Archives April 2026

Kolkata, Apr 21(BNP): The spirit of Akshaya Tritiya continues to drive strong consumer sentiment in the jewelry market, with Bengalis embracing the occasion as a blend of tradition, emotion, and financial prudence. Known as one of the most auspicious days to purchase gold, the festival has once again sparked heightened activity across jewelry stores, with rising customer footfall reported citywide.

Gold purchases remain deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, symbolizing prosperity and long-term security. However, evolving consumer preferences—particularly among younger buyers—are reshaping the market dynamics. Increasingly, customers are exploring diamond jewelry as both a style statement and an investment option.

A key trend gaining traction is the rising popularity of lab-grown diamonds, which offer the same aesthetic appeal and quality as natural diamonds at a more accessible price point. This shift is broadening the consumer base for diamond jewelry beyond traditional high-income groups.

Commenting on the trend, Pratik Dugar, Head of Indian Gem and Jewellery Creations (Espeira), said:

“Lab-grown diamond jewelry has emerged as a highly attractive alternative for buyers today. It offers the same look and quality as natural diamonds but at a significantly more affordable price. As a result, not only the affluent but also middle-class consumers are now considering diamond jewelry purchases. On auspicious occasions like Akshaya Tritiya, many are showing interest in buying diamond jewelry for the first time.”

Market experts note that despite fluctuations in the broader economy, gold continues to retain its position as a trusted investment avenue. Simultaneously, the growing affordability and accessibility of diamonds—particularly lab-grown variants—are making them increasingly popular among new-age buyers.

As consumer behavior evolves, Akshaya Tritiya is no longer just a religious observance but a reflection of changing aspirations—where timeless tradition meets modern investment choices, and the brilliance of gold and diamonds reaches a wider, more diverse audience.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 21 (BNP): Bhavesh Patra has emerged as the top performer from Odisha in the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 examination, securing an outstanding All India Rank (AIR) 13, as per results announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Monday.

The examination witnessed strong competition nationwide, with over 11 lakh candidates appearing across India and abroad. A total of 26 students achieved 100 percentile scores in the exam.

The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 was conducted from April 2 to April 8 at 566 centres across 304 cities in India and 14 international locations. The provisional answer key was released on April 11, 2026, before the declaration of final results.

The achievement highlights Bhavesh Patra’s strong academic performance in one of the country’s most competitive engineering entrance examinations.

Mumbai, Apr 21: ASICS, the global Japanese sportswear brand, elevates its retail presence in Mumbai with the launch of its revamped Linking Road store. Located in one of Mumbai’s most prominent high-street retail destinations, the space brings a more refined and contemporary design language aligned with ASICS’ global standards and inspired by its philosophy of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’

The store defines the next generation of ASICS retail spaces, focusing on the brand’s commitment to innovation, design, and performance. Creating an immersive customer-centric retail experience, it features ASICS’ proprietary Foot ID technology, enabling customers to better understand their foot profile and make more informed footwear choices. It is designed to offer a seamless and intuitive shopping journey, with dedicated zones across Performance Running, SportStyle, Core Performance, and Apparel, enabling easy navigation and product discovery.

As part of its India expansion strategy, the brand continues to focus on premiumisation and deeper customer engagement.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia, said, “India continues to be a key growth market for ASICS, and Mumbai remains an important region for us. With the enhancement of our Linking Road store, we are further strengthening our commitment to delivering elevated and meaningful consumer experiences. Our focus is on creating retail spaces as experience centres that showcase our product portfolio and enable consumers to make more informed choices through innovation-led solutions. As we continue to expand our presence, we remain committed to bringing the best of ASICS to consumers across the country.”

ASICS currently operates over 137 stores across India and continues to expand its retail footprint, with a strong focus on key urban centres. The enhanced Linking Road store reflects the brand’s continued investment in elevating retail experiences and strengthening its connection with consumers in the country.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): Indian Railways has reaffirmed key travel provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), allowing them to travel in unreserved Divyangjan coaches in Mail and Express trains, provided they carry valid identification such as the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card. The clarification is part of the national transporter’s continued push toward more inclusive and accessible public transport.

The railways said the move aims to ensure smoother travel and better access for Divyangjan passengers across the network, particularly in long-distance train services where accessibility support is often essential.

 Focus on inclusive passenger support

As part of its broader accessibility initiatives, Indian Railways has introduced multiple welfare measures for PwDs. These include concessional fare benefits, availability of wheelchairs at major stations, battery-operated vehicles for assistance, and dedicated support services such as Yatri Mitra Sewa, which helps passengers requiring mobility assistance during boarding, travel, and deboarding.

Officials said these measures are designed to reduce travel barriers and improve the overall passenger experience for differently-abled travellers.

Comfort-focused berth allocation policy

In addition to accessibility upgrades, the railways has also strengthened its berth allocation system. It has permitted the reassignment of vacant lower berths to senior citizens, PwDs, and pregnant women, even if they were initially allotted middle or upper berths. The step aims to enhance safety, comfort, and ease of travel for vulnerable passenger groups.

Towards more inclusive rail travel

The initiatives reflect Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to make train travel more equitable and passenger-friendly. By combining accessibility infrastructure with supportive onboard and station services, the railways continues to move toward a more inclusive transport system that caters to the needs of all sections of society.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): Amazon Web Services has partnered with SHI India to accelerate indigenous artificial intelligence development under the IndiaAI Mission, aiming to expand access to advanced AI tools across government, enterprises, startups, and research institutions.

The collaboration will leverage AWS platforms such as Amazon SageMaker and Amazon Bedrock to simplify large-scale AI model training and reduce infrastructure complexity through automated and scalable cloud systems.

Officials said the initiative will help organisations build and customise large language models more efficiently, while supporting India’s push for digital self-reliance and AI innovation.

The partnership is expected to strengthen AI adoption across key sectors and support the development of locally relevant, scalable AI solutions in the country.

Hyderabad, Apr 21(BNP): Himalaya BabyCare, one of India’s most trusted baby care brands, loved by babies, has unveiled a new DVC for Himalaya Baby Massage Oil that brings alive a refreshing perspective on early childhood, reminding parents that being a baby is more challenging than it looks. The film celebrates the everyday effort babies put into growing stronger, while spotlighting the importance of daily massage as a nurturing ritual that supports their strength, development, and overall well-being.

The film unfolds from the charming perspective of a baby explaining how demanding it is to be a baby. While adults may believe babies simply rest all day, the narrative humorously highlights their busy routine–observing the world around them, learning new things, gaining weight, and even growing their first teeth. Through this playful storytelling, the film captures the idea that growing up is a full-time job for babies.

At the heart of the communication is Himalaya Baby Massage Oil, enriched with the goodness of natural ingredients including Ashwagandha and Bala, traditionally known to help support strength and overall well-being. The film positions daily massage as an essential part of a baby’s routine, helping nurture strength and support healthy growth from the very beginning.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr. N. V. Chakravarthi, Director BabyCare, Himalaya Wellness Company, said,

 “At Himalaya BabyCare, we believe that a baby’s growth is shaped by the everyday moments of care and bonding they experience. Baby massage is a time-honoured tradition that strengthens a baby physically, deepens parent-child bonding, nurtures the emotional connection and contributes to overall well-being. Through this DVC, we wanted to celebrate the power of a parent’s touch and reinforce how simple, consistent rituals like daily massage can play a meaningful role in supporting a baby’s strength and all-round development. With Himalaya Baby Massage Oil that is enriched with the goodness of time-tested natural ingredients, we continue our commitment to offering gentle, safe, and effective solutions that parents can trust for healthy growth and development of their babies.”

The DVC has been launched across digital and social media platforms to connect with parents across India. To further strengthen engagement and reach diverse audiences, the film has also been adapted into Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi, and Bengali. Through its relatable storytelling, the campaign reinforces Himalaya BabyCare’s promise of supporting a stronger, healthier start to life with the goodness of time-tested herb-enriched oil for the timeless tradition of daily massage.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): Precious metal prices edged lower in futures trade on Tuesday, with both gold and silver witnessing selling pressure amid weak global cues and profit booking by traders.

 Gold futures declined to ₹1,53,940 per 10 grams, reflecting a soft trend in international markets and reduced investor demand at higher levels.

Silver futures also slipped, falling by ₹946 to ₹2,51,599 per kilogram, as participants offloaded positions following recent gains.

Market analysts said the decline was largely driven by profit booking and cautious sentiment in global bullion markets, as investors assessed interest rate expectations and broader economic signals.

Overall, precious metals remained under pressure in the near term, tracking volatility in global financial markets.

 New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): Crude oil prices fell in futures trade on Tuesday, tracking weak global cues and concerns over excess supply in the international market.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), crude oil futures for May delivery declined by ₹154, or 1.88%, to ₹8,030 per barrel, with a trading volume of 4,226 lots.

Analysts said the fall was driven by selling pressure as traders trimmed positions amid subdued demand in the spot market. Expectations of ample global supply further weighed on sentiment, keeping prices under pressure.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is adopting a cautious, data-driven approach to interest rates amid global uncertainty triggered by the West Asia conflict, Governor Sanjay Malhotra said.

He noted that the region is important for India’s economy, accounting for major shares of crude oil imports, exports, fertilisers, and remittances, making the impact of disruptions significant.

Malhotra warned that prolonged supply shocks could lead to second-round inflation effects, where temporary price rises become more persistent in the economy.

He said the RBI remains in a “wait-and-watch mode”, with the Monetary Policy Committee maintaining a neutral stance and not committing to any specific rate path.

On the currency, he said the RBI intervenes to reduce volatility but does not target a fixed exchange rate. He also highlighted India’s strong foreign exchange reserves of around $710 billion, which provide a buffer against external shocks.

He further pointed to resilient domestic indicators, including strong digital transactions and improving fiscal metrics, as factors supporting overall economic stability.