Category Archives: Business

LOGIC Partners with PhiBonacci to Launch India’s Most Advanced Simulation-Integrated Interactive Displays

Bengaluru, Mar 25:  LOGIC, the flagship interactive display brand from Online Instruments, today announced the integration of PhiBonacci’s globally recognized 3D simulation ecosystem into its advanced classroom solutions. The agreement natively integrates PhiBonacci’s uniPhi myClass STEM software into all the LOGIC Interactive Displays designed for the education sector.

This partnership addresses a unique challenge in the evolution of modern STEM education: bridging the gap between flat, 2D interactive digital simulations and truly immersive, spatial learning. Historically, rendering heavy, hyper-interactive simulations in a classroom setting required expensive external computing add-ons or suffered from severe lag. By natively optimizing PhiBonacci’s library of over 3,000 interactive simulations for LOGIC’s high-performance 4K interactive displays with 40-point multi-touch capability, the collaboration eliminates hardware–software friction and delivers a seamless, out-of-the-box 3D STEM learning solution aligned with the experiential learning mandates of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

“When it comes to mastering complex Science and Mathematics, interactive simulations transcend the limitations of traditional physical labs. They don’t just show a concept; they empower students to truly experience it,” said Dr. Ravindra Dubey, Managing Director of PhiBonacci. “PhiBonacci provides curriculum-mapped simulation content with adaptable language interface support. By natively integrating our ecosystem, already proven and trusted by over 3 million students, we are completely removing technical barriers. Teachers can turn on the screen and instantly walk a class through a virtual heart dissection or a complex physics model with zero lag.”

“This partnership marks a turning point in how we think about classroom learning,” said Pankaj Bellad, Chief Business Officer at Online Instruments. “LOGIC was never just about the hardware. The real opportunity was always in what happens on that screen and integrating PhiBonacci makes that answer very clear. Every LOGIC display now functions as a fully equipped virtual lab, giving educators the tools to make even the most complex concepts genuinely click for students.”

“What we’ve built here is designed for scale. Schools don’t need to overhaul their infrastructure or navigate complicated setups, LOGIC handles that. The focus shifts entirely to learning outcomes: immediate academic impact in the short term, and a lasting digital capability that institutions can build on.”

Strategic Value for Educational Institutions: For buyers and consumers of LOGIC displays, this exclusive bundle represents an unprecedented value addition designed specifically for enterprise and institutional deployment:

• Deliver immersive science and mathematics lessons

• Conduct virtual experiments without physical constraints

• Enhance student engagement and retention

• Standardize quality of teaching across classrooms

• Support NEP-aligned experiential learning

Keysight Launches Local Manufacturing in India to Accelerate Global Innovation

New Delhi, Mar 25:  Keysight Technologies today announced plans to begin local manufacturing in India, expanding its global production footprint to provide locally manufactured solutions for the country’s mission-critical industries. This strategic expansion enables Keysight to better serve its long-standing customer base—including aerospace and defense, government R&D, industry and academic research institutions—by providing streamlined procurement of world-class technology.

As India emerges as one of the world’s fastest-growing innovation economies, demand for advanced test and measurement technologies is increasing across all industrial and research sectors. India’s electronics manufacturing sector is expected to exceed $300 billion by 2026, driven by a surge in domestic production and advanced research initiatives.

The phased rollout of the new facility will focus on test equipment, serving both Indian and global customers while enhancing supply chain resilience. The move reinforces Keysight’s long-term commitment to India and aligns with the country’s flagship initiatives, including Make in India, Semicon India, the National Quantum Mission, as well as aerospace and defense modernization programs.

“India is entering a once-in-a-generation innovation decade,” said Sudhir Tangri, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific at Keysight. “Establishing local manufacturing allows Keysight to better support customers in India while strengthening our global supply chain. Building in India for the world will accelerate technology development across a broad spectrum of industries.”

Keysight’s manufacturing operations in India will support innovation across key sectors:

·         Semiconductors: Enabling design validation and production testing as India expands its semiconductor industry under the Semicon India program.

·         Quantum Technologies: Supporting research institutions and national laboratories advancing quantum computing under the National Quantum Mission.

·         Aerospace and Defense: Providing advanced, locally manufactured test solutions for radar, electronic warfare, and satellite systems supporting India’s defense modernization.

·         Next-Generation AI and Wireless: Accelerating development and deployment of 5G and future 6G infrastructure, AI infrastructure and data centers.

·         Research and Academia: Equipping universities and national laboratories with world-class tools for advanced engineering research and scientific discovery.

Keysight will continue to collaborate with Indian government agencies, research laboratories, and leading engineering universities to accelerate technology development and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem. The expansion reflects Keysight’s long-term strategy to invest in high-growth technology hubs that support customers developing the next generation of computing, communications, and national security systems.

Accidental death: Bandhan Life’s add-on cover offers families protection up to INR 3 crore

Over the past decade, India has significantly increased spending on safety. For instance, Indian Railways’ safety budget rose from ₹39,463 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1,16,470 crore in 2025–26, while consequential train accidents declined from 135 in 2014–15 to 11 in 2025–26. However, risks remain, with 21,803 lives lost in rail accidents in 2023, according to NCRB data. Stampedes, too, have claimed over 3,000 lives between 2001 and 2022.

“Our 1.4 billion population may mask such statistics with low death rates. However, conditions leading to such losses are part of our daily life, and require us to account for them in our financial planning,” says Maneesh Mishra, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Bandhan Life. Bandhan Life’s recently launched Linked Enhanced Accidental Death Benefit (ADB) Rider aims to provide added financial protection against precisely such risks.

An insurance rider is an optional add–on to an existing insurance policy that modifies or expands coverage to better suit the policyholder’s specific needs. The ADB rider specifically offers an additional payout to nominees if the policyholder passes away due to an accident. It offers benefits in specific accident scenarios, such as train or aeroplane accidents, or stampedes or fires at large public/religious gatherings.

Bandhan Life’s rider is available in two options: Premium and Classic. Under the Premium option, policyholders can choose to receive a higher payout, up to 300% of the rider sum assured, depending on the nature of the incident. The Classic option allows policyholders to choose from 1 to 3 times of the base sum assured up to ₹3 crore. The rider also offers significant flexibility. Policyholders can add or detach the rider during the policy term and adjust the rider sum assured based on their income, liabilities, or lifestyle needs—in case of increased work travel, for instance.

“With the Enhanced ADB Rider, our aim was to design a solution that reflects the realities of everyday risks. Unfortunately, many families remain under-protected against unforeseen events. Through solutions like the Enhanced ADB Rider, we at Bandhan Life are committed to enabling our policyholders to provide stronger financial protection for their loved ones, regardless of the circumstances,” says Mishra.

Crucially, the rider provides substantial additional protection at a nominal cost. The ADB can be currently added to the iInvest Ultima plan, starting at ₹700 for a ₹10 lakh cover, and is available across all branches of Bandhan Bank. “With this launch, Bandhan Life aims to provide customers with accessible, flexible protection solutions that address real-world risk scenarios, thereby enhancing financial security for families,” Mishra concludes.

Business Leader and Author Mr. LC Singh Launches His Memoir Things We Don’t See

Mumbai, Mar 25: Business leader and author Mr. LC Singh launched his memoir, Things We Don’t See in Mumbai, in the presence of distinguished guests, associates, well-wishers and members of his extended circle. The book offers a deeply personal reflection on a life shaped by imagination, adversity, aspiration and the search for meaning beyond visible success.

The evening also held special significance as it acknowledged the deeply personal dedication at the heart of the book. Among those present in this context were Mrs. Swarna Kohli, representing Late Mr. F. C. Kohli, Mr. LC Singh’s brother – Mr. Udaychandra Singh, who played an important role in his journey and Ms. Swati, Mr. LC Singh’s daughter, representing herself, her sister Nimisha and Late Mrs. Manorama, Mr. LC Singh’s wife.  Their presence added emotional depth to an evening rooted in memory, reflection and gratitude.

Things We Don’t See traces the journey of a boy from a small village who dared to dream beyond what he could see. From childhood memories shaped by curiosity and wonder to a life that went on to engage with boardrooms and global strategy, the memoir brings together the many layers that defined Mr. Singh’s path. It is a story of questions, setbacks, growth and the quiet evolution of a life that continued to seek something deeper beneath achievement.

Rather than simply recounting milestones, the book turns inward to explore the unseen forces that shape a human journey. It reflects on struggle, self-belief and the deeply personal search for purpose and peace. Through this memoir, Mr. LC Singh brings together lived experience and introspection, offering readers a thoughtful reflection on identity, ambition and the truths that often remain unnoticed even in a life that appears accomplished from the outside.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. LC Singh said, “I did not write this book simply to recount my journey. I wrote it to understand it better. Over time, I realised that life is shaped not only by the moments we celebrate, but also by the many moments we overlook while living through them. From Banaras to boardrooms and across the many roles I have inhabited, it was often the quieter spaces in between, the questions and the reflections, that stayed with me. Through this book, I wanted to return to those unseen spaces and understand how they quietly shape who we become.”

The evening also featured a fireside chat between Mr. LC Singh and Mr. Kiran Khalap, which opened up the themes of the book further and invited the audience into a thoughtful conversation on purpose, self-discovery and the quieter truths that reveal themselves over time. The launch was also livestreamed for Mr. Singh’s close associates, industry friends and people from different phases of his life who could not be present at the venue, allowing them to be part of the occasion from wherever they were.

With Things We Don’t See, Mr. LC Singh offers readers more than the story of his life. He offers a reflective and deeply human account of what it means to dream, to endure, to build and ultimately to look inward. In its honesty and depth, the memoir leaves readers with a lasting reminder that some of the most important forces shaping our lives are often the ones we do not immediately see.

Study shows Hong Kong insurers are leading the region in investment risk appetite, and betting on technology to deliver it

Greenply Speciality Panels Private Limited Breaks Ground for Second MDF Line at Vadodara Plant

Mumbai, Mar 25: Greenply Speciality Panels Private Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of Greenply Industries Ltd. one of India’s leading interior infrastructure companies, today announced the groundbreaking of its second Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) production line at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The expansion marks a significant step in the company’s growth journey, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing and addressing the rapidly growing demand for MDF across India. 

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Mr. Rajesh Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director and Mr. Sanidhya Mittal, Joint Managing Director along with over thirty-five dealers and channel partners from across the region who joined the leadership team to commemorate this important milestone.

The second MDF line at the Vadodara facility represents an investment of ₹425 crore and is expected to become operational by Q2 FY2028. The expansion is set to generate substantial employment opportunities across the value chain, supporting livelihoods and contributing to regional economic growth. Once commissioned, the new line will significantly enhance the company’s production capacity, enabling Greenply to better serve rising market demand while further strengthening its leadership position in the MDF category.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajesh Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director, Greenply Industries Ltd., said, “The groundbreaking of our second MDF line at Vadodara reflects Greenply’s continued commitment to strengthening India’s manufacturing capabilities and supporting the evolving needs of the interior infrastructure sector. As demand for MDF products continues to grow across residential, commercial, and modular furniture segments, this expansion will enable us to scale our operations while maintaining our strong focus on efficiency, quality, and long-term value creation for our partners and customers.”

With this expansion, Greenply continues to strengthen its manufacturing footprint through strategic investments that enhance operational capabilities and future readiness. The Vadodara expansion aligns with the company’s long-term vision of building advanced manufacturing infrastructure and strengthening its MDF product portfolio.

Andhra Pradesh, Odisha Join Reform Framework for Rural Water Supply Under JJM 2.0

New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): The Centre on Tuesday signed reform-linked memoranda of understanding with Andhra Pradesh and Odisha under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 to strengthen sustainable and community-driven rural drinking water systems.

The agreements aim to advance structured reforms focused on transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability of water supply services in rural areas.

Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil said the next phase of the mission will prioritise bridging infrastructure gaps, ensuring reliable water supply, and strengthening community-led management systems.

He highlighted the need for proper handover of completed schemes to local communities and emphasised women’s participation in water quality monitoring through field test kits.

The MoU with Andhra Pradesh was signed in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, while Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi participated virtually during the signing of the agreement with his state.

Both states reaffirmed their commitment to achieving universal household tap water coverage and improving service delivery through community participation and sustainable operation and maintenance systems.

Officials said the reform framework includes measures to strengthen infrastructure, improve monitoring through digital platforms, and enhance citizen engagement through local committees and grievance redressal systems.

The agreements are part of the Centre’s broader push under JJM 2.0 to ensure adequate and quality drinking water supply to every rural household, aligned with the goal of long-term water security and improved living standards.

The development was announced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in a statement.

CapEx by Heavy Industry CPSEs Rises to Rs.577 Crore in FY25

New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): Capital expenditure by Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries rose to ₹577.41 crore in 2024–25, reflecting increased investments in new projects, expansion, and modernisation.

According to data shared in Parliament, total CapEx by these CPSEs stood at ₹340.58 crore in 2022–23 and ₹388.94 crore in 2023–24, indicating a steady upward trend over the past three financial years.

Among the CPSEs, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) accounted for the largest share of investment, with CapEx rising from ₹262 crore in 2022–23 to ₹536 crore in 2024–25.

Other enterprises, including Cement Corporation of India Ltd and Sambhar Salts Ltd, also recorded notable investments, though at a smaller scale.

The investments were primarily aimed at setting up new plants and machinery, expanding production capacity, and manufacturing new products, officials said.

Several CPSEs, however, reported relatively modest or declining capital expenditure over the period, reflecting varied operational and investment cycles across entities.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

DPIIT Signs MoU with Blue Star to Boost Manufacturing, Startup Ecosystem

New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a memorandum of understanding with air conditioning major Blue Star Ltd to support startups and strengthen India’s manufacturing and innovation ecosystem.

The partnership aims to promote product startups working in areas such as HVAC technologies, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain innovation, officials said.

Under the collaboration, startups will receive mentorship from industry experts, access to R&D laboratories and testing facilities, pilot opportunities, and market linkages to help scale industry-relevant solutions.

DPIIT said the initiative will enable startups to achieve key milestones including product validation, proof-of-concept development, and integration into industry value chains.

Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Sanjiv, said the partnership would help foster industry-driven innovation by enabling startups to work on real-world challenges and scale solutions with tangible outcomes.

As part of the initiative, DPIIT and Blue Star will also explore organising innovation challenges and hackathons under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, focusing on HVAC, digital technologies, and manufacturing sectors.

Selected startups will be offered opportunities for pilot deployment and further engagement through structured proof-of-concept programmes.

The MoU was signed by Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, T.L.K. Singh and Managing Director of Blue Star Ltd, B. Thiagarajan, in the presence of senior officials.

Officials said the collaboration is expected to strengthen linkages between startups and industry while enhancing innovation capacity in key manufacturing sectors.

India’s Exports Rise to $714.73 Billion in Apr–Jan FY26

New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): India’s total exports of merchandise and services rose to $714.73 billion during April–January of FY 2025–26, registering a growth of 5.26 per cent over $679.02 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, the government said on Tuesday.

The data reflects continued resilience in India’s trade performance despite global uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and volatile commodity prices.

Over the longer term, exports have shown steady growth, rising from $497.90 billion in 2020–21 to $828.25 billion in 2024–25, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9 per cent.

The government said it is strengthening the export ecosystem through policy support, digital infrastructure, and financial incentives, with a focus on enhancing global competitiveness, especially for MSMEs.

The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 continues to play a key role, supported by schemes such as Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and the recently approved Export Promotion Mission (EPM), which has an outlay of ₹25,060 crore.

As part of efforts to mitigate risks arising from geopolitical disruptions, the government has also launched a time-bound “RELIEF” scheme under the Export Promotion Mission, to be implemented through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC).

Officials said digital platforms and trade facilitation measures have improved efficiency, transparency, and access to global markets for exporters.

India is also expanding its global trade footprint through free trade agreements, with 19 FTAs in place and several others under negotiation, including with the EU, UK, and New Zealand.

The government said the integrated approach combining policy reforms, digital systems, and market access initiatives is aimed at building a resilient and future-ready export ecosystem.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.