Archives March 2026

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.

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.

New Delhi, Mar 25: Innovatiview India Limited, announced the appointment of Mr. Satyajit Datta as the company’s new Senior Vice President – Business Development. Based at the company’s headquarters in Noida, Satyajit Datta will be responsible for leading strategic growth initiatives, expanding the company’s enterprise partnerships, and enhancing Innovatiview’s presence across key sectors.

Satyajit Datta is a highly experienced business development professional with over 23 years of experience across enterprise services, programme management, and strategic growth. He has held leadership positions at organizations including Aptech Limited, NSEIT Limited, and MeritTrac Services, where he has been responsible for developing and delivering enterprise businesses, managing large-scale operations, and leading high-value institutional partnerships. Satyajit’s areas of expertise include government and enterprise relationships, strategic partnerships, governance frameworks, and executing high-integrity, time-sensitive, and security-critical projects.

Satyajit Datta was most recently serving as the Senior Vice President Enterprise Business Group at Aptech Limited before joining Innovatiview. Satyajit holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science degree. He is also a Six Sigma Green Belt and has completed executive leadership programs in global service operations and performance.

Welcoming Satyajit on board, Ashish Mittal, Whole-time Director of Innovatiview India Limited, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Satyajit on board our leadership team. His experience and track record in enterprise business, government partnerships, and large service operations are highly relevant to our strategic vision and aspirations. We believe Satyajit’s leadership will prove critical in our growth journey and our overall position in the market.”

Speaking on his appointment, Satyajit Datta said,

“I am thrilled at the prospect of joining Innovatiview at a time when the company is registering robust growth and expanding its footprint in mission-critical services. I look forward to creating impactful partnerships and unlocking new opportunities, and contributing towards the company’s continued growth and success while strengthening our commitment towards operational excellence and customer trust.”

This appointment is in line with our long-term vision of scaling our enterprise business, strengthening our partnerships, and building leadership capabilities to drive growth and sustain our performance.

The Union government has launched Prakriti 2026, an international conference on carbon markets and climate action, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and global experts to discuss sustainable growth and emission reduction strategies.

The conference focuses on strengthening carbon market frameworks, improving global cooperation, and exploring innovative solutions to address climate change challenges.

It is being organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The event reflects India’s growing emphasis on clean energy transition and climate-responsible development.

Experts are expected to deliberate on policy improvements, market mechanisms, and ways to enhance transparency and participation in carbon trading systems.

Prakriti 2026 aims to support global climate goals while positioning India as a key contributor in shaping sustainable economic practices.

 Ritu Vijayvergiya, Co-Founder, 2.Oh! 

“Not just on Good Hair Day but every day, we should make an effort to follow a hair-care routine. The most effective and simplest to follow four-step ritual is to cleanse, nourish, protect and repair, in that order. The key to achieving the best results, however, lies in consistency. In addition, use a Tri-surfactant shampoo for a gentle yet effective cleanse without disrupting scalp balance and Argan oil-based masks to help restore moisture, softness and elasticity. For daily protection, Panthenol-infused leave-ins and styling products help retain hydration and minimise damage from heat and environmental stress. No matter which hair routine you choose, do it regularly so that you make your hair stronger and healthier from within and easier to manage over time.” 

Harish Rana, known as one of the first individuals in India to be permitted passive euthanasia, passed away on Tuesday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), bringing an end to a long and difficult chapter that spanned over 13 years.

Rana, 31, had been in a coma since 2013 following a severe medical condition that left him unresponsive. For more than a decade, his life was sustained through continuous medical care, largely managed at his home in Ghaziabad by family members who remained by his side through the prolonged ordeal.

Earlier this month, on March 14, he was shifted to the palliative care unit of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at AIIMS-Delhi as his condition required specialized end-of-life support. Medical teams provided comfort care during his final days.

Rana’s case had drawn attention for its legal and ethical dimensions, particularly around the issue of passive euthanasia in India. It highlighted the emotional and financial strain faced by families caring for patients in prolonged vegetative states, while also bringing focus to the need for compassionate end-of-life care policies.

Despite the legal and medical complexities surrounding his condition, at the heart of the story was a family’s unwavering commitment. For years, his loved ones continued to hope, care, and advocate, navigating both personal grief and public attention.

His passing marks not just the end of a life, but the conclusion of a deeply human story—one that sparked conversations about dignity, medical ethics, and the realities of long-term critical care.

Harish Rana is remembered not only for the circumstances of his case but also for the quiet resilience shown by those who stood beside him throughout his journey.

India’s sports industry has achieved a significant milestone, crossing the $2 billion mark for the first time, reflecting strong growth and increasing commercial potential. The sector expanded by 13.4% year-on-year to reach approximately $2.13 billion (Rs 18,864 crore), underlining its rapid evolution in recent years.

Over the past four years, the industry has nearly doubled in size, registering an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 19%. This steady rise highlights growing investments, expanding fan engagement, and the increasing commercialization of sports across the country.

Cricket continues to dominate India’s sports economy, contributing a massive 89% of the total revenue—an increase from 85% the previous year. With earnings of about Rs 16,704 crore, cricket alone now surpasses the total value of the entire Indian sports industry recorded just a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the share of other emerging sports has declined to 11%, indicating a widening gap between cricket and the rest of the sporting ecosystem. Despite efforts to promote disciplines such as football, badminton, and kabaddi, cricket’s overwhelming popularity and financial strength continue to drive the market.

The latest figures highlight both the success and the imbalance within India’s sports landscape. While the overall growth signals a positive outlook, experts believe there is a need to further support and invest in non-cricket sports to ensure more balanced and sustainable development across the sector.

New Delhi, India – Established in 1992, Affinity Salon has evolved into one of India’s most respected names in organized luxury beauty and grooming. With a legacy spanning over three decades, the brand is known for blending international standards of precision with Indian warmth and hospitality—creating salon spaces that are professional, consistent, and experience-led.

Since 2018, Affinity has undergone a significant transformation—moving beyond traditional salon operations to become a structured, technology-enabled beauty enterprise. The brand operates on standardized protocols, centralized training systems, and advanced consultation models, ensuring that each outlet delivers the same premium experience across locations. From AI-powered scalp and skin diagnostics to app-led consultations and data-driven backend systems, Affinity integrates science and technology into every layer of the customer journey.

Current Footprint and Expansion Plans

Affinity Salon currently operates 13 outlets across Delhi NCR and is set to launch 15 additional salons pan-India as part of its next growth phase. The expansion strategy is carefully structured, combining flagship formats with efficient boutique models to ensure scalability without compromising service standards.

The upcoming outlets will mark Affinity’s deeper entry into high-growth Tier 2 and emerging urban markets, where aspirational consumers are increasingly seeking organized, premium salon experiences backed by expertise and reliability.

Leadership & Spokesperson Profiles

At the helm of Affinity Salon’s strategic transformation is Vinit Dua, Chairman of Affinity Salon. Since assuming leadership in 2018, he has played a pivotal role in redefining the brand’s long-term vision and operational philosophy. With a focus on bringing structure and professionalism to an otherwise fragmented industry, Vinit has steered the company toward building a system-driven salon ecosystem that prioritizes consistency, skill development, and operational excellence.

Under his leadership, Affinity transitioned from a traditionally run salon business into a highly structured organization supported by standardized operating procedures, centralized training academies, and disciplined expansion frameworks. Vinit has been instrumental in introducing operational playbooks that ensure uniform service standards across locations, allowing the brand to scale while maintaining the same premium experience that customers associate with Affinity.

Beyond operational growth, Vinit has consistently emphasized the importance of education and talent development within the beauty industry. By strengthening Affinity’s training infrastructure and investing in skill-building initiatives, he has focused on nurturing a new generation of beauty professionals who can deliver global standards of service while maintaining the warmth and personalized care that define Indian hospitality.

His leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that true luxury in the beauty sector is not defined solely by ambience or aesthetics, but by the reliability of service, depth of expertise, and the ability to create a consistent experience for every customer. Through a disciplined approach to growth, Vinit has helped position Affinity as a brand that is not only expanding but also contributing meaningfully to the professionalization of India’s organized salon industry.

For Vinit Dua, this journey goes beyond business strategy—it reflects a broader vision for the industry’s future. “India deserves salon spaces that are as global in standard as they are grounded in Indian hospitality,” he says. “Our goal is not just to open more outlets, but to create more professionals, empower more entrepreneurs, and elevate beauty as a serious, respected industry across the country.”

Complementing this leadership is Siddhanth Dua, Chief Executive Officer of Affinity Salon, who represents the next generation of leadership driving the brand’s modernization. Taking on the role at a notably young age, Siddhanth has brought a forward-looking perspective to the organization, focusing on technology integration, data-driven decision-making, and scalable operational models.

Siddhanth has been instrumental in embedding innovation into Affinity’s core systems, helping transform the salon experience through technology-enabled solutions. His initiatives include the introduction of AI-powered scalp and skin diagnostics, digital consultation journeys, analytics-based performance tracking, and structured backend systems that allow the brand to monitor service quality and operational efficiency across locations.

He has also played a key role in developing scalable franchise and expansion frameworks that enable the brand to grow in a disciplined manner while maintaining its core standards. By combining technology with strong training programs and standardized processes, Siddhanth has helped ensure that every new Affinity outlet reflects the same level of professionalism, expertise, and customer experience that the brand has built its reputation on.