All posts by Neel Achary

The University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications recently announced the winners of the Lynn and Dana Roper Sports Writing Competition. 

The annual competition tests students’ ability to produce clear, concise, accurate and compelling stories about sports. The first-place winner received a $2,500 cash award, second place $2,000, third place $1,500 and fourth place $1,000.

The winners, with their year in school, major(s), hometown and award-winning entries, are:

First place: Kevin Artiles Fernandez, senior, accounting, and sports media and communication, Havana, Cuba; “Reagan Raabe and a journey back from rock bottom,” “Ryan Tan: The evolution of an esports competitor”

 Second place: Ben Beecham, senior, advertising and public relations, and sports media and communication, Papillion, Nebraska; “‘It was really special’: Arkansas’ Gage Wood record pitching sends Murray State home,” “USA Triathlon event brings athletes’ grit and smiles to Omaha’s Cunningham Lake”
Third place: Danny Berg, junior, broadcasting, and sports media and communication, Chicago, Illinois; “Nebraska volleyball’s dream season comes to a whimpering end,” “What student athletes really carry and who helps them carry it”

Fourth place: Anthony Rubek, senior, journalism, and sports media and communication, La Vista, Nebraska; “Nebraska alumni honored to represent Huskers again,” “Las Vegas Bowl loss sets Nebraska up for make-or-break offseason”

Each student submitted two published sports stories and their resume to be reviewed by judges. This year’s judges were Amie Just, sports columnist for the Lincoln Journal Star; Max Olson, college football reporter for ESPN; and Mitch Sherman, staff writer for The Athletic.
Established in 2001, the competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students in the journalism college.

Hyderabad, Mar 28: Sri Bhaskar Reddy Vemireddy, presently serving as Judicial Member of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), Vijayawada Bench, has been appointed as the Vice President of the GSTAT, Andhra Pradesh State Bench. The appointment has been made by the Hon’ble President of India as part of a nationwide designation of Vice Presidents for GSTAT State Benches.

 The appointment forms part of Office Order No. 01/2026 dated March 23, 2026, issued by the Government of India under the authority of the President of India in exercise of powers under Section 109(7) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. Under this order, 22 Judicial Members of GSTAT across the country have been designated as Vice Presidents for their respective State Benches to strengthen the institutional framework of the Tribunal.

Sri Bhaskar Reddy Vemireddy is a distinguished legal professional with vast experience in tax laws and litigation. He has built a formidable reputation in indirect taxation, with expertise spanning Goods and Services Tax (GST), Central Excise, Customs, Sales Tax and allied fiscal statutes. Prior to his elevation to the Tribunal, he had an extensive practice in tax litigation and appeared before various judicial forums including High Courts and Tribunals.

In recognition of his professional excellence and standing at the Bar, he was designated as a Senior Advocate by the High Court for the State of Telangana. The designation of Vice Presidents across India is aimed at ensuring smoother functioning of GSTAT benches, strengthening leadership at the State level, and facilitating expeditious disposal of GST disputes.

His appointment as Vice President of the Andhra Pradesh State Bench is expected to significantly contribute to the effective administration of justice in indirect tax matters and enhance the efficiency of appellate mechanisms under the GST regime.

Mar 28: Shri Ajay Bijli, Managing Director of PVR INOX Limited, has been conferred the “Capital’s Pride” award, by Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema and for taking a Delhi-born exhibition vision to the world stage.

The “Capital’s Pride” distinction celebrates leaders who embody Delhi’s defining traits including bold ambition, global outlook, and cultural leadership. It recognises individuals whose work transcends enterprise to shape how India is experienced and perceived worldwide.

Shri Ajay Bijli’s cinematic journey reflects that very spirit.

In 1997, at a time when cinema exhibition in India was fragmented and in decline, he founded PVR Cinemas and ignited the country’s multiplex revolution. With a steadfast commitment to international standards of sound, projection, design, and hospitality, he redefined the movie-going experience for a new India.
What was once a theatre visit became a curated cultural experience.

Under his leadership, Indian exhibition evolved from legacy single screens to premium, technology-driven multiplex environments comparable to the finest global markets. The landmark merger of PVR and INOX in 2023 further consolidated this transformation, creating the world’s fifth-largest listed multiplex chain and positioning India as a formidable global exhibition power.

This scale enabled a more integrated national cinematic ecosystem where regional language cinema from across India could command premium platforms alongside mainstream Hindi films, strengthening India’s creative diversity.

Mr. Ajay Bijli, Managing Director- PVR INOX Limited on receiving the ‘Capital’s Pride’ Award said, “This honour belongs to the city that shaped me. Delhi has always had a unique spirit, which is open, ambitious, and unafraid to think big. Whatever we have built in cinema carries that same spirit. When we began the multiplex journey in 1997, the idea was simple: to give Indian audiences a world-class big screen experience and celebrate movies the way they deserve. Over the years, Indian cinema has grown in scale, confidence, and creativity. Today, we produce over 1,800 films in more than 20 languages, and audiences continue to show that the big screen remains their first choice for shared entertainment. I am deeply honoured to receive the ‘Capital’s Pride’ award in Delhi. It renews our commitment to building cinemas that are not just theatres, but destinations and places where stories come alive and where India’s voice grows stronger on the global stage.”

Shri Bijli’s leadership has firmly placed Indian exhibition on the international map. His keynote address at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the first Indian in over a decade to receive that platform marked a defining shift: India was no longer observing global cinema trends; it was shaping them.

As a prominent voice at the PM Modi-led WAVES Summit, he continues to advocate for the creative economy as a pillar of India’s global identity, ensuring that Indian exhibition remains at the forefront of technological and narrative innovation. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image (MAMI), is a founding member of the Multiplex Association of India (MAI), and is a member of The Film and TV Producers Guild of India.

From Delhi’s neighbourhood cinema to the world’s most influential stage for motion pictures, Ajay Bijli’s journey mirrors the capital’s own evolution, which is confident, outward-looking, and culturally assertive.

In conferring the “Capital’s Pride” honour, Delhi celebrates a visionary who did more than build screens. He built scale. He built standards.  And he built an experience that carries the confidence of the capital to audiences across the world.

PhD scholar receives award for excellence in research

Mar 28, Bengaluru: “Congratulations to the Class of 2026 at the 51st Convocation of IIM Bangalore. As you enter a rapidly evolving business environment, remember that lasting success is built through consistent choices, not just moments of acceleration. The real test of leadership lies in balancing short-term performance with long-term value creation. It is possible to have it all, but not always at the same time – prioritization and resilience act as the key. I wish you the wisdom to play the long game and create meaningful, enduring impact”, said Chief Guest Ms Vibha Padalkar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC Life, during her special address at IIM Bangalore’s Convocation ceremony, this evening. 

Ms Padalkar explained the graduating students that life should go beyond the fast pace of the sprint to make way for a more resilient and enduring marathon. She explained that institutions and careers are not built in sprints but through a process of evolution of a long distance race, with doses of energy, ambition, confidence and courage, and that leadership was about integrating multiple lenses. She also emphasized on the importance of precision meeting persuasion, trust built over years and slowing down to accelerate, to have sustainable careers. 

Ms Padalkar also shared that three key decisions proved to be the turning points in her own life – choosing finance as her career, returning to India to build a life in the financial capital Mumbai, and choosing the life partner that she did. 

Ms Vibha Padalkar advised the students that the ability to anticipate, discipline to pause and wisdom to choose deliberately, will stand them in good stead in the long run. “IIMB has honed your decision making skills. So, as you enter a new phase of your lives, remember that you need to run fast when it matters, slow down when it counts and stay in the long race.”

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore hosted its 51st Convocation on 27th March 2026. A total of 785 students from various programmes graduated, this evening. Degrees were awarded to the students of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme and the MBA programmes – the Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM), Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP), Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA) and Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). Students of the Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM) received the Master of Management Studies (Public Policy) degree. One PhD scholar received the award for excellence in research, while gold medals were awarded for Best All Round Performance, First Rank and Second Rank.

The students graduated from the prestigious institution this year in the presence of the Chief Guest, Board Members, Director-in-charge, Deans, faculty, alumni and staff of the Institute, alongside proud smiles and loud cheers from their families.

Gold medallists and PhD award winner: This year, a total of nine students have won gold medals. Moreover, a PhD scholar received the award for excellence in research.

In the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) 2024-2026,Manasi Anju Mertia is the First Rank Holder, whileDhvit Jayen Mehtais the Second Rank Holder. 

Mayur Dattatray Khule is the Gold Medallist for Best All Round Performance for Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) and Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA) 2024-2026 combined.

For the Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA) 2024-2026, Bharat Mundra is the First Rank Holder.

In Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP) 2025-2026, Aysha Shaba PP is the First Rank Holder andRajasilpi SP is the Best All Round Performer.  

In Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM) 2024-2026,Lakshmi R is the First Rank Holder, while Biswaranjan Mishra is the Best All Round Performer.

In the Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM), Anirudh has won the gold medal for Best Academic Performance.

The Institute Research Award 2026 was won by Divya Dwivedi, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student of the Information Systems area of the graduating batch. The award seeks to inspire the school’s Doctoral students to achieve greater heights in terms of research quality and productivity.  

Address by Prof. Malavika R Harita, Member, IIMB Board of Governors

The day’s events also included an inspiring address by Prof. Malavika R. Harita, Founder & CEO, Brand Circle, and Member, IIMB Board of Governors. She made mention of IIMB’s new Centres such as the Centre for Digital Public Goods as well as the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital, the newly set up IIMB Development Foundation – the Institute’s fundraising and development arm, and the Institute’s collaborations with leading national and global organizations which play a significant role in enhancing the Institute’s reputation. She also highlighted IIMB’s achievements in terms of placements and the Institute’s position in prestigious national as well as global rankings.

“Be focussed on gaining knowledge, stay authentic, relevant and original, and create the impact you want to”, she advised the budding managers and entrepreneurs.”

Director’s address

Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIM Bangalore, highlighted some of the achievements of the Institute as well as of faculty, students and alumni, and shared details on IIMB’s programmes, centres, events, digital learning initiatives, rankings, placements, entrepreneurship, and more. 

“With a vision to elevate undergraduate education in India with the same academic rigour that defines our postgraduate offerings, we introduced two undergraduate offerings: BSc Honors in Economics, and BSc Honors in Data Science.”

While sharing his message, Prof. Dinesh Kumar commended the Institute for its initiatives on sustainability, inclusivity as well as nation building, apart from academics and research. “The Office of Diversity and Inclusion convened important conversations on accessibility and universal design, and student-led efforts play an important role in our outreach.”

“Sustainability remains our key priority. We released our Sustainability Report on World Environment Day and introduced a new core course on Responsible Business and Sustainability. These efforts were accompanied by practical steps toward greener campus operations, including the introduction of an EV fleet on campus, donated by the PGP 1998 batch. IIM Bangalore won the Award for Excellence in Biodiversity Management and the Award for Excellence in Social Welfare and Community Services, at the ELCITA Sustainability Awards 2025.”

He also congratulated IIMB’s incubation centre, NSRCEL, on completing 25 years of supporting entrepreneurs in November last year. 

Prof. Dinesh Kumar also shared three Zen stories to emphasize on the importance of mindfulness to the graduating students. “The destination is not so important, but the journey is, and the journey has to be full of happiness. Be compassionate, which again is necessary to make life happier. Also, make integrity your life motto. These three elements will go a long may in making your lives happier.”

“Consider IIMB to be your home – come back, share your life stories and be an inspiration to the entire country.”

As the graduating students get a step closer to their dreams – with new beginnings, hopes and possibilities in the horizon – the campus today was witness to moments full of emotional farewells, group photos, selfies and other celebrations.

New INTOO/Harris Poll Study Reveals Innovation Paradox in the American Workplace: Employees Are Expected to Innovate — Yet 41% Fear Being Fired for Making a Mistake

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan Visits Stall

Budni, Madhya Pradesh, Mar 27: VST Tillers Tractors Ltd., a pioneer in farm mechanization in India, an undisputed leader in the power tiller segment and a pioneer in 4WD compact agricultural machinery, showcased its comprehensive range of advanced farm mechanization solutions at Rashtriya Krishi Uday Expo 2026, held at the Central Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute (CFMTTI), Budni.

VST was privileged to welcome Shri. Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, to its stall at the expo. The interaction provided an opportunity to showcase VST’s innovative mechanization solutions, including its distinctive power tiller and 4WD compact tractor, both designed to deliver affordability and ease of operation for small and marginal farmers. Backed by a legacy of nearly six decades, VST products have consistently supported farmers in addressing complex mechanization needs in a simple, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

VST Tillers Tractors also presented its diverse portfolio of products, designed to meet the evolving needs of Indian farmers across varying landholding sizes. The display highlighted the company’s innovation-driven approach, offering solutions that enhance productivity, reduce labour dependency, and promote sustainable farming practices.

The Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Budni (commonly known as FMTTI Budni) plays a critical and foundational role in strengthening farm mechanization in India. It drives inclusive farm mechanization by validating affordable solutions for small and marginal farmers, promoting region-specific technologies, bridging manufacturers with end users, standardizing machinery for quality assurance, and enabling sustainable, efficient agricultural practices. Rashtriya Krishi Uday 2026 Hosted at CFMTTI, Budni is a unique initiative by the Agriculture Ministry, bringing together farmers, agri-tech professionals, manufacturers, policymakers, institutions, and international stakeholders. The event serves as a premier platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies, facilitating knowledge exchange, and enabling high-impact business collaborations within the agricultural sector.

Through its participation at the expo, VST Tillers Tractors reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Indian agriculture through smart mechanization and innovation to enable a more productive, profitable, and future-ready agricultural ecosystem in India.

The Indian rupee weakened sharply on Friday, dropping 74 paise to touch a new record low of 94.70 against the US dollar in intra-day trading. The decline comes amid rising global crude oil prices and a firm US dollar, with ongoing tensions in West Asia showing no signs of resolution.

The currency opened at 94.18 and continued to fall through the session, slipping past the 94.50 level before hitting its lowest-ever mark.

Market participants say the rupee is under pressure from multiple fronts. Strong demand for dollars from oil-importing companies, coupled with continued foreign investor outflows from Indian equities, has weighed heavily on the local currency. Exporters, meanwhile, are delaying conversions in anticipation of more favorable rates, further tightening dollar supply.

The weakness in the currency also coincides with a downturn in domestic stock markets, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.

In the previous session on Wednesday, the rupee had already fallen to 93.96, which was its closing record low at the time. Financial markets remained shut on Thursday due to Ram Navami.

Experts note that sustained demand for the US dollar—especially from importers—continues to keep the rupee under pressure.

Globally, the US dollar remains firm, with the dollar index edging higher, indicating strength against major currencies. At the same time, Brent crude prices climbed significantly before easing slightly, hovering around $107 per barrel. Elevated oil prices are particularly impactful for India, which depends heavily on imports to meet its energy needs.

Sangli, Mar 27: Quality Power Electrical Equipments Limited (QPEEL) announced that its material step-down subsidiary, ENDOKS ENERJİ ANONİM ŞİRKETİ (ENDOKS), has secured a significant international order for the supply and integration of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

The order, valued at approximately ₹152 crores with a potential upside to ₹292 crores, marks a key milestone in the company’s expanding presence in global energy storage and grid modernisation solutions. The scope includes end-to-end supply and integration of battery energy storage systems, which play a critical role in enabling renewable energy integration, enhancing grid reliability, and supporting peak load management across power networks. The order includes design, manufacturing and supply of 50/55MWh and 40MW/80MWh of Power Conversion and associated systems.

Mr. Rajesh Jayaraman, CFO, Quality Power Electrical Equipments Ltd., said,

“We are very pleased to announce this order, which marks an important step in strengthening our position in the global energy storage segment. This order is a strong validation of our group’s capabilities in delivering advanced energy transition solutions. As global utilities accelerate investments in grid stability and renewable integration, battery energy storage is becoming a critical component of modern power systems. Through ENDOKS, we are well-positioned to address these evolving requirements and deliver integrated solutions across international markets.”

The project is expected to be executed by December 2027 and will be delivered through ENDOKS established capabilities in executing large-scale international projects.

This order further aligns with the company’s strategy of strengthening its international business while expanding its presence across next-generation power technologies, including energy storage systems. It also reinforces the company’s ability to secure and execute complex, high-value orders in the evolving global energy landscape.

Designed for contemporary living spaces, the Häfele Horizon Digital Lock offers a sophisticated combination of smart technologies and versatile locking modes, ensuring both convenience and reliable protection. With features such as Smart Password, Smart Voice, and Smart Freeze, the lock enhances everyday usability while maintaining strong security protocols.

The Horizon Digital Lock also offers multiple locking modes including Auto Locking, Passage Locking, Privacy Locking, and Double Authentication Mode. These intelligent options allow homeowners to adapt security levels based on different situations, whether it is everyday access, enhanced privacy, or additional verification for greater safety.

Adding to its versatility are flexible user access rights. The lock allows admin access with fingerprint, RFID card, and password control, while also enabling multiple user and guest profiles. This ensures that family members, trusted visitors, or service personnel can be granted controlled access without compromising overall security.

To further enhance convenience, the Horizon Digital Lock supports multiple password formats, including Permanent Passwords, Dynamic Passwords, and Period Passwords. These options allow homeowners to share temporary or time-bound access when required, making it especially useful for guests or household help.

Beyond access management, the lock integrates a range of advanced safety alerts and smart monitoring features. These include a Digital Door Viewer that allows homeowners to see visitors before opening the door, panel lighting that clearly indicates lock status, and loitering detection that sends alerts if someone lingers near the entrance for too long. Additional security features such as video doorbell functionality, intrusion alarms, door-open alerts, and automatic mortise locking ensure that the home remains protected at all times.

The Horizon Digital Lock is also equipped with a Li-ion battery system, ensuring reliable operation and long-lasting performance even during extended use.

With the Horizon Digital Lock from the Evolve Range, Häfele continues its commitment to bringing cutting-edge, technology-driven security solutions to modern homes. Combining elegant design with intelligent features, this digital lock not only elevates the aesthetics of your entrance but also delivers a dependable and future-ready approach to home protection.

Pic Credit: Pexel

Bhubaneswar: Silver prices witnessed a significant decline in Bhubaneswar today, falling by ₹15,000 per kilogram. As a result, the price of silver now stands at ₹2,45,000 per kg.

In recent days, both gold and silver prices have shown noticeable fluctuations. Market experts attribute this volatility to ongoing global uncertainties, particularly concerns related to geopolitical tensions and the possibility of war.

Meanwhile, gold prices have moved in the opposite direction. The price of 22-carat gold increased by ₹150, reaching ₹1,32,650. Similarly, 24-carat gold rose by ₹160 and is now priced at ₹1,44,710.

The current trend reflects an unstable market, with precious metal prices continuing to react to global developments.