All posts by Neel Achary

Apr 17 (BNP): Crude oil prices fell more than 2 per cent in futures trade on Friday, as easing geopolitical tensions and expectations of a possible US-Iran agreement reduced concerns over global supply disruptions.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil futures for May delivery declined by ₹180, or 2.1 per cent, to ₹8,396 per barrel.

Market sentiment turned weaker following indications of progress toward a potential diplomatic understanding between the United States and Iran. This eased worries over extended supply disruptions in global crude markets.

Analysts said the development led traders to reassess the geopolitical risk premium that had recently supported oil prices, resulting in downward pressure on futures.

Apr 17 (BNP): Aditya Birla Capital has announced that its housing finance subsidiary, Aditya Birla Housing Finance Ltd (ABHFL), has raised ₹2,750 crore through the sale of a 14.29 per cent stake to Indriya Ltd, an entity associated with private equity firm Advent International.

In a regulatory filing, the company said that following the transaction, ABHFL is no longer a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital. The parent company now holds an 85.505 per cent stake in the housing finance arm.

The board of ABHFL approved the allotment of 12.32 crore equity shares at a price of ₹223.12 per share to Indriya Ltd as part of the deal.

The transaction marks a strategic capital infusion aimed at strengthening the housing finance subsidiary’s balance sheet and supporting its future growth plans.

Gurugram, Apr 17: Origen Realty has announced the appointment of Poulomi Ray as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), bringing on board a seasoned marketing leader to steer the company’s brand and growth strategy.

Poulomi Ray brings close to two decades of experience in building and scaling brands, with deep expertise in consumer insights, market evolution, and strategic storytelling. She has led marketing initiatives across leading real estate and hospitality organisations, delivering high-impact brand narratives aligned with business growth objectives.

In her new role, Poulomi will lead Origen Realty’s marketing and brand direction, focusing on enhancing visibility, driving differentiation, and strengthening market engagement as the company advances its integrated development plans.

Commenting on the appointment, the management of Origen Realty said,

“Poulomi’s appointment aligns with our focus on building a strong, future-facing brand. Her ability to seamlessly combine strategy with execution will be instrumental as we take the next steps in our growth journey.”

Expressing her enthusiasm, Poulomi Ray said,

“I am incredibly excited to be part of the core leadership team at Origen Realty. The foundation of the brand is built on a legacy of over three decades in the construction business. As we embark on a new journey of integrated development in Gurugram across multiple phases, I look forward to contributing to the company’s growth through cutting-edge marketing strategies and technology integrations that will take the brand to greater heights.”

Prior to joining Origen Realty, Poulomi has held key leadership roles across reputed organisations including Signature Global, DLF Limited, Paras Buildtech, MGM International, and Hilton Hotels.

Bangalore, Apr 17:  Quest Global, a leading global engineering services firm, is proud to announce that it has been Certified™ as a Great Place To Work® in India for the fifth year in a row. This prestigious recognition is based entirely on what employees say about their experience working at Quest Global. This year, 78% of employees said it’s a great place to work.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Quest Global stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

“Being named a Great Place To Work in India for the fifth year in a row shows the remarkable commitment and energy of everyone at Quest Global,” said Ajit Prabhu, Co-founder and CEO, Quest Global. “Getting this recognition means a lot to us. It’s a sign that we’re building a place where everyone can bring their unique perspectives, try new things, and grow together. As we move forward, my promise is to keep making Quest Global a place where people feel seen, motivated, and prepared to solve the hardest engineering problems. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future, and that’s something I’m truly proud of.”

Quest Global received an overall Trust Index® score of 77%, reflecting strong credibility of management, respect for people, fairness at the workplace, pride, and camaraderie across teams. This certification is globally recognized as a benchmark for high-trust, high-performance cultures, and is evidence of our continued focus on building a positive and inclusive workplace.

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits, and have a fair chance at promotion.

Kurnool, April 16(BNP): In a tragic road accident, eight people from Karnataka lost their lives in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district on Thursday.

The incident occurred near Chilakaladona village under Mantralayam mandal when a Bolero vehicle, carrying devotees en route to the Guru Raghavendra Swamy Temple in Mantralayam, collided with a ready-mix tanker lorry.

According to reports, five persons died on the spot due to the impact of the collision, while three others succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

Around ten passengers were reportedly injured in the accident and were immediately shifted to the Government Hospital in Yemmiganur for medical care.

Police and emergency teams rushed to the spot and initiated rescue operations. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

The incident has cast a pall of gloom among the victims’ families and raised concerns over road safety.

Apr 17 (BNP): Thousands of devotees gathered in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of Vaishakh Amavasya on Friday, performing ritual bathing at the sacred Triveni Sangam.

From early morning hours during Brahma Muhurat, pilgrims arrived at the riverbanks to take a holy dip, which is considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition. The atmosphere across the city remained deeply devotional, with chants, prayers, and ritual practices marking the occasion.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

Along with the holy dip, devotees participated in charitable activities, including distribution of food and offerings to the needy. Many also performed prayers seeking peace for their ancestors and well-being for their families.

Vaishakh Amavasya is regarded as an important day in the Hindu calendar. Religious beliefs hold that bathing in sacred rivers and performing charity on this day brings spiritual merit and blessings.

Scriptural references describe the month of Vaishakh as highly sacred, with traditions stating that virtuous acts performed during this period carry amplified spiritual significance.

The Amavasya Tithi began on the evening of April 16 at 8:14 pm, with rituals continuing into the following day.

The event once again highlighted Prayagraj’s importance as a major center of pilgrimage and spiritual observance in India.

Apr 17 (BNP): India’s logistics industry is expected to witness strong, sustained growth over the coming decade, with estimates placing its value at around $800 billion by 2030 and close to ₹120 trillion by 2035. The expansion is being driven by large-scale infrastructure development, policy reforms, and increasing digital adoption across supply chains.

A key factor behind this growth is the ongoing capital investment push in transport infrastructure, including highways, rail networks, and dedicated freight corridors. These projects are designed to improve connectivity, reduce transit time, and lower overall logistics costs across regions.

Government initiatives such as the National Logistics Policy (NLP) and PM Gati Shakti programme are also reshaping the sector by improving coordination between departments and streamlining freight movement. India’s logistics cost, currently estimated at 13–14% of GDP, is targeted to gradually decline toward around 8%, enhancing global competitiveness.

At the same time, digital transformation is accelerating efficiency and transparency in supply chains. Platforms like the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), e-way bill systems, and RFID-enabled tracking are helping improve real-time visibility, reduce delays, and formalize operations. Industry expectations suggest that up to 60% of the sector could become formalized by 2035.

Demand-side growth is also strengthening the sector, supported by the rise of e-commerce, manufacturing expansion under “Make in India,” and the development of export logistics hubs. These trends are increasing the need for modern warehousing, cold chain networks, and efficient last-mile delivery systems.

With India’s economy projected to expand from around $4.2 trillion in 2025 to nearly $10 trillion by 2035, the logistics sector is expected to play a central role in enabling trade, industrial growth, and consumption across the country.