Category Archives: Business

Intertek India and Sportz Village Foundation Champion a Collaborative Approach to Strengthening India’s Grassroots Sports Ecosystem

New Delhi, 23 July: As India continues its emergence as a global sporting nation, the conversation is increasingly shifting from celebrating podium finishes to strengthening the systems that make those achievements possible. Recognising that lasting sporting success begins at the grassroots, Intertek India and Sportz Village Foundation hosted a leadership engagement in New Delhi for corporate leaders, sports development experts, elite athletes and young sporting talent to explore how collective action can help build a stronger sporting ecosystem for the country. 

The event brought together Intertek South Asia leaders Ankita Agarwal, Regional HR Director and Ashish Gupta, Regional CFO  with Sportz Village Foundation’s Radhika Yelkur, Head of Delivery and Sandeep Rao, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Arjuna Awardee and Indian sport shooter Anjum Moudgil, along with a group of promising state and national-level athletes supported through Sports For All – a talent identification and athlete nurturance initiative launched this year by Intertek India, and implemented with the help of Sportz Village Foundation. 

Sports For All seeks to identify India’s emerging young sporting talent and provide them with access to the guidance, opportunities and developmental ecosystem needed to progress towards higher levels of competition. While financial support remains important, the initiative reflects a broader philosophy – that athletes thrive when they are backed by an ecosystem that nurtures both sporting excellence and personal growth. 

At the heart of the event was a panel discussion exploring how stronger collaboration between corporates, sports organisations, schools and public institutions can create more meaningful opportunities for aspiring athletes across the country. 

The panel discussed several critical aspects of athlete development, including mental resilience, athlete livelihoods, access to quality coaching, sports science, the role of schools in encouraging participation and the importance of stronger public-private partnerships in expanding access to structured sporting opportunities. The conversation reinforced a shared belief that India‘s sporting ambitions can only be realised through long-term collaboration across sectors, with each stakeholder playing a distinct yet interconnected role in supporting young athletes. 

Delivering the keynote address, Anjum Moudgil reflected on her own journey as an elite athlete, sharing insights into the discipline, perseverance and resilience required to compete at the highest level. She emphasized that behind every successful athlete is an ecosystem of support – families, coaches, mentors, institutions and organizations – that invest consistently in an athlete’s journey, often long before success becomes visible. 

“Every athlete’s journey is shaped by the support they receive long before success arrives. Initiatives like Sport For All create that foundation by giving young athletes the opportunities, guidance and belief they need to pursue their full potential.” 

A significant highlight of the event was the unveiling of the official Sports For All jersey, symbolizing the shared commitment of Intertek India and Sportz Village Foundation towards creating structured development pathways for young athletes. More than a ceremonial moment, the jersey represents a collective promise to invest in potential, create opportunities and accompany athletes through every stage of their sporting journey. 

Speaking on the occasion,

“At Intertek, our CSR commitment is to create sustainable social impact by empowering communities and expanding opportunities for future generations. Through Sports For All, we are proud to support India’s grassroots talent and contribute to the vision of a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive Viksit Bharat.”
– Ankita Agarwal
Regional HR Director, Intertek 

“Through initiatives like Sport For All we’re working with Intertek India to build meaningful pathways that help young budding athletes access the support they need to grow, compete and succeed.“
– Radhika Yelkur
Head of Delivery, Sportz Village Foundation 

As India strives to become one of the world’s leading sporting nations, the focus must extend beyond celebrating medals to strengthening the systems that identify and nurture talent from an early stage. Through its Sports For All initiative, Intertek India, in partnership with Sportz Village Foundation, is working to build stronger pathways for young athletes by expanding access to structured support, mentorship and development opportunities, while contributing to a more inclusive and resilient grassroots sporting ecosystem.

PM Modi’s Three-Nation Visit Strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific Engagement

New Delhi, July 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-nation visit marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s strategic partnerships and expanding its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

The visit focused on enhancing cooperation with partner countries in areas including trade, defence, maritime security, technology, connectivity, and regional stability. The engagements highlighted India’s growing role in promoting peace, prosperity, and collaboration across the Indo-Pacific.

During the visit, discussions with global partners centred on deepening bilateral relations and exploring new opportunities for economic and strategic cooperation. Leaders exchanged views on regional and global challenges while reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

The outreach reflects India’s broader foreign policy approach of building stronger partnerships with like-minded nations and increasing collaboration in areas critical to regional growth and security.

Experts said the visit underscores India’s expanding diplomatic footprint and its efforts to strengthen strategic ties amid changing geopolitical dynamics. Enhanced cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners is expected to contribute to economic growth, maritime stability, and regional resilience.

The three-nation tour further highlights India’s commitment to active participation in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific through dialogue, partnerships, and shared interests.

ARHomez Introduces AI-Driven Home Automation Solutions to Build Safer, Smarter and More Sustainable Living Spaces

New Delhi, July 23rd: ARHomez, a leading provider of smart home and office automation solutions, today announced the expansion of its AI-driven home automation ecosystem, designed to deliver seamless living experiences through intelligent automation, advanced security systems, smart lighting and connected infrastructure. The integrated solution enables homeowners and businesses to manage multiple functions through a unified platform, making spaces more secure, energy-efficient and convenient.

As demand for smart infrastructure continues to accelerate across India, ARHomez is focused on enabling customers to adopt intelligent technologies that simplify everyday living while optimizing energy consumption. The company’s AI-driven automation solutions allow users to remotely control lighting, climate, entertainment systems, security devices, curtains, smart locks and other connected appliances through intuitive mobile and voice-enabled interfaces.

Founded in 2018 by Rajesh Kumar Garhwal with an initial investment of ₹5 lakh, ARHomez has steadily evolved into one of Delhi NCR’s trusted smart automation companies, serving homeowners, architects, builders and commercial establishments across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. Today, the company has achieved an annual turnover of approximately ₹6 crore by consistently delivering customized automation solutions backed by reliable installation and after-sales support.

Commenting on the announcement, Rajesh Kumar Garhwal, Founder, ARHomez, said: “Smart automation is no longer a luxury reserved for premium homes—it is becoming an essential part of modern living. At ARHomez, our vision is to make intelligent technologies more accessible by creating connected spaces that enhance comfort, improve safety and promote sustainable living. Through AI-driven automation, we are helping homeowners and businesses experience greater convenience while making smarter use of energy and resources.”

ARHomez offers a comprehensive portfolio of intelligent automation solutions, including smart lighting automation, AI-enabled home security systems, CCTV surveillance, video door phones, smart locks, motorized curtain automation, climate control systems, integrated entertainment automation and complete home and office automation. These solutions are designed to provide personalized experiences while improving operational efficiency and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

With increasing awareness around energy conservation and connected living, ARHomez continues to invest in advanced technologies that enable predictive automation, remote monitoring and intelligent control. By combining innovation with customer-centric service, the company aims to accelerate the adoption of smart infrastructure across residential and commercial developments in India.

Going forward, ARHomez remains committed to expanding its AI-powered automation capabilities while delivering reliable, scalable and future-ready solutions that empower customers to build safer, smarter and more sustainable living environments.

India’s Digital Infrastructure Boom Drives Data Centre Growth, Infrastructure Gaps Pose Challenges

July 23: India’s data centre industry is witnessing rapid expansion as demand for digital services, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data storage continues to rise. However, challenges related to land availability, power access, and supporting infrastructure remain key concerns for the sector’s long-term growth.

According to a report by JM Financial, India has strong potential to emerge as a major global data centre destination, supported by its growing digital economy, increasing internet penetration, and rising adoption of technology-driven solutions across sectors.

The report noted that the availability of suitable land and access to reliable, cost-effective power supply will be crucial for the development of large-scale data centre facilities. Efficient infrastructure planning and faster approvals will play an important role in meeting the sector’s growing requirements.

The expansion of artificial intelligence applications, cloud platforms, and enterprise digital transformation is expected to further increase demand for data processing and storage capacity in India.

Industry stakeholders believe that addressing infrastructure challenges through policy support, investment, and improved connectivity will help unlock the full potential of the country’s data centre market.

With rising digital consumption and increasing technology investments, India’s data centre sector is positioned for significant growth while working to overcome key operational challenges.

iCubesWire Introduces iQ, India’s First Conversational AI Platform for Creator Marketing Intelligence

Gurugram, India, 23 July: iCubesWire today announced the launch of iQ, India’s first Conversational AI Platform for Creator Marketing Intelligence, designed to help brands solve complex creator marketing challenges through the power of artificial intelligence.

Built on iCubesWire’s existing technology ecosystem, iQ adds an intelligent conversational layer that enables marketers to discover creators, build campaign strategies, analyze performance, benchmark competitors, uncover market insights and generate AI-powered recommendations, all through simple, natural language conversations.

The launch marks the next phase of iCubesWire’s technology journey. Over the years, the company has developed proprietary capabilities across creator discovery, campaign management, creator relationship management, content workflows, measurement, analytics and competitive intelligence. iQ brings these capabilities together into a single intelligent interface that transforms data into actionable business decisions.

“Creator marketing has become one of the most powerful growth channels for brands, but marketers are still spending too much time navigating dashboards instead of making decisions,” said Nishant Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO – Influencer Business, iCubesWire. “With iQ, we’ve built an intelligence layer that allows marketers to simply ask questions and receive strategic recommendations backed by data, technology and years of campaign expertise.”

Rather than functioning as another AI chatbot, iQ is designed to solve real business problems, from identifying the right creators and optimizing campaign strategies to measuring impact, analysing competitors and uncovering new growth opportunities.

“This launch represents a significant milestone in our technology vision,” said Sahil Chopra, Chairman, iCubesWire. “We’ve invested for years in building technology across every aspect of creator marketing. iQ is the intelligence layer that sits on top of this ecosystem, enabling brands to move beyond campaign execution and make faster, smarter and more informed marketing decisions. We believe the future of creator marketing will be driven by intelligence, not just automation.”

The launch of iQ further strengthens iCubesWire’s vision of building Creator Growth OS, an integrated platform that combines technology, intelligence and AI to power the next generation of creator marketing.

NSE Faces Shift in Equity Options Landscape as Market Share Drops Over Two Years

July 23: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has recorded a decline of over 22 per cent in its equity options market share between FY24 and FY26, highlighting changing trends in India’s rapidly evolving derivatives market.

The shift reflects broader changes in trading behaviour, market participation patterns, and competitive dynamics within the equity options segment. Growing investor activity, regulatory measures, and evolving strategies among market participants have contributed to changes in the distribution of market share among exchanges.

India’s equity derivatives market has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by increased participation from retail investors, technological advancements, and wider access to trading platforms. Exchanges have continued to strengthen their infrastructure and introduce measures aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and investor experience.

Despite the decline in market share, NSE remains a major player in India’s capital markets, supported by its robust trading systems, deep liquidity, and extensive market network across various financial segments.

Experts said the changing market landscape underscores the need for exchanges to continue focusing on innovation, product development, and investor-focused initiatives to remain competitive.

The developments come at a time when India’s financial markets are undergoing rapid transformation, with technology, regulation, and investor preferences shaping the future direction of the derivatives ecosystem.

India, Panama Set to Deepen Maritime Partnership in Shipping, Ports and Infrastructure Development

July 23: India and Panama are exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the maritime sector, with a focus on shipping, port development, maritime infrastructure, and logistics connectivity. The collaboration aims to enhance trade facilitation, promote investment, and encourage the exchange of expertise between the two countries.

The partnership is expected to cover key areas including modern port management, maritime services, digital solutions for shipping operations, capacity building, and sustainable infrastructure development. With Panama’s strategic role in global maritime trade and India’s growing capabilities in the shipping and ports sector, the cooperation could further strengthen international supply chain networks.

Officials emphasized the importance of resilient and efficient maritime infrastructure in supporting global commerce. The proposed collaboration will seek to leverage technological advancements, improve operational efficiency, and promote environmentally sustainable practices across the maritime sector.

India has been actively working to expand its maritime ecosystem by upgrading ports, improving logistics connectivity, and enhancing its role in global trade networks. Greater engagement with Panama is expected to provide new opportunities for cooperation in maritime innovation, investment, and knowledge sharing.

The initiative reflects the growing importance of international partnerships in building a secure, efficient, and sustainable maritime future. Both nations are expected to continue discussions on areas of mutual interest to further strengthen cooperation in shipping and port infrastructure.

India to Scientifically Close 147 Coal Mines Over Next 2–3 Years to Drive Sustainable Mining Transition

July 23: India has announced plans to scientifically close 147 coal mines over the next two to three years as part of its efforts to enhance sustainable mining practices, restore mined-out areas, and ensure responsible management of natural resources.

The planned closures will focus on mines that have completed their operational life or are no longer economically viable. The process will be carried out through comprehensive mine closure plans covering environmental restoration, land reclamation, safety management, and rehabilitation of affected areas.

The initiative reflects the government’s broader vision of transforming the coal sector through improved resource efficiency, stronger environmental safeguards, and adoption of modern mining practices. Authorities emphasized that scientific mine closure will help minimize ecological impact while enabling the productive reuse of reclaimed land.

As part of the transition, special attention will be given to coal-producing communities by ensuring appropriate rehabilitation measures, protecting local interests, and creating opportunities for sustainable development in mining regions.

Officials stated that the closure programme will follow established technical and environmental guidelines, with regular monitoring to ensure effective implementation. The move is expected to strengthen responsible mining practices and support India’s long-term goals of balancing energy security with environmental sustainability.

Crude Oil Prices Surge Over 2 pc to Dollar 96 per Barrel Amid Escalating West Asia Tensions

July 23: Global crude oil prices surged by more than 2% to approximately $96 per barrel, as escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia intensified concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies. The sharp rise in prices reflects heightened uncertainty in international oil markets, with investors closely monitoring developments in one of the world’s most strategically important oil-producing regions.

West Asia accounts for a significant share of global crude oil production and exports. Any escalation in regional tensions or disruptions to key shipping routes could affect the movement of crude oil to international markets, leading to tighter supply conditions and increased price volatility. The latest increase in crude prices underscores growing market concerns over the stability of global energy supplies amid an uncertain geopolitical landscape.

The rise in oil prices has also renewed fears of inflationary pressures across major economies. Higher crude oil prices typically translate into increased fuel, transportation, logistics, and manufacturing costs, which can raise the overall cost of goods and services. For oil-importing countries such as India, sustained increases in global crude prices may widen the import bill, exert pressure on the trade balance, and pose challenges to inflation management.

Financial markets reacted cautiously to the latest developments, with investors reassessing risks associated with higher energy costs and their potential impact on economic growth, corporate earnings, and monetary policy. Market participants remain focused on geopolitical developments, supply conditions, production decisions by major oil-producing nations, and global demand trends to assess the future trajectory of crude oil prices.

Energy analysts believe that crude oil prices are likely to remain volatile in the near term as geopolitical uncertainties continue to influence market sentiment. They note that any further escalation in regional tensions or disruptions to supply chains could lead to additional upward pressure on oil prices, while diplomatic efforts and stable supply conditions could help ease market concerns.

Governments, businesses, and policymakers across the world are expected to closely monitor developments in the global energy market and evaluate measures to mitigate the impact of elevated oil prices on economic activity, inflation, and energy security.

India Remains Among the Fastest-Growing Major Economies Despite Global Uncertainties: RBI

Mumbai, July 23: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stated that India continues to be among the fastest-growing major economies in the world, supported by resilient domestic demand, sound macroeconomic fundamentals, and sustained policy measures despite an uncertain global economic environment.

The central bank noted that strong consumption, steady investment activity, a resilient banking sector, and continued infrastructure development are helping sustain the country’s economic growth. While global challenges—including geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainties, and commodity price volatility—continue to pose risks, India’s economic fundamentals remain robust.

The RBI also emphasized its commitment to maintaining price stability while supporting sustainable economic growth through appropriate monetary policy measures. It highlighted that stable inflation, financial sector resilience, and ongoing structural reforms are expected to strengthen the country’s medium-term growth outlook.

The central bank reaffirmed that it will continue to closely monitor global and domestic developments and take necessary policy actions to safeguard macroeconomic stability.