Next Gen Consulting

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  • Food prices remain stable despite rainfall deficit: Report

    New Delhi: Food prices have remained stable despite a rainfall deficit in several parts of the country, according to a recent report.

    The report said adequate buffer stocks, smooth supply chains, and timely market interventions have helped maintain price stability in essential commodities. While uneven monsoon rainfall has raised concerns in some regions, there has been no significant disruption in overall food availability.

    Officials added that the situation is being closely monitored to ensur

    New Delhi, July 6: Food prices have remained broadly stable despite a rainfall deficit in several parts of the country, according to a recent assessment report on inflation and supply conditions.

    The report highlighted that adequate buffer stocks of key staples, along with efficient supply chain management, have helped cushion the impact of uneven monsoon rainfall on market prices. Strong procurement operations in previous seasons and steady distribution through government channels have also contributed to maintaining overall price stability.

    While some regions have reported below-normal rainfall, the report noted that there has been no major disruption in the availability of essential food items such as cereals, pulses, and vegetables at the national level. Temporary local fluctuations in prices were observed in certain areas, but these have remained limited and short-lived.

    Officials stated that ongoing monitoring of rainfall patterns, crop conditions, and market supply is being carried out to prevent any potential inflationary pressures. They added that contingency measures are in place to ensure adequate supply if weather-related disruptions persist in the coming weeks.

    e continued stability in supply and to prevent any inflationary pressure in the coming weeks.

  • PM Modi Embarks on Three-Nation Visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

    New Delhi, July 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his upcoming visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand will strengthen India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, and commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

    PM Modi Embarks on Three-Nation Visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

    In his departure statement ahead of the visit from July 6 to July 11, the Prime Minister said the tour will further deepen India’s bilateral relations with all three countries and build on existing cooperation in key sectors.

    PM Modi said his visit to Indonesia will help strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. He also noted that discussions in Australia will focus on defence, trade, education, technology and people-to-people ties. In New Zealand, talks are expected to centre on expanding economic and trade cooperation.

    The Prime Minister added that engagement with the Indian diaspora in all three countries will be an important part of the visit.

    He said the tour reflects India’s growing global engagement and commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

  • Free Bus Travel Scheme in Tamil Nadu May Be Expanded to Cover 28 Lakh More Women

    Chennai, July 6: The Tamil Nadu government is reviewing plans to expand its free bus travel scheme for women, with an estimated 28 lakh additional beneficiaries expected to be included if the proposed extension is implemented.

    The initiative, which currently provides free travel for women across state-run buses, is being assessed for broader coverage to enhance mobility, improve access to employment and education, and reduce household transportation costs.

    Officials stated that the proposed expansion aims to further strengthen social welfare measures by improving public transport accessibility for women, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. The move is also expected to support greater workforce participation by easing daily commuting challenges.

    The scheme has already been widely utilised across the state, and the potential expansion is seen as a continuation of the government’s efforts to promote inclusive development and gender-responsive welfare policies.

    Government sources indicated that detailed feasibility assessments and administrative consultations are underway, with a final decision expected after review.

    If approved, the expansion would mark a significant increase in the scheme’s reach, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s focus on equitable public transport access.

  • OP Jindal Global University Hosts Third India–Japan Higher Education Forum 2026 in Tokyo

    Tokyo, July 6 (UDN): OP Jindal Global University successfully hosted the Third India–Japan Higher Education Forum 2026 in Tokyo, bringing together eminent academics, policymakers, and representatives from leading institutions of higher education from both countries.

    The forum served as a platform to strengthen academic cooperation between India and Japan, with discussions centred on expanding joint research initiatives, enhancing student and faculty exchange programmes, and deepening institutional partnerships across diverse disciplines, including law, public policy, international relations, and social sciences.

    Participants engaged in wide-ranging deliberations on the future of global higher education, with particular emphasis on innovation, sustainability, governance, and cross-border academic collaboration. The discussions also highlighted the growing importance of international academic engagement in addressing shared global challenges.

    Speakers at the forum underscored the need for stronger India–Japan academic linkages to foster knowledge exchange, build research capacity, and promote cultural understanding between the two nations.

    The event reaffirmed OP Jindal Global University’s commitment to advancing global academic partnerships and strengthening its role as a bridge between Indian and international higher education ecosystems.

    Organisers noted that the forum is expected to pave the way for expanded institutional collaborations, joint academic programmes, and increased mobility opportunities for students and scholars in the coming years.

  • Rain Havoc in Maharashtra; Mumbai Advises Work From Home Amid Disruptions

    Mumbai, July 6: Heavy rainfall continued to affect Mumbai and several parts of Maharashtra on Monday, leading to widespread disruption in transport, traffic movement, and daily routines across the region.

    In view of waterlogging, slow traffic, and challenging commuting conditions, authorities have advised private offices in Mumbai to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible, in order to reduce congestion and ensure public safety.

    Suburban rail services and major road networks were impacted at multiple locations due to continuous downpours, resulting in delays during peak hours. Civic authorities have deployed teams to clear waterlogged stretches and restore normal traffic movement as quickly as possible.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall activity over the region and has urged citizens to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow official weather advisories.

    Emergency response teams remain on standby as civic bodies closely monitor vulnerable areas and respond to incidents of flooding, waterlogging, and tree falls.

    Authorities have appealed to residents, commuters, and organisations to cooperate with safety instructions until weather conditions improve.

  • Pranadhara Children’s Hospital & Nyra Fertility Inaugurated in Hyderabad

    Pranadhara Children’s Hospital & Nyra Fertility Inaugurated in Hyderabad

     

    Hyderabad, July 6: A significant milestone in healthcare was marked today with the grand inauguration of Pranadhara Children’s Hospital & Nyra Fertility at Chintal, Hyderabad, dedicated to providing specialized pediatric and fertility care to families in Hyderabad and surrounding areas.

    The facility was formally inaugurated by Dr. Preeti Reddy, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest and appreciated the vision behind establishing a dedicated center focused on children’s healthcare and fertility services.

    Located in the rapidly growing Chintal–Quthbullapur belt, serving an estimated population of nearly 8–12 lakh people, the hospital aims to address the increasing demand for specialized medical care in pediatrics and fertility.

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Narendra Ram, Chairman, said:
    “Healthcare is not just about treatment; it is about giving hope, healing, and creating healthier families. With Pranadhara Children’s Hospital and Nyra Fertility, our mission is to provide compassionate, advanced, and trusted care closer to the community.”

    With changing lifestyles, stress, and rising healthcare needs, the demand for specialized IVF and fertility care has grown significantly. At the same time, quality pediatric healthcare remains essential to ensure timely diagnosis, treatment, and holistic care for children.

    Pranadhara Children’s Hospital is committed to offering comprehensive pediatric services with expert medical care, while Nyra Fertility aims to provide advanced fertility treatments with compassion, trust, and emotional support for aspiring parents.

    Dr. Narendra Ram expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr Swathi Reddy – Vice Chairman, Dr Ram Reddy – MD, Dr Harshavardhan Reddy,  Dr Priyadarshini Pakkala, Dr Suresh Raju and all doctors, partners, supporters, and well-wishers for their trust and contribution in making this vision a reality.

    The hospital aims to emerge as a trusted healthcare destination for families by combining medical excellence, advanced technology, and patient-centered care under one roof.

  • 15 India-bound fertiliser ships cross Strait of Hormuz safely, stocks set to rise

    July 6: Fifteen India-bound ships carrying fertilisers have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over supply disruptions and improving domestic availability.

    The vessels were part of shipments earlier delayed due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Their safe passage is expected to strengthen fertiliser stocks in India ahead of key agricultural demand periods.

    Officials said the movement of ships, along with steady domestic production, will help stabilise supplies and reduce the risk of shortages in the near term.

    The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, has seen intermittent disruptions in recent months. The resumption of smooth transit for these cargoes is seen as a positive sign for supply chains linked to India’s fertiliser imports.

  • Over 20 Lakh Names Omitted from Odisha Draft Electoral Roll After SIR Exercise

    Bhubaneswar, July 6 ((UDN): More than 20 lakh names have been omitted from Odisha’s draft electoral roll following the completion of the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), resulting in a significant reduction in the state’s electorate ahead of the publication of the final voter list.

    Over 20 Lakh Names Omitted from Odisha Draft Electoral Roll After SIR Exercise

    The draft electoral roll, released on Sunday, shows the total number of electors has declined from 3,33,99,591 in the pre-revision roll to 3,13,87,034, reflecting the deletion of around 20.14 lakh names after an extensive month-long verification drive.

    Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R.S. Gopalan said the revised draft comprises 1,60,19,176 male voters, 1,53,65,083 female voters, and 2,775 third-gender electors. During the revision exercise, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) collected enumeration forms from nearly 3.13 crore electors, covering 93.97 per cent of the state’s electorate.

    According to the Election Commission, the revision identified 8.32 lakh deceased voters, while 10.07 lakh electors were found to have either shifted their residence or remained untraceable during the house-to-house verification. Another 1.58 lakh voters were found to have multiple registrations, and around 14,000 electors were excluded for failing to submit their enumeration forms within the stipulated deadline.

    Election officials said the exercise was aimed at improving the accuracy of the electoral roll by removing duplicate, deceased and ineligible entries while ensuring that only eligible voters remain on the rolls.

    The Commission clarified that the publication of the draft electoral roll does not mark the end of the revision process. Eligible voters whose names are missing can submit claims for inclusion, while objections regarding entries in the draft can be filed during the claims and objections period from July 5 to August 4. Voters with multiple registrations will be retained at only one location after due verification.

    The CEO said the verification exercise was carried out by 31 District Election Officers, 147 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 994 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 4,540 BLO Supervisors, and BLOs deployed across 45,250 polling stations. Representatives of all seven recognised political parties also participated in the process through more than 84,000 Booth Level Agents (BLAs).

    Hearings on claims and objections will continue until September 2, while the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on September 6.

    The Election Commission has urged all eligible citizens, particularly those who have attained the age of 18 years on or before July 1, 2026, to register as voters by submitting Form 6 either through their local BLO or online. Electors can verify their names in the draft roll through the ECINET mobile application, the Voters’ Portal, the Odisha CEO’s website, or by contacting their respective BLOs.

    Reiterating its commitment to a fair and transparent revision process, the Election Commission stated that no voter’s name will be permanently deleted without following the prescribed legal procedure. Any person aggrieved by deletion of their name can seek redress through the designated electoral authorities under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

  • Kem Cho, Gujarat: Patang Brings Home the Taste of Ahmedabad and Jamnagar

    Kem Cho, Gujarat: Patang Brings Home the Taste of Ahmedabad and Jamnagar

    New Delhi, July 06: There is a particular sound that belongs to Gujarat alone. It is the sound of a steel dabba being opened in the evening, just as the kites come down from the sky and the chai goes up on the stove. It is the sound of methi para crunching between fingers stained with turmeric, of chiwda being poured into cupped palms while someone tells the same old story about a boat ride at Bedi Bandar.

    Patang, the brand built on reviving India’s forgotten regional snacks, is bringing that sound back with the launch of two new flavours: Amdavadi Methi Para and Jamnagari Chiwda.

    For a brand named after the kite, a Gujarat launch was never just a business decision. It is a homecoming. Ahmedabad gave the world the image of a sky stitched with colour every Uttarayan, and Jamnagar gave it a coastline where the day begins with fishing boats and ends with a plate of something salty and spiced.

    Amdavadi Methi Para draws its character from the old city itself, the fenugreek biting gently against a base that has been rolled, cut and fried the way grandmothers in Ahmedabad have always done it. Far from needing reinvention, this timeless snack simply required a conscious choice to shield its heritage from the rush of modernity.

    Jamnagari Chiwda takes its cue from the coastal town’s love for a mix that is savoury, layered and endlessly moreish, the kind that appears at every wedding, every festival and every unplanned visit from a neighbour. Patang has resisted the temptation to smooth out its edges, choosing instead to keep the texture and heat exactly as Jamnagar intended.

    Both packs arrive with the same promise Patang has made to every region it has touched so far: no bad oils, no additives, no preservatives, and nothing on the ingredient list that needs a dictionary to understand.

    Speaking on the launch, Founder and CEO, Shoury Gupta, said: “We are usually a restrained company. Not this week. These two have been on our wishlist since the day we chose a kite for a name; you cannot call yourself Patang and not go to Gujarat. The Amdavadi Methi Para and Jamnagari Chiwda are made the way they have always been made: honest methods and traditional recipes. Getting them right took time. Getting to launch them together, I won’t pretend we’re calm about it.”

    The launch continues Patang’s approach of anchoring each product to a specific geography rather than a generic idea of “Indian flavours.” The brand sources from the origin of each recipe, believing that a snack’s character comes as much from where it is made as from what goes into it. This is also a philosophy that Patang has carried since its first day. Founded on the discomfort of watching familiar snacks lose their familiarity, one flavour at a time, the brand has consistently chosen the slower, harder route in sourcing and production over the faster one. Amdavadi Methi Para and Jamnagari Chiwda are the latest proof of that choice.

    The flavours are now available on the Patang website, thepatangstory.com, and are being rolled out over the coming days across the brand’s wider network, including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Amazon Now, and Le Marché, alongside Patang’s other marketplace and modern trade partners.

  • Flood Alert Issued as Water Levels Rise in Mahanadi, Bansadhara and Baitarani Rivers

    Bhubaneswar, July 6 (UDN): The Odisha Government has intensified flood monitoring measures as water levels continue to rise in the Mahanadi, Bansadhara and Baitarani rivers following incessant rainfall across the state and heavy inflows from upstream catchment areas.

    Flood Alert Issued as Water Levels Rise in Mahanadi, Bansadhara and Baitarani Rivers

    Representational image

    The situation is particularly critical in the Mahanadi basin, where the Hirakud Dam has recorded a sharp increase in inflow over the past 24 hours due to widespread rainfall in Chhattisgarh and western Odisha. To regulate the reservoir level, dam authorities have been releasing floodwater through multiple sluice gates in a phased manner. The discharge is being closely monitored at the Mundali barrage near Cuttack to assess its downstream impact.

    In southern Odisha, the Bansadhara River has crossed the danger mark at Kasinagar in Gajapati district, raising concerns over possible inundation of low-lying villages along its banks.

    Similarly, the Baitarani River is flowing above the danger level at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district, resulting in flooding of adjoining agricultural land and low-lying areas. Water Resources Department officials are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance as the river continues to swell.

    In view of the evolving situation, the State Government has placed district administrations across vulnerable river basins on high alert. Authorities in Sambalpur, Subarnapur (Sonepur), Nayagarh, Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur and Bhadrak have been directed to remain prepared for any flood-related emergency. District Collectors are coordinating with the State Emergency Operation Centre to monitor river conditions and ensure prompt response wherever required.

    Officials have advised residents living in low-lying and riverside areas to remain vigilant and avoid venturing into swollen rivers. People have also been urged to keep livestock away from embankments, closely follow official advisories, and cooperate with local authorities in case evacuation becomes necessary.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall over several parts of Odisha under the influence of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, prompting authorities to closely watch the flood situation over the coming days.