Gurugram, April 14, 2025: RITES Limited, a leading transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering firm, has entered into a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DP World, a leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, to explore potential opportunities for collaboration in the development of trade, logistics, and infrastructure projects. The MoU aims to foster mutual collaboration by exploring joint opportunities in infrastructure development, including ports, multimodal logistics parks, free trade zones, rail connectivity projects, and logistics infrastructure services.

 Signed in the esteemed presence of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE; Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, along with Shri Rahul Mithal, Chairman & Managing Director of RITES Limited, and other distinguished dignitaries during the ‘CEO-Connect: Dubai-India Economic Ties & Opportunities’ in Mumbai on Tuesday, this MoU will foster collaboration in the areas of infrastructure development and trade between India and the UAE.

The Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC), launched in September 2024, is supported by MAITRI, a digital platform being developed with RITES. The VTC integrates customs, logistics, and regulatory processes into a single, seamless digital system to simplify and accelerate trade between the two nations. Since its launch, strategic workshops in India and the UAE have led to key decisions, paving the way for development of the proof of concept of the VTC using ports on both the sides such as Nhava Sheva, Deendayal, and Jebel Ali.

Commenting on the MoU, Mr. Rahul Mithal, Chairman and Managing Director, RITES Limited, said, “It is an alliance of like-minded entities, bringing together experience, expertise, and a rich legacy. By leveraging our collective strengths and resources, we are poised to create transformative synergies across key infrastructure projects, furthering our initiative to expand the footprints of ‘RITES Videsh’.”

Mr. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & CEO, DP World, said: “This partnership with RITES Limited marks a significant milestone in our journey towards enhancing trade and infrastructure development between India and the UAE. By leveraging the power of public-private collaboration and our combined expertise, we will bring innovation and efficiency to trade corridor development creating diversified trade routes that build resilience and unlock opportunities for everyone.”

IIM Bodh Gaya conducted a Management Development Programme (MDP) for 38 DySPs Probationers from the Bihar Police Academy in two phases from April 1 to April 12, 2025. The programme was designed to equip newly appointed officers, selected through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), with key management, leadership, and behavioral competencies necessary for effective policing in an evolving administrative landscape.

The programme was held under the guidance of Dr. Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya. Dr. Sahay addressed the officers, highlighting the role of DySPs in maintaining law and order and building community trust. She spoke on the growing importance of ethical decision-making, time-bound leadership, and interdepartmental coordination in law enforcement.

The MDP was conducted under the oversight of Dr. Amit Srivastava, Chairperson, Executive Education & Consultancy, and coordinated by Dr. Vishal Ashok Wankhede and Prof. Sajan Pookkodan. The programme included classroom sessions, assessments, and field visits. Faculty members covered topics such as goal setting, decision-making, leadership, crisis communication, data use, and social media.

Phase one of the programme was held at the IIM Bodh Gaya campus from April 1 to April 5, 2025, and included sessions on time management, crisis leadership, human behavior, collaboration, and media communication. Officers also visited Vishnupad Temple and Mahabodhi Temple, linking heritage and resilience to values such as empathy, discipline, and ethical leadership.

The second phase, conducted at the Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir, from April 7 to April 12, 2025, included sessions on ethics in public service, budgeting, citizen service delivery, quality management, and behavioral insights. It concluded with sessions on stakeholder engagement, public programme prototyping, and brainstorming exercises.

The MDP was attended by senior officials from the Bihar Police Academy, including Shri Sushil Kumar, IPS, Assistant Director, Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir, who participated in the inaugural session. He highlighted the programme’s relevance for capacity building and noted that structured training is essential for developing proactive and community-oriented officers in the Bihar Police force.

This MDP was one of 125 conducted by IIM Bodh Gaya in the current academic year, through which over 8,200 officers have been trained from departments including WRD, BIPARD, Bihar Fire Training Academy, State Health Society Bihar, IOCL, HPCL, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, BAMETI, and the Directorate of Industrial Development. The programme reaffirms IIM Bodh Gaya’s dedication to nurturing future-ready leadership in India’s administrative and policing ecosystem.

New Delhi, 14 April 2025: Shalimar Paints, a legacy brand with over 120 years in the Indian paint industry, hosted an exclusive, invite-only event in Delhi for its painter community and influencer partners. The evening brought together painters, paint influencers, and the community members for a series of interactive activities, contests, merchandise giveaways, and special schemes on Shalimar products—creating a unique moment of connection and appreciation. The event was part of Shalimar Paints’ ongoing association with Mumbai Indians as their Official Paint Partner for the 2025 season. Through this partnership, the brand aims to connect with younger audiences, modern painters, and consumers through interactive online and on-ground initiatives.

The event offered a vibrant mix of food and beverages, engaging contests and games, complimentary Mumbai Indians x Shalimar Paints merchandise, and exclusive product offers, underscoring the brand’s dedication to upskilling and deepening personal connections at the grassroots level.

Speaking about the initiative, Kuldip Raina, Director, Shalimar Paints said, “Our community of painters is at the core of everything we do, and this event is our way of acknowledging their contributions while bringing them closer to the brand in a fun and memorable way. This partnership with Mumbai Indians allows us to create fresh and exciting experiences for this community, especially the new generation of painters and consumers.” He added, “Shalimar Paints, as a brand, is known for its excellence, stability, and dependability, much like the Mumbai Indians, who are renowned for their all-around play and spirit of competition. This partnership brings together two champion brands, each with a legacy of impact and a focus on performance, by building deeper, long-term connections through shared passion.”

To this, Varun Malik, Head of Marketing, Shalimar Paints, added, “The event was a unique platform to celebrate the painter community that forms the backbone of our business. As a caring brand, we see this as an opportunity not just for engagement, but also to upskill painters and educate them on using the best products available. This was not just a branding opportunity but a channel to drive real-world engagement, build loyalty, and deliver experiences with our consumers, influencers, channel partners and entire Mumbai Indians fanbase. This is only the beginning.”

With a strong focus on grassroots engagement, Shalimar Paints remains committed to strengthening its connection with key stakeholders. The brand will continue to roll out similar engagement events in cities including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Patna, Kolkata, Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur and others, ensuring sustained community involvement and brand affinity throughout the season and beyond.

Kolkata, 12th April, 2025: Ei Samay Deepti 2025 found its winner with Ms Rituparna Das from Kolkata taking home the coveted crown, presented by none other than the face of Deepti, superstar Ms Subhashree Ganguly. The Grand Finale, held at JW Marriott, Kolkata, also saw Ms Tithi Bandopadhyay from Barrackpore – North 24 Parganas announced as the first runner-up, while Ms Arfin Yasmin from Burdwan was named the second runner-up.

As the face of Deepti 2025, Ms. Ganguly’s remarkable journey from Burdwan to becoming a leading name in the Bengali film industry beautifully echoed the core ethos of Deepti — that dreams truly know no boundaries. The star-studded event was a spectacular celebration of talent, elegance, and empowerment, graced by an esteemed panel of judges and notable personalities.

Besides, Ms Ganguly, the other jury members included actress Priyanka Sarkar, actor Arjun Chakraborty, director Pratim D. Gupta, actress Alexandra Taylor, eminent photographer Somnath Roy, designer Sandeep Jaiswal, casting director Sandeep Chattopadhyay, actress Paean Sarkar, and entrepreneur Pratibha Dudhoria.

The journey began with preliminary registrations across various city colleges, eventually drawing over 3,000 participants as Deepti expanded its reach beyond Kolkata for the first time, introducing district-level auditions in four zones—North Bengal, Burdwan, Midnapore, and Kolkata. Out of thousands of hopefuls, 20 exceptional finalists selected through four competitive zonal audition rounds by the distinguished jury comprising Paean Sarkar, Sandeep Jaiswal, and Sandeep Chattopadhyay. The finalists were groomed intensively by Ms. Ushoshi Sengupta, Femina Miss India Universe 2010, who mentored them in ramp walk, etiquette, and personality development.

Since its inception in 2014, Ei Samay Deepti has evolved into more than just a beauty pageant—it has become a transformative platform celebrating the modern Indian woman, seamlessly blending beauty, intelligence, and individuality. This year marked a significant milestone. The initiative welcomed women aged 18 to 35 from varied walks of life, including students, professionals, homemakers, and entrepreneurs, to express themselves and embrace their dreams on a larger stage.

Winners of Ei Samay Deepti 2025 will be receiving exclusive opportunities to work with Hoichoi, SVF Music, and SVF Talent, creating a direct gateway to the entertainment industry and enabling them to transform their aspirations into reality.

Chandigarh, April 12^th, 2025 – JSW Paints, India’s leading environment-friendly paints company and part of the US$ 24 billion JSW Group, is set to launch a new campaign for IPL 2025 – Rangon Ka Khel 2.0. Building on the success of the previous campaign, the new edition elevates the cinematic and celebratory experience with a blend of colour, community spirit and iconic faces. Conceptualised by TBWA\India, the anthem embodies the vibrant spirit of cricket.

The film begins on a familiar note, with a gully cricket match among a group of children. The match takes an exciting turn with the unexpected arrival of cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Mithali Raj. What follows is a visual spectacle of transformation. With the anthem ‘Rangon Ka Khel Hai’ at its heartbeat, the film captures children, adults and cricket icons uniting to repaint a neighbourhood with colours representing different IPL and WPL teams. Inspired by JSW Paints’ diverse range, the anthem embodies the spirit of joy, togetherness, and the emotions that make the game truly spectacular.

JSW Paints has partnered with eight teams across Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL). This marks one of the biggest brand association for JSW Paints, featuring partnerships with eight teams including JSW Group’s co-owned Delhi Capitals (DC), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), along with three WPL teams, Gujarat Giants, Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz.

Commenting on the campaign, Sundaresan A S, Joint MD & CEO of JSW Paints, said, “Cricket today is an energising festival of colours & emotions. With ‘Rangon Ka Khel 2.0,’ we aim to capture this essence, reinforcing our connection with millions of cricket fans. With cricket legends, community spirit and our vibrant range, we wanted to capture how colours can thoughtfully turn any space into something beautiful.” 

Ashish Rai, Chief Business Officer, JSW Paints, added, “At JSW Paints, we believe that cricket has the power to inspire and bring people together. Our expanded partnership with IPL and WPL teams this year reflects our commitment to connect with fans on a deeper level. ‘Rangon Ka Khel 2.0’ is not just a campaign, it’s a celebration of the passion, energy and unity that cricket and colours create together.”

Govind Pandey, CEO, TBWA\India, added, “Rival colours light up the field, but the colour of love for the game never changes – spreading the spirit of celebration to every home. This anthem celebrates cricket’s magic – vivid, vibrant, and unifying. The film’s theme is also a gentle reminder that when we choose to ‘Think Beautiful’, even the impossible begins to bloom into possibility.”

Russell Barrett, CCO, TBWA\India, said, “Our campaign brings together the energy of IPL, the excitement of cricket fans, and the unifying spirit of the game. ‘Rangon Ka Khel 2.0’ is an evolution of our celebration of the passion and unity that cricket brings and we are thrilled to take this journey forward with an even bigger presence in IPL 2025.”

New Delhi, 11^th April 2025 – Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading authority in project management, has released its Pulse of the Profession® 2025 report, titled ‘Boosting Business Acumen’. The newly launched report is a comprehensive global study that underscores business acumen as the next great differentiator in project management. Building on previous editions focused on Power Skills (2023) and Ways of Working (2024), this report explores the strategic role of business acumen—an essential capability for driving successful projects and elevating project management careers.

The global study surveyed 2,841 project professionals, including 199 respondents from South Asia, and reveals that project managers with high business acumen will transform from tactical troubleshooters into strategic partners who drive organizational value. The report found that 66% of project professionals possess moderate business acumen, excelling in stakeholder management and team dynamics. The report found that 66% of project professionals demonstrate moderate business acumen—showing proficiency in a solid foundation of 4–6 core skills and applying 3–4 tactics to overcome project roadblocks, but not yet consistently connecting project execution to broader strategic goals.

As per the report, project professionals with high business acumen evolve into strategic partners to the organization by transitioning from reactive problem-solving to proactive anticipation, engaging stakeholders early, aligning with business priorities, and taking ownership beyond execution to drive strategic outcomes. Furthermore, they measure success beyond traditional scope, schedule, and budget, incorporating metrics like customer satisfaction, strategic alignment, and ESG impact to ensure both short-term delivery and long-term value creation.

Additionally, project professionals with high business acumen demonstrably outperform their peers in key project performance indicators, with 83% meeting business objectives compared to 78% of other respondents, achieving better budget adherence (73% vs. 68%) and schedule compliance (63% vs. 59%), and experiencing lower rates of project failure (8% vs. 11%).

Currently, only 18% of project professionals exhibit high business acumen, highlighting a critical need for individual and organizational investment, paving the way for continuous learning. Targeted training can unlock untapped potential, leading to more informed decisions and improved resource allocation. Developing this competency is essential to move beyond tactical problem-solving and drive superior project outcomes.

Amit Goyal, Regional Managing Director for South Asia at PMI, said, “As India embarks on an ambitious growth trajectory across diverse sectors, the need to master business acumen becomes paramount for project success. The Pulse of the Profession® 2025 Report underscores this, demonstrating that project management professionals with strong business understanding significantly enhance project outcomes. This aligns seamlessly with the government’s skilling initiatives, which aim to empower a workforce capable of navigating the complexities of modern projects. By fostering business acumen within our project management talent pool, we can effectively drive India’s transformative growth agenda.”

The report provides practical guidance for project professionals and organizations looking to build their business acumen capabilities. The report states that organizations must invest in structured learning (coaching, mentoring, training) and prioritize business acumen in hiring and mentorship. While stakeholder management remains foundational, developing financial acumen and industry knowledge is crucial for innovation, risk management, and strategic alignment.

The PMI Pulse of the Profession® 2025 report urges project professionals to embrace diverse learning opportunities to become strategic partners, driving organizational growth in a disruptive global landscape. Improved business acumen enhances decision-making, performance measurement, and overall project success.

Faridabad: The Haryana Government’s ‘Cyclothon 2.0’ campaign—dedicated to make a drug-free state—arrived in Faridabad and received an enthusiastic reception at World Street by Omaxe. The event witnessed the presence of the Omaxe team, Faridabad Police, and a large gathering of local residents who warmly welcomed the cyclists.

The atmosphere was vibrant with cultural performances that added energy and excitement to the event. This inspiring journey, which began in Hisar, is passing through various districts across the state. On April 11, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naib Singh Saini flagged off the next leg of the cyclothon from Faridabad to Gurugram. The campaign’s core mission is to encourage the youth to steer clear of drugs and embrace a healthier, more responsible way of life.

Mr. Mohit Goyal, Managing Director, Omaxe Limited, extended his congratulations to all the participating cyclists. “This campaign is truly commendable. It is imperative for the youth to stay drug-free, as they are the pillars of our nation’s future. Only a healthy and aware young generation can build a strong and prosperous India. At Omaxe, we have always supported causes that contribute to societal well-being, and we remain committed to the holistic development of both the state and the nation,” he said.

The event was graced by several dignitaries including Haryana Food Supply and Consumer Affairs Minister Shri Rajesh Nagar, BJP Faridabad District President Mr. Pankaj Poojan Rampal, IG CID Mr. Pankaj Nain, IAS officers Mr. Vikram Singh (Deputy Commissioner), Mr. Sahil Gupta (Additional Deputy Commissioner), HCS officer Mrs. Shikha (SDM Faridabad), and DCP Traffic Mrs. Jasleen Kaur, along with Mr. Shravan Govil (Business Head, Omaxe Limited) and Mr. Rajneesh Pabbi (OSD, Omaxe Limited).

World Street by Omaxe has emerged as Faridabad’s premier retail and lifestyle destination. Known for its European-style architecture and vibrant ambiance, it offers a curated mix of cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Beyond commerce, it has become a hub for cultural and community engagement in the city.