Category Archives: News

Amethyst Hosts Abraham & Thakore Sale, Showcases A&T Home and Deepa Gurnani Collections in Chennai

Chennai, March 2026: Amethyst is hosting a three-day retail showcase featuring an Abraham & Thakore discount sale alongside the launch of A&T Home, complemented by a pop-up exhibition of jewellery and clutches by designer Deepa Gurnani.

The event will be held from March 24 to 26, 2026, between 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM at The Folly, Amethyst, Whites Road, Royapettah.

The Abraham & Thakore sale offers up to 60% off across a wide range of apparel, including dresses, tunics, kurtas, jackets, tops, scarves, sarees, and menswear, with prices starting from ₹6,500.

The exhibition also introduces A&T Home, featuring a curated range of soft furnishings, upholstery fabrics, wallpapers, textile artworks, ceramics, diffusers, and candles. Upholstery fabrics, inspired by traditional techniques such as basket weaves, ikat, and kantha, are priced from ₹1,990 per metre. The wallpaper collection, drawing from heritage crafts like crewel, kantha, and bandhani, is biodegradable, odourless, and suitable for residential and commercial spaces, with prices starting at ₹15,000 per roll.

In addition, the pop-up showcases Deepa Gurnani’s latest collections, including Sandflower and Euphoria (Spring/Summer 2026), featuring handcrafted jewellery and clutches. The collections focus on vibrant colours, intricate embellishments, and contemporary design, with prices starting from ₹4,500.

The event brings together fashion, home décor, and accessories under one platform, offering visitors a curated retail experience.

IFFD 2026 Launches AI Filmmaking Hackathon in Association with LTM, Powered by IDFC FIRST Bank

New Delhi, March 2026: The International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) 2026, in association with LTM and powered by IDFC FIRST Bank, has announced the launch of a 48-hour nationwide AI Filmmaking Hackathon, inviting creators to explore the future of storytelling through artificial intelligence.

Positioned at the intersection of technology and cinema, the hackathon is designed as a high-intensity creative sprint where participants will conceptualise and produce original 2–3-minute short films using end-to-end AI-driven workflows. The initiative is anchored by LTM CraftStudio and reflects LTM’s leadership in business AI, alongside its continued focus on enabling new frontiers of creative and technological innovation.

Scheduled to run virtually from March 25 to 27, 2026, the hackathon forms a key highlight of the inaugural edition of IFFD 2026, which will take place across New Delhi from March 25 to 31. Open to creators across India, the competition invites individuals as well as teams of up to five members to participate in a fast-paced format that encourages rapid ideation, experimentation, and execution.

Entries will be evaluated on creativity, storytelling, use of AI, and overall cinematic impact. Selected films will be shortlisted for final jury evaluation and screened at IFFD 2026, offering participants valuable exposure within a global festival ecosystem.

The hackathon will award ₹3 lakh for Best Film and ₹2 lakh for Runner-up, recognising exceptional work that pushes the boundaries of AI-led filmmaking.

With a lineup of over 125 Indian and international films and a diverse programme across venues including Bharat Mandapam, IFFD 2026 provides a dynamic backdrop for this initiative—extending the festival experience into emerging forms of digital creativity.

India Launches Carbon Market Portal at Prakriti 2026, Positions Carbon Trading as Key to Climate Action

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Saturday inaugurated the International Conference on Carbon Markets, Prakriti 2026, and launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal, underscoring India’s commitment to advancing climate action alongside economic growth.

The two-day conference, organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is being held in the national capital as part of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026.

The event brings together global experts, policymakers, industry leaders and researchers to deliberate on carbon markets and their role in supporting climate goals and green growth. The theme of this year’s conference is “Unlocking Carbon Finance for NDC Implementation through Global Partnerships and Digital Pathways.”

During the inaugural session, the Indian Carbon Market Portal (www.indiancarbonmarket.gov.in
) was launched by Manohar Lal, along with Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik and other dignitaries. The portal is designed as a central platform for implementing and administering the country’s carbon market.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said India has demonstrated that climate responsibility and economic development can progress together. He highlighted initiatives such as the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), renewable energy expansion and energy efficiency programmes as key steps toward building a transparent and credible carbon market framework.

He noted that the country has already notified nine methodologies under the CCTS, with over 40 entities registering projects in sectors such as biogas, hydrogen and forestry. Additionally, greenhouse gas emission intensity targets have been set for nearly 490 entities across seven energy-intensive sectors.

Emphasising the economic potential of carbon markets, Lal urged businesses to view them not merely as compliance mechanisms but as opportunities for innovation, investment and entrepreneurship.

Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik highlighted three key pillars for robust carbon markets — credibility through digital monitoring, reporting and verification systems, capital mobilisation for clean technologies, and international collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

He said India’s progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency demonstrates that climate action and economic growth are complementary, adding that carbon markets can empower MSMEs and farmers while enabling transparent global cooperation.

The conference will feature discussions on global carbon markets under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, compliance frameworks, digital technologies, carbon border policies and financing clean technologies.

Officials said Prakriti 2026 reflects India’s growing role as a global leader in climate action and its efforts to develop a transparent, inclusive and innovation-driven carbon market ecosystem.

Celebration of Pakhala Paraba by Odia Samaj, Tripura

Agartala, 20 March 2026 (BNP): The Odia community residing in Tripura celebrated Pakhala Paraba (Pakhala Divas), a traditional festival of Odisha, with great enthusiasm, cultural pride, and collective joy on 20th March 2026.

The celebration was organized under the aegis of Odia Samaj, Tripura, where members gathered at Sangam to mark the occasion in a spirit of unity and festivity. The event witnessed active participation, especially by the women members of the community, who played a central role in showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Odisha.

On this occasion, the lady members prepared a wide variety of traditional Odia cuisine at their respective homes. More than twenty different dishes were presented, reflecting the diversity and uniqueness of Odia food culture. The celebration was further enriched by joining the live telecast of Pakhala Paraba festivities from Odisha, creating a sense of connection with their cultural roots.

Following the presentation, all participants shared the meal together. The food was lovingly served by the women members, symbolizing warmth, affection, and community bonding. The gathering was marked by joy, togetherness, and a deep sense of cultural identity.

The event concluded on a cheerful note, with all attendees expressing happiness and satisfaction at celebrating their traditional festival away from their home state, yet with equal fervour and authenticity.

Water and the Feminine: A Reflection for World Water Day

Water has always been more than a natural resource. It is life, movement, and meaning. On World Water Day, observed every year on 22 March, the world reflects on the importance of water—not only for survival, but for balance, dignity, and harmony in human life.

Water is often symbolically linked with the feminine. It is nurturing, sustaining, and deeply life-giving. Like the feminine principle, water carries quiet strength. It flows gently, yet it shapes entire landscapes over time. It sustains life in silence, yet holds immense power within it.

This dual nature—calm and powerful, soft and unstoppable—makes water a powerful reflection of feminine energy. Rivers that nourish fields, rain that renews life, and oceans that connect continents all represent both care and strength in motion.

The connection becomes even more meaningful in the context of the theme “Water and Gender.” Across the world, women are often the primary managers of household water. They walk long distances, collect water, and ensure its use for families and communities. This daily responsibility reflects resilience, patience, and care—qualities often associated with both water and femininity.

Yet this also highlights an important truth: water inequality affects women and girls the most. When access is limited, it is they who carry the burden. When access improves, entire communities move toward dignity, education, and opportunity.

Water can also be forceful and unpredictable. Floods and storms remind us of its strength and ability to transform landscapes. In the same way, feminine strength is not limited to gentleness—it also carries the power to change, rebuild, and endure.

On World Water Day, this symbolism becomes a reminder of responsibility. Water must be protected, shared fairly, and valued not just as a resource, but as the foundation of life. Recognizing its connection to gender equality helps us understand a deeper truth: sustainability and justice go hand in hand.

Ultimately, water teaches balance. It shows that strength does not always mean force, and care does not mean weakness. In its flow, stillness, and power, water reflects life itself—and invites us to protect it with respect and awareness.

FANS Patna Hosts Seminar on National Security Challenges and Policy Strategies

Patna, March 21, 2026 (BNP) — The Forum for Awareness of National Security (FANS), Patna Chapter, on Friday organized a seminar on “National Security: Policy, Strategy and Contemporary Challenges” at the CIMP Auditorium in Patna, bringing together academicians, security experts and public figures to deliberate on evolving threats and policy responses.

The programme commenced at 4:00 PM with a welcome address by Shri Kumod Kumar, CAO, CIMP and General Secretary of the FANS Patna Chapter, who greeted the dignitaries and participants and outlined the objectives of the seminar.

Delivering the presidential address, Prof. (Dr.) Rana Singh, Director of CIMP, elaborated on the concept of strategy in national security and highlighted emerging threats, including nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological risks. He underscored the importance of indigenous research and digital preparedness, noting the role of DRDO in strengthening secure networks and advancing technological sovereignty to reduce dependence on external systems.

Lt. Gen. Ashok Kumar Choudhary, President of the FANS Patna Chapter, described national security as a multi-dimensional concept encompassing economic stability, social harmony and technological strength. He called for an integrated approach, emphasizing that citizens also play a crucial role in building national resilience.

Chief Guest Dr. Dinesh Chandra Rai, Vice Chancellor of B.R. Ambedkar Bihar University, spoke on the need to preserve cultural values alongside promoting self-reliance. He highlighted the role of technology in agriculture, integrated farming practices and training, while stressing rural development as a cornerstone of national progress. He also raised concerns over the influence of western culture on Indian heritage.

Distinguished Guest Shri Vikramaditya Singh, National Organization General Secretary of FANS, addressed issues related to interstate coordination, international dimensions of national security and the need to create protective environments for sustainable development.

Keynote Speaker Shri Golok Bihari Rai, member of the National Steering Committee of FANS, emphasized citizen security, peace and societal well-being. He spoke on challenges such as population pressure, the alcohol-crime nexus and policy transparency, linking economic growth with national sovereignty.

Guest of Honour Shri Alok Raj, retired IPS officer and former Director General of Police, Bihar, discussed both traditional and emerging security challenges. He referred to threats from neighbouring regions, cyber and digital attacks, and the misuse of social media for propaganda. He lauded the role of security forces and stressed the importance of public awareness, preparedness and coordinated action.

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Kumod Kumar. The event facilitated meaningful discussions on strengthening India’s national security framework in the face of contemporary challenges.

Muslim Youth Pauses Ramadan Fast to Donate Blood Stem Cells, Saves a Life This Eid

Kolkata, Mar 20: As families across India celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with feasts and togetherness, one 20-year-old from West Bengal marked this season of giving in a way few ever will, by pausing his Ramadan fast to donate blood stem cells and save a life he had never met.

 In India, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer or blood disorder every 5 minutes. Behind each of those statistics is a patient waiting, hoping, and praying that somewhere out there a matching donor exists. For one such patient, that match came in the form of Mohammad Ashraf Ali, a young man from West Bengal whose quiet act of courage this Ramadan is now being hailed as a powerful symbol of what this season truly stands for.

Ashraf’s journey to becoming a lifesaving donor began not in a hospital, but on his phone screen. In 2022, a video by a popular social media influencer about blood stem cell donation stopped him mid-scroll. Moved by what he saw, he registered with DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit dedicated to fighting blood cancers and disorders like thalassemia and aplastic anemia, almost on impulse. He didn’t think much of it afterward. Life moved on.

Then, two years later, the call came.

DKMS informed Ashraf that he was a match for a patient in critical need of a blood stem cell transplant. There was a catch, or rather, two. Ashraf has a deep-rooted fear of needles. And the donation would fall squarely during the holy month of Ramadan, requiring him to pause his fast.

For many, either obstacle alone might have prompted a hesitation. For Ashraf, the decision took almost no time at all.

“When I realised I could be the only match, my focus was only on the patient,” he said simply.

On the question of pausing his Ramadan fast, a deeply personal act of faith for millions of Muslims worldwide, Ashraf offered a reflection that speaks to the very heart of the season. “For me, Ramadan is about self-discipline through prayers, fasting, reading the Quran, and bringing meaningful changes in my daily life. I believe that self-discipline also includes doing what is right. If you can help save one life, it almost translates to saving entire humankind. When I was given this opportunity, I chose to go ahead.”

A personal memory also steeled his resolve. Ashraf’s uncle had once faced a life-threatening health crisis, a reminder, close to home, of how fragile life can be and how much a single act of help can mean. With his mother firmly by his side, Ashraf gathered his family, addressed their concerns with patience, and won their collective support.

He then walked in, faced his fear of needles, and donated.

The spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr, of gratitude, generosity, and reaching beyond oneself, found an unlikely home this year, in the steady hands of a young man who simply refused to look away when someone needed him.

Ashraf’s story, however, shines a light on a quiet crisis unfolding across India. Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman of DKMS in India, called Ashraf’s decision ‘deeply moving,’ adding: “We hope people get inspired by Ashraf and come forward to register, helping give patients with blood cancers and blood disorders a second chance at life.”

The numbers make the urgency clear. While 30% of patients with blood cancers or disorders may find a matching donor within their own family, the remaining 70% depend entirely on unrelated donors, strangers, like Ashraf. Yet today, only 0.09% of India’s eligible population is registered as a potential donor, leaving thousands of patients without a match, and without hope.

Every registration, Paul emphasizes, changes those odds. This Eid, as the spirit of giving fills homes across the country, Ashraf’s story is a reminder that the most profound gifts aren’t wrapped or exchanged over a meal, sometimes, they flow quietly through a needle, from one stranger to another, carrying with them the simple and radical belief that a life is worth saving.

Individuals between 18 and 55 years of age, in general good health, with a BMI under 40, and not already registered, are eligible to sign up as potential blood stem cell donors.

Proposed National Youth Policy 2026 Aims to Align Youth Power with Viksit Bharat Vision

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The proposed National Youth Policy 2026 seeks to align India’s youth with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by adopting a more structured, outcome-oriented approach to youth development.

Building on the framework of the National Youth Policy 2014, the new policy focuses on holistic human capital development and positions young people as active stakeholders in the country’s growth.

The policy outlines six core focus areas: youth leadership and volunteerism, education, skilling and employment readiness, entrepreneurship and innovation, health and well-being, sports and recreation, and environment and climate action. Officials said these domains reflect a shift towards a balanced approach that combines economic productivity with civic responsibility and sustainability.

A key feature of the policy is the integration of the MY Bharat platform, which serves as a digital ecosystem for youth participation. The platform enables registration, profiling, and engagement in volunteering, experiential learning, and multi-stakeholder initiatives, while also functioning as a data-driven tool for policymaking.

The policy formulation process has been consultative, incorporating inputs from citizens through platforms such as MyGov, along with consultations with States, Union Territories, and various ministries.

Officials said monitoring and evaluation mechanisms have been strengthened through real-time dashboards and integration with the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework of NITI Aayog, ensuring effective tracking of outcomes.

The policy is also supported by analytical tools such as the Youth Development Index developed by Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, which provides insights aligned with global benchmarks.

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya said the policy marks a transition towards a participatory, digitally enabled, and outcome-focused governance model, where youth are not just beneficiaries but key drivers of India’s developmental journey.

Dr Jitendra Singh Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Diabetes Care

Chennai, March 20 (BNP): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine and Diabetes at a national medical conference in Chennai, in recognition of his contributions to diabetes care and public health.

The award was presented at MVCON 2026, a national-level conference organised by the M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre. The citation acknowledged his work as a distinguished medical professional, author, and advocate in advancing diabetes treatment and awareness.

This marks the second Lifetime Achievement Award received by Dr. Singh, the first having been conferred at an international medical meet in 2024.

Accepting the honour, Dr. Singh said the recognition holds special significance as it is associated with the legacy of Prof. M. Viswanathan, regarded as one of the founding figures of diabetology in India.

Reflecting on his early career, he credited Stanley Medical College for shaping his professional journey and emphasised the importance of mentorship, ethical practice, and compassion in building a successful medical career.

He noted that medical science has undergone a major transformation, evolving from traditional bedside diagnosis to technology-driven systems supported by artificial intelligence, and described himself as a witness to this transition.

Dr. Singh, a renowned diabetologist and academician, has contributed extensively to medical research and literature, with thousands of publications and several books. His work on “stress diabetes” among displaced populations has received international recognition.

The conference saw participation from over 700 delegates, including leading experts and international faculty, and featured discussions, workshops, and research presentations focused on improving diabetes care and patient outcomes.

PM GatiShakti Panel Reviews Key Rail, Metro and Highway Projects to Boost Connectivity

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): The 110th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under the PM GatiShakti initiative reviewed several major infrastructure projects aimed at improving multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency across the country.

The meeting, held at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), evaluated six projects, including rail, metro, and highway proposals from key ministries, in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.

Among the railway projects, proposals for doubling the Arakkonam–Chengalpattu line in Tamil Nadu and quadrupling the Whitefield–Bangarpet section in Karnataka were assessed. These projects are expected to enhance line capacity, reduce congestion, and improve freight and passenger movement along critical corridors.

In the urban transport segment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs presented plans for Mumbai Metro Line-11, connecting Anik Depot to the Gateway of India, and extensions of Pune Metro Line-4. These projects aim to ease urban congestion, improve connectivity, and support sustainable public transport systems in rapidly growing cities.

The group also reviewed two major road infrastructure projects. These include the four-laning of the Badnawar–Petlawad–Thandla corridor in Madhya Pradesh to strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration, and the construction of the Fotu La Tunnel in Ladakh to ensure all-weather connectivity on the strategic Srinagar–Leh route.

According to officials, these projects are expected to reduce travel time, improve logistics efficiency, and generate significant socio-economic benefits for surrounding regions. The focus remains on integrated planning, last-mile connectivity, and a coordinated “whole-of-government” approach under the PM GatiShakti framework.