Archives April 2026

Colombo, Apr 20 ( BNP):  Vice President of India C P Radhakrishnan held discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on Sunday, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation, including a proposed India–Sri Lanka energy link.

According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, both leaders discussed the idea of a cross-border oil pipeline, which could serve as a key component of future energy connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.

The talks also covered a wide range of issues aimed at deepening the multifaceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka. These included cooperation in housing development projects, energy security initiatives, and long-standing concerns related to fishermen from both countries.

Officials noted that several India-led initiatives already underway were reviewed during the meeting, along with new proposals aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration. The proposed energy corridor was highlighted as a significant step toward strengthening long-term strategic and economic ties.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, reflecting the shared vision of stable and forward-looking relations between the two South Asian neighbours.

The discussions are expected to pave the way for closer coordination on infrastructure, energy, and people-centric development initiatives in the coming years.

Jhargram, West Bengal,Apr20(BNP): In a notable and candid moment during his election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled stop at a roadside jhalmuri stall in Jhargram, adding a local flavour to a day packed with rallies across the state.

During his visit to College Mor, the Prime Minister interacted warmly with the vendor, enquired about the price, and insisted on paying for the popular snack despite initial reluctance from the seller. He was also seen sharing jhalmuri with children and supporters present at the spot, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

The spontaneous gesture, captured on camera and widely shared on social media, drew positive reactions from locals and supporters. Such interactions are seen as part of the Prime Minister’s broader approach to connect with people through culturally relatable moments, especially in regions that hold significant political importance.

The brief pause amid a hectic campaign schedule blended local culinary culture with public engagement, further amplifying its impact beyond the immediate gathering.

Kolkata, Apr 20: Tribe Amrapali, the distinguished brand of handcrafted silver jewellery known for its modern interpretations of India’s cultural heritage, has unveiled its 38th store at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. Located at Terminal 2, the new store marks a significant step in the brand’s continued expansion across key cultural and travel hubs in India.

A city that thrives on layered histories, artistic expression, and an enduring appreciation for craft, Kolkata offers a natural resonance with Tribe Amrapali’s design philosophy. From its legacy of literature and fine arts to its evolving contemporary culture, the city embodies a dialogue between the past and the present, much like the brand itself. With this new outpost, Tribe Amrapali brings its India-modern aesthetic into a space defined by movement, discovery, and cultural exchange.

Airports today serve as more than transit points; they are intersections of stories, identities, and inspiration. Positioned within this dynamic environment, the store becomes an invitation for travellers to engage with jewellery that carries the essence of India’s craft traditions, reimagined for the global, modern wearer.

Designed in line with the brand’s signature aesthetic, the store is both intuitive and immersive, balancing functionality with storytelling. The space houses a thoughtfully curated selection of Tribe Amrapali’s most distinctive pieces, from bold silver earrings and layered necklaces to stackable rings and versatile gifting options. The offering is designed to appeal to a wide spectrum of travellers, whether seeking statement keepsakes or everyday expressions of style, with the curation evolving in response to regional nuances and customer preferences.

Speaking on the launch, Akanksha Arora, CEO, Tribe Amrapali, said,

“Kolkata has always held a unique cultural depth and creative energy that aligns beautifully with our design ethos. The response to our first store at the airport encouraged us to expand further within this space. Airports bring together a diverse and curious audience, and this format allows us to present our collections in a way that feels both accessible and meaningful, especially for those discovering the brand for the first time, often through gifting or pieces that travel effortlessly across occasions.”

Rooted in India’s rich artisanal traditions and shaped by a contemporary design language, Tribe Amrapali continues to create jewellery that is expressive, versatile, and deeply narrative-led. Each piece reflects a balance between heritage and modernity, designed not just to be worn, but to be experienced.

With this launch, Tribe Amrapali strengthens its growing footprint across premium retail and travel destinations, furthering its vision of taking India-modern jewellery to a wider, global audience—one journey at a time.

~A birthday cake that turns every slice into a beauty giveaway~

Mumbai, Apr 20: This April, Nykaa turned its birthday celebration into an unmissable on-ground experience at Bandstand Promenade. Bringing its signature playfulness and consumer-first approach to life, Nykaa unveiled a giant birthday cake installation from April 18 to 19, 2026, inviting Mumbai to quite literally take home a slice of beauty.

Set against the iconic seafront, the installation transformed the promenade into a beauty-first celebration zone. Engineered as an interactive, gamified experience, the cake went beyond a visual stunt. Beauty lovers could pull out a slice of the cake, each designed as a gift box filled with curated beauty goodies, with the surprise element built into every slice. This playful “pick your slice” mechanic brought alive Nykaa’s core proposition of discovery, surprise and delight, in a format that was both experiential and shareable. In true birthday spirit, Nykaa flipped the script: “It was Nykaa’s birthday, but the gifts were for you!”

More than just a visual spectacle, the activation was designed to spark organic conversations both on-ground and online. With its picture-perfect design and interactive mechanic, the cake doubled up as a social-first moment, encouraging consumers to celebrate, share and engage with the brand in a fun, memorable way.

Conceptualised as a phygital extension of Nykaa’s birthday campaign, the installation acted as a powerful bridge between offline engagement and online commerce. While consumers could show up and claim their slice of beauty in person, the celebration did not stop there.

For those who could not make it to Bandstand, Nykaa’s Birthday Sale is also live till April 21 across the app and website, bringing exclusive deals, offers and surprises directly to consumers nationwide.

With this activation, Nykaa continued to push the envelope on experience-led marketing, turning a brand milestone into a high-energy, consumer-centric celebration that blended content, community and commerce seamlessly.

New Delhi , Apr 20 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attended the ceremonial reception held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in honour of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, marking the beginning of his official state visit to India. The visit underscores the growing strength of the India–South Korea relationship and reaffirms both nations’ commitment to deepening their Special Strategic Partnership.

President Lee Jae Myung was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full state honours, including a guard of honour, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and senior dignitaries. The reception highlighted the importance India places on its diplomatic engagement with the Republic of Korea.

The visit comes at a crucial time when both countries are seeking to expand cooperation across key sectors such as trade, advanced manufacturing, defence, semiconductors, digital technologies, and clean energy. It also reflects a shared vision for building resilient and diversified global supply chains.

Following the ceremonial reception, President Lee is scheduled to pay tribute at Rajghat and hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening economic collaboration, enhancing investment opportunities, and advancing cooperation in emerging technologies.

Both sides are also likely to explore expanded partnerships in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, and green energy transition, along with efforts to further boost bilateral trade and private sector engagement.

The visit includes participation from leading business representatives, reinforcing the strong economic dimension of the India–South Korea relationship and highlighting growing opportunities for industrial and technological collaboration.

This high-level engagement marks an important milestone in India–South Korea relations and sets the stage for a more dynamic and future-oriented partnership in the years ahead.

International SOS Launches Psychological Support Sessions to Strengthen Employee Resilience Amid Ongoing Middle East Conflict

April 18: International SOS, the world’s leading medical and security risk mitigation services company, announced the launch of Psychological Support Sessions, a structured, expert-led wellbeing programme designed to help organisations across India and the region provide meaningful, immediate, and scalable psychological support to employees impacted by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Since the escalation of conflict, International SOS has been providing 24/7 on-the-ground support across the region, managing over 4,540 cases, supporting more than 1,390 client organisations, and coordinating the evacuation of over 1,370 people by land and air. Through regular security briefing webinars and continuous alerts, International SOS has kept organisations informed and operationally prepared throughout the crisis.

What this sustained response has made clear is that operational readiness, while essential, is only part of the picture. Organisations across India many with significant workforce exposure across the Middle East are confronting a parallel and equally urgent challenge: the psychological toll of prolonged conflict on employees who may never set foot in a conflict zone yet carry the weight of uncertainty, anxiety, and disrupted focus every day.

Psychological Support Sessions is International SOS’s direct response to this need, extending its crisis support model from the physical to the psychological, and enabling organisations to fulfil their Duty of Care in full.

“Organizations across India and the region are grappling with a reality that no wellness policy alone can address: their people are carrying the weight of sustained crisis – as employees, as parents, as human beings. Psychological Support Sessions exist to meet that need with clinical rigor and practical immediacy. This is not an add-on to Duty of Care; it is Duty of Care in action.” Jérôme Le Jehan, Managing Director Consulting International, International SOS

Programme Overview

Psychological Support Sessions is delivered over six weeks, comprising six 30-minute expert-led sessions clinically designed and facilitated by qualified psychologists with direct experience in crisis environments. Sessions are recorded for ongoing access, making them practical for employees across time zones, seniority levels, and roles.

Core topics covered include:

•Regaining a sense of control in uncontrollable situations

•Managing information overload and constant news exposure

•Sleep disruption and recovery strategies

•Supporting parents, caregivers, and vulnerable family members

•Coping with prolonged uncertainty

•Managing the ‘double load’ of personal impact while supporting others

Designed for Organizations That Need:

•Practical wellbeing support for employees living in, deployed to, or psychologically impacted by the Middle East conflict

•A visible, proactive expression of Duty of Care that extends beyond operational security

•Structured support for employees, their families, and caregivers

•A credible, expert-led alternative to ad hoc wellbeing communications

•Guidance on managing stress, uncertainty, sleep disruption, and information overload at scale

 

Mumbai, Apr 20 (BNP): Indian equity markets witnessed a choppy session on Monday, with early gains quickly fading as caution gripped investors.

The BSE Sensex opened on a firm note, rising over 200 points in initial trade, while the Nifty 50 also advanced, reflecting a positive start to the day.

However, the upward momentum proved short-lived. As trading progressed, both indices turned volatile and slipped into negative territory. The Sensex erased its gains to trade lower, while the Nifty also dipped, indicating a shift in market sentiment.

The volatility comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and increasing crude oil prices, factors that tend to weigh heavily on investor confidence. Elevated oil prices can fuel inflation concerns and impact corporate profitability, prompting a more cautious approach in the markets.

Overall, the session reflected a fragile balance between optimism and uncertainty, as investors remained sensitive to global developments influencing domestic market trends.