Business Bureau

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) and Manulife have appointed Suresh Agarwal as the MD & CEO designate of their proposed 50:50 life insurance joint venture, subject to regulatory approvals. The partnership to set up the life insurance business was announced in November last year, marking the companies’ entry into India’s fast-growing insurance sector. Suresh brings nearly 30 years of experience across life and general insurance, and corporate and retail lending. He earlier played a key role in building Kotak’s life insurance operations and later led the transition of Kotak General Insurance into a joint venture with Zurich Insurance. Since September…

Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Tuesday inaugurated its new premises at B/O-Malkanihat under Jalpaiguri district, marking a significant step towards strengthening banking services in the rural belt. The new branch premises was formally inaugurated by Circle Head Smt. Sarita Singh in the presence of Assistant Commandant, BSF Raninagar, Sri Naresh Ch. Roy; Pradhan of Khariza Berubari-2 Gram Panchayat, Sri Taranath Roy; Sri Pritam Ghosh, Chief Manager; along with other dignitaries and valued customers. During the programme, officials highlighted the legacy and long-standing contribution of Punjab National Bank in nation-building. The speakers underlined the vital role of banking in accelerating rural…

Nissan Motor India Private Limited on Monday announced a new retail finance scheme for the Nissan Magnite, offering a lowest rate of interest starting at 5.55 per cent for all CIBIL-approved customers. The scheme is being rolled out in partnership with Nissan Renault Financial Services India and will remain valid for bookings made until the end of March 2026. Under the offer, customers can avail finance at 5.55 per cent ROI for a loan amount of ₹5 lakh, along with up to 100 per cent on-road funding. The funding covers registration, insurance and other applicable charges, reducing the upfront financial…

India’s approach to retirement is undergoing a shift, with more people viewing their later years as a “Second Innings” focused on travel, entrepreneurship and personal passions. However, a new study warns that financial preparedness still lags behind aspirations. According to IRIS 5.0 released by Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, the national retirement readiness score has improved to 48. Yet, 63% of urban Indians fear their savings may not last beyond 10 years after retirement. The study also highlights that 7 out of 10 Indians still consider ₹1 crore as sufficient for retirement — a belief described as the “₹1 Crore…

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary on Saturday launched a nationwide awareness campaign titled “Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai” to strengthen India’s digital skilling ecosystem. The campaign was unveiled on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and aims to expand participation in the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan has been roped in to amplify the campaign’s outreach and encourage citizens to register on SIDH, which has already onboarded more than 1.5 crore candidates. Positioned as a key digital…

In a landmark initiative for the hills, the first-ever youth delegation from Darjeeling will visit New Delhi under the leadership of Member of Parliament Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The 20-member delegation marks the first organised youth group from Darjeeling to undertake an institutional and leadership exposure programme of this scale in the national capital. The visit aims to provide firsthand exposure to key constitutional institutions and inspire leadership among young participants. A major highlight of the programme will be an interaction with the Vice President of India and other senior dignitaries of the Government of India, offering delegates direct insight into…

IBM on February 22, 2026 inaugurated its AI GovTech Innovation Center in Lucknow, marking a major push to strengthen artificial intelligence-led governance in India. The Centre was inaugurated by Yogi Adityanath in the presence of Arvind Krishna, Chairman, President and CEO of IBM, Sandip Patel, Managing Director of IBM India & South Asia, and Manindra Agrawal, Director of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, along with other officials. The Center will act as a collaborative platform to design and scale trusted AI solutions to improve productivity, transparency and public service delivery. Speaking at the event, Arvind Krishna said AI will define…

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organised a high-level session titled “Human-Centric AI: How India Can Power the World through Talent, Trust and Technology” on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, described as the largest AI gathering in the Global South. The session, held under the Expert Engagement Group discussions, focused on India’s role in shaping a responsible and inclusive AI ecosystem. Professor Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, delivered the keynote address on “Human Flourishing in the Age of AI,” stressing that AI leadership will depend on trust…

Netflix has unveiled the trailer of Accused, a psychological drama thriller directed by Anubhuti Kashyap and produced by Dharma Productions. Starring Konkona Sensharma and Pratibha Rannta, the film will premiere on February 27 on the streaming platform. The trailer offers a tense glimpse into the life of Dr. Geetika Sen, a respected surgeon and gynaecologist whose world begins to collapse after allegations of sexual misconduct surface at her workplace. As public scrutiny intensifies, the strain spills into her marriage with Dr. Meera. Set against a backdrop of emotional restraint, the film avoids sensationalism and instead explores ambiguity, power, bias and…

India rediscovers its love for local flavours, Coca-Cola is bringing back its cult classic Rimzim Jeera with a comeback that’s anything but quiet. Led by the thought “Jeere mein heera, Rimzim Jeera,” the new campaign marks Rimzim’s bold return—not just as a nostalgic favourite, but as a proudly OG ethnic beverage for every generation. Leaning into nostalgia with a playful twist, the campaign revives Rimzim Jeera’s retro charm and reimagines an iconic R.D. Burman track [Duniya Mein Logo Ko…], transforming the familiar “Biiraa..Taraa taraa taraa..” into an unforgettable “Jeeeeera.” Set in everyday moments, the film celebrates Rimzim Jeera’s distinctive taste…