All posts by Neel Achary

On the occasion of World Water Day, the Government of Odisha has launched a series of major water resources initiatives worth approximately ₹2,612 crore, aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure and improving water management across the state.

The initiative includes the foundation laying of 17 new projects valued at ₹2,292 crore, along with the inauguration of 124 completed projects worth ₹320 crore. These developments mark a significant step toward enhancing the state’s water resource capacity and supporting long-term agricultural growth.

According to officials, the projects are designed to expand irrigation coverage, improve water availability, and ensure more reliable access to water for farmers across different regions of Odisha. The focus is on creating a more efficient and sustainable irrigation system that can support agricultural productivity throughout the year.

The government emphasized that strengthening irrigation infrastructure is a key priority in its development strategy. Improved water management is expected to benefit rural livelihoods, increase farm output, and contribute to overall economic stability in the agricultural sector.

These initiatives also aim to reduce dependency on rainfall by building more resilient water systems capable of adapting to changing climate conditions. Enhanced irrigation facilities are expected to play an important role in supporting food security and rural development.

Officials stated that this large-scale investment reflects the state’s commitment to building a more prosperous and self-sustaining agricultural economy, where water resources are managed efficiently and equitably.

With the launch of these projects, Odisha is taking a significant step toward ensuring long-term water security and strengthening the foundation for sustainable rural development across the state.

Gurugram, Mar 23:  In a first-of-its-kind initiative for the Indian health insurance sector, Niva Bupa Health Insurance has launched a Coffee Table Book celebrating the inspiring journeys of its advisors—the unsung heroes who play a critical role in protecting families’ health and financial well-being. The book brings to life powerful and deeply personal stories of 40 advisors, capturing moments where they went beyond selling policies to support families during medical emergencies, assist with complex documentation, and ensure a seamless claims experience during some of life’s most critical situations. By spotlighting these stories, the initiative seeks not only to recognise their contribution but also to inspire many more individuals to take up insurance advisory as a meaningful and impactful career.

This initiative comes at a time when India’s health insurance ecosystem is witnessing strong growth but continues to face a significant protection gap. As per IRDAI’s Annual Report FY 2024–25, overall insurance penetration stood at 3.7% of GDP, significantly lower than the global average of 7.3%. In the non-life segment, penetration remains at just 1% compared to the global average of 4.3%.

Individual agents continue to be the backbone of the industry and will play a pivotal role in bridging this gap. They contribute 31% of the total health insurance premium and account for 72% of individual health insurance premiums. However, to realise the national vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’, there is a pressing need to significantly expand and strengthen the advisor ecosystem. As highlighted by former IRDAI Chairman Debashish Panda, India requires nearly three times the current number of distributors to adequately serve its population.

Commenting on the initiative, Nimish Agrawal, Director – Digital Business & CMO, Niva Bupa Health Insurance, said: “Advisors serve as the vital link between insurers and customers by building trust, offering personalised advice, and simplifying complex products. In a country where a large section of the population remains underinsured, their role becomes even more critical. Expanding the advisor base is not just a growth imperative but a national necessity to drive financial inclusion and ensure protection reaches every corner of India.

At the same time, the industry faces key challenges—high attrition, a low active advisor base, and a shortage of specialised health insurance advisors who can support customers during hospitalisation and claims. Through our ‘Kaam Mein Shaan Hai’ campaign, we aim to address these challenges. The Coffee Table Book is an integral part of this effort—it is both a tribute to our advisors and a platform to inspire others to join this profession with pride and purpose.”

The Coffee Table Book builds on Niva Bupa’s ‘Kaam Mein Shaan Hai’ campaign, which celebrates the dignity, purpose, and societal value of insurance advisors by positioning them as trusted enablers of protection rather than mere policy sellers.

As part of the campaign’s next phase, the company also introduced the Niva Bupa Insurance Academy—a comprehensive learning and development initiative aimed at transforming advisors into ‘Health Captains’. The Academy plans to train over 10 lakh advisors, equipping them with advanced product knowledge, customer engagement capabilities, and digital skills to better serve customers across their insurance journey. A strong focus is placed on enabling advisors to guide customers during the “moment of truth”—the claims experience—ensuring trust, confidence, and seamless support when it matters most.

The Coffee Table Book marks the next chapter in this journey. As its first edition, it features 40 outstanding advisors, with future editions set to showcase many more inspiring stories from across the country.

By recognising these real-life heroes and amplifying their stories, Niva Bupa aims to elevate the perception of insurance advisory as a profession—encouraging more individuals to join the ecosystem and contribute towards a larger national goal: ensuring every Indian has access to health protection by 2047.

India continues to stand out as a strong long-term investment destination with significant potential in the e-commerce sector, according to a senior executive from Amazon.

Highlighting the country’s digital expansion and rapidly evolving consumer base, the Amazon Vice President noted that India’s online retail ecosystem is still in its growth phase, offering substantial opportunities for long-term investors and businesses looking to scale in emerging markets.

The executive emphasized that rising internet penetration, increased smartphone usage, and improved digital payment systems are driving the next wave of e-commerce growth in the country. These factors, combined with a young population and growing middle class, are creating a strong foundation for sustained online retail expansion.

India’s e-commerce sector has witnessed consistent growth over the past few years, supported by expanding logistics networks and increasing adoption of online shopping across urban and semi-urban regions. Industry experts believe that this trend is likely to accelerate further as digital infrastructure continues to improve.

The Amazon VP also pointed out that India’s market dynamics are unique, with a diverse consumer base and rapidly changing shopping behavior. This makes the country one of the most promising markets for innovation in online retail, supply chain efficiency, and digital services.

As global companies continue to diversify their investment strategies, India is increasingly being viewed as a key growth market in Asia. The combination of strong domestic demand and digital transformation is expected to further strengthen its position in the global e-commerce landscape.

With continued investments in technology, logistics, and digital platforms, India is expected to remain a major focus area for global e-commerce players in the coming years.

The Government of India has introduced important changes to the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSME) to further support manufacturers and exporters. The revised framework is aimed at improving credit access, reducing financial burden, and encouraging investment in machinery and equipment, in line with Budget 2025–26 priorities.

The scheme, launched in January 2025, provides credit guarantee coverage of up to 60% through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC). It supports loans of up to ₹100 crore for eligible MSMEs, primarily for the purchase of plant and machinery. Following feedback from stakeholders, the government has now refined several provisions to make the scheme more practical and inclusive.

One of the key changes includes making the upfront contribution partially refundable, which is expected to improve liquidity for businesses. The scheme has also been expanded to include service sector MSMEs, widening its overall reach. In addition, the minimum requirement for machinery and equipment investment has been reduced from 75% to 60% of the total project cost, making it easier for enterprises to qualify.

The guarantee tenure has also been extended to up to 10 years, offering longer-term support for businesses investing in expansion and modernization. These revisions are intended to reduce compliance pressure and improve the ease of doing business for MSMEs across sectors.

For exporters, the government has introduced targeted incentives under the revised scheme. Eligible export-oriented MSMEs—those with at least 25% export turnover over the past three years—can now access guaranteed loans of up to ₹20 crore. The guarantee coverage for default has been increased to 75%, along with fee relaxations in the initial year of the loan.

The government has emphasized that MSMEs play a vital role in India’s economic structure, contributing around 30% to GDP and over 45% to exports while generating large-scale employment. Strengthening this sector is seen as essential for achieving the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

With these modifications, the scheme is expected to encourage greater investment in technology, enhance export competitiveness, and support sustainable growth of MSMEs across manufacturing and service sectors.

March 23, 2026: 

Purvanchal Jan Chetna Samiti (Trust) organised a large-scale health check-up camp on the occasion of Bihar Diwas, combining community service with health awareness. Around 400 people availed free medical screening.

The programme was inaugurated by Hollywood-fame artist Gulshan Pandey, who cut the ceremonial ribbon. The presence of film artist Raju Jangid further added to the significance of the event.

The initiative was conducted under the guidance of the Trust’s Founder Chairman (Trustee) Rajneesh Verma, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to public welfare and social responsibility. Active member Anuradha Jha stated that the objective of the programme extended beyond healthcare services to also providing a platform to recognise and honour talented individuals from the Purvanchal region.

As part of the event, 71 individuals from Purvanchal, who have made notable contributions in various fields, were honoured with the ‘Bihar Gaurav Samman’, adding a distinct dimension to the programme.

A team of expert doctors from Mahatma Gandhi Hospital conducted free health check-ups, offering services including general consultations, blood pressure and sugar tests, as well as specialised consultations in neurology, dental care, orthopaedics and ENT.

The camp witnessed strong participation, with a large number of people benefiting from the services. Doctors also advised attendees on maintaining a balanced diet, undergoing regular health check-ups and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

The closing session was attended by Bollywood-fame artist Gulshan Pandey, Rajasthan-based actor Raj Jangid, YouTuber Hansraj Atariya, officials from the Municipal Corporation, and OSD, LNJ Group, Rajneesh Verma, along with several other distinguished guests.

The event concluded with the felicitation of awardees, followed by a community gathering where attendees enjoyed Bihar’s traditional dish litti-chokha, making the occasion memorable.

Among those present were Rakesh Mansinghka, Lalit Agarwal, Bhagat Prajapati, Dharmendra Tiwari, Dinesh Sahni, Dinesh Yadav, Bablu Singh, Roshan Mali, Shilpi Singh, Poonam Jha, Sonali Jangid, Pinki Soni, Deepika Patni, Rishiraj Mishra, Haroon Rangrez, Savitri Kushwaha, Meena Devi Jha, Sunil Jha, Prabhu Narayan Jha, Gaurav Shah, Vaibhav Joshi, Chirag Tailor, Rani Mishra, among others.

The proceedings were conducted by Principal Shantilal Chaparwal.

Mar 23: TTF Chennai 2026 concluded successfully on the 22nd March, 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre, reaffirming its position as one of South India’s leading travel trade exhibitions. Organised by Fairfest Media, the event witnessed strong participation from the travel trade and consumers, reflecting the continued growth of Chennai’s continued growth as a key travel source market.

 The inaugural ceremony was attended by key representatives from the travel and tourism industry including Ms. J. Innocent Divya, IAS, Commissioner, Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, who said, “Tourism is a highly diverse industry with multiple stakeholders, and platforms like this are essential to bring them together under one roof to enable partnerships and collaborations.”

Dr. B. N. Patil, IAS, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, added,

“This is a highly effective platform in terms of economic impact, allowing us to promote tourism assets and destinations to key source markets like Tamil Nadu and South India.” 

Mr. D. Venkatesan, Regional Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, noted,

“Physical presence at trade shows remains important to engage directly with industry stakeholders, which is why we look forward to participating every year.”

Strong Industry Participation and Diverse Showcase at TTF Chennai

TTF Chennai featured over 250 exhibitors from 12+ Indian states and 5 countries, showcasing a diverse range of destinations, travel experiences, and tourism offerings. The event recorded participation from 2500+ travel trade buyers, including travel agents, tour operators, corporate travel planners and MICE professionals, who engaged in productive business meetings and networking sessions with exhibitors. The exhibition also attracted 1500+ general visitors, enabling travellers to connect with tourism boards and travel brands, explore holiday offerings and gain insights into new travel experiences. The strong response highlighted the sector’s continued momentum and interest in new market opportunities.

 TTF Chennai saw participation from leading tourism boards, with Nepal Tourism as the Partner Country, and Goa Tourism and Kerala Tourism as Partner States. Telangana Tourism, Maharashtra Tourism, and Tamil Nadu Tourism, along with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (Incredible India), participated as Featured Partners.

International destinations, including the UAE, Sri Lanka, Singapore, China, and Bhutan, were also represented, alongside a strong presence of private exhibitors and travel brands, highlighting the diversity and global appeal of the exhibition.

The event was supported by leading travel and tourism associations, including OTOAI, ETAA, TAAI, TAFI, ADTOI, IATTE, SKAL International – Chennai, ABTO, TIA, NIMA, TOAI, SIGTOA, TTTHA,  SIMA, Tamil Nadu Travel Mart Society, FOTO, TAAT, TAAC, ATTOI, ETOA, reflecting the strong industry collaboration.

“Chennai: A Strategic Gateway Fueling Tourism Growth in South India”

Chennai has firmly established itself as one of India’s key travel source markets, driven by strong demand across both outbound and domestic segments. Its well-established network of travel professionals, combined with evolving consumer preferences, continues to position the city as a strategic hub for tourism growth in South India.

Against this backdrop, TTF Chennai serves as a catalyst for industry engagement, enabling meaningful B2B interactions while offering consumers access to a wide range of travel options, thereby strengthening partnerships and enhancing destination visibility.