Category Archives: Business

GI-Tagged Rewa Sundarja Mangoes Exported to UAE

Rewa / New Delhi, June 27: GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes from Madhya Pradesh have been successfully exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant step in expanding the global reach of India’s premium agricultural produce.

The export highlights growing international demand for region-specific Indian fruits recognised for their unique quality and geographical identity. The Rewa Sundarja mango, known for its distinctive taste and aroma, carries a Geographical Indication (GI) tag that certifies its origin and authenticity.

Officials stated that the export reflects India’s continued efforts to promote GI-tagged products in global markets and strengthen agri-export ecosystems. The initiative is expected to benefit local farmers by improving market access, enhancing income opportunities, and encouraging value-added agricultural practices.

The shipment to the UAE is seen as part of a broader strategy to position India as a reliable supplier of premium horticultural products in international markets. Authorities also emphasized ongoing support for farmer producer organisations and export facilitation measures to boost the visibility of indigenous products abroad.

Experts believe such exports will help strengthen rural economies while promoting India’s rich agricultural heritage on the global stage.

Stadium To Screen: FIFA World Cup 2026 Comes Live To PVR INOX

June 27: PVR INOX Limited, India’s largest and most premium cinema exhibition company, in association with leading Content & Technology Powerhouse, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (‘Z’), today announced that it is bringing the thrilling live action of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to the big screen across PVR INOX cinemas in select cities. Building on its commitment to transforming cinemas into multi-format cultural destinations, the association offers sports fans an unprecedented opportunity to experience the scale, emotion and intensity of the world’s biggest football tournament in a larger-than-life theatrical setting. 

Under this association, PVR INOX will kick off live screenings on Monday, 29th June 2026, beginning with the highly anticipated Round of 32 across select cities. Audiences will experience the world’s finest footballing nations battle it out on the big screen, enhanced by premium large formats, cutting-edge projection technology and the unmatched surround sound of PVR INOX auditoriums. 

Mr. Gautam Dutta, CEO – Revenue & Operations, PVR INOX Limited, said, “Football has an unmatched ability to cross borders and bring people together, and we are absolutely thrilled to bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 to fans through PVR INOX. From edge-of-the-seat penalty shootouts to brilliant tactical masterclasses, audiences across the country can now experience every goal, save and celebration on the grandest screens available. At PVR INOX, we remain dedicated to creating unforgettable entertainment experiences, and this association celebrates the growing interest in global football in India, offering a stadium-like environment that makes every match truly unforgettable.” 

The live screenings are designed to bring passionate fan communities together for an immersive viewing experience, recreating the electrifying atmosphere of the world’s greatest stadiums inside the comfort of multiplexes. The schedule follows the tournament’s most exciting moments, taking audiences from the Round of 32 all the way to the historic Final. 

Football fans can book their seats for the knockout matches through the PVR INOX website or mobile app, as well as BookMyShow, and experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ together on the big screen.

Dubai Shines as The Grand Iconic Star Business Awards 2026 Concludes in Spectacular Style

Dubai, UAE – June 27: Avighna Productions, in association with ISPAY Global, proudly hosted The Grand Iconic Star Business Awards 2026 at the prestigious Airport Millennium Hotel Dubai, marking an extraordinary evening of recognition, celebration, and global business excellence.

The grand event brought together more than 300 distinguished guests, including prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, dignitaries, celebrities, media professionals, and industry influencers from around the world. The awards ceremony created an inspiring atmosphere of achievement, networking, and prestige, honouring individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions across diverse industries.

Widely recognized as one of the most talked-about business recognition events of the year, the evening stood out as a dynamic fusion of international business excellence, glamour, entertainment, government representation, and strong media presence. Guests experienced a memorable celebration featuring prestigious award presentations, high-level networking opportunities, cultural entertainment, and inspiring stories of success and innovation.

The event also welcomed several notable personalities, including H.E. Dr. Mohamed Saeed Al Kindi, Former Minister of Water and Environment, H.E. AarefA Al Falahi, Board Member of RAK Chamber of Commerce and RAK Insurance Company Dr. Hanan Al Mheiri, CEO & Founder of Hanan Empire;; Dr. Mohamed Rafique, Medical Director of Prime Hospital;, UAE; and Heena Arora Dhawan, Business Entrepreneur and Tarot Reader.

The resounding success of The Grand Iconic Star Business Awards 2026 was made possible through the invaluable support of its valued sponsors, esteemed award recipients, media partners, volunteers, event coordinators, and dedicated support staff. Their professionalism, commitment, and collaboration played a vital role in delivering an event of exceptional impact and distinction.

Avighna Productions and ISPAY Global extend their heartfelt gratitude to every individual and organization that contributed to this remarkable achievement. The overwhelming response and enthusiastic participation reaffirm their commitment to creating world-class platforms that celebrate excellence, inspire innovation, and promote leadership on a global stage.

As the curtain falls on this year’s successful edition, Avighna Productions and ISPAY Global look ahead with renewed passion to continue their mission of recognizing outstanding talent, empowering entrepreneurs, and building meaningful global business connections.

Assam includes tea plantation land in Farmers’ Registry, boosts support for small tea growers

Guwahati, June 27: The Government of Assam has officially included tea plantation and small tea garden land holdings in the state Farmers’ Registry Portal, marking a major reform aimed at strengthening the livelihood of small tea growers across the state.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the decision a “historic step,” stating that it will bring lakhs of small tea growers into the formal agricultural system and ensure they receive direct access to government welfare schemes and financial support.

With this integration, small tea growers will now be eligible for a Farmer ID, enabling smoother access to subsidies, crop insurance, institutional credit, and various agricultural development programmes.

Officials said the move is part of Assam’s broader digital agriculture initiative aimed at improving transparency, reducing middlemen, and strengthening direct benefit transfer systems for farmers.

The decision is expected to significantly benefit Assam’s small tea sector, which contributes a large share of the state’s tea production and supports rural livelihoods across multiple districts.

FSAI Unveils Six-Pillar Electrical Safety Roadmap; Industry Discusses NBCS 2026 in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, June 27: With nearly 60 per cent of reported fire incidents in India linked to electrical faults, the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI), Hyderabad Chapter, unveiled a comprehensive Six-Pillar Approach aimed at improving electrical safety practices, strengthening compliance, and reducing fire risks across the country. The roadmap was announced during the seminar “Electrical Safety Excellence  Beyond Compliance”, organised by FSAI Hyderabad Chapter in association with the International Copper Association India (ICA India) in Hyderabad.

As India witnesses rapid urbanisation, expanding infrastructure investments and the growing adoption of technologies such as electric vehicle charging systems and solar power installations, speakers highlighted the need for a proactive approach that complements regulatory compliance with stronger risk management, training and preventive measures. The seminar brought together regulators, policymakers, consultants, engineers, safety professionals and industry leaders to deliberate on best practices required to support India’s rapidly expanding built environment.

A key highlight of the event was the discussion on critical electrical safety provisions under the National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026, a significant development for India’s building, electrical safety and fire protection ecosystem. The sessions provided stakeholders with insights into the framework’s impact on building design, construction practices and electrical safety management.

Addressing the gathering, K. Nanda Kumar, Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government and Ex-Officio Chairperson of the Telangana Electrical Licensing Board said,

“As India’s infrastructure ecosystem grows in scale and complexity, stakeholders must focus on adopting robust safety practices, quality installations, and regular audits to minimise risks and protect lives. Platforms such as this seminar play an important role in building awareness and strengthening industry-wide safety culture.”

Meanwhile, Vikram Singh Mann, IPS, Director General of Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence said,

“It is true that a significant number of fire incidents continue to occur due to electrical faults and unsafe installations. Preventing such incidents requires greater collaboration between regulators, industry, designers, installers, and end users. This forum will reinforce the need to integrate electrical safety, fire protection, and risk management as part of a comprehensive approach to safeguarding people and property.”

Shri Linga Reddy, Chief Engineer, Electrical R&B Department, Telangana, said,

“The discussions on NBCS 2026 provided valuable insights into the future direction of electrical safety and building standards in India. The updated framework presents an opportunity for the industry to adopt safer design practices, strengthen infrastructure resilience, and ensure that safety considerations are embedded from the planning stage through execution and operation.”

Speaking on the occasion, Manoj Wahi, President, FSAI Hyderabad Chapter, outlined FSAI’s newly launched Six-Pillar Approach aimed at driving a nationwide culture of electrical safety. The initiative focuses on capacity building for professionals involved in electrical system design, installation and maintenance; large-scale residential safety inspections through the Ghar Suraksha Audit programme; electrical safety education for schoolchildren; awareness around the safe deployment of EV charging infrastructure and other emerging technologies; public outreach through digital platforms; and improving compliance among MSMEs while developing a national database on electrical accidents.

The day-long programme featured expert-led technical sessions covering key aspects of compliance, risk management and infrastructure safety. Hemant Sali, Technical Advisor, ICA India, led sessions on navigating NBCS 2026, Indian electrical statutes and the implementation of IS 18732 standards, while Amol Kalsekar of ICA India presented a case study on cable selection and installation practices. Dr. Janaki Raman discussed earthing and lightning protection requirements under NBCS 2026, and Hemant Kumar of ICA India addressed the safe integration of EV charging infrastructure and solar photovoltaic systems into existing buildings.

Additional sessions by Thiyagarajan and Gopalakrishnan of Chola MS Risk Services covered arc flash hazards, hazardous area classification, static electricity and earthing systems. Sreenivas Valluri spoke on electrical asset integrity, while Gopalakrishnan and Subbarao shared global best practices based on NFPA standards and international benchmarks. The programme concluded with a session on fire protection systems for electrical installations in line with NBCS 2026, NFPA and Indian standards.

The event was organised under the leadership of Manoj Wahi, President, FSAI Hyderabad Chapter; Huzefa Hussain, Secretary, FSAI Hyderabad Chapter; Shivaramakrishnan V., Regional Director – South, FSAI; and Valluri Srinivas, Immediate Past National President, FSAI.

India–UK CETA to Deepen Economic and Tech Partnership

London / New Delhi, June 27: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will play a key role in deepening investments, accelerating technology partnerships, and strengthening resilient global supply chains.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/PiyushGoyal 

During his visit to London, the Minister held discussions with leading business and financial sector representatives, including a delegation led by Nicola Grady-Smith, Chief Transformation Officer at Rolls-Royce. The talks focused on India’s growing position as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and engineering, and the opportunities emerging from the trade agreement to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.

Goyal highlighted that the India–UK CETA is expected to create an enabling environment for businesses in both countries to expand operations, access new markets, and strengthen long-term collaboration in key sectors.

He also met Vivek Ramachandran, Head of Global Trade Solutions at HSBC, where discussions centered on the role of financial institutions in facilitating cross-border trade and investment flows under the new agreement. The Minister emphasized the importance of stronger trade finance mechanisms and enhanced banking solutions to support businesses in navigating international markets.

According to Goyal, banks and financial institutions will play a crucial role in ensuring smooth implementation of the agreement by enabling efficient capital movement and supporting global trade expansion.

The engagements underscore India’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with the United Kingdom and positioning itself as a key partner in global manufacturing, technology, and financial ecosystems.

India Opens Dumping Investigation into Steel Imports

New Delhi, June 27: The Government of India has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of certain steel products from China, Japan, and Russia, responding to concerns that low-priced shipments may be impacting the domestic steel industry.

The investigation seeks to determine whether imported steel is being sold in the Indian market at unfairly low prices, potentially causing material injury to local manufacturers. If evidence of dumping is established, the government may consider imposing anti-dumping duties to ensure fair competition and protect domestic producers.

The move comes as Indian steelmakers have raised concerns over rising imports, arguing that an influx of cheaper steel has placed pressure on prices, production, and profitability. The investigation will assess the extent of the alleged dumping, its impact on the domestic industry, and whether remedial measures are warranted under international trade rules.

Industry experts believe the probe reflects India’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field for domestic manufacturers while continuing to uphold fair and transparent trade practices. At the same time, the government aims to balance the interests of producers, downstream industries, and consumers.

The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for India’s steel sector, trade relations, and future import policies, particularly as the country continues to invest heavily in infrastructure and manufacturing under its industrial growth agenda.

India Marks Milestone in Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Production

New Delhi, June 27: The Government of India has identified the integration of nuclear energy with hydrogen production as a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

The initiative demonstrates India’s commitment to leveraging advanced nuclear technology to produce low-carbon hydrogen, a fuel expected to play a vital role in decarbonizing industries, transportation, and other hard-to-abate sectors. By combining reliable nuclear power with hydrogen generation, the country aims to ensure a steady supply of clean energy while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Government officials emphasized that nuclear-powered hydrogen production can complement renewable energy sources by providing continuous, round-the-clock electricity for hydrogen generation. This approach is expected to strengthen India’s energy security, lower carbon emissions, and support the nation’s long-term climate goals.

The development aligns with India’s broader clean energy strategy, which focuses on expanding low-carbon technologies, promoting innovation, and accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen across key industrial sectors. It also reinforces the country’s vision of becoming a global hub for sustainable energy solutions.

Experts believe the successful integration of nuclear energy with hydrogen production could unlock new opportunities for industrial growth, technological advancement, and energy independence, positioning India as a leader in next-generation clean energy technologies.

FIIs Turn Net Sellers This Week; Domestic Investors Provide Cushion to Indian Markets

New Delhi, June 27: Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) emerged as net sellers in the Indian equity market this week, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amid evolving global economic conditions. However, strong buying by Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) helped offset the foreign outflows, providing much-needed stability to the markets.

Domestic investors, led by mutual funds, insurance companies, and other institutional participants, continued to invest steadily, underscoring growing confidence in India’s long-term growth story. Their consistent participation helped cushion the impact of foreign selling and prevented sharp market volatility.

Market experts believe that the increasing strength of domestic capital has significantly improved the resilience of Indian equity markets. With regular inflows from retail investors and systematic investment plans (SIPs), the market is now better positioned to withstand fluctuations in foreign investment.

While FIIs remain watchful of global developments, including interest rate expectations and geopolitical uncertainties, domestic investors continue to play a crucial role in supporting market sentiment. Analysts expect this trend to keep Indian markets relatively stable even if foreign investment remains volatile in the near term.

The week’s trading activity highlights a notable shift in market dynamics, where strong domestic participation is increasingly balancing foreign investment movements and reinforcing confidence in India’s financial markets.

Texas Tech Researchers Probe Interstellar Explosions, Unlock Knowledge

Researchers in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Texas Tech University recently used audio to represent the spectacular explosion of a star in deep space while also delving into the data to better understand how the phenomenon unfolded.

The explosion of NovaV612 Scuti, also known as ASSASSN-17hx, was discovered in 2017 and observed by astronomers around the world. Those observations produced a rich set of data that allowed researchers to study how the eruption changed over time. At Texas Tech the work has been led by undergraduate student Pragati Acharya under the guidance of Assistant Professor Elias Aydi. 

By transforming the nova’s changing light into audio, the team has added a new dimension to understanding how the explosion unfolded.

“This sonification allows people not only to see the changing brightness of the explosion, but also to hear its evolution,” Aydi said. “In other words, we can now offer audiences a way to experience what a stellar explosion might ‘sound’ like when astronomical data are translated into audio.”

The findings have been accepted for publication in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (Oxford Press).

The project is another example of the high-quality research taking place in Physics & Astronomy, said Sung-Won Lee, department chair.

“This study is an outstanding achievement that showcases the international stature and research excellence of the Texas Tech astrophysics program,” he said. “By combining observations from around the world and transforming the nova’s data into sound, the team has opened an innovative pathway for exploring and communicating astronomical discoveries.”

For Acharya, the opportunity to work on a real stellar explosion was especially meaningful.

“The chance to study a star was deeply meaningful to me,” said Acharya. “Growing up in Nepal, there wasn’t much awareness or conversation about astronomy, but the night sky was so clear and beautiful that it was impossible not to ignore. The stars themselves were the reason I became interested in this field. There was a moment when they stopped being twinkling dots and revealed themselves as entire worlds, the universe itself.

“That shift changed everything for me. My curiosity grew from wondering why stars twinkle to exploring why they brighten, erupt and evolve. Texas Tech, and especially Dr. Aydi’s patient guidance, helped me build the foundation to turn that curiosity into real research.”

A nova occurs when a dense stellar remnant, known as a white dwarf, pulls material from a companion star. As that material builds up on the white dwarf’s surface, it can trigger a sudden thermonuclear explosion, causing the system to brighten dramatically.

Novae occur fairly regularly in the Milky Way with about 10 to 15 discovered each year. Because they take place within our own galaxy, astronomers can study them in far greater detail than many stellar explosions in distant galaxies.

Aydi explained that although scientists have long studied these explosions, recent discoveries have changed how researchers understand these events.

“About 15 years ago, NASA’s Fermi gamma-ray satellite detected strong high-energy gamma rays from novae,” Aydi said. “This was not expected at all, so we had to rethink how these explosions happen. It turned out there is a lot we don’t know, and what we thought we understood very well, apparently, we don’t understand at all.”

These discoveries led astronomers to explore how novae could produce such energetic radiation. One explanation centers on shock waves. During a nova eruption, gas can be ejected at different speeds. Later faster-moving material may collide with gas ejected earlier, creating powerful shocks.

“These later ejections slam into the earlier ones, creating shock waves that lead to high-energy emission,” Aydi said.

The shocks also heat the surrounding gas, causing it to radiate at visible wavelengths. Recent studies have shown that much of the visible light typically observed from novae, long thought to come primarily from nuclear reactions on the surface of the white dwarf, may instead originate, at least in part, from the shock-heated gas.

“This has further changed our understanding of how these explosions unfold, Aydi said. “We now know that novae are far more complex than once thought, and that they can serve as important laboratories for understanding other stellar explosions across the cosmos, especially because they occur relatively nearby in astronomical terms.”

Nova V612 Scuti was particularly interesting because it showed major flares, or jumps in brightness, for several months after the initial explosion was discovered.

“The jumps within the explosion were extreme,” Aydi said. “We had a huge amount of energy somehow released after the explosion happened, and we didn’t know what was causing it. One of our hypotheses was that, after the initial explosion, there were subsequent substantial ejections of gas colliding with previously ejected material, creating powerful shock waves. The challenge was to confirm this using observations and detailed analysis.”

To investigate the eruption, the researchers used spectroscopy, a technique that separates light into different wavelengths, much like spreading light into the colors of a rainbow. This allows astronomers to measure how strongly the object emits at different wavelengths and to track the motion of gas during the explosion.

Astronomers around the world observed V612 Scuti using spectroscopy and shared their data with the broader scientific community. The Texas Tech team used those observations to examine when the brightness jumps occurred, what caused them and how the gas moved during the eruption.

Aydi said the team found evidence that new ejections occurred with each jump in the light curve. By studying shifts in the spectra, they were also able to calculate the velocity of the material. Over several months of observations, they found that the gas increased significantly in velocity with each major jump.

The team decided to take the analysis a step farther.

“We had high-resolution spectra, which measure intensity versus frequency, and we said, ‘We can actually convert this extensive set of data into an equivalent of sound.’” Aydi said. “So, we converted the intensity of light into sound pitch and the frequency of light into frequency of sound.”

The process allowed the researchers to hear how the explosion changed over time. When the nova’s brightness jumped, the sound changed as well. The team could not only see the evolution of the explosion in the data, but also could hear it.

The sound also makes the discovery more accessible, including for people who are visually impaired.

“It is very difficult to transform astronomy data into audio data,” Aydi said. “You need really good data, and when we were working on this, I thought it was a perfect example. We had enough data because of the almost daily observations astronomers were taking, which allowed us to turn this set of spectra into a continuous sound that visually impaired people could listen to and use to imagine what was happening.”

Acharya carried out much of the data analysis, including creating the figures for the paper and producing the sonification.

“She created the graphs we are publishing in the paper, and she also did the sonification of the data,” Aydi said. “We experimented with multiple types of codes and decided on one that would make the sound as clear as possible for someone who could not see the data.

“This is significant scientifically because we are confirming something with the data for the first time in a very strong way. It is also significant because the work was done and led by Texas Tech students.”

Along the way, Acharya gained valuable experience in coding, spectroscopy and astronomical data analysis.

“I realized how it works bit by bit, code by code, and what the sonification script actually does,” she said. “When I did it all by myself and changed the wavelengths into frequencies and produced a sound, it felt like the best thing I had ever done, and it’s something I will never forget.”

Aydi said involving undergraduates in significant research is a point of pride for the Department of Physics & Astronomy.

“We are living in a very competitive academic world,” he said. “Our aim is that when our undergraduate students graduate and want to apply for graduate school, they already have the experience, the skills and the achievements that allow them to be competitive. This project is a clear example of the pioneering work we do with our students.”

Lee said the project reflects the department’s emphasis on challenging students to stretch themselves academically.

“It is especially noteworthy that this project was led by our very own undergraduate student, Pragati Acharya, whose leadership reflects both her remarkable potential and the strong research environment cultivated by Dr. Aydi and our astrophysics group,” Lee said. “I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Aydi’s team, particularly Pragati, for conducting this study with exceptional excellence.”

For Acharya, the project has been unforgettable.

“I cannot imagine this whole thing, but it actually feels like, ‘OK, I did something I always wanted to do.’ It’s why I chose physics,” she said. “You want people to hear you and understand your perspective on how you see the world and understand it. Overall, it feels like you are doing something meaningful for humanity and for science.”