Author: admin

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sandeep Kohli, CEO, Indriya, said, “Bangalore has been an important market for us, with customers who value craftsmanship and design in fine jewellery. With our fourth store in the city, we are excited to deepen our engagement with customers and offer them a jewellery destination that celebrates artistry and thoughtful design. As we continue expanding across India, our focus remains on delivering exceptional craftsmanship, contemporary design, and a memorable jewellery-buying experience.”

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The Government of India has clarified that there is no proposal to increase urea prices, stating that the recent reduction in bag size is intended to promote balanced fertilizer use and improve soil health.

According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the size of urea bags has been reduced from 50 kg to 45 kg, and in some cases to 40 kg, as part of a policy initiative to curb excessive usage and encourage more efficient application by farmers.

Officials said the move is aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices without increasing the financial burden on farmers. The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of a 45 kg bag of neem-coated urea remains ₹242 per bag, while sulphur-coated urea is priced at ₹254 for a 40 kg bag, excluding applicable taxes.

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel stated that the measure is designed to ensure judicious fertilizer use while maintaining affordability.

The government emphasised that the initiative supports long-term soil health and balanced nutrient application, aligning with broader goals of sustainable agriculture and improved farm productivity.

Agra, March 21 (BNP): Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh visited Agra, Uttar Pradesh, to review the progress and future potential of key sectors including carpets, handicrafts, footwear, and technical textiles.

During the visit, the Minister toured a carpet manufacturing facility and assessed sustainable production practices such as the use of vegetable dyes, organic wool, and eco-friendly processes. He noted that such initiatives align the industry with global sustainability and quality standards.

Interacting with exporters and designers, Singh discussed evolving global trends and emphasised the importance of promoting alternative fibres like banana fibre. He highlighted the need to strengthen the “India Handmade” brand and encouraged the use of indigenous tools such as Vision NXT for trend forecasting and design innovation.

The Minister also visited a footwear manufacturing unit, where he reviewed the integration of technical textiles in improving product quality and export potential. He appreciated the role of young professionals in driving innovation within the sector.

A stakeholder meeting was held with representatives from the footwear and technical textiles industries, where discussions focused on expanding the use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, enhancing product design, and shifting towards high-value, export-oriented manufacturing.

Singh underlined that technical textiles will play a key role in transforming India’s footwear industry into a globally competitive and design-driven sector. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting both traditional sectors such as carpets and handicrafts, as well as emerging segments like technical textiles.

The visit also included a handicrafts exhibition showcasing the craftsmanship and cultural heritage of local artisans.

Officials said the visit highlighted the importance of sustainability, innovation, and technology adoption in strengthening India’s textile ecosystem and boosting its global competitiveness

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): T. N. Natarajan has taken charge as Director (Commercial) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), effective March 19, 2026.

With over 32 years of experience, Natarajan has built a distinguished career within SAIL since joining the organisation as a Management Trainee in 1993. Over the years, he has held key positions across production, logistics, supply chain management, and strategic marketing.

He is credited with driving sustained business growth and expanding market presence by strengthening key customer relationships and scaling regional sales. His contributions include enhancing SAIL’s footprint in high-value sectors such as infrastructure, fabrication, and oil and gas.

Natarajan has also played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s marketing approach from traditional commodity-based selling to a more solution-oriented and customer-centric model, introducing innovative service frameworks to meet evolving market demands.

Known for his leadership in building high-performing teams and strengthening distribution networks, he has contributed to improving market share, profitability, and brand visibility.

Officials said his appointment is expected to further strengthen SAIL’s commercial strategy and support its long-term growth and value creation objectives.

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): Krishna Kumar Thakur has assumed charge as Director (Personnel) at NMDC Limited, the country’s largest iron ore producer.

A 1998 batch officer of the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), Thakur brings over two decades of experience in human resource management and administration across Indian Railways and central public sector enterprises.

During his tenure in Indian Railways, he handled key HR functions in major divisions including Solapur, Bhopal, and Mumbai. As Chairman of the Railway Recruitment Cell, Western Railway, he oversaw large-scale recruitment, facilitating the induction of around 12,000 employees.

He has also worked with RITES Limited, where he was involved in an international train operations project in Saudi Arabia, and served as head of HR at Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, contributing to policy reforms and streamlining HR processes.

Prior to joining NMDC, Thakur served as Director (HR) at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, where he led initiatives in HR, legal, and health, safety, and environment (HSE) domains. His work included restructuring HR functions, introducing uniform incentive schemes, and implementing multi-skilling initiatives to improve workforce efficiency and retention.

An alumnus of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Thakur holds a postgraduate degree in Literature and a PGDM in Human Resources from Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Officials said his extensive experience is expected to strengthen NMDC’s human resource framework and support the organisation’s focus on employee development and operational excellence.