Tag: national

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 8: The Palm Oil Conclave 2025, organised by the Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA), Solidaridad and The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), concluded in Bhopal with a powerful, evidence-driven push to dismantle long-standing myths about palm oil and establish a balanced national narrative on health, markets, and sustainability.

Held under the theme “Reshaping Perceptions through Palm Oil Dialogues – Health, Markets, Climate,” the Conclave gathered more than 200 experts from nutrition science, medical practice, FMCG, food processing, journalism, academia, industry and consumers. The central message emerging from the day-long discussions was clear: India needs fact-based communication and science-guided public understanding of palm oil.

Delivering the welcome address, Atul Chaturvedi, Chairman, APOA, stressed the need for India to reclaim the discourse on palm oil “India has long been influenced by external narratives, many of which do not reflect our realities or our needs. Today’s deliberations show that India is ready to steer its own informed direction—grounded in facts, transparency, and collaboration. This Conclave has brought clarity at a time when consumer trust is essential.”

Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhayay, Managing Director, Solidaridad Asia, emphasised the role of science in shaping balanced public perception “Palm oil has suffered from fragmented and often misleading information. Through dialogues like these, backed by the India Palm Oil Sustainability (IPOS) framework, we are building a resilient, responsible supply chain that benefits farmers and protects the environment. Today’s discussions reaffirmed that sustainability and growth must move together.”

Health and nutrition experts from the National Institute of Nutrition, medical academia, and public health departments debunked widespread misconceptions around palm oil, highlighting its fatty acid profile, safe use in Indian diets, and importance in food security. Senior journalist Mrityunjay Kumar Jha, put forth clear, science-backed answers to concerns frequently raised by consumers and the media.

“As someone working at the intersection of science, policy, and regional collaboration, I see palm oil not just as a commodity but as a strategic solution for India’s food and nutrition security. The evidence is clear—palm oil contains essential vitamins, balanced fatty acids, and is one of the most efficient crops globally. It is time we replace myths with meaningful, research-driven conversations.”- Said Dr. Suresh Motwani, Secretary General, Asian Palm Oil Alliance. 

“The Palm Oil Conclave 2025 comes at a pivotal moment when there continues to be an increased consumer focus on health and sustainability. As the citizens priorities health and improved nutrition, it is crucial that we come together and build a shared understanding and direction. This conclave provides a platform for open dialogue, practical solutions, and stronger collaboration to create a more resilient and responsible palm oil ecosystem for India.”- Sougata Niyogi, CEO, Oil Palm Business, Godrej Agrovet Ltd.

B.V. Mehta, Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India, highlighted that “Atma Nirbhar Bharat begins in our fields. When we empower farmers with better seeds, scientific knowledge, fair markets, and modern processing systems, India naturally moves toward self-reliance in edible oils. The potential is enormous—we only need to harness it with commitment and consistency.”

The Palm Oil Conclave featured a vibrant exhibition showcasing a wide range of palm oil–based products all under one roof. From everyday edible items to innovative value-added products, the display highlighted the versatility and economic relevance of palm oil in India’s food ecosystem. The exhibition drew thousands of visitors, including industry experts, students, entrepreneurs, and consumers, making it one of the most engaging and informative attractions of the conclave.

A significant highlight was the launch of the book “Oil Palm Statistics in India: Trends and Insights,” offering a comprehensive overview of production trends, global comparisons, policies, and future pathways for India’s oil palm sector. Solidaridad presented key findings from its climate-smart agriculture interventions, demonstrating how farmer-centric innovations—from weather advisories to soil health restoration—are helping future-proof India’s palm oil landscapes.

Special video messages from Prof. Rattan Lal, World Food Prize Laureate, and Ms. Izzana Salleh, Secretary General of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), reinforced the importance of sustainability, soil stewardship, and international cooperation.

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New Delhi [India], December 4: With the 30th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30) concluding in Brazil, the pressing issue of Climate Change compelled the international community to take multilateral measures and brought forward new commitments and tools to unlock climate finance.

For business, it reaffirmed the importance of adopting a pragmatic approach in embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into corporate strategy from the ground up for long-term competitiveness.

As a leading statutory body proposing best practices in Corporate Governance, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), framed stewardship as the responsible management of assets and relationships for long-term value creation and introduced the ICSI Guiding Principles on Stewardship (IGPS).

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has also recognised the IGPS for adoption by the Fund Management Entities and Institutional Investors in the IFSCs to safeguard the interests of clients, beneficiaries and society at large.

Placing long-term value and sustainable benefits at the core of stewardship practice and emphasising stewardship beyond compliance, the IGPS leverages the significant role of Investors and Stewards in promoting principle-based governance and sustainable development.

Institutional Investors and Fund Managers can help organisations shift focus from Short-Term Gains to Long-Term Value Creation by demanding the implementation of a robust ESG framework that can prioritise sustainable growth over quick returns.

To translate the principles into practice and facilitate an effective engagement strategy, this year, the ICSI launched a Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit on ESG to supplement IGPS. This toolkit is aimed at assisting and equipping Company Secretaries and Boards in devising a comprehensive ESG policy for companies.

The ICSI has also introduced the ICSI Principles on Climate Change Governance (IPCG) this year to enhance transparency in climate-related disclosure. Aimed at guiding entities, the framework includes guidance on establishing metrics and targets to evaluate sustainability performance and progress toward climate goals.

Highlighting the preemptive approach of the ICSI, CS Dhananjay Shukla, President, the ICSI, said,“Integrating climate consideration into business frameworks requires a cohesive methodology of well-crafted principles, detailed guidance on climate and sustainability matters and equipped professionals who can coherently translate it into reality. As a leading force in promoting best practices, the ICSI is offering it all through its various initiatives.”

Echoing the sentiments, CS Asish Mohan, Secretary, the ICSI, said, “In a world where climate change is requiring corporations and nations, investors and investees, to act strategically, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India aims to utilize the significant pedestals occupied by these investors and stewards and promote principles-based governance to support sustainable development”. 

About ICSI 

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is a premier professional body set up under an Act of Parliament, i.e., the Company Secretaries Act, 1980, for the regulation and development of the profession of Company Secretaries in India. It functions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. The Institute, being a proactive body, focuses on providing the best and top-quality education to students in the Company Secretaries Course and sets the highest standards for CS members. The Institute has over 78,000 members and around 2.5 lakh students on its rolls.

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Surat (Gujarat) [India], December 1: Samprati Foundation, under the dynamic leadership of its Chairman Shri Nirav Shah, successfully organized a special health-care initiative at the SMC Health Center, Pal, dedicated to the city’s “Safai Veers”—the sanitation heroes who play a vital role in keeping Surat ranked among the cleanest cities in India.

Taking personal interest in the well-being of these frontline workers, Shri Nirav Shah led the initiative and ensured the distribution of free UV protective glasses and face masks to safeguard their health. As Chairman of Samprati Foundation and a prominent civic leader, Shri Nirav Shah has consistently driven impactful community welfare programs, focusing on cleanliness, public health, and grassroots upliftment across Surat.

Under his guidance, the Foundation continues to champion causes that directly benefit the people who contribute to the city’s development. Shri Nirav Shah highlighted that the sanitation workers are the real pillars behind Surat’s success story and emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to supporting them through practical, meaningful initiatives.

The event was also attended by Surat MP Shri Mukeshbhai Dalal, Central In-charge of Swachh Bharat Mission Shri Omshiv Mishra, and Dr. Sameer Gami, who extended their support and appreciated the efforts led by Shri Nirav Shah.

Samprati Foundation expressed gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed its mission to continue working under the leadership of Chairman Nirav Shah for the welfare and progress of Surat’s community and frontline workforce.

Surat (Gujarat) [India], December 1: Samprati Foundation, guided by the visionary leadership of its Chairman Shri Nirav Shah, successfully conducted a dedicated health-support initiative at the SMC Health Center in Pal, specially organized for the city’s Safai Veers—the sanitation warriors who play an essential role in maintaining Surat’s position among India’s cleanest cities.

Demonstrating his personal commitment to the welfare of these vital frontline workers, Shri Nirav Shah spearheaded the program and oversaw the distribution of UV protection glasses and face masks, aimed at enhancing their safety during daily duties. As the driving force behind Samprati Foundation and an active civic contributor, Shri Nirav Shah has consistently undertaken impactful initiatives centered on public hygiene, health, and upliftment at the grassroots level.

Under his proactive direction, the Foundation continues to launch meaningful projects designed to directly support individuals who contribute significantly to Surat’s development. During the event, Shri Nirav Shah acknowledged the crucial role of sanitation workers, calling them the true architects of Surat’s achievements, and reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to serving them through practical welfare efforts.

The initiative also saw the presence of Surat MP Shri Mukeshbhai Dalal, Swachh Bharat Mission Central In-charge Shri Omshiv Mishra, and Dr. Sameer Gami, who praised the Foundation’s efforts and extended their support to the cause led by Shri Nirav Shah.

Samprati Foundation expressed heartfelt appreciation to all dignitaries and participants, reaffirming its dedication to continue working under the stewardship of Chairman Shri Nirav Shah for the advancement and well-being of Surat’s community and its frontline workforce.

Maharashtra Visionary Summit 2025 united leaders, showcasing the state’s progressive vision and role in India’s growth

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 27: The Maharashtra Visionary Summit 2025 at Radisson Blu, Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai organized by TimesAspire Unicom Network Pvt. Ltd., emerged as one of the most influential leadership platforms of the year, bringing together eminent personalities from business, academia, public service, social impact, and human resources. Guided by the strategic leadership of CEO Fiza Bi Ameen, Director Zaheer Samnani, and Program Director Dr. Vivek Trivedi, the summit successfully showcased Maharashtra’s forward-looking vision and its expanding contribution to India’s national development.

The summit received valuable support from various Ministries of the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra, reinforcing its goal of promoting leadership, innovation, and state-led nation-building.

This grand event was executed seamlessly by the core team—Varun Uchil (Head Operations), Sanket Parmar (Head Communications), and Sushant Kulkarni (Sr. Manager Research & Innovation)—whose expertise ensured a world-class experience for all dignitaries and participants.

A Summit with a Vision for National Growth

The Maharashtra Visionary Summit 2025 served as a vibrant platform to discuss the state’s commitment to innovation, industrial progress, skill development, sustainability, and social upliftment. Leaders from diverse sectors shared insights into how Maharashtra continues to pioneer national economic growth, empower its workforce, and build an inclusive and future-ready society.

The summit also honoured outstanding organizations and individuals who have played transformative roles in shaping industries and contributing to nation-building.

Excellence in Education Honoured

Institutions setting benchmarks in academic excellence and student development were recognized:

• The Cathedral & John Connon School
• Klay Preschools and Daycare
• NADP (National Academy of Defence Productions)
• Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth’s Centre for Online Learning

These institutions were celebrated for their innovative learning practices, digital education leadership, and commitment to shaping India’s future leaders.

Hospitality Sector Recognition

The award for excellence in hospitality was presented to:

• The Corinthians Resort & Club

Recognized for exceptional service standards and contributions to Maharashtra’s tourism landscape.

People’s Choice Companies to Work For

Companies celebrated for building exceptional workplace cultures included:

• Diasorin Healthcare India Private Limited
• Generic Engineering Construction and Projects Limited
• IIFL Capital Services Limited
• Meine Bharat
• Onward Technologies Limited
• Ergode IT Services Pvt. Ltd
• Chandukaka Saraf & Sons Pvt. Ltd

These organizations exemplify strong people-centric leadership, growth opportunities, and sustainable corporate practices.

Celebrating Women Trailblazers

A major highlight of the summit was the recognition of women leaders who are redefining leadership across sectors. Honorees included:

• Leucadia Milly Sandeep – Chief People Officer & Group HR Head, Posha Metal Industries Pvt. Ltd
• Aruna Kartik Desai – Co-Founder & Administration, Sweekar – The Rainbow Parents
• Lydia Amit Naik – Head HR & Admin, The Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co. Ltd
• Shalini Desai – VP Operations, Peoplefy Info Solutions Pvt Ltd
• Mayuri D. Tupekar – Director & Head of HR–India, Cogitech Solutions Pvt Ltd
• Vidyashree Rai – Group Chief People & Culture Officer, Puretech Digital – A Genesis Company
• Janvi Desai – Senior Director, IIFL Capital Services Limited
• Namrata Goyal – Director, Filmstoc & Secretary, Mijwan Welfare Society
• Shantha Martin – Director, Merc Logistics Pvt Ltd
• Shanta Vallury Gandhi
• Alina Alam – Founder & CEO, Mitti Café
• Sshrdha Gandhi – Business Head & Support Services, Conservve Buildcon
• Sara Arfeen Khan

These women were honoured for their excellence, impact, and inspiring contributions to the Indian workforce.

Recognizing Top CEOs & Business Leaders

Industry pioneers driving innovation and sustainable growth were felicitated:

• Dr. Mangesh Amale – Founder & MD, Velox Solutions Pvt Ltd
• Prashant Nagre – Managing Director, Fermenta Biotech Ltd

A key highlight was the recognition of:

Prem Kumar Charles – Country Manager & Managing Director, Diasorin Healthcare India Private Limited

His exceptional contribution to strengthening India’s healthcare capabilities and advancing diagnostic innovation received special appreciation.

Other dignitaries honoured included:

• Shri Ajit Kumar Saxena – CMD, MOIL Limited
• Arvind Goel – Vice-Chairman, Tata AutoComp Systems Limited
• Rupesh Sanghavi, Founder & CEO, Ergode IT Services Pvt Ltd.
• Chintan Modi – President, IIFL Capital Services Ltd
• Rajneet Kohli – Executive Director – Foods, Hindustan Unilever Limited

NGO Excellence & Social Impact Awards

Organizations creating measurable social change were recognized:

• Vipla Foundation (Save the Children India)
• Pipal Tree Foundation
• SURYODAY TRUST

In the Social Impact category, the National Fundraiser Award was presented to:

• Asif Wadia – Director, Over & Beyond

Top Visionary HR Leaders of Maharashtra

HR leaders shaping future-ready organizations were honoured:

• Sonali Chavan – Director, Talent & Culture, Fairmont Mumbai
• Satish G. Pawar – Head HR, Stanley Black & Decker India Pvt Ltd
• Anil Kumar Mishra – Head HR & Administration, Shreya Life Sciences Pvt Ltd
• Dr. Brillian SK – Chief People Officer, TimesPro
• Ajit Kumar Pandey – AGM – HR & Admin, Kalpataru Projects International Ltd
• Dr. Rajani Tewari – Chief People Officer – HR, Greencell Mobility Pvt Ltd
• Seema S. Shirsath – Head HR, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth’s Centre for Online Learning
• Pradeep Kumar Gulati – CHRO, Generic Engineering Construction And Projects Ltd
• Deepali Khairnar – Director HR & IT, IAC International Automotive India Pvt Ltd
• Jonika Jain – CHRO, Edme Insurance Brokers Ltd
• Megha Modi – Propietor, Ecolux HR Consultancy
• Anand Krishna Kulkarni – Group Head – T&D & Talent Acquisition, J.B.Boda Group

Special Acknowledgment by the Government

Shri Pratap SarnaiK, Transport Minister, Government of Maharashtra, acknowledged and appreciated the initiatives of the Maharashtra Visionary Summit 2025, emphasizing the importance of collaborative leadership in driving the state’s growth vision.

Attendees also who Graced the Event

The summit was further enriched by the presence of eminent guests:

• Arfeen Khan – Corporate Trainer, Author & Actor
• Prof. Dr. Dinesh Gupta (Aanandshree)
• Anand Chari – Deputy General Manager, BSE
• Dr. Harish K. Ahuja – Head of Sustainability, Carbon & Power Markets, SSE, NSE
• Dr. Manju Mangal Prabhat Lodha – Chairperson, Lodha Foundation
• Ms. Nabomita Mazumdar – President of India Awardee, Founder of Nabomita

A Vision Towards a Stronger Maharashtra, a Stronger India

The Maharashtra Visionary Summit 2025 reaffirmed the state’s commitment to national growth through innovation, leadership, and collective progress. With impactful discussions, inspiring journeys, and recognition of exceptional achievers, the summit stood as a landmark platform shaping the future of Maharashtra—and India.

Visit: https://www.timesaspire.com/

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New Delhi [India], November 22: Look, India’s power sector has been running on jugaad for far too long. The Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 is the moment the country stops patching wires and finally rewires the system. Crisp reforms, cleaner pricing, real accountability, and zero compromise on farmers and low-income households.

Why the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 Matters

The Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 is more than just another legal update. It’s India admitting that a 21st-century economy can’t run on a 2003-era framework. The Focus Keyword Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 sits at the heart of a simple promise: reliable, affordable, high-quality power for every Indian, from farmers in Vidarbha to MSMEs in Coimbatore.

The country’s power sector has been dragged down by chronic discom losses, messy cross-subsidies, poor service standards, and a monopoly mindset. Industries have long paid inflated tariffs to subsidise others, leaving Indian manufacturing at a disadvantage compared to China, Vietnam, or even Mexico. The Bill flips the equation. The message is blunt: enough inefficiency, enough distortions, enough excuses.

Breaking the Monopoly: Competition Finally Arrives

For decades, consumers had one supplier and zero choice. Whether the power quality was poor or the voltage swung like a cricket score in a T20 over, you were stuck. No longer. The Bill opens the door for regulated competition in distribution. Multiple licensees can operate in the same region, using shared networks instead of creating duplicate lines that clutter urban spaces and waste taxpayer money.

Shared network access means more efficient spending, faster scaling, and fewer trenches dug every monsoon. It’s the ISTS model, used in interstate transmission, brought down to the distribution level. If it can work for transmission across states, it can certainly work across a neighbourhood.

Still, to make competition mean something, the Bill strengthens State Electricity Regulatory Commissions. They can enforce standards, penalise failures, and even step in if licensees drag their feet on tariff filings.

A Safety Net for Large Consumers

Here’s another smart move: State Commissions can exempt discoms from the universal service obligation (USO) for large consumers above 1 MW. These consumers already have the financial muscle to source power directly. But if their private arrangement collapses, a designated supplier steps in. No drama, no outages. That’s the kind of practical realism India needs.

Tariff Reform: Cost-Reflective Pricing with Full Protection for Farmers

Let’s be honest. Cross-subsidies helped nobody in the long run. Industries paid too much. Discoms racked up loans. State budgets ballooned. And service quality still disappointed. The Bill brings clarity: tariffs must reflect the real cost of supply. Subsidies don’t disappear; they become transparent. States can still support farmers, low-income homes, and any vulnerable group, but they must budget for it upfront.

Cross-subsidy elimination for manufacturing, Railways, and Metros within five years is a powerful industrial boost. For manufacturers, cheaper power means better margins, stronger export competitiveness, and faster MSME scaling. For Railways and Metro systems, lower power tariffs mean cheaper logistics and more affordable public transport. In a cricket metaphor: India’s batting order finally gets the pitch it deserves.

Industrial Competitiveness: A Backbone for Viksit Bharat 2047

A developed India needs a power system built for rapid growth. Per capita consumption must multiply, industries need a stable supply, and logistics must become cheaper. The Bill empowers industries to procure power directly, invest in captive generation, and join a more vibrant electricity market.

Captive generation gets structured rules, no ambiguity, no conflicting interpretations. Market development powers allow the regulator to introduce new trading instruments, including contracts for difference. This aligns us with global energy markets, not just local legacy systems.

Cleaner Power, Stronger Transition

India’s non-fossil target of 500 GW by 2030 and nearly 2000 GW by 2047 won’t materialise via long-term PPAs alone. The Bill explicitly strengthens obligations for non-fossil energy procurement. State Commissions must set minimum percentages that can’t dip below what the Centre mandates.

Energy Storage Systems (ESS) also receive a legal identity for the first time. As solar and wind grow, ESS becomes the backbone, stabilising the grid. Storage smooths demand, absorbs surplus, and cuts peak-time stress. It’s the silent hero of the clean energy transition.

Governance That Finally Works

The Bill creates an Electricity Council, a Centre-State coordination platform chaired by the Union Power Minister with State Power Ministers as members. This is long overdue. Too many reforms stumble because the Centre and States pull in different directions. The Council can hash out differences before they slow down investments.

SERC accountability improves, too. Members can now face removal for wilful violations or gross negligence. Proceedings must be resolved within 120 days. APTEL can expand to seven members to clear case backlogs. It’s a regulatory discipline without red tape.

Consumer-Friendly Reforms

Unauthorised-use assessments are capped at 12 months. No more retroactive shock bills that feel like a lottery gone wrong. Appeal deposits drop from half to one-third, with the option of a waiver in hardship cases. Minimum service standards become uniform across India. Whether you live in Mumbai or a small town in Assam, the baseline for reliability can’t fall below a national benchmark.

Legal Clean-Up and Cybersecurity Focus

The Bill replaces Telegraph Act references with explicit electric line authority powers, including right-of-way rules, compensation, and dispute resolution. With a more digital grid, the Central Electricity Authority gets the mandate to set cybersecurity standards. Because let’s face it, hackers don’t care about your state boundary.

Also Read: India Champions 1 Million Trainer Drive at First Africa-Hosted G20

New Delhi [India], November 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t waste time at the G20 Summit in South Africa. He walked in, delivered a crisp reality check, and then dropped a full stack of India-backed proposals aimed at rewriting how global development actually works.

The focus keyword G20 India Africa partnership has never felt more relevant than it did in Johannesburg. PM Modi’s opening note was polite enough. He congratulated President Cyril Ramaphosa for a well-run summit, acknowledged the South African presidency’s work on skilled migration, tourism, food security, AI, digital economy, innovation, and women’s empowerment, and then switched gears. The tone sharpened. The message landed.

For decades, he said, the G20 shaped global finance and economic growth. Fine. But the parameters used to measure that growth left huge populations behind. Nature took the hit. And Africa, as PM Modi pointed out without ceremony, carried a disproportionate share of that burden. With Africa hosting the G20 for the first time, he argued it was time to rethink development from the ground up.

Rethinking Growth with Civilizational Wisdom

PM Modi didn’t reach for shiny jargon. He reached for Integral Humanism. The idea is simple: see humans, society, and nature as one integrated whole. You balance progress with the planet instead of pitting one against the other. Sounds philosophical, but it’s also deeply practical in a world burning from overuse and underthinking.

India’s civilizational lens isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a corrective. And frankly, a needed one.

A Global Bank of Traditional Knowledge

PM Modi then pivoted to something that deserves far more global attention: the wisdom living in traditional communities. These aren’t relics. These are groups that still manage eco-balanced lifestyles, cultural coherence, and genuine respect for nature. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for them. It’s muscle memory.

India proposed a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20 umbrella. The Indian Knowledge Systems initiative, already underway back home, could serve as its backbone. Think of it as a global library of humanity’s oldest and most tested wisdom. A resource for the generations that will inherit both the breakthroughs and the mess.

The Big One: G20 Africa Skills Multiplier

If there was one headline-grabber in the G20 India Africa partnership conversation, it was this. PM Modi proposed the G20 Africa Skills Multiplier, a continent-wide train-the-trainer program. The target is massive: one million certified trainers in a decade. One million. Those trainers would then upskill crores of young Africans across sectors.

Why does this matter? Because Africa’s demographic curve is rising fast. Young talent is a rocket waiting for fuel. The multiplier effect could reshape labour markets, industries, and local capacity. It’s not charity. It’s global common sense. When Africa grows, the world stabilizes. India knows this instinctively. After all, we’ve played the long game with skill development at home too.

A Rapid-Response Global Healthcare Team

Next came health security. After COVID, the world shouldn’t need reminders, but apparently it still does. PM Modi proposed a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team. Trained medical experts. From G20 nations. Ready for fast deployment during health emergencies or natural disasters.

Imagine cutting the slow bureaucratic crawl that usually defines global crisis response. Imagine a team that moves with cricket T20 urgency instead of Test-match patience. That’s the idea.

Countering the Drug Terror Nexus

Then PM Modi turned blunt. Drug trafficking isn’t just a crime problem. It’s a global security threat. Fentanyl and similar synthetic drugs are spreading fast, wrecking public health and feeding the finances of terror networks.

India proposed a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug Terror Nexus. Finance, governance, security tools coming together under one umbrella. Break the network by choking its fuel lines. This isn’t abstract geopolitics. It’s street-level protection scaled to the global stage.

Strengthening the India Africa Bond

PM Modi wrapped the session by anchoring everything in India Africa solidarity. The African Union becoming a permanent G20 member during the New Delhi summit wasn’t symbolic. It changed the architecture of global decision-making. Now the task, as he put it, is to amplify Global South voices across all international institutions.

India has been saying this for years. The world is finally catching up.

Also Read: Labour Codes India Updated

Surat (Gujarat) [India], November 21: India’s healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, and the idea of a self-reliant nation now extends beyond heavy industries to include medical technology. One company reflecting this shift is Scanbo, a home-grown MedTech innovator developing next-generation diagnostic devices entirely in India. As the country embraces Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” movement, Scanbo stands out as a strong example of how indigenous technology can transform healthcare access at scale.

The Need for Home-Grown Diagnostic Innovation

For millions in rural and semi-urban areas, basic diagnostic testing often means long travel, delays, and limited accessibility. This gap highlighted the need for compact, affordable, and accurate point-of-care tools. Scanbo was built from this challenge, aiming to bring hospital-grade diagnostics closer to people. By combining artificial intelligence and sensor fusion, the company created a compact device that delivers lab-quality results within minutes at the point of care.

D8: Laying the Foundation

Scanbo’s first major device, the D8, performs seven non-invasive tests—blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, breathing rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, and a single-lead ECG—along with a simple finger-prick blood glucose test. Designed and manufactured in India, it blends precise hardware with intelligent software that analyzes results in real time. For doctors, it reduces dependence on bulky equipment; for patients, it brings reliable diagnostics into homes, clinics, and workplaces.

AI and HridaayTaal

At the core of Scanbo’s technology is its proprietary AI engine, HridaayTaal, which interprets cardiac signals and identifies irregularities such as arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation. The company is expanding this platform to assess advanced cardiac intervals, detect sleep apnea, and recognize complex rhythm patterns. Each update moves the system closer to preventive, AI-driven cardiovascular monitoring.

From D8 to D19

While the D8 set the foundation, Scanbo’s roadmap includes the D12, D16, and D19—devices planned from 2026 to 2028 that will add multiple blood tests and broaden first-level diagnostics. This phased approach reflects a strategy to make healthcare faster and more self-sufficient by reducing dependence on external laboratories.

Blockchain and Digital Integration

Beyond devices, Scanbo is creating a blockchain-based healthcare data ecosystem to ensure secure, transparent, and patient-controlled data exchange. This digital layer solves long-standing issues of trust and interoperability while supporting real-time access for patients and providers.

Affordability and Accessibility

By integrating multiple tests into one portable device, Scanbo reduces redundancy and lowers per-test costs. These devices can be deployed in small clinics, mobile health units, and remote regions without significant infrastructure, strengthening India’s public health network and enabling earlier detection of chronic conditions.

Empowering Indian Manufacturing

Scanbo’s journey highlights India’s growing confidence in its ability to design and produce advanced MedTech domestically. Its reliance on Indian engineers, researchers, and suppliers creates local employment while proving that high-quality MedTech can be built in India for both domestic and global markets.

“Our mission is simple: build world-class diagnostic technology in India, for India and the world,” said Ashissh Raichura, Founder & CEO of Scanbo. “Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a self-reliant Bharat inspires us to innovate and manufacture on Indian soil.”

The Road Ahead

Like all transformative technologies, the journey includes challenges—regulatory approvals, manufacturing scale, and clinical validation. Yet, Scanbo’s consistent progress, strategic partnerships, and user-centric design show a clear path forward.

Conclusion

Scanbo’s progress reflects India’s growing leadership in healthcare innovation. Through the D8 and its upcoming devices, along with AI and blockchain integration, the company is redefining diagnostics as fast, reliable, and Made-in-India. By building advanced technology domestically, Scanbo helps translate vision of self-reliance into a practical reality that strengthens India’s healthcare system and sets an example for the world.

New Delhi [India], November 21: India finally pulled the trigger on a reform everyone talked about for decades. The four labour codes are live, and they’re rewriting how this country works, hires and protects its people. It’s big. And long overdue.

Shramev Jayate!

Today, our Government has given effect to the Four Labour Codes. It is one of the most comprehensive and progressive labour-oriented reforms since Independence. It greatly empowers our workers. It also significantly simplifies compliance and promotes ‘Ease of…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2025

India’s implementation of the four labour codes isn’t just another policy update. It’s a structural reset of how work, wages and welfare operate across the world’s largest workforce. The focus keyword labour codes India sits at the centre of this entire shift, and it shows in the way the reforms promise simpler compliance, stronger rights and cleaner rules in a labour ecosystem that was begging for clarity.

For years, India ran on 29 different labour laws stitched together from the 1930s to the 1950s. Different ministries, different paperwork, different interpretations. Employers called it a maze. Workers called it unpredictable. And honestly, they were both right.

But now, with the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code coming into effect, the country has moved on from colonial-era confusion to a unified, global-ready system.

The government calls it future-ready. 

A Clean Break From The Past

Before today’s reforms, millions worked without appointment letters. Minimum wages applied only to certain “scheduled” sectors. ESIC coverage depended on location, not need. Women were locked out of night shifts, certain industries and, in many cases, higher-paying roles. That’s not the India we’re building for 2047.

Now the table has flipped.

Every worker gets a written appointment letter. Minimum wages guarantee financial stability for all. Gig and platform workers finally get defined in law and covered under social security. And ESIC coverage turns Pan-India instead of pin-code dependent.

Honestly, that alone is a massive shift. No more “this area isn’t notified so you’re not eligible” chaos.

Social Security That Finally Includes Everyone

For decades, India ran on the idea that only certain categories deserved social protection. Platform drivers, delivery workers, and freelancers existed in limbo. When they fell sick, injured or unable to work, support was entirely dependent on employer goodwill.

The labour codes change that.

Gig and platform workers get universal social security coverage funded partly by aggregator contributions. A universal Aadhaar-linked account makes benefits portable across states. For migrant workers, this is the difference between starting over and continuing without disruption.

Add to that the expansion of ESIC to hazardous workplaces with even one employee, and suddenly the safety net covers the full spectrum of India’s workforce.

Stronger Wages, Mandatory Timeliness

Work deserves pay on time. Simple idea. Somehow not so simple in practice across many sectors.

Under the labour codes India reform, employers must pay timely wages without exception. No delays, no excuses, no ad-hoc deductions. Salary by the seventh of every month becomes mandatory in IT, ITES and other key sectors.

Floor wages fixed by the central government ensure that no worker in any state dips below a minimum living standard.

Women Step Into Equal Ground

Let’s be honest: India can’t win the economic race if half the country sits on the bench. The reforms recognise that.

Women can work night shifts across all sectors, including heavy machinery, mining and hazardous industries, with consent and safety guarantees. Gender discrimination is explicitly prohibited. Equal pay is mandatory. Grievance committees must include women. And here’s a quiet but powerful detail: parents-in-law can now be included in a woman employee’s family definition for benefits.

This isn’t just progressive. It’s practical. It respects the realities of Indian households.

Youth, Contract Workers and FTEs Get Real Protection

Youth workers gain appointment letters, mandatory wage payment, predictable working conditions and clear formal employment histories. For contract workers, fixed-term employment now comes with equal benefits as permanent employees, including medical facilities and social security.

Gratuity after one year instead of five is a game changer for India’s most mobile workforce. It’s about time.

Labour Codes: Sector-by-Sector Improvements

The reforms aren’t generic. They drill down into the sectors that needed attention most:

• MSMEs get simplified compliance and guaranteed wages for workers.
• Beedi and cigar workers gain capped working hours, double overtime and bonuses.
• Plantation workers receive ESI for entire families plus safety training.
• Migrant textile workers get equal pay and PDS portability.
• Dock workers receive legal recognition and mandatory medical facilities.
• Mining workers get national safety standards and regulated working hours.
• Export-sector workers gain gratuity, PF, and strict dispute-protection rules.

Each of these changes moves India closer to a labour environment that matches our ambitions—competitive, fair and globally aligned.

Compliance: From Chaos to One-Window Clarity

This might be the biggest relief for businesses. No more juggling 20+ registrations, licences and returns.

The labour codes India setup offers a single registration, single licence and single return for safety and working conditions. Inspections shift from punitive to facilitative. For small units, applicability limits are eased without compromising worker safeguards.

A National OSH Board standardises safety norms across sectors so companies don’t spend half their time decoding overlapping rules.

Why This Matters for India’s Future

India expanded social security coverage from 19 percent of the workforce in 2015 to 64 percent in 2025. That’s not a small achievement. But reaching full coverage needed a legal structure that matched the scale of our economy. The labour codes are that structure.

They recognise gig work. They support women. They modernise engagements. They simplify compliance for MSMEs. And most importantly, they put dignity at the centre of employment. Workers become visible. Employers get predictability. Industries gain the flexibility they need to compete globally. This is the India that wants to hit a five-trillion-dollar economy and actually has the workforce framework to back it.

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