Archives April 2026

Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (BNP): Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi from Odisha’s Ganjam district has made history by becoming the first woman officer in India to be appointed as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to a state Governor, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the Armed Forces.

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

Her appointment as ADC to the Governor of Mizoram reflects a breaking of long-standing barriers in military protocol roles, traditionally held by male officers, and highlights the growing inclusion of women in key leadership responsibilities within the defence services.

The historic moment gained further visibility when she participated in the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on January 3, 2025, symbolising her active role in high-level constitutional and ceremonial duties.

Selected from a Ministry of Defence shortlist, she took charge of the ADC position in Aizawl on November 29, 2023, after being chosen over other eligible officers, underscoring her professional capability and merit-based selection.

Hailing from Berhampur in Ganjam district, Squadron Leader Padhi comes from a defence-oriented family. Her father, a retired Honorary Flying Officer, played an important role in inspiring her journey towards the armed forces.

She completed her engineering education at C.V. Raman College of Engineering in Bhubaneswar before joining the Indian Air Force after clearing the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). Commissioned in December 2015 under the 46 Short Service Commission (Women) Ground Duty Course, she specialised as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC), a role that demands precision, discipline, and quick decision-making.

Her journey from a small town in Odisha to a prestigious ceremonial and operational role in the Air Force stands as an example of growing opportunities for women in uniformed services and the evolving face of leadership in India’s armed forces.

Mumbai, April 16 (BNP): The Indian rupee strengthened in early trade on Thursday, appreciating by 6 paise to 93.27 against the US dollar, supported by easing crude oil prices and a softer American currency.

The domestic currency opened at 93.29 per dollar at the interbank foreign exchange market and later firmed to 93.27 in early deals.

Market sentiment was buoyed by a decline in global crude oil prices, which remained below the USD 95-per-barrel mark. Expectations of easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia also contributed to improved investor confidence.

However, forex analysts noted that the rupee’s gains were limited due to continued dollar demand from importers and sustained foreign fund outflows, which kept pressure on the currency.

Traders also pointed out that stability in global energy prices provided some support to domestic equities, although broader macroeconomic factors continued to influence currency movements.

Overall, the rupee’s movement reflected a mix of positive global cues and persistent domestic demand for the US dollar, resulting in a narrow range of gains in early trade.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (BNP): A high-level secretaries’ review meeting was held on Wednesday at Kharavel Bhavan, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, to assess departmental performance for March, review ongoing governance initiatives, and strengthen digital monitoring systems through the ‘Uplabdhi Portal’.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/_anugarg 

The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, along with senior officials including Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners, and departmental Secretaries. Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan joined virtually and presented a detailed update, while IAS probationers of the 2024 Odisha cadre batch participated as part of their administrative training exposure.

At the outset, the Chief Secretary reviewed key departmental achievements recorded in March and evaluated progress across sectors through performance-based indicators. She stressed the importance of real-time monitoring and data-driven governance using the ‘Uplabdhi Portal’ to improve accountability and efficiency in implementation.

She appreciated the Skill Development and Technical Education Department for Odisha’s strong performance in the India Skills 2025–26 competition and commended officials for the successful completion of the “Ganati-Manati” exercise related to the Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple.

The meeting also reviewed the citizen outreach programme “Ame Janiba Ama Budget,” aimed at enhancing public awareness of budget provisions. It was decided to continue and further strengthen such initiatives. The Finance Department and Information & Public Relations Department were acknowledged for effectively taking budget-related information to the grassroots level.

Officials informed that participation on the i-GOT Karmayogi Bharat platform under the “Sadhana Saptaha” initiative has increased from 95 per cent to 98 per cent. The Chief Secretary appreciated the Gopabandhu Administrative Academy for its role in improving training participation across departments.

The Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture was also praised for the successful statewide observance of “Odia Pakhya,” along with other departments that contributed to its smooth execution.

The meeting concluded with directions to further strengthen digital governance, improve inter-departmental coordination, and enhance performance tracking through the Uplabdhi Portal to ensure more efficient service delivery across the state administration.

Delhi, Apr 16: Cohoma Coffee, a speciality coffee roaster and machine manufacturer raises ₹5 Crore in seed round from Inflection Point Ventures and Swishin VC. The fund will be deployed to accelerate international expansion and scale up the manufacturing capabilities. 

Cohoma Coffee offers one of India’s widest ranges of home-brewing specialty coffee products, all designed to be prepared in under a minute without the need for specialized equipment. Built on a fully integrated model, the company manages the entire coffee experience in-house from sourcing beans directly from across India, Africa, and South America, enabling access to a diverse and differentiated range of coffees, including rare naturally infused varieties and roasting beans and manufacturing its own brewing machines. 

Commenting on the Investment, Vinay Bansal, Founder & CEO IPV says, Cohoma Coffee has built a differentiated brand in India’s fast‑growing specialty coffee market by managing the entire experience end‑to‑end sourcing, roasting to machine manufacturing. Their equipment‑free brewing range and naturally flavored coffees address a clear consumer need for convenience without compromising quality. With a strong repeat customer base and expanding footprint, we are excited to back Cohoma as they scale internationally and continue to redefine coffee experiences for Indian consumers.”

 The brand has introduced naturally flavoured coffees made without added sugar or preservatives, grind-on-demand café kiosks in premium modern trade stores, where customers can explore over 15 coffee options with live assistance to find their ideal brew. Cohoma is a category leader across key retail chains such as Nature’s Basket and Le Marche. 

Cohoma has built a strong omnichannel presence across retail, e-commerce, and partnerships with hotels, corporate offices, cafes, multiplexes and provides turnkey coffee solutions for the hospitality sector ensuring quality coffee is always within reach. Its strong focus on quality and consistency has resulted in a customer repeat rate of over 90%. 

The B2B coffee segment in India has traditionally been dominated by established players such as Nescafé and Café Coffee Day in the mass market, and Nespresso in the premium category.

Cohoma is reimagining this landscape through a differentiated three-tier strategy, spanning B2B (offices and hospitality), retail (airports and malls), and D2C (at-home consumption), enabling a seamless and consistent coffee experience across multiple consumer touchpoints. 

Paritosh and Kanika Birla, the founders of Cohoma coffee, bring complementary strengths to the business. Paritosh draws on his experience in retail and brand management, having held leadership roles at Unilever and Lenskart, and holds degrees from IIM Bangalore and the Tuck School of Business. Kanika brings deep expertise in consumer behaviour, finance and consulting, having worked with global organizations across finance, public health, strategy, and consumer insights. She holds degrees from the London School of Economics and SRCC.

Kanika Birla, founder, Cohoma Coffee says “At Cohoma, our mission has always been to make high-quality specialty coffee accessible without the complexity usually associated with it. By managing everything from roasting to machine manufacturing in-house, we ensure that a fresh, naturally flavored cup is possible in under a minute, whether you are at home, in the office, or on the go. This investment will allow us to further enhance our manufacturing capabilities and expand our international presence, while continuing to focus on delivering the perfect end-cup experience for our customers across India and beyond”.

The Indian coffee market is valued at over $2 billion and growing at 12-14% a year, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing. A big part of this is being driven by changing tastes among 18 to 35-year-olds, who are increasingly reaching for coffee over tea as their everyday drink. Interestingly, a similar shift is also taking shape among the 45-plus crowd, signaling that this isn’t just a trend limited to younger consumers.

Most people start their coffee journey with instant, but there’s a clear and steady move toward better-quality roasted coffee. The roasted coffee market is expected to become the market’s largest segment by 2030, which puts Cohoma Coffee in a strong position as consumer preferences continue to evolve.

New Delhi, Apr 16 (BNP): The Government of India has stepped up efforts to expand access to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) as part of a broader strategy to promote cleaner energy usage and reduce reliance on conventional fossil fuels, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).

Under the ongoing expansion programme, around 4.40 lakh PNG connections have been commissioned since March 2026. In addition, nearly 4.88 lakh new consumers have registered for PNG connections, reflecting strong and growing adoption across regions.

The rapid scale-up is being supported by a structured policy framework aimed at improving execution efficiency and accelerating infrastructure rollout under the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network.

A key enabler of this progress is the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026, which introduces time-bound guidelines for infrastructure development and streamlines implementation across authorised geographical areas.

Officials noted that the initiative is part of India’s long-term clean energy transition strategy, aimed at improving household access to cleaner fuel alternatives while strengthening the country’s energy distribution network.

The continued expansion of PNG infrastructure is expected to play a crucial role in reducing dependence on more polluting fuels and supporting India’s broader environmental and energy security goals.

Gujarat, Apr 16 (BNP): India’s clean energy sector received a boost as Adani Wind commissioned a 5 MW wind turbine prototype at Mundra, marking a significant step in domestic renewable energy innovation.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The prototype is among the largest wind turbines developed in India and is expected to enhance power generation efficiency while lowering the cost of wind energy. The project reflects the company’s focus on building advanced, locally manufactured renewable energy solutions.

Located in Gujarat’s key renewable energy hub, the Mundra facility will serve as a testing ground for next-generation wind technologies before large-scale deployment. The development aligns with India’s broader push to expand its renewable energy capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Industry observers note that larger turbine capacities can generate more electricity per unit, improving project viability and accelerating the country’s transition toward clean energy.

New Delhi, Apr 16 (BNP): India’s gem and jewellery exports saw a slight decline in FY26, as global trade challenges and tariff pressures weighed on demand. However, the industry showed resilience by expanding into new markets and adapting to changing conditions.

Pic Credit: Pexel 

Exports during the year stood at $27.72 billion, reflecting a modest drop compared to the previous year in dollar terms, even as rupee earnings remained broadly stable.

The slowdown was largely due to weaker demand from the United States, where higher tariffs and policy uncertainties affected export volumes. At the same time, ongoing geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in global markets added to the pressure on the sector.

Despite these challenges, Indian exporters made steady progress in diversifying their reach. Markets such as the UAE, Australia, Hong Kong, and Canada emerged as important growth drivers, helping offset declines in traditional destinations.

Trade agreements with countries like the UAE and Australia supported this shift, making it easier for exporters to access new opportunities. While some geopolitical tensions in West Asia impacted momentum toward the end of the year, overall demand from these regions remained encouraging.

The industry is also witnessing a gradual shift in product demand. While certain segments like cut and polished diamonds faced pressure, others such as silver and platinum jewellery gained traction, reflecting changing global consumer preferences.

Experts believe that this phase marks a transition for the sector, with a stronger focus on market diversification and value-added products. Looking ahead, potential trade deals with regions like the UK and the European Union could further support growth and help the industry regain momentum.