Category: News

New Delhi, Apr 22 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon India’s civil servants to place the principle of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’—the citizen as god—at the core of all governance decisions, emphasizing that public service must remain firmly focused on people-centric delivery and welfare.

In letters addressed to over one crore civil servants ahead of Civil Services Day, the Prime Minister highlighted that governance should be guided by compassion, accountability, and a continuous commitment to learning. He stressed that those entrusted with public responsibility must set an example through dedication and ethical service.

The letters, issued on April 20, were released in 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Marathi, Odia, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Punjabi, Assamese, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil. This multilingual outreach was aimed at ensuring wider accessibility across ministries, departments, states, and Union Territories.

The message underscores the government’s focus on strengthening citizen-centric governance and reinforcing the role of civil servants as key drivers of policy implementation and public trust.

Apr 22 (BNP): The Government is set to conduct an Open House session on April 27 to address concerns related to steel imports, bringing together key stakeholders from the industry, trade bodies, and policymakers.

The meeting is expected to focus on rising import pressures, pricing trends, and the impact of global steel supply dynamics on domestic producers. Industry participants are likely to present their views on competitiveness, demand conditions, and possible policy measures to ensure stability in the sector.

The Open House initiative is seen as part of the government’s broader effort to engage directly with industry stakeholders and develop a balanced approach that supports both domestic manufacturing and market requirements.

Steel remains a critical sector for infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing, and any policy discussion around imports is expected to have wide-ranging implications for pricing, supply chains, and industrial growth.

The session is likely to play an important role in shaping future decisions aimed at strengthening India’s steel ecosystem while addressing concerns over import dependency and market fluctuations.

Tri-Share pilot program receives $6 million to make child care more accessible and affordable. 

(St. Louis, Mo., April 21, 2026) Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) has been selected by the City of Kansas City and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to launch the city’s first Tri-Share Child Care pilot program designed specifically to support first responders.

The $6 million initiative, funded by House Bill 2 in the Missouri Legislature and a match from the City of Kansas City, will make it easier for first responders to access and afford quality child care. The Tri-Share model divides the cost of child care among the employer, the employee, and the state—easing the financial burden on working families while helping to retain essential workers.

CCAMO anticipates serving up to 500 children of first responders – including police, fire, 911 dispatch, and aviation police personnel – with enrollment offered on a first-come, first served basis through April 30, 2026. Eligible first responders can access a digital application here.

Modeled after Missouri’s Child Care Works initiative, the pilot aligns with statewide goals to strengthen workforce participation and promote child care affordability. CCAMO serves as the third-party program administrator, using the TOOTRiS technology platform to manage eligibility, enrollment, payments, and reporting.

“Our first responders serve our community at all hours, often balancing demanding schedules with family responsibilities,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw. “This program helps remove one of the biggest barriers they face by making child care more accessible and affordable. It is about supporting families so they can continue showing up for Kansas City.”

“First responders are the backbone of community safety, often working long and unpredictable hours,” said Robin Phillips, CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri. “This program gives them the reliable and affordable child care they need to stay focused on protecting others.”

Founded in 1999, CCAMO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on a comprehensive early childhood education experience through impactful programs and partnerships. The organization’s services include workforce development, child care business supports, advocacy and policy work, and its new Child Care Keeps Missouri Working, a regional campaign offering concierge solutions to businesses undergoing employee recruitment and retention challenges due to the overwhelming shortage of quality child care options. For more information, call (314) 535-1458 or visit www.mochildcareaware.org.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): Indian Railways has reaffirmed key travel provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), allowing them to travel in unreserved Divyangjan coaches in Mail and Express trains, provided they carry valid identification such as the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card. The clarification is part of the national transporter’s continued push toward more inclusive and accessible public transport.

The railways said the move aims to ensure smoother travel and better access for Divyangjan passengers across the network, particularly in long-distance train services where accessibility support is often essential.

 Focus on inclusive passenger support

As part of its broader accessibility initiatives, Indian Railways has introduced multiple welfare measures for PwDs. These include concessional fare benefits, availability of wheelchairs at major stations, battery-operated vehicles for assistance, and dedicated support services such as Yatri Mitra Sewa, which helps passengers requiring mobility assistance during boarding, travel, and deboarding.

Officials said these measures are designed to reduce travel barriers and improve the overall passenger experience for differently-abled travellers.

Comfort-focused berth allocation policy

In addition to accessibility upgrades, the railways has also strengthened its berth allocation system. It has permitted the reassignment of vacant lower berths to senior citizens, PwDs, and pregnant women, even if they were initially allotted middle or upper berths. The step aims to enhance safety, comfort, and ease of travel for vulnerable passenger groups.

Towards more inclusive rail travel

The initiatives reflect Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to make train travel more equitable and passenger-friendly. By combining accessibility infrastructure with supportive onboard and station services, the railways continues to move toward a more inclusive transport system that caters to the needs of all sections of society.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is adopting a cautious, data-driven approach to interest rates amid global uncertainty triggered by the West Asia conflict, Governor Sanjay Malhotra said.

He noted that the region is important for India’s economy, accounting for major shares of crude oil imports, exports, fertilisers, and remittances, making the impact of disruptions significant.

Malhotra warned that prolonged supply shocks could lead to second-round inflation effects, where temporary price rises become more persistent in the economy.

He said the RBI remains in a “wait-and-watch mode”, with the Monetary Policy Committee maintaining a neutral stance and not committing to any specific rate path.

On the currency, he said the RBI intervenes to reduce volatility but does not target a fixed exchange rate. He also highlighted India’s strong foreign exchange reserves of around $710 billion, which provide a buffer against external shocks.

He further pointed to resilient domestic indicators, including strong digital transactions and improving fiscal metrics, as factors supporting overall economic stability.

SINGAPORE – 21 April, 2026 – Global Food Partners (GFP), a global consultancy helping food businesses achieve higher animal welfare standards in their supply chains, today announced it has supported Compass Group India, a leader in food services, to drive cage-free egg production and support local farmers in India.

Due to limited cage-free supplies and regional market gaps, Compass Group India is using cage-free credits to offset a portion of its caged egg purchases. GFP administers the Impact Incentives programme; cage-free credits enable food businesses to directly support egg farmers making a sustainable transition to cage-free production—while helping to build and secure future supply.

Compass Group has initially purchased around 4,000 cage-free credits in India, with each credit offsetting the purchase of 1,000 caged eggs—a total of four million eggs. The funds for this credit purchase go directly to three farms in India to expand their cage-free capacities and invest in their logistics networks.

Via Compass Group Foundation, Compass Group India and other partners have also launched a new cage-free and free-range training centre with GFP as technical partner. The training centre, located outside of Bangalore, will support local farmers in their transitions to cage-free systems, teach best practices in egg production and management, and help farmers achieve long-term sustainability and profitability in their industry. 

“Compass Group India has shown enormous leadership and innovation in not only their own cage-free commitments, but also in driving substantial, foundational change in how eggs are produced and supplied throughout India,” said GFP CEO Elissa Lane. “Their commitment to responsible sourcing extends to the new training centre that meaningfully supports farmers and strengthens the nation’s food system.”

Compass Group has published a complete Animal Welfare Progress Report for 2026 with more details.

Other industry giants that have adopted Impact Incentives as part of their cage-free strategy include Kellanova, Best Western Hotels, Lagardère Travel Retail (PDF) Pizza Express (PDF). By sourcing cage-free eggs whenever possible, and using cage-free credits to address any supply-chain shortfalls, companies can report 100 percent compliance with cage-free mandates. GFP currently focuses on egg production throughout Asia, and has capabilities in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Latin America.

PHILADELPHIA, April 21, 2026 – LIV Process, Philadelphia-based biotech, announces Denine Temple, System Director of Environmental Services (EVS) at University Health San Antonio, as the first recipient of the Invisible Hero Award, which honors outstanding work in the fight against C. diff (Clostridioides difficile). With the creation of the Invisible Hero Award, LIV Process continues to draw national attention to one of the most stubborn and costly healthcare-associated infections—and the often-overlooked heroes working to stop the spread of C. diff before it starts. 

“We’re proud to recognize Temple and the EVS teams at University Health San Antonio for their exceptional commitment to stopping the spread of C. diff,” said Michael McIntyre, Founder and CEO of LIV Process. “Our first awardees are working in hospitals and healthcare settings to directly address gaps in infection prevention and cleaning effectiveness.” 

For leadership in advancing infection-prevention protocol in her health system and nationwide, Temple is being recognized along with four University Health San Antonio Environmental Services (EVS) teams, led by: 

• Bryan Blecha, Director, Ambulatory Sites Team 

• David Harris, Director, Sky Team 

• Jaime Rymers, Director, Rio and Horizon Team 

• A’Neita Sammons, Director, Women’s and Children’s Team 

“I’m honored to accept this award alongside my hardworking colleagues doing the often-invisible work of infection prevention,” said Denine Temple, System Director of Environmental Services, University Hospital San Antonio. 

In addition to University Health San Antonio, LIV Process plans to award other outstanding advocates reducing infections across the United States. LIV Process technology is being applied by EVS personnel across leading US healthcare systems, including Veterans Health Administration hospitals, University of Virginia Health, University of Texas Southwestern, University of Massachusetts, Duke University Medical Center, Cleveland VA, Houston Methodist and Baptist Health.