All posts by Neel Achary

Jamshedpur, Mar 25: At a time when business education across the world is increasingly being called upon to create not just successful professionals but responsible leaders, the Centre for Spirituality at XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur, is set to host a thought-provoking and inspiring Spirituality Pre-Conference Conclave on March 31, 2026.

 Titled “Global Perspectives on Indian Spirituality and Management: The Legacy of S.K. Chakraborty,” the online conclave will be conducted from 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM (IST) via Zoom. The session is designed as a platform for meaningful dialogue on how spiritual wisdom and ethical frameworks can be integrated into the modern management thinking process.

Over the years, management as a discipline has evolved rapidly to address highly pressured competition, unethical business practices, technological disruption, globalisation and market complexities. However, conversations around higher valued purpose and ethics for an inner moral compass in leadership have become equally critical. This conclave seeks to address this intersection precisely, bringing together distinguished academic voices to examine how Indian spiritual traditions can offer enduring insights for contemporary organisational challenges.

The event will be graced by Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director of the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, as the Chief Guest. A respected academic and thought leader, Prof. Chatterjee has consistently advocated for leadership that is rooted in self-awareness and purpose.

Joining him as Special Guests of Honour are Prof. Sanjoy Mukherjee from Indian Institute of Management, Shillong and Prof. Madhumita Chatterji, Director of ABBS School of Management. Their collective expertise spans leadership, organisational behaviour and value-based education, promising a rich and multidimensional discussion.

The conclave also pays tribute to the enduring legacy of S.K. Chakraborty, widely regarded as a pioneer in introducing spirituality into the discourse of management education in India. His work emphasised the importance of aligning professional excellence with personal integrity and societal responsibility, principles that remain deeply relevant in today’s business environment.

More than a conventional academic gathering, the pre-conference conclave is envisioned as a space for reflection and exchange, where ideas transcend disciplinary boundaries. It aims to encourage participants to rethink leadership not merely as a function of authority or performance, but as a practice grounded in values, empathy and long-term vision.

This initiative is part of XLRI’s broader commitment to fostering holistic and responsible leadership. As one of India’s premier business schools, XLRI has consistently championed the integration of ethics and social consciousness into its academic philosophy, reinforcing the idea that management education must ultimately serve society.

The conclave is open to academicians, students, researchers and industry professionals from across the globe. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the event seeks to build a shared understanding of how spirituality can inform decision-making, organisational culture and leadership development in meaningful ways.

The Odisha Budget 2026–27 has outlined a major cultural and spiritual revitalisation plan centred on the heritage of Shri Jagannath Dham, Puri, with a strong focus on preservation, infrastructure development, and digital inclusion for devotees worldwide.

A significant allocation of ₹1,000 crore has been proposed for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Jagannath Museum and Library in Puri. The proposed institution aims to safeguard centuries of religious traditions, archival materials, and cultural knowledge associated with the Jagannath heritage, while also presenting them in an accessible, modern format.

In addition, the budget includes provisions for the restoration and conservation of key heritage structures within the temple precinct and surrounding areas. These efforts are intended to strengthen the cultural integrity of Puri as one of India’s most important spiritual centres.

The government also plans to introduce a digital initiative named “Samarpan”, which will enable devotees across the globe to make virtual offerings. This platform is expected to deepen engagement with the diaspora and modernise traditional forms of worship.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

• Heritage Conservation: Protect and restore historically significant structures linked to the Jagannath tradition.
• Knowledge Preservation: Create a dedicated museum and library to archive religious texts, rituals, and cultural records.
• Digital Devotion: Launch the “Samarpan” platform to facilitate online offerings from global devotees.
• Cultural Strengthening: Reinforce the identity and legacy of Jagannath heritage on a national and international stage.
• Pilgrimage Development: Enhance the overall infrastructure and visitor experience in Puri.

Chandigarh, Mar 25: In today’s age of curated social media lives and constant comparisons, employee wellbeing is emerging as a core focus for organizations. Godrej Properties Ltd. emphasizes that fostering authentic workplace culture is key to creating resilient, engaged, and motivated teams.

Megha Goel, CHRO, Godrej Properties Ltd., highlighted,

“Scroll. Like. Share. Repeat. Perfect pictures and effortless routines online can intensify feelings of inadequacy at work. True wellbeing isn’t about perks or programs—it is embedded in daily culture, leadership behavior, and how employees feel seen, heard, and supported.”

A recent Workplace Discrimination Report shows that while 76% of employees feel safe speaking up, one in four remains silent. Recognizing this, Godrej Properties advocates for a holistic approach to employee wellbeing, built on three pillars:

• Being Seen: Employees thrive when their efforts, resilience, and small achievements are recognized consistently, fostering a sense of belonging and value.
• Being Heard: Creating safe spaces for employees to voice ideas, concerns, and dilemmas encourages participation, trust, and psychological safety.
• Being Supported: Policies around flexibility, mental health, and growth pathways, coupled with empathetic managerial support, ensure that employees feel genuinely cared for and empowered.

By embedding these principles into organizational strategy, Godrej Properties aims to counteract the silent pressures of comparison culture and encourage authenticity at work. The company believes that workplaces must celebrate real efforts and diverse voices, ensuring teams feel connected, acknowledged, and supported every day.

Megha Goel added, “In a world that often celebrates perfection, authentic workplaces matter. When employees feel truly seen, heard, and supported, they are better equipped to contribute meaningfully, innovate, and thrive.”

The festive spirit of devotion and purity comes alive at The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa as the resort presents a specially curated Festive Vegetarian Experience from March 24 to March 31, 2026, celebrating the auspicious occasions of Ram Navami on March 26 and Mahavir Jayanti on March 31. Designed to reflect the essence of these sacred festivals, the culinary team at the resort invites guests to indulge in a thoughtfully crafted menu that highlights the richness of traditional vegetarian cuisine while embracing the spirit of mindful and sattvic dining.

Guests can immerse themselves in a serene and soulful culinary journey at Seasonal Tastes, where a selection of wholesome vegetarian delicacies will be served with a contemporary touch. From comforting festive preparations to elegant vegetarian specialties, every dish is designed to complement the spiritual significance of the celebrations while offering guests a refined dining experience amidst the tranquil surroundings of the resort. We offer Sabudana ke khichdi, Vrat ke aloo, Kala channa sundal, Dal bhari puri or Rajgiri puri and Makhane ki kheer or Coconut barfi and satavik food.

Commenting on the festive offering, Vijay Chandran, General Manager, The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa, said,

“At The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa, we believe festivals are best celebrated through meaningful experiences that bring people together. Our specially curated vegetarian menu for Ram Navami and Mahavir Jayanti reflects the purity, simplicity, and rich culinary heritage associated with these occasions. We look forward to welcoming guests and offering them a memorable festive dining experience rooted in tradition and wellness.”

The Festive Vegetarian Experience will be available from March 24 to March 31, 2026, at Seasonal Tastes at The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa. Guests can enjoy the specially curated Navratri Thali making it an ideal opportunity for families and devotees to celebrate the sacred festivals with mindful indulgence and exceptional hospitality.

What: Festive Vegetarian Thali 

Where: Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa 

When: March 24 to March 31, 2026

Raipur: The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games will kick off on Wednesday in Chhattisgarh, bringing together around 1,300 athletes from across the country to compete in nine sporting disciplines.

The event will be hosted across three venues—Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja—and will feature competitions for 106 gold medals. The Games mark a major step in promoting tribal talent and expanding India’s grassroots sporting ecosystem.

A total of around 3,800 participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials, will be part of the sporting event, which will continue until April 3.

Odisha has sent the largest contingent with 125 athletes among the 30 participating states and Union Territories. Host state Chhattisgarh follows closely with 121 participants, while Jharkhand and Assam have fielded 107 and 106 athletes respectively.

Medals will be contested in sports such as archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Traditional games like mallakhamb and kabaddi will be featured as demonstration sports, highlighting India’s rich indigenous sporting heritage.

Athletics will offer the highest number of gold medals (34), followed by swimming (24), wrestling (18), and weightlifting (16).

Speaking about the significance of the event, Hockey India president and former Olympian Dilip Tirkey said the Games represent a proud moment for tribal athletes and a valuable platform to showcase their talent at the national level. He noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of promoting sports participation among youth across the country.

The Khelo India Tribal Games aim to nurture emerging talent from tribal regions and strengthen India’s ambition of becoming a stronger sporting nation by identifying and supporting athletes at the grassroots level.

Mar 25: S M Sehgal Foundation has been honored with the Best NGO award for Rainwater Harvesting by Water Digest at the World Water Day celebration held in New Delhi on March 23, 2026.

The award was received by Ms. Pooja Oberoi Murada, principal lead, Outreach for Development; Mr. Navneet Narwal, principal lead, Implementation; and Mr. Pawan Kaswan, senior program lead, Water Management, S M Sehgal Foundation.

The Chief Guest of the event was the Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, and the award was presented by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary.

Further strengthening its commitment to sustainable rural development and water management, the Foundation also received the Best Water awareness campaign (NGO category) award at the Global Sustainability & Innovation Awards 2026, presented by Earth Water Foundation on March 24, 2026, in New Delhi.

This recognition was awarded for its flagship radio program Jal, Jungle, Zameen (Water, Forest, and Land), broadcast through Community Radio Connect FM 107.8 (An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation). The program reaches agrarian communities, particularly small-scale farmers encouraging them to adopt water-saving smart agricultural practices.

The award was received by Ms. Arti Manchanda Grover, senior program lead, Public Relations, and Ms. Sonia Chopra, program lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Mr. Durgashankar Mishra (Retd. IAS, Government of Uttar Pradesh) and Smt. Sulochana Das, Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.

These awards are dedicated to the communities the Foundation has been working with over the past 26 years. Since 1999, S M Sehgal Foundation has been committed to improving the quality of life of rural communities across India.

The Foundation has four main program areas: Water Management, Agriculture Development, Local Participation and Sustainability, and Transform Lives one school at a time. These programs are supported by the Outreach for Development team, which engages diverse audiences through a blend of digital outreach and on-ground interactions, ensuring that information is accessible and relevant. They are further strengthened by a skilled research team that undertakes participatory research, impact assessments, and interactive dialogues to inform actions and achieve sustainable results.  

Mar 25: Lenovo India today announced the launch of “India’s Gone Football”, a nationwide AR gaming activation that gives fans across India a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

 Lenovo is the Official Technology Partner of FIFA World Cup 2026™. Lenovo India is offering participants a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, along with additional rewards including Lenovo merchandise and devices.

Accessible via indiasgonefootball.com, the campaign transforms everyday surroundings into a virtual football arena using augmented reality. Participants can scan any rectangular object around them such as a television, laptop, or table – which instantly becomes a goalpost, allowing them to take penalty shots and score points.

Each game session consists of five penalty shots, with points awarded for every successful goal. Participants can improve their scores through gameplay accuracy and speed-based multipliers, adding a competitive edge to every attempt.

Participants can play the game multiple times during the campaign period. While there is no limit to the number of attempts, only the top 50 game scores per participant will be considered towards their cumulative leaderboard score.

Leaderboards will be updated at regular intervals and shared on Lenovo India’s social media handles, showcasing top performers across the competition.

Participants who own a Lenovo device can further enhance their performance by entering their device serial number to unlock a 4X score multiplier on the leaderboard and increasing their chances of winning the grand prize – a ticket for an all-expenses-paid trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Football fans across the country can join the campaign using a smartphone. Participants aged 18 and above are eligible for the grand prize while others can still participate and win exciting weekly merchandise.

Through “India’s Gone Football”, Lenovo brings together football, gaming, and augmented reality to create an engaging digital experience that invites fans to play, compete, and get closer to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

Pic Credit: Pexel

New Delhi: Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 is set to expand its focus beyond the installation of pipes and pumps, aiming to ensure long-term, sustainable access to safe drinking water in rural India.

The upgraded phase of the mission emphasizes not only expanding household tap connections but also strengthening water source sustainability, improving quality monitoring, and enhancing local water management systems.

Officials said the new approach seeks to address challenges such as groundwater depletion and seasonal water scarcity by promoting community participation and efficient resource management.

The initiative builds on the progress of the original Jal Jeevan Mission, which significantly increased rural tap water coverage across the country. The second phase is expected to deepen its impact by ensuring reliability, quality, and long-term water security for every household.

With a stronger focus on sustainability and decentralised management, Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 aims to move beyond infrastructure delivery towards a more resilient and future-ready drinking water system.

Odisha: The state’s Mission PoWaR is emerging as a major initiative aimed at transforming rural areas through a convergence-based development approach focused on infrastructure and essential services.

Under the mission, significant investments have been allocated to strengthen connectivity and improve basic facilities across villages. The plan includes ₹3,491 crore for rural roads, ₹2,050 crore for bridges, and ₹1,000 crore dedicated to ensuring all-weather connectivity, aiming to improve access even in remote regions.

Alongside infrastructure development, the initiative places strong emphasis on providing reliable electricity supply and safe drinking water to every village. Officials say the programme is designed to create inclusive growth by linking remote habitations with mainstream development.

Mission PoWaR focuses on coordinated efforts across departments to accelerate rural transformation, improve mobility, and enhance the quality of life for rural communities.

The initiative is expected to play a key role in strengthening rural Odisha’s infrastructure backbone while supporting long-term socio-economic development.