All posts by Neel Achary

New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): The Centre has identified 100 districts across the country under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY) to drive the next phase of agricultural growth, focusing on regions with low productivity and limited credit access.

The districts have been selected based on three key indicators — low crop productivity, low cropping intensity, and inadequate agricultural credit disbursement.

The scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification and sustainable practices, improve irrigation infrastructure, and expand post-harvest storage facilities at the panchayat and block levels. It also seeks to improve access to both short-term and long-term credit for farmers.

Under the initiative, District Action Plans (DAPs) are being prepared and implemented by district-level Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana committees headed by district collectors.

Officials said the plans will be developed through convergence of 36 central schemes across 11 departments, along with state schemes and private sector participation. The DAPs are designed to address local bottlenecks and integrate interventions such as climate-resilient technologies, micro-irrigation, protected cultivation, and post-harvest infrastructure.

To ensure coordination and monitoring, committees have been set up at the district, state, and national levels. Central Nodal Officers have also been assigned to each district for field visits and performance review.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): The Centre has disbursed over ₹4.27 lakh crore to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme through 22 instalments since its launch in February 2019, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

The scheme provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible landholding farmers in three equal instalments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

During the release of the 21st instalment on November 19, 2025, more than 9.35 crore farmers received financial assistance under the scheme.

According to government data and independent assessments, the scheme has had a positive impact on farmers’ income and the rural economy.

A 2019 study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) found that PM-KISAN support helped ease credit constraints, boost rural economic growth, and encourage higher investment in agricultural inputs. It also enhanced farmers’ ability to take productive risks.

Feedback collected through Kisan Call Centres indicates that over 93 per cent of beneficiaries used the funds for agricultural activities.

An impact evaluation by NITI Aayog’s Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) found that over 92 per cent of beneficiary farmers spent the assistance on essential inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. Around 85 per cent reported an increase in agricultural income and reduced dependence on informal credit, particularly during crop failures or medical emergencies.

The government said the scheme contributes to broader goals including poverty reduction, food security, and improved transparency.

To improve accessibility, a dedicated ‘Farmers Corner’ on the PM-KISAN portal allows beneficiaries to check payment status and eligibility. Farmers can also access these services through Common Service Centres.

A voice-based AI chatbot, ‘Kisan e-Mitra’, has also been deployed to address queries in 11 languages. The chatbot has handled over 95 lakh queries from more than 53 lakh farmers so far.

The government said Aadhaar authentication is mandatory under the scheme, with payments made directly through Aadhaar-based systems. Regular drives are conducted in coordination with states and agencies to ensure Aadhaar seeding of bank accounts.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has announced a joint clinical study to evaluate Ayurveda as an adjunct therapy in tuberculosis (TB) treatment, marking a step toward integrative healthcare in India.

The announcement was made on World Tuberculosis Day at a high-level event held at Vigyan Bhawan, attended by senior policymakers, scientists, and healthcare experts.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said India is making steady progress in its fight against TB through science-driven innovation and integrated healthcare approaches.

“The collaborative clinical study reflects our commitment to evidence-based innovation, combining modern biomedical research with traditional knowledge systems,” he said, adding that efforts are also focused on addressing challenges such as drug resistance and undernutrition.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, emphasised that TB treatment must go beyond eliminating infection to ensuring complete patient recovery and improved quality of life.

“With this approach, Ayurveda and other Ayush systems can play a supportive role in enhancing recovery, nutrition, and overall well-being,” he said.

The study, titled “Clinical Study on Ayurveda as an Adjunct Therapy for Tuberculosis”, will be conducted as a multi-centre trial across premier institutions, including AIIMS, JIPMER, and NEIGRIHMS.

Led by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in partnership with DBT, the 24-month study aims to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of an Ayurveda regimen alongside standard anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT), combined with nutritional support.

Officials said the initiative is expected to generate scientific evidence on improving recovery rates, nutritional outcomes, and quality of life among TB patients.

The programme also witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between BRIC-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and CCRAS to formalise institutional collaboration.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to advancing evidence-based integrative healthcare solutions to tackle public health challenges and accelerate progress toward TB elimination.

AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 24, 2026 – Testlio, a leading AI-powered crowdsourced testing platform, today announced its participation in ShopTalk 2026, where the company will demonstrate how its end-to-end testing solutions empower retailers and ecommerce brands to deliver flawless digital experiences at scale. 

With $67 billion in Cyber Week 2025 sales and one in five digital purchases now flowing through an AI agent, the stakes for seamless ecommerce and payment experiences have never been higher. Meanwhile, 67% of consumers are willing to try new products but only when brands deliver consistent omnichannel experiences. 

“As digital commerce continues to evolve, consumers increasingly expect error-free interactions whether they’re shopping on mobile, completing a payment, or navigating a chatbot,” said Dean Hickman-Smith, CRO, Testlio. “Those experiences are what Testlio delivers every day for the world’s leading retailers and digital commerce brands.” 

What Testlio Will Showcase at ShopTalk

Attendees visiting Testlio at ShopTalk will get a firsthand look at testing services purposefully built for the complexity of modern commerce. Those that combine the precision of global expert testers with the speed and intelligence of AI. 

Key capabilities on display include:

• Payment Testing across 800+ payment methods, ensuring transactions complete without friction regardless of geography or platform.

• AI-Driven Testing that surfaces real-time insights, accelerates ramp time, and reduces manual overhead across the entire release cycle.

• Localization & Location Testing spanning 150+ countries and 100+ languages to validate that every market receives a consistent, high-quality experience.

• Mobile App Testing across 600K+ real devices to catch defects before they reach real customers.

• Functional & Usability Testing that goes beyond bug detection to assess holistic product quality from the end user’s perspective.

The Testlio Difference

Traditional crowdtesting can feel fragmented. Too many testers, not enough ownership, and results that are hard to trust. Testlio takes a fundamentally different approach by bringing structure, accountability, and scale to retail and payments testing.

Testlio delivers:

• Global vetted experts, intentionally matched to your domain and product.

• Fully managed end-to-end test execution to minimize overhead for internal teams.

• Parallel testing across time zones enables faster release cycles and tighter launch windows.

• On-demand, scalable in-market testing that flexes to your roadmap and business needs.

• Dedicated client teams that strengthen releases through strategic oversight and accountability.

All of this is powered by Testlio’s proprietary AI engine, known as LeoAI Engine™, that is built and trained on more than 13 years of testing data.

Trusted by the World’s Leading Retail and Commerce Brands

Testlio’s clients represent some of the most recognizable names in retail, ecommerce, and digital payments, including Away, eBay, Etsy, PayPal, Thrive Market, Wayfair, and Whatnot; all of whom rely on Testlio to ship with confidence.

Meet Testlio at ShopTalk 2026

Testlio representatives will be available at booth 4358 during ShopTalk 2026 to discuss how organizations can achieve holistic quality across ecommerce, payments, and digital banking. 

Stuttgart, March 24, 2026 – Automha, together with Comau, is showcasing a full portfolio of end-to-end logistics solutions at LogiMAT 2026 (Hall 1, Booth F37), Europe’s most important International Trade Show for Intralogistics Solutions and Process Management, taking place in Stuttgart, Germany from March 24–26. The solutions on display are designed to optimize the entire logistics value chain – from inbound handling to automated storage and outbound shipping – addressing the needs of both third-party logistics (3PL) operators and manufacturing intralogistics environments.

By combining Automha’s expertise in high-density automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) with Comau’s advanced robotics, mobile automation solutions, intelligent vision systems and digital integration capabilities, customers can now rely on a complete offering that covers all phases of the logistics flow: inbound product handling, intelligent storage strategies, automated storage and retrieval, order preparation and synchronized shipping. This integrated 360° approach ensures seamless connectivity across the entire logistics process and can include, when required, process design, software orchestration and turnkey solutions implementation.

Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau, affirms: “The global automation and logistics market is expected to exceed 10% CAGR, driven by sustained mid-to-high growth across key segments over the next several years*. With our combined process knowledge, systems and software expertise, we are perfectly positioned to deliver turn-key solutions that cover the entire intralogistics value chain, from the design and optimization of warehouse layouts to automated process flows and outbound material handling.”

During the three-day event, visitors have the opportunity to discover Quaterways, Automha’s advanced multidirectional shuttle system, designed to move orthogonally along aisles and easily access storage channels, enabling fully automated storage and retrieval operations. Unlike traditional shuttle solutions, which are limited in movement or require dedicated transfer systems between different warehouse areas, Quaterways introduces a truly multidirectional movement logic, allowing the shuttle to operate continuously and smoothly both along main aisles and within storage channels. This approach enables significant reductions in cycle times, increased storage density, simplified system architecture and improved operational flexibility, especially in high-variability environments.

Integrated with Automha’s proprietary Warehouse Management System (AWMS), Quaterways offers high versatility, enabling maximum storage density, operational flexibility, and real-time control. Its ability to manage multiple pallet formats within the same channel and dynamically optimize movement paths makes Quaterways particularly well suited for complex environments, such as those typical of 3PL and e-commerce operations.

Autosat GTR, the latest evolution of Automha’s Autosat shuttle technology, will also be featured at the booth. A benchmark solution for high-density pallet storage, with over 12,500 units installed worldwide and a presence in 79 countries, Autosat GTR is available in 20 standard models. It is designed to handle a wide range of pallet types and load units while maintaining full compatibility with major racking systems and forklifts, allowing for easy integration into both new warehouses and existing infrastructures.

Comau’s MyMR autonomous mobile robots will also be on display as will its MATE-XT and MATE-XB wearable exoskeletons, which enhance material handling efficiency and operator ergonomics across logistics and manufacturing workflows. MyMR AMRs provide flexible, software-driven material transport between storage areas and production lines, enabling just-in-time supply and reducing non-value-added movements. The wearable robotic exoskeletons, MATE-XT and MATE-XB, are engineered to improve worker safety and productivity during repetitive or overhead tasks, including truck unloading and manual sorting activities, by reducing shoulder and lower-back muscle strain.

* In-house estimates based on published market research.. 

 
With its scale and structured implementation, the deployment is expected to serve as a model for expanding electric mobility through local partnerships across Southeast Asia.

The deployment builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2025 between Xentro Group and Green GSM. Initially planned at 2,000 vehicles, the fleet has since been expanded to 2,500, reflecting growing operational confidence and long-term commitment from both parties. The Rizal rollout marks the first phase of implementation, with further expansion expected across Metro Manila and adjacent areas.

At the center of this initiative is a partner-led operating model that combines local market leadership with a standardized global platform. Green Xentro leads on-the-ground execution, overseeing operations, driver management, and local market adaptation, while Green GSM provides a fully integrated electric mobility platform encompassing full electric vehicles, technology infrastructure, and standardized service protocols.

The platform is designed to ensure operational consistency at scale, offering real-time fleet monitoring, centralized safety management, and consistent service delivery standards. Each vehicle is equipped with GPS tracking, CCTV, and dashcams, as well as emergency features such as panic buttons, all connected to a 24/7 monitoring center. The entire fleet is also covered by comprehensive insurance policies, reinforcing safety and reliability.

Passengers can expect a more reliable and predictable travel experience, with standardized service quality and fully electric, air-conditioned vehicles. Services are offered with transparent, value-driven pricing and support multiple payment options, including cash and digital platforms. Rides can be accessed via street hailing or the Green GSM mobile app.

On the supply side, the model introduces a salaried driver system to enhance income stability and professional standards in the transport sector. Drivers earn a fixed monthly salary, performance-based incentives, and full statutory benefits, along with structured training programs focused on safety, service quality, and electric vehicle operations.

Beyond mobility, this rollout is expected to boost local economic activity through job creation and ecosystem development, supported by an expanding EV charging network across commercial hubs within the Xentro system. As a fully electric fleet, the deployment also helps national efforts to cut emissions and improve urban air quality, aligning with broader policy goals for energy transition and sustainable urban growth.

Mr. Noel M. Ignacio, CEO of Green Xentro, shared: “We see this as a long-term investment in building a transport system that is more reliable, more structured, and better aligned with the needs of Filipino communities. By combining electric vehicles with a professional driver model, we are creating a service ecosystem that elevates everyday journeys while also improving the quality of livelihoods for drivers. Over time, we believe this approach can help set a new standard for public transport one that balances efficiency, sustainability, and human-centered service.”

Mr. Dao Quy Phi, Managing Director of Green GSM Southeast Asia, said: “This is not just a fleet deployment. It represents the early stage of a scalable model where strong local partners lead market execution, while Green GSM enables growth through a unified electric mobility platform. We believe this approach can unlock a more practical pathway to green mobility—one that is not only scalable, but also adaptable to the realities of emerging markets. By combining global standards with local expertise, we aim to accelerate adoption in a way that is both commercially viable and operationally sustainable over the long term.”

Green Xentro is among the first international partners to adopt the Green GSM operating model. Developed and refined in Vietnam through extensive collaboration with multiple stakeholders, the model has played a key role in shaping a highly integrated and scalable electric mobility ecosystem. Its rollout in the Philippines marks a significant milestone in the model’s global expansion, thoughtfully localized to suit market conditions while upholding consistent standards of safety, service excellence, and user experience.

From Stadium to Street: PUMA turns up the heat- launches RCB 2026 Palermo Leather Sneakers

 March 24: Ahead of the Indian Premier League, as fan anticipation hits a fever pitch, PUMA and RCB bring their worlds together with the PUMA x RCB Palermo – a limited-edition sneaker that celebrates more than just the game. Blending the sports brand’s legacy with RCB’s unmistakable energy, this is not just a drop, but a statement- a piece of fandom that fans can wear, own and carry beyond the stadium.

Arriving ahead of the most sought-after cricket season, the PUMA x RCB Palermo moves beyond merchandise into culture territory. In sport, jerseys have long been markers of identity – symbols that bring fans into a shared collective. The RCB Palermo translates that same idea into footwear. Designed for a new generation of fans who express loyalty through style as much as sport, the sneaker is an extension of fandom seamlessly moving from stadium stands to city streets, carrying the energy of RCB wherever it goes.

Rooted in PUMA’s iconic Palermo silhouette, this edition is reimagined through the lens of cricket culture. Available in two colourways: Flame Scarlet–Metallic Gold–Gum and Navy–Metallic Gold–Gum- the PUMA x RCB sneaker is crafted in premium leather with a rich suede base, offering a tactile, elevated finish while staying true to its terrace-inspired roots.

Drenched in RCB’s signature palette, the design captures the intensity of match nights, the loyalty of its sweeping fanbase, and the unmistakable swagger that defines the team.

Thoughtful detailing brings this narrative to life- an RCB tongue patch anchors the identity, a winning star in gold emboss sits subtly under the Palermo flap, while gold accent stitching over the PUMA Formstrip is layered with an RCB graffiti artwork. Bold foil and screen-printed PUMA branding lend a statement edge, while the flat sole construction and soft inner lining ensure all-day comfort. Clean lines meet colour blocking, creating a silhouette that feels both timeless and distinctly of the moment.

Steeped in terrace culture, the Palermo remains one of PUMA’s most iconic silhouettes. With its signature T-toe construction and gum sole, the sneaker traces its origins to 1980s UK terrace style, where football fandom and fashion first collided. Named after the Italian city, Palermo carries a legacy of effortless sophistication, this time reinterpreted for a new generation – blending global heritage with India’s love for cricket and distinct expression of street style.

Shop the PUMA x RCB sneaker at select PUMA stores and online at in.puma.com.

Bengaluru, Mar 24: Meesho today announced the launch of “Vaani – Your Meesho Dost”, India’s first Gen-AI powered conversational voice shopping assistant purpose built for the next 500 million users who inherently shop offline.

In offline settings, shopping has always been conversational. People describe what they need, ask questions, compare options and seek reassurance before making a purchase. However, this behaviour has not translated easily to digital commerce. For many, especially across tier 2+ markets, navigating apps through typing, filters and structured search can feel unintuitive.

“Vaani – Your Meesho Dost” is designed to bridge this gap by bringing conversational shopping into the digital experience. Users can speak in their own words, ask follow-up questions and refine their choices through a natural, ongoing conversation. With this launch, Meesho is taking steps towards its broader vision of conversational commerce, reimagining how users interact with e-commerce through more natural, voice-led experiences.

The assistant is designed to support users across the entire shopping journey, from discovery to purchase. It understands user intent by asking relevant follow-up questions, helps surface the most relevant products without extensive browsing, and addresses decision-making barriers through contextual information like reviews and product details. It also guides users through key steps such as selecting payment methods and confirming delivery details, reducing friction across the purchase process. Built for scale, the system leverages on-device processing to deliver a faster, more efficient experience while optimising costs.

The assistant is powered by a robust AI architecture designed for real-world usage at scale. It leverages edge computing for speech understanding and synthesis to ensure low latency and cost efficiency, while a multi-agent framework enables it to handle complex, multi-step shopping interactions reliably.

The system is further strengthened by fine-tuned models trained on regional language nuances, allowing for more accurate and context-aware responses. With multi-modal capabilities, the assistant can understand both what users say and what they see on the screen, enabling a more seamless and context-rich shopping experience

Sanjeev Kumar, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Meesho Limited, said, “At Meesho, AI has always been at the core of how we build for scale. With over 251 million annual transacting users, we have a deep understanding of how India shops, and that allows us to anticipate and solve for consumer needs in ways that very few platforms can.” 

“Over the years, we have embedded AI and ML across every part of our marketplace, from discovery and pricing to logistics, trust and seller growth. Vaani is a natural extension of this journey. It brings together conversational AI with Meesho’s commerce intelligence to support users from discovery to purchase.

The assistant understands user intent, asks follow-up questions, surfaces relevant products, and guides users through key steps in the purchase journey, making the experience more intuitive. Built for real-world usage at scale, it delivers fast, reliable, and context-aware interactions.

We believe this is a meaningful step towards making e-commerce more accessible and more human, and towards shaping a future where technology adapts to people, not the other way around,” he added.

Early adoption shows strong user confidence, with 79% saying voice simplifies shopping, 94% finding it intuitive, and 62% already trusting it for transactions.

Within the first month of launch, over 1.5 million users have interacted with the assistant. Engagement is repeat-led, with users returning frequently and engaging in multiple conversations over short periods, indicating early habit formation.

This is translating into measurable impact, with users who engage with the assistant seeing a 22% higher conversion rate, moving more efficiently from discovery to purchase, and showing lower returns and cancellations.

Jasjeet Kaur, Chief Executive Officer, Groupe SEB India, said, “Urban consumers today are constantly balancing speed with quality across every aspect of their lives. In cities like Bengaluru, where time is often dictated by factors beyond one’s control, we see a clear need for solutions that simplify everyday routines. With Tefal, our focus is on delivering innovations that are intuitive, efficient, and built around real consumer insights, ensuring that while the city may demand patience, the kitchen does not.”

Mar 24: Family offices are increasingly using AI and technology to boost operations and data use but are avoiding investing in the sector, new research* from Ocorian, the specialist global provider of services to high-net-worth individuals and family offices, financial institutions, asset managers and corporates, shows.

The global study among family members and senior executives working for family offices with total wealth of $119.37 billion found 86% are using AI technology to improve their operations and data insights.

However just 7% questioned in the study in 16 countries or territories including the UK, US, UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius and Bahrain are currently seeking investment opportunities in the sector.

That is likely to change rapidly over the next three years with nearly three out of four (74%) expecting to increase investment in AI and other digital assets, including 20% planning to dramatically increase investment in the sector.

Around a quarter (26%) strongly agree that AI will reshape how family offices are run and will boost performance, value and growth in the next year.

However, 72% believe the major impact of AI on how family offices are run will not be felt for between two to five years.

 Michael Harman, Commercial Director UK & Channel Islands at Ocorian said: “Family offices are gradually adopting AI and technology as part of their operations and are particularly using it for data insights.

“However, adoption of AI is still in its early stages across the sector, and most are not currently investing. There is a realisation that it will have a major impact and family offices need to start exploring the sector and will need support in making the transition. In the meantime, we are working with our family office clients – including those who may choose not to adopt AI directly – so they can still get the outcomes they want, without having to take on the implementation and associated risks themselves, as we take significant steps towards adopting AI as a service provider.”

Ocorian’s award winning dedicated family office team provides a seamless and holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities families face. Its service is built on long-term personal relationships that are founded on a deep understanding of what matters to family office clients. Its global presence means Ocorian can provide bespoke structures and services for international families no matter where they live.

 Key services include formation and administration of family offices, HR support services, support with lifestyle and luxury assets, family governance, resident and relocation services and specialist support with immigration, visas, payroll, marine and aircraft crew management and financial reporting.