Category: Business

New Delhi, June 2026: An Indian delegation comprising representatives from government institutions and the private sector recently visited Germany for a high-level exchange programme focused on climate adaptation, environmental technologies, and sustainable development.

The visit, held earlier this month, was jointly organised by GIZ India and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) and centred around participation in IFAT Munich 2026, one of the world’s leading trade fairs for environmental technologies.

The programme combined attendance at the trade fair with institutional exchanges, technical site visits, and strategic discussions in Munich and Berlin. Delegates engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, academic experts, and research institutions, to gain insights into innovative solutions and best practices in climate resilience and environmental management.

Key areas of discussion included climate adaptation strategies, water resource management, recycling technologies, circular economy practices, and sustainable urban development. Participants explored emerging technologies and policy approaches that could support sustainable growth and strengthen climate resilience.

According to organisers, the visit highlighted the growing momentum for deeper cooperation between India and Germany in addressing global environmental challenges. The exchange provided a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and identifying opportunities for future collaboration.

Officials noted that the programme also facilitated partnership-building between institutions from both countries, paving the way for continued engagement on shared sustainability and climate objectives.

The initiative reflects the commitment of India and Germany to advancing climate action, promoting environmental innovation, and fostering long-term cooperation in support of sustainable development goals.

 “This partnership with Atmantan marks an important step in bringing a world-class integrated wellness destination to Hyderabad. The world is talking more openly about longevity. As strong believers in the power of natural and holistic health, we recognise that the global conversation around longevity is not a passing trend, but a fundamental shift in how people aspire to live. We are looking forward to building a sanctuary with the Atmantan Team that will give life to this shared ambition, long-term value, and a commitment to redefining wellness in the region.”

Production Up 62%, Sales Rise 74%; Company Reports Positive PAT, PBT and EBITDA

                                   *Production & Sales in Metric Tonnes and Financials in Rs. Crore 

Hyderabad, May 30, 2026: NMDC Steel Limited (NSL), one of India’s youngest integrated steel producers, has announced its financial results for FY26.  NMDC Steel Limited (NSL) delivered a landmark performance in FY26, achieving profitability and registering best-ever production and sales during the year, while also recording its best-ever quarterly performance in Q4, FY26.

NMDC Steel recorded its highest-ever annual production of 23.25 lakh metric tonnes and sales of 24.55 lakh metric tonnes during FY26, registering growth of 62% and 74% respectively over the previous year. The strong operational performance reflects improved capacity utilisation, enhanced efficiencies and growing market acceptance of NSL’s products across key sectors.

NSL has now achieved average capacity utilisation of 80% of its rated production capacity within two years of commencing its operations, marking a significant milestone in the operational stabilisation of the Nagarnar Steel Plant. This achievement places NSL among the fastest ramp-ups witnessed in the Global Steel Industry for a greenfield integrated steel project.

NSL also delivered its best-ever quarterly performance during Q4 FY26, with production rising 45% year-on-year to 6.42 lakh metric tonnes and sales increasing 40% to 7.03 lakh metric tonnes, underscoring the growing operational strength and market presence of the company.

The operational gains translated into a strong financial performance, with turnover increasing 60% year-on-year to Rs.13,642 crore. This robust growth reflects improved capacity utilisation, stronger market penetration and the growing acceptance of NSL’s high-quality steel products across key sectors.

Most significantly, FY26 marked a complete turnaround in NSL’s profitability. Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at Rs. 58.72 crore in FY26 against a loss of Rs. 2,373 crore in the previous year. Reflecting the strength of this turnaround, Q4 FY26 PAT improved to Rs. 391 crore from a loss of Rs. 473 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

NMDC Steel closed FY26 on a strong note, delivering its best-ever quarterly production and sales alongside a significant improvement in operational performance. Turnover for Q4 FY26 increased 37% year-on-year to Rs. 3,879 crore, while EBITDA stood at Rs. 832.09 crore against a negative EBITDA of Rs. 271.51 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Commenting on the results, Shri Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director, NMDC Steel Limited, said: “FY26 marks a defining year in NMDC Steel’s journey. Achieving profitability, recording our highest-ever production & sales and reaching nearly average capacity utilisation of 80% within two years of operations reflect the successful stabilisation of the Nagarnar Steel Plant. As we continue to improve efficiencies, expand our product portfolio and strengthen our market presence, we remain committed to progressing towards full capacity utilisation of NMDC Steel Plant, while supplying high-quality steel products that contribute to India’s infrastructure and industrial development.”

The achievements of FY26 mark an important milestone in NSL’s growth journey. With operations stabilised, profitability achieved and market presence continuing to expand, NMDC Steel is well-positioned to build on this momentum and create long-term value for its stakeholders in the years ahead.

Patna, 30 May 2026: Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna – Business Incubation and Innovation Foundation (CIMP-BIIF) and Annapurna Finance Private Limited (AFPL), one of India’s leading microfinance institutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to collaborate in the areas of professional training, capacity building, and skill development for employees working in the microfinance sector.

The partnership aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of microfinance professionals through industry-oriented training programmes. Under the MoU, CIMP-BIIF and AFPL will jointly design and deliver training modules focusing on microfinance operations, regulatory compliance, customer relationship management, and best practices in financial inclusion.

The collaboration will also focus on developing leadership capabilities, problem-solving abilities, decision-making skills, and effective time-management practices among employees. Participants will benefit from hands-on learning through practical modules, case studies, simulations, and experiential learning approaches designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Dr. Rana Singh, Director, Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP), said:

“At CIMP, we are committed to fostering meaningful industry-academia collaborations that create value for organizations and society alike. This partnership with Annapurna Finance Private Limited reflects our vision of strengthening the financial inclusion ecosystem through knowledge, innovation, and capacity building. We are confident that this initiative will contribute significantly to enhancing professional excellence and leadership capabilities in the microfinance sector.”

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kumod Kumar, CEO, CIMP-BIIF, said, “This partnership reflects our commitment to building a skilled and future-ready workforce for the financial inclusion ecosystem. By combining academic excellence with industry expertise, we aim to create impactful learning experiences that enhance professional competence and organizational effectiveness.”

Professor Sunil Kumar, Associate Dean (Academics), CIMP, stated, “The microfinance sector plays a critical role in promoting inclusive growth and economic empowerment. Through this collaboration, we seek to provide high-quality training interventions that strengthen operational excellence, leadership capabilities, and customer-centric service delivery among professionals in the sector.”

Mr. Subrat Sabyasachi Roy, Head – Strategy, Annapurna Finance Private Limited, remarked, “Continuous learning and capability enhancement are essential for sustaining growth and delivering greater value to our clients. We are pleased to partner with CIMP-BIIF to develop structured learning programmes that will support employee development and contribute to the long-term success of the microfinance industry.”

The MoU marks an important step towards fostering industry-academia collaboration and promoting excellence in professional development within the financial inclusion and microfinance ecosystem.

Milan, May– Very young children (even as young as 3 years old) can read intention and preferences in the eyes of a person, but they do not recognize this type of nonverbal communication in the gaze of a humanoid robot.

This is the finding of a study published in the International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, coordinated by Antonella Marchetti, Director of the Department of Psychology of Università Cattolica and CERITOM (Research Center on Theory of Mind and Social Competences Across the Lifespan), in collaboration with scholars from Tokyo and Osaka, and colleagues Davide Massaro, Cinzia Di Dio, and Federico Manzi of the Università Cattolica of Milan.

THE STUDY

The research involved Italian children aged 3 to 5 years old to explore how people and robots gaze can evoke different impressions in children’s minds.

The test consisted of showing to children a person and a humanoid robot while looking at an object, assessing whether they could understand which object was “preferred” by the agent looking at it.

The results show that children interpret the human gaze as a meaningful signal: if an individual looks at an object, children tend to assume that the person likes that object. The same does not happen, however, when a humanoid robot is looking at the object. In that case, the gaze is not enough for children to attribute a true preference to the robot.

In short, children use the human gaze to “read” desires and intentions, while they struggle to do the same with the robot. Furthermore, gaze—human or robotic—does not seem to change children’s personal preferences: it helps them understand what the other person likes, but it does not necessarily change their own preferences.

Professor Marchetti explains, “This does not mean robots cannot play an educational or social role. However, it suggests that simply imitating a single human signal, such as gaze, in a robotic artifact is not enough to make it truly communicative in a child’s eyes. Designing robots and intelligent technologies for children requires richer, more natural, and developmentally appropriate interactions: made up of words, gestures, reciprocity, context, and shared presence. This is reinforced by the fact that even human interactions alone are not sufficient to exert clear transformative effects on children’s preferences. These data are particularly relevant in the debate on artificial intelligence,” she continues. “Many AIs today speak, respond, and make suggestions, but our results highlight that, especially for children, communication is not just about words: presence and shared context also matter. From this perspective, an AI integrated into physical systems — so-called embodied AI, one of the most complete expressions of which is humanoid social robotics — represents a crucial dimension for understanding how children attribute mental states (e.g., intentions, beliefs, preferences) to technologies as well,” she adds. These findings also have significant implications for applications, particularly in the field of autistic spectrum disorder, where gaze and shared attention represent crucial psychological dimensions of socio-communicative development and can be particularly vulnerable. In this context, humanoid robots are increasingly being studied as support tools for rehabilitation interventions focused on these skills. Understanding how a child interprets a robot’s gaze as an intentional signal can therefore help design more targeted, natural, and developmentally sensitive interventions.

The ROBIN (ROBot-based Neuropsychomotor INtervention to promote imitation skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder) project, funded by the Ministry of Health as part of the Finalized Research program, which will begin in June 2026, is also part of this research direction, the professor anticipates. The project is led by the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation and the CeRiToM of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, which is involved as a research group on the role of gaze and psychological processes in these forms of intervention. The project involves interventions with a humanoid robot to promote imitation skills, which also involve understanding the robot’s gaze and its communicative meaning.

Hyderabad, May 30: In a major initiative aimed at enhancing surgical skills among young ENT specialists, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, hosted the second edition of the two-day International 360° ENT & Skull Base Conference, bringing together over 250 eminent ENT surgeons, faculty members and postgraduate students from India and abroad.

The conference was inaugurated by Mr.Ramchandra J, Chief Operating Officer Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, and Dr.Ravi Kiran, Medical Director Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills. Addressing the gathering, he said the hospital had conducted 12 complex skull base surgeries free of cost for underprivileged patients as part of the academic programme. These surgeries were broadcast live to delegates, allowing young surgeons to observe surgical planning, intra-operative decision-making and advanced treatment techniques in real time.

He said live surgical demonstrations offer invaluable practical exposure to the management of complex ENT and skull base disorders, emergency situations and minimally invasive procedures, helping participants strengthen their clinical and operative skills.

Organised jointly by Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, and the AOI Hyderabad Chapter, the conference focused on the latest advances in ENT, head and neck surgery, skull base procedures and hearing restoration techniques.

Doctors at the conference highlighted the increasing prevalence of ENT-related disorders such as chronic sinus infections, recurrent headaches, nasal obstruction, nosebleeds, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, voice changes, swallowing difficulties, snoring and sleep apnoea. They noted that the growing burden of such conditions has created an urgent need for more highly trained ENT specialists.

Dr. Vemuru Tejaswi, ENT surgeon at Apollo Hospitals and Organising Chairman of the conference, said specialised training programmes are essential to prepare the next generation of surgeons for managing complex ear, nose and throat disorders as well as skull base tumours, infections and neurological conditions located near the base of the brain.

He added that the department routinely performs advanced procedures including endoscopic skull base surgery, sinus surgery, hearing restoration surgeries, cochlear implants, sleep apnoea surgery and paediatric ENT interventions.

The scientific sessions were led by internationally renowned experts including Dr. Prepageran Narayanan from Malaysia, Dr. Narayana Jayashankar from Mumbai, Dr. Satish Jain from Jaipur and Dr. Sanjeev Mohanty from Chennai, who shared their expertise on emerging technologies and challenging clinical cases.

The conference was organised by a dedicated team comprising Dr. Tejasvi Vemuru, Dr. Sreepathy Sandeep, Dr. Manideep, Dr. Nayanika Reddy and Dr. Archana Rangisetty, who ensured the seamless conduct of the international academic event and facilitated meaningful knowledge exchange among participants.

Bhubaneswar, May 30: Shreyas WebMedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd. participated in an interactive session with Shri Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Startup Odisha, Government of Odisha, held on May 29, 2026, at the IDCO Conference Hall, 5th Floor, IDCO Towers, Janpath, Bhubaneswar. The programme was jointly organized by World Trade Center (WTC) Bhubaneswar and Startup Odisha, bringing together entrepreneurs, startup founders, business leaders, innovators, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on the growth and future of Odisha’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The session served as an important platform to familiarize participants with the initiatives and interventions undertaken by Startup Odisha to promote innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and strengthen the state’s startup ecosystem. Discussions focused on government policies, startup funding opportunities, incubation support, innovation-led business development, and strategies for positioning Odisha as a leading destination for startups and emerging enterprises.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Smruti Ranjan Pradhan shared insights into the evolving startup landscape in Odisha and highlighted the support mechanisms available to entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey. Emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, he stated, “A thriving startup ecosystem cannot emerge in isolation; it requires collaboration, incubation, and a strong foundation of education.”

He further underscored the need to nurture innovation from an early age, strengthen incubation infrastructure, and create an enabling environment where young entrepreneurs can transform ideas into sustainable enterprises. The discussions also explored emerging opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, agritech, and technology-driven businesses, which are expected to play a significant role in Odisha’s economic growth.

Dr. Ashwini Kumar Rath, CEO, Batoi Systems, attended the programme as the Chief Guest, emphasizing the importance of stronger partnerships among industry, startups, academia, and government institutions in driving innovation-led growth. 

He highlighted that a collaborative ecosystem is essential for nurturing entrepreneurship, accelerating technological advancement, and creating sustainable opportunities for emerging enterprises. Dr. Rath further stressed that continuous knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and strategic partnerships will play a crucial role in accelerating Odisha’s journey towards becoming a leading innovation hub and contributing to the state’s long-term economic development.

Representing Shreyas WebMedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd., senior management team Ms. Bhumika Lenka  and Ms. K. Puspa attended the event. The representatives actively engaged in the interactive discussions and networking sessions, gaining valuable insights into entrepreneurship, startup development, innovation ecosystems, and emerging business opportunities within the state.

The programme facilitated meaningful exchanges between government officials, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and startup stakeholders, fostering dialogue on collaboration, innovation, and ecosystem development. The interactive format enabled participants to share perspectives, seek guidance, and explore potential partnerships that can contribute to Odisha’s growing startup landscape.

The event reinforced Odisha’s commitment to building a robust innovation ecosystem and empowering entrepreneurs through policy support, mentorship, incubation, and access to growth opportunities. It also highlighted the collective efforts being undertaken to realize the vision of a progressive, innovation-driven, and economically prosperous Odisha.

For decades, offices were designed to enhance productivity: linear desk stations, structures, and spaces designed to optimize functionality rather than emotional and psychological well-being. Today, such a concept sounds prehistoric.  

The new offices are being designed to be spaces that are far more effective, spaces that integrate productivity and comfort, performance and personality, and work and lifestyle.  

TOA, one of India’s leading design-first architecture firms working with leading Fortune500 Companies highlights five factors that are transforming the concept of what a Grade A office space truly feels like: 

The Rise of Experience Led Workplaces:

Modern offices are evolving and are so thoughtfully designed that they hardly seem like offices anymore! The latest trend in office design is about creating and building spaces of ‘hospitality-inspired design,’ spaces that are inviting, warm, and functional, and also user-friendly! The basic idea behind this is that comfort is what drives engagement and participation! This is why offices are not just evolving beyond functionality; they’re evolving beyond experience! 

Flexibility Is the New Fundamental of Design

As flexibility continues to change and shape the nature of work, the very purpose of workplaces is also evolving and being rewritten and redesigned. Large flexible floor plates and flexible spaces allow offices to change seamlessly throughout the day. These spaces, which offer collaborative spaces and quiet pods, are designed to put choice and flexibility first in how people work. 

Most importantly, effective space planning is about allowing employees to move seamlessly between activities- during brainstorming, collaborating or for a simple unwind. Ideally, this shift isn’t just about design trends, it is about designing for human centric behaviour and work patterns. 

Bioclimatic and Biophilic Office Design For the Win

The climate change in India has influenced the way offices are designed. Energy efficiency, heat, AQI, and sustainability have become a necessity rather than a marketing tool. Contemporary office space design depends on bioclimatic design, ventilation design, natural light design, and natural cooling design.  

Technology has been at the forefront in today’s world. Traditional office space has been associated with the 9-to-5 routine. However, in terms of office design, traditional office space has been shifting away from this approach. It has been shifting towards reconnecting employees to nature. Biophilic design involves the incorporation of plants in office space, natural light in office space, and even nature-inspired artwork in office space. It has been emphasized in various studies that office space with access to green space has a positive impact on employees. In order to create a more collaborative and happier workforce, are shifting towards incorporating biophilic design in office space.

The Rise of Tech- Enabled Office Spaces

The concept of designing workstations revolves around redefining spaces that offer a balance of productivity and comfort in which aesthetics and technology play an integral role. With the rise of digitisation, there is a focus on designing spaces that integrate technology into the experience. From smart meetings and smart workstations to sensor technology, lighting, and climate control, technology is no longer an afterthought; rather, it is being integrated into the design of spaces. There is a focus on creating and designing spaces that are intuitive and facilitate efficient working. 

Design That Reflects Identity and Culture

The most memorable offices aren’t just beautiful, they’re authentic. From material choices and colour palettes to artwork and spatial storytelling, offices are designed and created to reflect a company’s personality and uniqueness. These elements help in creating a sense of belonging and identity in subtle but dynamic way.  As the designs continues to evolve, aesthetics is more about strategy and no longer just about look and feel. 

To build a high-performance corporate office is both art and science from a creative and designing perspective. It is impossible to avoid the fusion of art, usefulness, psychology, and technology in a space that is contemplative. The end game is to create a space that not only allows an individual to be successful at what they do but enhances the manner in which they are successful. 

These are not only the physical spaces where individuals go to work every day, but they are also the physical spaces where culture is alive, ideas are born, and individuals grow both professionally and personally. Offices are built not to require an individual’s presence but to enable performance. In the new talent-led economy, the physical workspace is now one of the most important strategic investments an organization can make.

Bengaluru, May 30 : Navi Finserv Limited reported a strong improvement in profitability for the quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2026, reflecting continued focus on portfolio quality, disciplined underwriting, collections efficiency and technology-led operational scale across its lending business.

For Q4 FY26, standalone net profit rose 344.54% year-on-year to ₹134.83 crore, compared to ₹30.33 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Revenue from operations for the quarter increased 44.06% year-on-year to ₹738.19 crore.

For the full financial year FY26, standalone net profit rose 31.64% to ₹292.21 crore, while annual revenue from operations grew 8.36% to ₹2,461 crore.

Commenting on the performance, Abhishek Dwivedi, MD & CEO, Navi Finserv Limited, said:

“Over the last few years, we have stayed focused on building a financial services business with strong operating fundamentals and long-term sustainability at its core. Our performance reflects continued discipline across underwriting, collections, risk management and execution efficiency. As the financial ecosystem matures, we believe institutions that combine technology, responsible growth and operational discipline will be best positioned to build durable customer trust over time.”

Over FY26, Navi Finserv continued investing in technology infrastructure, automation and data-led underwriting capabilities to improve customer experience and operational efficiency across its lending platform.

India’s financial services ecosystem continues to see strong structural tailwinds driven by increasing formalisation, deeper digital adoption and broader access to credit. Navi Finserv believes these shifts will continue creating long-term opportunities for technology-led financial institutions focused on sustainable scale and responsible growth.