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  • Historic Cargo Movement Begins as First Container Train Reaches Biratnagar ICP from Kolkata

    Biratnagar, July 21: Trade connectivity between India and Nepal received a major boost as the Biratnagar Integrated Check Post (ICP) in eastern Nepal welcomed its first-ever containerised cargo train from Kolkata.

    The arrival of the container train marks an important milestone in strengthening cross-border trade and improving logistics links between the two neighbouring countries. The new freight movement is expected to provide traders with a more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective transportation option.

    The development will help streamline the movement of goods between Kolkata and eastern Nepal by reducing logistical challenges and improving supply chain efficiency. It is expected to benefit businesses involved in import and export activities while supporting greater economic cooperation between India and Nepal.

    Officials said the introduction of containerised rail cargo will enhance connectivity, reduce dependence on traditional transportation methods, and create new opportunities for smoother trade operations.

    The initiative reflects ongoing efforts by both countries to strengthen infrastructure and facilitate seamless movement of goods across the border. Improved logistics facilities are expected to contribute to faster cargo handling and increased trade efficiency.

    The first container train service to Biratnagar ICP represents a significant step towards deeper economic partnership and stronger transport links between India and Nepal, paving the way for expanded regional trade and cooperation.

  • Road Users Face Higher Expenses as NHAI Revises Toll Rates on Jaipur Highways

    Jaipur, July 21: Travellers using major highways around Jaipur will now have to bear increased travel costs as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revised toll charges across key routes.

    The updated toll rates are expected to affect thousands of commuters, commercial vehicle operators, and logistics companies that depend on these highways for daily movement. The Jaipur-Delhi route, one of the busiest corridors in the region, will see higher expenses for regular users following the revision.

    NHAI periodically updates toll charges to support the maintenance of national highways, improve road infrastructure, and ensure better facilities for commuters. The revised rates are implemented as per existing guidelines and are aimed at supporting long-term highway development.

    The increase may also have an impact on transportation costs for businesses and freight operators, who could factor the additional charges into their operational expenses. Regular travellers are advised to plan their journeys considering the revised toll structure.

    The highway network around Jaipur plays a crucial role in connecting major cities, supporting trade, tourism, and daily commuting. Authorities continue to focus on improving road quality, safety standards, and travel efficiency while managing infrastructure costs.

    NHAI has encouraged highway users to stay informed about updated toll charges and make necessary travel arrangements accordingly.

  • India’s Hockey Campaign Gets a Boost as Harmanpreet Singh Takes Charge for FIH Men’s World Cup

    July 21: Indian hockey is set for another major international challenge as Harmanpreet Singh has been named captain of the Indian men’s hockey team for the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.

    The experienced defender will lead a squad determined to make a strong impact on the world stage. With his proven leadership qualities, composure under pressure, and ability to deliver in crucial moments, Harmanpreet is expected to play a key role in guiding the team throughout the tournament.

    Over the years, Harmanpreet has emerged as one of India’s most influential hockey players, particularly known for his penalty corner skills and defensive strength. His leadership has been instrumental in helping the team achieve notable performances in international competitions.

    The Indian team has been preparing with a strong focus on fitness, tactical improvements, and building greater coordination among players. The squad combines experienced campaigners with young talents eager to make their mark at the global level.

    The FIH Men’s World Cup will bring together the best hockey teams from around the world, providing India with a platform to compete for top honours and continue its rich hockey tradition.

    With Harmanpreet Singh leading the side, India will look to deliver a confident performance and carry forward the nation’s hopes in one of hockey’s biggest international tournaments.

  • Centre Pledges Stronger Support for Farmers with Focus on Fair Prices and Global Market Access

    July 21: The Centre has reaffirmed its commitment to improving opportunities for aquaculture and tobacco farmers by ensuring fair returns, strengthening market support, and expanding India’s presence in global markets.

    Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the government’s focus on creating a supportive ecosystem where farmers can benefit from better pricing, improved market connections, and increased export opportunities.

    Aquaculture and tobacco farming continue to play an important role in supporting rural livelihoods and contributing to India’s agricultural economy. The government is working towards addressing sector-specific challenges while promoting sustainable growth and greater competitiveness.

    Efforts are being made to strengthen supply chains, improve quality standards, and create better access to domestic and international markets. These measures are expected to help farmers receive greater value for their produce and encourage long-term growth in these sectors.

    The minister emphasised that expanding exports and improving market opportunities will remain key priorities in supporting farming communities. A stronger export ecosystem will help enhance India’s global trade position while creating new income opportunities for farmers.

    The Centre’s approach reflects its continued focus on farmer welfare, rural development, and building a more resilient agricultural economy. Through policy support and industry collaboration, the government aims to ensure that farmers are better equipped to meet future challenges and benefit from emerging market opportunities.

  • More Style, More Exclusivity: Škoda Auto India Expands The Slavia Monte Carlo’s Colour Palette

    Bangalore , July 21: Škoda Auto India has expanded its Slavia range with the Slavia Monte Carlo receiving two new exclusive colour options – Shimla Green and Steel Grey. They are both offered in a distinctive dual-tone finish. Exclusive to just 200 units, these limited colour editions of the Slavia Monte Carlo combine the sedan’s dynamic design and engaging driving experience with the brand’s Rallye Monte Carlo heritage. The addition lends an even stronger visual presence and is aimed at customers seeking a more distinctive and exclusive ownership experience.

    More Style, More Exclusivity: Škoda Auto India Expands The Slavia Monte Carlo’s Colour Palette

    Commenting on the introduction, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said,

     “The Slavia Monte Carlo has been well received by customers for its distinctive design, premium appeal, engaging driving dynamics and strong connection to our motorsport heritage. We are further enhancing the individuality and desirability of the Monte Carlo range, offering customers greater choice and exclusivity. The Slavia Monte Carlo continues to embody the perfect blend of style, performance, and modernity. We will continue to strengthen our sedan portfolio, in line with the evolving aspirations of our customers.”

    The limited Monte Carlo

    Apart from the new exclusive colour options, the Slavia Monte Carlo continues to distinguish itself with its blacked-out exterior design cues, signature Monte Carlo styling elements, premium black and red interior theme, and feature-rich cabin. The new Shimla Green and Steel Grey dual-tone finishes further amplify choice for customers seeking one of the most desirable variants in the Slavia range. The Slavia Monte Carlo continues to be offered with Škoda Auto India‘s proven TSI engines, combined with the brand’s array of real automatics, delivering a blend of performance, efficiency and driving pleasure.

     Customers can choose between the 1.0-litre TSI engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission or the 1.5-litre TSI engine paired with the 7-speed DSG. The 1.0 TSI is a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol that makes 85 kW  and 178 Nm of torque, while the larger 1.5 TSI four-cylinder turbocharged petrol generates 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque. Moreover, the 1.5 TSI continues to be the only engine in its segment offering Active Cylinder Technology, where two cylinders shut down under light loads, saving fuel, along with Plasma-Coated Cylinder Liners for better heat management and thermal efficiency.

    Škoda Auto’s racing DNA

    Motorsport has been an integral part of Škoda Auto for over a century. The Monte Carlo trim specifically pays homage to the company’s association with Rallye Monte Carlo since 1912 and its various victories and podium finishes since then. The brand’s complete fleet of cars, from the Slavia Monte Carlo and Kushaq Monte Carlo to the Kylaq, Kodiaq and the limited-volume Octavia RS, set an India and Asia Book of Records for ‘The Fastest Multi-Car Relay of a Single Manufacturer on a Circuit’. All five cars, including driver change-over times, set a lap time of 12:30.97 in total at the CoASTT track in Coimbatore. With this, the brand also set in motion its ‘Greatest On A Track is a Škoda On A Track’ campaign, showcasing its engineering and dynamic prowess that is consistent across its product portfolio.

  • The NORD modular product system: From systems to solutions

    Robust and economic drive solutions for environmental processes

     

    The NORD modular product system: From systems to solutions

     

    With its modular product system and application expertise, NORD provides tailor-made drive solutions for more than 100 industries.

    With its modular product system, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS offers a wide range of drive solutions composed of flexibly adaptable components, ensuring reliable operation in environmental technology applications such as recycling plants, wastewater systems and drinking water treatment. The industry experts develop application‑specific drive systems that ensure high reliability even during 24/7 operation in harsh environments.

    Whether in sludge treatment, screw pumps, water screws, brush aerators, crushers, shredders or screening systems: Every movement requires the appropriate drive solution. NORD takes care of selection, design and calculation – implementing customisable drive solutions consisting of gear units, motors and frequency inverters. These are characterised by their high reliability, even during 24/7 operation in harsh environments. Furthermore, they are particularly energy-efficient – even in retrofitting, thanks to the NORD ECO service. NORD also offers compact and low-maintenance drive concepts. One example is the SAFOMI adapter with integrated oil expansion volume, which reduces the number of wear parts to a minimum. With the IIoT solution NORD DRIVE MONITOR and condition monitoring, system operators can always keep an eye on their operating data. Moreover, the company stands out for its individual project consulting, short delivery times and globally available, fast service.

    A modular system offering numerous solutions

    Thanks to its extensive industry expertise and comprehensive modular product system, the manufacturer meets the diverse requirements of the industry. In addition to high performance, robustness, availability, reliability and durability, the drives’ energy efficiency also plays an important role in environmental technology. With its IE5+ synchronous motors, NORD offers high efficiency across the entire adjustment range. This ensures low energy consumption even in the partial‑load range.

    NORD drives also meet high mechanical requirements in extreme environments. The 3-stage right-angle gear units of the MAXXDRIVE® XC industrial gear unit series, for example, deliver constant torques of up to 282,000 Nm in water screws. The NSD5 surface treatment and the innovative NORD sealing system provide protection against external influences.

    NORD’s decentralised frequency inverters offer another solution for industry-specific requirements. They save space in control cabinets, reduce wiring and cabling efforts and simplify maintenance, thereby increasing the efficiency of the entire drive system. Among other applications, they are suitable for use in pump drive systems. With control via frequency inverter, different pump characteristics can be selected through simple parameter adjustments. The parameter sets are stored in the inverter and enable the pumps to be adapted to different media, flow rates or process requirements.

    NORD: Complete solutions from a single source

    “The industry’s requirements are constantly changing – and we are actively following this path”, Jörg Niermann, Head of Marketing at NORD, emphasises. “We are continuously developing our drive components to provide our customers with solutions that help them progress technically, economically and environmentally.” By combining a wide modular product range with technical expertise and industry knowledge, NORD creates drive systems that are tailored to specific needs and delivered as complete solutions from a single source.

  • India Moves Forward in Healthcare Innovation as ICMR Shares New Biomedical Solutions

    July 21: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has taken a significant step towards strengthening healthcare innovation by transferring three biomedical technologies focused on improving solutions for cancer and infectious diseases.

    The initiative aims to bring promising scientific research closer to practical healthcare use by encouraging collaboration between researchers, healthcare institutions, and industry partners. The move reflects growing efforts to develop advanced, affordable, and accessible medical solutions within the country.

    The transferred technologies are expected to support improvements in disease detection, management, and treatment approaches, particularly in areas where timely and effective healthcare interventions are crucial. By enabling wider adoption of research-driven innovations, the initiative seeks to create a stronger connection between scientific discoveries and patient care.

    Healthcare experts highlighted that technology transfer plays a vital role in building a robust biomedical ecosystem. It helps transform laboratory research into real-world applications while promoting indigenous innovation and reducing challenges in delivering advanced healthcare solutions.

    ICMR continues to support medical research and innovation through partnerships, technology development, and knowledge sharing. The latest move reinforces its commitment to addressing major health challenges and supporting India’s journey towards a more resilient and self-reliant healthcare system.

    With these new technologies moving closer to implementation, the initiative offers fresh opportunities to improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen the country’s fight against complex diseases such as cancer and infectious illnesses.

  • Precious Metals Shine as Investors Seek Safety Amid Global Uncertainty

    July 21: Gold and silver prices continued their upward movement as investors turned towards precious metals amid rising concerns over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty in global markets.

    Precious Metals Shine as Investors Seek Safety Amid Global Uncertainty

    The increase in demand reflects a cautious approach among investors who are looking for stable assets during periods of economic and political uncertainty. Gold, widely regarded as a traditional safe-haven investment, has seen renewed interest as market participants seek to protect their wealth from potential risks.

    Silver prices also recorded gains, supported by strong investor interest and steady industrial demand. The metal’s growing use in sectors such as renewable energy, electronics, and manufacturing has continued to support its long-term appeal.

    Market analysts said that global developments, currency movements, inflation concerns, and expectations around monetary policies are influencing precious metal prices. In times of uncertainty, investors often increase their exposure to gold and silver as these assets are considered relatively resilient during market fluctuations.

    Experts believe that the future direction of precious metal prices will depend on how geopolitical situations evolve, along with key economic data and decisions by major central banks worldwide.

    The latest rise in gold and silver prices highlights the continued role of precious metals as a trusted investment choice, offering stability and confidence to investors navigating an uncertain global environment.

  • CSM Technologies Delivers Robust FY26 Performance; Total Income at INR 228.72 Crore, Up 14.0 percent, Backed by Healthy order Book

    Bhubaneswar, India 21st July: CSM Technologies Limited, a GovTech and enterprise digital transformation company, today announced its audited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and financial year ended 31st March 2026, its first full-year results as a listed company.

    The Board of Directors have also recommended a final dividend of ₹0.50 per 5,16,03,472 equity share for FY26, subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The dividend if approved, will be paid within 30 days from the AGM.

    FY26 Consolidated Highlights (₹ Lakh)

    Particulars

    FY26

    FY25

    YoY

    Total Income

    22,871.8

    2,0062.7

    +14.0%

    EBITDA*

    4,800.0

    3065.3

    +56.6%

    EBITDA Margin

    21.0%

    15.3%

    +571 bps

    Profit Before Tax (pre-exceptional)

    3,477.7

    2,046.0

    +70.0%

    Profit Before Tax (post-exceptional)**

    3,204.5

    2,046.0

    +56.6%

    Profit After Tax (post-exceptional)

    2,400.7

    1,410.4

    +70.2%

    PAT Margin

    10.5%

    7.0%

    +347 bps

    Basic & Diluted EPS (₹)

    6.10

    3.72

    +64.0%

    *EBITDA = Profit before exceptional items and tax, finance costs and depreciation & amortisation.

    **Profitability is stated after an exceptional charge of ₹273.24 Lakh towards the statutory impact of the new Labour Codes

    Q4 FY26 Consolidated Highlights (₹ Lakh)

    Particulars

    Q4 FY26 (Audited)

    Q4 FY25 (Unaudited)

    YoY

    Q3 FY26 (Unaudited)

    QoQ

    Total Income

    6,166.8

    6,009.7

    +2.61%

    6,504.0

    -5.18%

    EBITDA

    1,640.7

    1,051.5

    +56.03%

    1,594.5

    +2.89%

    EBITDA Margin

    26.6%

    17.5%

    +911 bps

    24.5%

    +209 bps

    Profit After Tax

    929.9

    523.2

    +77.72%

    866.8

    +7.27%

    PAT Margin

    15.1%

    8.7%

    +637 bps

    13.3%

    +175 bps

    Basic & Diluted EPS (₹)

    2.41

    1.38

    +74.02%

    2.19

    +9.81%

    Q4 FY26 profitability is stated after an exceptional charge of ₹273.24 Lakh towards the statutory impact of the new Labour Codes. Profit Before Tax for the quarter, before this one-time charge, stood at ₹1,417.28 Lakh, up 92.1% YoY.

    Commenting on the results, Mr. Priyadarshi Pany, Managing Director & CEO, said:

    “FY26 has been a strong year for CSM Technologies, with total income growing 14.0% while EBITDA and PAT increased by 56.6% and 70.2%, respectively, reflecting improved operating leverage and execution efficiencies. We continue to strengthen our capabilities across GovTech and enterprise digital transformation while investing in proprietary platforms, AI and data-led solutions. With a healthy order book of ₹357.63 crore, a strengthened balance sheet and an expanding presence across India and international markets, we enter FY27 well positioned to pursue the opportunities ahead and drive sustainable, profitable growth.”

    Operational and Business Highlights

    As of March 31, 2026, CSM Technologies‘ outstanding order book stood at ₹357.63 crore. This robust backlog is equivalent to more than 1.5 times the company’s FY26 revenue, providing strong revenue visibility.

    FY26 EBITDA margin expanded by 571 bps YoY to 21.0%, supported by improved delivery efficiencies and operating leverage, even as the Company continued to invest in strengthening its technology and delivery capabilities.

    During FY26, the Company invested ₹10.25 crore towards Intangible Assets Under Development, reinforcing its focus on building proprietary products and technology platforms. It also deployed ₹3.17 crore towards property, plant and equipment and ₹1.17 crore in capital work-in-progress to strengthen its infrastructure and support future growth. 

    The Company continued to strengthen its presence across India and international markets, particularly Africa, while leveraging its deep domain expertise across Government & Public Services, Mining & Allied Services, Agriculture & Allied Services, Industry & Trade Facilitation, Education, Healthcare and Tourism. 

    The Company continued to leverage its strong sectoral expertise across Mining & Allied Services, Government & Public Services, Agriculture & Allied Services, Industry & Trade Facilitation, Education, Healthcare and Tourism to deliver customised, technology-led solutions addressing complex operational and digital transformation requirements. 

    Technology-led innovation remains central to CSM’s growth strategy, with continued investments in proprietary technology platforms and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics and automation, to develop scalable digital transformation solutions.

  • India’s Real Estate Market Attracts Dollar 1.9 Billion Institutional Investment in April-June Quarter

    July 21: India’s real estate sector continued to attract strong investor interest, with institutional investments reaching $1.9 billion during the April-June quarter, reflecting growing confidence in the country’s property market and its long-term growth prospects.

    The investment momentum highlights the strength and resilience of the sector, supported by rising demand for quality housing, commercial spaces, infrastructure development, and emerging real estate opportunities across major cities.

    Industry experts believe the steady inflow of institutional capital signals increased trust in India’s real estate ecosystem. Investors are increasingly looking at the sector as a long-term growth opportunity, driven by urbanisation, expanding business activity, and the growing need for modern infrastructure.

    The rise in institutional participation has also been supported by improved transparency, regulatory reforms, and a more organised real estate environment. These developments have encouraged both domestic and international investors to explore opportunities across residential, office, logistics, and other real estate segments.

    The continued investment flow is expected to support the sector’s expansion while contributing to economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development. As India’s cities continue to grow, the real estate industry remains a key driver of the country’s economic progress.

    The latest investment figures underline the positive outlook for Indian real estate and demonstrate sustained investor confidence in the sector’s future potential.