact. In today’s environment, professionals cannot look at challenges only through the lens of their individual functions. The ability to combine diverse perspectives, assess uncertainty and turn a crisis into an opportunity will be increasingly important for the leaders of tomorrow.”

“Management education must prepare future leaders not only to find solutions, but also to question their assumptions when the context changes. NXT STEP brings this approach to life by placing participants in situations where they must analyse a problem, make strategic choices and then revisit those choices as new challenges emerge. The ability to think critically, remain adaptable and make informed decisions amid uncertainty is central to preparing managers for the complexities of today’s business environment,” said Prof. Chinmaya Kulshrestha, Associate Professor, Chairperson – PGDM (BM) and Area Chairperson Marketing, MDI Gurgaon. 

Bringing an academic and technology perspective to the discussion, Prof. Sangeeta Shah Bhardwaj, Chairperson – Centre on Artificial Intelligence and its application in Business, MDI Gurgaon, said, “Technology can help leaders analyse complexity and identify possibilities, but the real value lies in translating those insights into timely and effective action. For future managers, connecting technology with business context, adapting their thinking and executing under uncertainty will be critical. NXT STEP gives students an opportunity to experience this complexity firsthand and rethink their decisions as the context evolves.”

Ratan Shrivastava, Chief Guest at Samvaad 2026, said, “In business, what ultimately matters is the tangible value you create. The impact you make and the revenue or business value you bring to the table are important indicators of the value you have actually added to the organisation. In a world defined by polycrisis and constant uncertainty, understanding your core strengths and leaning into them can help you navigate your career with greater confidence, clarity, and resilience. ” 

The initiative forms part of Samvaad 2026, the flagship business colloquium of MDI Gurgaon’s PGDM-BM programme, which brings together perspectives from academia and industry around contemporary business challenges. The 2026 edition, being held on September 26–27, focuses on how organisations and leaders can navigate an environment where multiple disruptions intersect and create complex, interconnected challenges.