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Archive: November 2, 2026

Adani Group Investing In Large-Scale Infrastructure To Support Viksit Bharat By 2047: Dr Priti Adani

Adani Group Investing In Large-Scale Infrastructure To Support Viksit Bharat By 2047: Dr Priti Adani

Varanasi, Nov 2: Adani Group is undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at addressing India’s key developmental challenges and supporting the country’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047, Adani Foundation Chairperson Dr Priti Adani said on Monday.

Speaking at the World Symposium on ‘Ancient Wisdom for Modern Challenges’ in Varanasi, Dr Adani emphasised that the private sector has an important responsibility in India’s development journey.

She pointed out that despite significant progress, the country continues to face challenges such as poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and inadequate last-mile access to essential services, including electricity.

According to her, businesses must look beyond commercial objectives and contribute meaningfully towards addressing these issues.

“At the Adani Group, we have implemented large-scale infrastructure projects to address India’s challenges and contribute towards the vision of a developed nation by 2047,” she said.

Ancient Indian Wisdom Offers Lessons For Modern Businesses

Highlighting the relevance of India’s traditional knowledge systems, Dr Priti Adani called upon businesses to incorporate sustainability, social responsibility and a sense of duty into their operations.

Drawing an analogy with yoga, she said India’s ancient practices offer valuable lessons for addressing contemporary challenges.

She observed that yoga, once rooted in Indian tradition, has gained global recognition for promoting a balance between the mind and body.

Similarly, millets, which were traditionally an important part of Indian diets, are now receiving renewed attention for their nutritional benefits, climate resilience and contribution to food security.

Dr Adani stressed that these examples demonstrate how traditional knowledge can provide practical solutions to modern-day problems.

Adani Group Commits Over $100 Billion To Energy Transition

Outlining the group’s sustainability agenda, Dr Priti Adani highlighted its commitment of more than $100 billion towards energy-transition infrastructure.

She pointed to the renewable energy development at Khavda in Gujarat, which is being developed as the world’s largest renewable energy park, with a planned capacity of 30 GW through solar and wind power generation.

The project, she said, reflects the scale of infrastructure development required to support India’s transition towards cleaner energy sources.

Emphasising the need to translate sustainability commitments into measurable action, she said environmental responsibility should not remain confined to corporate reports but must become an integral part of business operations.

“We believe sustainability cannot simply remain a chapter in the annual report. Sustainability must be put into practice,” she said.

Businesses Have A Bigger Role In India’s Development Journey

Dr Priti Adani’s address highlighted the growing importance of private-sector participation in India’s efforts to achieve its development goals.

From expanding infrastructure and improving energy access to strengthening food security and promoting sustainable practices, she said businesses have an opportunity to contribute to long-term national progress.

Her remarks at the Varanasi symposium placed particular emphasis on combining India’s traditional wisdom with modern innovation to address emerging economic, social and environmental challenges.

As India moves towards its 2047 development target, large-scale infrastructure investment, sustainable business practices and stronger corporate participation are expected to remain important elements of the country’s growth strategy.

RVNL–GPT JV Executing INR 1,201-Crore Namo Setu Rail-cum-Road Bridge over Ganga at Varanasi for Indian Railways

RVNL–GPT JV Executing INR 1,201-Crore Namo Setu Rail-cum-Road Bridge over Ganga at Varanasi for Indian Railways

New Delhi, November 02: Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Navratna CPSE under Ministry of Railways, Government of India, in Joint Venture with GPT Infraprojects Limited, is executing the landmark Namo Setu, a double-deck Rail-cum–Road Bridge over the River Ganga at Varanasi for Indian Railways. Featuring four railway lines on the lower deck and a six-lane highway on the upper deck, the 2.5-km-long bridge will significantly enhance rail and road connectivity, strengthen freight movement and address the growing transportation requirements of Varanasi and adjoining regions.

 
The Union Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, inspected the under-construction bridge on October 31, 2026, during his visit to Varanasi.
 
During the visit, the Hon’ble Minister announced that the new bridge would be named Namo Setu. He directed that the project, originally scheduled for completion within 48 months, should be completed in an accelerated timeframe of 36 months.
 
On this occasion Sh. Saleem Ahmad, Chairman & Managing Director, RVNL; Sh. M P Singh, Director (operation) RVNL; Sh. Vikas Chandra, CPM of VARANASI PIU, RVNL and Sh. Shyam Singh, CAO, Construction Northern Railway were resent at the project site to brief the Hon’ble Minister.
 
Addressing a critical railway infrastructure bottleneck
 
The existing Malviya Bridge, also known as Dufferin Bridge, constructed in 1887, has served as a vital railway and road connectivity link across the Ganga for more than a century. The approximately 1,048.5-metre-long bridge carries a double railway line on its lower deck and a two-lane road on its upper deck. With the Varanasi–Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) section operating at approximately 163 per cent of its line capacity, the need for substantial augmentation of infrastructure has become imperative.
 
To address this critical capacity constraint, the Union Cabinet, on October 16, 2024, approved the Varanasi–Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Multitracking Project at an estimated cost of ₹2,642 crores. The project envisages the construction of a new Rail-cum–Road Bridge over the Ganga, along with the development of the third and fourth railway lines between Varanasi and DDU.
An important component of this mega infrastructure project is the construction of a 2.5-km-long Rail-cum–Road Bridge over the Ganga, including its approaches, named Namo Setu. The work has been entrusted to RVNL in association with its JV partner, M/s GPT Infraprojects Limited, at a contract value of ₹1,201.35 crores.
 
The foundation works under Schedule G1, involving Twin-D well foundations, have been entrusted to M/s Afcons Infrastructure Limited as a subcontractor. Namo Setu is being constructed approximately 50 metres downstream of the existing Malviya Bridge, near Kashi Railway Station, in the districts of Varanasi and Chandauli.
 
Distinctive engineering and design features
 
Namo Setu will be a modern double-deck structure with a unique configuration:
  • Lower deck: Four Broad Gauge railway lines, substantially enhancing rail transportation capacity.
  • Upper deck: A six-lane highway to facilitate smooth and efficient road movement across the Ganga.
  • Bridge structure: Eight open-web steel girder spans of 108.5 metres each and two spans of 103.3 metres each, with an aggregate span length of approximately 1,075 metres.
  • Foundations: Specialised Twin-D well foundations in the river portion.
  • Overall length: Approximately 2.5 kilometres, including the approaches.
The scope of work includes construction of the substructure and superstructure, railway and road approaches, overhead electrification (OHE) and general electrical works, in accordance with the approved General Arrangement Drawing (GAD).
 
The bridge is being designed to cater to the transportation requirements of the coming decades, with the Hon’ble Minister emphasising the need to keep the infrastructure future-ready for the next 100 years.
 
Significant enhancement in railway capacity and regional connectivity
 
The project will:
  • Enhance freight movement, with an additional transportation capacity of 27.83 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
  • Strengthen connectivity towards Bihar, West Bengal and the northeastern states through improved rail and road infrastructure.
  • Improve access to Kashi Railway Station, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Namo Ghat, benefiting pilgrims, tourists and local commuters.
  • Generate approximately 10 lakh human-days of direct employment during construction, besides creating wider socio-economic opportunities.
  • The project forms part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and reflects Indian Railways‘ commitment to building future-ready infrastructure through integrated planning, modern engineering and enhanced connectivity, contributing to the country’s economic growth and the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Construction activities underway
 
Construction activities have commenced, and the fabrication of the cutting edge for the well foundation started on October 31, 2026. The project is being executed on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis.
 
Following the review of progress, the Hon’ble Minister of Railways has directed the executing agency to accelerate construction and complete the project within 36 months, against the original contractual period of 48 months.

SPJIMR ranks No. 42 in The Case Centre Impact Index 2026

Strengthens its global presence in case-based management education

MUMBAI, India, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) has been ranked No. 42 globally in The Case Centre Impact Index 2026, moving up six places from its 2025 ranking. The recognition reflects the growing international reach and classroom adoption of SPJIMR-authored cases, reinforcing the institute’s contribution to case-based management education worldwide.

SPJIMR is among four Indian business schools featured in this year’s ranking and is placed alongside leading global institutions including Harvard Business School, INSEAD, MIT Sloan School of Management, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Kellogg School of Management. This international presence underscores the reach of SPJIMR’s faculty scholarship and its contribution to management learning beyond India, placing its case portfolio within a global landscape of institutions influencing how future managers learn to analyse business challenges and make decisions.

Commenting on the recognition, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, said: “Teaching cases play an important role in management education because they shape how future leaders frame problems, challenge assumptions and exercise judgement. Their impact lies not simply in what students learn, but in how they learn to think and decide. This recognition in The Case Centre Impact Index reinforces our commitment to scholarship that matters. We hope to continue to advance the wider conversation on research impact, including how teaching cases can move insight into action and influence the way managers lead and make decisions.”

The 2026 Impact Index records measurable growth in the adoption of SPJIMR’s cases. Between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026, 32 SPJIMR cases were used by 22 organisations across 12 countries, reaching 3,621 students. During this period, The Case Centre received 14 new cases from SPJIMR authors for distribution. The institute’s collection available through The Case Centre now comprises over 170 cases, including a prize-winning case.

Now in its fourth year, The Case Centre Impact Index recognises the global reach and influence of case writing in business and management education. Its methodology draws on usage data from the previous academic year, measuring how many cases published by an institution have been adopted, the number of organisations and countries using them, and the number of students taught through these cases. All organisations that published at least one case with The Case Centre during the previous academic year are eligible for inclusion.

SPJIMR’s presence in the global ranking reflects its distinctive approach to management education, which combines academic rigour with industry relevance and social sensitivity. Through case writing, SPJIMR faculty translate research and industry engagement into learning resources that bring contemporary management dilemmas into the classroom. The growing international adoption of these cases demonstrates how the institute’s scholarship is contributing to management conversations across geographies, helping learners develop the analytical ability, judgement and responsibility needed to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

About SPJIMR

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) is one of India’s leading postgraduate management institutes. It is recognised in the Financial Times Masters in Management 2026 ranking as the #26 business school globally and #2 in India and in the Financial Times Global MBA 2026 ranking as the #74 business school globally for its PGPM programme. SPJIMR is also consistently ranked among India’s top business schools by leading publications, including Business Today, Fortune India, India Today, and MBAUniverse. It has also been recognised by the Positive Impact Rating as one of the world’s top five business schools for societal impact. Known for its innovative and socially conscious approach to management education, research, and community engagement, SPJIMR seeks to influence managerial practice and enable value-based growth for students, alumni, organisations, and society. The institute holds the international Triple Crown of accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, placing it among a select group of business schools worldwide to hold all three accreditations.

Visit SPJIMR.org for more information.  

 

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FREELANDER Deepens Its Middle East Roll-out and Makes Morocco Its First Step into Africa

Full-scale entry into the Middle East is set for the first half of 2027, with Africa to follow in mid-2027

WUHU, China, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FREELANDER is moving ahead with its roll-out in the Middle East and Africa. The brand plans to cover 11 Middle East markets, with a full-scale entry into the region set for the first half of 2027. It will enter Africa through Morocco, with Morocco and Tunisia among its first African markets.

From Brand Presentation to Sales and Service

The 11 markets are the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman and Egypt. As the starting point of FREELANDER’s international business, the region is now moving from brand presentations and partnership talks to preparing sales and service networks.

In the UAE, Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors are FREELANDER’s official dealer partners. At FREELANDER Nightfall, held during the 2026 Chery International User Summit in Wuhu in October, the brand signed new partnership agreements for Bahrain and Oman. FREELANDER 8 is expected to launch in the UAE in the first quarter of 2027.

“For me, bringing FREELANDER to the world means more than entering new markets. It means earning the trust of our customers, every day. That takes a great product, strong local partners and service people can rely on,” said Ms Lucia Mao, CEO of FREELANDER International, at FREELANDER Nightfall.

Morocco Opens the Way into Africa

In Africa, Morocco will be FREELANDER’s first step and, together with Tunisia, will form the brand’s first group of African markets. Preparations are actively under way, with entry expected in mid-2027. FREELANDER will work with prospective local partners on sales, after-sales and product introduction plans suited to each market.

Entry timing, specifications, pricing and sales arrangements for each market will be announced through official channels.

About FREELANDER

FREELANDER is a British Premium Intelligent All-Terrain Brand, jointly developed by JLR and Chery. JLR owns the FREELANDER brand and has established a dedicated FREELANDER Design Hub to lead its design. Chery provides advanced intelligent technology and a top-tier global supply chain.

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SEBI Recommends Scrapping LTCG Tax on Foreign Investors to Attract Investments and Retain Market Participation

By:- Mehul Koradia, Chief Strategy Officer, Mirae Asset Sharekhan.
“SEBI has recommended to government to scrap LTCG made by the foreign investors. If this happens Indian markets may become more appealing to foreign investors as it will reduce cost of investment for foreign investor. With Indian markets at reasonable valuation, scraping LTCG for foreign investors can stop the outflow of funds by foreign investor and can bring more foreign investment in India . SEBI also suggested to remove LTCG when an investor shift the investment from one MF SCHEME to another . This will be a welcome moved for retain investors .”

GSMA Board re-elects Gopal Vittal as Chair, Ralph Mupita and Margherita Della Valle to serve as co-Deputy Chairs until end of 2028

London, Nov 02: The GSMA Board of Directors has re-elected Gopal Vittal as Chair for the upcoming 2027-2028 Board term, until December 2028. Mr Vittal has served on the GSMA Board for 10 years, including as Chair since 2025. As GSMA Chair, Mr Vittal oversees the strategic direction of the organisation, which represents the world’s mobile operators and companies in the broader mobile ecosystem. The GSMA Board has also elected Margherita Della Valle as co-Deputy Chair, alongside Ralph Mupita, who has been re-elected.

“I am honoured to be re-elected as Chair of the GSMA Board for a second time. As an industry, we are entering a new era in which advanced networks, AI and open digital platforms can create significant economic and societal value. Our top priority is security. Securing nations given the increased threats today, securing customers given the rising menace of scams and securing theindustry by making it sustainable so it can continue to make forward leaning investments in technology and build the best infrastructure in all parts of the world. I look forward to continuing this important work with the GSMA team and my fellow Board members. I also look forward to working alongside our co-Deputy Chairs, Ralph Mupita and Margherita Della Valle. Their experience, geographical scope and insight will be a great strength as we take this agenda forward,” said Gopal Vittal.

Mr Vittal is Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, the world’s second largest mobile phone operator by customer base. He oversees Bharti Airtel and its subsidiaries and drives group strategy and synergies across digital and technology, network strategy, procurement and talent. He is also Non-Executive Chair of Airtel Africa and Airtel Payments Bank, and a Non-Executive Director on the BT Group Board. Under his leadership, Airtel has built a winning portfolio across Mobile, Homes, B2B, and Digital Services, achieving a lifetime-high revenue market share in one of the world’s most intensely competitive telecom markets.

Ralph Mupita has been Group President and CEO of MTN Group since September 2020, having previously served as Group Chief Financial Officer. He has been a Deputy Chair of the GSMA since April 2025 and is a Commissioner on the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and a founding Commissioner of the ITU’s AI for Good Global Commission. Mr Mupita is leading MTN’s strategy: Ambition 2030 focused on growing the connectivity, fintech and digital infrastructure opportunities across Africa.

Margherita Della Valle has been Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Group since January 2023, after serving as Group Chief Financial Officer from 2018. She has led Vodafone’s transformation into a simpler, stronger business.

Scam 2024 Actor Vidya Malavade on Shooting Her First Microdrama: l was a little scared about

Scam 2024 Actor Vidya Malavade on Shooting Her First Microdrama: l was a little scared about

Vidya Malavade opens up about the fast-paced filming process of Story TV’s Scam 2024 – The Digital Arrest Story and how the format challenged her while allowing her to stay true to her craft.

Shooting an entire series in just a few days may sound daunting, even for an experienced actor. For Vidya Malavade, who made her microdrama debut with Story TV’s Scam 2024 – The Digital Arrest Story, filming nearly 80–90 pages in four days came with its share of apprehension. From remembering her lines to ensuring the fast-paced format did not compromise her performance, the experience presented a new challenge for the actress. However, what initially seemed intimidating soon turned into an exhilarating experience.

Produced by Small Town Boys and directed by Alok Sharma, Scam 2024 – The Digital Arrest Story stars Vidya as Priya Sharma, a working professional who falls victim to a sophisticated digital arrest scam. The thriller follows her journey as she confronts a network that uses impersonation, fear, and intimidation to target unsuspecting victims. The series is now streaming exclusively on the Story TV app.

Speaking about the challenges of shooting in the microdrama format, Vidya said, “The biggest challenge was shooting about 80–90 pages in four days. I was a little scared about whether I would remember my lines or how the entire process would work. I didn’t want to compromise on my ability as an actor because of how quickly one has to finish a scene.”

However, having previously worked with the show’s creators helped her overcome her initial apprehension. “I think it was because the creators of the show, I’ve known him and worked with him once before. And just understanding that they’re there and they’ll do a great job, and they know what they are doing”, said Vidya Malavade on working with the creators of the show.

“I think after the first hour on set, I was just going with it. And the great part of it is you don’t miss a detail at all because you’re shooting with four cameras. And so there’s no retaking of this angle or that angle. So, every emotion is just in its place and it’s just moving fast. And that’s about it.” she shared.

Comparing the experience with her early days in advertising, Vidya described the format as exhilarating. “It’s quite exhilarating, actually. It’s almost like doing an ad film. I started out doing ad films, and they usually take three days. Here, I finished an entire series for Story TV in those three days,” she said.

Starring Vidya Malavade, Pratik Sehajpal and Vineet Raina, Scam 2024 – The Digital Arrest Story is now streaming exclusively on the Story TV app.

IMS Noida Students Explore Technological Innovations During Educational Visit to Microsoft

Noida, Nov 02: In an initiative to strengthen industry-academia interaction and provide students with first-hand corporate exposure, IMS Noida organised an educational visit to Microsoft. The visit provided students with an opportunity to explore the evolving world of technology and gain insights into emerging innovations, including Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and Digital Transformation. Students also gained a better understanding of how technological advancements are shaping the global business landscape and creating new professional opportunities.

IMS Noida Students Explore Technological Innovations During Educational Visit to Microsoft

During the visit, Microsoft representatives briefed the students on the company’s working environment, technological solutions, innovation-driven projects, and the evolving requirements of the industry. The students also interacted with experts and got their queries addressed regarding career opportunities and developments in the technology sector.

Dr. Vartika Chaturvedi, Dean – Management and CRC, IMS Noida, stated that in today’s competitive environment, it is essential for students to develop an understanding of industry practices and professional requirements alongside their technical knowledge. A visit to a prestigious organisation like Microsoft provides students with an opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to technological innovations, real-world work environments, and corporate culture. She further emphasised that the institution strives to complement classroom learning with practical experiences that strengthen students’ professional skills and enhance their future career prospects.

Mr. Chirag Gupta, Vice President, IMS Noida, said that the institution continuously strives to provide students with quality education while creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with reputed organisations from the corporate world. He highlighted that educational visits to global organisations offer students valuable exposure to modern technologies, evolving business environments, and corporate practices. He further stated that the institution aims to go beyond academic learning by nurturing leadership qualities, professional competencies, and the ability to address future challenges among students.

John Jacobs x S&N by Shantnu Nikhil: Indian Couture Meets Italian Design

Nov 02: Two distinct design worlds. One statement-making collaboration.

John Jacobs x S&N by Shantnu Nikhil: Indian Couture Meets Italian Design

John Jacobs joins forces with celebrated couturiers Shantnu and Nikhil’s pret label, S&N by Shantnu Nikhil, to launch a 32-piece eyewear collection that marks the designers’ first-ever venture into eyewear. Bringing together John Jacobs’ Italian design sensibilities and S&N’s distinctive design language, the collection reimagines iconic eyewear through bold design, elevated detailing and a strong point of view.

Inspired by The Shape of India, the collection draws from the spirit of influential Indian leaders whose eyewear became symbols of conviction, intellect and authority. Reinterpreted for a new generation, these timeless forms get a contemporary, fashion-forward edge.

The details make the statement. From the iconic S&N mark on the curve of the frame to precision metal streak detailing across the temples, every element is designed to stand out. The finishing touch? S&N’s iconic navy blue and cherry-red tape accents, tucked into the folding hinges. Together, these signature details give the range a distinctive identity, bringing the unmistakable S&N aesthetic to eyewear.

Spanning eyeglasses and sunglasses across wayfarers, aviators, round frames and bold square silhouettes, the collection explores rich colours, premium refined materials and statement-making shapes. Designed to move effortlessly from everyday dressing to occasion wear, these frames bring a new edge to festive outfits, wedding looks and everything in between.

Launching right in the middle of the festive season, the collection makes eyewear more than the finishing touch. Whether it’s a festive gathering, a wedding celebration or a night out, these are frames designed to complete the look.

“Eyewear has been a fascinating extension for us because it allows us to take our design philosophy beyond clothes. We’ve always been drawn to classic shapes, strong silhouettes and the idea of timelessness. With John Jacobs, we wanted to bring that sensibility into eyewear, exploring a certain softness in masculinity and the freedom for people to express themselves in their own way. For us, it’s not just about how a frame looks, but the point of view of the person wearing it” say Shantnu and Nikhil.

Abhimanyu Mishra, AVP, John Jacobs, said,

“At John Jacobs, we’re constantly exploring new ways to push eyewear design forward. With S&N by Shant nu Nikhil, we’re bringing Italian design and Indian couture together in a bold new way. What sets this collaboration apart is the interplay of classic silhouettes, considered materials and signature details, from the S&N motifs to the navy and cherry-red accents. Together, we’ve brought two distinct design perspectives into eyewear, with a shared focus on craftsmanship and a strong design identity.”