Category business

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): Silver prices saw a noticeable dip on Friday, reflecting a cautious mood among traders. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, silver futures for May delivery dropped by ₹3,549, settling at ₹2,40,219 per kilogram—a decline of 1.46%.

Market activity showed moderate participation, with a turnover of 1,718 lots. According to analysts, the fall was largely driven by traders scaling back their positions, leading to a wave of selling pressure in the market.

This pullback suggests a shift in sentiment, as participants appear to be booking profits or adopting a wait-and-watch approach amid uncertain market cues. While such fluctuations are common in commodity markets, the sharp drop highlights how quickly prices can react to changes in trader confidence.

For investors, the movement serves as a reminder of the volatility in precious metals, where prices are often influenced not just by demand and supply, but also by broader market sentiment.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): Equity mutual funds in India recorded a sharp rise in inflows in March, showing strong investor participation despite ongoing market volatility. Data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) showed that net inflows into equity schemes surged 56% month-on-month to ₹40,450 crore, compared with ₹25,978 crore in February.

The figure marks an eight-month high, reflecting continued confidence in equity-linked investments among retail investors.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions also remained strong, rising 7.5% to a record ₹32,087 crore, indicating steady and disciplined long-term investing behaviour.

Across categories, large-cap funds saw healthy growth in inflows, while mid-cap funds recorded strong gains. Small-cap funds also attracted higher investments, reflecting broad-based interest across market segments.

However, the overall mutual fund industry saw volatility, with net outflows of ₹2.39 lakh crore in March, driven largely by movements in non-equity segments.

Market experts said the trend highlights sustained retail participation and growing preference for equities through SIPs, even in uncertain market conditions.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): The government’s ‘Womaniya’ initiative has recorded significant expansion, with over 2.1 lakh women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) registering on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) in FY26.

According to official data, these enterprises secured around 13.7 lakh orders, with total contracts worth more than ₹28,000 crore awarded during the year. This represents a 27.6% year-on-year growth, reflecting rising participation of women entrepreneurs in government procurement.

The initiative enables women entrepreneurs and self-help groups (SHGs) to directly supply goods and services to government buyers through the GeM platform, improving market access and reducing dependence on intermediaries.

Women-led enterprises accounted for 5.6% of total GeM orders, comfortably exceeding the government’s 3% procurement target for women entrepreneurs.

The scheme supports sectors such as handicrafts, handloom, jute, coir, home décor, and office furnishings, where women-led businesses have a strong presence. At the ground level, district administrations and training institutions are conducting onboarding drives, workshops, and capacity-building programmes to improve seller participation.

Officials said the digital system—from registration to payments—ensures transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business for women entrepreneurs, helping them scale operations and gain wider market visibility.

They added that ‘Womaniya’ is not just a procurement platform but a step towards enhancing economic independence and strengthening women’s participation in formal markets.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): The Commerce Ministry has held a series of high-level meetings with exporters and key stakeholders to address rising challenges in packaging, shipping, and port operations amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

The meetings were chaired by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and attended by Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar, along with representatives from shipping lines, ports, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), and commodity boards.

Officials said the discussions focused on disruptions in maritime trade following escalating tensions in the West Asia region, which have impacted vessel movement and shipping routes, especially on key international corridors.

Exporters flagged several concerns, including delays in shipments, logistical bottlenecks, and rising operational costs affecting overall export performance. Export Promotion Councils have been directed to submit detailed feedback on port-wise issues to enable targeted policy responses.

In a separate review, industry representatives highlighted a sharp rise in packaging material costs, driven by increased petrochemical prices. This has led to an estimated 50% surge in packaging costs over recent weeks, further squeezing export margins.

The ministry said it is actively monitoring the situation and engaging with stakeholders to ensure continuity in trade operations and minimise supply chain disruptions.

XTB, a publicly listed global investment app, has received Category 1 and Category 2 licences from the UAE’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) for its UAE subsidiary. The licenses position XTB as a leading broker in the Middle East, allowing it to offer local investors not only the full brokerage range but also more advanced investment products in the future.

The licenses represent a major milestone in XTB’s regional growth in the Middle East, strengthening its ability to support local investors under UAE regulations. With CMA Category 1 and Category 2 licenses, XTB can further localise its operations and reinforce its long-term commitment to clients across the UAE and the wider Gulf.

New Delhi, Apr 10: Lyne Originals, one of India’s fast-growing smart accessories and audio brands, has announced a major expansion of its product lineup with the launch of six new devices. The new collection includes the STARTUP 30 & STARTUP 49 Smartwatches, STARTUP 57 Earbuds, STARTUP 48 & STARTUP 62 Neckbands, and the Jukebox 10 Pro speaker. The newly launched lineup brings together long-lasting battery performance, immersive audio technology, and sleek design innovation, catering to the growing demand for high-quality yet accessible smart accessories.

This multi-category launch reinforces Lyne Originals’ commitment to providing high-performance, feature-rich technology designed for the evolving needs of Indian consumers—ranging from fitness enthusiasts and gamers to music lovers and professionals on the go.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Kavya Vij, Chief Executive Officer, Lyne Originals, said, “At Lyne Originals, we aim to blend style with superior functionality. This new range, featuring 100-hour battery life neckbands and advanced curved-display smartwatches, reflects our focus on delivering endurance and elegance. We are excited to bring these ‘Startup Series’ innovations to our users, ensuring they stay connected and entertained with the best-in-class tech at accessible price points.”

Features and Specifications

STARTUP 49 Smartwatches (Lancer 1 Pro) & STARTUP 30 (Lancer 20)

The STARTUP 49 Smartwatch stands out with its large 2.09-inch curved LCD display and ergonomic build. It supports Bluetooth calling, features 11+ sports modes, and shows real time data on heart rate, pace, and calorie burned tailored to the specific activity, available in vibrant shades like Orange, Black, and White. The STARTUP 30 offers a 2.01-inch full-screen experience with wireless charging support and a functional rotating crown for easy navigation. Both watches provide seamless social media notifications and health monitoring, available in vibrant shades like Orange, Black, and Green.

STARTUP 57 Earbuds (CoolPods 10 Pro) 

The STARTUP 57 Earbuds is engineered for an immersive audio experience, featuring Studio Quality Sound and 3-Level Noise Cancellation for optimized environmental control. Designed for long-term use, it offers a massive 60 hours of music time and an industry-leading 2000 hours of standby. Gamers can benefit from the dedicated Low Latency Game Mode, while Bluetooth V6.0 ensures a rock-solid connection. It is available in Blue, Black, and White.

STARTUP 48 Neckbands (Rover 15 Pro) & STARTUP 62 (Rover 19 Pro)

The Startup 48 neckband is engineered for consistent performance, delivering 50 hours of music time. It is equipped with Bluetooth V5.3 for stable connectivity and features 10.2 mm drivers that produce crisp audio. For added convenience, the device includes magnetic switch functionality alongside OVP (Over Voltage Protection) and OCP (Over Current Protection) to ensure safe charging. It is available in three color options: Blue, Green, and Black. 

The Startup 62 neckband is designed for ease of use, featuring Magnetic On/Off power switch. With 30 hours of music time and integrated ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) technology. It is powered by Bluetooth version 5.3  and  available in Black, Blue, and Silver

Jukebox 10 Pro Speaker

The Jukebox 10 Pro is an 8 inch portable powerhouse with a 120W speaker output and 8 hours of playback time. It comes equipped with a wireless remote and microphone, making it ideal for karaoke sessions and small gatherings. The speaker also features an in-built mobile stand for convenient hands-free viewing and a dedicated volume controller for precise audio adjustments. With TWS pairing functionality, users can connect two speakers for a richer stereo experience. Supporting multiple input modes including USB, AUX, TF Card, TWS and Wireless connectivity, the Jukebox 10 Pro is a versatile companion for both indoor and outdoor use. It also includes a stylish LED lighting design.

Price and Availability

The newly launched products are now available at leading offline retail outlets across India:

STARTUP 30 Smartwatch

STARTUP 49 Smartwatch

STARTUP 57 Earbuds

STARTUP 48 Neckband

STARTUP 62 Neckband

Jukebox 10 Pro Speaker

New Delhi: India’s national shipping fleet has crossed a major milestone, surpassing 14.2 million Gross Tonnage (GT) for the first time, supported by the addition of 92 new vessels during FY 2025–26.

Officials said the sharp expansion reflects a significant boost in the country’s maritime strength, with vessel additions recording a threefold increase in tonnage growth compared to previous periods.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The development is seen as a key step towards enhancing India’s presence in global shipping and reducing dependence on foreign fleets. It also aligns with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aimed at strengthening self-reliance in critical strategic sectors.

Experts note that the rising fleet capacity will improve cargo handling capability, support trade efficiency, and enhance India’s competitiveness in international maritime logistics.

With sustained investments and policy support, the shipping sector is expected to play an increasingly important role in driving trade growth and strengthening India’s blue economy ambitions.

HOLMDEL, N.J. and CHICAGO – Apr. 10 – Litera, a leading legal AI platform provider that unifies the practice and business of law, announced the promotion of Priyanka Singh to Executive Vice President, Operations & Chief Financial Officer. Since joining Litera one year ago as CFO, Priyanka has expanded her impact beyond financial leadership, overseeing support and services, legal, and HR, and playing a central role in the company’s operational transformation. Her elevated title reflects the scope she has taken on, and the transformation she has led, helping reshape the company into a customer‑first organization and redefining how Litera partners with customers.

“From day one, Priyanka has shown a relentless drive to do right by our customers, and that commitment is showing up where it matters most,” said Avaneesh Marwaha, CEO of Litera. “What sets Priyanka apart is that she never stops at the balance sheet. She brings a CFO’s discipline to every corner of the business, and it’s her genuine care for our customers that has truly set the tone. Sentiment in the market is up, and Priyanka’s promotion reflects the direct impact her leadership has had on delivering the operational foundation behind our mission to pave the path for the future of law.”

Priyanka brings more than 20 years of experience in financial strategy, operations, and organizational transformation to her expanded role. Her background spans public and private companies focused on SaaS, mergers, and acquisitions at Togetherwork, Global Payments Inc., Heartland Payment Systems, and several verticals at General Electric. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA).

During her first year at Litera, Priyanka has also been instrumental in the company’s return-to-office initiative, overseeing the opening of seven offices and building a culture of in-person collaboration that employees are choosing to embrace. That cultural shift reflects her broader leadership philosophy that strategy only works when it translates into concrete priorities at every level of the organization.

“Litera is at an exciting point in its growth,” said Priyanka Singh. “The opportunity in front of us to help law firms unify the practice and business of law through AI requires operational excellence and a dedication to customers that matches our technology ambition. I’m energized by what we’ve built in the past year, and even more so by what we’re positioned to build for the next decade on a foundation of 30 years of unmatched legal expertise along with our rapid pace of innovation.”

Litera’s pedigree of 30 years of legal expertise, combined with the AI capabilities embedded across its platform through Lito, its award-winning legal AI agent, positions the company as the only legal AI platform built to unify the practice and business of law. Priyanka’s expanded role strengthens the operational foundation to execute that vision.