NMDC CMD Engages Panchayat Leaders in Dantewada for Inclusive Growth

Chhattisgarh, Apr 24: In a proactive step towards inclusive growth, NMDC Limited Chairman & Managing Director Shri Amitava Mukherjee, along with senior leadership, held a meeting with Panchayat heads from villages surrounding NMDC’s projects in Dantewada. The interaction focused on addressing grassroots concerns and strengthening support for local ecosystems.

More than a dozen sarpanches and their representatives from villages including Gumiyapal, Samalwar, Kalepal, Cholnar, Kadampal, Hiroli, Benpal, Kodenar, Madkamiras and Kutrem spoke of everyday challenges related to drinking water, road connectivity, healthcare, street lighting, sports facilities, and overall rural infrastructure. 

Senior leadership present at the meeting included Shri Krishna Kumar Thakur, Director (Personnel) along with senior project leadership including Shri K. Sreedhar Kodali, CGM (Mining), Bacheli Complex, and Shri Rabindra Narayan, Executive Director, Kirandul Complex. 

Addressing the gathering, the CMD emphasized NMDC’s role not only as a mining major but also as a responsible public sector enterprise committed to  uplifting the socio-economic fabric of our regions.  He noted that the company’s strength lies in the trust of the communities it serves, and that their concerns guide its actions while their progress defines its success. “We will work with these villages to turn them into self‑reliant settlements that reflect the spirit of Viksit Bharat,” he said.

Villagers near NMDC’s Bailadila mines expressed  happiness at the discussions on facilities like better water, roads, and healthcare. “Top leaders met us face-to-face, really listening to our requirements,” said a local Panchayat representative. This direct outreach by the company’s senior directors has instilled fresh hope for tangible change.

Shri Krishna Kumar Thakur, Director (Personnel) assured that NMDC will remain in constant dialogue with local communities and that the concerns shared in these interactions will directly guide upcoming development initiatives.

Since commencing operations in Bailadila in 1968, NMDC has played a pivotal role in advancing both industrial growth and regional development through its Bacheli and Kirandul complexes. Over the years, the company has emerged as a catalyst for economic and infrastructure development in Dantewada. As India’s largest iron ore producer, trust in NMDC runs deep in Dantewada, woven quietly over 68 years. Drinking water projects, roads, sports grounds, clinics are areas where NMDC has  brought changes. Today’s voices from the ground and grassroot concerns from tribals  will nudge them further, refining fixes in good ways.

Lucknow Emerges as an Education Hub: Edinbox Summit 2026 Sparks Meaningful Dialogue on Forensic Science, Skills, and Future Careers

Lucknow, Apr 24:

The Edinbox Regional Higher Education Summit 2026 concluded on a high note at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, bringing together a diverse mix of education leaders, university representatives, school principals, policymakers, and a large number of students for a day-long exchange of ideas and insights.

The summit served as a dynamic platform for discussions around key themes shaping the future of education, including higher education reforms, skill development, and the growing need for stronger industry–academia collaboration.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Adarsh Kumar, Director, Forensic Science Laboratories, who highlighted the urgent need to move beyond purely theoretical learning. In his address, he emphasized the importance of practical skills, research orientation, and a scientific mindset, pointing to forensic science as one of the fastest-growing and most promising career domains today.

Prominent dignitaries present at the event included Dr. A.K. Srivastava, Deputy Director, FSL Lucknow; Dr. T.P. Singh, Pro Vice Chancellor, Chandigarh University; Prof. Ujjwal K. Chaudhary, Pro Vice Chancellor, Techno India University and Editorial Advisor, Edinbox Communications; and Prof. (Dr.) Deepti Shukla, Principal, Samarpan Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Sciences, Lucknow.

A key highlight of this year’s summit was its strong focus on forensic science. Experts broke down complex concepts such as DNA profiling, digital forensics, toxicology, and fingerprint analysis into accessible insights, demonstrating how even the smallest scientific evidence can play a decisive role in solving complex cases. Discussions also delved into how scientific findings are effectively presented within the judicial system.

The summit featured multiple engaging sessions on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, the National Education Policy, creative career pathways, and skill-based learning. Special initiatives like the Regional Principals’ Meet, Academic Leadership Dialogue, and School–University Connect fostered meaningful conversations among stakeholders, while students benefited from direct career guidance through interactive sessions and counseling opportunities.

The event was hosted by RJ Puneet and Manisha, whose energetic presence kept the audience engaged throughout the day. Educators were also recognized for their contributions with the ‘Principal Award of Honor’.

Organizers expressed confidence that such platforms will continue to play a crucial role in guiding students toward informed career choices, bridging the gap between education and industry, and aligning the education system with the evolving demands of the future.

With Dhurandhar Marking Her Grand Arrival, Sara Arjun Steps Into The Spotlight Like Never Before In Femina’s April–May Issue

Having spent nearly two decades in front of the camera, Sara Arjun emerges as a force to watch in Femina’s April–May issue, stepping into a space that feels both earned and inevitable. From being one of Indian cinema’s most memorable child actors to starring opposite Ranveer Singh in Dhurandhar, one of the biggest films of recent times, Sara’s journey is a testament to persistence, craft, and evolution. 

Helmed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is a sprawling espionage epic that has captured attention for its scale and storytelling. Against this larger-than-life backdrop, Sara’s performance as Yalina Jamali stands out for its emotional depth and restraint. 

Speaking about how she approaches emotions in her performances, Sara shares, “If I have to show that I care, I’ve experienced the basic core of what care means to me. I just need to amplify it to the degree Yalina would feel it.” 

Looking back at her journey as a child actor, she says, “I’ve had a lot of fun doing all the performances that I’ve done. I revisited Deiva Thirumagal and I’m proud and quite happy with how I acted in it, considering I was only five!” 

On how she has always maintained emotional distance from her roles, she adds, “Even as a child, once I was through with a project, I would put effort into trying to forget about it, or at least not hold on to the emotions associated with it, and just move on.” 

Crediting her father for shaping her perspective towards acting, Sara shares, “I cannot imagine reaching anywhere without my father’s presence. He’s held my hand throughout. He considers acting a sacred art. The kind of value he has for it has been passed down to me.” 

Talking about her experience working with Ranveer Singh, she says, “Nobody will ever top Ranveer Singh as a co-actor. He really thinks it’s not his film; it’s everybody’s film… And he never let his seniority come off as superiority. It is just support.” 

As Dhurandhar continues to make waves globally, Sara Arjun emerges as a talent to watch, bringing together years of experience with a fresh, grounded perspective.

Find out more about Sara Arjun’s journey, her approach to acting, and her experience working on Dhurandhar in Femina’s April–May issue

Real Estate Sector Sees 63% Fall in Deal Value in Q1

New Delhi, Apr 24 (BNP): India’s real estate sector saw a sharp decline in deal value during the January–March quarter, even as transaction activity remained strong, according to a report by Grant Thornton Bharat.

The report said total deal value fell 63% to about $763 million compared to the previous quarter, largely due to the absence of large-ticket transactions that had boosted earlier numbers.

Despite the drop in value, the sector recorded healthy deal activity with 32 transactions during the quarter, making it the second-highest quarterly volume on record, just behind Q3 2025.

Analysts noted that the market continued to show interest in real estate investments, but the composition of deals shifted towards smaller and mid-sized transactions, leading to lower overall value.

The report highlighted that while investor participation remains steady, the lack of high-value deals significantly impacted quarterly totals.

Overall, the data suggests a more balanced but value-light phase for the sector, with sustained activity but cautious capital deployment.

Consumption Remains Growth Engine, Says FM Sitharaman; Calls for Policy Stability

Pune, Apr 24 (BNP): Domestic consumption continues to remain a key driver of India’s economic growth, and predictable policy support is essential to sustain the country’s GDP expansion momentum, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.

Speaking at an event organised by State Bank of India in Pune, the Finance Minister highlighted that strong consumer demand is helping the economy maintain steady growth despite global uncertainties. She emphasised the need for consistent and predictable policy measures to support long-term economic stability.

Sitharaman also said that a committee of bankers is currently examining whether banks should be allowed to enter exclusive tie-ups for distributing third-party financial products or move towards an open-architecture model that allows wider participation.

She further advised banks to maintain a strong focus on customer relationships and physical interaction, even as the sector rapidly expands its digital and global footprint.

The remarks underline the government’s emphasis on balancing digital transformation in banking with strong customer engagement and a stable policy environment to support sustained economic growth.

Markets Under Pressure as IT, Pharma Drag Indices Lower

Mumbai, Apr 24 (BNP): Domestic equity markets opened on a weaker note on Friday, tracking heightened global uncertainties and a mixed start to the Q4 earnings season, with selling pressure seen across key sectors.

 The Sensex declined around 400 points, or 0.51%, to trade near 77,263 in early deals, while the Nifty slipped about 100 points, or 0.41%. Broad-based weakness was observed in IT, financial services, and pharma stocks, while select buying in FMCG and chemicals offered limited support.

Heavyweights such as Cipla, Infosys, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, and ICICI Bank were among the top losers, dragging key indices lower.

Sectorally, the Nifty IT index fell over 1.5%, reflecting pressure on technology stocks amid global risk-off sentiment. Banking and pharma indices also ended in the red, while broader market sentiment remained cautious.

Market experts said volatility is likely to persist in the near term due to geopolitical tensions, crude oil price movements, and ongoing earnings announcements. They advised investors to remain selective and focus on fundamentally strong stocks during market corrections.

Analysts further noted that a sustained uptrend in the Nifty would require a decisive move above the 24,500 level, which could signal improved market sentiment and renewed bullish momentum.

On the global front, crude oil prices remained firm, with Brent trading near $107 per barrel and WTI around $97.6, adding to inflation and margin concerns for markets worldwide.

Asian markets showed a mixed trend, with Nikkei posting gains while Hang Seng and KOSPI traded in the red, reflecting uneven regional sentiment.

Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling streak for the fourth straight session, offloading equities worth ₹3,254 crore. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs), however, provided some support by purchasing shares worth ₹941 crore, helping to cushion broader losses.

Overall, markets remained sensitive to global cues, with investors closely tracking geopolitical developments and commodity price trends for near-term direction.

Shang Palace at Shangri-La Eros New Delhi presents An Exclusive Cantonese Showcase with Chef Liew from Shangri-La Taipei

New  Delhi, Apr 24: Shangri-La Eros New Delhi presents an extraordinary culinary moment at Shang Palace this April, as it welcomes Chef Liew Chin Fei, Executive Chef of Shang Palace, Shangri-La Taipei for an exclusive five-day Cantonese culinary showcase from 29 April to 3 May 2026.

Chef Liew is set to lead guests on a Contemporary Classics Cantonese journey. He spent years honing his skills at the Michelin-starred “Summer Palace” in Singapore. From the most fundamental tasks to mastering the essence of heat control, he built a rock-solid foundation.

To him, food is not merely a tool for sustenance; it is a universal language that transcends regions and connects hearts.

Chef Liew’s cooking philosophy is built upon three pillars: Ingredients, Temperature, and Timing. He emphasizes that the soul of Cantonese cuisine lies in Wok Hei (The breath of the wok). Every dish must be served piping hot to fully preserve its vitality and essence.

The signature dishes feature Shang Palace Signature Crispy Prawns with Mango Sauce, Wok-fried black cod with Black Truffle Sauce, Shang Palace Taiwan Signature Seafood Fried Rice, Wok-fried Lobster with Almond Flakes in Superior Soup, Stir-fried Champignon Mushroom Mixed Vegetables and Macadamia Nuts Served in A Pumpkin, Wok-Fried Glass Noodle with Minced Chicken, Brinjal Round and Morel Mushroom along with Avocado Cream with Dark Chocolate.

On his visit to New Delhi, Chef Liew shares “I dedicated countless nights to mastering the art of flame and stir-frying under Hong Kong masters. Seeing guests smile after tasting the soul of my dishes is my greatest motivation. Through this culinary exchange, I hope everyone can not only taste the excellence of Cantonese cuisine but also feel the sincerity and warmth behind every plate. I cordially invite all food enthusiasts to join me at Shang Palace to witness traditional craftsmanship elevated to new heights of modern luxury”.

Shang Palace becomes the setting for a dining experience shaped by legacy, precision, and a deeply rooted understanding of Cantonese cuisine. Guests are invited to engage with this expression through curated lunch and dinner experiences, available as both set menus and à la carte.