The India International Trade Fair, running through its 44th edition at Bharat Mandapam, has become an economic launchpad for small entrepreneurs, artisans, and farmers testing national markets under the Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat theme. More than 3,500 participants are using the platform to connect with wholesale buyers and gauge consumer preferences, with many exhibitors earning several months of typical income during the two-week event.
Bihar entrepreneur Sridhi Kumari displays Bhagalpuri silk products crafted by regional artisans, while Maharashtra farmer Prahlad Ramrao Borgad markets organic goods through his Surya Farmers brand with support from self-help groups. Partner state Jharkhand features tribal lacquer bangles made by...
India's global capability centres have shifted from testing artificial intelligence to implementing it across their operations, with 58 percent now funding Agentic AI and 29 percent preparing to expand those efforts within a year, according to an EY India study released recently. The research shows 83 percent of these centres are backing GenAI technologies, deploying them primarily in customer service operations at 65 percent, finance at 53 percent, and operational functions at 49 percent.
These facilities are gaining strategic influence beyond their traditional support roles, as 52 percent now share accountability for worldwide corporate decisions, while another 26 percent serve in formal advisory capacities. Nearly one-fifth have...
India's revised wage legislation establishes universal minimum compensation guarantees across organized and informal employment sectors, expanding protections previously limited to approximately 30 percent of the workforce. The reforms consolidate scattered regulations while introducing standardized baseline pay floors that state authorities cannot undercut, addressing regional disparities that previously triggered labor migration.
Administrative streamlining reduced compliance documentation from 163 rules to 58, cutting required forms from 20 to six and mandatory registers from 24 to two through unified registration systems. Protections against unauthorized salary deductions and requirements for transparent wage documentation extend...
Indian textile officials completed productive discussions with Georgian counterparts focused on sericulture collaboration and trade expansion during a diplomatic mission last week. P. Sivakumar from the Central Silk Board led representatives who attended an international conference while showcasing a distinctive five-variety silk stole combining mulberry, oak tasar, tropical tasar, muga and eri materials.
The visiting group met with academic institutions, manufacturing enterprises and government representatives to explore partnerships in research activities and commercial development. Conversations addressed market access improvements for carpets, garments and specialty silk goods between the nations.
Georgian facilities toured by the...
Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that a phased bilateral trade pact with Israel will boost commercial activity and strengthen cooperation in innovation sectors. Speaking in Jerusalem during his first ministerial visit to the country in two decades, Goyal indicated both governments seek the rapid completion of the initial agreement stage to deliver immediate benefits to business communities.
The minister addressed Indian expatriates alongside Israeli counterpart Nir Barkat, emphasizing the diaspora's role in building interpersonal connections between nations. Goyal visited the Indian Hospice facility in Jerusalem before conducting discussions on expanding agricultural technology collaboration and investment flows...
India welcomed key results from the Brazil climate summit while pressing developed nations to honor decades-old financial commitments. The government praised conference leadership for advancing discussions on adaptation funding priorities that reflect developing countries' urgent requirements and for creating dialogue space regarding unilateral trade restrictions affecting the Global South.
Indian representatives emphasized that climate mitigation burdens must not fall disproportionately on populations bearing minimal historical responsibility for emissions. The delegation stressed that vulnerable communities concentrated in southern nations require expanded international support to address intensifying climate impacts.
Officials...
Federal maritime official Sarbananda Sonowal commended IIT Guwahati for establishing practical training programs in underwater welding, offshore maintenance, and metal additive manufacturing during an inaugural ceremony at the institution. The ports minister observed faculty demonstrating 3D printing techniques for marine propeller restoration while celebrating the completion of certification coursework by seven initial graduates who earned internationally recognized credentials.
Sonowal attributed strengthened maritime infrastructure and workforce development to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direction, positioning northeastern India as a strategic asset for waterway advancement and blue economy expansion. The minister emphasized that...
National labor union leader Deepak Kumar Jaiswal praised federal employment legislation reforms, describing them as a significant advancement for worker protections across the country. The National Front of Indian Trade Unions president highlighted provisions establishing mandatory minimum compensation timelines, expanded social security reaching over 400 million employees, and enhanced safeguards for female workers through equal pay requirements and workplace safety measures.
Additional benefits under the updated regulations provide overtime compensation at double standard rates and complimentary medical screenings for laborers over forty years of age. Jaiswal noted that extensive consultation with fourteen affiliated organizations...
Girija Oak emphasizes that emotionally intelligent parenting can prevent children from requiring therapeutic intervention later in life. The performer appears in Perfect Family alongside Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, Neha Dhupia and Gulshan Devaiah in a series examining formative years and their lasting impact.
Oak portrays Neeti Karkaria in the production, which she joined after finding the screenplay compelling enough to read continuously like fiction. She notes that adults bear responsibility for protecting young people from harmful experiences since children lack the perspective to recognize damage as it occurs. The actress credits writer Pallath for addressing serious subject matter through engaging narrative techniques.
The JAR...
