Pentad Pavilion—a parliament and playground in one—moves this week to India Art Fair 2026 in New Delhi after a star turn at ADFF:STIR Mumbai. The pavilion, designed by international architecture and design firm UHA, was one of ten curated from 75 entries by Aric Chen, Director of the Zaha Hadid Foundation, with a distinguished jury panel consisting of Hans Ulrich Obrist, Lesley Lokko OBE, Raj Rewal, Ma Yansong, and Martha Thorne, and is the only one to make its way to India Art Fair.

UHA’s Pentad Pavillion on exhibition last month at ADFF:STIR in Mumbai, The Pavilion will be exhibited this week at India Art Fair in Delhi

“With the pavilion, we wanted to reimagine the spaces where decisions are made by bringing together five global modes of assembly: circular, semicircular, horseshoe, opposing benches and classroom,” said Joseph R. Goodwin, UHA’s design lead on the project. “Pentad is about observation, participation, and belonging – and after seeing all the ways visitors interacted at ADFF:STIR Mumbai last month, we’re excited to see continued provocation through play in its second home.”

The competition for ADFF:STIR asked how architecture can frame new social relations, exploring the ties between space, movement and event. Pentad, a two level structure which is 41 square meters and stands 6.4 meters high, takes inspiration from the new Indian parliament, one of almost 100 UN member states to have explored post-colonial identity through a rebalancing of colour, materiality, symbolism, and tradition. The pavilion and the parliament will stand a mere ten kilometres apart for the duration of India Art Fair, bridging the gap between play and politics.

The pavilion design explores the effect of combining the five modes of plenary spaces, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore, engage, and experiment within these modes while they are wrapped, overlapped, or stacked. Pentad mirrors a bicameral approach while being designed to be reconfigurable. Seating, shading, and the play of proximity and transparency dissolve the binary nature of the chambers, becoming multi-cameral and supporting all five modes of meeting.

A hidden system of talk tubes is woven through the structure, enabling visitors to listen and participate, eavesdrop and interrupt. Antechambers become crawl spaces, slides can be fitted to disrupt the rowed seating, and lower chamber swing hooks can be used to hang a new form of judicial seating.

The brief for the initial pavilion design encouraged the team to think beyond a monofunctional space, actively considering its afterlife. Pentad is now in the first phase of that afterlife, making its journey to Delhi after its successful debut in the Jaquar Pavilion Park at ADFF:STIR 2026, in Mumbai. Pentad is supported by STIR for its exhibition at India Art Fair.

Beyond the meaning that the pavilion itself embodies, one important factor for its satisfactory realisation was its public use. Pentad hosted numerous workshops and talks as a part of ADFF:STIR Mumbai’s public programme. Halfway across the country, in New Delhi, Pentad retains its essence by lending itself to public discourse at the India Art Fair. It will offer a space for all its visitors to explore their curiosities.

About UHA

UHA designs and delivers projects that vary in context, function, and scale, encompassing architecture, masterplanning, landscaping, environmental services and interior design. From concept design to turnkey challenges, we have projects on-site from London to Taipei, covering boutique residential towers and luxury villas to high-tech workspaces and educational institutions.

Our asynchronous approach means that somewhere we are always open. Distributed across 7 time zones, our team of architects, designers, urbanists, visualisers, sustainability consultants, and project managers design and deliver projects around the clock. As office hours draw to a close in Tokyo, work continues in Mumbai and construction sites open in London. With multiple projects currently under construction across 3 continents, our multi-nodal studio provides a variety of services within an accelerated timeline.

For more information, visit www.uha.global.

For press inquiries and interview requests, please write to mumbai@uh-architects.com.

Galgotias University marked a significant presence at the QS Quacquarelli Symonds India Summit, Goa, by leading a high-level Presidential Roundtable that convened Presidents, Chancellors, and Vice Chancellors from leading universities across the world. The roundtable focused on rethinking classroom teaching to enable deeper student agency, engagement, and relevance in the context of a rapidly transforming higher education ecosystem.

Dr. Dhruv Galgotia chairing the Presidential Roundtable at the QS India Summit 2026

The session was chaired by Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University, and co-chaired by Prof. Richard James, an internationally renowned expert in higher education. The discussions reflected a shared recognition that universities must move beyond traditional, syllabus-driven models and instead design learning environments that are adaptive, participatory, and future-oriented.

The dialogue examined how classroom practices can evolve to respond to changing learner expectations, the demands of emerging technologies, and the need for graduates to demonstrate critical thinking, creativity, and leadership. Participants shared global perspectives on pedagogy, institutional responsibility, and the role of universities in shaping resilient and socially responsive graduates.

Addressing the roundtable, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University, underscored that “meaningful transformation in higher education begins inside the classroom. He noted that Galgotias University’s academic vision is anchored in its G-SCALE approach, which prioritises student empowerment, active learning, and the development of future-ready competencies aligned with global realities.”

Galgotias University’s leadership at the QS India Summit highlights its commitment to contributing to international academic discourse and shaping progressive teaching and learning practices. The university continues to engage with global higher education leaders to advance conversations that influence the future direction of universities in India and beyond.

About Galgotias University 
Galgotias University Among the World’s Leading Universities in QS and THE Rankings.

Galgotias University proudly ascends in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds, securing a coveted position in the 1201–1400 global band. Ranked 15th among top private universities and 43rd among all Indian universities-public and private combined-this achievement marks a powerful endorsement of Galgotias’ unwavering commitment to academic excellence, global relevance, and innovation in higher education. 

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Galgotias University has been ranked 45th among Indian universities (including both government and private institutions) and placed in the globally prestigious 1001–1200 band. This significant achievement reinforces the university’s growing stature in the international academic arena and validates its consistent progress in global higher education benchmarks. 

These recognitions reflect Galgotias University’s strategic focus on teaching quality, research impact, internationalization, and industry relevance, and its mission to shape globally competent graduates prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. 

As the global travel landscape shifts, a provocative new book argues that India is sitting on an “unclaimed throne” of economic and cultural potential. Naveen Kundu, a veteran tourism professional, today announced the release of his book “Reclaiming Incredible: A Blueprint of India Tourism’s Unclaimed Throne,” a visionary roadmap aimed at triggering a trillion-dollar renaissance in the Indian tourism sector by 2047.

Reclaiming Incredible: A Blueprint of India Tourism’s Unclaimed Throne

Despite being home to unparalleled heritage, India’s share of the global tourism market remains under-realized. Reclaiming Incredible moves beyond traditional travelogues, offering a strategic, high-stakes analysis of how the nation can pivot from a spiritual destination to a global economic powerhouse.

The “Make Noise” Mandate: Modernizing the Narrative
In a pivotal new chapter, Kundu argues that India’s greatest hurdle isn’t just infrastructure, but communication. He asserts that India must radically overhaul its marketing landscape to compete on a global stage.

• Cutting-Edge Communication: India must move past dated brochures and generic slogans. Kundu calls for a sophisticated, tech-driven communication strategy that speaks the language of modern international travelers, global travel influencers, and foreign tour operators.

• Narrating the “Story of Bharat”: The book emphasizes shifting the spotlight away from the “post-invasion” era and the usual monument-centric tours. Instead, Kundu advocates for a powerful, coordinated effort to broadcast the story of Pre-Invasion Bharat—showcasing a deep, indigenous civilizational heritage that is more relevant and spiritually resonant than the standard tourist circuit.

Expanded Insights: Rewriting the Indian Narrative
The book introduces critical perspectives on how India presents itself to the world:

• The MICE Opportunity & Global Events: In the chapter “India’s Unfinished Business,” Kundu identifies the promotion of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) as the next frontier. He argues for the “diplomatic muscle” needed to host the world’s largest conventions.

• Reclaiming Pre-Invasion Footprints: A central thesis is the need to highlight India’s indigenous civilizational footprints. By focusing on the roots of Vedic wisdom and ancient innovation, India can offer a more authentic and profound experience to the global traveler.

A Blueprint for Viksit Bharat 2047
To reach the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047, the book proposes a revolutionary administrative overhaul:

• Agnostic Professional Boards: The establishment of Central and State Tourism Boards that are entirely agnostic of bureaucracy.

• Expert-Led Governance: These bodies should be staffed by industry professionals and global experts rather than career administrators, ensuring agility and data-driven results.

• The Trillion-Dollar Renaissance: A roadmap to double tourism’s GDP contribution to 10%, generating 200 million jobs and positioning India as a top-five global destination.

“India must stop whispering its potential and start shouting its truth. We need a modern marketing machinery that narrates the Story of Bharat with the sophistication the 21st century demands.” — Naveen Kundu

Reclaiming Incredible is a must-read for policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs. It provides the intellectual scaffolding for a new era of Indian excellence.

Availability: Reclaiming Incredible is available on Amazon and Kindle in both paperback and digital formats.

About the Author: Naveen Kundu, a notable tourism & hospitality professional, has over 35 years of experience in the industry. He is dedicated to redefining India’s global footprint and mentoring the next generation of travel leaders.

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of India’s largest power utility NTPC Ltd., and Assago Industries Pvt. Ltd. (Assago), a fast-growing player in bio-energy and sustainable manufacturing, today announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and operationalize India’s first large-scale Green Urea production ecosystem within the upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh.

The MoU was signed in the august presence of senior officials and leadership teams from NGEL, NTPC, and Assago, marking a significant milestone for the project

Under the MoU, NGEL will supply Green Ammonia, CO₂, RE power, and other utilities to Assago, enabling the production of Green Urea using clean, renewable feedstock. The collaboration aims to accelerate India’s transition toward sustainable fertilizer production and contribute significantly to the nation’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision.

India’s Urea Challenge & Why This MoU Matters
India currently consumes around 35 to 40 million tonnes of urea annually, of which 8–10 million tonnes are imported each year. Imported urea exposes India to high price volatility, foreign exchange outflow, geopolitical supply risks, and carbon-intensive fertilizer dependence.

The NGEL–Assago partnership directly supports reducing this dependence by creating India’s first indigenous Green Urea value chain powered entirely by renewable hydrogen and green ammonia.

A Leap Toward Indigenous Green Urea
The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub is designed for 2.5 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of green chemicals (Green Methanol, Green Ammonia, SAF, and Green Urea). Assago Industries will be among the first private companies in India to begin production of Green Urea at scale using renewable ammonia and captured CO₂ — a pioneering step in sustainable fertilizer manufacturing.

Strategic Benefits of the NGEL–Assago Collaboration

• Strengthening India’s Fertilizer Self-Reliance

• Large-Scale Decarbonization

• Boost to Andhra Pradesh’s Green Hydrogen Corridor

• Alignment with National Priorities

Quote from Assago Industries 
“This partnership marks a defining moment for India’s transition towards sustainable fertilizer production. By producing indigenous Green Urea using renewable feedstock, Assago is proud to contribute to India’s goal of self-reliance, decarbonization, and agricultural resilience. We look forward to working closely with NGEL to build a world-class green chemicals ecosystem at Pudimadaka.” – Ashish Gurnani, MD, Assago Industries Private Limited.

ET Money, India’s leading full-stack wealth platform and part of the 360 ONE WAM group, today announced the launch of Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs). This makes ET Money, India’s first investment platform to offer intelligence-led access to this newly introduced category of Mutual Funds.

India’s first platform to offer intelligence-led access to Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs)

With this launch, ET Money extends its long-standing mission of simplifying long-term investing by expanding beyond Mutual Funds. It reinforces their effort to offer access to more advanced, professionally managed investment strategies, while ensuring product suitability, decision clarity and investment confidence.

Why SIFs are for you

Specialized Investment Funds were introduced by SEBI to address a growing gap in the Indian investment landscape. It sits between traditional Mutual Funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS).

As Indian investors mature, many seek strategies that go beyond simple equity or hybrid allocations. They want:

• Better downside management

• Consistent outcomes across market cycles

• Greater flexibility in deploying larger capital allocations

SIFs are designed with an aim to fill this gap by allowing fund managers to use advanced strategies, including derivatives, long-short positioning, and tactical hedging. All of this within the regulated, tax-efficient Mutual Fund structure.

The Intelligence Layer: Making SIFs Investable

While SIFs unlock powerful possibilities, they are also inherently more complex than traditional Mutual Funds. Funds within the same category can have very different objectives, risk profiles, and outcomes, making evaluation difficult for individual investors.

This is where ET Money’s intelligence-led approach comes in.

Rather than presenting SIFs as a list of products, ET Money decodes them based on their intended role in an investor’s portfolio:

• Stable, tax-efficient return strategies

• Consistent return strategies with controlled risk

• Equity-like growth with lower volatility

By translating technical fund structures into clear use cases and expected outcomes, ET Money enables investors to choose SIFs based on purpose, risk appetite, and investment horizon instead of jargon.

ET Money – A Home for SIF and Big Investments

For years, ET Money has been a preferred platform for long-term retail investing. With SIFs requiring a Rs. 10 lakh minimum investment, the platform now naturally extends into serving investors’ larger capital allocations.

“As our investors’ wealth grows, their needs evolve beyond traditional Mutual Funds,” said Mukesh Kalra, Founder & CEO, ET Money. “SIFs represent the next step for affluent Indian investors who want a better balance of returns and risk management. But access alone isn’t enough. What investors really need is clarity. By adding a strong intelligence layer on top of SIFs and decoding their purpose in one’s portfolio, we are helping investors deploy larger sums with confidence and precision. We’re not just offering a new product. We’re providing a clearer roadmap for long-term wealth.”

Flexible Access, Investor’s Choice

All SIFs available on ET Money can be accessed through the investor’s preferred engagement model. Investors may choose between:

• Advisory-based access

• Distribution-based access

This ensures flexibility, transparency, and alignment with individual preferences.

About ET Money
ET Money, a 360 ONE company, is India’s leading full-stack wealth platform, helping Indians invest with clarity and confidence.

It brings the most important, retail-friendly investment products together in one place. From mutual funds and SIFs to fixed deposits, bonds, insurance and pension solutions, ET Money curates investment-worthy choices and makes them accessible through seamless, paperless digital journeys.

The platform leverages technology and thoughtful design to enhance decision-making with research-driven insights, personalised recommendations and active portfolio supervision. Its suite of investment intelligence includes the ET Money Fund Report Card, Fund Verdicts, Portfolio Health Check and Multi-Asset Allocation Strategies.

ET Money envisions a future where every Indian investor gets unmatched support across every stage of their wealth-building journey — enabling disciplined, long-term investing with exceptional ease, clarity, and confidence.

Disclaimers

Investments in Specialized Investment Fund involve relatively higher risk, including potential loss of capital, liquidity risk and market volatility. Please read all investment strategy-related documents carefully before making the investment decision.

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Banayantree Services Limited, ARN: 112749, AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Distributor & SIF Distributor, SEBI Registered Non-Individual Investment Advisers, RIA No. INA100006898, Validity January 09, 2017 – Perpetual, BSE Enlistment No. 2369, PFRDA Registered PoP Regn No: 283072019, IRDAI Corporate Agency (Composite) Registration No.- CA0680

Corporate Office: Times Internet Limited Ecstasy IT Park, Plot 391, Udyog Vihar, Phase 3, Gurgaon, Haryana-122016

Registered Address: Express Building, 9-10, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi –110002.

Danube Properties, part of the UAE-based real estate conglomerate Danube Group, has announced the appointment of former Australian cricket legend Brett Lee as its official Global Ambassador. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in strengthening Danube’s global brand presence and deepening engagement across international markets.
 

Danube announces Brett Lee as global ambassador
 

Brett Lee’s global recognition, credibility, and strong connection with audiences worldwide will support Danube’s efforts to effectively communicate its core values of performance, reliability, and innovation, while reinforcing its position as a future-focused global real estate developer.
 

Commenting on the association, Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, said, “This partnership reflects our commitment to aligning with personalities who embody excellence, credibility, and a winning mindset. Brett’s professional journey mirrors Danube Group’s culture of consistent growth and long-term value creation. As we continue to expand our global footprint, Brett’s association will play a key role in strengthening our brand narrative and enhancing engagement with customers, investors, and partners across global markets.”
 

Expressing his enthusiasm, Brett Lee said, “I am delighted to join Danube and Mr. Rizwan Sajan as Global Ambassador. Danube Properties has built an outstanding reputation grounded in trust, innovation, and execution excellence. Their iconic 1% per month payment plan has already transformed the market, and when combined with fully furnished apartments, ahead-of-schedule project delivery, and convertible home concepts, it truly positions Mr. Rizwan Sajan and Danube as trendsetters in the industry. I am excited to be part of this inspiring growth journey.”
 

With Brett Lee supporting promotional and brand-building initiatives, Danube aims to strengthen emotional connections with global audiences, enhance brand recall, and further reinforce its reputation as a future-ready real estate conglomerate.

About Danube Properties

Danube Properties, a subsidiary of the Danube Group founded by Rizwan Sajan in 1993, is one of the UAE’s leading private real estate developers and the pioneer of the region’s groundbreaking 1% payment plan.
 

Renowned for offering fully furnished homes with over 40 lifestyle amenities, Danube Properties has earned a strong reputation for timely project delivery, superior build quality, and customer trust. Driven by innovation, accessibility, and reliability, the company continues to redefine modern urban living across the region.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, is set to host high-level MAHE Global Health Summit 2026 as a side event of the World Health Summit (WHS) Academic Alliance and the Lancet Commission on Academic Responsibility. The WHS Academic Alliance unites 30 leading academic institutions to strengthen evidence-based global health policy and international cooperation. ‘The Lancet’ group of journals address urgent topics in our society, initiate debate, put science into context, and influence decision-makers around the world.
 

MAHE prepares to host the Global Health Summit 2026, reinforcing its role as a global convener for academic responsibility and public health
 

The global gathering will commence at the MAHE Dubai campus 5-7 February 2026, before extending to MAHE’s Manipal campus in India on 9 February 2026, showcasing MAHE’s commitment to reshaping global health conversation across geographies.
 

The Dubai leg of the summit will mark the formal launch of the WHS Academic Alliance Lancet Commission on Academic Responsibility through a high-level symposium titled “Academic Responsibility in a Fragmenting World on the 5^th of February.” The Dubai convening also aligns with MAHE’s broader vision of strengthening global public health capacity, alongside the announcement of launch of the Bachelor of Public Health programme at the MAHE Dubai campus. MAHE will also host the kick-off meeting of the WHS Academic Alliance Lancet Commission on the 6-7 of February 2026. Dr. Cherian Varghese, Director of Prasanna School of Public Health is one of the Commissioners and will represent MAHE. 
 

Building on the outcomes of the Dubai discussions, the summit will culminate on 9 February 2026 at its Manipal campus. The summit will feature global commissioners from the Dubai meeting, along with prominent national public health leaders, academicians, and practitioners from across India, to review the global insights within local and regional health priorities.

A key highlight of the Manipal summit will be four thematic panel discussions exploring the convergence of academia, society, and public health practice. These panels will focus and highlight the changing societal norms with a specific lens on mental health; participatory research for societal benefit through a One Health approach; translating evidence into social policy with an emphasis on diet and nutrition in local contexts; and building trustworthy communication that meets societal needs, particularly in relation to vaccine safety and uptake.
 

Highlighting the importance of the Global Health Summit 2026 Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh VSM (Retd.) said, “Through the WHS Academic Alliance and the Lancet Commission and the Global Health Summit 2026, MAHE aims to reinforce the critical role of academic institutions as catalysts for social empowerment, policy influence, and sustainable health systems. By doing such global events, MAHE continues to position itself as a global convener committed to advancing evidence-based solutions for pressing public health challenges while fostering collaboration across borders and disciplines.”

Dr. S. Sudhindra, Pro Vice Chancellor , MAHE Dubai, said, “The decision to launch the global gathering at the Dubai campus reflects the UAE’s growing importance as a regional and global hub for healthcare research. We look forward to contributing to valuable discussions on academic responsibility that will help to develop and foster research of the highest caliber globally.”
 

Axel R. Pries, President of the World Health Summit, adds, “The increasing attacks on academic freedom and scientific institutions underline once more the importance of global solidarity among researchers. This Commission is an important step toward stronger international cooperation in health research to safeguard academic freedom and integrity.”
 

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education
The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.
 

About the WHS Academic Alliance
The WHS Academic Alliance (formerly M8 Alliance) is the scientific network of the World Health Summit, bringing together 30 leading academic institutions from all continents. The World Health Summit, founded by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in 2009, is the leading platform for global health, convening stakeholders from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society to set the agenda for a healthier future. Its flagship event, the annual World Health Summit, is complemented by regional meetings and year-round dialogue formats that link global strategies with regional perspectives. The WHS Academic Alliance fosters international and trans-sectoral collaboration, connects the scientific community to inform global health agendas, and supports evidence-based health policy and practice.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) recently participated as Knowledge Partner at the World Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine (RAPM) Day Workshop. With the objective of reinforcing patient-safety practices in Regional Anaesthesia, BD India/South Asia focused on enabling real-time, hands-on learning for clinicians to advanced spinal anaesthesia solutions and supporting faculty-led live training sessions with clinically relevant tools and resources.

Regional Anesthesia & Pain Management (RAPM) Workshop

A joint academic initiative of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) and Institute of Medical Sciences at Banaras Hindu University (IMS BHU), the workshop was organized with the aim to strengthen clinical competency in Ultrasound‑Guided Regional Anaesthesia (USGRA) through a high‑impact blend of scientific lectures, expert‑led demonstrations, and immersive hands‑on scanning sessions.

Delivered under the academic umbrella of ISA, AORA (Academy of Regional Anaesthesia of India), and ESRA (European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy), the workshop was attended by over 40 participants. Participants largely comprised of Postgraduate anaesthesia trainees, early-career anaesthesiologists, practicing clinicians seeking skill enhancement in RA, Members of ISA Varanasi and academic institutes. The workshop covered foundational ultrasound principles, postoperative pain management, and comprehensive scanning across upper limb, lower limb, truncal, and abdominal regional blocks

Dr. A.P. Singh, Head of Department for Anaesthesia from BHU Varanasi said, “We are delighted to have partnered with BD India for Scientific Knowledge for World RAPM Day Workshop. BD’s support through their advanced spinal needle and strong medication delivery solutions portfolio, significantly enriched the quality of our academic sessions. Their technology, integrated seamlessly into our hands‑on training modules, enabled participants to gain practical insights that will directly enhance clinical skills and strengthen patient-safety standards.”

Commenting on the RAPM day workshop, Atul Grover, Managing Director, BD India/South Asia said, “BD is proud to be a knowledge partner for the academic initiative spearheaded by Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists and IMS, BHU. We are committed to advancing patient safety and elevating anaesthesia practice across the country by strengthening continuous medical education through partnerships with esteemed medical institutions nationwide. In alignment with our purpose of advancing the world of health, this initiative aims to promote medication‑safety practices to reduce procedural errors and improve patient outcomes.”

About BD-India

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics, and the delivery of care. BD helps customers enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety, and expand access to health care.

Many people live for years with constant tiredness or a sense that everyday activities require more effort than they should. These signs are often brushed aside as part of ageing or a busy lifestyle. In some cases, however, the real issue lies in the heart—specifically a condition called Mitral Regurgitation, where a heart valve does not close properly and allows blood to flow backward, gradually affecting how efficiently the heart works.

Dr Manoj Kumar Agarwala, Senior Consultant Cardiologist & Endovascular Specialist and Director – Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

For a long time, open-heart surgery was considered the main solution. While effective, surgery is not suitable for everyone. Older adults, or those with other medical problems, are often told that the risks are simply too high. This is where newer treatment options have quietly changed the conversation. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair, commonly known as TEER, is a minimally invasive procedure that repairs the leaking valve through a thin tube passed from a blood vessel, without opening the chest or stopping the heart. By gently bringing the valve leaflets closer together, the heart is able to pump more efficiently, easing symptoms that patients live with every day. 

“Mitral regurgitation often progresses silently, and many patients adapt to symptoms like breathlessness or fatigue without realising their heart is under strain,” says Dr Manoj Kumar Agarwala, Senior Consultant Cardiologist & Endovascular Specialist and Director – Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. “Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair has changed how we approach these cases. By avoiding open-heart surgery, TEER allows us to treat high-risk or elderly patients safely, while significantly improving their quality of life. The goal is not just to fix the valve, but to help patients return to their everyday activities with greater comfort and confidence.”

What has been encouraging is how patients respond after the procedure. Many report breathing more comfortably, feeling less fatigued, and getting back to routine activities sooner than expected. Hospital stays are usually shorter, and recovery tends to be smoother compared to traditional surgery. Advances in TEER technology have also made the procedure more precise and predictable for heart teams. Better imaging and refined delivery systems help doctors tailor treatment to each patient’s heart structure, while careful evaluation ensures the right patients receive the right therapy. As awareness around heart valve disease grows, minimally invasive treatments like TEER are offering reassurance to patients who once had limited options. It represents a thoughtful step forward—focused not just on treatment, but on improving everyday life. 

India’s Union Budget 2026-27 has elicited strong reactions from industry leaders, particularly in services, technology, real estate and advisory sectors. Across responses, a common theme emerges: policymakers have sought to position India for long-term growth by strengthening digital infrastructure, enhancing the competitiveness of services and providing clarity on tax and regulatory frameworks. This approach signals a shift from short-term fiscal fixes to structural economic strategy.

Union Budget 2026

A central focus for technology and services executives is the Government’s prioritisation of the services sector as a key engine for national growth. In this context, Ankit Agarwal, Vice-Chairman and Non-Executive Director, Invenia-STL Networks, said, “The Union Budget 2026 firmly positions the services sector as a core growth engine of Viksit Bharat, reinforcing its role in driving economic growth, employment and exports.” This framing sets the tone for the broader industry reading of the Budget as a document aimed at delivering sustained structural progress rather than short-term stimulus.

For leaders in digital infrastructure, the Budget’s emphasis on foundational assets such as data centres and cloud capabilities has been welcomed. Reflecting this, Agarwal noted that “A clear emphasis on data centres recognises them as critical enablers of India’s digital growth and its ambitions in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital public infrastructure.” He further underscored that incentives aimed at strengthening this infrastructure will support India’s drive to attract foreign investment, enhance domestic innovation and build a credible foundation for future technologies.

From a broader technology strategy perspective, CP Gurnani, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of AIONOS, interpreted the Budget as signalling a decisive shift toward building strategic technological capability. He said, “Union Budget 2026 signals a decisive shift in how India is approaching technology, from adoption to strategic capability building.” Highlighting the emphasis on AI, semiconductors, cloud and data infrastructure, Gurnani noted that “Leadership in the digital economy is built bottom-up, starting with strong foundations.”

Gurnani emphasised that the Budget links technological ambition with inclusion and competitiveness, saying that aligning AI investments with skills development, workforce readiness and MSME enablement means that “Scale, inclusion and competitiveness must move together.” Notably, he pointed to initiatives such as “Bharat Vistar, which provides farmers local-language, data-driven crop guidance” and “The Centre of Excellence in AI for Education, which promotes research into AI tools for improving the quality of learning.” These examples illustrate how technology policy is being connected to real-world outcomes across sectors and regions.

Leaders in mobility and operational services also saw strategic value in the Budget’s broader agenda. Sriram Kannan, Founder and CEO, Routematic, observed that “Budget 2026 sends a strong signal on where India’s next phase of growth will come from, through sustained public capex, the creation of rare-earth magnet corridors to support EV and advanced manufacturing, and the proposed MSME Growth Fund to help smaller enterprises scale.” He noted that as manufacturing and services deepen in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, enterprises will increasingly focus on operational challenges such as employee mobility. Kannan stressed that organised, technology-enabled workforce mobility will be critical to ensure policy measures translate into productivity gains and workforce participation improvements.

The real estate industry responded positively to measures designed to unlock value and broaden investment channels. Hardeep Dayal, President – Commercial, Bhartiya Urban, described the Government’s introduction of dedicated REITs for CPSE assets as “An innovative step for India’s real estate and capital markets.” He explained that by unlocking value from under-utilised government property and recycling capital into new infrastructure, the Government has created “A transparent, market-driven pathway for investment.” Dayal said these reforms are expected to deepen liquidity, broaden the investor base and strengthen commercial real estate markets across India.

Finally, advisory professionals pointed to tax reforms that can support both domestic and global service engagement. CA Nidhi Goyal, Managing Director, Avinav Consulting and Partner, Nivesa Advisors LLP, said the Budget is “Setting a long term vision for India’s services sector; expanding its global market share; creating employment, analysing impact arising due to artificial intelligence and tax reforms for services sector such as tax certainty to BPO, clubbing of services under IT services with a common safe harbour margin of 15.5%.” Goyal described these measures as enhancing the appeal of India’s services ecosystem for both domestic and international players.

Taken together, reactions from across sectors indicate that Budget 2026 is being read as a strategic document focused on long-term competitiveness, structural capability building and inclusive growth. By combining digital infrastructure incentives, services tax clarity and capital-market reforms, the Budget sends a consistent signal that India is aiming to strengthen its position as a global hub for services, digital innovation and investment.