5, Feb 2026
ICAR–IARI–SMSF Hosts Seminar and Training on Regenerative Agriculture and Precision Farming
Seminar-cum-Training on Regenerative Agriculture and Precision Farming Organized under ICAR–IARI–SMSF Collaborative Project
A seminar-cum-training programme on “Regenerative Agriculture and precision Farming integration for sustainable production and climate resilience” was organized at Water Technology Centre, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, under the ICAR–IARI–SMSF collaborative project “Application of Advanced Technologies for Improved Productivity and Resource-Use Efficiency in Regenerative Agriculture Production Systems.”
The objective of the seminar-cum-training programme was to create awareness among farmers about regenerative agriculture and precision farming an approach aimed at restoring and improving soil health while sustaining crop productivity and farm profitability. Regenerative and precision farming agriculture emphasizes managing agricultural systems in ways that enhance natural soil processes, improve resource-use efficiency, and build resilience to climate extremes.
Dr. Sanjay Singh Rathore, Head, Division of Agronomy, emphasized the importance of conserving natural resources such as water and soil, stating that modern farming must be guided by both “Pani and Gyani” (water and knowledge). He highlighted that crop cultivation should be undertaken with the precise application of water, and that knowledge of advanced cultivation technologies will play a vital role in enhancing agricultural productivity and restoring soil health.
Dr. P. K. Sahoo, Head, Division of Agricultural Engineering, briefed the participants on the use of farm machinery in crop cultivation, covering operations from planting to harvesting. He also explained to the farmers the utilization of paddy straw through both in-situ and ex-situ management practices, including the processing of paddy straw.
Dr. Anchal Dass, Principal Scientist, Division of Agronomy, explained that crop diversification plays a vital role in improving soil fertility. He shared that it leads to better soil aggregation, increased organic matter, improved water infiltration and moisture retention. By strengthening soil functions, regenerative agriculture improves the farming system’s ability to withstand drought, heat stress, and erratic rainfall, making it a critical component of climate-resilient agriculture.
Ms. Anjali Makhija, CEO and Trustee, S M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF), highlighted the importance of regenerative agriculture in restoring ecological balance and strengthening long-term farm sustainability. She shared insights into SMSF’s initiatives focused on reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers, promoting crop residue management through such as Super Seeder machines, enhancing the inclusion of women farmers, advancing water-efficient irrigation practices, and supporting regenerative coffee cultivation in Karnataka.
Dr. P. S. Brahmanand, Director, Water Technology Centre, emphasized the role of climate-smart technologies in building resilient farming systems. Cautioning against the impacts of glacier melt and increasing water security challenges, he stressed a farmer-first approach.
Prof. T. K. Das, Division of Agronomy, and Dr. Livleen Shukla, Principal Scientist, Division of Microbiology, IARI, apprised the farmers about conservation tillage practices, weed management strategies, and crop residue management using decomposer technology.
The programme brought together over 130 participants, including scientists, farmers, practitioners, and representatives from non-governmental organizations. More than 60 farmers from Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Mahendragarh, Pingwan and Alwar actively participated, making the event highly interactive and practice-oriented.
A major highlight was the on-ground field visit, which enabled farmers to observe the functional models. During the visit, water-saving and precision-based technologies were demonstrated and explained by Dr. Anchal Dass, Dr. Arjun Singh, Shri Rajpal Singh, and Dr. Arti Bhatia at the IARI experimental fields. Farmers expressed great satisfaction with the field visit, noting that seeing the techniques in practice helped them better understand the new technologies.
A panel discussion on emerging innovations such as AI-based precision tools, smart irrigation sensors, smartphone applications, and cybersecurity in digital agriculture provided a platform for farmers to interact directly with agricultural scientists. Shri Chandrasekhar Banukule, Saguna Baug a progressive farmer practicing SRT-based regenerative and conservation agriculture, shared practical experiences, motivating fellow farmers to adopt sustainable, technology-enabled practices.
The seminar-cum-training programme successfully facilitated knowledge exchange between scientists and farmers, underscored the importance of technology-driven regenerative agriculture, and strengthened collaborative efforts toward sustainable agricultural production and climate resilience.
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- By Neel Achary
4, Feb 2026
World of Palates Sweetens the ‘Week of Love’ – Valentine’s Day with a Strawberry-Led Dessert Menu
This Valentine’s Day, World of Palates at CR2 Mall, Nariman Point is turning up the romance with a special dessert-forward celebration, inviting couples and dessert lovers alike to indulge in flavours that are playful, comforting and irresistibly indulgent. Known for its globally inspired vegetarian offerings, the restaurant is marking the season of love with a limited-edition Valentine’s dessert menu that puts strawberries centre stage.
Designed to be shared, savoured and swooned over, the menu highlights three delightful creations that perfectly capture the spirit of Valentine’s Day. The Strawberry Matilda Cake is a showstopper—rich, moist and layered with luscious strawberry goodness, making it a must-order for anyone celebrating love over dessert. Equally indulgent is the Strawberry Milkshake, a classic favourite elevated with creamy textures and fresh berry notes, ideal for couples looking to sip on something sweet together.
Adding a lighter yet equally exciting option to the lineup is the Strawberry & Cream Cheese Smoothie Bowl. Fresh, vibrant and beautifully balanced, this bowl blends fruity freshness with creamy richness, offering a refreshing twist for those who prefer their Valentine’s treats on the wholesome side without compromising on indulgence.
Whether it’s a casual date, a post-dinner dessert stop or a sweet surprise for someone special, World of Palates’ Valentine’s offerings are crafted to make moments feel memorable. The warm, welcoming ambience of the restaurant further sets the mood, making it an inviting spot to celebrate love in all its forms.
With its playful strawberry creations and signature approach to flavour, World of Palates invites guests to end their Valentine’s Day on a sweet note where every bite feels like a little celebration of love.
4, Feb 2026
A Valentine’s Day Crafted with Love: Celebrate Romance with Choko La’s Artisanal Chocolates, Cakes & Gifting
Feb 04: This Valentine’s Day, Choko La invites couples, friends, and families to celebrate love in its most indulgent form with a thoughtfully curated collection of artisanal chocolates, celebratory cakes, and bespoke gifting experiences. Designed to complement every kind of love story, the Valentine’s collection blends craftsmanship, emotion, and premium presentation—making every gift feel truly special.
At the heart of the collection are Choko La’s signature chocolate assortments, including Sweet Love, Berry Love, assorted truffles, and milk chocolate hearts. Crafted using authentic couverture chocolate, these creations deliver exceptional depth, smoothness, and flavour clarity. The range is further elevated with seasonal Valentine’s cakes and greeting cakes, designed to mark moments of celebration with decadence and heartfelt emotion.
Adding an experiential dimension to gifting, Choko La introduces interactive creations such as Chocolate Roses and the Hot Chocolate Kit – Valentine’s Edition, encouraging couples to share moments of joy and ritual. Romantic keepsake hampers pair handcrafted chocolates with rose bunches, designer cookies, and heart-shaped lollipops—creating gifts that linger long after they are unwrapped.
Each Valentine’s hamper is curated as a complete experience, ranging from compact chocolate boxes for intimate gestures to layered premium hampers for grand expressions of love. For customers seeking effortless gifting, Choko La stores will feature a limited selection of ready-to-pick Valentine’s hampers, including heart-themed chocolate boxes and pre-packed assortments designed for walk-in shoppers.
Personalisation remains central to the Choko La experience. Customers can customise hampers by mixing and matching chocolates, cookies, cakes, and kits; replacing products within standard hampers; or opting for chocolate-forward or bakery-led assortments. Greeting cakes, roses, and personalised message cards can also be added, making each gift a meaningful keepsake. The customisation option extends to bulk and corporate gifting, ensuring thoughtful solutions for every requirement.
All Valentine’s gifts are presented in exclusive seasonal packaging featuring heart-inspired designs, romantic colour palettes, and meticulously hand-arranged layouts. The luxurious, gift-ready presentation reflects Choko La’s premium ethos and commitment to detail.
To ensure availability, Choko La recommends placing custom hamper and cake orders 5–7 days in advance, while bulk and corporate orders should be placed 7–10 days prior. Home delivery is available across select cities, with multi-location delivery support enabling seamless long-distance gifting.
Valentine’s Day hampers start from ₹200 onwards and include Chocolate Indulgence Hampers, Chocolate & Bakery Hampers, Cake & Celebration Hampers, Premium Custom Hampers, and Interactive Gifting Kits. Highlights this season include Sweet Love, Berry Love, assorted truffles, milk chocolate hearts, seasonal Valentine’s cakes, designer cookies, heart lollipops, chocolate roses, and the Valentine’s Edition Hot Chocolate Kit.
This Valentine’s Day, Choko La transforms gifting into an expression of love—crafted with care, indulgence, and artistry.
4, Feb 2026
India–US Trade Deal Signals Transformational Shift in Strategic Economic Partnership
By:- Dinesh Kanabar, CEO and Chairman, Dhruva Advisors, on the India- US Trade Deal
The India–US FTA is far more than a trade arrangement—it signals a strategic reset in the economic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies. Coming close on the heels of the India–UAE agreement, India has now effectively stitched market access with the most dynamic consumption and investment hubs. For Indian business, this is not incremental—it is transformational. It opens predictable entry into high-value supply chains, technology collaboration and services mobility that were earlier constrained by tariff and regulatory frictions.
Sectors with deep Indian capability stand to gain immediately. Textiles and apparel can re-emerge as global champions with duty rationalisation and rules-of-origin clarity. Pharmaceuticals and life sciences will benefit from faster approvals and trusted-partner frameworks. Fisheries, agri-processing and speciality chemicals gain scale through assured demand and standards alignment. Equally important is the signal to investors: India is now part of a coherent trade architecture spanning the Gulf and the US, offering a reliable alternative to concentrated sourcing elsewhere.
If executed with speed, this pact can redefine India from being a market to being a production base for the world—exactly the pivot our growth story needs.
4, Feb 2026
Punjab and Haryana Host First Regional Dialogue on Circular, Low-Carbon Packaging from Crop Residue
Chandigarh, Feb 04: A first-of-its-kind regional convening on ‘Building Circular, Low-Carbon Supply Chains for Agri-Fibre Pulp & Paper Packaging in Punjab & Haryana’ was held yesterday at Hyatt Regency Chandigarh. The roundtable, which was co-presented by Asar, a social impact advisory focused on solution driven climate resilience and environmental nonprofit, Canopy, brought together officials from the Punjab and Haryana governments, representatives from the pulp and paper industry, farmer organisations, brands, and sustainability experts to initiate a shared understanding of how crop residue can be transformed into low-impact, low-carbon packaging materials.
This initial dialogue marked the beginning of a consultative process to explore the potential of paddy straw, wheat straw, and other crop residues as valuable industrial inputs. Discussions focused on understanding current practices, identifying system gaps, and learning from experiences across the value chain, from farm to factory to market.
Punjab and Haryana together generate over 35 million tonnes of crop residue annually. While much of this biomass remains underutilised or burned, participants discussed how it could become a climate-positive resource that supports clean air, reduces carbon emissions, and creates additional income streams for farmers. The dialogue reframed farmers as key partners in circular supply chains, contributing not only to food security but also to sustainable raw materials for India’s growing packaging sector.
Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare in Punjab Government, said,
“aid that the Punjab Government is continuously working to promote sustainable management of crop residue. He stated that such discussions and joint platforms help policymakers, industry, and farmers understand how crop residue can be better and more sustainably used in value-added industries while addressing environmental challenges and supporting farmers’ incomes.
He further said that India already has the capacity to produce pulp and paper based on agricultural residue, which demonstrates the technical and commercial potential of this sector. In the context of the growing demand for sustainable packaging from the e-commerce, FMCG, and retail sectors, agriculture-fibre-based paper and corrugated packaging solutions hold strong potential to drive regional economic growth, create new industries, and generate employment opportunities in rural areas, while aligning with environmental priorities.”
India already produces around 1.5 million tonnes of pulp and paper from agri-residues across 23 mills, demonstrating technical feasibility at scale. With rising demand from e-commerce, FMCG, and retail sectors for sustainable packaging, agri-fibre-based paper and corrugated solutions present a strong opportunity for regional economic growth aligned with environmental priorities.
Shyam Singh Rana, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in the Haryana Government, said,
“Haryana’s industrial base provides a strong foundation for circular manufacturing. This dialogue helps us understand how crop residue can be integrated into low-carbon packaging supply chains in a way that benefits both industry and the environment.”
The meeting emphasised the complementary strengths of both states. He shared, Haryana has abundant feedstock and strong policies for crop residue management, and our government is committed to crop residue management and is moving forward in this direction together with our farmers. Haryana also has advanced pulp and paper mill clusters in Yamuna Nagar and Panipat, along with emerging biofuel and industrial infrastructure.
Today, both Haryana and Punjab are progressing in the agricultural sector, and the challenges faced by both states are also similar. The governments of Haryana and Punjab, working together with farmers, can find solutions to the problem of stubble burning through crop residue management. These two states provide an opportunity to explore a regional circular bioeconomy model that connects farmers with processing industries and end markets.
Crop residue management is emerging as a very large industry, and in the coming days we will achieve zero stubble burning”, he said.
The convening highlighted the complementary strengths of both states. Punjab brings abundant feedstock and strong ex-situ crop residue management policies, while Haryana offers advanced pulp and paper mill clusters in Yamuna Nagar and Panipat, along with emerging biofuel and industrial infrastructure. Together, the two states present an opportunity to explore a regional circular bio- economy model that links farmers with processing industries and end markets.
Vinuta Gopal, Chief Executive Officer, Asar, said,
“Crop residue should be seen not as waste, but as a valuable resource. This first dialogue is about understanding how Punjab and Haryana can unlock this potential in ways that benefit farmers, reduce pressure on forests, and support India’s transition to low-carbon materials.”
Participants also acknowledged key challenges requiring deeper assessment, including underutilised residue collection and aggregation systems, limited participation of small and marginal farmers, weak linkages between collection and industrial use, and insufficient policy focus on packaging as a high-value application of crop residue.
Shruti Singh, Country Director, Canopy, said,
“Forest based supply chains for paper, packaging, and textiles are entering a period of real climate risk. Crop residues offer India a practical, low-carbon alternative that works for the industry. By bringing governments, mills, farmers, innovators and brands into the same room, this dialogue is about understanding what it will take to scale agri-residue based circular supply chains in Punjab and Haryana. This region has the potential to lead India’s shift toward Next Gen materials.”
Participants agreed on the need for continued dialogue and the exploration of a Punjab–Haryana Working Group to assess infrastructure, policy, and investment needs. The convening helped build a shared understanding of key challenges and opportunities, marking an important first step in positioning crop residue as a resource for low-carbon packaging and farmers as partners in circular supply chains.
4, Feb 2026
Bengaluru Hosts Global Talent at 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026
Bengaluru, Feb 4: Bengaluru today took centre stage in the global culinary spotlight as it hosted one of the official competition rounds of the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026, the world’s largest and most prestigious culinary competition for student chefs. The event celebrates unity, sustainability and cultural exchange through food, bringing together the next generation of culinary talent from across the globe.
Organised by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) under the aegis of the International Hospitality Council (IHC), London, the Bengaluru round was conducted at the IIHM Bangalore campus kitchens, following stringent international competition and judging protocols. Young culinary talents from Mauritius, Colombia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, England, Equatorial Guinea and Timor-Leste competed in skill-intensive challenges designed to test technique, creativity, innovation, hygiene practices and professional kitchen discipline.
The Bengaluru leg of the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 is sponsored by Brigade Hospitality – Signature Club as the Venue Sponsor, and Holiday Inn as the ‘United World of Young Chefs’ (UWYC) Venue Sponsor, along with McCain Food Services, Ariane Porcelain, American Pistachios and Karnataka Tourism.
The competition in Bengaluru was judged by an eminent panel of international and Indian culinary leaders, including Prof. David Foskett, Ms. Vita Whitaker, Chef Vincenzo Oliveri, Chef Steven Ronald Munkley, Chef Mark Reynolds and noted Bengaluru-based chef Chef Abhijit Saha, ensuring rigorous, transparent and world-class evaluation standards.
Speaking about the event, Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Hotel School, Bangalore, Head – South India and Co-Director – IndiSmart Learning, said,
“Bengaluru continues to play a significant role in nurturing young culinary talent and strengthening India’s presence on the global hospitality education map. The introduction of the Young Chef India round has added a strong national dimension to the Olympiad, offering aspiring student chefs across the country a valuable platform to benchmark their skills against international standards.”
Talking about the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026, Dr Suborno Bose, CEO, International Hospitality Council (IHC), Founder of the Young Chef Olympiad and Chairman, IIHM, said,
“Over the years, the Young Chef Olympiad has evolved into a unique global platform that goes beyond competition to foster learning, cultural exchange and collaboration through food. YCO 2026 continues this journey by bringing together young culinary talent from across the world, while reinforcing the values of sustainability, professionalism and unity that define the future of the hospitality industry.”
Beyond competition, the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 in Bengaluru also showcased the spirit of ‘Culinary Youth Diplomacy’, with student chefs and mentors engaging in cultural exchange and collaboration.
Student teams also competed for special recognitions including the YCO Sustainability Award and the Spirit of Young Chef Olympiad International Award, honouring excellence beyond the kitchen.
Highlighting the rich multicultural culinary traditions of participating nations, the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 brought together student chefs from seven countries, with each participant showcasing a signature dish from their respective country under the banner of the ‘United World of Young Chefs’. Earlier, on February 1, Bengaluru also hosted the national inauguration of the event.
4, Feb 2026
Union Budget 2026 Boosts Manufacturing Confidence with Focus on Execution, Technology and Ease of Doing Business
Mr. Kunal Bajaj, Director, Jupiter Group.
“The Union Budget 2026 sends a strong and reassuring signal to India’s manufacturing sector by moving decisively from intent to execution. Continued public capital expenditure, tax reforms to boost manufacturing, and measures such as customs duty rationalisation, deferred duty payment for trusted manufacturers, and supply-chain facilitation directly improve ease of doing business on the factory floor. For packaging manufacturers, the broader emphasis on high-value manufacturing and revitalisation of legacy industrial clusters strengthens domestic capacity and global competitiveness. The Budget’s push towards technology adoption, including AI-led manufacturing processes, will help improve productivity, quality, and operational efficiency. Sustaining GDP growth at around 7% while maintaining fiscal discipline provides the policy stability entrepreneurs value most, reinforcing confidence to invest, expand capacities, and build resilient, India-anchored value chains aligned with Make in India and Viksit Bharat”
4, Feb 2026
iLEAD Hosts ‘Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0’ PF Awareness Program in Kolkata
Kolkata, Feb 04: iLEAD successfully organized ‘Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0’ in association with EPFO Regional Office, Kolkata on January 27, 2026. The district-level outreach program saw active participation from all teachers and staff of the college and addressed PF-related issues like withdrawal, claim settlement, UAN activation, and KYC updates.
Sri Ashis Kumar Das, Enforcement Officer and Sri Satyaki Basu, Assistant led the event.
The program emphasized the importance of PF savings for a secure future, especially for middle-income groups.
4, Feb 2026
From SDVs to AI-Native Cars: The Software Shift Reshaping the Automotive Industry
By:- Sharad Bairathi, Managing Director, Embitel Technologies
Bengaluru, India, Jan 04: The global automotive industry is entering a decisive phase in its evolution towards Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), with 2026 expected to emerge as a key inflection point. Central-compute and zonal architectures—once limited to premium vehicles—are now set to penetrate the affordable ₹15–25 lakh mass-market segment, fundamentally reshaping vehicle design, manufacturing economics, and user experience.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are rapidly moving away from fragmented Electronic Control Unit (ECU) silos towards unified diagnostics, shared perception data, and end-to-end over-the-air (OTA) coverage. This architectural shift enables the rollout of advanced SDV features while simultaneously reducing system complexity. By cutting ECU counts by 20–40 per cent and lowering wiring weight by nearly 30 per cent, OEMs can scale SDV platforms without significantly increasing vehicle costs.
Today, automotive OEMs and engineering service providers are already deploying ASIL-ready zonal controllers, production-grade SDV middleware, and robust OTA stacks. These platforms are reinforced by stringent regulatory security mandates, ensuring compliant, continuous OTA pipelines with real-time cybersecurity monitoring, a critical requirement as vehicles become increasingly software-centric.
Data Governance Emerges as the Backbone of SDVs
As vehicles transform into software-driven platforms, data governance has become mission-critical. SDVs generate massive volumes of data through real-time telemetry, behavioural analytics, infotainment systems, and location services. To manage this complexity, Master Data Management (MDM) platforms are playing a pivotal role by creating a single, trusted view of each vehicle across its entire lifecycle.
MDM frameworks enable secure OTA updates, reliable AI model training, and scalable connected services. As SDVs transition from concept to large-scale production in 2026, they are also laying the groundwork for the next evolutionary leap in mobility—AI-native vehicles.
From Smart Features to Learning Machines
AI-native vehicles will redefine in-cabin comfort, safety, and intelligence. Features such as micro-adjustments to seating, dynamic climate control, lighting, audio, and display settings will adapt in real time to driver behaviour and preferences. Over time, vehicles will learn autonomously, reducing the need for manual configuration.
The AI co-pilot will unify human-machine interface (HMI), navigation, and personalisation systems, transforming user interaction from menu-driven commands to conversational intelligence.
Safety will see a major leap forward as AI-native vehicles are trained and validated using millions of computer-generated driving scenarios before deployment. These synthetic scenarios allow engineers to test Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)—including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping—against rare and hazardous conditions such as sudden pedestrian crossings, wrong-way driving, and low-visibility environments. By learning from these simulated situations, AI systems can respond more effectively in real-world conditions, even when sensor inputs are imperfect.
Redefining the Future of Mobility
As software-defined vehicles evolve into truly AI-native machines, cars are no longer just driven by code—they are learning, adapting, and improving with every mile. This transformation is redefining automotive safety, intelligence, and mobility, setting the stage for a new era in transportation over the coming decade.
4, Feb 2026
Bring Romance to the Table with SALT’s Exclusive Valentine’s Day Menu
Valentine’s Day at SALT Indian Restaurant & Grill is all about sharing great food and celebrating love through flavours that feel both familiar and exciting. This year, the restaurant introduces a thoughtfully curated Valentine’s Day menu, designed to offer couples an intimate dining experience rooted in Indian cuisine, elevated with a modern sensibility.
Created exclusively for the occasion, the limited-edition menu brings together comforting classics and inventive presentations. Guests can begin with vibrant starters such as Dilwalon Ki Papdi Chaat and the indulgent Paneer Dilbahar Tikka, while seafood lovers can opt for the refreshing Grilled Prawns and Avocado Salad. The main course offerings continue the romance with standout dishes like Rasella Murgh Musallam, Surf ‘N’ Turf and the luxurious Lobster Angara, each crafted to be rich, flavourful and perfect for sharing.
Complementing the menu is a special selection of Valentine’s cocktails and mocktails that add a playful touch to the evening. Signature cocktails like Good Night Kiss, featuring vodka with hints of pink grapefruit and lychee, and Cupid’s Arrow, a creamy blend of white rum and strawberry, set the mood effortlessly. For non-alcoholic indulgence, mocktails such as Be My Valentine and Love Song bring together fruity and dessert-inspired notes, making every sip feel celebratory.
Desserts like the Baked Rasgulla Mille-Feuille and Gulab Anjeer Ki Kulfi provide a sweet conclusion to the meal, rounding off the experience on a nostalgic yet contemporary note. Paired with SALT’s warm lighting, refined interiors, the Valentine’s offering is ideal for couples looking to enjoy a relaxed yet special evening together.
Whether marking a milestone or simply spending quality time with someone special, SALT’s Valentine’s Day menu promises an experience where romance is served at every course.
