The excitement continued on Day 2 of the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 as global policymakers, industry leaders, economists and entrepreneurs convened to decode the next phase of global and Indian growth amid disruption, technological transformation and shifting geopolitics.

The day opened with a welcome address by Y Rama Rao, Senior Managing Director and CEO, Spark Capital, who set the tone for conversations on capital, confidence and long-term growth. This was followed by a special address by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, who highlighted India’s digital and infrastructure ambitions and the role of technology in shaping a future-ready economy. In a conversation with Sajeet Manghat, Senior Executive Editor, ET NOW & ET NOW Swadesh, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India, shared insights on connectivity, regional development and India’s evolving growth priorities.

He said, “India is in the middle of a digital revolution powered by data, connectivity and homegrown technology. With over 900 million broadband users and some of the lowest data costs globally, digital platforms like UPI and ONDC are driving nationwide economic participation. India has built its own 4G stack, achieved one of the world’s fastest 5G rollouts, and is now shaping global 6G standards through the Bharat 6G Alliance. Our goal is clear- to turn the digital divide into a digital dividend and position India as a global leader in next-generation telecom and digital infrastructure.”

A key highlight of the day was the focus on Ease of Doing Business 3.0, with discussions centred on how Maharashtra can accelerate its journey towards a $1 trillion state economy. Industry leaders, including Rahul Guha, Managing Director and CEO, API Holdings, Sandeep Varaganti, CEO, JioMart (Reliance Retail), discussed the progress made in government access and time-bound approvals, while flagging persistent challenges such as land availability, zoning clarity and overlapping compliances, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Deependra Singh Khuswah, IAS, Development Commissioner (Industries) and Chairman, MAITRI, outlined the state’s reforms aimed at shifting from a regulator-led approach to a facilitator-driven model, with a focus on single-window clearances, digitized approvals and lifecycle-based policy design to improve speed, certainty and enterprise confidence.

Urbanisation and the future of cities emerged as another central theme, with global leaders calling for a shift from reactive urban management to predictive and people-centred governance. Dr Debolina Kundu, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, cited UN World Urbanization Prospects 2025 data, noting that more than 81% of the global population is now urban under revised methodologies. She highlighted that Asia and Africa will drive future urban growth, with New Delhi projected to overtake Tokyo as the world’s largest urban agglomeration by 2030. At the same time, more than 3,000 cities globally have experienced population decline, including a significant share in India, underscoring the need to manage both expansion and contraction.

Prof. Jung-hoon (John) Lee, Former Honorary Mayor of Seoul and Professor at Yonsei University, discussed Seoul’s transition from a technology-driven smart city model to a people-centric approach, leveraging AI-based predictive governance and integrated data systems. Madam Norliza Hashim, CEO, Urbanice Malaysia, Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia, outlined Malaysia’s National Urbanization Policy and sustainable cities framework, highlighting the integration of climate, sustainability and governance frameworks across urban centres.

Private sector leaders shared insights on sustainability and technology-led urban infrastructure. K. Ganesh, Director, Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, highlighted initiatives such as groundwater restoration and urban water programs across multiple cities. Dr Nilesh Purey, Chief Technology Officer, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), showcased GIFT City’s integrated infrastructure model, including district cooling, automated waste systems, zero water discharge, green cover initiatives, IoT-enabled infrastructure and AI-based citizen services, positioning it as a blueprint for future smart cities.

Artificial intelligence and innovation formed a major pillar of Day 2 discussions, with industry leaders examining AI’s transformative impact on enterprises and society. A panel on AI and innovation explored how AI is reshaping productivity across insurance, healthcare, agriculture and supply chains, enabling faster claims processing, personalised healthcare and improved crop predictions. Panelists highlighted challenges such as limited primary data in agriculture and high data processing costs, while emphasising that AI should complement human judgement rather than replace it. Speakers also discussed the rapid evolution of AI systems and the need for robust governance frameworks as AI moves closer to human-like intelligence.

Cultural and business conversations also added a distinct perspective to the summit. Actor Abhishek Bachchan highlighted the importance of authenticity in brand endorsements, noting that he only associates with products he genuinely believes in and personally uses. He also reflected on India’s shift from “Make in India” to “Built for India,” underscoring the growing focus on innovation and trust in homegrown products.

Day 2 of the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 highlighted a convergence of policy, technology and urban transformation narratives. From accelerating regulatory reforms and building trillion-dollar state economies to designing future-ready cities and embedding responsibility into AI systems, the summit reinforced the need for predictive governance, digital infrastructure and human-centric innovation as India and the world navigate a decade of disruption and a century of change.

• EBITDA of Rs. 2,396 Mn in Q3 FY26, up by 36.0% YoY

• PAT of Rs. 1,932 Mn in Q3 FY26, up by 36.8% YoY

Balu Forge Industries Ltd. (the “Company” or “BFIL”) (BSE: 531112 | NSE: BALUFORGE), a leading precision engineering and manufacturing company, has announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended 31st December 2025.

Consolidated Financial Performance:

Consolidated 9M FY26 Revenue from Operations by End – User Industry:

Balu Forge Industries Reports Strong Q3 FY26 Performance

Commenting on the performance, Mr. Jaspal Singh Chandock, Chairman & Managing Director of BFIL stated: “In 9M FY26, the Company reported revenue from operations of Rs. 8,438 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 29.0%, driven by sustained demand momentum. EBITDA for the quarter was Rs. 2,396 million, with a year-on-year growth of 36.1%, with a margin of 28.4%, reflecting stable cost structures and operating leverage benefits, while profit after tax was Rs. 1,932 million, translating into a PAT margin of 22.6%. The performance underscores disciplined execution, margin resilience, and the ongoing strengthening of Balu Forge’s integrated manufacturing platform.

During the quarter, we successfully operationalised a set of high-impact strategic assets that position the Company for sustained growth over the next decade. Our newly commissioned precision machining facility has now been fully commercialised, equipped with advanced 7-Axis and 11-Axis CNC machining lines. This capability enables us to manufacture highly complex components from specialised alloys with micron-level accuracy, decisively moving Balu Forge up the value chain and strengthening our role in mission-critical applications.

In parallel, we have commercialised our dedicated artillery shell production line, with a specific focus on the high-demand 155mm large calibre. This represents a significant milestone in our defence manufacturing journey and reinforces our commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by building indigenous capabilities in a strategically critical segment.

These operational achievements have already translated into meaningful external validation. During the quarter, Balu Forge was formally inducted into the NATO Supply Chain, an endorsement that reflects our adherence to the highest global quality, compliance, and reliability standards, and one that opens access to some of the world’s most demanding defence markets.

This external recognition, along with the Company’s requisite manufacturing infrastructure and operational capability, reinforces our position to support long-term supply programs and maintain the capacity to service engagements for up to five years. With advanced precision machining facilities and production lines, Balu Forge is well equipped to meet both current and future demands efficiently.

In summary, Q3 was the quarter in which our strategic investments were converted into operational assets, global credentials, and expansion initiatives. With these foundations firmly in place, Balu Forge is now positioned on a trajectory of scalable and sustainable growth in defence and other critical segments.”

About Balu Forge Industries

Balu Forge Industries Limited, founded by Mr. Prehlad Singh Chandock, is a leading Indian precision engineering company delivering forged and machined components across multiple global industries. The company offers a comprehensive product portfolio ranging from 1 kg to 1,000 kg and up to 3 meters in length, supporting diverse applications in automotive, industrial vehicles, earthmoving equipment, wind energy, aerospace, defence, oil and gas, railways, marine, and agriculture. Its operations include fully integrated forging and machining capabilities, with advanced manufacturing facilities in Belgaum, Karnataka, spread over a 46+ acre campus. Equipped with high-capacity hydraulic hammers and forging presses, and supported by a dedicated in- house tool room, metallurgical labs, and CNC machining units, Balu Forge ensures consistent precision and quality. The company’s strategy is driven by innovation, with a specialized R&D division focusing on new materials and rapid prototyping. Strategic initiatives emphasize expanding defence production, enhancing automation, and strengthening global partnerships. With a strong focus on operational scalability, customer diversification, and ESG commitments, Balu Forge continues to strengthen its global footprint and industry positioning.

For more details, please visit: www.baluindustries.com

Disclaimer

This investor release is not an offer to sell any securities or a solicitation to buy any securities of Balu Forge Industries Limited (the “company”) or its subsidiaries (together with the company, the “group”). Certain statements in this document may be forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, ” estimates”,” anticipates”, ” projects”, ” expects”, ” intends”, ” may”, ” will”,” or ” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, aims, objectives, goals, future events or intention. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties like government actions, local political or economic developments, technological risks, and many other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance including those relating to general business plans and strategy of the Company, its future outlook and growth prospects, and future developments in its businesses and its competitive and regulatory environment. No representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is made or assurance given that such statements, views, projections or forecasts, if any, are correct or that the objectives of the Company will be achieved. The Company assumes no responsibility to publicly amend, modify or revise any forward-looking statements, on the basis of any subsequent development, information or events, or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated in this Investor Release, the information contained herein is based on management information and estimates. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice and past performance is not indicative of future results. Balu Forge will not be in any way responsible for any action taken based on such statements and undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward- looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

At a recent Broccoli Consumption Conference held in Mumbai, voices from across food, health, sports, and agriculture came together to talk about something refreshingly simple: eating better, every day. The discussions focused on preventive nutrition, the importance of vegetables in daily diets, and how smarter food choices can improve public health while also supporting farmers.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor with Sakata Seed Team

Held under the theme “From Soil to Soul, From Farm to Fork: Daily Broccoli, a Treasure of Health,” the conference looked at how simple, wholesome foods can play a meaningful role in addressing lifestyle-related health issues and building more sustainable food systems.

The event saw participation from several renowned dignitaries and celebrities, including Padma Shri awardee and celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, former Indian Cricket Captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth, and Model, nutritionist and wellness expert Claudia Ciesla, who shared valuable insights on food, health, and innovation.

Former Indian Cricket Captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth with Sakata Seed Team

Sharing his expert insights, celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor highlighted broccoli’s growing acceptance and versatility in Indian kitchens. “Broccoli is no longer exotic or expensive. It is local, nutritious, visually appealing, and extremely versatile. The time for broccoli has truly come,” he said. He emphasized the importance of celebrating vegetables to encourage healthier eating habits and noted that greater awareness and use would make such ingredients even more accessible and affordable for Indian households.

Nutritionist and wellness expert Claudia Ciesla

Former Indian Cricket Captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth drew parallels between sports and life, speaking about fearlessness, innovation, and embracing healthier food choices. “Just like cricket, progress comes from taking bold decisions. Broccoli was once considered exotic, but innovation and awareness can make it part of every Indian plate,” he said. He also shared his personal experience of regularly including broccoli in his diet and spoke about the rising focus on fitness and nutrition among Indians today.

In addition to that Nutritionist and wellness expert Claudia Ciesla also emphasized the value of returning to real, whole foods and moving away from processed diets. “Good health does not come from fancy products or shortcuts. It comes from simple, real food choices we make every day. Broccoli is an affordable, locally grown vegetable that delivers powerful nutrition for long-term health,” she said. She further highlighted India’s paradox of overeating while remaining malnourished and stressed that fiber-rich vegetables can play a crucial role in preventing lifestyle diseases, improving gut health, and supporting women’s nutrition.

Cooking Competition Adds a Culinary Dimension

A major highlight of the conference was the Broccoli Cooking Contest, which brought broccoli’s culinary potential to life. The competition was judged by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, adding credibility and inspiration to the showcase.

Home chefs from across the country presented innovative recipes, with winning dishes including Broccoli Bomb & Broccoli Paratha, Triple Broccoli Homos Bite Side Punch and Steamed Broccoli Cupcake. Other noteworthy creations such as broccoli chutney, stuffed broccoli with cheese, Florentine pasta with broccoli, and broccoli soup demonstrated the vegetable’s versatility across cuisines.

A Step Towards Healthier Living

The conference aligned with national initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the link between healthy food choices, sustainable farming, and public well-being.

By combining expert insights, celebrity participation, and culinary creativity, the event reinforced that simple, everyday foods can play a powerful role in building a healthier and more resilient India.

For more updates, visit our website at broccolilovers.com and follow us on Instagram: @broccoliloversindia

MicroSave Consulting (MSC) convened a high-level pre-summit event in New Delhi focused on practical pathways to scale climate-resilient agriculture using artificial intelligence (AI) anchored in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The discussion brought together policymakers, development partners, technology leaders, and practitioners to move from fragmented pilots to sustained public delivery at scale.

Srivalli Krishnan, Deputy Director, Agricultural Development, Gates Foundation; Kunjbihari Daga, Partner, Centre for Responsible Technologies, MSC and Gauri Bandekar, Advisor, Royal Norwegian Embassy

Mitul Thapliyal, Managing Partner, MicroSave Consulting, framed climate impacts as a seasonal reality for farmers and noted that farmers often recognise changing conditions without using the vocabulary of climate change, creating a translation gap that can limit uptake of climate-focused solutions.

Hemendra Mathur, Venture Partner, Bharat Innovation Fund and Co-founder, ThinkAg, emphasised that Indian agriculture is data-rich and highly complex, and that AI will deliver scale only if systems can connect across registries with compliant data sharing and privacy safeguards. C. V. Madhukar, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Develop, cautioned that not every pilot merits scale, and that responsible adoption requires clear scale criteria, federated-first data governance that avoids both silos and risky centralisation, and trust safeguards across both technology and institutions.

Discussions on private-sector innovation highlighted that AI services must be built around farmer realities to be adopted and sustained. Neeraj Huddar, Product Manager and GTM Lead, Digital Public Infrastructure, Google India, emphasised that scalable AI needs shared digital rails with clear protocols, secure access, verifiable credentials, audit logs, and feedback and grievance pathways, with data quality and provenance as the most sensitive requirements. Nidhi Bhasin, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Green Trust, shared lessons from scaling voice-first farmer advisory, noting that adoption at scale depends on trust, localisation, and continuous feedback loops, especially for women farmers who face access barriers but sustain strong engagement once onboarded through trusted channels.

The conversation also focused on what it takes for states to move from digitisation to AI readiness. Kirti Pandey, Country Engagement Partner, Centre for Open Societal Systems (COSS), noted that AI readiness requires advisory and market information to be published in consistent, machine-readable formats aligned to shared protocols, so services can be integrated on common rails rather than rebuilt state by state. Jagadish Babu, Chief Operating Officer, EkStep Foundation, emphasised that institutions are the trust anchors in public systems, and that APIs are institutional commitments, requiring AI layers to fit government workflows and accountability.

Navin Bhushan, Partner, MicroSave Consulting, reflected on implementation lessons from Bihar Krishi, including the importance of unifying farmer-facing services, strengthening system reliability as schemes evolve, and building institutional ownership and review mechanisms that sustain delivery beyond a single pilot cycle.

In the closing session on India and the Global South, Srivalli Krishnan, Deputy Director, Agricultural Development (Asia), the Gates Foundation, emphasised AI’s potential to reduce information asymmetry for small and marginal farmers by enabling voice-based access, timelier advisories, and lower-cost service delivery. She also noted that reuse and replication depend on clear value for the next adopting state or institution and on breaking data silos across departments to enable integrated services.

Other participants included Siddharth Chaturvedi, Senior Program Officer, Agricultural Development (Asia), the Gates Foundation; Jatin Singh, Founder and Managing Director, Skymet Weather Services Pvt. Ltd.; Poorna Pushkala Chandrasekaran, Chief Executive Officer, Samunnati Foundation; Gauri Bandekar, Advisor, Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi; Vikash Kumar Sinha, Associate Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability, MicroSave Consulting; Kunbihari Daga, Partner, Centre for Responsible Technologies, MicroSave Consulting; and Rahul Agrawal, Partner, Agriculture and Food Systems, MicroSave Consulting.

About MSC

MSC is a global inclusion consulting firm that works with governments, providers, and innovators to enable social, financial, and economic inclusion for everyone in the digital age. Its local teams in 70+ countries bring practical expertise across finance, technology, agriculture, and social protection.

Every February 14, the world celebrates the beauty of connection and the power of shared values. In the realm of health, this synergy is the very foundation of nirā balance a movement born from the belief that true wellness requires a perfect harmony between science and nutrition. While many see Valentine’s Day through the lens of romance, the story of nirā balance is one of purposeful collaboration.

Co-Founders nirā balance Ritesh Bawri & Dimple Bawri

The brand’s transformative approach was forged when nirā balance co-founder couple Ritesh and Dimple Bawri identified a critical gap in the wellness industry that shifted the focus from temporary fixes to long-term vitality. By combining scientific inquiry with expert nutritional strategy, nirā balance has evolved from a personal mission into a success story of holistic health.

Ritesh mentions an incident, a turning point in his life, which changed everything. He said during a dinner in the United States, a professor looked at me and said, “You are going to die!” The remark felt abrupt, but medical tests soon confirmed that his health was declining fast. Years of neglect had taken their toll, placing him at risk far earlier than he had imagined. 

He recalls, “At 38, I had achieved what society considers success: I was a fourth-generation business leader with multiple ventures and financial independence. Yet, despite my accomplishments, my health was deteriorating. I faced metabolic dysfunction, chronic fatigue, and early signs of cardiovascular disease. While the best doctors offered medications, my journey was about discovering the root causes of my challenges and reclaiming my vitality.”

Ritesh decided to radically rebuild his routine from the ground up, focusing on healthy meals, regular movement, and consistent sleep. The results were measurable. He shed excess weight, brought chronic conditions such as Type II diabetes, hypertension, hyperacidity, asthma, and insomnia under control, and recovered the stamina he thought he had lost. Determined to understand the science behind his recovery, Ritesh studied nutrition, cellular biology, and preventive health, and pursued certifications in physiology from Harvard Medical School and nutrition from Tufts University School of Medicine.

Dimple, his wife, played a crucial role in his journey, contributing significantly to what would later be called nirā balance. This approach now incorporates personalised nutrition frameworks that promote metabolic balance, sustained energy, and consistent health outcomes. With her keen aesthetic sense, eye for design, and natural empathy, Dimple ensured that the impact and appeal of nirā balance went beyond mere charts and lab reports.

She explains, “I have been an artist, and creativity comes naturally to me, so when we embarked on this journey being foodies boring food was never a choice. Nutrition is often viewed as all about strict diets and boring foods. I wanted to completely change that notion by showing how healthy eating can be fun and flavorful. I started experimenting at the ingredient level and curating recipes you look forward to eating, keeping nutrition, culture, and preferences in mind, making it effortless to follow. So simple that all you got to do is eat.” 

Together, they built nirā balance around a simple principle: care should feel personal, effortless, and evidence-based. Their earlier venture, BreatheAgain, established the foundation by providing structured guidance and close follow-ups to clients across different regions, paving the way for nirā balance.

Today, nirā balance integrates diagnostic precision with time-tested practices, tailoring plans to each individual’s needs. Ritesh leads science and systems with empathy, while Dimple shapes the experience and daily rituals that make change sustainable and effortless. In this way, their story embodies the spirit of Valentine’s Day. It goes beyond just flowers and gestures; it is about being there for one another and pursuing shared dreams every day. For Ritesh and Dimple, a second chance at health gave them a greater purpose, and today they inspire many others not just to get healthier but to live with purpose.

Conscious greetings on the sacred occasion of Mahasivratri Grand Night — The Great Vigil of Leadership. The World Yogi Day movement is proud to announce a series of transformative programs led by Nandhiji, designed to deepen awareness and foster conscious leadership during this sacred window of time.

Maha Sivratri 2026 – Leadership Of Consciousness

Mahasivratri is the night of Turiya, the field of stillness beyond time, where awareness deepens, perception clarifies, and the mind gently yields to higher intelligence. It is a sacred opportunity to transcend inner limitations and rediscover the natural state of centered presence. Not merely a ritual observance, Mahasivratri is a vigil of heightened awareness where stillness intensifies, distractions lose their hold, and consciousness becomes more accessible. In this sacred space, leadership is refined at its true source — inner clarity.

Event Schedule and Participation Details:

• MAHASIVRATRI GRAND NIGHT: The Great Vigil of Leadership

• 15 February: 8:00 PM – 6:00 AM (Next Day) PST

• 16 February: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM IST

Register : MAHASIVRATRI: GRAND NIGHT OF LORD SIVA- FIVE EVENTS WITH NANDHIJI

Complementing this journey, the 108 Kshetras of Lord Siva, traditionally associated with pilgrimage, are contemplated as inner landscapes of awareness. Within subtle traditions of insight, they symbolise dimensions of transformation, discipline, transcendence, and awakened spiritual power.

Participants will have access to unique resources, including:

• 108 One minute wisdom videos: Siddha Wisdom Blessings

• Master Class with Nandhiji: Power of the Root Chakra, Pranayama, Mantra Deeksha, and Siddha Wisdom

• Kalangi Kundalini Yoga DVD: For vitality, clarity, and spiritual power

• Additional: Video recordings of Mahasivratri 2026

Across time zones and traditions, we gather in a shared vigil of awareness, honouring Siddha wisdom while deepening clarity, responsibility, and conscious leadership. May this sacred night awaken stillness, strength, and luminous perception within us all.

For more information and to register for these events, please visit www.worldyogiday.org.