Business Bureau

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will organise the North East Regional Competition of IndiaSkills 2025–26 at Gauhati University from January 19 to 22, marking a major step in strengthening skill development in the region. This is the first time a dedicated IndiaSkills regional competition is being held exclusively for the North Eastern states, with participation from all eight states. The competition will be inaugurated on January 19 by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The National Skill Development Corporation is the knowledge partner and implementing agency for the IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26. Youth…

The Indian Navy’s traditionally built sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya reached Muscat, Oman, on January 14 after completing a challenging 17-day sea voyage from Porbandar. The voyage, which began on December 29, is being seen as a significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime diplomacy while highlighting the country’s ancient seafaring heritage. Built using ancient shipbuilding techniques, Kaundinya reflects India’s indigenous maritime knowledge and sustainable practices. The vessel has been constructed without modern nails or metal fasteners, with wooden planks stitched together using ropes, drawing inspiration from a 5th-century ship depicted in the murals of the Ajanta Caves. India’s Ministry of External…

Thums Up, India’s homegrown cola brand, has launched a nationwide ICC Trophy Viewing Experience to bring the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Trophy closer to cricket fans at major airports. The initiative, announced on January 15, 2026, is being rolled out in partnership with International Cricket Council, Delhi International Airport Limited and Adani Airports Holding Ltd.. The experience began at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on January 15, followed by Indira Gandhi International Airport on January 16 and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on January 17. The trophy is on display daily from 6 am to 8 pm. While Delhi…

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced IBM Sovereign Core, the industry's first AI-ready sovereign-enabled software for enterprises, governments, and service providers to build, deploy, and manage AI-ready sovereign environments. Organizations around the world are facing a growing imperative to exercise control over their technology infrastructure. Driven by evolving regulatory requirements and the need for auditable governance, enterprises and governments are seeking self-managed environments where they maintain complete operational authority, particularly as they deploy AI workloads that amplify sovereignty concerns. Digital sovereignty goes beyond data residency. It encompasses who operates and controls the technology environment, how data is accessed and governed, where workloads execute,…

Ai+ Smartphone on Tuesday unveiled NovaWatch, a new smartwatch lineup aimed at strengthening its connected devices portfolio across health, safety and personal style. Scheduled to launch nationwide in Q1 2026, the series reflects the brand’s push to blend practical utility with fashion-forward design for a connected generation. The NovaWatch range includes Active, Wearbuds, Kids Geo Fencing 4G Watch, and an industry-first Rotatecam 4G LTE Watch with a rotating camera. Each model is designed for a specific use case, spanning everyday health tracking, family safety and style-led personal expression. While Active focuses on essential wellness metrics in an easy-to-use format, Wearbuds…

Oriflame has expanded its Optimals skincare portfolio with the launch of the new Opt Optimals Even Out range, aimed at addressing dark spots, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The Swedish beauty and wellbeing brand said the range has been developed for consumers looking for clearer, brighter and more even-looking skin through a gentle and simplified skincare routine. Hyperpigmentation remains one of the most common skincare concerns in India due to high sun exposure, pollution, hormonal changes and post-acne marks. To respond to this demand, Oriflame said the new range is dermatologically tested and powered by a blend of Niacinamide, Rainbow…

In a fast-developing economy like India, term life insurance can provide critical financial security. In the wake of the bread winner’s unfortunate and untimely demise, their dependents can have a secure life when their financial requirements are taken care of. Term insurance offers high life cover at relatively low premiums, making it an ideal instrument for securing the financial future of your loved ones in your absence. A 30-year-old healthy male without any pre-existing conditions and who is a non-smoker, for instance, can be eligible to secure a ₹1 crore cover for a 30-year term by paying a monthly premium…

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., a leading building materials Company in India, has announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. The Company continues its progress on the strategic capacity expansion in the East, coupled with the project execution at the Vadraj Cement facilities, which remains on track, with the operationalisation of the Clinker unit and Grinding units planned in phases starting in Q3 FY27. These initiatives position Nuvoco's total cement capacity at ~35 MMTPA, thereby consolidating its position as the fifth-largest cement group in India for the long-term. The Company sustained improved YoY performance despite macro headwinds…

In line with its commitment to fostering an inclusive and empathetic workplace, Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company has announced the launch of Pink (Period) Leave policy—becoming one of the first health insurance companies in India to introduce such an initiative for all its employees across India. This progressive initiative reinforces the company’s dedication to prioritizing women’s health and creating a supportive environment for all employees.  As per the policy, all women employees at Niva Bupa will be eligible for one day of Pink Leave per month, designed to support them in managing period-related discomfort such as cramps, migraines, nausea, and…

Kotak Mahindra Bank today marked 30 years of its listing on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) with a bell-ringing ceremony in Mumbai, highlighting the bank’s growth alongside India’s emergence as a strong and trusted financial market. The bank, which began as a small non-banking finance company in the 1980s, has since evolved into a diversified financial services group. Its journey mirrors India’s shift towards deeper capital markets, wider access to formal finance and greater use of digital public infrastructure. Over the past three decades, Kotak has focused on building customer trust while contributing to improved stability and transparency…