Category: Business

Nagpur, Apr 15: Virtual Galaxy Infotech Limited, a leading provider of AI-enabled hybrid SaaS platforms and enterprise software solutions, has announced the signing of a Software Development Agreement with Botswana Development Corporation Limited, Botswana. 

Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will deliver comprehensive, end-to-end software development services. The scope includes solution design, implementation, licensing, maintenance, and ongoing technical support. Additionally, the project covers integration with third-party systems, system testing, user training, maintenance support, and disaster recovery services. 

The total contract value stands at USD 1,099,000 (USD One Million Ninety-Nine Thousand only), exclusive of applicable taxes. The agreement will remain valid for 48 months from the date of commencement. 

The Company’s strong execution capabilities are reflected in its recent financial performance. For FY26, Virtual Galaxy Infotech expects to clock a turnover of Rs 182.06 crore, registering a robust year-on-year growth of 51.53%, compared to Rs 120.14 crore in FY25. Consistent demand momentum, deeper client engagements, expansion into new opportunities, and increasing adoption of digital and AI-led solutions across industries have driven this growth. 

Mr Avinash Shende, Chairman, Executive Director & CFO, Virtual Galaxy Infotech Limited, said, ” We are partnering with Botswana Development Corporation Limited, which marks an important step in our global expansion. It reflects the trust we’re building beyond India and our ability to deliver scalable, high-quality, AI-enabled, hybrid SaS technology-led solutions to global clients. Our focus has always been on building practical solutions that help clients improve how they operate, with AI now becoming a bigger part of that journey. The growth we’ve seen in FY26 gives us confidence that we’re on the right track. We see this as the start of a long-term relationship and an opportunity to expand further in international markets.”

New Delhi, Apr 15 (BNP): A recent report shows that India’s residential real estate market continued to be concentrated in major urban centres during the first quarter of 2026, with Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune accounting for nearly 60% of new housing launches.

 The data highlights strong activity in these key metropolitan markets, driven by steady demand, improved infrastructure, and continued interest from both end-users and investors.

Experts note that these cities remain attractive due to better job opportunities, urban development, and expanding housing options across multiple segments.

Overall, the report indicates that while housing supply is growing in several parts of the country, major metro cities continue to dominate new residential project launches.

Apr 15: Coca–Cola® today announced its campaign featuring Diljit Dosanjh and Janhvi Kapoor, bringing the idea of a “coca–cola halftime” to life in everyday moments. At its core, the idea is built on the belief that a halftime should do more than simply pause the day, it should draw you back into it. 

Coca–Cola, with its delicious and refreshing taste, plays the role of that uplifting break, creating a sense of warmth and connection within everyday experiences. It becomes a simple, accessible ritual, a small yet powerful halftime that allows people to feel more present, feel closer to those around them, and stay in tune with their surroundings. 

Karthik Subramanian, Senior Director, Marketing, Coca–Cola India & Southwest Asia said: “Today’s consumers are navigating lives that are fuller and faster than ever before. And yet, what they increasingly value are small, meaningful breaks that help them stay grounded in the moment. Coca–Cola, known for its signature taste, has long been part of these everyday rituals, and this campaign celebrates how a simple halftime can bring people closer to what matters around them.” 

Conceptualized by WPP Open X led by VML., the films, launched as part of the campaign, find beauty in the ‘in-between’, those autopilot moments where we are physically present but mentally elsewhere. Whether it is Diljit Dosanjh caught in the rhythm of a rehearsal or Janhvi Kapoor immersed in her thoughts during a hangout, Coca–Cola acts as a refreshing spark. A single sip brings the world back into focus, turning a routine break into an uplifting experience that grounds you in the present. 

Speaking about the film, Nakul Sharma & Tirtha Ghosh, Executive Creative Director, VML shared, “For us, this campaign was about capturing that universal human truth. We all crave presence, but modern life constantly pulls us away. We wanted to show how Coca–Cola isn’t just a drink…it’s a micro moment of reconnection. It’s the simple, uplifting beat that helps you snap back into the now, transforming those checked out moments into something truly alive. It’s about bringing back the joy of being here.” 

Rolling out across key markets including Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, the campaign is supported by a strong television, digital, and social presence. It is further brought to life through locally rooted storytelling, with Diljit Dosanjh’s film rolling out across Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, while Janhvi Kapoor features in the Tamil adaptation, alongside a dedicated Kannada film. 

The campaign is complemented by an original soundtrack by Donn Bhat, with vocals by Vivek Hariharan and Aarifah Rebello, adding a distinctive retro sonic layer. Through these locally rooted narratives, Coca–Cola continues to strengthen its connection with audiences, celebrating the power of a simple coca cola halftime.

Apr 15 ( BNP): Indian stock markets started the trading session on a strong note on Wednesday, supported by positive global cues and easing crude oil prices.

The BSE Sensex rose sharply by 1,422.85 points to 78,270.42 in early trade, while the Nifty 50 advanced 438.25 points to 24,280.90.

The upward movement was driven by gains in global equities and a decline in oil prices, which slipped below the $100 per barrel level. Market sentiment also improved amid expectations of renewed diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran.

All Sensex constituents traded in positive territory during early deals, with strong buying seen in stocks such as InterGlobe Aviation, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Eternal, Larsen & Toubro, and Bajaj Finance.

Overall, investors showed strong buying interest, reflecting improved risk appetite in global and domestic markets.

STAMFORD, Conn., April 15:  Worldwide PC shipments totaled 62.8 million units in the first quarter of 2026, a 4% increase from the first quarter of 2025, according to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company.

 “The 4% year-over-year PC shipment growth in the first quarter of 2026 was artificially inflated,” said Rishi Padhi, Research Principal at Gartner. “It was not due to genuine demand, but instead because of vendors’ and channel distributors’ increase of inventory levels ahead of expected price hikes in the second quarter of 2026 driven by rapidly rising memory price inflation (memflation), as well as DRAM and NAND flash component costs. This is especially true for lower-margin products.”

The growth exhibited in the first quarter of 2026 is also relative to a high first quarter in 2025, which was already inflated due to front-loading ahead of U.S. tariffs (see Figure 1).

There were no major changes for the top four PC vendors in worldwide PC shipments, while ASUS overtook Acer to be number five in vendor rankings during the first quarter of 2026 (see Table 1). Among the top three, Lenovo and Dell both increased their market share, while HP Inc. lost market share.

Table 1: Preliminary Worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 1Q26 (Thousands of Units)

“Apple grew 12.7% year-over-year, which was the largest jump among the major vendors and resulted in a 0.8% increase in market share,” said Padhi. “This performance was primarily driven by robust demand for the MacBook Neo, particularly among new Mac users and buyers in the education sector. This strategic positioning enabled Apple to attract cost-conscious consumers seeking high-performance devices, further solidifying its competitive advantage in the segment.”

Gartner clients can read more in Market Share Alert: Preliminary, PCs, Worldwide, 1Q26. Final statistics will be available soon to Gartner clients.

New Delhi, Apr 15 (BNP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly upgraded India’s economic growth outlook, projecting the country’s GDP to expand by 6.5% in FY27. The revision marks a modest upward adjustment of 0.1 percentage point from its earlier forecast issued in January.

According to the IMF’s latest outlook, the improved projection reflects positive momentum carried over from a strong performance in 2025, along with the impact of reduced additional U.S. tariffs on Indian goods, which were lowered from 50% to 10%.

The fund noted that these supportive factors are expected to outweigh the negative effects arising from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. However, it cautioned that escalating conflicts in the region could still pose risks to global economic stability and contribute to inflationary pressures.

The IMF also maintained that India’s growth is expected to remain steady at 6.5% in 2027, indicating continued resilience in the country’s economic outlook despite external uncertainties.

New Delhi, April 15 (BNP): Indian equity markets witnessed a sharp upswing, with the BSE Sensex surging over 1,100 points and the Nifty 50 crossing the 24,150 mark. The rally was largely driven by growing optimism around easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which lifted investor confidence.

 The upbeat sentiment was reflected across major sectors, particularly banking, information technology, and energy stocks, which led the gains. Improved prospects of stability in West Asia are seen as a positive sign for global oil prices and supply chains—key factors influencing India’s economic outlook.

Global market trends also supported the rally, as international equities moved higher on similar hopes of de-escalation. This encouraged domestic investors to increase their exposure to equities, resulting in broad-based buying across the market.

Despite the strong performance, market analysts urge investors to stay cautious. They highlight that geopolitical developments remain uncertain and could trigger volatility if conditions change unexpectedly.

In essence, the rally underscores the sensitivity of Indian markets to global events, with investor sentiment closely tied to international stability and economic signals.

Chandigarh, Apr 15: The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a Vivanta hotel at Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh. This is a greenfield hotel project. 

Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “Bhogapuram International Airport in Vizianagaram is set to become a key aviation hub, fueling growth along the Visakhapatnam–Bheemili–Bhogapuram corridor. Backed by strong infrastructure and government-led tourism initiatives, the region offers significant potential, and the hotel’s strategic location will cater to corporate, MICE and transit demand.” 

Strategically located adjacent to the terminal building, the 165-key Vivanta Bhogapuram International Airport will offer convenient access for travellers. The hotel will feature Mynt, an all-day dining restaurant, Wink, a bar and Swirl, a deli. Guests can also enjoy a swimming pool and a fully equipped gym, complemented by a banqueting space spanning over 4,000 sq. ft., catering to both business and social events. 

The upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport in Vizianagaram will serve as a major hub for North Andhra, driving tourism and business growth along the East Coast. 

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 9 hotels in Andhra Pradesh, including 4 under development.

New Delhi, April 15 (BNP) – The government on Tuesday said fuel supplies remain stable despite disruptions linked to the evolving West Asia situation, urging citizens to avoid panic buying and rely on official updates.

According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG, with 100% supply being maintained for domestic LPG, PNG and CNG. Measures have been taken to prioritise essential sectors, including hospitals and agriculture, while ensuring continued availability for households.

To ease pressure on LPG demand, the government is promoting alternative fuels such as PNG, kerosene and electric cooking options. Since March 2026, about 4.40 lakh PNG connections have been activated, with another 4.88 lakh consumers registering for new connections.

The government has also stepped up enforcement against hoarding and black marketing. Over 2,950 raids were conducted across the country on April 13, with penalties imposed on erring distributors and several licences suspended.

Officials said more than 14.3 lakh 5-kg LPG cylinders have been sold since March 23 to support migrant workers and vulnerable groups, while commercial LPG supply has been increased to around 70% of pre-crisis levels.

States and Union Territories have been asked to closely monitor supply and take action under the Essential Commodities Act to prevent shortages and misinformation. Control rooms and district-level monitoring systems have been activated nationwide.

Meanwhile, the government said all refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude stocks, and retail fuel outlets are functioning normally. Port operations across India also remain unaffected, with no congestion reported.

The Centre added that it is closely monitoring developments in the region while coordinating with states and international partners to ensure energy security and the safety of Indian nationals abroad.