Archives April 2026

New Delhi, Apr 11 (BNP): The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying hosted the Seafood Exporters Meet 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together government officials and industry stakeholders to strengthen India’s seafood export ecosystem and address key challenges affecting the sector.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The meeting, attended by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, focused on strategies to scale up exports, improve compliance standards, and expand India’s presence in global seafood markets amid shifting international trade conditions.

The minister highlighted that India’s seafood exports have continued to grow steadily despite global uncertainties, with strong performance in non-US markets. He stressed the need to further diversify export destinations, enhance product quality, and ensure strict compliance with global safety norms, including traceability systems and antibiotic regulations.

A key emphasis was placed on tapping high-value opportunities in deep-sea fishing and island-based fisheries, particularly in regions such as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The government also called for stronger cold-chain logistics, modern packaging, and increased value-added processing to reduce wastage and improve export competitiveness.

Officials outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen international outreach by working closely with Indian missions abroad and global trade partners. Institutions such as MPEDA, NABARD, and EIC are expected to play a larger role in capacity building, compliance support, and export facilitation.

Industry stakeholders raised concerns over high compliance costs, infrastructure gaps, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and delays in certification processes. They also called for greater support to inland fisheries, mariculture, and emerging sectors such as seaweed cultivation.

The meeting reflected a broader push to reposition India’s seafood sector as a high-value, globally competitive industry driven by innovation, diversification, and stronger global integration.

Apr 11 (BNP): Petrol and diesel prices in India remained largely unchanged on April 11, even as global crude oil markets continued to experience sharp volatility due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

International oil prices have been on an upward trend since the escalation of conflict in the region, rising significantly in recent weeks and briefly crossing the $100 per barrel mark. The spike has been driven by concerns over supply disruptions and tightening global energy flows.

Pic Credit: Pexel 

Despite the global pressure, Indian consumers have so far been shielded from immediate price hikes. This stability has been supported by government intervention, including adjustments in excise duty, aimed at cushioning the impact of rising crude costs and controlling inflationary pressures.

Among private retailers, Jio-bp confirmed that it does not plan to revise fuel prices in the near term. The company, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and BP Plc, stated that retail fuel rates will remain steady despite fluctuations in international oil markets.

Industry officials suggest that pricing decisions are being closely monitored in line with global trends, but for now, domestic fuel prices continue to remain insulated from external shocks.

New Delhi, April 11: Vijay Sales, India’s premier electronics retail chain, has announced the return of its much-anticipated Apple Days 2026 sale, scheduled to run from April 11 to April 16, 2026, across its 160+ retail outlets and online platform.

 The six-day shopping festival will feature exciting deals across the complete Apple ecosystem, including the latest iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, and wearables, offering customers a compelling opportunity to upgrade their devices with enhanced value and benefits.

A key highlight of the sale will be April 15, when Vijay Sales unveils special pricing on the wearable lineup, including the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen).

Going beyond conventional discounts, Apple Days 2026 brings together competitive pricing, attractive exchange offers, and exclusive ownership benefits, making it an ideal time for customers to invest in premium Apple technology.

Customers can avail instant discounts of up to INR 4,000 on leading bank cards, including Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and SBI, along with exchange bonuses of up to INR 10,000 on select products. Additional offers are also available across other major banks, including HDFC Bank, American Express, HSBC, RBL Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, Yes Bank, BOBCARD, and DBS Bank.

The sale features attractive pricing across the iPhone lineup, including iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, and previous-generation models such as iPhone 16 and iPhone 15. Similarly, the MacBook range—including MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro—will be available with significant discounts and exchange benefits.

Customers can also enjoy offers on iPads starting from INR 30,490, along with special pricing on AirPods and Beats audio products, making it a comprehensive upgrade opportunity across categories.

Sharing his thoughts on the announcement, Mr. Nilesh Gupta, Director, Vijay Sales, said:
“We are thrilled to introduce Apple Days 2026, a celebration that blends innovation with accessibility. Our goal is to ensure customers experience the best of Apple technology while benefiting from unmatched value through our exclusive offers and services.”

In addition to discounts, customers can benefit from the MyVS loyalty program, earning 0.75% loyalty points on purchases, redeemable across Vijay Sales stores and its e-commerce platform.

To further enhance value, Vijay Sales is offering exchange bonuses, special pricing on open-box and display units (available in limited quantities), and up to 20% off on AppleCare+ and Protect+ plans for extended device protection.

With a strong nationwide presence and a legacy of trust, Vijay Sales continues to redefine the electronics retail experience by combining premium products with customer-centric offerings. Apple Days 2026 stands as a testament to this commitment, bringing the best of Apple closer to customers across India.

 

New Delhi, Apr 11 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to social reformer Jyotirao Phule on his birth anniversary, recalling his transformative role in advancing equality, justice, and education in India.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/narendramodi

Highlighting Phule’s legacy, the Prime Minister noted his pioneering efforts in challenging social discrimination and uplifting women and marginalized communities through education and reform. At a time when societal barriers were deeply rooted, Phule’s work stood out as a powerful force for change.

Born in 1827 in Maharashtra, Phule dedicated his life to building a more inclusive society, firmly believing that education was the key to empowerment and social progress. His ideas not only shaped social reform movements in his era but continue to resonate strongly in modern India.

The tribute reflects the lasting relevance of Phule’s vision, reminding the nation of the importance of equality and justice in shaping its future.

MUMBAI, Apr 11 (BNP): In response to growing concerns over global energy supply disruptions, the Maharashtra government has directed city gas distribution companies to strengthen access to piped natural gas (PNG) across the state.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The move comes against the backdrop of the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has impacted global fuel supply chains and raised concerns over the availability of conventional fuels like LPG. To address potential shortages and ensure uninterrupted energy access, authorities have asked companies to launch round-the-clock helplines and expand customer service centres for faster processing of PNG connection requests.

Officials emphasized the need to widen outreach and upgrade infrastructure so that more households can transition to PNG, which is seen as a more reliable and efficient alternative during supply uncertainties.

The decision aims to ease pressure on traditional fuel supplies while improving convenience for consumers. By accelerating PNG adoption, the state hopes to build a more resilient and accessible energy network in the face of ongoing global volatility.

LUCKNOW, Apr 11 (BNP): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has outlined an ambitious roadmap to position the state as India’s leading deep-tech hub, calling for time-bound execution of key initiatives.

At a high-level meeting, he emphasized the need to accelerate development in advanced technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drones, green hydrogen, cybersecurity, and medical technology. These areas, he noted, are crucial for driving long-term economic growth and creating skilled employment opportunities.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

A major priority highlighted during the discussion was strengthening collaboration between industry and research institutions to ensure innovations move beyond labs and into large-scale applications. This approach is expected to help build a robust ecosystem capable of supporting cutting-edge startups and attracting global investment.

The strategy reflects the state’s broader vision of fostering innovation locally while scaling solutions for global markets. With a focused push and coordinated efforts, Uttar Pradesh aims to emerge as a key player in India’s next wave of technological advancement.

MUMBAI, Apr 11 (BNP): The Indian rupee gave up its early gains and ended the session weaker on Friday, declining by 32 paise to settle at 92.83 against the US dollar. The fall came as rising geopolitical tensions, particularly involving the US and Iran, weighed on market sentiment.

Currency markets remained volatile throughout the day, with traders navigating uncertainty linked to global developments. Additional pressure came from regulatory factors, as the deadline for the Reserve Bank of India’s directive limiting banks’ overnight foreign exchange positions to USD 100 million came into effect.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee initially opened on a stronger note but struggled to hold onto gains as demand for the dollar increased later in the session.

Forex dealers noted that a mix of external risks and policy-driven adjustments contributed to sharp intraday swings. The cautious mood in global markets further dampened confidence, leading to the rupee’s decline by the close.

Market participants are expected to closely monitor geopolitical developments and central bank actions, which will likely influence the rupee’s movement in the near term.