Category: Business

Dubai, UAE, 20^th April 2026:  Motorsport leaders from across Middle East will join counterparts from Europe and Africa for three days of collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing at the FIA Region I Spring Meeting getting under way in Budva, Montenegro tomorrow.

With FIA President, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem in attendance, representatives from 102 Member Clubs will discuss priorities to advance safe and sustainable mobility for road users and motor sport for fans at the three-day congress, hosted by the Auto-Moto Association of Montenegro (AMSCG).

The FIA Region I Spring Meeting will also host commissions and working groups from across the network, with the International Historic Commission and Founding Members’ Club protecting and promoting motoring heritage, the FIA Eurocouncil supporting the future of mobility in Europe, and Clubs continuing to implement the Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programme across the Region.

National Sporting Authorities will also be meeting in Montenegro to continue developing and improving motor sport for fans as well as advocating for enhanced driver safety on the track.

To celebrate the Member Clubs showcasing their commitment to improving mobility services in their countries and across Region I, the three FIA Innovation Challenge 2026 Regional Champions will also be announced during the week.

FIA President, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “I am delighted to be joining our Members and partners in Budva for this important regional gathering, and I look forward to engaging with colleagues from across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East on the key challenges and opportunities shaping mobility and motorsport today.

“Montenegro provides a fitting backdrop for these discussions, as we consider how to strengthen transport systems, improve road safety, and support sustainable solutions that deliver safer, more sustainable, and more affordable mobility for all road users.

“This meeting is an important opportunity to deepen collaboration, share expertise across mobility and motorsport, and advance our shared priorities.”

In Montenegro, mobility is undergoing steady development, with continued investment in road infrastructure, including the opening of the Bar–Boljare motorway in 2022, helping to strengthen connectivity and support economic growth.

Recent road safety reforms and the Sustainable Transport Action Plan are driving progress towards safer, more sustainable mobility.

In motorsport, the country’s vibrant grassroots scene is led by rally and hill climb events, with competitions such as the Montenegro Trophy attracting growing regional participation and highlighting the potential for further development.

The FIA Member Club structure forms the backbone of the federation’s governance and operations, with each full Member Club holding voting rights across the FIA’s elections and regulatory decisions. Clubs are grouped into two primary categories, with some serving in both roles:

• National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) – govern and develop motorsport at a national level, are responsible for sporting events, issuing licenses, and engagement across regulations

• Mobility Clubs – provide mobility services and represent the interest of road users, with a focus on road safety, travel and tourism, consumer rights, and sustainable mobility

Within the FIA there are four Mobility Regions and six sport zones. The global FIA Membership is comprised of 245 clubs across 149 countries, connecting over 80 million members.

Amritsar, Apr 20: Jindal Stainless, India’s leading stainless-steel manufacturer, has announced the retail debut of its stainless steel rebars, ‘Jindal Infinity’, with a launch in Punjab, marking a strategic step towards bringing advanced construction solutions closer to end consumers. 

The product was unveiled in Amritsar through a two-day event hosted by Jindal Stainless, bringing together contractors, architects, and structural engineers, key stakeholders who play a critical role in material selection at the ground level. The interactions focused on driving material awareness, enhancing product understanding, and showcasing end-use applications. The product rollout is supported by an initial retail and distribution network of approximately 20 partners across Punjab.

Commenting on the development, Managing Director, Jindal Stainless, Mr Abhyuday Jindal, said,

“As India continues to build at scale, the focus must shift beyond speed and upfront cost towards materials that deliver long-term performance, safety, and lifecycle value. Our entry into the retail segment with Jindal Infinity marks a strategic extension of our capabilities into the construction value chain. Stainless steel rebars have proven their relevance globally in demanding environments, and through this endeavour, we aim to bring these advanced solutions closer to Indian consumer. This is aligned with our larger vision of supporting a quality-first, safer, and more resilient environment.”

‘Jindal Infinity’ stainless steel rebars have proven their mettle in critical infrastructure applications such as coastal developments, metros, and real estate. Compared to conventional rebars, stainless steel rebars offer significantly higher resistance to corrosion, including a higher critical chloride threshold, which enhances durability in aggressive environments. They are engineered to deliver high load-bearing capacity, improved tensile strength, and superior seismic performance due to a higher tension-to-yield strength ratio, enabling better energy absorption under stress. Additionally, their inherent fire resistance at elevated temperatures and reduced concrete cover requirements contribute to enhanced structural safety and design efficiency. With a service life that can exceed twice that of conventional rebars, stainless steel reinforcement supports lower maintenance needs and improved lifecycle value, making it a viable solution for long-term infrastructure resilience.

Commenting on the launch, Head of Sales, Jindal Stainless, Mr Rajeev Garg, said,

“This effort is focused on building a robust last-mile ecosystem, anchored in retail availability and direct engagement with key stakeholders like consumers, architects, engineers and contractors. With a growing distributor and dealer network, we are creating the foundation for scale. The initial response underscores the need for high-performance, differentiated materials, particularly in applications where long-term durability and reliability are critical.”

‘Jindal Infinity’ stainless steel rebars are manufactured from billets casted at Jindal Stainless’ Hisar plant in Haryana and further processed into rebars at the company’s Ghaziabad facility. They form part of the company’s long product portfolio and are used across applications ranging from infrastructure and railways to bridges, highways, and real estate.

While stainless steel rebars have seen established adoption in global markets such as Japan and parts of Europe for critical infrastructure in high-risk zones, Jindal Stainless aims to drive similar awareness and adoption in India through this targeted retail approach.

Availability of ‘Jindal Infinity’ stainless steel rebars will be expanded to other key markets of Punjab including Ludhiana and Chandigarh, followed by select markets across Haryana and Andhra Pradesh over the next six to twelve months. With this move, Jindal Stainless aims to catalyse a shift in the evaluation of construction materials even at the last point of consumption. By bringing stainless steel rebars to the last mile, the company is laying the foundation for a more durable, resilient and future-ready construction practices in India.

~A birthday cake that turns every slice into a beauty giveaway~

Mumbai, Apr 20: This April, Nykaa turned its birthday celebration into an unmissable on-ground experience at Bandstand Promenade. Bringing its signature playfulness and consumer-first approach to life, Nykaa unveiled a giant birthday cake installation from April 18 to 19, 2026, inviting Mumbai to quite literally take home a slice of beauty.

Set against the iconic seafront, the installation transformed the promenade into a beauty-first celebration zone. Engineered as an interactive, gamified experience, the cake went beyond a visual stunt. Beauty lovers could pull out a slice of the cake, each designed as a gift box filled with curated beauty goodies, with the surprise element built into every slice. This playful “pick your slice” mechanic brought alive Nykaa’s core proposition of discovery, surprise and delight, in a format that was both experiential and shareable. In true birthday spirit, Nykaa flipped the script: “It was Nykaa’s birthday, but the gifts were for you!”

More than just a visual spectacle, the activation was designed to spark organic conversations both on-ground and online. With its picture-perfect design and interactive mechanic, the cake doubled up as a social-first moment, encouraging consumers to celebrate, share and engage with the brand in a fun, memorable way.

Conceptualised as a phygital extension of Nykaa’s birthday campaign, the installation acted as a powerful bridge between offline engagement and online commerce. While consumers could show up and claim their slice of beauty in person, the celebration did not stop there.

For those who could not make it to Bandstand, Nykaa’s Birthday Sale is also live till April 21 across the app and website, bringing exclusive deals, offers and surprises directly to consumers nationwide.

With this activation, Nykaa continued to push the envelope on experience-led marketing, turning a brand milestone into a high-energy, consumer-centric celebration that blended content, community and commerce seamlessly.

By:- Prerna Khurana, Director at Khurana Jewellery House

“Akshay Tritiya is more than just a buying occasion, it is an emotion deeply rooted in tradition, prosperity and timeless belief” says Prerna Khurana, Director, Khurana Jewellery house. “While today’s consumer is evolving towards lightweight, wearable, and design-led gold jewellery, the intrinsic value of gold as a lasting investment continues to inspire strong demand.”

She added, “On this auspicious occasion, we at Khurana Jewellery House are delighted to celebrate our patrons with specially curated gifts, as they join us in embracing the spirit of new beginnings and enduring prosperity.”

Mumbai, Apr 20 (BNP): Indian equity markets witnessed a choppy session on Monday, with early gains quickly fading as caution gripped investors.

The BSE Sensex opened on a firm note, rising over 200 points in initial trade, while the Nifty 50 also advanced, reflecting a positive start to the day.

However, the upward momentum proved short-lived. As trading progressed, both indices turned volatile and slipped into negative territory. The Sensex erased its gains to trade lower, while the Nifty also dipped, indicating a shift in market sentiment.

The volatility comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and increasing crude oil prices, factors that tend to weigh heavily on investor confidence. Elevated oil prices can fuel inflation concerns and impact corporate profitability, prompting a more cautious approach in the markets.

Overall, the session reflected a fragile balance between optimism and uncertainty, as investors remained sensitive to global developments influencing domestic market trends.

Kolkata, April 20: The Kolkata Ladies League a unique all-women collective, was officially launched in a warm and celebratory gathering that marked the beginning of a one-of-a-kind initiative dedicated to empowering women through cross-support of resources and collaborative growth. The newly formed league, comprising 60+ members from diverse professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds, aims to create a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and mutual advancement, with a strong focus on nurturing businesses across all scales. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Aditi Dutta, Founding Member & Owner, Akar;  Swati Chakraborty Das, Kolkata Ladies League & Owner, Mishti Bahar; Nandini Bhattacharya, Founding Member & founder of All Bengal Men’s forum, Moumita Mukherjee, Founding Member & founder of Sristi Boutique, Soma Chakraborty, Founding Member, Kolkata Ladies League, and Co-Founder & Managing Director, Goodace Hospital and others.

Envisioned as a collaborative platform, the Kolkata Ladies League seeks to encourage innovation, resource-sharing, and collective progress by bringing together women from varied industries and professional domains. The initiative aims to empower members to grow together, scale their ventures, and contribute meaningfully to the broader entrepreneurial landscape.

The launch was commemorated with a special Baishakhi Adda, upholding the spirit of the Bengali New Year and promoting meaningful connections among members and guests. The event also witnessed heartfelt intergenerational bonding with the elders of “Tomar Tikhana,” adding a socially inclusive dimension to the celebration. The gathering provided an engaging space for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and the generation of new business opportunities, reinforcing the league’s vision of building a supportive ecosystem for women-led enterprises.

Soma Chakraborty, Founding Member, Kolkata Ladies League, and Co-Founder & Managing Director, Goodace Hospital, said,

“Today, more than ever, initiatives like the Kolkata Ladies League are the need of the hour. Women across sectors are building ideas, businesses, and communities, yet many of them still lack a strong support system. This collective was envisioned as a space where women can come together, share resources, exchange experiences, and uplift one another irrespective of the scale of their ventures. The response we witnessed reaffirmed our belief that collaboration, not competition, will drive meaningful growth.”