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  • Odisha Launches E Bus Service to Boost Clean Mobility and Urban Connectivity

    Bhubaneswar, Apr 29 (BNP): The Government of Odisha has launched a modern electric bus (e-bus) service aimed at transforming urban transportation and promoting environmentally sustainable mobility across the state.

    ଅତ୍ୟାଧୁନିକ ଇ-ବସ ଚଳାଚଳ ଭଳି ପଦକ୍ଷେପ ସହରୀ ପରିବହନ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାରେ ଏକ ବୈପ୍ଳବିକ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଆଣିବ। ନାରୀ ଶକ୍ତିର ସହଭାଗିତାରେ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିବା ଏହି ସେବା ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀ ଓ ଶ୍ରମିକମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ବେଶ୍ ସହାୟକ ହେବ। ପରିବେଶ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିକୋଣରୁ ଏହି ଇ-ବସ୍ ସେବା ବାର୍ଷିକ ପ୍ରାୟ ୩୩୦ ରୁ ୩୯୦ ଟନ୍ କାର୍ବନ ନିର୍ଗମନ ହ୍ରାସ କରିବାରେ ସହାୟକ… pic.twitter.com/VnSLYBSF27

    — CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) April 29, 2026

    The initiative is expected to significantly improve daily commuting for students, workers, and the general public by offering a cleaner, more efficient, and reliable mode of transport. The programme also highlights the growing role of women in public service delivery, reflecting an inclusive approach to development.

    Officials stated that the introduction of e-buses will contribute to reducing pollution levels, with an estimated annual reduction of around 330 to 390 tonnes of carbon emissions. This aligns with the state’s broader focus on green initiatives and sustainable urban planning.

    In addition to the transport rollout, several development projects have been inaugurated and new initiatives announced to strengthen infrastructure and support economic growth in the region. These efforts are expected to enhance connectivity, improve public services, and create new opportunities at the district level.

    The Chief Minister emphasised that the coming decade will be critical for Odisha’s growth, describing it as a period of commitment towards building a prosperous state by 2036. He noted that districts like Kendujhar will play a vital role in achieving this vision through continued development and infrastructure expansion.

    The e-bus initiative is part of a larger strategy to modernise urban infrastructure, reduce environmental impact, and improve the quality of life for citizens.

  • AI Pressure to Keep IT Services Growth Near 3 pc: Kotak Report

    New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): India’s IT services sector is likely to witness restrained growth of around 3 per cent as artificial intelligence-led efficiencies continue to put pressure on pricing and margins, according to a Kotak Institutional Equities report.

    The report states that while AI adoption is improving productivity and operational efficiency across IT firms, it is also leading to lower billing rates, creating a deflationary impact on overall revenue growth.

    Mid-tier IT companies are expected to perform relatively better compared to large players, supported by niche capabilities, agile business models, and faster adaptation to new technologies.

    Kotak noted that the global shift toward automation and AI-based solutions is reshaping traditional outsourcing models, making the industry more competitive on pricing.

    However, the report added that AI will remain a long-term growth driver, helping companies improve efficiency even as near-term revenue growth stays moderate.

    Overall, the IT sector is expected to enter a phase of stable but slower growth, with firms focusing on productivity gains and technology-driven transformation.

  • Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean partners with GPEI to ‘finish the race’ against Polio for World Immunisation Week

    APRIL 29, 2026 – During World Immunisation Week (24-30 April), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is launching The Last Square Campaign to raise awareness of the urgent need to end polio, in partnership with Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean.
     
    Drawing inspiration from the global spectacle of Formula 1 and Grosjean’s personal connection to the disease, The Last Square reimagines the iconic chequered flag, synonymous with the end of a race, by replacing one black square with a single red square. This “Last Square” represents the final 0.1% of polio cases that remain to be eradicated. Reaching this milestone would secure a polio-free future for all children, everywhere.
     
     
    Grosjean brings both a personal and symbolic connection to the campaign. With his father having contracted polio in childhood, the cause holds deep personal meaning for him. As a professional racing driver, Grosjean also embodies perseverance and the drive to reach the finish line – reinforcing the campaign’s central message that no effort should stop when the end is in sight.
    “My dad had polio when he was a kid, so I grew up very familiar with it” says Grosjean.”It’s a preventable disease that still paralyzes children today. And just like in racing, you don’t stop when you’re this close to the finish. That’s why we have to keep going.”
     
    Romain Grosjean is a French-Swiss professional racing driver and former Formula One competitor, where he secured multiple podium finishes across 179 race starts. He currently races in the IndyCar Series and is widely respected for his resilience, including his escape from a dramatic crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.

  • Indian Golf Legend Vijay Kumar Passes Away at 57

    New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): Veteran Indian golfer Vijay Kumar, one of the most accomplished figures in the country’s professional golf circuit, passed away in Lucknow following a heart attack. He was 57.

    Kumar was widely respected for his consistency and dominance in Indian golf, particularly during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He turned professional in 1988 and went on to build a distinguished career spanning more than a decade at the top level.

    Among his notable achievements, he won the Indian Open in 2002 and secured the Order of Merit title four times, making him one of the most successful players in Indian golfing history.

    Known for his disciplined approach and competitive spirit, Vijay Kumar played a key role in shaping the growth of professional golf in India and inspired a generation of emerging golfers.

    His demise has been widely mourned across the sporting community, with tributes highlighting his contribution to Indian golf and his legacy as a champion athlete.

  • Diversions Announced to Ensure Security and Smooth Traffic Movement on April 30

    Bhubaneswar, Apr 29 (BNP): The Commissionerate Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack has issued a traffic advisory imposing restrictions on several key routes in the city on April 30, in view of the one-day special session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly.

    The restrictions will be effective from 7 am and are intended to ensure smooth traffic flow and maintain security in and around the Assembly complex and nearby government institutions.

    According to the advisory, vehicles moving from Housing Board Square towards Rabindra Mandap will be diverted at Keshari Talkies Square. Traffic from AG Square towards PMG will be rerouted via Jaydev Bhawan and IG Park Road.

    Similarly, vehicles from the Master Canteen area heading towards PMG will be diverted through alternative routes near Lower PMG. Traffic from 120 Infantry Battalion Square will not be permitted towards Rabindra Mandap and will instead be redirected towards Power House Square.

    Vehicles coming from Lok Bhawan Square towards MLA Colony and Rabindra Mandap will be diverted at 120 Battalion Square towards Sastrinagar Square.

    Emergency services such as ambulances, fire services, and police vehicles will be exempted from these restrictions. Vehicles authorised for entry into the State Assembly, Lok Seva Bhawan, and other government offices in the area will also be allowed passage.

    The police have requested citizens to cooperate with the traffic arrangements and plan their travel accordingly to avoid inconvenience during the session.

     

  • Global Experts Highlight India’s Expanding Role in Technology, Economy and Geopolitics

    New Delhi, Apr (BNP): India is increasingly being recognised as an important force in global stability, economic growth and technological development, global experts said during the “Resilient Futures Summit 2026” held in New Delhi.

    Experts noted that amid rising geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and global uncertainty, India is emerging as a key economy contributing to balance, resilience and cooperation in the international system.

    Danny Quah, Professor of Economics at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, said the world is currently facing uncertainty due to shifting trade patterns and weakening global trust. He observed that India is being looked upon as a potential stabilising power in this changing global environment and may play an important role in supporting peace and cooperation.

    He added that India’s growing economic and diplomatic presence places it in a position where its decisions could have a meaningful impact on global outcomes.

    Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum in London, highlighted India’s forward-looking approach toward emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. He said that while many Western countries remain cautious about AI, India is actively building capacity and investing in AI-driven development.

    Blatchford also noted India’s development path, stating that the country is working to balance rapid economic growth with improvements in living standards, even as it manages challenges such as rising energy demand and urban expansion.

    Experts at the summit said India’s combination of technological adoption, economic resilience and policy flexibility is strengthening its global standing and positioning it as a key contributor to future global growth.

     

  • Vested Secures IFSCA Global Access Provider License at GIFT City, adding an Indian regulatory layer to its Global Investing setup

    Mumbai, Apr 29: Vested Finance, a leading global investing platform for Indian investors living in India and globally to access international markets, has received approval as a Global Access Provider (GAP) under the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) at GIFT City.

    The GAP license provides a formal regulatory framework for offering access to overseas financial markets from India’s International Financial Services Centre. It defines how platforms connect investors to global markets, including arrangements with foreign brokers, account structures, transaction flows, and reporting standards.

    Under this framework, entities are required to operate within clearly defined regulatory boundaries covering client onboarding, fund movement, disclosures, and execution.

    GAP entities are also subject to:

    • Minimum net worth and infrastructure requirements
    • Segregation of client funds
    • Defined KYC and AML responsibilities
    • Periodic audits and regulatory reporting

    There is also a clear distinction between entities that directly connect to foreign brokers and those that only act as introducers. GAPs fall in the former category, meaning they are part of the core execution chain and carry direct responsibility for how access is provided.

    For investors, this changes the nature of the setup. 

    The framework requires segregation of client funds, routing of funds through IFSC-based banking channels, and clear disclosure of elements such as custody structures, fees, risks, and the regulatory environment of the foreign market being accessed. 

    For Vested, the license strengthens its presence within GIFT City and places its global investing infrastructure within a domestic regulated framework. The company has been focused on enabling access to global markets, and the GAP structure formalizes that access within an IFSC-led regulatory setup in India.

    On this, Viram Shah, Founder and CEO, Vested Finance, said,

    “GIFT City is beginning to take on a more defined role in how Indian investors across the world connect with global markets. The GAP framework is important because it sets clear expectations on how that access should be structured and delivered.

    For us, this is about bringing what we have already been building into a more formal regulatory environment. Investors today are looking at global markets as a core part of their portfolios, and that shift needs the right infrastructure behind it.

    Operating within this framework allows us to align more closely with regulatory standards while continuing to simplify how investors access global opportunities.”

    At a broader level, this also reflects how global investing is evolving for Indian investors. What was once seen as an add-on is now becoming a more regular part of portfolio construction, especially as investors look beyond domestic markets for diversification and exposure to global sectors that are otherwise unavailable in their local market.

    In that context, having a regulated structure based in India becomes important. It brings more clarity on how access is provided, how funds are handled, and how responsibilities are distributed across entities involved in cross-border investing.

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  • Silver Futures Fall to INR 2.36 Lakh/kg Amid Dollar Strength and Oil Price Pressure

    New Delhi, April 29: Silver prices declined in futures trade on Wednesday as investors reduced positions amid a stronger US dollar and rising crude oil prices, which weighed on overall bullion demand.

    On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), silver futures for May delivery fell by ₹1,137, or 0.48%, to ₹2,36,208 per kilogram, with a trading volume of 2,020 lots.

    The July contract also weakened, dropping by ₹1,964, or 0.81%, to ₹2,40,799 per kilogram, in a business turnover of 6,868 lots.

    Market analysts said pressure on precious metals increased as oil prices remained elevated and currency movements reduced investor appetite for safe-haven assets like silver.

  • India and UK Defence Ties Strengthen During CDS Gen Anil Chauhan’s UK Visit

    New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): The visit of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan to the United Kingdom has reinforced growing defence cooperation between India and the UK, marking a significant step in strengthening strategic ties between the two nations, according to the British High Commission.

    The discussions during the visit focused on enhancing bilateral defence collaboration, improving military-to-military engagement, and identifying new areas of cooperation in training, capability development, and strategic coordination.

    Officials said the engagement reflects the shared commitment of both countries to address evolving global and regional security challenges through closer defence partnerships and regular high-level exchanges.

    The British High Commission noted that the India–UK defence relationship continues to expand across key areas such as maritime security, defence technology cooperation, and joint training initiatives.

    The visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts to deepen the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides aiming to strengthen operational coordination and long-term defence collaboration.

    Overall, the engagement highlights the continued momentum in bilateral defence ties and the mutual focus on building a more robust and future-ready security partnership.

  • Bird Population Study Aims to Strengthen Conservation Efforts in Coastal Mangroves

    Kendrapara, Apr 29 (BNP): A census of the Mangrove Pitta was conducted across five ranges of the Rajnagar Mangrove Forest Division, covering important coastal mangrove habitats in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts.

    Bird Population Study Aims to Strengthen Conservation Efforts in Coastal Mangroves

    According to Divisional Forest Officer Vardhraj Gaonkar, the survey was carried out using both direct and indirect observation methods across multiple mangrove patches in the region. The exercise was conducted to assess the presence and distribution of the species in its natural habitat.

    A total of 70 trained enumerators, organised into 35 teams, participated in the census exercise conducted on Sunday.

    The primary objective of the study was to collect scientific data on the bird’s distribution, habitat conditions, breeding patterns, and behavioural traits. The survey will also serve as a baseline for future population monitoring and conservation planning.

    Officials said such assessments are important for understanding biodiversity trends in fragile mangrove ecosystems and for strengthening long-term conservation strategies in coastal Odisha.

    The data collected is expected to support ongoing efforts to protect wetland and mangrove habitats that are crucial for a variety of bird species, including the Mangrove Pitta.