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April 30: Pune-based Definedge Securities today announced the appointment of industry veteran Hemant Luthra as Chairman, alongside the induction of Ajay Srivastava and D. Prasad to its Board of Directors.

The appointments come at a significant stage in Definedge’s evolution as it deepens its positioning as a wealth-tech platform, combining technology-led market access with research-driven investing frameworks and investor education.

Mr. Prashant Shah, Co-founder, Definedge Securities, remains the architect of the firm’s core philosophy and technology-led market approach. Mr. Rajesh Badiye, Co-founder, Definedge Securities, will continue to drive product innovation and the development of scalable trading and analytics platforms powering the company’s wealth-tech ecosystem.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Prashant Shah, CEO & Co-founder of Definedge Securities, said,

“Hemant’s appointment marks an important milestone in our growth journey. His deep expertise in building and scaling institutions, coupled with his global market experience, will be invaluable as we strengthen our leadership and governance framework. Alongside the induction of Ajay Srivastava and D. Prasad to the Board, these appointments bring diverse strategic perspectives and domain depth that will further accelerate Definedge’s expansion and enhance our engagement with high-value investor segments.”

Mr. Luthra brings over four decades of leadership across technology, private equity, telecom, aerospace, and manufacturing. He began his career at IBM and later served as CFO & COO of a leading industrial group. During his 20-year tenure at Mahindra & Mahindra, he held multiple leadership roles, including chairman of Mahindra CIE.He is an alumnus of IIT Delhi and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

Mr Ajay Srivastava, Founder, Dimensions Corporate Finance Services, is a veteran financial markets expert and entrepreneur with over three decades of experience across transaction banking, investment banking, capital markets, and corporate restructuring.

He began his career at Citibank, where he worked extensively in Transaction Services and Corporate & Investment Banking. He subsequently founded Dimensions Corporate Finance Services (P) Ltd., establishing it as a pioneer in corporate and financial restructuring and investment banking in India. His innovative, customized financial structures are widely adopted by client organizations, with a strong focus on execution and implementation.

Known for his disciplined approach and deep market insight, Ajay continues to shape strategic direction and long-term value creation across his business and investment platforms.

Mr. D. PRASAD, Ultra HNI investor with a proven track record of backing high-growth businesses across sectors. He has been instrumental in identifying scalable opportunities early and supporting companies through critical growth phases to achieve their targeted business goals.

The strengthened Board is expected to significantly enhance governance depth, strategic foresight, and institutional credibility, supporting Definedge’s ultimate goal to become a full-scale wealth-tech platform.

Mumbai, Apr 30: Godrej Vikhroli Cucina, the culinary owned media property of Godrej Industries Group, unveiled the Godrej Food Trends Report 2026 (GFTR 2026) with an exclusive launch at Tasting India: Culinary Conversations, a three-day celebration of creative expressions around food and drink hosted at a bookstore in New Delhi. The by-invitation ‘feastival’ gathering brought together chefs, authors, historians, and media voices to spark early conversations around the trends shaping the future of food in India. The choice of a bookstore launch, an intimate space rooted in community and culture, reflected this year’s theme of  “Stories”, making it the perfect setting for the launch.

This year’s edition highlights how food is increasingly experienced beyond taste, through the cultural, personal, and regional stories behind it. Experts emphasize how provenance, cultural memory, and human connection are becoming powerful drivers in defining value across the food ecosystem. 

Reflecting on the editorial vision, Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, Managing Director of Perfect Bite Consulting and Curating Editor of the Godrej Food Trends Report said,

“Over the years, the Godrej Food Trends Report has grown into a trusted compass for India’s evolving culinary landscape, and it has been deeply rewarding to see many of its predictions come to life. From celebrating the diversity of Indian food to exploring provenance and seasonality, each edition has traced a new dimension of our culinary identity. In 2026, the report turns its focus to stories recognising that the true value of food today lies not just in ingredients or technique, but in the narratives of people, places, and traditions that shape every bite.”

The launch featured leading chefs such as Manish Mehrotra, Sadaf Hussain, and Shri Bala, alongside celebrated authors and historians like Sarla Razdan and Swapna Liddle. Prominent media voices including Kaveree Bamzai, Rajesh Tara, and Anubhutii Krishna also contributed to the dialogue, enriching the conversations that marked the unveiling of the report.

Speaking on the theme, Tanya Dubash, Executive Director & Chief Brand Officer, Godrej Industries Group said,

“Over the years, the Godrej Food Trends Report has evolved from simply observing India’s food industry to actively shaping the dialogue between data, tradition and the future of food. The 2026 edition explores the theme of storytelling the powerful narratives of provenance, people, and connection that increasingly define value in our food ecosystem. Recognising the vital role of female farmers in shaping sustainable agricultural practices and the growing focus on pet nutrition as an extension of mindful living, reflect how deeply our relationship with food continues to evolve.”

Now in its ninth edition, the World Gourmand Award-winning Godrej Food Trends Report draws insights from over 200 culinary voices including chefs, nutritionists, mixologists, food writers, and entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 2018, the report has become a defining voice in food trend forecasting, with many of its predictions shaping India’s culinary landscape.

Top Trends from GFTR 2026 – what do our experts say? 

1. Chatpata piquant flavours will rule palates: India will double down on its teekha-chatpatta roots as the food industry embraces maximalism by turning the volume on bold, piquant flavours. Expect “flavour-collision” dishes and mashups that create unapologetic, layered profiles and multi-sensory experiences. 

2. Female farmers will take center stage: The Indian female farmer, the invisible backbone of agriculture, will finally step into the light in 2026. Produce from women-led agri businesses will be celebrated as transparency, provenance and traditional ecological wisdom become premium storytelling assets. 

3. Mithai will go Indo-modern: The era of simple sugary treats is ending. Traditional sweets will transform into multi-sensory experiences with exciting texture mashups and adventurous flavour juxtapositions to stimulate the globalised Indian palate. 

4. Protein will go namkeen: Fatigue with sweet-centric protein products is sparking a savoury-first revolution in functional snacking. Protein-rich snacks will pivot toward namkeen profiles, with a surge in savoury protein bars inspired by bold Indian street-food flavours. 

5. Home cooking will evolve intelligently: Home cooking will evolve into a hybrid experience, blending high-quality, pre-prepared base preparations with the tactile joy of the final finish. This shift allows time-poor consumers to reclaim the emotional satisfaction of home cooking without labour-intensive prep

Sujit Patil, Chief Communications Officer, Godrej Industries Group added,

“As we unveil the 9th edition of the Godrej Food Trends Report, we celebrate a journey that began in 2018 with a simple ambition: to map India’s evolving culinary identity. Over the years, we have explored what, where and when of Indian food, its diversity, provenance, and seasonality. This year, we turn to the who and why through the theme of Stories, spotlighting the people, memories and cultural narratives that give every bite its meaning. As we move towards our 10th anniversary in 2027, this edition becomes a vital bridge between insight and emotion, reaffirming that the future of Indian food will be shaped by those who grow, cook, serve, and share it.”

This year, the report turns the spotlight on Storytelling. Moving beyond ingredients and formats, this edition asks deeper questions: Who tells our food stories? And how are they preserved, transformed, and amplified? 

H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, hails decisive step towards making roads safer and delivering lasting change worldwide 

Dubai, UAE, 30^th April 2026:  The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has announced the expansion of a major road safety initiative into the Middle East and Africa. 

The FIA Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programme aims to support local authorities and organisations with training, mentorship, and evidence-based actions to develop concrete projects that improve road safety for everyone. 

Road traffic crashes remain a leading cause of death worldwide, with the burden falling disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries.

According to the World Health Organization, the African region records the highest road traffic fatality rate globally, while countries across the MENA region continue to face significant and persistent road safety challenges. 

The expansion of the FIA Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme into the Middle East and Africa, following its successful introduction in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions, further strengthens the Federation’s global effort to promote and protect safe mobility for road users worldwide. 

H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “Following the success of the first FIA Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programmes, I am delighted to announce we are expanding the initiative to Africa and the Middle East. This marks a decisive step towards making roads safer and delivering lasting change worldwide. 

“Through our partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), we are working together with our Members to equip them with the essential tools and networks needed to drive global action and build a safer future for all road users.” 

The FIA Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programme was developed by the FIA in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and with the support of the FIA Foundation. 

FIA Region I MENA Mobility Council President Essa Hamza Alfailakawi said: “Across the Middle East and North Africa, improving road safety requires strong collaboration and a shared commitment to change. 

“Through the Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme, we can strengthen regional cooperation and support our Member Clubs to play a leading role in shaping safer mobility systems.” 

FIA Region I ACTA President Jinaro Kibet said: “Road safety is one of the most urgent public health challenges across Africa, and initiatives like FIA Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life are critical in helping us address it at scale. 

“This programme empowers our Member Clubs with global expertise to deliver practical, life-saving solutions within their communities.”

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): The government has reviewed India’s export ecosystem with an aim to further strengthen the country’s global trade performance, with special emphasis on MSMEs, agriculture exports, and the promotion of “Brand India”.

During the review, officials discussed measures to enhance the competitiveness of Indian exporters in global markets. A key focus was placed on supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises, which play a crucial role in employment generation and export diversification.

The discussions also highlighted the need to boost agricultural and food product exports by improving quality standards, strengthening supply chains, and expanding access to new international markets. In addition, efforts to promote “Brand India” were emphasized to improve the country’s global trade identity and attract stronger demand for Indian goods.

The initiative reflects the government’s broader strategy to increase export volumes, reduce trade barriers for domestic producers, and ensure more inclusive participation in international trade growth.