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  • India Pushes Trade Expansion as Piyush Goyal Holds Talks with South Korea and Austria

    New Delhi, Apr 17 (BNP): India continues to broaden its global economic engagement, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal holding discussions with senior leadership from South Korea and Austria aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and business cooperation.

    The discussions focused on expanding bilateral economic ties, improving market access, and identifying new areas of collaboration across sectors such as manufacturing, technology, innovation, and sustainable development.

    According to officials, the engagements are part of India’s ongoing effort to diversify its trade partnerships and attract long-term foreign investment, particularly as global supply chains continue to shift. Both sides also explored ways to boost business-to-business linkages and encourage greater private sector participation.

    India is actively positioning itself as a reliable and competitive investment destination while seeking deeper integration with major economies in Asia and Europe. The latest diplomatic outreach reflects New Delhi’s intent to build more balanced and resilient global economic relationships.

  • Wipro Stock Drops After Profit Decline and Soft Future Guidance

    New Delhi, Apr 17 (BNP): Shares of IT major Wipro slipped in early trade on Friday, falling nearly 4% after the company reported a marginal decline in quarterly earnings and issued a subdued outlook.

    The stock was under pressure following the company’s March quarter results for FY26, where net profit stood at ₹3,501.8 crore, marking a 1.89% drop compared to the same period last year. Investors also reacted negatively to the firm’s muted guidance for the coming quarters.

    In morning trade, the stock declined 3.61% to ₹202.60 on the BSE, while on the NSE it fell 3.69% to ₹202.

    Market participants said the reaction reflected concerns over near-term demand visibility in the IT sector, with investors remaining cautious amid global macroeconomic uncertainty and selective client spending.

    Despite the fall, analysts note that broader sector trends will continue to depend on deal pipeline strength and discretionary IT spending recovery in key markets.

  • Over 3,000 Enumerators Deployed as Door-to-Door Census Begins in Odisha Capital

    Over 3,000 Enumerators Deployed as Door-to-Door Census Begins in Odisha Capital

    Bhubaneswar, Apr 17 (BNP): A door-to-door, digital-first census exercise has begun in Bhubaneswar and across Odisha, marking the next phase of preparations for Census 2027 after the completion of the self-enumeration process earlier this month.

    The self-enumeration phase, conducted from April 1 to 15, saw participation from over two lakh residents who filled out detailed forms covering 33 questions. Authorities have now deployed more than 3,000 enumerators to carry out door-to-door verification and collect additional information from households that were not covered earlier.

    Mayor Sulochana Das said the exercise is aimed at building a comprehensive and accurate database that reflects the city’s social and economic realities. The information gathered will play a crucial role in shaping future development plans and welfare initiatives.

    She urged residents to cooperate fully with enumerators and ensure that the details they provide are accurate. According to her, the success of the census depends heavily on public participation, as the data collected will directly influence government policies and planning.

    Officials noted that while the digital self-enumeration option received a strong response, a significant number of households are yet to be covered, making the door-to-door campaign essential.

    Census 2027 will be India’s 16th national census and the eighth since Independence. It is also the first to introduce a digital self-enumeration feature, reflecting a broader shift towards technology-driven governance.

  • Frozen Foods brand Cravicious Foods Expands Manufacturing Capacity with New 125 MT Facility, targets expansion in HoReCa

    Noida, April 17: Cravicious Foods Pvt. Ltd. leading brand in frozen foods, has announced the launch of its new manufacturing facility with a production capacity of 125 metric tonnes, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion plans and its focus on strengthening supply capabilities. The brand intends to widen its footprint in HoReCa with this expansion of capacity. 

    The new facility is aimed at supporting the brand’s growing demand across both B2C and B2B segments, while enabling it to expand its product portfolio and cater to a wider market. With increasing consumer preference for convenient, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat food options, the company is looking to scale its operations while maintaining its quality-first approach. The first facility of the brand easily held a capacity of 300mt per month.

    Headquartered in Greater Noida, Cravicious Foods operates at the intersection of food science, process innovation, and supply chain efficiency. The company serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian segments through its consumer brands Meaty Story and Veggie Story, alongside its institutional offerings under the Cravicious Foods brand.

    The new facility is equipped with advanced freezing technology and designed to meet stringent hygiene and quality standards, supported by over 50 quality checks across sourcing, processing, packaging, and dispatch. This expansion is expected to further strengthen the company’s ability to deliver consistent, safe, and high-quality frozen food products across channels including quick commerce, D2C, and HORECA.

    Commenting on the development, a company spokesperson Mr.Ekansh Garg Co-founder & CEO of Cravicious Foods said, 

    “We are actively working on expanding our range to keep pace with how consumers are eating today while staying true to our clean label and quality benchmarks. The pipeline includes new formats across both non-vegetarian and vegetarian categories, with a strong focus on products that work for everyday snacking as well as complete meal solutions for home and foodservice use. A lot of this development is happening alongside the commissioning of our next manufacturing unit, which is scheduled to go live shortly and will immediately strengthen our production and quality capabilities with a 15 to 20 per cent increase in manpower. All potential launches go through rigorous trials at our facility to test freeze stability, texture and cooking performance in real-world conditions. While specific products are still under wraps, the intent is to introduce offerings that add depth to our portfolio and serve both B2C and B2B demand more effectively.”

    With this expansion, Cravicious Foods continues to build a process-led, scalable manufacturing ecosystem, positioning itself to meet evolving consumer needs while strengthening its presence in India’s growing frozen food market.

  • Festive Rush Builds as Digital Gold Gains Popularity Ahead of Akshaya Tritiya

    Mumbai, Apr 17 (BNP): With Akshaya Tritiya around the corner, gold buying activity is picking up across the country, and this year, much of the action is happening online.

    Fintech platforms, financial service providers, and jewellery brands are rolling out festive offers and campaigns to tap into the seasonal demand. The growing buzz reflects not just the cultural significance of the festival, but also a clear shift in how consumers prefer to buy gold.

    Festive Rush Builds as Digital Gold Gains Popularity Ahead of Akshaya Tritiya

    Data from the World Gold Council shows that India’s digital gold market expanded sharply in 2025, growing 69% year-on-year to 13.5 tonnes. The numbers underline how quickly digital gold is becoming a mainstream choice, especially among younger buyers looking for convenience and flexibility.

    Sensing this trend, companies are sweetening the deal with incentives. Amazon Pay, for instance, is offering cashback on digital gold purchases—2% for Prime members and 1% for others—making small-ticket investments more attractive.

    At the same time, platforms like PhonePe are promoting 24K digital gold options, allowing users to buy, sell, and store gold with just a few taps on their phones.

    While buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya remains a long-standing tradition symbolising prosperity and good fortune, the way people participate in it is clearly evolving. Digital gold is steadily bridging the gap between tradition and technology, giving consumers a modern, hassle-free way to mark the occasion.

  • Asian Shares Ease as Investors Turn Cautious Despite US Market Rally

    April 17 (BNP): Asian equity markets opened on a softer note Friday, even as US stocks recently touched record highs, with investors choosing caution amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

    Attention remains focused on whether diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran will progress, as well as the fate of a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East that is due to expire soon. The lack of clarity on these fronts has kept risk appetite in check across regional markets.

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined around 1%, pulling back after hitting a historic high in the previous session. South Korea’s Kospi also traded lower, shedding about 0.6%.

    In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index dropped roughly 1%, reflecting broader weakness in the region, while China’s Shanghai Composite index was largely flat, slipping marginally.

    In commodity markets, oil prices moved lower, indicating concerns about future demand and the uncertain geopolitical backdrop. Meanwhile, US stock futures pointed slightly upward, suggesting investors remain cautiously optimistic about the American market outlook.

    Overall, the mixed signals highlight a market environment where strong momentum in US equities is being offset by global risks, prompting investors in Asia to take a more measured approach.

     

  • GIIS Noida’s Class X Cohort Delivers Outstanding Results in CBSE 2026 Examinations

    Noida, April 17: Students from Global Indian International School, Noida delivered an outstanding performance in the recently announced CBSE Class 10 results with 80.00% of the cohort securing first division. “Also, 20% of the total cohort from GIIS Noida scored above 90%, underscoring its reputation for nurturing high achievers through a globally aligned curriculum.”

    Shreya Dhiman topped the batch with 99.20%, while Aparajita Srivastava secured second rank with 97.80% and Chaitanya Goel secured third rank with 97.20%.

    Congratulating the students, Mr. Ganesh Sharma, Principal, GIIS Noida, remarked,’’We are incredibly proud of our Class 10 students for their outstanding performance in the CBSE 2026 examinations. This achievement truly reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and the constant support of our parents. Together, we have nurtured an environment where every child is encouraged to strive for excellence. Congratulations to all our achievers—your success makes us proud. We look forward to seeing you continue to grow, explore, and achieve even greater milestones ahead.’’

    GIIS is one of the prominent CBSE school networks in India, with all eight campuses consistently recording strong academic outcomes. The institution is recognised for its skill based education, structured curriculum, focused pedagogy, and commitment to holistic student development.

    Result Highlights

    GIIS Noida 

    ·43.63% of the cohort scored above 80%

    ·20.00% of the cohort scored above 90%

  • Rupee Strengthens in Early Trade as Market Sentiment Improves

    Mumbai, Apr 17 (BNP): The Indian rupee moved higher in early trading on Friday, gaining 28 paise to reach 92.86 against the US dollar, supported by a more positive global outlook and firm domestic equities.

    The currency opened the session at 92.93 in the interbank foreign exchange market and extended its gains shortly after, reflecting renewed investor confidence.

    Traders pointed to easing geopolitical tensions as a key factor lifting sentiment. Hopes that recent developments in the Middle East could lead to broader stability have encouraged investors to return to emerging markets, including India.

    Another supportive factor for the rupee has been fresh buying in Indian equities by foreign institutional investors. These inflows tend to boost demand for the local currency, contributing to its upward movement.

    However, gains in the rupee were somewhat limited by the continued strength of the US dollar in global markets. A firm dollar often weighs on emerging market currencies, keeping traders cautious despite positive domestic cues.

    Overall, the rupee’s early performance reflects a balance between improving risk appetite and external pressures, with investors closely watching global developments and capital flows for further direction.

  • Indian Markets Edge Up in Early Session on Improved Sentiment

    Mumbai, Apr 17 (BNP): Indian benchmark indices began Friday’s session on a positive note, buoyed by improving global sentiment and renewed foreign investment.

    Indian Markets Edge Up in Early Session on Improved Sentiment

     The BSE Sensex rose by 177.52 points to reach 78,166.20 in early trading, while the NSE Nifty gained 37.4 points, climbing to 24,234.15.

    Market sentiment was lifted by signs of easing geopolitical tensions. A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has sparked hopes of broader stability in the region. Analysts believe this development could also revive the possibility of fresh negotiations between the United States and Iran.

    In addition, steady inflows from foreign investors added further support to the upward momentum in equities.

  • IHCL Announces The Signing Of A Gateway Hotel In Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh

    Chandigarh, Apr 17:  Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of Gateway Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. This is a greenfield project.

    Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said, “Supported by its natural landscape and improving accessibility, Dirang is witnessing growing demand from both leisure travellers and adventure enthusiasts. Its strategic location enroute to Tawang positions it as an important destination in Arunachal Pradesh’s tourism itinerary. The signing of Gateway Dirang reflects IHCL’s focus on pioneering new and emerging destinations and we are delighted to partner with Mr. Phurpa Tsering for this project.”

    The 70-key Gateway Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh features an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant and a bar. It offers a spacious banquet hall along with dedicated meeting rooms. Recreational facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa.

    Mr. Phurpa Tsering, said, “We are pleased to partner with IHCL to introduce the Gateway brand to Dirang. As the destination continues to gain prominence, this collaboration brings IHCL’s expertise to the region supporting sustainable tourism and local development.”

    Located in West Kameng district, Dirang is known for its scenic setting amidst apple orchards, terraced farms and pine-covered hills. It is also renowned for its natural hot water springs, which remain a key attraction for visitors travelling through the region.

    With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 21 hotels in the North East, including 12 under development.