New Delhi/Mumbai February 01, 2025: The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) today welcomed the Union Budget 2025-26 presented by the Honourable Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman. The Budget presents a commendable vision for India’s economic growth emphasising rural and urban development, increased infrastructure investment, employment led growth and strategic investments in people, economy, and innovation.

Commenting on the Budget, Mr Neeraj Akhoury, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) and Managing Director, Shree Cement Limited, stated, “CMA hails the Union Budget, announced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its comprehensive focus on holistic and inclusive development. The Budget reinforces a transformative journey towards building a resilient economy for advancing India’s development goals. The various initiatives announced by the Government balance people’s aspirations with the future requirements for the Country’s economic growth. The focus on increased investments on infrastructure across States amplifies opportunities and avenues for the growth of the Cement sector. We appreciate the sustained core focus on infrastructure and reiterate our commitment to being partners in Nation’s progress.

The increased spending on large scale housing and infrastructure projects will drive demand for construction materials allowing capacity expansion and promotion of innovation in sustainable practices. We are certain that despite challenges these measures will support the Cement Industry in achieving a consistent CAGR growth rate of more than 6 per cent of installed cement capacity in the present financial year. Policy reforms in Budget 2025-26 signal a  reaffirmation of the Government’s intent to augment socio economic growth across core sectors.”

Mr Parth Jindal, Vice President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) and Managing Director, JSW Cement Limited, said, “The Budget presented by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is a forward-looking roadmap that will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s cement industry, in line with the country’s vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. It prioritizes growth in key sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology. The increased investment in technology will accelerate advancements in green cement solutions, driving both sustainability and innovation within the industry. Notable allocations, including ₹20,000 crore to foster innovation and ₹1.5 lakh crore in 50-year interest-free loans to states for capital expenditure on infrastructure development, are expected to significantly bolster growth in the core sectors, including cement sector.

He further added, “The Budget’s focus on a three-year pipeline of projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) model will incentivize private sector investment and catalyze a transformation in the infrastructure landscape. Additionally, the establishment of five National Centers of Excellence for skill development, as part of the ‘Make for India, Make for the World’ initiative, will ensure that India’s emerging workforce is well-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly growing economy.”

CMA applauds the Government’s steadfast commitment to a modern, people centric, trust based regulatory framework with a focus on ease of doing business, which will support businesses in accelerating growth.

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated, the next five years present a unique opportunity to realize ‘Sabka Vikas’, fostering balanced growth across all regions. As a key driver of nation building, the Cement Industry remains committed to supporting the Government’s vision through innovation, and technological integration.

February 03, 2025, Chennai: The Indian Art and Design Educators Association (IADEA) held its Sixth Annual Art Educators Conference at Kalakshetra Auditorium Hall on 31st January and 1st February 2025 here in Chennai. The conference had over 80 art educators from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode, Ranipet, Jaipur, Delhi, Ajmer, and Bengaluru, attending the two-day event. Several global and national experts came together to discuss current and future narratives encompassing art education for and alongside 100 school art teachers. The two days were punctuated with a number of interactive sessions and workshops anchored on diverse topics. In her keynote speech Dr. Jyotsna Tiwari, HOD, Art and Aesthetics of NCERT, Delhi, highlighted the integration of art in education: the vision of NEP 2020 and the way forward.

Sara Vetteth, Founder of IADEA said, “In the future, every career will demand visually literate professionals—those who can research, think critically and communicate fluently using images and words. No matter the medium – whether it be mark-making with pencil, working with fiber, manipulating clay or image capture with a camera phone, the theme for this year’s conference is – how do we rethink the art class to make it useful for every learner? By guiding students through lines of enquiry and the design cycle, art educators can foster deeper exploration and creative problem-solving.”

On Day one, there was a delightful session on decoding the vocabulary of Warli, by renowned Warli artist & educator, Mayur Vayeda, followed by Dr. Alka Hingorani, one of the founders of “Learn Through Stories Foundation” and art educator Nivedita Deshmukh explored freedom and learning in art education. Italian Book designer and visual artist, Valentina Abenavoli took the participants through a fascinating session on exploring art through bookmaking. Melissa Nolas, founder, Children Photography Archive, London, and Gayatri Nair, founding trustee, of Chennai Photo Biennale hosted the session on discovering photography’s place in an art class. The session highlighted the use of photography as a medium to encourage students of varying abilities to develop their language, vocabulary, and storytelling skills.

The inaugural day concluded with the awarding of the 2025 Camlin Art Teacher Excellence Awards to ten art educators. Awarded across five categories, the accolade celebrates the impact of art lessons and its significance in a student’s learning journey.

Mr. Satish Veerappa, Managing Director, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd said “The Art Teacher plays a very important role in the growth of a child. In this way, art teachers contribute immensely to the creative force of a nation. The values of inventiveness, creativity and passion that The Camlin Art Teacher Excellence Award celebrates are the same values that are necessary to build the start-ups and enterprises of the future. Behind every child who grows up to be innovative, resourceful, process oriented, collaborative and confident is an art teacher who showed them the way. Camlin admires and respects your contribution to art and the nurturing of artistic talent.”

Day two of the conference began with a speaker session by Lina Vincent, Curator and Educator from Goa, who spoke about her collaborative exhibition which uses plants in various ways to investigate pressing global issues. Siddhi Gupta, Faculty member at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, led the participants through an interactive workshop using visual thinking to reflect on what it means for an artist to be an educator. Chennai-based photographer Mr. Sunder Ramu led teachers through a guided workshop on using phone photography in the classroom as a medium to express thoughts, moods, and unique perspectives. After lunch, the participants were taken on a special curator-led tour of selected Chennai photo biennale photography exhibits at Lalit Kala Academy and Egmore Museum. The tour was led by Gayatri Nair, Co-founder and Director of Education at CPB pris,m and Varun Gupta, Biennale Director at CPB.

List of Award winners

· Best use of Elements of Art

Winner– Deepti Karthik, Sarvam The Organic School, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Runner-up- Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan, KC High School Chennai

· Collaboration in the Art Room

Winner– Dinesh Kumar, Balsam Academy, Ranipet,

Runner up– R Subramanian and Aishwarya C, AMM School, Chennai

· Innovation in the Art Room

Winner– Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan, KC High School Chennai

Runner up Prem Nazir, Lakshmi School, Madurai

· Instilling Creative Confidence

Winner– Arun Kumar, Chettinad Sarvalokaa Education International School, Chennai

Runner-up Gayathri Vasu, Independent Art Educator, Chennai

· Promoting Artistic Practice

Winner– Amrutha Anand, Independent Art Educator, Chennai

Runner up -Vimal Sivaraman, Rak’s Pallikkoodam School of Excellence, Coimbatore

New Delhi | February 1, 2025: The World Book Fair commenced today at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, Delhi, and will continue till February 9. The fair is bustling with books in every hall and stall, drawing large crowds from day one. Everywhere, book lovers could be seen browsing and purchasing their favorite books. However, the most vibrant section of the fair is the Children’s Pavilion in Hall No. 6, which is filled with young readers. The Children’s Book Trust stall at W-21 in Hall No. 6 witnessed a significant number of visitors.

The CBT stall features a wide range of books in English and Hindi. In Hindi, including Panchatantra Tales, Dadi Maa Ki Kahaniyan (Grandmother’s Stories), and many more, capturing the attention of young readers. Meanwhile, in English, books like Best Friends, Barber at the Zoo, and Chhotu Seen Unseen are among the engaging titles attracting children and book lovers alike.

This year CBT will also be launching a 20,000 sq ft Shankar’s International Children’s Centre in Delhi where it plans to have Meeting Rooms, Activity Centre for Clay Modelling, Painting etc, Congregational Halls, Art Gallery for paintings received during previous Painting competitions, Venue for its On-The-spot Competition, Doll’s Workshop, etc and to have cultural and artistic exchanges between groups of children from different parts of India or abroad and expatriates.

Mr. Kishore Lal, Chairman, Children’s Book Trust says, “We need to help Children to stay away from screens of portable electronic devices and come back to reading good books. Books usually generate a deeper spirit of enquiry in young minds and a healthy, progressive outlook to life and living.” He continued to add, “We have had our presence internationally through our books which we sell in many countries, with the coming up of our SICC, we would like to have them here physically. We are a non-profit trust and our aim is not to make huge profits but to spread awareness about the benefits of growing up with good books.”

Hyderabad, 1st February 2025: The third edition of the iconic 3-day music and dance extravaganza, ‘Ramayana Kalpavrksam’, conceived and curated by Hyderabad based acclaimed dancer Padmashri Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant, a celebrated artist and cultural ambassador, was inaugurated by Sri Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament, Friday. The festival scheduled from 31st January 2025 to 2nd February 2025, at the CCRT campus, Hyderabad, is a unique signature festival that is a unique confluence of art, tradition, and scholarship, being presented by Shankarananda Kalakshetra and Natyarambha, in collaboration with Brhat, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India.

The morning sessions, ‘Ramamrita’ brings together six remarkable and scholarly speakers, each offering a unique perspective on the timeless epic of the Ramayana. Yashodeep Deodhar, creator of the widely popular 21 Notes, sharing innovative insights into the Ramayana; Dr. Anupama Kylash, a celebrated dance scholar, illuminating the Ramayana through the lens of classical Indian dance and culture; Dr. DK Hari and Dr. DK Hema, creators of the Bharat Gyan series, bringing their extensive research on India’s ancient wisdom and the Ramayana to life. This exceptional lineup promises to delve into the myriad facets of the Ramayana, blending scholarship, creativity, and storytelling to inspire and enlighten.

As part of the vibrant three-day festival, an array of engaging learning workshops and unique experiences await participants, in ‘Kala Charan’: a Sanskrit Learning workshop, led by Udaya Shreyas of the Sanskrit Channel, offering an immersive dive into the beauty and essence of Sanskrit.

Bangalore, February 1, 2025: Sri Vishwakarma Seva Samithi (R) proudly announces the grand celebration of Bhagawan Sri Vishwakarma Brahma Rathothsava and Vishwakarma Jana Jagruthi Samavesha on Monday, February 10, 2025, at two prominent venues in Bangalore.

Morning Program: Bhagawan Sri Vishwakarma Brahma Rathothsava

The auspicious Brahma Rathothsava will take place at Sri Kalikamba Kamateshwara Swamy Temple (600 year old temple) , Nagartarapet, Bangalore – 560002, from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. The grand Sri Kalikamba Devi Ratha, Sri Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Ratha, and Vishwakarma Ratha will be drawn at 12:40 PM.

The event will be graced by esteemed spiritual leaders:

Parama Poojya Jagadguru Anthasri Vishushita Shiva Sugnana Theertha Mahaswamigalu, Sri Vishwakarma Jagadguru Peeta, Aremadanahalli Vishwa Brahmana Maha Samsthana Mutt

• Parama Poojya Sri Sri Sri Kalahasthendra Mahaswamigalu
• Parama Poojya Sri Sri Sri Neelakantacharya Mahaswamigalu
• Poojya Sri Sri Sri Buddathmananda Swamigalu
• Parama Poojya Sri Sri Sri Sugnaanamurthy Swamigalu
• Parama Poojya Sri Sri Sri Srubbarayachar Swamigalu
• Parama Pojya Sri Sri Sri Veeram Botalaiah Swamigalu
• Evening Program: Vishwakarma Jana Jagruthi Samavesha

The Vishwakarma Jana Jagruthi Samavesha, including a cultural program and award ceremony, will be held in the evening at Town Hall, JC Road, Bangalore. The event will honor the contributions of the Vishwakarma community and celebrate its legacy.

Chief Guests and Dignitaries to Present Vishwakarma Seva Rathna and Vishwakarma Kushalakarmi Seva Rathna Awards. The awards to recognize individuals for their commendable contributions to the Vishwakarma community. Dignitaries expected to grace the occasion include: Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaiah Deputy Chief Minister Sri DK Shivakumar Sri H. Krishnappa, Priya Krishna, RV Devraj, PC Mohan, Chandrashekhar Kambara, Tejaswi Surya, Ramalinga Reddy, Uday Garudachar, Saptagiri Gowda, Raghu Achar, KP Nanjundi, TA Savarava, and other notable personalities.

Vishwakarma Seva Rathna Awards 2025

This year, the prestigious Vishwakarma Seva Rathna Awards will be presented to the following distinguished individuals for their exemplary contributions to the community:

• Smt. K.T. Meghana IAS, Doordarshan, Bangalore
• Sri Vivek Prakash KAS, Assistant Commissioner, Hospet
• Dr. V. Shankar MBBS, Heart and Diabetic Surgeon
• Sri Anil K. Badiger KAS, Tahasildar, Shirhatti, Gadag
• Sri M.L. Vinayakachar, Assistant Commissioner, VVGF

The Sri Vishwakarma Seva Samithi (R) invites all members of the community and the general public to join these grand celebrations and make them a resounding success.

New Delhi, February 1, 2025: The second edition of PAINTINDIA North Edition 2025 commenced today at the India International Convention Centre (Yashobhoomi), Dwarka, New Delhi, and will continue until 31st January, concluding at 5 PM. Bringing together over 250 exhibitors and key industry stakeholders, the event serves as a vital hub for business growth, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. With free entry for visitors, it offers professionals from the paints, coatings, and allied industries a unique opportunity to network, explore cutting-edge innovations, and unlock new business prospects.

Building on the overwhelming response to its inaugural North Edition, PAINTINDIA 2025 saw strong participation from companies across sectors, including paints, coatings, printing inks, adhesives, sealants, and construction chemicals. The exhibition floor was a vibrant hub of activity, where businesses showcased cutting-edge technologies, sustainable solutions, and product innovations tailored to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding market. With North India’s infrastructure and manufacturing sectors witnessing significant growth, the event offered valuable opportunities for networking, industry insights, and new business partnerships.

The event was inaugurated in the presence of distinguished leaders from the coatings and allied industries, setting the stage for two days of meaningful discussions and engagement. The participation of key industry figures underscores the importance of the North Indian market, with its booming housing, construction, transportation, and packaging industries creating new avenues for expansion and investment. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Anuja Saraf Agrawal, Director, British Color Industries Pvt Ltd (Nepal); Ashok Gupta, CMD, Sakarni; Ashok Rajput, Head Procurement, Akzo Nobel India Limited; Anuj Gupta, Director, Rapid Coat; Kuldip Raina, Director, Shalimar Paints Ltd; Nitin Batra, Director, KB Coatings; Nitin Jain, Director, Ozell Cooner Limited / Jewell Paints; Nitish Chopra, Business Head, JK White Cement & Paints; Sanjay Agarwal, Chairman, Sirca Paints; and Sharad Malhotra, Director, Nippon Paint India. Their presence highlighted the growing significance of the North Edition in gaining industry-wide progress.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Dilip Raghavan, Managing Director, ExpoNova Exhibitions & Conferences (India) Pvt. Ltd., shared, “The enthusiasm and participation we witnessed at this year’s PAINTINDIA North Edition reaffirm the industry’s need for a strong, dedicated platform in this region. The event has grown in scale and significance, offering exhibitors and visitors an excellent opportunity to explore business potential, forge partnerships, and stay ahead of industry trends.”

With a sharp focus on innovation and sustainability, exhibitors introduced new product lines, advanced application techniques, and eco-conscious solutions that are shaping the future of the coatings and allied industries. The event also highlighted the expanding role of the printing inks and packaging segment, a sector that continues to thrive in North India. As businesses navigate a dynamic market landscape, PAINTINDIA provided a valuable space for discussion, learning, and industry-wide progress.

Sonia Prashar, Managing Director and Chairperson of the Management Board, NuernbergMesse India, added, “PAINTINDIA’s presence in New Delhi ensures that the event remains accessible and relevant to the growing industrial ecosystem in this region. The response this year has been truly encouraging, and we are confident that the North Edition will continue to serve as a key facilitator of business and innovation for years to come.”

As the paints and coatings industry continues to expand in North India, PAINTINDIA North Edition has firmly established itself as an essential event for professionals and businesses looking to stay ahead in a competitive market. The 2025 edition’s success has set a strong foundation for future growth, and PAINTINDIA looks forward to welcoming industry stakeholders to its next chapter, promising an even more dynamic and impactful experience.

Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd., on Union Budget 2025

“The Union Budget 2025 is a game-changer, reinforcing India’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable urban growth. The SWAMIH Fund 2 with ₹15,000 crore will accelerate the completion of stalled housing projects, bringing relief to over one lakh homebuyers. The ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund will play a pivotal role in transforming cities into vibrant growth hubs, ensuring balanced regional development.

The masterstroke of direct tax reform—exempting income up to ₹12 lakh—will significantly boost disposable income, increasing affordability for homebuyers and driving real estate demand. Additionally, the government’s thrust on PPP-driven infrastructure with a structured three-year project pipeline will accelerate urban expansion, unlocking new opportunities for real estate and housing. These progressive reforms align with India’s vision of ‘Sabka Vikas’, fostering a robust ecosystem for homebuyers, developers, and investors alike.”

Mr. Aman Sarin, Director & Chief Executive Officer, Anant Raj Limited

The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by the Finance Minister, reflects the government’s commitment to holistic economic growth, addressing key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, exports, entrepreneurship, and ease of doing business. It is a well-balanced budget that not only promotes macro-level economic stability but also delivers direct financial relief to individuals and industries.

For the real estate sector, the government has reinforced its support for stalled housing projects through the SWAMIH Fund, ensuring the timely completion of financially stressed projects. This initiative will provide relief to lakhs of homebuyers who have been waiting for possession, instilling renewed confidence in the sector and boosting overall housing demand.

A major highlight of the budget is the introduction of significant tax relief measures, marking one of the most notable savings opportunities for taxpayers in recent years. With enhanced disposable income, individuals will have greater purchasing power, improving affordability in the housing market. This is expected to drive higher demand in the affordable and mid-segment housing categories, as potential homebuyers will find it easier to service home loans and invest in real estate.

Mr. Udit Jain, Director, One Group

The Union Budget 2025-26 presents a visionary roadmap for India’s growth, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure development, urban reforms, and housing support. The Finance Minister has outlined bold proposals aimed at accelerating economic progress through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), interest-free loans to states for capital expenditure, and incentives for governance and urban planning reforms. These measures reaffirm the government’s commitment to strengthening municipal services, optimizing urban land use, and enhancing nationwide infrastructure.

Additionally, the government’s decision to revise tax slabs and reduce tax rates is a welcome move that will lead to significant savings for taxpayers, particularly the middle-income group. At a time when rising living costs, inflation, and increasing household expenses are putting financial pressure on individuals, this relief will offer much-needed financial breathing space.

Beyond individual benefits, this measure is expected to have a broader economic impact by boosting disposable income and enhancing purchasing power. With more money in hand, households will be in a stronger financial position to service home loans and invest in real estate, driving higher demand for home buying. A stronger housing market will not only benefit homebuyers but also stimulate growth across allied industries such as construction, home décor, and banking, further fueling economic momentum.

Mr. Sahil Agarwal, CEO, Nimbus Group

The Union Budget 2025-26 presents a well-balanced approach, addressing critical sectors of the economy while ensuring sustainable growth. Infrastructure development remains a top priority, with the government introducing various schemes to strengthen both urban and rural infrastructure, enhance connectivity, and drive economic expansion.

A key highlight of the budget is the government’s continued commitment to reviving stalled real estate projects. The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) scheme, which has already played a pivotal role in unlocking delayed housing projects, is set to receive a major boost. The government has proposed the creation of SWAMIH Fund 2, a blended finance facility with contributions from the government, banks, and private investors. With a ₹15,000 crore corpus, this initiative aims to accelerate the completion of an additional 1 lakh housing units, providing crucial relief to homebuyers and stimulating growth in the real estate sector.

Additionally, tax slab revisions leading to higher disposable income will likely boost housing demand, as increased savings will encourage more individuals to invest in homeownership. By prioritizing infrastructure growth, housing revival, and economic stimulus, the budget lays the groundwork for long-term financial stability and a stronger real estate market.