Category Archives: News

Capt. S. Divakar has taken over charge as Managing Director & CEO of Dredging Corporation of India on 25.03.2026

The Board of Directors of Dredging Corporation of India (DCIL), along with its Nomination and Remuneration Committee, has approved the appointment of Capt. S. Divakar as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (Additional Director – Executive & Non-Independent) and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) of the Company.

He will hold office as an Additional Director until the next General Meeting, to be convened within three months from the date of approval. Shareholders’ approval will be sought at the said meeting for his regular appointment as a Non-Independent & Executive Director.

Capt. Divakar brings over 35 years of rich and diverse experience in the dredging industry, marked by a unique blend of operational expertise and strategic leadership. He began his career with DCIL in 1987 as a Cadet under the prestigious All India Dredging Cadre (AIDC – V Batch). Over 22 years of seafaring service, he rose through the ranks from Cadet to Captain, ultimately serving as “Master of Dredger.” During this period, he commanded advanced dredgers and successfully executed numerous projects across India and overseas, including nearly seven years as Master.

Transitioning to shore-based leadership, he has spent more than 13 years in senior management roles, playing a pivotal role in operational planning, project execution, and techno-commercial decision-making. His deep technical knowledge is complemented by strong strategic and commercial acumen within the maritime sector.

He possesses extensive understanding of dredging requirements across Indian ports and maritime establishments, along with in-depth familiarity with government policies, regulatory frameworks, and industry guidelines. His ability to align operational efficiency with policy mandates has consistently enabled the delivery of cost-effective and sustainable solutions.

Known for his integrity, principled leadership, and results-driven approach, Capt. Divakar has been instrumental in driving performance and fostering organizational growth throughout his career.

His appointment comes at a significant juncture as DCIL continues to strengthen its position as India’s leading dredging organization while advancing its growth and expansion plans in the maritime infrastructure sector.

Complement Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed with CTx001 in the Phase I/II Opti-GAIN Study for Geographic Atrophy Secondary to AMD

Munich, Germany – 25 March 2026: Complement Therapeutics GmbH (CTx), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies for complement-mediated diseases, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in Opti-GAIN, its first-in-human Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating CTx001 in patients with Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Opti-GAIN is a multi-centre Phase I/II study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of CTx001, administered via a single subretinal injection. Part 1 of the study is an open-label, dose-escalation phase across three cohorts, followed by a dose-expansion phase in Part 2. The trial is being conducted by the company’s UK subsidiary.

“Geographic Atrophy remains an area of significant unmet need, with patients facing progressive and irreversible vision loss,” said Dr. Arshad M. Khanani, Chief Investigator of the study and Director of Clinical Research at Sierra Eye Associates, Reno, Nevada, USA. “I am pleased to be part of this first-in-human trial and to have administered CTx001 to the first patient. We look forward to further evaluating this promising one-time investigational gene therapy approach in GA secondary to AMD.”

CTx001 is an investigational AAV2-based gene therapy engineered to deliver a construct encoding mini-CR1, a truncated and secreted form of Complement Receptor 1. This approach is designed to modulate both the alternative and classical complement pathways. Subretinal administration enables local production of mini-CR1 within retinal cells, while its small size may facilitate penetration across Bruch’s membrane, supporting broad ocular biodistribution, including the choriocapillaris.

Building on clinically validated complement biology in GA, CTx001 aims to deliver a potentially best-in-class profile, combining broad ocular coverage, strong potency, multi-pathway modulation, and extended durability.

The Opti-GAIN trial is being conducted alongside Pre-GAIN, the company’s ongoing natural history study in GA, currently enrolling patients in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Together, these studies are expected to inform patient selection and enable the evaluation of novel structural and functional endpoints, including ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity and focal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)-based microperimetry. Notably, Opti-GAIN is among the first clinical studies to prospectively evaluate focal OCT-based microperimetry, a method that could significantly advance treatment assessment in GA.

“Dosing the first patient in Opti-GAIN marks a key milestone for Complement Therapeutics and the clinical development of CTx001,” said Dr. Rafiq Hasan, Chief Executive Officer of Complement Therapeutics. “We believe our differentiated gene therapy approach, combined with an integrated clinical strategy, positions CTx001 strongly. Running Opti-GAIN alongside Pre-GAIN enables us to generate both interventional and natural history data to better guide patient selection, endpoint development, and future trials.”

Dr. Muhammad Ali Memon, Chief Medical Officer of Complement Therapeutics, added: “Our precise surgical delivery approach, adaptive immunomodulatory regimen, and well-characterised patient populations from i-GAIN and Pre-GAIN provide a strong foundation for demonstrating therapeutic impact with CTx001 in Opti-GAIN.”

Further details on the company’s clinical programmes are available on ClinicalTrials.gov, including Opti-GAIN (NCT07392255) and Pre-GAIN (NCT07144137).

Ministers urged to prioritize rules-based trade for innovative agricultural systems at World Trade Organization MC14

Yaoundé, Cameroon, 25 March 2026: The multilateral, rules-based, trading system, underpinned by the World Trade Organization (WTO), has proven essential for advancing global food security by ensuring access to markets and technologies, supporting millions of farmers, and safeguarding against fragmentation and unilateralism. Ministers from around the world will meet in Yaoundé, Cameroon this week, for the first time in Africa, to take action on the WTO’s 14^th Ministerial Conference (MC14) agenda. With discussions on institutional reform looming large, this is a crucial moment for the future of rules-based trade and the WTO itself.

Governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) share a common objective to safeguard global food security in an increasingly volatile world. With this imperative in mind, CropLife International calls on Member Governments to uphold agricultural resilience and productivity and prevent unnecessary trade barriers with the following recommendations:

1. Uphold Science-Based Trade, respecting common and agreed international standards, including Codex Alimentarius for food safety.  
2. Safeguard Intellectual Property Rights and the TRIPS Agreement, to encourage innovation that will meet future needs in the field.
3. Advance sustainable development, in line with the Marrakesh Agreement, through inclusive, outcome-focused, and science-based approaches that balance economic, social, and environmental objectives.

Speaking ahead of MC14, Emily Rees, President and CEO of CropLife International said: “The multilateral, rules-based, trading system plays a critical role in advancing global food security. This upcoming MC14 provides an opportunity to reaffirm the core principles on which the WTO was built. Our recommendations lay the path for the action needed to protect agricultural productivity and food security. With science and rules-based trade, strong and predictable IP frameworks and outcome driven sustainable development, Ministers can support the agricultural sector to build its capacities, accelerate innovation and encourage development that delivers value for those in the field.”

Odisha Budget 2026 27 Focuses on Revitalising Shri Jagannath Heritage in Puri

The Odisha Budget 2026–27 has outlined a major cultural and spiritual revitalisation plan centred on the heritage of Shri Jagannath Dham, Puri, with a strong focus on preservation, infrastructure development, and digital inclusion for devotees worldwide.

A significant allocation of ₹1,000 crore has been proposed for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Jagannath Museum and Library in Puri. The proposed institution aims to safeguard centuries of religious traditions, archival materials, and cultural knowledge associated with the Jagannath heritage, while also presenting them in an accessible, modern format.

In addition, the budget includes provisions for the restoration and conservation of key heritage structures within the temple precinct and surrounding areas. These efforts are intended to strengthen the cultural integrity of Puri as one of India’s most important spiritual centres.

The government also plans to introduce a digital initiative named “Samarpan”, which will enable devotees across the globe to make virtual offerings. This platform is expected to deepen engagement with the diaspora and modernise traditional forms of worship.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

• Heritage Conservation: Protect and restore historically significant structures linked to the Jagannath tradition.
• Knowledge Preservation: Create a dedicated museum and library to archive religious texts, rituals, and cultural records.
• Digital Devotion: Launch the “Samarpan” platform to facilitate online offerings from global devotees.
• Cultural Strengthening: Reinforce the identity and legacy of Jagannath heritage on a national and international stage.
• Pilgrimage Development: Enhance the overall infrastructure and visitor experience in Puri.

Khelo India Tribal Games Mark Debut with Strong National Participation

Raipur: The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games will kick off on Wednesday in Chhattisgarh, bringing together around 1,300 athletes from across the country to compete in nine sporting disciplines.

The event will be hosted across three venues—Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja—and will feature competitions for 106 gold medals. The Games mark a major step in promoting tribal talent and expanding India’s grassroots sporting ecosystem.

A total of around 3,800 participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials, will be part of the sporting event, which will continue until April 3.

Odisha has sent the largest contingent with 125 athletes among the 30 participating states and Union Territories. Host state Chhattisgarh follows closely with 121 participants, while Jharkhand and Assam have fielded 107 and 106 athletes respectively.

Medals will be contested in sports such as archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Traditional games like mallakhamb and kabaddi will be featured as demonstration sports, highlighting India’s rich indigenous sporting heritage.

Athletics will offer the highest number of gold medals (34), followed by swimming (24), wrestling (18), and weightlifting (16).

Speaking about the significance of the event, Hockey India president and former Olympian Dilip Tirkey said the Games represent a proud moment for tribal athletes and a valuable platform to showcase their talent at the national level. He noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of promoting sports participation among youth across the country.

The Khelo India Tribal Games aim to nurture emerging talent from tribal regions and strengthen India’s ambition of becoming a stronger sporting nation by identifying and supporting athletes at the grassroots level.

NeuEN Secures Green Hydrogen Supply Deal with Numaligarh Refinery

Chandigarh, Mar 25: NeuEN Green Energy Pvt. Ltd. (NeuEN), a 50:50 joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Sembcorp Green Hydrogen India Private Limited, has secured a contract to supply 10,000 tonnes per annum (10KTPA) of green hydrogen to Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL).

Under the contract, NeuEN will develop a green hydrogen production facility at NRL’s refinery in Assam, supported by a long-term offtake arrangement. The project is expected to begin commercial operations in 2028 and will integrate renewable energy with advanced storage solutions to enable reliable, round-the-clock operations to support refinery decarbonisation.

Commenting on the development, Sanjay Khanna, Chairman & Managing Director, BPCL, said,

“This project marks a significant milestone in BPCL’s journey towards building a future-ready and resilient energy portfolio. Through NeuEN, we are strengthening our presence across the green hydrogen value chain and progressing towards becoming a supplier of clean energy solutions. Securing this project through a competitive bidding process reflects both the evolving maturity of the green hydrogen sector and our focus on developing scalable, market-aligned solutions. As we move forward, our emphasis will remain on building robust execution capabilities and contributing meaningfully to industrial decarbonisation and India’s long-term energy security.”

Vipul Tuli, President & CEO, Renewables, West, and CEO, Hydrogen Business, Sembcorp, said,

 “This award marks a significant step forward in advancing India’s green hydrogen ambitions and aligns closely with Sembcorp’s strategy to enable a lower‑carbon energy future. The landmark tariff achieved demonstrates the importance of well-structured long term offtake contracts. We are pleased to support NRL in its decarbonisation goals, and together with BPCL, deliver a project of national importance.”

Shelly Abraham, Chairman, NeuEN, said,

 “By combining BPCL’s strong domestic market presence and infrastructure capabilities with Sembcorp’s global experience in renewable energy, we are enabling the integration of low-carbon solutions into refining operations and supporting long-term industrial decarbonisation.”

Sembcorp brings complementary strengths to the partnership and continues to advance green hydrogen and its derivatives as key decarbonisation pathways. With a 7.6GW renewables portfolio in India, Sembcorp is well-positioned to support large-scale, cost competitive green hydrogen production to help meet national and industrial decarbonisation goals.

India Records 275.75 Lakh Tonnes of Urea Production So Far This Fiscal

Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 Goes Beyond Infrastructure to Focus on Sustainable Water Access

Pic Credit: Pexel

New Delhi: Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 is set to expand its focus beyond the installation of pipes and pumps, aiming to ensure long-term, sustainable access to safe drinking water in rural India.

The upgraded phase of the mission emphasizes not only expanding household tap connections but also strengthening water source sustainability, improving quality monitoring, and enhancing local water management systems.

Officials said the new approach seeks to address challenges such as groundwater depletion and seasonal water scarcity by promoting community participation and efficient resource management.

The initiative builds on the progress of the original Jal Jeevan Mission, which significantly increased rural tap water coverage across the country. The second phase is expected to deepen its impact by ensuring reliability, quality, and long-term water security for every household.

With a stronger focus on sustainability and decentralised management, Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 aims to move beyond infrastructure delivery towards a more resilient and future-ready drinking water system.

PM KISAN Scheme Provides INR 4.27 Lakh Crore Direct Support to Farmers

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has disbursed a total of ₹4.27 lakh crore in direct financial assistance to farmers across India, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector.

The initiative provides income support to eligible farmers through direct benefit transfers, ensuring timely financial aid to help meet agricultural and household needs. Officials said the scheme reflects the government’s continued focus on farmer welfare and rural development.

Launched to supplement the income of small and marginal farmers, PM-KISAN has played a key role in providing economic stability to millions of farming families. The programme has also contributed to improving access to resources required for agricultural productivity.

Authorities highlighted that the scheme aligns with the broader vision of building a self-reliant and developed nation, where farmers remain central to economic growth and food security.

With continued fund transfers and expanded outreach, PM-KISAN remains one of the largest direct income support programmes for farmers globally, reinforcing India’s commitment to strengthening its agricultural backbone.

Empowering Rural Odisha: Mission PoWaR Drives Integrated Development Push

Odisha: The state’s Mission PoWaR is emerging as a major initiative aimed at transforming rural areas through a convergence-based development approach focused on infrastructure and essential services.

Under the mission, significant investments have been allocated to strengthen connectivity and improve basic facilities across villages. The plan includes ₹3,491 crore for rural roads, ₹2,050 crore for bridges, and ₹1,000 crore dedicated to ensuring all-weather connectivity, aiming to improve access even in remote regions.

Alongside infrastructure development, the initiative places strong emphasis on providing reliable electricity supply and safe drinking water to every village. Officials say the programme is designed to create inclusive growth by linking remote habitations with mainstream development.

Mission PoWaR focuses on coordinated efforts across departments to accelerate rural transformation, improve mobility, and enhance the quality of life for rural communities.

The initiative is expected to play a key role in strengthening rural Odisha’s infrastructure backbone while supporting long-term socio-economic development.