22, Apr 2026
Tesla Expands India Journey with New Model YL and Stronger Service Network
Mumbai, Apr 22 (BNP): Tesla has announced the launch of its second offering in India, the Model YL, a three-row, six-seater electric SUV .
The launch marks a significant step in Tesla’s India expansion, aimed at meeting the growing demand for premium electric vehicles with greater space and versatility.
In addition to expanding its product portfolio, Tesla will strengthen its service and body shop network across cities including Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. The company is also enhancing its charging infrastructure along major highways to support seamless intercity travel.
Commenting on the development, Sharad Agarwal, General Manager, Tesla India, stated that the company is committed to improving accessibility and delivering a superior ownership experience through expanded infrastructure and customer support.
Tesla’s continued investments underscore its long-term commitment to the Indian market and its role in advancing the transition to sustainable mobility.
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- By Neel Achary
22, Apr 2026
India’s Seafood Exports Cross INR 72,325 Crore in FY26, Driven by Shrimp Demand and New Market Growth
Apr 22 (BNP): India’s seafood exports have crossed ₹72,325.82 crore in FY26, supported by strong global demand for shrimp and continued diversification into new international markets.
Industry data indicates that shrimp remains the dominant export segment, contributing the largest share of overall seafood shipments. Improved aquaculture practices, better quality control, and expanding export linkages have further strengthened India’s position in global seafood trade.
Exporters have also benefited from gradual diversification beyond traditional markets, with increasing demand emerging from newer destinations across Asia, the Middle East, and select Western regions. This shift has helped cushion the sector against regional trade fluctuations and price volatility.
Despite global supply chain challenges, India’s seafood industry has maintained steady growth, supported by advancements in cold chain infrastructure, processing capacity, and compliance with international standards.
Trade experts note that sustained investment in aquaculture and market expansion strategies will be key to maintaining export momentum in the coming years, especially as global demand for seafood continues to rise.
The sector’s performance underscores its growing importance in India’s agricultural export basket and its contribution to rural livelihoods, particularly in coastal states.
22, Apr 2026
Chardham 2026: Helicopter Operator Warns of Rising Booking Scams
Apr 22 (BNP): As the Chardham Yatra 2026 season gets underway, a Dehradun-based helicopter operator has alerted pilgrims about a rise in fraudulent booking activities targeting devotees planning helicopter travel to Himalayan shrines.
The operator has reported an increase in fake websites, impersonated travel agents, and misleading social media promotions offering guaranteed or discounted helicopter bookings for routes including Kedarnath. These scams, officials say, are particularly active during the early phase of the pilgrimage season when demand is high.
In response, the operator has released a free safety advisory guide aimed at helping pilgrims identify authentic booking channels, avoid advance-payment frauds, and verify authorised service providers before making reservations.
The advisory emphasises that helicopter services for the Chardham circuit are strictly regulated and bookings should only be made through verified and official platforms. Pilgrims have been urged to exercise caution and avoid unverified online offers.
Tourism stakeholders note that such fraudulent activities tend to spike during peak pilgrimage periods due to heavy demand and limited service slots. Authorities are expected to step up awareness efforts to protect devotees and ensure safe travel arrangements.
With increasing pilgrim turnout expected in 2026, officials have also highlighted the need for stronger digital vigilance and public education to curb scam networks targeting religious tourism.
22, Apr 2026
India Faces Food Inflation Risks Ahead of Kharif Season
Apr 22 (BNP): India could witness emerging food inflation risks ahead of the Kharif agricultural season, even with significant government support measures in place, including subsidies valued at approximately USD 18.6 billion, according to a senior economist from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The outlook is influenced by disruptions in global supply chains, particularly those linked to geopolitical tensions affecting critical maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. These disruptions have contributed to volatility in the movement of essential commodities and agricultural inputs.
While domestic policy interventions and subsidy mechanisms continue to provide stability to the agriculture sector, external supply-side pressures remain a key concern for price control and market equilibrium.
The FAO economist noted that maintaining food security will require a combination of strong domestic production, efficient supply chain management, and close monitoring of global trade dynamics.
Authorities are expected to remain vigilant to ensure price stability and protect consumer interests during the upcoming agricultural cycle.
22, Apr 2026
Les Roches Launches SPARK Start-Up Summit to Shape the Future of Hospitality
April 22: Les Roches has unveiled the SPARK Start-Up Summit, a new platform aimed at exploring the evolving dynamics of hospitality, travel, and customer experience. The inaugural edition, held from April 15–17, 2026 at its Crans-Montana campus, brought together startups, industry experts, researchers, and professionals to examine the intersection of technology, human experience, and sustainability in the sector.
Designed as a forward-looking forum, the three-day summit featured startup pitches, keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, with a strong focus on applied research and Swiss innovation. The event underscored a shared industry perspective that hospitality is entering a transformative phase driven by artificial intelligence, data, and changing customer expectations.
A key theme across discussions was the role of AI as an enabler rather than a replacement for human interaction. Speakers highlighted that successful implementation of AI in hospitality depends on reliable data, relevant use cases, and a deep understanding of guest expectations. Carlos Díez de la Lastra noted that the initiative aims to balance innovation with the fundamentally human nature of hospitality, while preparing future leaders to navigate this evolving landscape.
The summit also addressed broader industry challenges, including data governance, experiential luxury, and sustainability. Experts emphasized the need for transparent data practices, locally rooted hospitality models, and a shift from minimizing negative impact to creating positive value for communities and ecosystems.
Strengthening ties with Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem was another key highlight, with participation from Switzerland Innovation Park Network West EPFL and IDIAP Research Institute, reinforcing collaboration between hospitality and advanced research networks.
The start-up competition recognized four ventures—Agimus Technologies, Grill, Noah Journey, and GuestPulse—across multiple award categories. These awards provide incubation support, ecosystem access, and go-to-market opportunities, helping accelerate innovation within the hospitality sector.
SPARK is envisioned as a long-term initiative, creating a collaborative platform for experimentation, dialogue, and real-world application of ideas shaping the future of hospitality. A second edition of the summit has already been announced for February 2027.
With this launch, Les Roches positions itself at the forefront of hospitality innovation, fostering a new generation of leaders equipped to integrate technology, sustainability, and human-centric experiences.
22, Apr 2026
Dr Ishita Joshi Wins ‘NariFirst Jewel of India Season 3’ Award
Apr 22 (BNP): Indore-based gynaecologist Dr Ishita Joshi has been awarded the prestigious NariFirst Jewel of India Season 3 title, recognising her contributions to women’s healthcare and community awareness initiatives.
The award was presented in the presence of Malaika Arora, who felicitated the winners for their achievements and impact across diverse professional fields.
Dr Joshi was selected for her dedication to advancing women’s health services and her efforts in promoting awareness around reproductive health and maternal care. Her work has been acknowledged as a significant contribution to both clinical practice and social outreach.
The NariFirst Jewel of India initiative celebrates women achievers from across India in sectors including healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, and public service. Season 3 of the platform continued its mission of recognising impactful women leaders who are driving change in society.
The recognition underscores the growing importance of women professionals in shaping India’s healthcare landscape and community development efforts.
22, Apr 2026
India Real Estate Hits Record Dollar 5.1 Billion Inflows in Q1
Apr 22 (BNP): India’s real estate sector has achieved a historic milestone, recording approximately $5.1 billion in investment inflows during the first quarter (January–March), marking its strongest quarterly performance to date.
The growth was primarily driven by robust participation from domestic investors and the expanding role of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which are increasingly channeling capital into income-generating commercial assets.
Investment activity remained concentrated in key urban centres, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR, with strong interest in office spaces, mixed-use developments, and core real estate assets.
The sector continues to demonstrate resilience amid global economic uncertainties, supported by strong domestic demand, institutional confidence, and evolving investment structures.
Experts highlight that the rising dominance of domestic capital reflects a structural transformation in India’s real estate market, moving toward a more stable, transparent, and institutionally driven investment ecosystem.
With REITs gaining further traction and investor appetite remaining strong, India’s real estate sector is expected to maintain steady growth momentum in the coming quarters.
22, Apr 2026
India–Sweden Collaboration Strengthens Industrial Decarbonization Efforts at ISIA Workshop in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, April 22:The India–Sweden Innovations Accelerator (ISIA) successfully hosted its 27th workshop with the Swedish cleantech delegation in Hyderabad bringing together key industry leaders, technology providers, and sustainability experts to accelerate the deployment of innovative clean technologies in India.
The India–Sweden Innovations Accelerator (ISIA) is Sweden’s flagship bilateral initiative with India to drive cleantech and green energy collaborations. Supported by the Swedish Energy Agency and implemented in partnership with Business Sweden and CII–Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, the program facilitates the entry of Swedish cleantech companies into India while enabling Indian industries to adopt globally proven sustainable technologies and deploy these at scale.
The 27th workshops in Hyderabad was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) through the CII–Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (CII-GBC), in collaboration with the Swedish Energy Agency and Business Sweden.
The event witnessed participation from 40 leading Indian companies, along with 7 leading Swedish cleantech companies, showcasing cutting-edge solutions across sectors such as energy efficiency, smart grids, IoT-enabled systems, clean mobility, advanced industrial material, resource optimization and many more.
Since its inception, the ISIA program has emerged as a cornerstone of bilateral cleantech collaboration, having:
- Introduced 80+ advanced clean technologies to the Indian market
- Enabled 250+ pilot and commercial projects across sectors
- Facilitated 50+ industry partnerships
- Supported the establishment of 7 local subsidiaries
- Engaged with over 1,500 Indian stakeholders
The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Gaurav Maheswari, Vice Chairman, CII Telangana and Managing Director, Signode India Limited, who emphasized that the global sustainability agenda has shifted decisively from commitments to implementation. He highlighted the growing demand within Indian industry for scalable, cost-effective, and deployable solutions to achieve decarbonization goals.
In the theme address, Mr. Pawan Tahlani, Head – New Delhi, Business Sweden, underlined the strong alignment between India’s rapidly growing energy needs and Sweden’s strengths in clean technologies, calling for deeper industry collaboration to accelerate the green transition. Highlighting India and Sweden’s shared vision for a Green Future leading opportunity in India’s energy transition and how this program can serve as a collaboration model for accelerating the transition.
Mr. Edgar Darbinyan, representing the Swedish Energy Agency, reinforced Sweden’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that enable large-scale deployment of sustainable technologies. Emphasised on how Swedish Energy Agency helps in promoting Cleantech Swedish companies and help India in its journey to energy transition through bilateral collaboration programs like ISIA and Lead IT 2.0 program.
In the concluding remarks, Mr. K. Muralikrishnan, Principal Counsellor, CII-Green Business Centre, emphasized that the transition to sustainability now requires execution at scale, supported by proven technologies and strong industry partnerships. He encouraged participants to translate discussions into actionable collaborations and pilot deployments.
The workshop featured a series of technical presentations from companies including Candela, ECAPS, Lixea, Waltero, Plexigrid and Affectus. The event also showcased success cases, including industry collaborations such as Krahn Specialty Fluids & Metalex Cryogenics Limited, followed by interactive sessions and discussions. Swedish companies presented innovative solutions tailored to India’s industrial and energy transition needs.
A key highlight of the event was the focused B2B meetings, enabling direct engagement between Swedish technology providers and Indian industry representatives to explore pilot projects, partnerships, and long-term collaborations. The ISIA platform continues to play a pivotal role in bridging global innovation with India’s industrial ecosystem, reinforcing both nations’ shared commitment to sustainable growth, industrial decarbonization, and a low-carbon future.
22, Apr 2026
Odisha Steps Up Safety Measures for Census 2027 Enumerators Amid Field-Work Risks
Apr 22 (BNP): The Odisha Government’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department has issued a fresh advisory to district collectors and municipal commissioners, stressing enhanced safety protocols for enumerators engaged in the first phase of Census 2027—the houselisting and housing census exercise.
The field operation, which began on April 16, 2026, and will continue till May 15, 2026, involves door-to-door surveys across the state to collect data on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets owned by families.
The advisory comes after reports of multiple incidents during fieldwork in different districts, including a suspected health-related death of an enumerator in Subarnapur, a missing enumerator case in Mayurbhanj, heat-related illness and minor accidents in Balasore, and a road accident in Rourkela.
In view of these concerns, the department has directed local administrations to strengthen on-ground monitoring, ensure real-time tracking of field staff, and take preventive steps to reduce exposure to heat and other operational risks. District authorities have also been asked to identify vulnerable areas and ensure quick medical response wherever required.
Officials have further been instructed to sensitise enumerators on safety guidelines, particularly given the physically demanding nature of door-to-door data collection and prevailing weather conditions.
The advisory underscores the state’s focus on balancing the efficiency of the nationwide census exercise with the safety and well-being of frontline field workers.
22, Apr 2026
Centre Approves New Rail Line to Boost Connectivity in Odisha’s Mining Belt
Apr 22 (BNP): The Central Government has approved a new railway project to strengthen connectivity in Odisha’s mineral-rich Rayagada district. The Cabinet has sanctioned the Gunupur–Therubali new rail line, a 73.62 km route aimed at improving transportation infrastructure in one of the state’s key mining regions.
The project, estimated at a cost of around ₹1,362 crore, is expected to enhance regional mobility and provide more efficient and reliable rail services. It will connect important industrial and mining zones, improving the movement of both passengers and freight.
Officials noted that the new rail corridor will play a significant role in supporting economic activity in southern Odisha by improving access to remote areas and strengthening logistics efficiency for the Indian Railways network.
The development is also expected to contribute to long-term regional growth by enabling smoother transportation of resources, boosting local connectivity, and integrating the region more effectively with broader economic corridors.
