20, Dec 2025
Oldest Indian Diaspora FCCI FCCI International Conference 2025: “Ready to Invest” in India’s Developmental Goals
New Delhi, Dec 20: One of the oldest Indian diaspora-led organisations, the Foundation for Critical Choices for India (FCCI), on Friday reached out to the Government of India, offering its expertise and global research capabilities to support evidence-based policymaking aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
The outreach came as FCCI inaugurated the first day of its two-day International Diaspora Conference at the India Habitat Centre, bringing together policymakers, government representatives, sectoral experts and Indian diaspora leaders from across the world. The conference focused on how India can accelerate its transformation into a developed nation by 2047, the centenary year of Independence.
Addressing the forum, FCCI leaders underlined the organisation’s readiness to partner with Indian institutions in research, strategic thinking and global best-practice inputs for policymaking. The discussions revolved around the central theme of how the 35-million-strong Indian diaspora can play a decisive role in India’s development journey.
Dr Pramod Agrawal, Vice President of FCCI and CEO of SaXcell Ltd, highlighted the economic and intellectual strength of the diaspora.
“The Indian diaspora is larger than the population of most countries, and the remittances they send exceed the GDP of many nations. As highly skilled and entrepreneurial global citizens, we recognise both our responsibility and our privilege to contribute meaningfully to India’s future,” he said.
Member of Parliament Vamsi Krishna Gaddam, representing Peddapalli in Telangana, said the diaspora acts as India’s informal global ambassador.
“Their engagement supports technology, sustainability and green growth. With progressive policies and rising investor confidence, we are witnessing stronger FDI flows and even a reverse migration of professionals. It is a shared responsibility to project India’s capabilities and actively contribute to its growth story,” he noted.
The first day of the conference focused on “The Developed Nation (Viksit Bharat): Roadmap to India’s Future by 2047,” with sessions on economic acceleration, institutional reform, education, technology, defence and infrastructure.
Agricultural and rural concerns were also raised. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Haryana) President Guni Prakash urged greater use of new-age technology in agriculture and dairy, pointing out that productivity still lags behind countries like Japan. From a global labour perspective, NRI Club Russia President Devdathan Nair observed that Russia’s demand for skilled manpower presents long-term opportunities for India in engineering, construction and allied sectors.
FCCI members noted that while the International Monetary Fund projects India to reach a USD 5 trillion economy by 2030, achieving developed-nation status would require scaling up to a USD 30 trillion economy. They stressed the need for improved urban-rural connectivity, digital cities and a more holistic healthcare approach that includes both physical and mental well-being.
Defence and cybersecurity also featured prominently, with speakers highlighting the growing importance of technological capabilities amid rising cyber threats and technology-driven military operations. The consensus was that India must better leverage its intellectual capital, particularly through its global diaspora, as warfare increasingly shifts from traditional arsenals to digital and technological dominance.
The second day of the conference will focus on “The New World Order: Democratic India’s Role as Global Consensus Builder,” examining India’s expanding influence in global governance, diplomacy and international development partnerships.
- 0
- By Neel Achary
20, Dec 2025
Tata Power Hosts National Urja Mela 2025, Unites 1,000+ Young Sustainability Champions Across 15 States
Tata Power hosts National Urja Mela 2025 bringing together over 1000 young sustainability champions and educators from 15 states
Chandigarh, Dec 20: Marking National Energy Conservation Week, Tata Power hosted the National Urja Mela 2025 at the Tata Power–DDL Learning Center (CENPIED), Rohini, Delhi. The national-level event brought together over 1,000 students and educators from 200 schools across 15 states, creating a vibrant platform for young minds to showcase innovative ideas and practical solutions focused on clean energy and conservation.
Organised under Tata Power’s flagship Club Enerji School initiative, Tata Power’s decade-old school engagement programme, the National Urja Mela serves as the culmination of year-long learning and student-led action. The 2025 edition brought together young participants from across India to present STEM-based solutions focused on this year’s theme, “Clean Energy, Greener Tomorrow.” The confluence featured a range of interactive engagements, including a Science Model Exhibition, Poster-Making Competition, and Quiz Competition, enabling students to translate classroom learning into practical, real-world applications. These activities encouraged curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving, giving participants the opportunity to apply concepts, collaborate with peers, and demonstrate responsible thinking around energy conservation and environmental care.
Adding to the energy and enthusiasm of the day, the National Urja Mela 2025 was graced by Brigadier Atulya Bamjai, Deputy Director General, NCC, as the Chief Guest, and Mr. Pramod Katiyar, Deputy Director of Education, New Delhi, as the Guest of Honour. Senior Tata Power leaders present included Mr. Himal Tewari, CHRO and Chief – Sustainability & CSR, Tata Power, Mr. Dwijadas Basak, CEO, Tata Power-DDL; Mr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Chief – Community Impact; and Mr. Bharat Kumar Chhabra, Chief – SIG & and Chief Ethics Counselor, who motivated students to continue exploring, learning, and leading in clean energy and sustainability initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Himal Tewari, CHRO and Chief Sustainability & CSR, Tata Power, said:
“At Tata Power, we believe the transition to a cleaner energy future can only be sustained when it is driven by informed, responsible citizens. Platforms like the National Urja Mela, under our Club Enerji initiative, are instrumental in shaping this mindset from an early age. It is inspiring to see young students apply scientific thinking, collaborate across regions, and engage meaningfully with real-world energy and conservation challenges. When learning moves beyond the classroom and finds expression in everyday choices, that is when lasting change truly begins.”
The event featured interactions with leading voices from the science and education ecosystem. Mr. Gopal Jee, popularly known as “Banana Boy” and recognised as India’s youngest scientist, inspired students with his journey of innovation using waste to develop clean energy solutions. Mr. Akhilesh Aggarwal, Founder of I Love Science and Director – Technology, NIIT University, highlighted the importance of experiential learning in strengthening STEM foundations among young learners.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dwijadas Basak, CEO, Tata Power DDL, said:
“This platform brings together students from diverse regions across the country, fostering meaningful learning, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. Through Urja Mela, we are moulding young students from an early age to build awareness about climate change, sustainability, and clean energy. By nurturing a new generation of informed and responsible leaders, we aim to empower them to drive sustainable change within their communities. Encouraging peer learning and the sharing of best practices further strengthens their commitment to resource conservation and a greener tomorrow.”
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the cover page of the ‘Gaja Sanrakshana’ comic book, developed in collaboration with Amar Chitra Katha, aimed at building awareness on wildlife conservation and reducing human-animal conflict among young audiences. The Amar Chitra Katha team also conducted a design and storytelling workshop, using creative narratives to deepen students’ understanding of biodiversity and coexistence. Extending learning beyond the mela, students participated in exposure visits to the National Science Centre, National Museum, and Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Since its inception, Club Enerji has reached over 10 lakh students across more than 2,500 schools in 15 states and 15 aspirational districts, including rural and government schools. Over the years, Urja Melas and Mini Urja Melas have engaged more than 50,000 students, encouraging responsible practices at home and fostering a culture where children influence families toward greener choices.
With the continued expansion of Eco Crew, now engaging over 1,000 schools and 3.5 lakh students across 24 cities in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Tata Power continues to strengthen its efforts to shape informed and responsible citizens. The National Urja Mela 2025 reflects this ongoing commitment to empowering young changemakers and advancing India’s clean energy future.
20, Dec 2025
Tata Motors’ Integrated Village Development Programme Empowers Chandrakant to become a Lakhpati Kisan
In India agriculture remains a cornerstone of employment and sustenance, particularly in rural and tribal regions. Chandrakant Sonya Andher, a farmer from a tribal hamlet of Jawhar, in Maharashtra, once lived the harsh reality shared by thousands of farmers across India. With only matriculation education and two acres of rainfed cultivable land, his livelihood was dictated by erratic rainfall and chronic water scarcity. Chandrakant’s remaining land remained uncultivable, forcing him into seasonal migration to neighbouring cities for manual labour—leaving his family behind with little income security and no clear path to progress.
Tata Motors’ Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP) brought a hope of holistic development to the remote hamlet and in Chandrakant’s life. The essence of IVDP lies in the implementation of multi-layered sustainable framework tailored to the unique challenges faced by the local communities keeping convergence of Government schemes as core.
Tata Motors became a facilitator for leveraging various government schemes to help Chandrakant augment his livelihoods. He built a farm pond for water harvesting, drip irrigation systems for efficient use of scarce water, and a bio‑gas unit to reduce fuel expenses. IVDP also helped him in crop and income diversification through agro-forestry plantations, fish farming, installation of solar panel, bamboo cultivation, and a nursery unit for high‑value crops.
The results of these efforts have been transformational. With assured water, improved farming practices, and diversified income streams, Chandrakant’s farm productivity surged. He now meets household needs comfortably, sells surplus produce, and has more than doubled his annual income. He has invested in his children’s education, improved healthcare access for his family, and constructed an additional house on his land—marking his journey to becoming a “lakhpati kisan.”
Reflecting on his transformation, Chandrakant shared,
“The lack of water meant most of my land was useless, and I had to leave my family behind for months every year. But Tata Motors gave us hope and a practical path forward. Today, I don’t have to migrate anymore. This support has completely rewritten my family’s destiny.”
Vinod Kulkarni, Head of CSR at Tata Motors, explains,
“Chandrakant’s journey from a seasonal migrant labourer to a confident, self‑reliant farmer illustrates the power of community‑centric rural development approach. As Chandrakant and the farming community breaks the cycle of vulnerability, it strengthens our resolve of leveraging government schemes to scale and replicate our sustainable social development models.”
Chandrakant’s inspirational success has motivated other farmers to transform their livelihoods, embrace innovative farming techniques, thus mitigating the challenge of migration.
This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive this message for the intended recipient), you may not use, copy, disseminate or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and delete the message. Thank you very much.
19, Dec 2025
The Leela Ambience Gurugram Ushers in the Festive Season in Grand Style
This festive season, The Leela Ambience Gurugram invites guests to step into a world of refined celebrations, seasonal warmth, and timeless elegance carefully curated to make Christmas and New Year truly unforgettable.
Christmas at The Leela Ambience Gurugram unfolds through a thoughtfully designed selection of dining experiences. Guests can indulge in a decadent Christmas Eve Dinner at Spectra, enjoy an elegant Italian Christmas celebration at Zanotta, or come together with loved ones over a lavish Christmas Day Brunch. Each experience is infused with celebratory flavours, heartfelt hospitality, and the signature grandeur that The Leela is renowned for, capturing the true spirit and joy of the season.
As the year draws to a close, The Leela Ambience Gurugram welcomes 2026 with an exclusive New Year’s Eve Stay & Celebration, crafted for a seamless and indulgent festive escape. Guests can check in by the afternoon and ease into an evening of gourmet indulgence, festive highlights, and impeccable Leela hospitality.
The celebration reaches its crescendo with a power-packed live performance by global Punjabi music icon Jazzy B, complemented by a high-energy DJ set and engaging live acts. Together, they promise an electrifying countdown to the New Year at the hotel’s crown jewel the Pearl Ballroom.
Together, these thoughtfully curated experiences offer guests an opportunity to celebrate the festive season in its most elegant and memorable form only at The Leela Ambience Gurugram.
19, Dec 2025
Omaxe Marked Annual Day 2025 with High-Level Strategy Sessions and an Unforgettable Gatsby Gala Night
New Delhi, Dec 19: Omaxe Ltd, one of India’s leading real estate developers, successfully concluded its Annual Day and Leadership Summit 2025 on December 11 and 12 in New Delhi. Themed “Together for Tomorrow Ek Saath, Ek Sapna”, this year’s celebration highlighted unity of purpose, cross functional collaboration, and the company’s strategic vision for the coming year.
The two day event began with the Leadership Summit held at The Leela Palace, New Delhi, where senior leaders from across India convened for high level discussions. The summit centred on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on real estate operations, the rising opportunities within Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and Omaxe’s expansion roadmap for 2026. Leaders assessed market dynamics, customer behaviour trends, and economic indicators while outlining actionable priorities for the next phase of growth.
Sessions were designed to deepen alignment around the “Ek Saath, Ek Sapna” theme, encouraging leaders to unite present-day priorities with long-term ambition and a collaborative strategy for the road ahead. The company reinforced its focus on operational efficiency, innovation-led development, digital integration, and building customer-centric experiences across its diverse portfolio.
Mr. Mohit Goel, Managing Director, Omaxe Ltd, said,
“The Annual Day and Leadership Summit 2025 reflect our commitment to move forward together with purpose and unity. Ek Saath, Ek Sapna captures our collective ambition to innovate, expand, and deliver long term value. As we step into the new year, our focus will remain on customer centricity, technology enabled growth, and strategic expansion into high potential markets so that we continue to build developments that inspire progress for communities across India.”
Mr. Jatin Goel, Executive Director, Omaxe Ltd., said,
“This year’s Leadership Summit has reinforced our belief that the real estate sector stands at a turning point shaped by technology, new consumer expectations, and the emerging strength of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. At Omaxe, our priority is to build agile, future-ready capabilities that allow us to innovate faster, scale sustainably, and create developments that add long-term value to the communities we serve. Ek Saath, Ek Sapna is not just the theme of this year’s celebration, but a reminder that our collective vision is our biggest strength as we step into 2026.”
The two day celebration concluded with the Omaxe Gatsby Gala Night on Day 2, an evening filled with recognition, entertainment, and spirited camaraderie. The gala began with a lively hosting session by renowned Bollywood actor Aparshakti Khurana, who kept the audience engaged with his energy and warmth. The event featured a spectacular performance by the Zenith Dance Group, followed by a soulful musical act by celebrated playback singer Navraj Hans. The evening came to a high octane finish with an energetic set by DJ Rink, bringing the Omaxe family together on the dance floor in celebration of the year’s achievements.
The Annual Day and Leadership Summit 2025 underscored the strong momentum Omaxe has built over the past year, driven by steady expansion, robust project progress, and a renewed focus on customer-led innovation. The two day celebration reaffirmed the company’s commitment to collaboration, technology readiness, and long term value creation. As Omaxe steps into 2026, it remains focused on strengthening its national footprint, exploring opportunities in high potential markets, and delivering developments that enhance the quality of life for communities across India.
19, Dec 2025
Indians Look Ahead to 2026 with Optimism, Prioritising Family, Wellbeing and Personal Growth: Ipsos Survey
Indians Bullish on 2026, to prioritize Family, Wellbeing and Personal Transformation: Ipsos Predictions 2026 Survey Optimism around Argentina’s FIFA World Cup prospects, global economic recovery and an end to Ukraine war shape expectations Indians most hopeful of Trump winning Nobel Peace Prize in 2026
New Delhi/Mumbai, Dec 19: As the year draws to a close, how will 2026 unfold? The Ipsos Global Predictions 2026 survey indicates that Indians are among the most optimistic globally about the year ahead. Over eight in ten Indians, or 85%, expect 2026 to be better than 2025. This strong sense of optimism is mirrored across the 30 markets covered in the study, pointing to a broader wave of global confidence. Indians also continue to hold a positive long-term outlook for their country.
This optimism stands out sharply against perceptions of the outgoing year. At least 62% of Indians describe 2025 as a bad year, both for the country and for their own families.
Looking ahead, Indians’ priorities for 2026 are strongly centred on personal wellbeing and relationships. Most Indians, 82%, say they would like to spend more time with family and friends in the coming year, a sentiment that is even more pronounced in markets such as Indonesia, Romania and Malaysia. Physical fitness and personal appearance also feature prominently, with eight in ten Indians planning to exercise more in 2026 and an equal proportion intending to devote time to improving their appearance, which many feel was neglected in 2025. In addition, a significant share of citizens plan to spend less time on social media in 2026 compared to the previous year, reflecting a growing desire for balance and personal renewal.
With 2026 marking the FIFA World Cup, enthusiasm for the global sporting event is evident among Indians. Nearly six in ten plan to watch the tournament. Interest is even higher in markets such as Argentina, South Korea, Colombia, South Africa and Peru, while citizens in Canada and the United States appear to be the least interested. When it comes to expectations around the defending champions, optimism about Argentina winning the World Cup again is strongest among Argentinians themselves, with 87% confident of a repeat victory. This optimism is also widely shared in India, where 68% hope Argentina will lift the trophy once more. In Indonesia and Peru, one in two citizens are similarly backing Argentina.
Commenting on these findings, Suresh Ramalingam, CEO, Ipsos India, said,
“The year 2025 has marked the end of an extremely tough year for Indians, shaped by economic pressures, a full-blown war through Operation Sindoor, extreme weather conditions, Trump tariffs and job cuts, among other challenges. Indians are stepping into the new year with considerable optimism, believing 2026 will be better than 2025. They are keen to prioritise bonding with family and friends, focus on wellbeing and pay greater attention to personal appearance. The FIFA World Cup has consistently been a major draw for Indians, with a strong fan following for global football icons such as Lionel Messi, Maradona, Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Mbappé.”
Expectations for 2026 extend beyond personal priorities to global and national developments. Eight in ten Indians expect the global economy to rebound in 2026, a view also shared by citizens in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Chile. More than half of Indians, 57%, believe their disposable income will be higher in the coming year. On geopolitics, one in two Indians expect the prolonged Ukraine war to end in 2026 as peace talks continue. Compared to other markets, Indians are also the most hopeful of US President Donald Trump conferred the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026.
Views on artificial intelligence remain nuanced. While 62% of Indians believe AI will make some jobs redundant in 2026, 57% simultaneously expect it to create new employment opportunities, underlining perceptions of AI as both a risk and an opportunity.
Environmental concerns continue to feature in public consciousness. Six in ten Indians expect global temperatures to rise further in 2026, although their level of concern is lower than in markets such as Indonesia and Singapore, where nine in ten citizens anticipate increasing global warming. One in two Indians fear extreme weather events in 2026. Against this backdrop, there is an expectation that governments will tighten regulations and set more demanding targets to reduce carbon emissions.
Despite overall optimism, Indians also identify several potential threats in 2026. These include fears of a major terror strike, the possibility of an economic recession, concerns around safety in their local area, and anxieties related to public unrest and illegal immigration.
Reflecting on the environmental outlook, Ramalingam noted,
“Post COP30, where nations recently reviewed progress towards net zero and lowering carbon emissions, and in light of deteriorating air quality levels across several Indian cities, governments are likely to intensify efforts to move away from fossil fuels towards greener alternatives, particularly targeting the largest polluters.”
Technical note: For this survey, Ipsos interviewed a total of 23,642 adults aged 18 years and older in India, 18-74 in Canada, Republic of Ireland, Malaysia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the United States, 20-74 in Thailand, 21-74 in Indonesia and Singapore, and 16-74 in all other countries between Friday, October 24, and Friday, November 7,2025.
The sample consists of approximately 1,000 individuals each in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, and the U.S., and 500 individuals each in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, and Türkiye. The sample in India consists of approximately 2,200 individuals, of whom approximately 1,800 were interviewed face-to-face and 400 were interviewed online.
19, Dec 2025
Vietjet Boosts India–Vietnam Innovation with “Startup Flight” Initiative
Mumbai, Dec 19:-Vietjet has reaffirmed its commitment to cross-border innovation with the successful conclusion of the inaugural “Startup Flight” programme, a five-month startup acceleration initiative launched in partnership with Vietnam’s National Startup Support Centre and India’s Amity Innovation Incubator. The programme marks an important step toward deeper collaboration among enterprises, investors, and innovation communities in India and Vietnam, creating pathways for startups to expand regionally and globally.
“Startup Flight” brought together high-potential startup teams from both countries, providing them with direct mentorship from leading entrepreneurs and industry experts. Vietjet sponsored round-trip flights for shortlisted teams, enabling seamless international travel and in-person collaboration. At the final pitching event held on 12 December 2025 in Hanoi, four outstanding teams were selected as winners across four key categories, each receiving USD1,000 in cash prizes along with Vietjet round-trip tickets between India and Vietnam.
The four winning teams represented diverse sectors and innovative solutions, including: Hyphen SCS from India in the Transportation and Logistics category, which is building one of Asia’s largest integrated warehousing and fulfilment platforms; LearnXR from India in the EdTech category, which develops an AR/VR no-code platform that enables teachers and students to adopt XR-assisted learning through its learning kit and app; Green Choice from Vietnam in the E-commerce and Retail category, which develops circular products derived from durian peel and agricultural by-products, using microbiological technology; and MediFind from Vietnam in the Software and Data AI category, which uses artificial intelligence to identify antibiotics from images or text in medical prescriptions.
Arun Pandit, Co-founder & CEO of Hyphen SCS, the winning team in the Transportation & Logistics category, said;
“Vietjet has acted as a true enabler through the Startup Flight program by providing structured access to the Vietnamese startup and logistics ecosystem, including mentors, corporates, investors, and key stakeholders. Importantly, Vietjet ensured hands-on, on-ground exposure in Vietnam, allowing us to engage directly with stakeholders and experience the business and cultural context firsthand. This support has significantly strengthened our confidence in Vietnam, and we are now actively working towards a potential pilot or initial market launch in the coming months.”
As a pioneer in expanding the India Vietnam air bridge, Vietjet currently operates direct routes linking major Indian cities New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad to key Vietnamese hubs, including Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. These air links play an increasingly important role in facilitating trade, investment, and collaboration between the startup and business communities of the two countries.
Building on these growing air links and people-to-people connections, “Startup Flight” advances a bilateral innovation corridor between India and Vietnam, two of Asia’s fastest-growing and most dynamic startup ecosystems. The programme underscores Vietjet’s role beyond aviation: fostering innovation, nurturing young talent, and connecting startups to markets, investors, and technology.
18, Dec 2025
KSH Group Earns Great Place To Work Certification, Reinforcing 50 Year People-First Culture
Pune, Dec 18: KSH Group, a diversified business group with a strong presence in the supply chain and logistics sector, has been awarded the prestigious Great Place To Work Certification in India. The certification covers all three of the Group’s core logistics entities KSH Integrated Logistics, KSH DistriParks, and KSH INFRA reinforcing its long-standing commitment to people, culture, and excellence.
Issued by Great Place To Work the globally recognised certification is based on comprehensive employee feedback captured through the Certification Survey. The results confirm that KSH Group has met the rigorous benchmarks required to be officially recognised as a Great Place To Work Certified organisation in India.
A Culture Rooted in Trust, Care, and Pride;
KSH Group earned this recognition for the strong, people-centric culture it has built anchored in credibility, respect, fairness, and pride. The organisation places high importance on transparent communication, inclusivity, and empowering employees to perform at their best. Leadership at KSH Group remains deeply committed to fostering a safe, collaborative, and inspiring work environment where innovation is encouraged and achievements are recognised.
This certification reflects the authentic voices of KSH Group’s employees and stands as a testament to the positive experiences, shared values, and collective purpose that define the organisation’s workplace culture.
With a legacy spanning over 50 years, KSH Group continues to be guided by the founding principles of integrity, customer-centricity, operational excellence, and people-first leadership. The GPTW certification reaffirms that these values are not only preserved but actively practiced ensuring the organisation remains resilient, consistent, and future-ready amid evolving industry dynamics.
Strategic Investment in Employee Experience;
A key contributor to this achievement has been KSH Group’s focused investment in enhancing the overall employee experience. Notable initiatives include a tech-enabled Mediclaim programme supporting routine health check-ups and annual wellness assessments, alongside improved internal communication through digital tools that promote transparency around policies, processes, and systems.
The Group also restructured its Rewards and Recognition programmes to boost morale and reinforce a culture that celebrates genuine contributions and performance excellence.
Over the past year, KSH Group delivered more than 400 hours of training across verticals, implemented enhanced safety policies, and conducted regular awareness sessions on POSH and other statutory requirements.
Significant investments were also made in infrastructure to improve working conditions for employees and external stakeholders. These included gate and cabin upgrades, the creation of a dedicated out-gate, a driver induction and documentation verification area, improved parking facilities, and upgraded external stakeholder cabins. Operational efficiency was further strengthened through warehouse restructuring, improved space utilisation, and the relocation of a 100-metric-tonne weighbridge. Additionally, KSH Group expanded KILPL operations across the north, west, and south, while strengthening the KSH INFRA team with strategic new hires.
Value Creation for Clients and Stakeholders;
For clients and partners, KSH Group’s Great Place To Work® status reinforces confidence in the organisation’s reliability, ethics, and long-term vision. A strong workplace culture directly enhances service quality, operational consistency, and stakeholder trust further strengthening KSH Group’s reputation within the competitive logistics and supply chain ecosystem.
Looking Ahead;
KSH Group plans to celebrate this milestone with closed-door events across regional offices and the head office, followed by internal townhalls and social media outreach. The certification will also be featured across company collaterals, including diaries, apparel, stationery, and on-site branding.
Building on this foundation, the Group’s immediate focus will be on refining recruitment and retention strategies for specialised talent across container handling, supply chain technology, and fleet management—ensuring continued growth powered by people excellence.
18, Dec 2025
Breaking E-Commerce Monopolies: Divya Devarajan Urges MSMEs to Join ONDC
Hyderabad, Dec 18: The National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, organised an MSME Marketing Conclave at KLN Prasad Auditorium, FTCCI, Hyderabad, under the TEAM (Trade Enablement & Marketing) Initiative, a key component of the RAMP Programme on Wednesday.
The conclave was organised with the objective of onboarding 5 lakh Micro and Small MSMEs onto the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) platform, a Government of India–backed initiative aimed at creating an open, interoperable digital commerce ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Divya Devarajan, IAS, CEO, SERP, Hyderabad, Chief Gest, stated that “monopoly is not good for democracy” and appealed to micro and small MSMEs to onboard their businesses onto the ONDC platform. She emphasised that traditional e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart operate as closed systems where a single company controls buyers, sellers, data, algorithms, pricing visibility, and logistics. Sellers are forced to operate under high commissions, advertising pressure, and restrictive platform policies, creating strong gatekeeping power.
She explained that ONDC changes this model by moving from a platform-centric approach to an open network, where no single entity owns or controls the market. Buyers and sellers can transact seamlessly using different applications, thereby breaking dependency on dominant platforms. “ONDC helps micro and small MSMEs by making digital commerce open, affordable, and inclusive. For women MSMEs, it offers freedom, flexibility, visibility, and economic empowerment without traditional barriers,” she added.
The conclave aimed to onboard 5 lakh MSMEs from across India, of which 50 percent will be women-led enterprises. Speaking on the occasion, Sri V. Suresh Babu, Zonal General Manager (Telangana & Andhra Pradesh), NSIC, said that similar conclaves are being organised simultaneously across the country to accelerate MSME participation in the ONDC ecosystem.
Over 200 MSME entrepreneurs participated in the conclave. Mr. R. Ravi Kumar, President, FTCCI, urged entrepreneurs to embrace digital platforms, stating, “Go digital or you will miss the bus. If you don’t go online, you are dead offline.”
Mr. Srinivas Nayak, Ms. Swaroopa Rani, Vice President, ALEAP, and other dignitaries also addressed the gathering. Mr. Pradeep of Local Cart gave a presentation on the technical aspects of onboarding to ONDC.
The conclave reinforced the Government of India’s commitment to building a competitive, inclusive, and monopoly-free digital commerce environment for MSMEs, with special focus on women-led enterprises.
17, Dec 2025
C-DEP Warns of Energy Security Risks as India’s Baryte Reserves Decline
New Delhi, Dec 17: The Centre for Domestic Economy Policy Research released a landmark report today warning that India is on the verge of exhausting its only major baryte reserve, placing the country’s long-term energy security at risk. With domestic extraction continuing at high levels, India is now the only major economy in the world with less than 10 years of accessible baryte reserves left.
Baryte is an essential mineral for oil and gas drilling, with no viable substitutes for stabilising high-pressure wells during exploration. Without an assured domestic supply, India’s exploration programmes in the Andaman Basin and the Krishna Godavari Basin will face immediate operational disruptions.
The report highlights that 95% of India’s baryte wealth is concentrated in the Mangampet mine in Andhra Pradesh, where proven reserves have declined from 49 million tonnes in 2015 to under 23 million tonnes in 2024, a 53% fall within a decade. This decline has been driven by unsustainable exports without parallel efforts to build a strategic reserve for India’s long-term energy and domestic requirements.
The report, titled “Analysis of the Impact of Rapid Depletion of Baryte Reserves on Energy Security,” was released at IIT Delhi by Shri Praveen Prakash IAS (retd.), former Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation the state-owned PSU responsible for managing the Mangampet reserve.
“The depletion of the baryte reserve is not just a mineral issue; it is a national energy-security concern,” said Mr. Prakash. “With 90% of India’s crude oil demand met through imports, the ability to explore and extract domestic reserves is essential. Baryte determines whether India can drill safely and efficiently in the future. Conserving this resource must become a strategic priority.”
The report notes that the rapid fall in reserves is driven primarily by exports, mainly to the United States, which now accounts for a major share of APMDC’s output. APMDC has also raised nearly INR 10,000 crore in bonds backed by baryte revenues, creating fiscal dependence on continued extraction rather than conservation.
C-DEP analysis shows that India became the world’s largest exporter of baryte because China restricted exports in 2016 to conserve its own reserves. India now supplies nearly 44% of U.S. baryte imports despite holding far smaller reserves than major producers such as the United States, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkey. “Oil-producing nations such as Russia, Iran and the United States are either restricting baryte exports or calibrating production to ensure several decades of reserves left,” said Dr. Jaijit Bhattacharya, President, C-DEP. “India must adopt a similar long-term approach to safeguard domestic exploration and avoid future strategic dependence.”
India has an estimated 22 billion barrels of oil equivalent yet to be explored across the Andaman, Krishna Godavari and Mahanadi basins, C-DEP estimates that unlocking this potential would require over 600 million tonnes of baryte, far exceeding the reserves left at Mangampet.
Given these developments, the report calls for calibrated export restrictions, a fiscal transition plan for APMDC’s bond obligations, revision of export allocation policies and inclusion of baryte in the National Critical Minerals Mission The study contributes to India’s ongoing discussions on mineral security, strategic reserves and strengthening domestic capacity for future oil and gas exploration.
