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L TO R Priya Paul, Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Gregor Trumel Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, French Embassy in India H.E. Mr. & Mrs. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India

New Delhi, Mar 27: La Nuit au Coeur (Night in the Heart) by Nathacha Appanah has been awarded the Goncourt Choice of India 2026. The winner was announced by a jury of Indian students following a day of deliberations held in New Delhi, in the presence of distinguished guests including Ms Priya Paul, Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited and H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India.

The prize honours a work of French literature from the shortlist of the prestigious Goncourt Prize. The winning title is subsequently translated into at least one Indian language. The jury members formally announced the winner for the 2026 edition: La Nuit au Coeur (Night in the Heart) by Nathacha Appanah.

The Goncourt Choice of India, supported by Apeejay Surrendra Group Director Priti Paul through the Apeejay Trust, aims to foster cultural exchanges and strengthen ties between Indian readers and French authors. 

In La Nuit au cœur (Night in the Heart, 2025), Nathacha Appanah examines the unbearable enigma of intimate partner femicide, when the dark night takes the place of love, through the intertwined stories of three women who are victims of their partner’s violence. The book won the prestigious Prix Femina in France and has now become the Goncourt Choice of India.

Nathacha Appanah is a prize-winning French-Mauritian novelist of Indian origin. Born in Mauritius, she is descended from Telugu-speaking Indian indentured labourers who immigrated to the island. Her writing often addresses themes of identity, displacement, and the memory of her Indian heritage in a Mauritian context. Her debut novel, The Rocks of Gold Dust (Les Rochers de Poudre d’Or, 2003) traces the journey of Indian indentured labourers to Mauritius, and Washed-Out Memory (La Mémoire délavée, 2023) recounts the story of her grandparents.

Programme Expansion & Future Initiatives

Under a new partnership with the Apeejay Trust, the programme will expand with additional initiatives. A translation competition will be launched this month, inviting translators to submit excerpts of the winning title in languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi.

The winning translator will receive a publication contract supported by Institut Français India and Apeejay.

Event Highlights

The jury members, literature lovers, publishers, and authors gathered at The Park Hotel for a distinguished literary soirée. A thought-provoking conversation between Meena Kandasamy, Prayaag Akbar, and Gautam Bhatia, moderated by Amrita Tripathi, on the theme, “In literature, are we always writing about ourselves?”

The theme reflects a growing trend in contemporary literature, particularly in France, where recent selections increasingly foreground intimate, personal narratives. The latest shortlist for the Prix Goncourt features works that intertwine family histories with broader historical events, prompting reflection on the autobiographical nature of writing.

About the Jury & Selection Process

For the fifth consecutive year, students of French from across India participated in the International Goncourt Prize programme, run by the Académie Goncourt and extended to more than forty countries by the French cultural network.

The Indian jury was composed of students from eight universities — The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Pondicherry University, Savitribai Phule Pune University, University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Rajasthan, Banaras Hindu University, and University of Punjab — along with students from the network of Alliances françaises in India.

Over four months, the jurors read and discussed four shortlisted books in original French:

• Nathacha Appanah’s La Nuit au Cœur

• Emmanuel Carrère’s Kolkhoze

• Caroline Lamarche’s Le Bel Obscur

• Laurent Mauvignier’s La Maison Vide

A series of online sessions helped familiarise participants with the Goncourt Prize, literary criticism, and the publishing journey behind the titles.

This edition was particularly special as it was patronized by eminent Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun, member of the Prix Goncourt jury and winner of the prize in 1987.

The presidents of each of the nine juries met at the Embassy of France in Delhi on the morning of March 17, where they debated their choices before a lunch hosted by the Ambassador — following a tradition established by the Goncourt Academy over a century ago. The jury arrived at their decision early in the afternoon.

India’s flagship financial inclusion initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), is showing remarkable progress as average account balances reach a record ₹5,233. Total deposits across the scheme have now crossed ₹3 lakh crore, reflecting a growing trust in the banking system.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia

As of March 11, 2026, aggregate balances stood at approximately ₹3.03 lakh crore, spread across nearly 578.6 million beneficiaries. The steady increase signals a shift from dormant, zero-balance accounts to actively used financial instruments for savings, direct benefit transfers (DBT), and daily transactions.

Analysts note that the trend highlights greater financial literacy and the increasing adoption of formal banking channels among rural and low-income populations. With PMJDY accounts now playing a crucial role in government benefit disbursements and routine financial activities, the program continues to strengthen India’s foundation for inclusive economic growth.

This milestone not only underscores the success of PMJDY but also points to a broader transformation in India’s banking ecosystem, where digital and formal financial access is becoming an everyday reality for millions.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 27, 2026) – Esther Choy started teaching leadership storytelling long before it was “a thing.” Since 2010, Choy has coached thousands of business leaders across a wide array of industries, harnessing the power of story to build trust, ignite connection, and inspire action as CEO and Chief Story Facilitator at Leadership Story Lab.

In her highly anticipated second book, Winning Without Persuading: A New Framework for Leading with Curiosity and Story Discovery (HarperCollins Leadership, May 5, 2026), Choy offers a revolutionary approach – leadership storytelling built on uncovering the hidden stories that change everything.

“If you lead today, you are operating in a time when trust is brittle, attention is fractured, and AI and automation are redrawing the boundaries of what human communication even means,” writes Choy. “Leaders cannot afford to wait until they are on stage or under pressure to begin.”

In the book, Choy turns conventional business storytelling on its head, showing that the real power of story in leadership isn’t only about spotlighting yourself. As Esther says, “the best way to get someone’s attention is by giving them yours. By encouraging others to share their stories, leaders not only gain a deeper understanding but also demonstrate a genuine desire to connect on a human level.”

Choy shares many of these revolutionary storytelling principles and stories in the book, based on her experience with guiding individuals, teams, and organizations on leadership communication.

Since 2020, she has taught leaders to master the art of storytelling and equipped them to empower others to tell their stories through the transformative 6-week Certified Story Facilitator course.

 This book is written for now, for the leaders who recognize that every conversation holds more than content, every team carries more than metrics, every moment could be a mirror.

Esther K. Choy is the CEO and Chief Story Facilitator at Leadership Story Lab, where she coaches leaders across industries to harness the power of story to build trust, ignite change, and inspire action. The author of Let the Story Do the Work and a top contributor to Forbes’ Leadership Strategy channel, her work has also been featured in Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, and Entrepreneur magazine. Currently completing her MFA in Creative Writing at DePaul University, Esther blends business rigor with narrative craft to redefine leadership as an act of connection and transformation. Her latest book, Winning Without Persuading, will be available nationwide on May 5, 2026.

Leadership Story Lab equips leaders with skills in business storytelling through coaching, training, and certification in facilitation. For 15 years, the firm has coached thousands of leaders—from Fortune 500 executives to entrepreneurs and changemakers—helping them communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

HarperCollins Leadership publishes content from leaders who redefine or expand what a reader previously thought possible. Authors provide unique inspiration and experiences to those who seek to learn, make a difference, and find their own version of success.

New Delhi, March 26:

 On the occasion of Shri Ram Navami, Dr Bhargav Mallappa, National Youth President of ‘ Akhil Bhartiya Gau Raksha Mahasangh’ , extended his warm greetings and best wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, while also conveying festive wishes to citizens across the country.

In his message, Dr. Mallappa appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Modi towards promoting Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma. He said that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, there has been a visible emphasis on strengthening India’s cultural values and preserving its rich spiritual traditions. He noted that these efforts have helped reconnect people with their roots and have encouraged greater awareness and respect for the country’s ancient heritage.

Elaborating further, Dr Mallappa stated that the initiatives taken in recent years reflect a deeper commitment to safeguarding India’s civilizational identity. He added that the focus on cultural revival and spiritual consciousness has played an important role in fostering a sense of unity and pride among citizens. According to him, such measures not only preserve traditions but also inspire future generations to carry forward the legacy of Sanatan Dharma.

Dr. Mallappa also praised Prime Minister Modi for his dedication and consistent approach towards these goals. He remarked that strong leadership is essential for maintaining the balance between development and cultural preservation, and said that the Prime Minister’s efforts have contributed significantly in this regard.

On the auspicious occasion, Dr Mallappa offered prayers for peace, prosperity, and happiness across the country. He expressed hope that the blessings of Lord Ram would bring harmony and stability to the nation and guide it on the path of continuous growth and progress. He also extended his heartfelt wishes for the well-being and success of the Prime Minister, along with prosperity for the people of his state.

Concluding his message, Dr. Mallappa said that Ram Navami is not just a festival but a reminder of the values of righteousness, duty, and compassion as exemplified by Lord Ram. He urged citizens to imbibe these values in their daily lives and work collectively towards building a stronger, more united, and progressive nation.

Agartala, Tripura, March 26, 2026:
Swaranjali Delhi, in association with Manjir, will present Colours of India 2026 – Tripura, a vibrant cultural evening celebrating India’s rich artistic heritage, on April 17, 2026. The event will be held at Sukanta Academy, located in Indranagar, West Tripura, starting at 6 PM.

The programme will feature an eclectic lineup of classical music and dance performances. Renowned sitar maestro Subrata De will lead the instrumental segment, while noted vocalist Nibedita Bhattacharjee Bagchi will present a classical vocal recital.

The dance segment will showcase performances by prominent cultural groups including Nrityabhumi, Reformist Society, Dhwani, Rudraksh, Ghungru, and Manjir, reflecting a diverse spectrum of Indian dance traditions.

The evening will also feature accomplished co-artists, including vocalist Krishnadhan Lodh, tabla artists Subir Thakur and Saikat Chakraborty, along with violinist Siddhartha Sarkar. The event will be anchored by announcer Udaysankar Bhattacharjee.

Notably, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions has been announced as the official media partner for the event, supporting its outreach and visibility.

Organisers said the event aims to promote cultural exchange and bring together artists from across regions to celebrate the essence of Indian classical and contemporary performing arts.

For further details and RSVP, attendees can contact Swaranjali Delhi at 9910300319 or Manjir Agartala at 9436136577. More information is available on the official website: www.swaranjali.org.

This Easter, Conrad Pune unfolds as a celebration of indulgence, warmth, and togetherness. Bringing alive the joy of the season with a Grand Easter Brunch and indulgent desserts across its restaurants, it’s the perfect way to mark the occasion with loved ones.

Traditional Sweet Treats at Pune Sugar Box from 1st – 5th April

Easter arrives with a playful, indulgent spirit at Pune Sugar Box with handcrafted confectionery and seasonal bakes. Capturing the joy of the season, the menu features a charming selection of festive favourites from freshly baked Hot Cross Buns and delicate Easter-themed pastries to whimsical Easter nests, citrus pies, and coffee-caramel treats.

An array of elegant cakes from classic red velvet and rich chocolate to fresh fruit creations adds to the spread, while signature chocolate Easter eggs, including designer and larger-than-life creations, make for perfect gifting or indulgent keepsakes.

Listing Details:

What: The Easter Sugar Rush

Where: Pune Sugar Box, Conrad Pune

When: 1st – 5th April 2026

Time: All Day

The Grand Easter Brunch at Coriander Kitchen

For those who prefer to celebrate around the table, Coriander Kitchen hosts a Grand Easter Brunch that captures the essence of the season with a vibrant, expansive spread. The brunch features a thoughtful selection of festive specials, seasonal favourites, and indulgent desserts that reflect a sense of celebration.

From comforting classics to Easter-inspired treats, every element of the experience is curated to be shared and savoured, making it ideal for a leisurely afternoon with friends and family.

Listing Details

What: Grand Easter Brunch

Where: Coriander Kitchen, Conrad Pune

When: 5th April 2026

Time: 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Set within the warm and elegant surroundings of Conrad Pune, the Easter offerings are complemented by Conrad Pune’s signature hospitality, making it a perfect setting to come together, celebrate, and create lasting memories.

New Delhi, March 26: The World Public Summit: India has officially commenced in New Delhi under the theme “A New World: India in the Architecture of a Shared Future,” positioning India at the forefront of shaping a more inclusive and cooperative global order. Held at the Hyatt Regency from March 23 to 26, the summit convenes a diverse coalition of global leaders, policymakers, scholars, business executives, and civil society representatives.

Jointly organized by the World Peoples Assembly and the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the summit serves as the opening chapter of a broader international initiative that will unfold across multiple regions in 2026, including the Arab World, Latin America, Africa, and Europe. With its leadership in multilateral platforms and its 2026 BRICS presidency, India is increasingly seen as a bridge between regions, economies, and cultures making it a natural setting for a dialogue centered on unity, cooperation, and sustainable development.

The summit features an impressive roster of participants, including Sameep Shastri, Deputy Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Sergey Cheryomin, Minister of the Moscow Government; Raksha Khadse, India’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs; Oleg Skripochka, renowned cosmonaut and Hero of the Russian Federation; and media entrepreneur Parul Mahajan, alongside diplomats, cultural leaders, and international experts from across sectors.

Across four days, the summit explores a wide-ranging agenda focused on building a shared future grounded in trust and common values. Core themes include the role of cultural and spiritual heritage in uniting societies, the emergence of conscious and values-driven leadership, and the intersection of tradition and innovation in modern development. 

Opening day sessions set a strong intellectual and strategic tone. A featured seminar, “Media and Shared Values: Shaping a Common Future,” examined the media’s responsibility in fostering understanding and strengthening global dialogue. 

This was followed by a high-level convening of the Scientific and Expert Council of the World Peoples Assembly, focused on articulating a framework of shared values for humanity’s future.

The program includes a dynamic mix of plenary sessions, panel discussions, and international roundtables addressing topics such as cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, women’s leadership, family as a pillar of societal well-being, and the future of global cooperation even extending to space as a shared frontier for humankind.

Highlight sessions include “India: Unity in Diversity – Values That Unite,” “Peace through Culture,” and “Culture of Trust: Building an Economy Based on Values,” each designed to move beyond theory toward actionable ideas and collaborative solutions. Additional discussions highlight the influence of media in shaping global narratives, the importance of ethical and partnership-based economic models, and the expanding role of public diplomacy in bridging divides.

Svetlana Smirnova, Chairman of the General Council of the World Peoples Assembly, underscored the summit’s broader significance, stating: “A new world is emerging, one defined by dialogue, trust, and shared values and this summit reflects that transformation in action.”

As the first in a global series, the World Public Summit: India not only reinforces India’s leadership on the world stage but also advances the mission of the World Peoples Assembly to build a more connected, cooperative, and values-driven world through dialogue and shared purpose.- 

Munich, Germany – 25 March 2026: Complement Therapeutics GmbH (CTx), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies for complement-mediated diseases, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in Opti-GAIN, its first-in-human Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating CTx001 in patients with Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Opti-GAIN is a multi-centre Phase I/II study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of CTx001, administered via a single subretinal injection. Part 1 of the study is an open-label, dose-escalation phase across three cohorts, followed by a dose-expansion phase in Part 2. The trial is being conducted by the company’s UK subsidiary.

“Geographic Atrophy remains an area of significant unmet need, with patients facing progressive and irreversible vision loss,” said Dr. Arshad M. Khanani, Chief Investigator of the study and Director of Clinical Research at Sierra Eye Associates, Reno, Nevada, USA. “I am pleased to be part of this first-in-human trial and to have administered CTx001 to the first patient. We look forward to further evaluating this promising one-time investigational gene therapy approach in GA secondary to AMD.”

CTx001 is an investigational AAV2-based gene therapy engineered to deliver a construct encoding mini-CR1, a truncated and secreted form of Complement Receptor 1. This approach is designed to modulate both the alternative and classical complement pathways. Subretinal administration enables local production of mini-CR1 within retinal cells, while its small size may facilitate penetration across Bruch’s membrane, supporting broad ocular biodistribution, including the choriocapillaris.

Building on clinically validated complement biology in GA, CTx001 aims to deliver a potentially best-in-class profile, combining broad ocular coverage, strong potency, multi-pathway modulation, and extended durability.

The Opti-GAIN trial is being conducted alongside Pre-GAIN, the company’s ongoing natural history study in GA, currently enrolling patients in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Together, these studies are expected to inform patient selection and enable the evaluation of novel structural and functional endpoints, including ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity and focal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)-based microperimetry. Notably, Opti-GAIN is among the first clinical studies to prospectively evaluate focal OCT-based microperimetry, a method that could significantly advance treatment assessment in GA.

“Dosing the first patient in Opti-GAIN marks a key milestone for Complement Therapeutics and the clinical development of CTx001,” said Dr. Rafiq Hasan, Chief Executive Officer of Complement Therapeutics. “We believe our differentiated gene therapy approach, combined with an integrated clinical strategy, positions CTx001 strongly. Running Opti-GAIN alongside Pre-GAIN enables us to generate both interventional and natural history data to better guide patient selection, endpoint development, and future trials.”

Dr. Muhammad Ali Memon, Chief Medical Officer of Complement Therapeutics, added: “Our precise surgical delivery approach, adaptive immunomodulatory regimen, and well-characterised patient populations from i-GAIN and Pre-GAIN provide a strong foundation for demonstrating therapeutic impact with CTx001 in Opti-GAIN.”

Further details on the company’s clinical programmes are available on ClinicalTrials.gov, including Opti-GAIN (NCT07392255) and Pre-GAIN (NCT07144137).

Yaoundé, Cameroon, 25 March 2026: The multilateral, rules-based, trading system, underpinned by the World Trade Organization (WTO), has proven essential for advancing global food security by ensuring access to markets and technologies, supporting millions of farmers, and safeguarding against fragmentation and unilateralism. Ministers from around the world will meet in Yaoundé, Cameroon this week, for the first time in Africa, to take action on the WTO’s 14^th Ministerial Conference (MC14) agenda. With discussions on institutional reform looming large, this is a crucial moment for the future of rules-based trade and the WTO itself.

Governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) share a common objective to safeguard global food security in an increasingly volatile world. With this imperative in mind, CropLife International calls on Member Governments to uphold agricultural resilience and productivity and prevent unnecessary trade barriers with the following recommendations:

1. Uphold Science-Based Trade, respecting common and agreed international standards, including Codex Alimentarius for food safety.  
2. Safeguard Intellectual Property Rights and the TRIPS Agreement, to encourage innovation that will meet future needs in the field.
3. Advance sustainable development, in line with the Marrakesh Agreement, through inclusive, outcome-focused, and science-based approaches that balance economic, social, and environmental objectives.

Speaking ahead of MC14, Emily Rees, President and CEO of CropLife International said: “The multilateral, rules-based, trading system plays a critical role in advancing global food security. This upcoming MC14 provides an opportunity to reaffirm the core principles on which the WTO was built. Our recommendations lay the path for the action needed to protect agricultural productivity and food security. With science and rules-based trade, strong and predictable IP frameworks and outcome driven sustainable development, Ministers can support the agricultural sector to build its capacities, accelerate innovation and encourage development that delivers value for those in the field.”

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.