Archives 2026

Milestone Gears Limited (“the Company”) filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), on November 18, 2025. The company has received SEBI’s nod to raise funds through an offer of equity shares (face value ₹2 each) via an Initial Public Offering (IPO) aggregating up to ₹1,100 crore.

The offer comprises a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to ₹800 crore (the “Fresh Issue”) and an Offer for Sale (OFS) by selling shareholders aggregating up to ₹300 crore.

Milestone Gears is a manufacturer of high-precision, complex engineered transmission components with applications across multiple sectors, including tractors, construction equipment, electric vehicles (EVs), locomotives, windmills, and other heavy industries. The company supplies its products to Indian and global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers, including their affiliated entities.

Between April 1, 2022, and June 30, 2025, the company supplied products to more than 50 customers, including all the top nine OEMs in the tractor sector in India (Source: 1Lattice Report), and has established long-standing relationships with the majority of them.

The equity shares proposed to be offered through the Red Herring Prospectus are intended to be listed on BSE Limited (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE).

JM Financial Limited, Axis Capital Limited, and Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers (BRLMs) to the issue.

Disability is not inability. If your mind is strong, your body will follow: Arpita Roay,  a double amputee Yoga trainer

Hyderabad, Mar 6: The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) hosted a special programme titled “SheRise – Give to Gain” to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday at the FTCCI Surana Auditorium, Federation House, Hyderabad.

Organised by the FTCCI Ladies Wing Committee, the event aimed to recognise the achievements of women leaders and foster meaningful conversations around leadership, entrepreneurship, resilience, and inclusive growth.

The programme featured inspiring personal journeys of grit and determination.

One of the keynote speakers, Arpita Roy, a double amputee yoga instructor working with Amazon, as well as a yoga instructor with one of the Yoga Academies in the city shared her story of extraordinary courage and indomitable willpower. Though she hails from West Bengal, she lives in the city since 2019 at Hafeespet.

“I have no legs, but no limits,” she said while narrating her inspiring journey.

Never ask Why me? — instead ask ‘What next?’ Life is about moving forward with courage, she said.  Disability is not inability. If your mind is strong, your body will follow.I want young girls to know that no obstacle is bigger than your dreams, she said speaking to 150 plus audience. 

Arpita can bend her body like a rubber band and perform yoga postures that even regular gym-goers find difficult — yet she has no legs.

Despite losing both legs in a scooter accident in 2007, she performs advanced Hatha Yoga asanas, including a perfect headstand, proving that determination can overcome any physical limitation. She now works as a yoga instructor at a yoga school in the city.

Sharing her emotional journey, Arpita said that initially she did not feel the impact of losing her legs as strongly as she did when she experienced society’s indifferent attitude towards differently-abled individuals.

“I never asked ‘Why me?’ But when society least cared about people like us, that is when it hurt the most,” she said.

Arpita now walks with the help of artificial limbs. Having lost her parents, she lives independently in Hafeezpet, occasionally receiving support from close friends.

“I am not different from others — I am differently abled. But it is still difficult to make ends meet,” she shared.

She expressed her aspiration to dedicate herself fully to yoga training and motivational speaking.

“I want to visit schools and colleges to share my journey and inspire young girls,” she said.

Another speaker, Keerthi Priya Odapalli, Founder and CEO of Koh! Foods, shared her entrepreneurial journey. Koh! Foods is a Telangana-based brand offering healthy vegetable powders and mixes designed to make urban diets more nutritious.

Hailing from a small village in rural Telangana, Keerthi completed her B.Pharm from BITS Pilani and later earned an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. Her story inspired the audience of over 150 attendees.

Inspired by her mother, who used to send dehydrated vegetable powders while she was working in the corporate sector, Keerthi identified a clear entrepreneurial opportunity.

With financial support through the Stand Up India scheme and a ₹50 lakh debenture under Startup India, she established a 6,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.

Koh! Foods procures fresh vegetables and converts them into powders using electrical dehydration technology. The company’s product range includes Spinach Powder, Beetroot Powder, Carrot Powder, and Dehydrated Tomatoes.

Leaving behind a corporate career, this IIM graduate now works alongside her mother to build a brand focused on 100% residue-free products, targeting ₹1 crore in revenue and beyond.

The event also featured an interaction session with Keerthi Priya Odapalli and Rohini Deepthi Natti, Co-Founder of Koh! Foods, where they shared deeper insights into their entrepreneurial journey.

Harika Varma, Global Technology Leader and Serial Entrepreneur, shared insights from her professional journey marked by innovation, leadership, and perseverance.

Smt. Uma Devi Chigurupati, Executive Director of Granules India Limited, attended the event as the Chief Guest.

She emphasised that despite technological progress and economic development, women still face many challenges.

“There is a need to celebrate Women’s Day because women must be recognised for their strength and contribution. If given equal opportunities, women often outperform men in many areas,” she said.

She also shared her inspiring personal story of participating in marathons with her husband across seven continents, including Antarctica, despite having no previous running background.

“A fit woman in the family means a fit family. Everyone must prioritise fitness and lead an active lifestyle,” she added.

R. Ravi Kumar, President of FTCCI, spoke about the theme ‘Give to Gain.’ “Give whatever you can without expecting anything in return. The moment you expect returns, the purpose of giving is lost. Every human being has strengths and something valuable to contribute,” he said.

Dr. Tasneem Shariff, Chairperson of the FTCCI Ladies Wing Committee, highlighted the importance of women’s participation in economic growth.

“According to a United Nations study, if women participate in economic activity at the same level as men, the global economy could grow 26% faster,” she noted.

A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Tasneem Shariff, Co-Founder of The Diplomatic Club, featured prominent speakers including Rashida Adenwala (TiE Hyderabad), Vinita Surana (Surana Group), Bobby Azmeera (Telangana’s first tribal woman pilot), Sheetal Mondkar (Founder, Asvira Consulting), and Radhika Yuvraj (Country Director, Women in Tech India).

K.K. Maheshwari, Senior Vice President of FTCCI, and Srinivas Garimella, Vice President of FTCCI, also graced the occasion and addressed the gathering.

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu to Speak at Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi; To Highlight Technology-Driven Governance and Position AP as Global Innovation Hub

Amaravati, Mar 6: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will address a high-level session at the prestigious Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi tomorrow, where he will speak on the theme “Technology, Governance & the Future.”

The Raisina Dialogue is widely regarded as India’s premier global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, bringing together heads of state, ministers, policymakers, industry leaders, academics and strategic thinkers from across the world. Organized annually by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Dialogue has emerged as one of the most influential policy forums globally, often compared to platforms such as the Munich Security Conference and Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue.

The 2026 edition of the Dialogue is being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with participation from global leaders, senior policymakers and technology innovators from across continents.

During his address, Chief Minister Naidu will speak about the transformational role of technology in governance, drawing on Andhra Pradesh’s experience in deploying digital tools for public service delivery, real-time governance, and data-driven policy making.

He is also expected to outline Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to emerge as a global destination for innovation, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure, highlighting initiatives such as the state’s push for AI ecosystems, data centers, clean-energy manufacturing, and next-generation technology corridors.

Chief Minister Naidu, widely recognized for his pioneering role in integrating technology with governance in India, is expected to emphasize how technology-enabled governance can accelerate economic growth, enhance transparency, and improve citizen services at scale.

The session will bring together international policymakers, technology leaders and strategic experts to discuss how governments worldwide can leverage emerging technologies to address complex governance challenges while shaping the future of economic growth and global cooperation.

Naidu’s participation at the Raisina Dialogue underscores Andhra Pradesh’s growing engagement with global policy conversations and its ambition to position the state as a forward-looking hub for innovation, technology and investment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Amazon India Signs MoU with Army Women’s Welfare Association to Boost Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Women from Military Families

Bengaluru, Mar 6: On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, Amazon India announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Army Women’s Welfare Association to expand entrepreneurship opportunities for women from Army families. The partnership aims to support hundreds of women entrepreneurs associated with AWWA in launching and scaling their businesses on Amazon marketplace Amazon.in by 2029.

The announcement was made during Amazon’s annual ElevateHER event, a platform dedicated to celebrating and supporting women entrepreneurs and professionals. Through the collaboration, women entrepreneurs registered with AWWA—including spouses of serving Army personnel, veterans’ spouses, Veer Naris, and widows—will receive structured support to build sustainable online businesses and reach customers across India.

As part of the initiative, Amazon will provide onboarding support and training on e-commerce and marketplace best practices. Entrepreneurs will also gain access to Amazon’s fulfilment and logistics network, enabling them to efficiently manage and deliver products to a nationwide customer base. Their products will be showcased through the Amazon Saheli storefront, which promotes women-led businesses across the country.

The Amazon Saheli program provides entrepreneurs with comprehensive support, including training sessions covering key aspects of online selling such as inventory management and customer experience. Participants also receive assistance with product photography, cataloguing, and access to analytics tools and business reports that help them make informed business decisions. These capabilities empower entrepreneurs to focus on innovation, product development, and brand growth.

Commenting on the collaboration, Sunita Dwivedi, President of AWWA, said

“We are excited to work with Amazon and help our members turn their entrepreneurial aspirations into sustainable, scalable businesses. Through this MoU, we aim to create new opportunities for women from Army families. We hope this collaboration will enable them to pursue entrepreneurship with greater confidence and connect with customers across the country.”

Deepti Varma, Vice President, PXT, Amazon Stores India, Japan and Emerging Markets, added,

“We are honoured to partner with AWWA to support women from military families in pursuing entrepreneurship opportunities. At Amazon, we are committed to providing access to markets and the support needed to build sustainable businesses online. Through this collaboration, women entrepreneurs will be able to access Amazon.in along with structured onboarding and guidance to help them establish and grow their business.”

ElevateHER 2026 Event Highlights

ElevateHER 2026 brought together women professionals and leaders for meaningful discussions on career growth and leadership. More than 150 participants engaged in small-group mentoring sessions with Amazon leaders, focusing on emerging sectors such as AI, fintech, and technology-driven careers.

The event also featured a fireside chat on “Navigating Career Resilience” with acclaimed actor and author Kalki Koechlin alongside Deepti Varma. Additionally, fintech entrepreneur Aly Hajiani conducted a workshop on financial independence, sharing insights on managing finances and building financial confidence.

Aye Finance, India’s leading NBFC specialising in micro-enterprise lending, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2025-26. Building on the momentum of its recent successful IPO, Aye reported robust year-on-year (YoY) growth across its key performance indicators, driven by deep penetration into India’s “missing middle” MSME segment.

Business Highlights Q3FY26

• 35% YoY Growth in Disbursement from INR 973 Crores to INR 1310 Crores
• 23.5% YoY Growth in AUM from INR 5145 Crores to INR 6356 Crores
• 41,015 new borrowers added in Q3FY26
• Branch network growth by 9% YoY from 523 to 571 branches

Financial Highlights Q3FY26

• Profit After Tax (PAT) grew 87.1% YoY from INR 23 crore to INR 43 Crore, resulting in RoA of 2.4% and RoE of 9.74%
• GNPA was 4.94%, and NNPA was 1.98%
• Four quarters of continuous reduction in Credit Cost, which stood at 4.67% in Q3FY26.
• Credit Rating: A (Stable) by ICRA & India Ratings

Financial Highlights: 9M FY26

•Total income increased by 18.54% YoY to INR 1282 crore

•Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at INR 108 crore

Commenting on the performance, Mr Sanjay Sharma, Managing Director, Aye Finance Ltd, said,

“Our Q3 results demonstrate the resilience of the micro-enterprise sector and our ability to bridge the credit gap for underserved businesses. Disbursals are accelerating, and we remain firmly on track to deliver the 29-30% AUM growth in FY26 and beyond. With asset quality improved to normalised levels, we have cleared the runway for a sharp, sustained uptick in profitability over the coming quarters. Our focus remains on sustaining this trajectory through disciplined underwriting and a customer-centric approach enabled by technology & data science”

Hisar | March 6, 2026

A three-day PM Vishwakarma Exhibition-cum-Trade Fair opened on Friday at Aggrasen Bhawan near Green Square Market in Hisar, providing traditional artisans with a platform to showcase and sell their products directly to customers. The exhibition is being organised under the PM Vishwakarma initiative of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, and will run from March 6 to March 8, 2026.

The event was inaugurated by Srinivas Goyal, Vice Chairman of the Vyapari Kalyan Board, Hisar, in the presence of Rachna Tripathi, Assistant Director, MSME Development Office, Bhiwani, and Sanjeev Chawla, Additional Development Commissioner, MSME Development Office, Karnal, along with other dignitaries and participating artisans.

Addressing the gathering, Goyal said that India’s artisans and craftspeople continue to preserve the country’s cultural heritage through their skills and products while adapting to modern market demands. He appreciated the efforts being made by the Government of India to empower traditional artisans through targeted schemes and institutional support.

₹13,000-crore scheme to strengthen traditional artisans

The PM Vishwakarma scheme aims to strengthen traditional artisans and craftspeople through a range of measures, including skill upgradation, toolkit support, credit facilitation, and marketing assistance. The Government of India has earmarked ₹13,000 crore for the scheme for the period 2023–24 to 2027–28.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Chawla said the main objective of the exhibition is to provide a strong market platform for traditional artisans and craftspeople, enabling them to sell their products directly to customers without intermediaries. He added that such initiatives aim to link traditional skills with business opportunities, thereby enhancing artisans’ income and improving their overall livelihoods.

50 stalls showcase traditional crafts

The exhibition features 50 stalls displaying products made by beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma scheme. Participating artisans include potters, tailors, cobblers, masons, goldsmiths, and garland makers, as well as craftspeople engaged in making dolls, mats, baskets, and toys.

During the exhibition, artisans will also receive guidance on selling their products through online platforms, helping them expand their reach beyond local markets and access digital marketplaces.

Among the dignitaries present at the event were Sadhu Ram Bansal, Ravindra Jangra, and Pradeep Sharma.

The exhibition is being coordinated by the MSME Development Office, Bhiwani, which is facilitating participation of beneficiaries under the PM Vishwakarma scheme and supporting efforts to connect traditional artisans with wider markets.

To support the participants, the government has provided free stalls to all beneficiaries taking part in the exhibition, along with complimentary tea and meals during the event.

The three-day exhibition will continue until March 8, offering visitors an opportunity to explore a wide range of handcrafted products from artisans across the region. The fair highlights traditional craftsmanship while helping artisans connect with wider markets under the PM Vishwakarma initiative.
Sh. Rahul Dhingra, Director of the firm ADKMAKERS which is the implementing agency for this event told us that any conscious effort is made to link these artisans with prospective business buyers and a separate training is organised for marketing, branding and labeling efforts to bring uniformity and consistency in products. A detailed catalogue is beingbprepared and sent to various galeries and life style stores for better placing of these products.

Sony SAB’s mythological saga Gatha Shiv Parivaar Ki – Ganesh Kartikey now moves into one of its most intense phases as the story builds to Lord Shiva’s fierce Tandav, performed by Avinesh Rekhi. After the emotional turn in Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva’s journey, the track reaches a powerful breaking point where grief transforms into divine fury. Known for its grand visuals and spiritual depth, the show now presents a moment that is both emotionally heavy and visually explosive and bringing this energy to screen demanded deep physical and emotional preparation from Avinesh.

 The Tandav sequence was planned as one of the biggest moments in the current track. The narrative builds slowly toward this breaking point, showing how pain turns into divine fury. The scene was shot on a large scale with dramatic lighting, strong background music and powerful camera movements to capture the intensity. The choreography was designed to reflect both destruction and emotion, while the heavy costume and long jata added to the visual impact. Every detail, from the sound design to the set atmosphere, was created to make this moment feel larger than life and true to the spirit of the show.

Sharing his experience, Avinesh Rekhi, said, “Preparing for the Tandav was one of the most intense experiences for me. It is not just about dancing with force; it is about feeling Lord Shiva’s pain and letting it come through your body. The rehearsals were physically demanding, especially with the costume and the heavy jata, but that helped me stay in the moment, the energy on set,  changed when I was performing the Tandav sequence. There is a certain fire you have to hold inside. I wanted viewers to feel that this is not just anger, it is heartbreak turning into strength.”

Tune in to watch Ganesh Kartikey, every Monday to Saturday at 8 PM, only on Sony SAB

Mar 06: In a fashion landscape increasingly shaped by speed and mass production, a quiet yet powerful movement is emerging—one that celebrates slowness, craftsmanship, and the beauty of the handmade. Across India, a new generation of artisanal labels is redefining contemporary fashion, proving that traditional craft can remain vibrant, expressive, and deeply relevant in today’s world.

 Among the emerging voices in this movement is Tilasmi Studio, founded by Sakshi Sinha. The label transforms everyday memories, textures, and colours into wearable expressions of creativity, blending storytelling with handcrafted artistry.

A Tribute to Craft

After spending more than two decades in the fashion industry, Sakshi Sinha felt a natural pull to create something more personal and meaningful. This vision led to the launch of Tilasmi Studio in February 2025—a craft-driven label where individuality, colour, and storytelling take centre stage.

The name Tilasmi, meaning “magic,” reflects the spirit of the brand. Much of this philosophy traces back to Sakshi’s earliest inspiration—her mother, a homemaker whose effortless ability to transform simple things into something beautiful shaped Sakshi’s appreciation for creativity that exists beyond traditional definitions of design. In many ways, the brand stands as a tribute to this quiet artistry and acknowledges homemakers as the original creators of everyday magic.

Craft, Colour, and Contemporary Expression

This philosophy is reflected in every creation by Tilasmi Studio. The label’s designs range from vibrant colour-blocked cotton kurtas inspired by the lively hues of Indian streets to expressive upfashioned tote bags made from repurposed nylon jholas. By reimagining everyday materials, the brand transforms them into contemporary pieces that carry stories and textures.

Each design features visible handcrafted details such as katran patchwork, hand embroidery, beadwork, and thoughtfully placed buttons, highlighting the beauty of human craftsmanship. The brand also collaborates with artisans and homemakers who help convert leftover fabric scraps into textured design elements. This approach not only gives new life to materials that might otherwise go to waste but also supports a collaborative craft ecosystem.

Through its bold and expressive aesthetic, Tilasmi Studio challenges the conventional perception that artisanal fashion must be understated or traditional. Instead, the label embraces a vibrant indie-core aesthetic that feels modern, playful, and full of character.

Redefining the Future of Fashion

As conversations around slow fashion and mindful consumption continue to gain momentum, brands like Tilasmi Studio are helping reshape the narrative around Indian craftsmanship. By combining sustainability with storytelling and contemporary design, the label demonstrates that fashion’s future may not lie in producing more—but in creating with greater care, purpose, and imagination.

New Delhi, Mar 6: As India’s capital and one of the country’s most dynamic business hubs, Delhi is home to thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs spanning manufacturing, logistics, services, and education.) In an increasingly competitive and digital-first marketplace, these businesses are turning to online discovery platforms to generate leads, build credibility, and scale sustainably.

With its extensive network of listed businesses and high-intent consumer searches, Justdial, India’s No. 1 local search engine, has emerged as a key growth enabler for Delhi’s MSMEs.

For many business owners, Justdial has played a pivotal role in transforming lead generation and reducing dependence on traditional marketing channels. Karam Veer Singh, Director at TSE Shaft Elevators India Private Limited, Delhi, shared how the platform became central to his company’s growth journey: “We started with a ₹25,000 Justdial package and began receiving 3–4 leads daily. Over time, we upgraded our plan, and today nearly 90% of our business comes through Justdial. The quality and consistency of enquiries have been a game changer for us.”

His experience highlights how B2B-focused enterprises are leveraging Justdial to access steady, high-quality leads without extensive outreach efforts. A similar impact is evident in the logistics sector. Sunil Kumar, from Transport Carriers of India Logistics, Okhla, credits Justdial with simplifying customer acquisition while driving strong growth:“Justdial contributes 60–70% to our business growth. We don’t have to run around looking for clients. Sitting comfortably, we are able to connect directly with B2B customers and receive relevant enquiries consistently.”

For service-based businesses like packers and movers, digital discovery has become indispensable. Manoj Bhardwaj, owner of Dev Bhumi Packers and Movers, Delhi, reflected on his long-standing association with the platform: “In the last five years, whatever we have achieved is largely because of Justdial. It’s a very solid platform, and we regularly work on leads received through it. It has helped us build a stable and growing business.”

The education and skill development industry is also witnessing strong returns through online visibility. Akash Kumar, owner of Shri Sai Computer Learning Centre, Delhi, shared a compelling ROI story: “I started with a ₹15,000 Justdial package in 2019. From that investment, I earn ₹1–2 lakh/month regularly, and sometimes even ₹5–10 lakh/month in revenue. I highly recommend Justdial services to anyone looking to grow their business.”

These success stories reflect how Delhi’s entrepreneurs are harnessing Justdial’s platform to unlock growth. By delivering credible leads, transparent ROI, and sustained visibility, Justdial continues to empower MSMEs to expand their reach, streamline customer acquisition, and build future-ready businesses.

Commenting on the platform’s role in empowering Delhi’s SME ecosystem, Mr. Prashant Nagar, Chief Business Officer of Justdial, said: 

“Local enterprises are the heartbeat of India’s economy, and online platforms are a critical driver of growth. We’re seeing more and more local businesses take bold steps to grow digitally. What’s encouraging is seeing entrepreneurs use Justdial as their critical growth partner. When our vendors tell us that a large part of their business now comes through enquiries generated on our platform, it reassures us of the impact we have been creating and also encourages us to keep doing more. Our focus has always been simple: connect the right customers to the right businesses, and help entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses with consistency and confidence.”

As digital adoption accelerates across India’s urban centres, platforms like Justdial are increasingly becoming part of how MSMEs build visibility, generate demand, and participate in the country’s evolving digital economy.