Category: Business

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): Silver prices saw a noticeable dip on Friday, reflecting a cautious mood among traders. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, silver futures for May delivery dropped by ₹3,549, settling at ₹2,40,219 per kilogram—a decline of 1.46%.

Market activity showed moderate participation, with a turnover of 1,718 lots. According to analysts, the fall was largely driven by traders scaling back their positions, leading to a wave of selling pressure in the market.

This pullback suggests a shift in sentiment, as participants appear to be booking profits or adopting a wait-and-watch approach amid uncertain market cues. While such fluctuations are common in commodity markets, the sharp drop highlights how quickly prices can react to changes in trader confidence.

For investors, the movement serves as a reminder of the volatility in precious metals, where prices are often influenced not just by demand and supply, but also by broader market sentiment.

Akshaya Tritiya arrives each year wrapped in the golden glow of tradition, a day when the metal is blessed and prosperity is sealed with the click of a clasp. For decades, that prosperity was measured almost entirely in weight, the reassuring heft of a bangle or the solid thickness of a chain serving as the ultimate benchmark of value. Yet somewhere between the temple steps and the rhythm of modern life, the definition of gold has quietly transformed. Today’s woman is no longer asking how many grams rest in her locker, she is asking how beautifully the gold rests against her skin while she conquers her day. 

This shift has fundamentally altered how we design and market gold. Collections are becoming decidedly more contemporary, with a stronger focus on comfort, layering, lighter weights, and styles that refuse to be confined to a single occasion. The rigid boundary between ceremonial finery and daily wear has dissolved completely. In its place, we are designing pieces that serve as modular companions rather than static assets. A delicate pendant with fine craftsmanship offers the visual presence of a substantial piece but feels weightless from morning coffee to evening commitments. 

This philosophy finds its purest expression in our Nine–O–Nine collection. Designed specifically for the woman who navigates her day with poise, the collection answers the need for jewellery that transitions smoothly from the focus of a board meeting to the ease of evening cocktails. These pieces are designed to work with her, not demand her attention. A chain that sits under a blazer collar can be doubled or layered to catch the low light of a lounge with equal elegance. 

“A woman’s jewellery should move as fluidly as her calendar. The pieces we create today are designed to be worn, layered, and reimagined. That quiet adaptability is the truest form of confidence.” – Archana Aggarwal

At the heart of this design shift is an understanding that a modern woman’s treasure is measured not by how flamboyant a jewellery piece is, but by how easy it is to live in. The goal is not to create a piece that sits in a locker awaiting the next festival, but to craft a future heirloom that gathers a patina of memories simply because it never leaves her skin.

“Akshaya Tritiya is about blessing something eternal. For me, eternity is not found in a heavy necklace worn once a year. It is found in the chain she never takes off and the earrings she reaches for instinctively, whether she is presenting to a room full of executives or holding a martini glass. That is the versatility we built into Nine–O–Nine.” – Gayatri Aggarwal, CEO

New Delhi, April 10: Yara India reinforced its long-term commitment to advancing sustainable, innovative crop nutrition solutions and digitally enabled agricultural growth in the country, guided by its core ethos of purpose, partnership and prosperity. As part of this vision, Yara is enhancing last-mile product traceability by onboarding a majority of its key channel partners onto the Retailer Ordering System (ROS), a key feature of Yara Connect, the retailer-facing mobile application designed to strengthen the smallholder farming ecosystem by connecting Yara with its extensive network of retailers and dealers. . With the growing demand for biological solutions in agriculture, the company is also scaling its R&D efforts to expand its biologicals portfolio and introduce more advanced, sustainable products for farmers across India.

 As the company completes 15 years of operations in India, this milestone reflects the depth of its partnerships, the scale of its impact, and the strong foundation it has built to drive the future of Indian agriculture. Over the years, Yara India has advanced sustainability through responsible manufacturing and digital advisory tools. It has also strengthened soil health initiatives and collaborations with FPOs, research institutes, and government partners. Yara has significantly strengthened India’s crop nutrition landscape. A major milestone in this journey was its 2018 acquisition of the Babrala urea facility, the largest standalone FDI in India’s regulated fertiliser sector , which today enables high-quality production and supports efficient logistics across key agricultural regions.

Yara has also led supply-chain innovation through India’s first premium fertiliser rake movement and a first-of-its-kind premium vessel movement, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and quality delivery in the sector.

Reflecting on the 15-year milestone, Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia, said,

 “Our journey in India has been guided by a clear purpose, to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Over the past 15 years, we have partnered closely with farmers, governments, and industry stakeholders to drive sustainable, innovation led agricultural growth. India remains a strategic market for Yara, and as we look ahead, our focus is on deepening our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and farmer prosperity.”

Yara India’s progress has been strengthened by its partnerships with global and national institutions. Speaking on the occasion, Chargé d’Affaires Arvinn Gagdil, Deputy Ambassador Royal Norwegian Embassy in Delhi, remarked,

“Yara’s 15-year journey in India reflects the strong and growing cooperation between India and Norway in advancing sustainable agriculture. Through innovation, technology, and farmer engagement, Yara has made significant contributions to the sector, and we look forward to continued collaboration in the years ahead.”

As part of the commemoration, Yara India hosted a special gathering at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi, bringing together government representatives, agricultural experts, policy leaders, industry stakeholders, and progressive farmers. The programme featured leadership addresses, the unveiling of a special Yara@15 Compendium and brand film, and a panel discussion on India’s Agri GDP 2X Journey: Reimagining the Future of Farming. Farmer representatives shared first-hand accounts of how Yara’s innovative solutions and digital platforms have improved productivity, quality, and resilience in their fields. The event concluded with discussions on emerging opportunities in sustainable agriculture, innovation-driven growth, and partnership-led development.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): Equity mutual funds in India recorded a sharp rise in inflows in March, showing strong investor participation despite ongoing market volatility. Data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) showed that net inflows into equity schemes surged 56% month-on-month to ₹40,450 crore, compared with ₹25,978 crore in February.

The figure marks an eight-month high, reflecting continued confidence in equity-linked investments among retail investors.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions also remained strong, rising 7.5% to a record ₹32,087 crore, indicating steady and disciplined long-term investing behaviour.

Across categories, large-cap funds saw healthy growth in inflows, while mid-cap funds recorded strong gains. Small-cap funds also attracted higher investments, reflecting broad-based interest across market segments.

However, the overall mutual fund industry saw volatility, with net outflows of ₹2.39 lakh crore in March, driven largely by movements in non-equity segments.

Market experts said the trend highlights sustained retail participation and growing preference for equities through SIPs, even in uncertain market conditions.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): The government’s ‘Womaniya’ initiative has recorded significant expansion, with over 2.1 lakh women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) registering on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) in FY26.

According to official data, these enterprises secured around 13.7 lakh orders, with total contracts worth more than ₹28,000 crore awarded during the year. This represents a 27.6% year-on-year growth, reflecting rising participation of women entrepreneurs in government procurement.

The initiative enables women entrepreneurs and self-help groups (SHGs) to directly supply goods and services to government buyers through the GeM platform, improving market access and reducing dependence on intermediaries.

Women-led enterprises accounted for 5.6% of total GeM orders, comfortably exceeding the government’s 3% procurement target for women entrepreneurs.

The scheme supports sectors such as handicrafts, handloom, jute, coir, home décor, and office furnishings, where women-led businesses have a strong presence. At the ground level, district administrations and training institutions are conducting onboarding drives, workshops, and capacity-building programmes to improve seller participation.

Officials said the digital system—from registration to payments—ensures transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business for women entrepreneurs, helping them scale operations and gain wider market visibility.

They added that ‘Womaniya’ is not just a procurement platform but a step towards enhancing economic independence and strengthening women’s participation in formal markets.

The Da Milano Group has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 100 stores across India, reinforcing its position as a leading player in the country’s premium leather accessories and footwear segment.

This achievement reflects not only the sustained success of Da Milano in the luxury accessories space but also the rapid growth and rising popularity of its footwear brand, Rosso Brunello, which has been instrumental in strengthening the Group’s overall retail presence.

Over the years, Da Milano has become synonymous with elegance and refined aesthetics, seamlessly blending Italian design sensibilities with Indian retail expertise. Complementing this legacy, Rosso Brunello has emerged as a fast-growing brand in the premium footwear category, known for its classic silhouettes, comfort-driven design, and contemporary appeal.

Already well-established across India and the Middle East, the Group has successfully created a robust international presence. Building on this foundation, it is now actively exploring expansion into new global markets, aiming to take its distinctive blend of Italian-inspired design and craftsmanship to a wider audience.

The Group’s expanding footprint across metro cities and emerging Tier 2 markets highlights its deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences and the increasing demand for sophisticated lifestyle products. Each store is designed to deliver an elevated and immersive retail experience, further strengthening brand affinity.

Commenting on the milestone, Sahil Malik said, Crossing the 100-store mark is a proud milestone for us. While Da Milano continues to lead in the accessories space, Rosso Brunello has played a key role in strengthening our presence in the premium footwear category. With a strong foundation across India and the Middle East, we are now focused on expanding into new global markets, while also scaling our e-commerce presence across India and Middle East strengthening our reach across leading marketplaces like Namshi, Tata Cliq Luxury, Ajio, Myntra, etc.

Looking ahead, the Da Milano Group is also exploring opportunities to expand into international markets, with a vision to take its signature design language and craftsmanship to a global audience.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): The Commerce Ministry has held a series of high-level meetings with exporters and key stakeholders to address rising challenges in packaging, shipping, and port operations amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

The meetings were chaired by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and attended by Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar, along with representatives from shipping lines, ports, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), and commodity boards.

Officials said the discussions focused on disruptions in maritime trade following escalating tensions in the West Asia region, which have impacted vessel movement and shipping routes, especially on key international corridors.

Exporters flagged several concerns, including delays in shipments, logistical bottlenecks, and rising operational costs affecting overall export performance. Export Promotion Councils have been directed to submit detailed feedback on port-wise issues to enable targeted policy responses.

In a separate review, industry representatives highlighted a sharp rise in packaging material costs, driven by increased petrochemical prices. This has led to an estimated 50% surge in packaging costs over recent weeks, further squeezing export margins.

The ministry said it is actively monitoring the situation and engaging with stakeholders to ensure continuity in trade operations and minimise supply chain disruptions.

New Delhi: India’s national shipping fleet has crossed a major milestone, surpassing 14.2 million Gross Tonnage (GT) for the first time, supported by the addition of 92 new vessels during FY 2025–26.

Officials said the sharp expansion reflects a significant boost in the country’s maritime strength, with vessel additions recording a threefold increase in tonnage growth compared to previous periods.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The development is seen as a key step towards enhancing India’s presence in global shipping and reducing dependence on foreign fleets. It also aligns with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aimed at strengthening self-reliance in critical strategic sectors.

Experts note that the rising fleet capacity will improve cargo handling capability, support trade efficiency, and enhance India’s competitiveness in international maritime logistics.

With sustained investments and policy support, the shipping sector is expected to play an increasingly important role in driving trade growth and strengthening India’s blue economy ambitions.

HOLMDEL, N.J. and CHICAGO – Apr. 10 – Litera, a leading legal AI platform provider that unifies the practice and business of law, announced the promotion of Priyanka Singh to Executive Vice President, Operations & Chief Financial Officer. Since joining Litera one year ago as CFO, Priyanka has expanded her impact beyond financial leadership, overseeing support and services, legal, and HR, and playing a central role in the company’s operational transformation. Her elevated title reflects the scope she has taken on, and the transformation she has led, helping reshape the company into a customer‑first organization and redefining how Litera partners with customers.

“From day one, Priyanka has shown a relentless drive to do right by our customers, and that commitment is showing up where it matters most,” said Avaneesh Marwaha, CEO of Litera. “What sets Priyanka apart is that she never stops at the balance sheet. She brings a CFO’s discipline to every corner of the business, and it’s her genuine care for our customers that has truly set the tone. Sentiment in the market is up, and Priyanka’s promotion reflects the direct impact her leadership has had on delivering the operational foundation behind our mission to pave the path for the future of law.”

Priyanka brings more than 20 years of experience in financial strategy, operations, and organizational transformation to her expanded role. Her background spans public and private companies focused on SaaS, mergers, and acquisitions at Togetherwork, Global Payments Inc., Heartland Payment Systems, and several verticals at General Electric. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA).

During her first year at Litera, Priyanka has also been instrumental in the company’s return-to-office initiative, overseeing the opening of seven offices and building a culture of in-person collaboration that employees are choosing to embrace. That cultural shift reflects her broader leadership philosophy that strategy only works when it translates into concrete priorities at every level of the organization.

“Litera is at an exciting point in its growth,” said Priyanka Singh. “The opportunity in front of us to help law firms unify the practice and business of law through AI requires operational excellence and a dedication to customers that matches our technology ambition. I’m energized by what we’ve built in the past year, and even more so by what we’re positioned to build for the next decade on a foundation of 30 years of unmatched legal expertise along with our rapid pace of innovation.”

Litera’s pedigree of 30 years of legal expertise, combined with the AI capabilities embedded across its platform through Lito, its award-winning legal AI agent, positions the company as the only legal AI platform built to unify the practice and business of law. Priyanka’s expanded role strengthens the operational foundation to execute that vision.

New Delhi,Apr 10 (BNP): Shares of India’s largest IT services company, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) came under pressure on Friday, falling over 3% in early trade after its March quarter results failed to meet investor expectations.

 The stock declined by about 3.25% to ₹2,503.45 on the BSE, while on the NSE it slipped nearly 3.24% to ₹2,505, reflecting broad-based selling pressure following the earnings announcement.

Investor sentiment turned cautious as the results did not provide strong triggers for fresh buying, leading to profit booking in the heavyweight IT stock.

Market participants said the reaction indicates muted near-term expectations from the IT sector, which continues to face global demand uncertainties and margin pressures.

Despite the decline, analysts note that TCS remains a key benchmark stock for the Indian IT industry, and its performance is closely tracked for broader sector cues.