Archive: January 30, 2026

Desert X AlUla 2026: monumental land art exhibition opens in the ancient oasis of AlUla

Works by Mohammed Al Saleem throughout the exhibition are on loan courtesy of Riyadh Art collection, The Royal Commission for Riyadh City.

AlUla, Saudi Arabia, Jan 30: This week marked the official opening of Desert X AlUla 2026, the landmark fourth edition of the international, open-air biennial exhibition. Arts AlUla, in collaboration with Desert X, welcomes visitors to experience a stellar line-up of Saudi and international multi-generational artists whose site-responsive earthworks, sculptures, and installations will engage in a powerful dialogue with the awe-inspiring landscapes and layered heritage of AlUla.

As a premier destination rich in ancient history and breathtaking nature, AlUla, located in Northwest Saudi Arabia, solidifies its position on the global stage as a dynamic, emerging land art destination with Desert X AlUla, the region’s first public art biennale, and a key highlight of the AlUla Arts Festival.

The 2026 edition of Desert X AlUla brings together 11 acclaimed artists whose diverse works reflect a wide spectrum of ideas, materials, and traditions. From monumental kinetic sculpture to sound-based explorations above and below ground, each commission is deeply rooted in relationships to AlUla’s distinctive environment, further cementing Desert X AlUla’s reputation as a globally significant platform for site-responsive land art.

Desert X AlUla runs until February 28, 2026, as a cornerstone of the annual AlUla Arts Festival. Curated by Wejdan Reda, Zoé Whitley, with artistic direction by Neville Wakefield, and Raneem Farsi, its fourth edition explores ‘Space Without Measure.’ Inspired by Kahlil Gibran, the theme fosters contemplation of imagination within AlUla’s natural settings. The exhibition, set in the desert canyons of AlUla, serves as a pre-opening programme for Wadi AlFann, offering a pivotal glimpse into AlUla’s plans to create a permanent land art ‘Valley of the Arts’.

Hamad Alhomiedan, Director of Arts & Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: “At Desert X AlUla 2026, audiences will engage with art that deeply converses with AlUla’s unique landscapes and rich heritage. These compelling commissions highlight AlUla’s dynamic transformation into a major global destination, where ancient and contemporary expressions converge. This exhibition is part of our broader revitalisation of AlUla as a culturally rich destination to live, work and visit and integral to positioning AlUla in the global dialogue of contemporary art and as a precursor to monumental projects like Wadi AlFann.”

Participating artist/artworks are:

·      Sara Abdu, A Kingdom Where No One Dies: Contours of Resonance

·      Mohammad Alfaraj, What was the Question Again?

·      Mohammed AlSaleem, The Thorn, AlShuruf Unit, The Triangles, Flower Bud, and Al Ahilla (courtesy of Royal Commission for Riyadh City)

·      Tarek Atoui , The Water Song

·      Bahraini-Danish, Bloom 

·      Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Imole Red 

·      Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid

·      Ibrahim El-Salahi, Haraza Tree

·      Basmah Felemban, Murmur of Pebbles

·      Vibha Galhotra , Future Fables

·      Héctor Zamora, Tar HyPar

Budget 2026: What India Can Expect – A Turning Point for Growth, Startups, and the Middle Class

Shrikant Pandey, Managing Director at Indiamanthan Publications

India heads into Union Budget 2026–27 with momentum. The latest Economic Survey projects FY27 real GDP growth at 6.8%–7.2% (fiscal year starting April 2026) and flags risks from geopolitics and weak exports. Budget 2026 will be judged on one outcome: can India keep investing for long-term growth while making household finances predictable?

1) Growth: capex continues, but “quality of spend” becomes the headline

Public capital expenditure (capex) remains a reliable growth lever. In Budget 2025–26, capex was earmarked at ₹11.21 lakh crore (3.1% of GDP) alongside a fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP—growth with a visible fiscal boundary. Budget 2026 is expected to stay on this path, with sharper emphasis on projects that cut costs for business.

Likely priority areas:

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• Urban infrastructure (transport, water, basic services)
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• Logistics and rail (freight efficiency)
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• Energy transition (grid, storage, renewables)
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• Manufacturing ecosystems (clusters, supply chains)

Industrial output rose 7.8% year-on-year in December 2025, led by manufacturing—momentum worth reinforcing through execution, not just allocation.

2) Middle class: relief via simplification and cost-of-living realism

For salaried families, the pressure points are EMIs, education fees, healthcare, and daily expenses. So expectations from Budget 2026 centre on “breathing room” and fewer compliance shocks.

Two tax tweaks many experts are watching:

•  Enhancement of the standard deduction 
• Allowing housing-loan interest deduction for self-occupied property under the new tax regime

Equally important are system upgrades: faster refunds, cleaner TDS matching, and smoother dispute resolution—practical reforms that save money and mental bandwidth without big rate cuts.

3) Startups: policy certainty + talent incentives

India’s startup ecosystem is mature enough that stability now matters as much as scale. Budget 2026 is likely to face two core asks:

A) Close out legacy angel-tax disputes

Even after angel tax was removed earlier, many startups still report older demands that complicate fundraising and due diligence. A clean settlement/closure mechanism would quickly improve investor confidence.

B) Fix ESOP taxation so it aligns with real cash outcomes

ESOPs are critical for hiring, but employees often face tax complexity before they see cash. Nasscom has pushed for broader ESOP tax deferral coverage. Reports also suggest the government is considering expanding ESOP tax deferral beyond current narrow eligibility—an efficiency move that boosts retention without a big fiscal bill.

Startups will also watch continuity in incentives like the Section 80-IAC tax holiday framework for eligible DPIIT-recognised startups.

4) Jobs, MSMEs, and consumption: where the Budget gets “felt”

If Budget 2026 wants to be a turning point, it must translate growth into jobs—mainly through MSMEs. Expect focus on easier working-capital access, simpler compliance, and skilling linked to industry demand. On the household side, policy will likely prioritise “supply-side” fixes—better logistics and infrastructure—because that’s how inflation pressure eases without large subsidies.

Fiscal credibility remains the guardrail. Markets will watch whether the government keeps the deficit glidepath intact while sustaining capex, because that influences borrowing costs across the economy—home loans, business credit, and the cost of capital for startups.

What to watch on Budget Day

Households: standard deduction signals, housing/health-linked relief, refund and notice reforms

Startups: angel-tax legacy closure, ESOP deferral expansion, clarity on incentives

Economy: capex quality (not only size) and the fiscal path supporting long-term growth

Conclusion

Budget 2026 doesn’t need fireworks to be transformational. If it delivers disciplined investment, reduces taxpayer friction, and gives startups the certainty to hire and innovate, it can strengthen growth durably and restore middle-class confidence.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance’s अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 Highlights India’s Uncertainty Trends in 2025

Chandigarh, Jan 30: Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited (“ABSLI”), the life insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital, India’s leading diversified financial services company, today announced the launch of the अ-Nishchit Index 2.0, a nationwide measure of household uncertainty. The nationwide index pegs India’s overall uncertainty score at 79, showcasing various aspects of uncertainties in the lives of India’s citizens. 

The अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 captures uncertainty across 11 parameters and 49 attitudinal statements, broadly classified into uncontrollable external risks and potentially controllable personal factors. These factors reflect how Indians perceive risks related to economic stability, health, safety, emotional wellbeing, digital security, family responsibilities and environmental factors. Validation checks conducted as part of the study show that 73% of respondents reported being extremely worried about their future, reinforcing the robustness of the Index outcome. 

Personal Finance Concerns Remain Elevated among Indian Households

The survey shows that personal finance anxiety in India is increasingly shaped by preparedness gaps rather than income levels alone. Concerns around economic and financial instability remain high at (80), led by fears of inflation eroding savings (81) and incomes failing to keep pace with rising living costs (80). This anxiety extends into long term planning, with respondents uncertain about their ability to build adequate wealth (80) and maintain emergency buffers for job loss or medical shocks (79), while a significant proportion are also unsure whether their insurance adequately covers serious illnesses (78). 

Retirement related worries are also prominent, with an index score of 78, reflecting concerns around the rising cost of elderly care (79), doubts about financial independence in old age (78), and insufficient retirement planning (78). Together, the findings point to a growing shift in personal finance priorities, from wealth creation alone to ensuring resilience across working years, healthcare needs, and retirement. 

Financial preparedness linked to lower uncertainty 

The Index remains largely consistent for individuals holding up to three insurance/investment products, with scores ranging narrowly between 78 and 80, closely aligned with the overall index score of 79. A similar pattern is observed for investment ownership, where respondents with one to three investment instruments record stable scores of 79 to 80. 

A distinct shift appears only among the cohort holding 4 or more insurance/investment products, where the index score drops to 73 for insurance and 75 for investments. This indicates that meaningful reductions in perceived uncertainty emerge only once households achieve deeper, more diversified financial coverage, reinforcing that breadth and layering of financial protection rather than basic ownership drives greater financial certainty. 

Mr. Kamlesh Rao, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance, said, “The अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 delivers a clear message: as uncertainties across economic stability, climate impact, health risks, digital security and long-term financial security increasingly converge in everyday life, India’s path to greater certainty lies in proactive, layered and well-understood financial preparedness that helps individuals and families move from managing uncertainty to regaining control over their future.” 

What Drives Uncertainty in India

Uncontrollable factors dominate the index. Economic and financial instability (Rank 1) and environmental and climate concerns (Rank 2) emerge as joint top drivers, with an अ-Nishchit Index of 80, reflecting concerns around inflation, income volatility, climate events, and long-term sustainability. Digital and cybersecurity risks, public safety and crime (Rank 4), along with government policy and geopolitical factors such as taxes, fuel prices, and global conflicts (Rank 5), also feature among the top five drivers, each having an अ-Nishchit Index of close to 80. 

Among potentially controllable factors, health and medical risks (Rank 3) have an अ-Nishchit Index of 80, driven by concerns around sudden medical emergencies, lifestyle diseases, and unpredictable treatment costs. This is followed closely by emotional and mental wellbeing (Rank 6), income, debt, and financial planning (Rank 7), and career and employment challenges (Rank 8), each with an अ-Nishchit Index of 79, reflecting rising stress, financial insecurity, and job-related pressures. Family and social responsibilities (Rank 9) and retirement and ageing (Rank 10) have an अ-Nishchit Index of 78, while education affordability and children’s growth (Rank 11) records 75. 

Uncertainty Cuts Across Age and Gender, but Deepens Sharply by Region and City Size 

The index remains remarkably consistent across gender, age, and occupation, underscoring how uncertainty is widely shared. Scores cluster tightly between 78 and 80 across men (78), women (80), salaried professionals (79), business owners (80), and across generations, from Baby Boomers (78) to Gen X (80).

अ-Nishchit Index is lowest in the South (71) and high in all the other zones led by East (83). Uncertainty increases as city size decreases, rising from 73 in Tier 1 cities to 86 in Tier 3 towns. While married individuals with children show a marginally higher score of 80, the number of dependents does not meaningfully change the index, indicating that where people live and the level of access they have matter more than life stage or household structure in shaping perceived uncertainty. 

From Adoption to Adequacy: India’s Life Insurance Challenge 

Awareness of individual life insurance products is reasonably widespread, though usage varies significantly across categories. Term insurance is known to 58% of respondents, with 20% currently holding a policy, while whole life insurance shows 59% awareness and 20% usage. Savings oriented products such as money back policies have 57% awareness and 25% usage, making them the most commonly held life insurance plans, whereas endowment plans see 41% awareness but only 5% adoption. 

Market linked products remain relatively niche, with ULIPs known to 33% of respondents and used by just 2%. Long term protection focused products also show modest uptake, with pension or annuity plans at 57% awareness translating into 8% usage, and child plans at 62% awareness resulting in 10% current ownership. 

This uneven conversion from awareness to active coverage is driven by a combination of affordability concerns, complexity, and trust gaps. Nearly 32% of respondents cite high premium costs as a barrier, while 30% say life insurance does not feel urgent enough at present. Decision paralysis also plays a role, with 28% unsure about which plan to choose and 17% finding policy terms and conditions too complex. Trust remains a critical constraint, as 29% point to negative claim experiences of friends or family and 23% report a lack of trust in insurance companies. 

Furthermore, the survey reveals nearly 68% of term insurance holders have coverage below 9× their annual income, and 37% have less than 5× – far short of the 15–20× recommended by experts for adequate family protection. Only 10% reach the 10-14 times bracket, with just 7% at 15 times or higher. 

Conclusion

The अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 presents a clear and compelling picture of contemporary India: a nation progressing economically, yet living with a deep and persistent sense of uncertainty. With the index standing at 79, and three in four Indians describing themselves as extremely worried about their future, uncertainty is no longer driven by isolated events but by the accumulation of multiple, overlapping risks.

Cloud.in and AWS Convene Industry Leaders to Redefine Security for the Generative AI Era

Mumbai, Jan 30: Cloud.in, a leading cloud consultancy and managed services provider, in partnership with Amazon Web Services successfully hosted an exclusive executive summit titled “Securing Generative AI and Business Workloads: Proactive Defense through Zero Trust at the Edge.” The summit brought together 50 top-tier delegates and industry pioneers to address the escalating security challenges of the modern digital landscape.

The event featured a high-impact panel discussion on securing Generative AI workloads, highlighting the critical shift toward Zero Trust architectures as a robust defense against AI-driven threats. The discussion emphasized heightened security stakes in sectors such as FinTech and Media, where real-time transactions demand uncompromising integrity. AWS representatives shared insights on how integrated infrastructure and security tools can transform risks into opportunities for faster, more resilient growth, while consensus emerged that strong governance and proactive leadership remain essential to navigating the evolving AI landscape.

The summit opened with a keynote by Abhijeet Pandey, Head of Security at AWS, on “The New Perimeter.” Pandey outlined India’s evolving threat landscape and underscored the need for edge-based security, urging businesses to move beyond traditional defenses to protect distributed workloads against global threats.

Following the keynote, AWS Solutions Architects conducted a technical deep dive into Proactive Defense, showcasing how AWS WAF, Bot Control, and Shield Advanced work in tandem to neutralize sophisticated attacks before they reach core infrastructure.

Abhay Joshi, VP of Sales and Marketing at Cloud.in, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to customer success, detailing how Cloud.in helps enterprises seamlessly adopt and scale AWS security frameworks.

Cloud.in also showcased its proprietary innovation suite aimed at enhancing enterprise resilience:

Rudra Sentinel – A cutting-edge threat detection and monitoring tool.

Niyantrac – A comprehensive cloud governance and configuration control platform ensuring continuous compliance and structural integrity.

A highlight of the summit was the panel discussion “Future-Proofing Security: Navigating AI Risks and Edge Defense,” featuring experts from AWS, Media, FinTech, and Journalism sectors. Panelists discussed the urgent need to secure Generative AI workloads, offering sector-specific insights on how AI and edge computing are reshaping business risk management.

“As Generative AI becomes central to business strategy, security can no longer be an afterthought. This event underscores our mission to provide the tools and expertise necessary to defend the next generation of digital innovation,” said Abhay Joshi.

The summit concluded with networking sessions, allowing industry leaders to exchange insights and explore collaborative approaches to securing AI-driven business transformation.

Budget 2026 Expectations: Developers Urge Policy Support to Sustain Housing Demand and Urban Growth

As expectations build ahead of the Union Budget 2026, real estate industry leaders across Maharashtra are calling for focused policy interventions to strengthen housing affordability, sustain end-user confidence, and accelerate urban and infrastructure-led growth. Stakeholders believe the sector’s continued contribution to economic expansion, employment generation, and city transformation can be further amplified through enhanced tax incentives for homebuyers, infrastructure status for housing, rationalisation of GST on construction inputs, faster approvals, and sustained investments in connectivity, redevelopment, and sustainable development—measures that together can support balanced, inclusive, and long-term growth across residential, commercial, and luxury segments.

Mr. Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra

“The real estate sector continues to be a critical driver of economic growth, employment generation, and allied industries. In the upcoming Union Budget, the industry is hopeful of measures that further strengthen end-user demand, enhance affordability, and accelerate project execution. Granting infrastructure status to housing, especially affordable and mid-income segments, would significantly improve access to institutional finance and reduce borrowing costs for developers.”

He added, “We strongly urge the government to revisit tax benefits for homebuyers by increasing the deduction limits on home loan interest and principal repayment under Sections 24(b) and 80C, which have remained unchanged for years. Rationalization of GST on construction materials and clarity on input tax credit would also help ease cost pressures. Additionally, faster approvals, policy support for redevelopment and urban housing, and incentives for sustainable and green developments will go a long way in supporting the sector’s long-term, inclusive growth.”

Mr. Kaushal Agarwal, Chairman, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory

“As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, the real estate sector will be watching closely for policy continuity and targeted measures that further strengthen housing affordability and sustain end-user confidence. The market has demonstrated strong resilience over the past year, supported by steady sales across major cities and rising participation from genuine homebuyers. In this context, calibrated tax relief for buyers, particularly in the mid-income and affordable segments, such as enhanced deductions on home loan interest and principal, along with a relook at stamp duty and registration charges, could meaningfully ease the cost of ownership and encourage first-time buyers.”

“Equally important will be the government’s continued focus on urban infrastructure, metro connectivity, and redevelopment-led growth, which are key to unlocking new demand corridors and improving city livability. Greater clarity and consistency in taxation, including a rational approach to levies on under-construction properties, can further strengthen buyer sentiment and developer confidence. Together, these measures can support balanced, inclusive growth while reinforcing real estate’s role as a stable, long-term contributor to India’s economic and urban development.”

Mr. Shilpin Tater, Managing Director, Superb Realty

“The real estate sector continues to be a key driver of economic growth, employment generation, and urban transformation. As we approach the Union Budget, the industry is optimistic about policy measures that enhance project viability and sustain end-user demand across both residential and commercial segments. Granting infrastructure status to housing, improving access to long-term and affordable financing, and facilitating ease of doing business will significantly support developers, especially in urban, redevelopment-led, and mixed-use markets.”

“We also expect the government to address rising construction costs through rationalisation of GST on key building materials and greater clarity on input tax credit. Faster approvals, policy support for redevelopment, and targeted incentives for green and sustainable developments will help improve supply efficiency. In the commercial real estate segment, a stronger budgetary focus on future-ready office and business spaces anchored in thoughtful design, sustainability, employee well-being, and technology integration will be crucial. Incentives for green-certified and energy-efficient buildings, technology-enabled smart workspaces, and continued investment in urban infrastructure will enable developers to create high-quality assets that enhance productivity, occupier experience, and align with evolving business needs and global standards.”

Mr. Kamlesh Thakur, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Srishti Group

“Increasing tax benefits for homebuyers and extending interest subsidy schemes will go a long way in supporting genuine end-user demand, particularly in the affordable and mid-income segments. As cities evolve, the focus must shift from mere connectivity to true accessibility. Accelerating critical infrastructure such as the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road, metro corridors, and key arterial routes will unlock new micro-markets and meaningfully compress travel time. From a developer’s perspective, faster regulatory approvals, single-window clearances, improved access to long-term capital, rationalisation of GST on construction materials, and incentives for sustainable development are essential enablers. Together, these measures will empower the sector to deliver high-quality housing while driving inclusive and long-term urban growth.”

Ms. Shraddha Kedia-Agarwal, Director, Transcon Developers

“In the forthcoming Union Budget, we expect policy measures that further strengthen housing affordability, provide greater ease of doing business, and support timely project execution. Enhancing tax benefits for homebuyers and ensuring easier access to long-term, low-cost funding will help sustain end-user confidence across housing segments, including luxury housing and mixed-use developments. Luxury residences, quality commercial assets, and India’s strong appeal among NRIs have emerged as important demand drivers, and policy clarity on taxation, repatriation norms, and investment-friendly regulations will further strengthen this segment. Equally important is a focus on accelerating urban infrastructure and redevelopment-led growth. Rationalization of GST on construction inputs, faster approvals, and incentives for sustainable and green developments will enable developers to deliver high-quality urban assets while creating long-term value for homebuyers, investors, and the city.”

Mr. Gaurav Varma, Director, ORA Group

“The real estate sector continues to be a vital enabler of urban growth and economic momentum. Strengthening tax incentives for homebuyers and ensuring access to long-term, cost-efficient funding will help sustain healthy end-user demand across segments. In addition to apartments, plotted developments and second homes are witnessing rising interest, driven by improved infrastructure, work-from-anywhere trends, and the aspiration for lifestyle-led ownership. Luxury housing and redevelopment-led projects are gaining strong traction in urban markets, driven by evolving lifestyle preferences and infrastructure-led accessibility. Fast-tracking key infrastructure projects, metro corridors, and arterial road networks will be critical in unlocking new micro-markets and enhancing livability. Rationalization of GST on construction materials, faster approvals, and incentives for sustainable developments will further enable developers to create high-quality residential assets that deliver long-term value to homebuyers and the city.”

Mr. Dhruman Shah, Promoter, Ariha Group

“In the forthcoming Union Budget, we expect policy measures that improve project viability, streamline approvals, and enhance housing affordability for end users. Luxury real estate has emerged as a strong growth segment, driven by discerning buyers seeking larger homes, better amenities, and well-located addresses. Redevelopment projects too have played a crucial role in upgrading ageing urban infrastructure and delivering high-quality urban living. Faster clearances, single-window approvals, rationalization of GST on construction materials, and incentives for sustainable and green developments will significantly ease execution challenges. Continued focus on infrastructure creation and last-mile connectivity will further support redevelopment-led growth and enable the delivery of globally benchmarked residential assets.”