Category: Business

Chandigarh, Feb 20: The two-day Regional Community Radio Sammelan (North) was inaugurated in Chandigarh. Organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, the theme of the Sammelan is “Celebrating 20 Years of Community Radio in India.” More than 75 Community Radio Stations from the Northeastern region are participating in the event.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Shilpa Rao, Director (CRS), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized that while the Ministry is actively expanding the community radio network, stakeholders must come forward to share their experiences and success stories to further consolidate the sector. She also highlighted that several new innovations are being introduced to support the sustained growth of community radio.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri L. Madhu Nag, Registrar, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), noted that although content continues to be the backbone of community radio, the sector faces challenges in terms of trained manpower. He stressed the importance of developing sustainable operational models and prioritizing the adoption of technology to address these challenges effectively.

During a technical session, Shri Manish Sheelwant, Deputy Director, Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, simplified the Saral Sanchar Portal process for participants by clearly explaining procedures related to approvals, auto-renewals, and spectrum charges, thereby making regulatory requirements easier to understand and comply with.

Another key session was conducted by Shri Sri Sai Vempati, Deputy Director (AV), Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), MIB, who provided detailed insights into the empanelment process and highlighted the role of government advertising in enhancing the outreach and sustainability of community radio stations.

An experience-sharing session featured representatives from Radio Salam Namaste, Sanjha Radio, and Radio Hewalvani, who shared practical insights on content creation, sustaining community radio stations and engaging effectively with district and state administrations.

Concluding the series of sessions, Shri Ashwini Kumar from Akashvani delivered an informative presentation on content creation and the AIR Code of Ethics, emphasizing responsible broadcasting and adherence to ethical standards in community radio operations.

On the second day, the Sammelan will feature sessions on the NaVigate Bharat portal, a presentation by the Ministry on documentation, and discussions on participation, including the sharing of studies, reports on CRS and stakeholder experiences.

The Sammelan provides Community Radio practitioners a platform to share experiences, raise concerns, explore innovative approaches and collectively strengthen the future of grassroots broadcasting across the northeastern region.

Metal Park Forms Strategic National Alliance with World Steel Association and Steel University to Build the Middle East’s First Integrated Metals Education Ecosystem (MEEEM)

Abu Dhabi, UAE — Feb 19: Metal Park has signed a strategic agreement with the World Steel Association and

Steel University, establishing a national-level alliance to develop a fully integrated metals education and capability ecosystem for the Middle East.

Witnessed by H.E. Dr. Sultan Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group; and Mr. Vahid Fouladkar, CEO of Metal Park and signed by Navid Fouladkar, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Metal Park, and Jorge Muract, Director of Steel University.

This milestone partnership directly supports the UAE’s industrial vision under Make it inthe Emirates and Operation 300bn, reinforcing the country’s ambition to build globally competitive, value-added metal production capabilities from within the UAE.

The alliance positions Metal Park not only as industrial infrastructure, but as the execution layer where education, standards, talent, and production converge into a single operating ecosystem.

Vahid Fouladkar, CEO of Metal Park, said: “This alliance marks a defining step in how industrial growth is built and sustained in the region. Metal Park was conceived as more than physical infrastructure—it is an operating

ecosystem where standards, talent, capability, and production are developed together. By partnering with the World Steel Association and Steel University, we are embedding global best practices directly into the industrial environment, ensuring that education translates into measurable performance, competitiveness, and long-term national value for the UAE.”

Jorge Muract, Director of Steel University, stated: The alliance seeks to secure the industry talent pipeline through strong collaboration and alignment among academia, industry, its value chain, and government as a key enabler of this interaction, while also providing agile infrastructure to continuously upskill and reskill the workforce and sustain innovation in production systems. Together, we aim to develop high-quality learning and technology solutions that build a more efficient and dynamic workforce. At the same time, the alliance seeks to join efforts with

similar initiatives in Europe, Saudi Arabia, India and Latin America to create a global education and training ecosystem that enables talent mobility and ensures equal access to education and training, fostering social innovation worldwide.

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group, said: “This agreement strengthens the foundation of our industrial ecosystem by aligning global standards with local production capability. KEZAD Group not only provides infrastructure, but also enables performance. By embedding internationally recognised expertise from the World Steel Association and Steel University directly into Metal Park’s operating environment, we are

accelerating the development of advanced industrial skills, raising productivity, and enhancing the competitiveness of UAE-based manufacturers.

“This initiative directly supports national industrial priorities under Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn, and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a globally competitive hub for value-added metal production, driven by capability, standards, and long-term industrial resilience.”

From Global Standards to Industrial Output

At the core of the agreement is a shared commitment to transforming skills development into measurable industrial performance. Through collaboration with the World Steel Association and Steel University, Metal Park will embed internationally recognised standards, certifications, technical frameworks, and sector intelligence directly into its operating environment—ensuring education is applied at the factory-floor level, not abstract.

This ecosystem-driven model ensures that learning, certification, and best practices translate into higher productivity, improved quality, and enhanced competitiveness across UAE-based metal production.

Advancing National Industrial Priorities and Regional Workforce Capability The partnership directly contributes to the objectives of Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn by:

• Strengthening domestic metal and steel industrial capability
•  Developing future-ready technical, engineering, and operational talent
•  Embedding global standards into local production environments
•  Enhancing the long-term competitiveness and resilience of regional manufacturing

By connecting global industry leadership with Metal Park’s integrated infrastructure, the alliance ensures that industrial growth is powered by world-class assets, standards, and people.

Building the Middle East’s Metals Education & Capability Ecosystem

The agreement underpins Metal Park’s long-term vision to establish the region’s most comprehensive metals education and capability ecosystem—spanning foundational skills, advanced metallurgy, engineering, processing, and operational excellence.

This phased, scalable approach ensures that capability building is aligned with real industrial demand, national priorities, and long-term sustainability. Metal Park views this agreement as a foundation for broader collaboration. Delivering a globally recognised industrial talent and standards ecosystem will require continued engagement with government entities, regulators, academic institutions, and industry partners—anchored by Metal Park as the ecosystem platform.

Delhi NCR, Feb 19 : Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa, part of Marriott International, today announced the appointment of Rhythm K. Gandhi as Marketing & Communications Manager, reinforcing the resort’s focus on strengthening brand visibility, integrated storytelling, and consistent communication aligned with global brand standards.

In her new role, Rhythm will lead the Marketing & Communications function at the resort, overseeing brand strategy, digital and social media platforms, public relations, content development, partnerships, and campaign execution. She will work closely with internal stakeholders to support commercial objectives, enhance market presence, and ensure cohesive brand representation across all touchpoints.

The appointment reflects Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa’s emphasis on building strong in-house leadership to support long-term brand growth and market positioning. As the resort continues to establish its presence within the Delhi NCR hospitality landscape, the role is central to driving brand-led engagement, strategic visibility, and communication excellence in line with Marriott Hotels’ brand ethos.

Rhythm brings with her experience across luxury and upscale hospitality environments, having worked in marketing and communications roles with brands including Novotel Goa Candolim, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru, Hebbal, and Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort and Spa. Her experience spans brand campaigns, digital marketing, public relations, influencer engagement, and on-ground activations across hospitality and food and beverage offerings.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from IMS Unison University, Dehradun.

Rhythm’s appointment aligns with Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa’s continued focus on strengthening brand-led growth and delivering consistent, high-quality communication as part of Marriott International’s global portfolio.

New cohesive talent experience enables long-term workforce reliability and scale to address the rapidly escalating administrative capacity crisis

 SAN FRANCISCO – Feb. 19 –Edge announced Edge Elevate, a significant evolution of its talent experience designed to support scalable growth across roles, markets, and categories globally. Employers are shifting from hiring for isolated roles to building ongoing, distributed workforces. This platform-level evolution addresses that shift, establishing Edge as a unified talent network built for scale and empowering customers with long-term workforce durability.

 Most workforce platforms are based on transactional hiring models, which rely on static resumes, one-off applications, and opaque advancement paths. This clearly isn’t working, as the administrative capacity crisis is rising faster than organizations can adapt. More than three-fourths (75.5%) of healthcare leaders we recently surveyed reported that workload has increased over the last 12 months, and 56.3% are facing weekly or daily administrative backlogs.

 Edge Elevate replaces this fragmented, suboptimal approach with a cohesive talent experience based on single, enduring talent profiles, standardized roles, structured development, and transparent progression.

 “Fragmented hiring experiences no longer support the reliability or scale modern businesses require,” said Edge CEO Iffi Wahla. “As roles become more specialized and teams more global, companies need talent models that prioritize consistency, transparency, and long-term development. Edge is answering the call with a durable platform experience.”

 Key elements of Edge’s unified talent network include:

• Talent Application 2.0 – Serving as a single, enduring talent profile that captures experience, feedback, certifications, and readiness
• Standardized role catalog – Clearly defining the roles supported by the platform
• Edge Edu integration – Tying Edge certifications directly to advancement

“Talent Application 2.0 is the anchor for our platform evolution,” explained Ghazanfar Idrees, Edge chief product officer. “Giving talent a persistent profile and clear visibility into roles, feedback, and growth creates better experiences for workers and a higher-quality network for Edge customers – empowering these organizations to conquer the administrative capacity crisis, effectively scale their operations, and grow stronger.”

Talent benefits from:

• Having one profile that carries forward, instead of having to reapply for jobs repeatedly
• Gaining clearer visibility into roles, expectations, and growth paths
• Accessing structured development tied directly to advancement

Customers benefit from:

• More consistent quality and role clarity
• Talent who are developed and progressed against defined standards
• Reduced variability as Edge scales across roles and markets

 “After five years of rapid expansion, Edge is entering our next phase of growth,” said Wahla. “Far beyond job-by-job hiring, Edge Elevate reflects our deliberate shift toward a unified talent network, built to scale with clarity, consistency, and long-term development at its core.”

Mr Sanjay Kumar seen addressing

Hyderabad, Feb 18: Sanjay Kumar, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana, graced the curtain raiser programme of the forthcoming global event, the ICCA Global Summit 2027, held at Hitex on Wednesday evening.

Addressing the gathering, he said it was a matter of great pride that the ICCA Global Summit 2027 would be held in Hyderabad for the first time in the 64-year history of the global corrugated packaging body. He noted that this milestone would place Telangana firmly on the global industrial map and reflect Hyderabad’s rising stature as an international industrial hub.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sanjay Kumar said he was amazed to learn about the versatility of corrugated packaging material, including its use in making makeshift hospital beds capable of supporting multiple adults. He referred to the innovative use of corrugated cardboard beds at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, where athletes were accommodated on sturdy corrugated cardboard frames at the Olympic Village. He also expressed surprise at seeing artefacts such as a statue of Mahatma Gandhi crafted entirely from corrugated packaging material.

Mr Sanjay Kumar seen being presented a photo frame made out of corrugated boards

“Corrugated packaging is not just a box — it is the backbone of modern supply chains. From farm produce and pharmaceuticals to e-commerce and electronics, corrugated packaging ensures products reach consumers safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Its strength-to-weight ratio, recyclability, and cost-effectiveness make it indispensable in today’s fast-moving economy,” he said. Emphasising sustainability, he added that corrugated packaging is biodegradable, largely made from renewable resources, and highly recyclable. “Every used carton can be converted back into paper and reintroduced into the value chain. That is true environmental responsibility in action,” he remarked.

He further stated that the corrugated packaging sector supports thousands of MSMEs, generates significant employment, and drives innovation in automation and design. As global trade expands and e-commerce accelerates, he observed, the importance of corrugated packaging will continue to grow. “It is not merely a packaging material — it is a strategic industry that powers economic growth while protecting the planet.” He assured full support from the Telangana Government and said the state would look forward to tangible outcomes from the summit, including new industrial investments.

Mahatma Gandhi made from Corrugated Packaging Material

ML Agarwal, Chairman of Central India Packaging and Chairman of the ICCA Board of Directors — the first Indian to hold this prestigious position in ICCA’s 64-year history — said corrugated packaging offers endless possibilities for innovation, sustainability, and growth. He noted that Hyderabad hosting the summit was the result of collective efforts by industry leadership.

Ankit Agarwal, Managing Director of Central India Packaging, India Director on the ICCA Board, and President-Elect of FCBM, said their coordinated efforts had been instrumental in securing Hyderabad as the host city for the ICCA Global Summit 2027, scheduled to be held from January 11 to 13, 2027.

Eleni Despotou, Chief Executive Officer of the International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA), said that whenever sustainability is discussed, corrugated packaging is the first material that comes to mind. She highlighted that corrugated packaging is approximately 95 percent recyclable and among the most recyclable packaging materials globally. Describing her visit as her second to India and first to Hyderabad, she said she was delighted to be in the country and impressed by its industry growth.\

The speakers announced that Hyderabad will host three major corrugated packaging industry events in January 2027: the ICCA Global Summit 2027, the FCBM CorruPack Summit 2027 representing over 3,000 manufacturers with industry sales exceeding US$ 8.9 billion, and the CorruPack International Expo 2027, a global exhibition expected to feature more than 250 exhibitors, 1,500 delegates, and 300 international industry leaders. These events will position Hyderabad as a global hub for eco-friendly packaging innovation.

India’s corrugated packaging industry, currently valued at approximately ₹90,000 crore, is among the fastest-growing in the world. The global corrugated packaging market, valued at USD 170.96 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 179.5 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 5.1 percent through 2030. India is expected to be a key growth driver, with the domestic market projected to expand from USD 7.8 billion to USD 18.6 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 9.6 percent, driven by e-commerce, FMCG, food, pharmaceutical, electronics, and organised retail sectors.

Over 250 industry veterans attended the curtain raiser event. The organisers showcased artefacts made from corrugated packaging material, including the podium used for the function and a specially designed photo frame presented to the Chief Guest, demonstrating the creativity and strength of corrugated board applications.

New Delhi, Feb 18: Gurugram’s rental market reflected a demand-driven trend during the October–December 2025 quarter, even as rents witnessed a sequential decline, according to the latest Rental Index by Magicbricks.

During OND ’25, rental demand in Gurugram increased by 3.6% quarter-on-quarter and 13.1% year-on-year underscoring sustained tenant interest across key micro-markets. In contrast, rental supply remained relatively stable, declining marginally by 0.6% QoQ, while recording a 7.5% YoY increase, indicating measured additions to available inventory.

Demand trends reveal a clear preference for compact housing. 1 and 2 BHK units together accounted for 75% of total rental demand, reflecting affordability-led choices by professionals and nuclear families. However, supply remains skewed toward larger configurations, with 3 BHK units comprising 52% of total listings, highlighting a structural demand–supply imbalance.

From a budget perspective, 44% of rental demand in Gurugram was concentrated in the INR 10,000–20,000 range. In contrast, supply was significantly tilted toward premium homes, with 36% of listings priced between INR 50,000 and 1 lakh per month, underscoring a clear affordability mismatch.

Gurugram continues to benefit from its strong corporate presence, infrastructure upgrades, and connectivity enhancements. While rents have softened in the short term, rising demand indicates underlying resilience. The current phase reflects recalibration rather than slowdown, with demand firmly anchored in compact, mid-segment housing even as supply remains weighted toward larger, premium configurations.

The OND’25 data suggests that future rental momentum in Gurugram will hinge on better alignment between affordable housing demand and available inventory.

Magicbricks is India’s No.1 property site

As the largest platform for buyers and sellers of property to connect in a transparent manner, Magicbricks has monthly traffic exceeding 2 crores and an active base of over 15 lakh property listings. Magicbricks has metamorphosed into a full stack service provider for all real estate needs, with services including home loans, interiors, and expert advice.

With 17+ years of experience and deep research-based knowledge, Magicbricks also presents a repertoire of insight-driven platforms like MBTV—India’s leading online real estate YouTube channel—and other proprietary tools so that home buyers can access all information related to price trends, forecasts, and locality reviews.

New Delhi, Feb 18: Ambuja Cements, the 9th largest building materials solutions provider globally and part of the diversified Adani Portfolio, as part of its CSR, inaugurated a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Lab at the Ambuja Cements supported Zilla Parishad Primary School in Upparwahi, Chandrapur. The event was held in the presence of Block Education Officer Mr. Kalyan Jogdan, school and Panchayat representatives, and Ambuja Cements staff.

During the event, students demonstrated various models developed in the newly established STEM Lab, reflecting experiential learning and scientific curiosity. The presentations impressed the Chief Guest, who interacted with the students, appreciated their efforts, encouraged them to continue exploring science and technology, and distributed chocolates as a token of appreciation.

Ambuja Cements’ continued CSR support for education initiatives, has encouraged the school to aim for state-level recognition. The school administration has also secured first place in the State Government’s Mazi Shala drive and winning a prize of ₹11 lakh.

The Block Education Officer acknowledged Ambuja Cement’s consistent support in strengthening infrastructure and enhancing the quality of education across Upparwahi and surrounding areas. The programme also featured an interaction session where student Ms. Nisha Kanarkar interviewed the Chief Guest, who responded enthusiastically. Along with the STEM Lab, a cement concrete road was also inaugurated, contributing to improved local infrastructure.

Century Tower completes handovers two months ahead of schedule in Business Bay as wider delay threat looms

Dubai, UAE, Feb 18: With rising construction costs reshaping the economics of Dubai’s real estate market, a project in Business Bay has shown that timely delivery remains the most powerful asset for developers.

Century Tower, a 23-floor residential building comprising 210 units, has completed handovers two months ahead of schedule, a rarity in today’s property sector.

Developed by AMBS Real Estate Development, with sales led by fäm Properties as master agent, the project is a reminder that finishing projects on or ahead of schedule can make all the difference in an increasingly competitive real estate landscape.

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, says the message to developers across Dubai is that, regardless of how well a project sells on launch, the priory is to start construction immediately.

“Developers who have launched projects, whether fully sold or partially sold, must recognise that the market pricing they relied on two or three years ago, or even one year ago, is no longer relevant. Construction costs have increased and are still rising,” said Al Msaddi.

“The longer that construction is delayed, the higher the cost the developer has to absorb, and the primary driver, inflation, is forecast to continue rising over the coming years. Developers must do their homework, select proven contractors, secure materials early, and build realistic timelines into their financial models from day one.”

A Turner & Townsend report revealed a notable 2025 increase in the price of construction materials, which now amount to around 60% of construction baseline costs in the UAE.

Concrete, MEP, plastics, timber and structural steel prices are forecast to rise again this year, while supply chain issues continue to compound delays. Developers are increasingly buying materials in bulk to reduce lead times and limit cost exposure.

Off-plan demand remains dominant in Dubai real estate. Data from DXBinteract showed that first sales from developers accounted for 12,106 transactions totalling AED52B in January, compared with 5,362 resales valued at AED 20.5B.

But the pressure is on developers to match demand with delivery. Investors and end users attracted by quality construction and design are more focused than ever on how soon their income-generating assets, or homes, will go from off-plan to ready.

In the case of Century Tower, more than 90% of the apartments were sold on the launch day in June 2024. By then, unlike typical off-plan projects that go to market before construction starts, building work was already well advanced.

“This response to property launches has generally become much more considered in recent years, as investors and end users take more time and care to analyse projects, and do their own market research,” said Al Msaddi.

“Buyers look beyond the marketing renders and location promises. They want to see that the developer has a trusted reputation for quality construction and timely delivery. This is another sign of market maturity. Early completions help alleviate common concerns about off-plan projects, and reinforce buyer confidence in those who deliver on their promises.”

Century Tower was designed to meet a gap in the market for uniquely crafted residences in Business Bay’s Golden Triangle. The building’s design, layout and specifications were the result of in-depth market research and analysis by fäm Properties to match investor and buyer needs.

New Delhi, Feb 18: Garmin, a global leader in GPS-enabled wearables and cycling technology, has announced a strategic retail partnership with Giant Bicycles India, one of the most respected names in the cycling ecosystem. This collaboration brings together Giant’s strong presence in India’s cycling market and Garmin’s expertise in ride tracking, navigation, endurance monitoring, and training insights. While Giant offers high-quality bicycles trusted by enthusiasts and competitive riders, Garmin provides advanced cycling computers and bundles (which have HRM with Speed and Cadence sensors), TACX indoor trainers, smartwatches, power meters, power pedals, smart bike lights with rear view radar alerts, best in class 4K ride recording cameras, performance trackers, and related accessories designed to support riders before, during, and after every ride. Together, the brands aim to make advanced performance technology more accessible to cyclists within trusted retail environments.

As part of the initial phase, Garmin is now available at select Giant retail stores in Mumbai, Pune, and Jaipur. Customers visiting these stores can explore Garmin’s cycling ecosystem alongside Giant’s bicycle range, enabling informed purchase decisions based on both equipment and performance technology.

Garmin’s cycling portfolio includes advanced TACX indoor trainer which compliments Giant Cycles, giving the cyclists an option to cycle indoors with same Giant Bicycle and replicate same terrains indoors and training as actual outdoor, cycling computers with bike-specific mapping and detailed performance monitoring, power meters and power pedals for deeper training analysis, smart lighting systems with rearview radar that alerts riders to approaching vehicles, 4K ride recording cameras, as well as GPS smartwatches and performance trackers that support endurance and fitness goals. By placing these products within Giant’s retail network, the partnership supports cyclists who are increasingly looking for data-driven tools to improve performance, safety, and ride planning.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Deepak Raina, Director, AMIT GPS & Navigation LLP., said:

“Data has become central to how cyclists understand and improve their performance. Access to accurate ride metrics, training insights, and navigation information helps riders make better decisions and measure real progress over time without compromising on the safety on roads by increasing situational awareness. Through our partnership with Giant Bicycles India, we are bringing reliable, data-driven technology closer to cyclists at the point where they invest in their riding journey.”

Adding to this, Varun Bagadiya, Director, Giant Bicycles India, said: “We are pleased to partner with Garmin, a brand synonymous with precision and performance. Offering Garmin’s full product portfolio at our stores allows us to deliver a more comprehensive experience to cyclists, supporting them not just with world-class bicycles but also with advanced performance technology.”

Cycling in India continues to see steady growth, particularly in urban markets where community riding groups, endurance events, and performance-focused training are becoming more common. Through this partnership, both brands aim to support serious cyclists, fitness-driven riders, and aspirational enthusiasts seeking dependable performance technology.