Archive: May 2, 2025

DSP Launches Silver ETF Fund of Fund to Democratize Silver Investing

Mumbai, 02nd May 2025: DSP Mutual Fund announced the launch of its new open-ended scheme, the DSP Silver ETF Fund of Fund, designed to offer investors a convenient and structured way to gain exposure to silver through the mutual fund route. This Fund of Fund will primarily invest in units of DSP Silver ETF, providing returns that closely correspond to the performance of physical silver in domestic markets.

Silver as a commodity plays a crucial role in various industries such as electronics, automotive, power, and jewelry, with demand expected to rise due to the global shift towards renewable and cleaner energy sources. Supply growth for silver has been limited, and recent years have shown a consistent supply deficit. The year 2025 could be the fifth year running where demand for silver could be more than the supply. And this supply deficit could be more than 20% of annual demand. In the past, when such deficits occurred, even a small incremental increase in investment demand for silver can lead to a rise in prices. Indian investors may also benefit from currency depreciation, as silver is priced in USD. Over time, silver prices in INR have outperformed those in USD, providing an additional advantage when the rupee weakens.

The DSP Silver ETF Fund of Fund offers the advantage of owning the metal in a convenient digital form without the requirement for a demat account to transact. It also presents a systematic way to invest in Silver via SIPs along with the flexibility of redeeming the units without any lock-in period.

“During geopolitical tensions and uncertainties, precious metals like silver and gold present a safe haven for investors. Precious metals are also a good inflation hedge for investors who fear that trade wars and tariff tensions would cause high inflation. But besides such investment demand, more than 50% of the annual demand for Silver is for industrial use. Such industrial use of silver in EVs, solar panels and 5G networks is likely to grow even more, as nations across the world move towards cleaner energy and newer technologies. If we see the current Gold/Silver ratio and compare it to long term history, the prices of silver appear relatively undervalued, which could indicate a potential for silver to outperform. However, investors should expect fluctuations in short-term returns” said Anil Ghelani, CFA, Head of Passive Investments & Products at DSP Mutual Fund.

“With the launch of DSP Silver ETF Fund of Fund, we are making it even simpler for investors to access silver as an asset class through the mutual fund platform. Our aim is to provide a transparent, liquid, and cost-effective solution for those seeking diversification and long-term growth potential through commodities,” said Diipesh Shah, Fund Manager of DSP Silver ETF Fund of Fund.

Markets Range-Bound; Nifty Eyes 24,400, Sensex Targets 82,000

By – Vaishali Parekh,Vice President, Technical Research, PL Capital        

Forecast 

NIFTY / SENSEX 

Nifty remained range bound throughout the session, and with some volatility witnessed, it closed on  a flat note, with the index overall consolidating within a narrow band for quite some time. With the  sentiment maintained with a cautiously positive approach, the index would need to breach above  the 24400 zone decisively, having the near-term support near the important 200-period MA at the  24050 level, which, if sustained, can regain with the positive move for further rise in the coming  days. The Sensex witnessed a volatile session, finding resistance near the 80500 zone but  maintaining above the important 80000 level for the session with bias and sentiment maintained  with a cautiously positive approach with further rise anticipated in the coming sessions. The index  has the next near-term target of the 82000 zone, and a decisive breach above the 80700 level shall  establish some conviction for further rise ahead. The support for the day is seen at 24200 levels,  while the resistance is seen at 24500 levels.

BANKNIFTY / BANKEX 

BankNifty, after opening with some fluctuations, gradually slipped down as the day progressed with  some profit booking seen and ended near the 55100 zone with the overall bias still maintained  strong, having the important near-term support at the 54500 zone, which needs to be sustained.  The index on the daily chart has indicated a flag pattern, as mentioned earlier, and once a decisive  breach above 55700 is confirmed, one can expect another fresh round of momentum in the coming  days. Bankex continues to remain sluggish overall as compared to Sensex, with fluctuations  witnessed and resisting near the 63000 zone during the intraday session. The index has maintained  the strong support zone near the 61500 level, and on the upside, it would need a decisive breach  above the 63200 levels to improve the bias and thereafter expect a further rise in the coming  days. BankNifty would have the daily range of 54600-55700 levels.

Nifty / BankNifty / Sensex / Bankex – Daily Technical Levels 

Indices Closing Trend Reversal 2 Sup 1 Sup Pivot 1 Res 2 Res Nifty 24334.20 -1 24343 24112 24223 24310 24421 24507 Bank Nifty 55087.15 -4 56010 54342 54714 55096 55469 55851 Sensex 80242.24 -1 80259 79569 79906 80216 80552 80862 Bankex 62622.04 -4 63910 62183 62402 63080 63299 63977

Disclaimer: Investment in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Research Update | Open Calls

Disclaimer: Investment in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Innovation in Focus as AIC-Nalanda Celebrates World IP Day 2025

Bhubaneswar: Atal Incubation Centre – Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation (AIC-Nalanda), supported by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India, successfully organized the IP Sparks Conclave 2025 at VK-AICYAM, Bhubaneswar, to mark the celebration of World Intellectual Property Day.

This year’s conclave centered around the global theme “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”, bringing together eminent cultural icons, IP experts, startup founders, legal professionals, and innovators to highlight the vital role of intellectual property in protecting creativity and cultural expression.

The event was graced by the august presence of Shri Krushna Chandra Patra, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Department of Science & Technology and Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Government of Odisha, who inaugurated the conclave and delivered an inspiring keynote address, encouraging innovators and artists to embrace the importance of safeguarding intellectual assets.

Adding to the significance of the event, distinguished personalities including Padma Shri Jitendra Haripal, celebrated folk singer of Odisha, and Padma Shri Guru Aruna Mohanty, acclaimed Odissi dancer and guru, shared their inspirational journeys, emphasizing the deep connection between cultural heritage and intellectual property rights.

The inaugural session also witnessed impactful keynote addresses by Shri Satyabrata (Kuna) Tripathy, eminent Odia cine actor and former Chairman of OFDC, Shri Abhijeet Mishra, noted Odia singer and composer, and Dr. Santosh Mohanty, Director, VK-AICYAM & VRMVK, Kanyakumari. Their insights highlighted the transformative role of IP in promoting and preserving India’s artistic and cultural legacy.

The day unfolded with technical sessions led by national experts like Dr. Nitin Shukla from National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, and Dr. Bijay Ku Sahu from NRDC, covering fundamentals of IP and its role in building a “Viksit Bharat 2047”, along with Shri Sidharth Agarwal emphasizing the significance of IP in the music industry.

A compelling panel discussion on “Empowerment of Artists by Protecting their IP” brought together voices from music, education, and cultural institutions, sparking a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding the rights of creators in today’s dynamic world. The session featured distinguished panelists — Prof. Sucheta Priyabadini, Chair Professor, RD Women’s University, Bhubaneswar; Shri Binod Bihari Rout, Department of Tabla, Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Odisha; and Prof. Harikumar Madhavan Nair, Department of Sound, BPFTIO, Cuttack — who shared valuable insights on how intellectual property can empower artists, preserve cultural heritage, and foster innovation in the creative ecosystem.

Shri Durga Prasad Gouda, CEO of AIC-Nalanda, asserted, “The culture of IP and innovation needs to be nurtured and promoted in the right direction through collaborative efforts of educational bodies in the state,” highlighting the importance of strengthening the innovation ecosystem through collective efforts.

The conclave was organized with the support of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) under ATL Sarthi Initiative, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) Pune, and Incubation Forum of National Law University Odisha, showcasing a strong collaborative effort to foster awareness and action on IP rights among young innovators and cultural practitioners.

The IP Sparks Conclave 2025 concluded with a heartfelt felicitation ceremony, honoring distinguished contributors from the fields of art, culture, and innovation, alongside recognizing 12 schools and colleges across Odisha where IP Sparks Bootcamps were successfully conducted throughout April 2025. This celebration reinforced AIC-Nalanda’s commitment to nurturing young innovators, promoting IP awareness, and protecting the spirit of creativity for the generations to come.

Faster Cyber Defense: Cohesity’s Automation Enhances Incident Response Capabilities

India May 02nd, 2025: Cohesity, the leader in AI-powered data security, announced Cohesity RecoveryAgent, a new AI-powered cyber orchestration solution for Cohesity NetBackup and DataProtect customers. RecoveryAgent automates cyber recovery preparation, testing, compliance, and response, enabling customers to recover from cyber incidents faster. It offers intelligent, customisable recovery blueprints and enables rigorous testing of recovery processes in a non-production environment, giving customers more confidence in their ability to respond to proliferating cyberattacks.

Simplifying Cyber Recovery Through Automation and Intelligence

Modern IT environments are complex, comprising physical, virtual, and cloud-based systems. Responding to cyberattacks requires organisations to navigate this complexity while ensuring data integrity, availability, and regulatory compliance. RecoveryAgent addresses these challenges by generating customisable blueprints that automate recovery workflows, making cyber recovery response more efficient and adaptable.

With these customisable blueprints, organisations can better prepare for cyber incidents before they happen. RecoveryAgent’s intuitive UI allows teams to easily build recovery plans with scripted workflows that automatically integrate critical steps for incident response, such as threat hunting, malware scanning, and instant data restores. Users can rehearse recoveries to prove the blueprint will effectively recover their data in a non-production environment without impacting production applications. This frequent testing helps ensure readiness for real-world incidents.

RecoveryAgent’s Agentic AI capabilities allow recovery teams to:

• Rapidly and easily create and edit recovery blueprints with AI assistance for automated testing of cyber impact or disaster recovery
• Manage granular recovery across multiple domains in complex hybrid environments, including on-premises, cloud, PaaS, and containers
• Speed up forensic investigations through automated threat scanning using native tools and best-in-class threat intelligence from Data Security Alliance partners
• Have more confidence in a clean incident recovery with Agentic AI-powered intelligent recovery point recommendations and blast radius analysis of infected files across domains
• Understand the real-world recovery times and how they align with the business SLAs
• Ensure and demonstrate compliance with regulatory and business drivers by implementing standard recovery practices

“Every moment matters to customers experiencing a cyber incident. Having a comprehensive and thoroughly tested incident response plan can be the difference between minimal disruption and massive impact,” said Vasu Murthy, Chief Product Officer, Cohesity. “By simplifying and automating every step of the complex cyber recovery process, RecoveryAgent helps customers boost resilience and respond faster with more confidence to cyber incidents. The world’s largest organisations trust Cohesity because we understand the impact of cyber incidents and consistently offer new solutions like RecoveryAgent to help our customers be more confident in their cyber readiness and recovery.”

“In today’s complex threat landscape, enterprises across the region need to ensure their readiness for real-world incidents with smarter and faster recovery capabilities,” said Mayank Mishra, Regional Sales Director for India & SAARC, Cohesity.” With RecoveryAgent, the new AI-powered orchestration solution offering enabled by integrating the technologies from both Cohesity and Veritas, Cohesity will empower organisations to automate critical recovery workflows, reduce downtime and bolster confidence in their cyber resilience strategies.”

Seamless Integration for Enhanced Cyber Resilience

RecoveryAgent automates time-consuming and manual tasks such as vulnerability scanning, malware scanning, and data classification into a structured blueprint. It can also automate forensics investigation, configuration hardening, and patching when orchestrated on virtual machines that are recovered within the solution. These capabilities are powered by Cohesity’s Data Security Alliance, which integrates with leading security vendors to help security teams become more agile and productive. Additionally, RecoveryAgent enhances Cohesity’s existing clean room solution, making activation faster and more intuitive.

“AntemetA has a complex technology infrastructure, and as a result, we need solutions developed with extensive field experience to enable us to be as effective as possible, especially as we are exposed to increasing amount of cyber risks,” said Stéphane Colin, CTO, AntemetA. “This is only possible with trusted partners who take time to understand our unique complexity and work with us to ensure our data can be recovered with confidence and our services guarantee the highest level of resilience, whatever cyber challenges we face. We have a longstanding partnership with Cohesity because it continues to develop solutions like RecoveryAgent, which help us deliver more relevant and effective services. That, in turn, has earned us an equally long-lasting trust from our customers.”

RecoveryAgent is the first new offering to emerge from the joint development efforts of Cohesity and Veritas since the companies came together in December. By combining the capabilities of NetBackup Recovery Blueprints and Recommended Recovery Points with AI-powered intelligence and innovation native to DataProtect, RecoveryAgent is an example of the rapid innovation enabled by integrating both companies’ technology. It also highlights Cohesity’s commitment to simplifying user experiences and enhancing customer confidence in cyber resilience strategies.

RecoveryAgent is currently available to select customers in Tech Preview and is expected to be generally available for NetBackup and DataProtect customers in the second half of the calendar year 2025.

For more information about Cohesity RecoveryAgent and how it can support your organisation’s cybersecurity needs, watch our video. And for more insights on breach response and how to strengthen your organisation’s resilience, watch our conversation.

Club Mahindra Adds New Resorts in Andhra Pradesh, Abu Dhabi & Vietnam

Chandigarh, 2nd May 2025: Club Mahindra, the flagship brand of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), has announced the addition of three new resorts to its portfolio. Continuing its focus on expansion, the brand marks its entry to Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, the brand has also strengthened its presence in Vietnam’s Saigon region and Abu Dhabi through inventory partnerships with Richlane Residences and Holiday Inn respectively. This expansion is aimed at providing members with access to diverse destinations and enriching vacation experiences.

Dindi RVR, on the Godavari – a stunning riverside retreat is nestled along the majestic Godavari River. Surrounded by lush coconut groves and picturesque backwaters, the resort is an ideal escape for those seeking a relaxed holiday with family and friends. The resort features 100 well-appointed rooms, with the first phase of 50 rooms opening for Club Mahindra members in April 2025. The second phase, consisting of an additional 50 rooms, is expected to open by the second quarter of this fiscal year.

The Holiday Inn in Abu Dhabi and RichLane Residences in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam provide gateway to cities’ bustling neighbourhood and attractions. Both these properties offer a variety of world-class amenities, ensuring an unforgettable stay for the members.

Manoj Bhat, MD & CEO, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, said, “Our new resort in Dindi marks our entry in the state and reinforces our commitment to boost tourism in Andhra Pradesh. RVR Dindi is first in the series of our planned investment in the state. Additionally, we continue to enhance our global footprint with our additions in Vietnam and Abu Dhabi. This expansion aligns with our strategic vision of doubling our room capacity to 10,000 by FY30. Our new offerings provide a seamless blend of comfort, adventure, and cultural immersion. We look forward to providing our members with more choices, elevating their holiday experiences, and creating unforgettable memories with Club Mahindra.”

Each of these new additions offers a variety of world-class amenities, including indulgent dining options, rejuvenating spa services, and immersive cultural and adventure activities. From tranquil riverside relaxation to bustling cityscapes, these resorts are designed to deliver exceptional experiences for Club Mahindra members. All the three properties will open for members 15^th April Onwards.

Fortis Memorial Research Institute Launches Quick Action Drive Against Oral Cancer

02nd, May 2025: Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, in collaboration with Merck Specialities Private Limited, has launched a powerful awareness campaign titled “Two-Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection” under the hashtag #ActAgainstOralCancer, to mark Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month. This impactful initiative aims to address the rising burden of oral cancer in India. It encourages individuals to take just two minutes for a self-check using a mirror – an everyday object turned into a tool for life-saving awareness.

Health experts are urging the public to “Feel, Look and Act” – by regularly checking for early warning signs such as white or red patches, non-healing sores, unexplained bleeding, persistent swelling, or changes in voice. To make this habit accessible, mirrors will be placed in hospital waiting areas at Fortis Gurugram, where people can perform this simple DIY (Do It Yourself) self-examination. By empowering individuals to take health into their own hands, this campaign aims to turn awareness into action.

India is the world’s capital in prevalence of Head and Neck cancers. Every year, around 2 lakh patients are diagnosed with Head and Neck cancers, which is the highest compared to any other country. Unfortunately, in India, around 60 to 70% of patients report in advanced stages when diagnosed. The rising surge in oral cancer cases is an urgent call for immediate public awareness, early detection and preventive action. The major risk factors cause of oral cancer include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) infection amongst others.

The #ActAgainstOralCancer campaign was launched, during a press conference today, held at Fortis Gurugram in the presence of Senior Clinicians from Fortis Gurugram – Dr Ankur Bahl, Senior Director Medical Oncology, Dr AK Anand, Senior Director & HOD Radiation Oncology, Dr Vedant Kabra, Principal Director Surgical Oncology, Dr Niranjan Naik, Senior Director Surgical Oncology, Dr Suman S. Karanth, Senior Consultant Medical Oncology, Dr Atul Mittal, Principal Director ENT and Dr Amal Roy Chaudhoory, Director, Radiation Oncology.

Addressing the media, Dr Ankur Bahl, Senior Director – Medical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram said “Oral cancer is rapidly emerging as a major public health concern in India, accounting for one of the highest incidences globally. Late diagnosis remains a critical issue, with many patients seeking help only in advanced stages, reducing chances of successful treatment. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for widespread awareness, early detection and proactive screening measures – especially given that oral cancer is both largely preventable and highly curable if diagnosed early. The main reason is that people are unaware of the early symptoms and do not practice self-examination. While breast cancer awareness has grown over the years, especially about self-exams, the awareness is missing when it comes to oral cancer DIY. Nearly 65% of patients visit the doctor in advanced stages of the disease, which delays treatment and reduces survival rates. This #ActAgainstOralCancer, campaign underscores the importance of a quick monthly self-check that for mere two minutes in front of a mirror. Early-stage diagnosis means faster, more effective treatment and much better chances of recovery.”

Dr AK Anand, Senior Director & HOD Radiation Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram. “This campaign encourages individuals to follow the simple 2-minute self-check every month as early detection is best prevention. LOOK at the entire mouth in mirror for white or red patches in the mouth, ulcers that don’t heal within 2 weeks and unusual bleeding or loose teeth. FEEL for changes, like lumps or swelling in the jaw or neck, hoarseness or voice change, persistent pain in ear or when swallowing. ACT with urgency if you notice signs, don’t delay consulting the doctor.”

Dr Vedant Kabra, Principal Director Surgical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram, said “Early diagnosis is critical to improving patient outcomes. Timely detection through awareness, self-examination, and frontline screening enables surgical oncologists to intervene at earlier stages, often with curative intent and less invasive procedures. Strong collaboration between dentists, primary care providers, and surgical oncologists can streamline referrals and reduce delays. Ultimately, early diagnosis not only enhances surgical success but also minimizes the need for complex, multimodal treatment. At Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, we are committed to delivering advanced, patient-centred cancer care.”

Dr Niranjan Naik, Senior Director Surgical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram, said “With increasing burden of oral cancer cases in the country, early diagnosis is paramount. Oral Visual Inspection (OVI), mouth self-examination, biopsy and histo-pathological examination enable detection at early stages, facilitating timely intervention.

Dr Suman S. Karanth Senior Consultant Medical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram. “By spreading awareness about early signs and symptoms and emphasizing regular oral self-examination, we can reduce late-stage presentations significantly. Our goal is to promote proactive health behaviour and ensure timely diagnosis. Oral cancer is largely preventable and highly treatable if caught early. Initiatives like these are critical in saving lives and improving treatment outcomes.”

Dr Atul Mittal, Principal Director ENT, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram said, “Head and Neck cancers, if not managed at the right time, can lead to serious health complications and impact essential functions like breathing, speaking, and swallowing. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent disease progression.

Dr Amal Roy Chaudhoory, Director, Radiation Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram “Head and neck cancers can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Radiation therapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of head and neck cancers by targeting tumors precisely while preserving surrounding healthy tissues. Early-stage detection combined with timely radiation treatment significantly improves outcomes.”

Hyderabad holds the highest vacant office stock of 28 Mn sq ft – Vestian

New Delhi, 2nd May 2025: Hyderabad reported 59.0 Mn sq ft of new completions and 48.5 Mn sq ft of absorption since 2020. The trend of new completions surpassing absorption for five consecutive years has led to a significant rise in vacant office stock. As of Q1 2025, the city holds 28 Mn sq ft of vacant stock, the highest among the top seven cities. Despite robust demand, the stock is expected to rise further in 2025 on the back of a strong pipeline of upcoming supply in the city. However, pan-India construction activities slowed down by 39% on quarter and 12% over the previous year, reaching 9.50 Mn sq ft in Q1 2025. This slowdown can be attributed to the absence of new supply in Hyderabad and minimal supply additions in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata during Q1 2025.

Conversely, the first quarter of 2025 witnessed sustained leasing activities across the top seven cities amid global macroeconomic uncertainty. As a result, absorption rose by 34% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier, reaching 17.96 Mn sq ft. This can be attributed to the significant increase in real estate activities in the western cities (Mumbai and Pune), with the share rising from 24% in Q1 2024 to 37% in Q1 2025.

Moreover, the sudden rise of artificial intelligence altered the growth trajectory of the IT industry. This could be substantiated by the continuous dominance of IT-ITeS sector in the absorption. The sector accounted for 34% of the pan-India absorption in Q1 2025 and 36% in the previous quarter.

Shrinivas Rao, FRICS, CEO, Vestian said, “India’s office market maintained its growth momentum in Q1 2025, driven by sustained demand across the major office markets in India. Even though the absorption decreased over the previous quarter, demand for office spaces by GCCs, IT-ITeS, BFSI, and Flex Spaces is expected to swell in the forthcoming quarters.”

Office Market Summary: Q1 2025

City-wise Analysis

·       Bengaluru dominated pan-India absorption with 4.08 Mn sq ft in Q1 2025, closely followed by Mumbai with 3.99 Mn sq ft. Kolkata reported the lowest absorption of 0.23 Mn sq ft during Q1 2025, however, it increased by 44% on year and 289% over the previous quarter.

·       Despite a quarterly decline of 3% in value terms, the share of Bengaluru in pan-India absorption increased to 23% in Q1 2025 from 19% a quarter earlier. Similarly, the share of Mumbai also rose marginally by one percentage point to 22% in Q1 2025 despite an 11% decline in value terms.

·       Pune reported an annual increase of 276% in absorption, with its pan-India share rising from 5% in Q1 2024 to 15% in Q1 2025. Conversely, Chennai witnessed the highest annual drop of 52% with its share declining from 25% to 9% during the same period stated above.

·       Bengaluru led the absorption by GCCs among the top seven cities with 39% share in Q1 2025, registering a 39% QoQ and 119% YoY increase in value terms.

·       While Bengaluru led new completions in Q1 2025 with 37% share, Pune followed with 31% share. Bengaluru’s share increased from 21% in the previous quarter, whereas Pune’s share rose from 15%.

·       New completions in NCR doubled to 2.6 Mn sq ft in Q1 2025 compared to the same period a year ago. It also increased by 44% over the previous quarter.

Live Times XChange Conclave Unites States to Drive India’s Collective Growth Vision

XChange, a flagship initiative by India’s First Global Multicast News Hub – Live Times, marked a powerful debut in Lucknow, emerging as a landmark conclave where national and regional leaders came together to deliberate on the role of individual states in driving India’s overall development. It positioned Uttar Pradesh as a case study in how focused governance, policy consistency, and people-centric initiatives can power national progress. From infrastructure breakthroughs to inclusive welfare reforms, the discussions offered a comprehensive look at the evolution of modern India, starting from its states.

In an inspiring keynote address, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, presented a transformative vision for the state, reaffirming the commitment to making UP a $1 trillion economy by 2029. ‘यह नया उत्तर प्रदेश, नए भारत की ऊर्जा और संकल्प का प्रतीक है,’ he said, emphasizing the state’s rise as a growth engine. CM Yogi emphasised that UP is no longer just the ‘land of possibilities’ but is now a ‘model of success’ backed by significant improvements in law and order, record-setting investment proposals worth ₹40 lakh crore, the success of flagship initiatives like ODOP, and massive expansion in religious and cultural tourism. He cited examples such as the global-scale Mahakumbh with 66 crore visitors, and the connectivity boom through expressways, airports, metros, and waterway logistics.

Adding political diversity and depth to the conversation, Shri Akhilesh Yadav Ji, Former Chief Minister and National President of the Samajwadi Party, offered sharp insights into UP’s development trajectory. He credited the event for upholding the spirit of constructive journalism, noting that Live Times was creating a space for truth-based public dialogue. He revisited key infrastructure initiatives like the Kanpur Metro launched under his tenure, and highlighted the need to reinvigorate pending development projects that have stalled in recent years. Touching on national unity, he expressed solidarity with the government in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and called for political differences to be set aside when it comes to national security.

This on-ground conclave also witnessed participation from Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya Ji and Shri Brajesh Pathak Ji, alongside prominent ministers including Shrimati Baby Rani Maurya Ji (Women’s Welfare), Shri Om Prakash Rajbhar Ji (Panchayati Raj), Shri Asim Arun Ji (Social Welfare and SC/ST Welfare), and Shri Ajay Rai Ji, President of the U.P. Congress. Minister Baby Rani Maurya highlighted the impact of women’s empowerment schemes, citing over 95 lakh active SHGs that are enabling women to earn independently and access formal finance. Other ministers echoed the sentiment that state-specific policies—tailored to local aspirations—serve as catalysts for India’s national growth narrative.

Mr. Dilip Kumar Singh, Founder, Live Times, highlighted, “Live Times XChange is a defining moment for India’s future—an arena where transformative ideas meet actionable solutions. It’s about forging a path for sustainable development by connecting the visionaries in power with the people they serve. Uttar Pradesh’s remarkable journey from a state of potential to one of progress is a testament to the power of strategic leadership, focused governance, and inclusive growth. This conclave symbolizes the broader truth that when states prosper, the nation thrives.”

What made this edition of Live Times XChange exceptional was its ability to transcend political divides and provide a solutions-focused platform for addressing India’s most pressing development challenges. From envisioning a trillion-dollar economy and generating employment through local industries, to tackling women’s safety, caste, and tribal inclusion, the conclave brought real issues to the forefront with real voices. With its first edition in Lucknow setting a high precedent, Live Times Live Times XChange is poised to expand across India, curating region-specific forums that influence policy, public opinion, and participatory governance. As the voice of a fact-driven democracy, Live Times will continue to elevate such dialogues, paving the way for a new Bharat.

Rapido Joins Hands with Telangana Government to Advance Road Safety Measures

Hyderabad,02nd May 2025: In a concerted effort to address the critical issue of road safety, the Telangana Transport Department has partnered with Rapido to roll out a comprehensive statewide awareness campaign. This collaboration aims to educate citizens on safe riding practices and emphasize the importance of helmet usage.

Road safety is central to this initiative, which seeks to reduce accidents and injuries, safeguard all road users, improve traffic management, and instil a sense of accountability among commuters. As part of the partnership, Rapido and the Transport Department will implement a multi-faceted Road Safety and Awareness Campaign across Telangana. Key components of the campaign include driver training programs, public workshops, helmet distribution drives, and innovative outreach activities designed to engage and inform the community.

At the SARATHI event held today in Hyderabad, Rapido distributed 250 helmets, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing safety for riders, captains, and the broader community. These efforts aim to promote adherence to traffic regulations while fostering a culture of responsible commuting across the state.

Pavan Guntupalli, Co-Founder, Rapido, stated, “We are privileged to collaborate with the Telangana Government to advance road safety and responsible mobility. Through this partnership, we hope to contribute meaningfully to making Telangana’s roads safer for everyone. We are also pleased to announce the expansion of Rapido’s services to all district headquarters across the state. Additionally, our ‘Pink Mobility’ initiative in Hyderabad underscores our commitment to gender-inclusive and secure transportation solutions. Together, we aim to build a transportation ecosystem that prioritizes connectivity, safety, and inclusivity.”

Hon’ble Shri, K. Surendra Mohan IAS, Transport Commissioner, Government of Telangana, commented, “The Telangana Government is proud to partner with Rapido to promote safer roads and inclusive mobility. This collaboration underscores our commitment to road safety and innovative transportation solutions, ensuring the well-being of every citizen in the state.”

This partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening Telangana’s transportation network and serves as a model for impactful public-private collaborations. By working together, the Telangana Transport Department and Rapido aim to create safer roads and a more inclusive mobility framework for the state’s residents.