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.

New Delhi, Mar 27:  Resurgent ESG Services Private Limited (Resurgent ESG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Resurgent India Limited and a SEBI-registered ESG Rating Provider (ERP), has assigned an ESG rating to Network People Services Technologies Limited (NPST). The ESG score assigned to the NPST for the FY 2025-26 (Data based on FY 2024-25) stands at 66, which corresponds to an ESG Rating of A. 

NPST, one of the country’s leading digital payments and transaction processing company, has been evaluated through Resurgent ESG’s rigorous and comprehensive ESG assessment framework. The rating reflects the company’s current ESG profile, measuring the impact of its technology-driven business activities on the environment and society, as well as the strength of its governance practices in supporting a secure and inclusive payments ecosystem.

Commenting on the importance of ESG ratings, Mr. Sanjeet Kumar, Director, Resurgent ESG Services Pvt Ltd., said, “ESG Ratings are rapidly becoming a major benchmark for all Indian Companies influencing decisions regarding investment, credibility of brands, and regulatory compliance such as SEBI’s BRSR framework. Improved ESG performance also helps companies to manage the long-term risks, improve sustainability, and potentially lower the cost of capital. In today’s time ESG is not only about the compliance, but it is also about building future ready businesses.”

This rating will serve as a valuable tool for NPST and its stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making and supporting the company’s ongoing ESG journey.Resurgent ESG’s rating methodology goes beyond publicly available disclosures, incorporating a comprehensive assessment framework. This approach ensures that the ratings consider both quantitative and qualitative factors, providing investors and market participants with a reliable view of the entity’s sustainability profile and future outlook.

Riyadh, Mar 27: The Esports Foundation appointed NODWIN Gaming, a global leader in gaming, esports and youth entertainment, as India’s official National Team Partner for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the global nation-based esports competition set to debut in Riyadh from November 2–29, 2026. The appointment reflects NODWIN Gaming’s role in shaping India’s esports ecosystem over more than a decade, delivering national competitions, operating publisher-led circuits, and building connections across players, creators and partners.

 As India’s National Team Partner, NODWIN Gaming will spearhead team formation, mobilize grassroots and competitive communities, support coaches across game titles, and coordinate with publishers, Clubs, and ecosystem stakeholders to establish the pathways needed for Indian players to represent the country on the global stage.

Nimish Raut, Global Head of Esports: Partnerships & Special Projects at NODWIN Gaming, commented,

“The Esports Nations Cup represents a defining shift in how competitive gaming is structured globally, and for a country like India, this is a truly transformative opportunity. We have one of the largest and most passionate gaming communities in the world, but until now, there hasn’t been a unified pathway for players to represent the country on a global stage. As the National Team Partner, our focus will be on building that structure from the ground up, identifying and nurturing talent across titles, and creating a high-performance environment that enables Indian players to compete at the highest level. We are excited to work closely with the EF to unlock this next phase of growth for Indian esports and establish a sustainable foundation for the future.”

NODWIN Gaming joins a global roster of National Team Partners appointed across more than 100 nations, as part of the Esports Nations Cup’s partnership-led model for national team development. The Esports Foundation received more than 630 applications from 150 countries and territories, reflecting the scale of global interest in nation-based esports. The full list of National Team Partners is available on the ENC website and will be updated as additional appointments are confirmed.

The Esports Nations Cup introduces a structured global framework for national teams at scale, adding a new layer to the esports ecosystem alongside club-based competition. Designed to complement existing structures, the ENC works with local stakeholders closest to the sport to strengthen connections, enable participation, and support long-term national development.

“India is a country full of passionate esports fans, building up to be a not-so-silent powerhouse of esports on the global stage”, said Hans Jagnow, Director, Special Projects, The Esports Foundation. “NODWIN Gaming has been a key architect of the Indian community and we couldn’t think of anyone better to bring together the ENC National Team for India and spark national pride for the players competing for a place in Riyadh.”

NODWIN Gaming brings deep operational expertise and a proven track record of building and scaling esports ecosystems in India and globally. The company has played a key role in shaping the competitive gaming landscape through large-scale tournaments, original IPs, and strategic partnerships across South Asia, Europe, and other international markets. Last year, it partnered with the EWCF to manage media rights sales across South Asia for the Esports World Cup and also collaborated with Chess.com and ChessBase India to build the future of chess esports in India, aligning with chess’s inclusion at the inaugural ENC. With a strong foundation in community building, content, and large-scale event execution, the company is well positioned to drive talent development, fan engagement, and international competitiveness as part of ENC 2026.

ENC 2026 is backed by a total investment of $45 million (approx INR 414 crore), including $20 million (approx INR 184 crore) in prize money for players and coaches across 16 titles, $5 million (approx INR 46 crore) in Club incentives, and $20 million (approx INR 184 crore) dedicated to national team development. The tournament will feature a placement-based prize structure with equal payouts across titles, where first place earns $50,000 (approx INR 46 lakh) per player, second place earns $30,000 (approx INR 28 lakh), and third place earns $15,000 (approx INR 14 lakh), with payouts scaling for team-based titles.

The tournament will feature Chess, PUBG Mobile, Rocket League, DOTA 2, VALORANT, Counter-Strike 2, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Fatal Fury, League of Legends, Trackmania, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, EA SPORTS FC 26, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honor of Kings, and Apex Legends.

The ENC will launch in Riyadh in November 2026 before moving to a rotating city model. The biennial ENC complements the annual Club-based Esports World Cup (EWC), providing a stable structure for players and long-term investment in national team programmes.