Category Archives: News

Budget 2026: Boost for Digital Payments, MSMEs, and Export Growth

Anup Agarwal, Co-founder, Kiwi

The ₹2,000 crore incentive allocation for UPI and RuPay in Budget 2026 reinforces the importance of a sustainable digital payments ecosystem. As UPI continues to scale across transactions and use cases, the role of NPCI in maintaining interoperability, reliability, and low-cost access remains central. Sustained incentives are critical to preserving this affordability while enabling responsible innovation across the ecosystem. At Kiwi, we see this as a strong foundation for layering transparent and responsible credit on top of trusted payment rails to improve access and affordability for everyday consumption.

Vikas Tarachandani, Co-founder, SURE

“The Budget reinforces confidence in India’s financial ecosystem by prioritising stability, reform continuity and sector preparedness for long-term growth. The focus on improving credit quality and expanding financial inclusion strengthens the foundation for more disciplined borrowing and efficient capital allocation.”

Sundeep Mohindru, Founder & Promoter, M1xchange

“The Budget’s decisive push to create CHAMPION SMEs by giving equity support and by anchoring liquidity access through the TReDS ecosystem marks a structural shift in how working capital flows to MSMEs. By positioning TReDS as the settlement platform for liquidity support for MSMEs for their supplies to CPSEs, the government encourages wider participation in invoice discounting. This re-establishes the value add TReDS is making towards solving the delayed payment challenge for MSMEs. Credit guarantee support on Invoice discounting on TReDS and the integration of GeM with TReDS will enable quicker and more affordable financing for suppliers. Treating TReDS receivables as asset backed securities will deepen liquidity multifold and enhance the secondary market expansion for invoices discounted . Equally critical is the creation of corporate mitras through professional institutions, which will strengthen affordable compliance support in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns. Together, these measures reinforce MSMEs as India’s engine of growth.”

Pushkar Mukewar, Founder and CEO, Drip Capital

“The Budget’s measures to support seafood exports, including increased duty-free input limits, extended export timelines, and duty-free fish catch in the EEZ and on the High Seas, will significantly ease cost and working-capital pressures for Indian exporters. These steps create new avenues to scale operations, manage cash flows more predictably, and fully harness the economic value of marine resources.”

Budget 2026 Charts a ‘New Urban India’, Powers Tier-2 and Tier-3 Growth: Santosh Agarwal

Santosh Agarwal, CFO & Executive Director, Alpha Corp Development Limited

“The Union Budget 2026 is a definitive blueprint for a ‘New Urban India.’ By scaling public capital expenditure to ₹12.2 lakh crore, the government isn’t just building roads it’s building the future of our Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. This ₹5,000 crore annual commitment to emerging urban hubs is a masterstroke for balanced growth. For the real estate sector, this translates to more than just connectivity; it enhances ‘liveability’ as a core asset, turning rising cities into primary economic engines. We are moving away from metro-centricity toward a more inclusive, high-growth urban reality.”

MSME Growth Fund and SRI Fund Boost Equity Support for Scaling Businesses

By:- Snhkumar Purohit, Chief Strategist, EVM India.e

Most MSMEs struggle because cash cycles are tight and balance sheets are stretched. Too much debt leaves little room to absorb shocks or invest in growth. The ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund finally recognises this gap by bringing equity into the picture. The ₹2,000 crore addition to the Self-Reliant India Fund supports businesses that are ready to scale, not just start. This helps MSMEs move from managing liabilities to building capability. This addresses a real structural constraint on the ground.

Economic Survey 2025–’26 emphasises revival of village Commons; calls for creation of distinct land-use category

Bhubaneswar, Feb 01 :The Union government’s Economic Survey 2025-’26 places renewed emphasis on the revival of village Commons as a foundation for sustainable rural growth, stronger livelihoods, and more resilient communities. The Survey was released on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s Budget presentation. “Reviving and protecting village commons…requires a collaborative approach that involves both the government and local communities actively participating,” the document notes. “To achieve this, first, ‘village commons’ as a distinct land-use category may need official incorporation with sub-categories, so that accurate estimation, monitoring, and informed policy intervention can be undertaken.”

In a chapter titled Rural Development and Social Progress: From Participation to Partnership_ , the survey describes village Commons, also known as Common Property Resources (CPRs), as a “crucial yet underutilised asset” where community institutions, technology, and livelihood generation intersect to support long-term rural transformation. These commons include grazing lands, ponds, water bodies, and shared spaces traditionally managed by local communities.

According to the Survey, around 15% of India’s geographical area comprises village Commons. The 2011 Census estimates common land at 6.6 crore hectares, forming biodiversity-rich ecosystems that support the livelihoods of approximately 35 crore rural people. These ecosystems provide 34 ecosystem services including food, fodder, fuelwood, water and income, and facilitate water purification, soil protection, carbon sequestration, and flood control.

The Survey notes that these ecosystems generate an economic dividend of USD 9.05 crore per year, while contributing directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods. Yet, it cautions that “their value is often underestimated”, and that commons have deteriorated due to encroachment, misuse, and rising environmental pressures.

Mr. Sisir K Pradhan, PhD, University of Waterloo said,

“Village commons have always been central to rural livelihoods, but have traditionally been viewed through cultural identity or subsistence economic lenses. The recent economic survey has, for the first time, emphasised village commons as an economic resource essential for rural communities to thrive. It has also highlighted the need for restoration of such commons to improve life and livelihoods and to address the climate crisis that affects social, ecological, and economic foundations every day. “

Mr. Pravas Mishra, economist, budget analyst and NRM expert Said,

“The Survey rightly highlights the need to move away from neglect and encroachment towards a framework of deliberate governance — through formal recognition of commons as a distinct land-use category, strengthening local institutions, and integrating community stewardship with modern tools such as GIS mapping and capacity building. Following the economy survey, Union Budget 2026-27 should take adequate actions on optimal use of commons for making the panchayats self sufficient. Developing panchayat wise inventory of commons is the need of the hour to plan for its sustainable use.“

Mr. Kanchi Kohli, researcher and educator said, idea of commons which includes but is not limited to its economic value. There is a need to future proof the shared and integrated social, cultural and ecological

IPRS Returns to Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026 with Dedicated Stage Celebrating India’s Musical Diversity

Mumbai, Jan 30: The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) is set to return to the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) 2026 with the IPRS Stage, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing original, folk, and regional music within one of India’s most respected multidisciplinary cultural festivals.

More than a performance platform, the IPRS Stage is a purposeful cultural initiative aimed at creating sustained visibility and meaningful engagement for diverse music traditions. By positioning music within the broader artistic dialogue of KGAF—where literature, visual arts, design, and performance converge—the IPRS Stage brings underrepresented musical voices into the public consciousness and fosters deeper audience appreciation.

At a time when digital algorithms increasingly influence music discovery, curated cultural platforms such as the IPRS Stage play a vital role in offering context, authenticity, and human connection. The initiative bridges generational and regional divides, enabling audiences to experience tradition-rooted and original music in a contemporary festival setting, while providing artists with credibility, reach, and new avenues for connection.

The IPRS Stage at KGAF 2026 will feature two distinctive performances that reflect this vision:

• 1 February 2026: Goa-based band Black Sapphire will showcase regional language music on a national cultural platform, highlighting the resonance of local voices when given the right exposure.

• 6 February 2026: Abhijit Pohankar’s Global Varkari Project will present the rich Varkari devotional tradition through a modern sonic framework, demonstrating how heritage can evolve while retaining its essence.

Speaking on the importance of such platforms, Alison Gonsalves, Lead Singer and Songwriter, Black Sapphire, said,

“Original music is deeply personal, especially when it comes from a regional language and lived culture. Platforms like the IPRS Stage at Kala Ghoda validate our work and help audiences connect more deeply with the stories and identities behind the music.”

Maestro Abhijit Pohankar, classical pianist, fusion music producer, and conceiver of the Global Varkari Project, added,

“The Varkari tradition emphasizes devotion, social equality, and righteousness through music. Presenting this ancient form with a modern sound allows it to remain relevant today. Platforms like the IPRS Stage ensure that folk and traditional music are experienced with dignity, relevance, and respect.”

Highlighting IPRS’s broader vision, Mr. Rakesh Nigam, CEO, IPRS, said,

“Platforms like the IPRS Stage are essential to sustaining India’s musical diversity. By partnering with festivals such as the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, we create spaces where artists can be discovered and audiences can engage meaningfully with the cultural roots of our music.”

Brinda Miller, Hon. Festival Director, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, noted,

“KGAF has always stood for artistic integrity and cultural diversity in the public sphere. The IPRS Stage furthers this vision by spotlighting original and tradition-rooted music, inviting audiences to engage with music as a reflection of identity, history, and creative purpose.”

As the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival continues to serve as a vibrant meeting point for India’s creative communities, the IPRS Stage stands as a powerful model of how cultural institutions can support artists, educate audiences, and ensure that India’s rich musical legacy is preserved, celebrated, and carried forward into the future.

MultiFit Circle – Runners Edition Brings Pune’s Fitness Community Together This Republic Day

On 24th January, MultiFit celebrated the spirit of Republic Day with the MultiFit Circle – Runners Edition, a city-wide fitness initiative that brought Pune’s fitness community together through movement.

With every MultiFit branch across Pune hosting its own 5 km run, members stepped out to celebrate unity, discipline, and consistency, values that resonate deeply with both fitness and the essence of Republic Day. The runs weren’t about timing or competition, but about participation, camaraderie, and showing up together.

The event was further elevated through a collaboration with Healthyome, highlighting the importance of nutrition as a key pillar of overall wellness. Post-run, all participants were provided with 200 ml of fresh watermelon juice or orange juice, along with a complimentary breakfast salad meal, supporting recovery and mindful eating.

The MultiFit Circle – Runners Edition reinforced MultiFit’s commitment to building a strong, connected fitness community in Pune, one that believes fitness extends beyond gym walls and thrives in shared experiences.

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Returns for 26th Edition Celebrating “Ahead of the Curve”

The iconic Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) returns for its 26th edition, transforming Mumbai’s historic Kala Ghoda precinct into a vibrant celebration of arts, culture, and community. Scheduled from Saturday, January 31 to Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 10 am to 10 pm. Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street arts festival invites audiences to experience a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation under this year’s theme: “Ahead of the Curve.”

Symbolising foresight, creativity, and leadership in the arts, the theme reflects KGAF’s enduring commitment to staying at the forefront of cultural expression. Like a winning steed leading the pack, KGAF continues to set the pace for artistic excellence and inclusive engagement.

Organised by the Kala Ghoda Association, the festival has grown from a local initiative in 1999 into one of India’s most beloved cultural events, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. With 400+ programmes, 100+ art installations across 15 verticals, the 2026 edition will span over 25 exclusive indoor and outdoor venues, including K. Dubash Marg, CSMVS Museum, Cross Maidan, David Sassoon Library, and Horniman Circle Garden.

All events are free to register and attend, continuing KGAF’s mission to make the arts accessible to all, by all, and for all. The festival also champions sustainability, diversity, and pedestrian-friendly urban design, contributing to the transformation of Kala Ghoda into Mumbai’s premier cultural & tourist district.

Brinda Miller, Chairperson of the Kala Ghoda Association & Festival Director, shares: 

“As we embark on the milestone 26th edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, we are thrilled to continue our journey of celebrating art, culture, and community in the heart of Mumbai. This year’s theme, ‘Ahead of the Curve’, holds special significance as we aim to surpass last year’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. With the unwavering support of the BMC and collaborators such as EXIM Bank, Milton, MTDC, and the Department of Tourism, Maharashtra, we are confident this edition will be a memorable celebration for enthusiasts of varied art forms.”

Join us in celebrating over a quarter-century of creativity, community, and cultural legacy.

JIMS Rohini Hosts “Meet the Editors” Workshop on Biodiversity and Finance Risk

JIMS Rohini Hosts Prestigious “Meet the Editors” Workshop Under Biodiversity & Finance Risk Forum

New Delhi, Jan 30: Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS) Rohini, in collaboration with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), is set to host the distinguished “Meet the Editors” Workshop at its Rohini campus. The workshop is being organized as part of the larger Biodiversity and Finance Risk Forum, an academic initiative aimed at exploring the intersection of sustainability, biodiversity, and financial risk.

The event will bring together globally acclaimed journal editors, offering researchers and scholars a rare opportunity to engage directly with leaders in academic publishing. The panel of eminent editors includes, Prof. Brian Lucey, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Economic Surveys, Prof. Andrew Urquhart, Editor, International Review of Economics and Finance, Prof. Sabri Boubaker, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of International Financial Management & Accounting, Prof. Laszlo Vasa, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Central Asian Studies

The workshop will focus on best practices in academic publishing, evolving global research standards, and emerging themes in biodiversity-linked financial risk and sustainable finance. Participants will gain insights into publishing expectations, research positioning, and pathways to enhancing the global visibility of their scholarly work.

Speaking ahead of the workshop, Dr. Pooja Jain, Director JIMS Rohini said,

“Global collaboration in research is essential to addressing complex, interconnected challenges like biodiversity loss and financial risk. Platforms such as the ‘Meet the Editors’ Workshop help bridge the gap between researchers and leading academic journals, enabling high-quality work to gain the global visibility it deserves. At JIMS, we believe that strong academic publishing standards are key to shaping evidence-based solutions for a more sustainable and financially resilient future.”

This initiative reflects JIMS Rohini’s commitment to advancing high-quality research and fostering meaningful engagement between academia and international publishing platforms. By connecting Indian researchers with globally recognized editors, the institute aims to strengthen research excellence and encourage impactful contributions in areas critical to sustainable development and financial resilience.

The “Meet the Editors” Workshop will also serve as a precursor to the main symposium and paper presentation sessions scheduled to be held at GGSIP University on 31 January 2026, further amplifying dialogue on sustainable finance, biodiversity risk, and evidence-based policymaking.

Punjab’s Rajya Sabha MP Rajinder Gupta Advocates Employment Rights for Senior Citizens

New Delhi, Jan 30: Rajya Sabha MP Rajinder Gupta today raised a critical national concern during Zero Hour in the Upper House, highlighting the need for comprehensive employment rights for senior citizens in India.

Addressing the Chair, Gupta emphasized that India is undergoing a rapid demographic transition, with the population aged 60 years and above exceeding 140 million—a figure projected to reach nearly 350 million by 2036. With life expectancy approaching 70 years, the nation possesses a vast pool of healthy, skilled, and experienced senior citizens capable of contributing productively beyond conventional retirement age.

Gupta expressed concern over the absence of a comprehensive legal framework to address age-based discrimination in employment or to formally recognize the right to work post-retirement based on ability rather than age. While Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution guarantee equality and equal opportunity, age-based exclusion remains prevalent, particularly in the private sector and across formal and informal employment, with limited legal protections or recognition.

Highlighting global practices, Gupta noted that developed nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, Canada, and Japan have implemented progressive legislation to promote active ageing. In Japan, where nearly 29% of the population is above 65 years, age-based employment discrimination has been removed, enabling continued workforce participation of older citizens.

Urging timely policy intervention, Gupta appealed to the Government to introduce a comprehensive legal framework to:

• Prevent age-based discrimination in employment

• Enable the right to work beyond retirement for willing and capable senior citizens

• Create flexible, dignified, and safeguarded employment opportunities

He emphasized that such reforms would not only uphold constitutional values but also unlock the economic, social, and intellectual potential of India’s ageing population.

Indrani Dutt Unveiled “Punarjanmo” at the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair

Kolkata, Jan 30: Renowned poet, writer, and lyricist Indrani Dutt launched her book “Punarjanma” , a select collection of her upcoming poems, at the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair, marking a moment of deep literary reflection and renewal. The launch was graced by Shree Tridib Kumar Chatterjee, Author, Editor, General Secretary of the Publishers & Booksellers Guild & Shree Saikat Mukhopadhyay, Author along with Indrani Dutt, Renowned poet, writer, and lyricist , who came together to celebrate poetry as a powerful voice of conscience, resistance, and rebirth.

“Punarjanmo” which translates to Rebirth, resonated deeply with readers through its evocative themes of struggle, inner strength, and the triumph of hope over despair. Rooted in vivid imagery and emotional depth, the poems reflected a shared memory of pain, protest, and steadfast resolve, ultimately arriving at the promise of light after darkness. The verses flowed from anguish and helplessness to courage, renewal, and a deep rooted belief in justice and freedom.

Speaking on the occasion, Indrani Dutt said,

“Punarjanma is not just a collection of poems; it is a reflection of our collective wounds and our collective courage. It speaks of despair, but more importantly, it speaks of hope, of rising afresh with faith, truth, and justice. This book is my humble attempt to capture that eternal cycle of pain, resistance, and rebirth that defines humanity.”