Ambuja Cements Empowers Self–Help Group Member in Ropar through Sustainable Livelihood Support

Punjab, 23 Feb:  Ambuja Cements, the 9th largest building materials solutions provider globally and part of the diversified Adani Portfolio as part of its CSR initiatives, has transformed the life of Kuldeep Kaur, a member of Guru Teg Bahadur Self-Help Group (SHG) from Ghanaouli village in Ropar district, through its sustained livelihood support initiatives.

Kuldeep, who belonged to a financially vulnerable family, faced severe hardships after marriage. With her husband earning ₹7,000 per month as a labourer and her son suffering from serious health issues, the family struggled to meet basic needs. In 2005, she joined the SHG and in 2008 began knitting training with support from Ambuja Cements, marking a turning point in her journey.

Despite personal challenges, she steadily developed her skills and established her own income-generating activity in knitting. Her earnings enabled her to secure proper medical treatment for her son, build her own house and support her daughter’s education in the medical stream.

Recognising her dedication, Ambuja Cements encouraged her to become a knitting trainer. Since then, she has trained women across 20 villages, opened a wool shop and distributes knitting orders among SHG members. During peak season, she earns up to ₹80,000 per month. Her journey stands as a testament to the impact of women empowerment and sustainable livelihood initiatives supported by Ambuja Cements.

Three Years, Stronger Every Year: How Sharada Mundada Built a Thriving Insurance Career with PBPartners

Bengaluru, Feb 23: Policybazaar’s PoSP arm, PBPartners, is enabling individuals across India to turn ambition into sustainable insurance careers. One such inspiring journey is that of Sharada Mundada from Bengaluru, a testament to three years of consistent growth, resilience, and determination.

She began her insurance journey with PBPartners, eventually evolving from a new advisor into a high-performing partner while building a solid presence in the industry.

Business Growth, Learning, and Recognition

Over the period of three years, Sharada has grown her business, supported by PBPartners’ integrated digital platform that streamlines product access, servicing, and renewals. She also participated in specialised training programs to strengthen her product understanding and business clarity. Her journey has been recognised through the PBP One loyalty program, where she redeemed multiple rewards and earned international travel opportunities to Dubai, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Building a Diverse and Trusted Insurance Portfolio

Sharada began her journey with a focus on health insurance and gradually expanded into multiple insurance segments. With access to a wide pool of insurers through PBPartners, she was able to offer tailored solutions to customers across categories, helping her strengthen client relationships while expanding her business reach. This flexibility enabled her to build credibility and position herself as a reliable insurance advisor.

Support and Future Outlook

Sharada describes her journey with PBPartners as both independent and well-supported. She shared, “The PBPartners team and my Relationship Manager have always provided dependable support while allowing me the independence to grow my business in my own way.”

With a strong foundation in place, she now looks forward to expanding her reach further and exploring new opportunities with PBPartners.

Climate Jobs Fair Connects Climate Startups with Young Talent at DCIW 2026

New Delhi, Feb 23: Day Two of Delhi Climate Innovation Week (DCIW) 2026 witnessed 19 events across Delhi NCR, as part of the week-long platform featuring 110+ climate-focused events over seven days. 

A major highlight of the day was the Climate Jobs Fair 2026, hosted at TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS) in collaboration with Climate Collective Foundation (CCF). The fair brought together climate technology-focused startups, students, researchers, and young professionals for a day dedicated to green careers and workforce readiness.

Participating startups represented sectors including clean energy, energy efficiency, mobility, AI, grid intelligence, circular economy, and waste management. Startups engaging with talent at the fair included KHEONI, Valency Energy, TRILLECTRIC, and 3R Zerowaste Pvt Ltd, among others. About 100+ job seekers engaged with the startups and spot interviews were conducted across the day.

Beyond recruitment interactions, the Climate Jobs Fair featured sustainability games, a climate quiz, resume-building sessions, and direct founder–student networking. The event positioned itself not merely as a hiring drive but as a structured career exploration platform, connecting young people to the expanding climate innovation ecosystem.

India’s climate innovation landscape has expanded significantly in recent years, with nearly 4,000 clean tech startups now active across the country — a sharp rise from just a few dozen a decade ago. Yet, a gap persists between emerging opportunities and awareness among youth. The Climate Jobs Fair aimed to address this mismatch by creating direct pathways between climate enterprises and aspiring professionals.

Prof. Suman Kumar Dhar, Vice Chancellor, TERI School of Advanced Studies, said: “At TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS), we are committed to nurturing the next generation of ‘sustainability natives.’ The Climate Jobs Fair 2026 is a vital bridge between academic excellence and real-world impact. The future of work is undeniably green. As a pioneer in sustainability education and research, TERI SAS recognizes that solving the climate challenge requires a highly specialized and dedicated workforce. This jobs fair serves as a catalyst for innovation, connecting talented minds with organizations that are at the forefront of climate action. TERI SAS in collaboration with Climate Collective Foundation (CCF) is proud to provide a platform where education meets opportunity, driving the systemic change needed for a sustainable and equitable planet.”

Jui Joshi, Partner, Climate Collective Foundation, added: “Less than a decade ago, climate careers were seen as niche. Today, they are central to India’s growth story. With India’s green economy booming and projected to create 48 million full time jobs by 2047, a large portion of this will be led by fast-growing startups transforming climate goals into a massive employment reality. The climate transition is creating real businesses and real jobs across sectors. The Climate Jobs Fair aims to support startups in building the right talent pipeline during their crucial phase of growth. It makes these opportunities visible and accessible — showing young people that climate is not just impact work, it is a serious and rewarding career path.”

The event also saw participation from school students exploring future academic streams, as well as Masters and PhD scholars seeking internships and placements. Faculty leaders from TERI SAS emphasised the importance of building early exposure at school level while strengthening forward linkages into industry — reinforcing academia–industry collaboration.

Also on Day Two of DCIW, an event titled “Building Climate-Ready Talent: Data and AI Pathways for Climate Action” was hosted by data.org, spotlighting the growing importance of data science and artificial intelligence in climate action. The session explored how data-driven tools are strengthening heat risk and vulnerability mapping, supporting climate finance and Loss & Damage evidence, and enabling informed local climate planning. Through an interactive engagement format, participants explored learning pathways in data-driven climate careers, further reinforcing the central theme emerging from the day: India’s climate transition requires not only technology and capital, but skilled, interdisciplinary talent. 

Surya Brasil Accelerates India Expansion after 30% growth in the US; Launches New Hair Care Range

New Delhi: Feb 23:Surya Brasil, the Brazilian clean beauty brand known globally for its natural henna-based hair colour solutions, has announced the expansion of its product portfolio in India. The company aims to further reinforce and amplify its flagship Henna Cream while introducing a wider range of hair care and treatment products tailored for the Indian market.

With a presence in over 40 countries, Surya Brasil is strengthening its focus on key growth markets including India, supported by increased investments in marketing and trade engagement to deepen reach and visibility.

The expansion builds on Surya Brasil’s strong growth momentum in the United States, where the brand recorded 30% growth last year and outpaced the hair colour category by 16 percentage points, according to NielsenIQ data. This performance reflects rising consumer preference for natural and clean beauty alternatives.

The timing aligns with the rapid growth of the global natural cosmetics industry, which is projected to reach USD 74 billion by 2028. Increasing consumer awareness around ingredient transparency and sustainability is reshaping buying behaviour in India, particularly in the hair care segment. Surya Brasil’s expanded range aims to serve both professional salons and conscious consumers looking for effective, plant-based alternatives.

“At Surya Brasil, we have always believed that what you apply to your hair and skin matters,” said Clelia Angelon, Founder and CEO of Surya Brasil. “India has been an inspiration to us through Ayurveda, and expanding our portfolio here feels both strategic and meaningful.”

As part of its expansion, Surya Brasil is introducing a broader portfolio of complementary hair care and treatment products designed to create a complete clean beauty routine. The new additions include The Color Fixation line, The Hair Therapy range, The Balanced Cleansing Shampoo, The Nourishment & Protection conditioner, Brazilian Vegetable Keratin, The Force line and The Bio Finishers range. Henna Clean and Henna Force further extend the brand’s offering with treatment-focused solutions aimed at improving scalp health and strengthening hair from root to tip.

The flagship product Henna Cream remains at the centre of Surya Brasil’s India strategy. Formulated with up to 98% natural ingredients, the product offers full grey coverage while nourishing and strengthening the hair. Free from harsh chemicals such as ammonia and its by-products, including ethanolamine and triethanolamine, as well as PPD, Surya Brasil is aiming for a considerable market penetration in the natural hair care category with this flagship product.

With manufacturing headquartered in São Paulo and operations in Houston and Milan, Surya Brasil brings international quality standards and long-standing clean beauty credentials to the Indian market. The company says it remains committed to ethical formulations, responsible sourcing, and long-term investment in the region.

Hon’ble Dr Justice (Retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, President of GSTAT, inaugurates the GSTAT Summit in Hyderabad

GSTAT is designed to provide a transparent, efficient and fully digital platform for GST appeals, says President, GSTAT

Hyderabad, Feb 21,: Hon’ble Dr Justice (Retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, President of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), inaugurated a half-day Summit on GST Appellate Tribunal in the city on Saturday.

 Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, he observed that multiple lakh appeals are expected to be filed before June 30, 2026, the notified cut-off date for filing appeals before GSTAT.

 Creating awareness about the newly operational tribunal, Justice Mishra said that GSTAT is a specialised appellate body that hears disputes related to GST and functions as the second appellate authority in the GST dispute resolution mechanism.

 The operationalisation of GSTAT marks a transformative step in India’s indirect tax dispute resolution framework. It is designed to provide a transparent, efficient, and fully digital platform for addressing GST-related appeals, he said.

 He further urged taxpayers and practitioners not to wait until the last moment to file appeals.

 With a significant number of appeals expected before the June 30, 2026 deadline, I strongly advise taxpayers and professionals to file well in advance. Early filing will ensure smoother processing and avoid unnecessary hardship, he said.

 Explaining the appellate framework, he stated that under the GST Act, if a taxpayer is aggrieved by an order passed by a GST Officer, an appeal can first be filed before the First Appellate Authority. If still dissatisfied, the taxpayer can approach GSTAT.

 Prior to GSTAT becoming operational, taxpayers had to approach High Courts directly after the first appeal, which led to delays and increased litigation costs.

 Justice Mishra noted that GSTAT will handle tax demand disputes, Input Tax Credit (ITC) issues, refund claims, penalties, classification disputes, and interpretation of GST provisions. The tribunal offers a structured technical and judicial forum, speeds up dispute resolution, and reduces the burden on High Courts.

 He informed that the system is transparent, paperless, and fully online, with appeals to be filed electronically through the designated GST portal.

 Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the summit, Justice Mishra observed that the proposed simplification under GST 2.0 could potentially reduce litigation in the long run.

 He earlier inaugurated the summit in the presence of several luminaries from the GST regime, R Ravi Kumar, KK Maheshwari, Srinivas Garimella, and the office bearers of the FTCCI

 The operationalisation of the GST Appellate Tribunal marks a defining moment for the business and professional community. A structured and specialised appellate forum like GSTAT strengthens confidence in the GST framework by ensuring timely and expert resolution of disputes. As industry stakeholders, we welcome this development and encourage businesses and tax professionals to understand the procedures thoroughly and make proactive use of the system. FTCCI remains committed to creating platforms that bridge policymakers, administrators, and industry for a more transparent and efficient tax ecosystem, said R Ravi Kumar, President of FTCCI giving his welcome address

 The summit was organised by the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) at Hyatt Place, Banjara Hills.

 Titled “GSTAT: Navigating the New Era of GST Litigation,” the summit was conducted in the backdrop of the formation and operationalisation of GSTAT.

 Members of GSTAT from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh participated in the programme, along with senior officials and experts from GSTN and the State GST Department.

 In his opening remarks, Mohd. Irshad Ahmed, Chair, GST & Customs Committee, FTCCI, said that the summit was organised at a crucial juncture in the GST framework.

 “With GSTAT becoming operational, it marks a significant step in strengthening the GST dispute resolution mechanism. The programme aims to equip professionals and businesses with clarity and practical insights into the functioning and procedures of the newly formed appellate body,” he said.

 The half-day summit featured technical sessions on the structure and functioning of GSTAT, a practical walkthrough of the GSTAT e-filing system by experts from GSTN/NIC, and a panel discussion involving senior tax practitioners, legal experts, and departmental officials on emerging challenges and best practices in GST litigation.

 Over 250 participants attended the summit, including Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, Cost Accountants, Advocates, tax practitioners, business executives handling GST matters, and finance professionals.

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