Archive: July 28, 2026

GIFT ifi Organizes GIFT City’s First Training & Placement Officers Meet, Brings Together Gujarat’s Leading Placement Leaders

Gandhinagar, Gujarat  July 28: GIFT International FinTech Institute (GIFT ifi) today organized the first-ever Training & Placement Officers (TPO) Meet at GIFT City, bringing together
senior placement heads from leading higher educational institutions across Gujarat to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and deliberate on the future of student employability.

The day-long programme featured discussion on the evolving role of placement offices, emerging challenges in higher education, and the growing role of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing career services, student engagement, and placement operations.

The programme also provided participants with insights into the opportunities emerging within the GIFT City ecosystem and explored how academic institutions can better prepare students for careers in financial services, fintech, and other rapidly evolving sectors.

“In the era of AI, the expectations from industries are changing rapidly, and institutions must continuously adapt to prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven and interdisciplinary world. Training and Placement Officers have become strategic enablers in this transformation by connecting academic learning with evolving industry needs. Initiatives like the GIFT ifi – TPO Meet enable institutions to collaborate, exchange best practices, and collectively strengthen student employability while creating greater awareness about the emerging opportunities offered by GIFT City and the financial services ecosystem,” remarked, Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar and governing board member, GIFT ifi, while speaking on the changing landscape of higher education and student employability during his keynote speech. Emphasising the critical role of Training and Placement Officers in shaping the students career outcomes, Dr Puneet Gupta, President, GIFT ifi, stated, “Training and Placement Officers have a deep and direct influence on the career journeys of students. As the nature of work and the skills required by employers continue to evolve, placement offices must also continuously adapt. The TPO meet created a platform where TPOs shared their experiences, discussed common challenges, and explored new approaches to placement operations.”

The conclave brought together 34 Training and Placement Officers from leading higher educational institutions across Gujarat.

Training and Placement Officers play a pivotal role in bridging academia and industry by facilitating campus recruitment, supporting career planning, and helping students develop industry-relevant skills. The conclave served as a forum for the placement professionals to exchange ideas, discuss emerging challenges and explore collaborative approaches to enhance student’s employability.

The programme also featured an interactive brainstorming session on Training & Placement Operations Excellence, where participants shared best practices, and explored strategies to strengthen placement functions across higher education institutions.

A dedicated session on Artificial Intelligence in Modern Placement Offices explored how AI can support student engagement, career guidance, employer outreach, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiency in placement offices.

Participants also gained insights into GIFT City’s integrated financial ecosystem and the opportunities emerging across financial services, fintech, and innovation. A guided experience tour of GIFT City provided a first-hand view of its world-class infrastructure and unique business ecosystem.

The event also facilitated discussions on potential collaborations between GIFT ifi and participating institutions in areas including fintech education, student upskilling, industry readiness, academic engagement, and career development.

This initiative aligns with GIFT ifi’s vision of fostering education, research, innovation, and talent development in financial services and fintech. The Institute aims to leverage the unique ecosystem of GIFT City to strengthen collaboration with higher education institutions and enhance awareness of emerging opportunities across finance, technology, and innovation.

The first-ever TPO Meet marks the beginning of a long-term engagement between GIFT ifi and higher education institutions to build stronger industry-academia partnerships, enhance student employability, and develop a future-ready talent pool for India’s rapidly evolving financial services and technology sectors.

VST Tillers Tractors Takes Innovation Forward with Groundbreaking of Global Tech Center in Hosur

VST Tillers Tractors Ltd. commences journey into the future with groundbreaking ceremony for setting up Global Tech Center (GTC) with an initial investment of ₹100 Cr.+ in Hosur

New state of the art R&D facility to accelerate innovation, development of new technologies & products in farm mechanization space while establishing strong capabilities in design, calibration, simulation analysis, lab and field testing for the new generation of farm mechanization equipment powered by both ICE and EV technologies. 

Hosur, July 28: VST Tillers Tractors Ltd. (VTTL), one of India’s leading farm equipment manufacturers, today conducted the Bhoomi pooja and groundbreaking ceremony for its new Global Tech Centre in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Being established with an investment of ₹100 crore, the state-of-the-art facility will significantly strengthen the company’s research and development capabilities and serve as its primary global hub for advanced engineering and innovation.

The new Global Tech Centre has been envisioned to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies, with a strong focus on tractors, tillers, farm mechanization equipment,  intelligent farm machinery for sustainable agricultural solutions using both ICE and EV drive trains. The facility will play a pivotal role in fast-tracking innovation, developing proprietary technologies, enhancing testing and validation capabilities, and fostering collaborations with global technology partners and research institutions.

The Global Tech Centre will also significantly enhance VST’s product development ecosystem by strengthening testing infrastructure, accelerate the development and address customer requirements across different continents. The investment underscores VST’s long-term commitment to delivering innovative, efficient and sustainable mechanization solutions for Indian and global agriculture.

Speaking on the occasion, V. T. Ravindra Managing Director of the Company, VST Tillers Tractors Ltd., said, “The foundation of our Global Tech Centre marks a significant milestone in VST’s journey of innovation and technology leadership. As agriculture rapidly embraces electrification, automation and digital technologies, this facility will become the cornerstone of our future R&D initiatives. It will enable us to accelerate innovation, develop proprietary technologies and create world-class products that empower farmers with smarter, more sustainable mechanization solutions.”

He further added, “The new centre will substantially strengthen our engineering, testing and validation capabilities while fostering collaborations with leading global technology partners and research institutions. By investing in advanced R&D infrastructure today, we are preparing VST to lead the next generation of farm machinery  and deliver products that meet the evolving needs of customers across domestic and international markets.”

The establishment of the Global Tech Centre reflects VST’s strategic vision of building indigenous technology capabilities while driving sustainable innovation in farm mechanization. With this forward-looking investment, the company reinforces its commitment to engineering excellence, product innovation and industry leadership in the rapidly evolving landscape of smart and sustainable agriculture.

India’s Industrial Output Grows 7.3 pc in June, Manufacturing Drives Expansion

New Delhi, July 28: India’s industrial sector recorded strong growth in June, with overall output rising 7.3%, supported by better performance in manufacturing, electricity, and gas sectors.

The growth reflects continued momentum in industrial activity and highlights the resilience of India’s economy amid changing global conditions.

The manufacturing sector remained a key contributor to the rise, while increased electricity and gas production further supported overall industrial expansion.

Experts said the improvement in industrial output indicates stronger production activity and growing confidence across key sectors.

The latest performance is expected to support economic growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen India’s manufacturing capabilities.

The government’s continued focus on infrastructure development, industrial expansion, and investment promotion is helping drive growth across the country’s industrial landscape.

Sensex, Nifty Slip as Weak Asian Markets Weigh on Sentiment

Mumbai, July 28: Indian benchmark indices ended the trading session slightly lower as weakness across Asian markets affected investor sentiment and led to cautious activity in domestic equities.

The Sensex and Nifty witnessed a subdued session, with investors tracking global market movements and assessing economic developments.

Market experts said profit booking in select sectors and uncertainty in overseas markets contributed to the decline.

Investors remained focused on corporate earnings, economic indicators, and global trends for further market direction.

The domestic market outlook is expected to remain influenced by international developments and investor sentiment in the coming sessions.

Sundaram Finance Revises Interest Rate on Three-Year Fixed Deposits

Chennai, July 28, 2026: Sundaram Finance Limited has announced an increase in the interest rate on its three-year fixed deposit scheme, effective August 1, 2026, reinforcing its commitment to offering attractive returns to its customers.

Under the revised rates, the interest rate for the general public on three-year fixed deposits has been increased by 25 basis points, from 7.00% per annum to 7.25% per annum. Forsenior citizens, the interest rate on three-year fixed deposits has been increased by 25 basis points, from 7.50% per annum to 7.75% per annum. 

The interest rates for one-year and two-year deposit tenures remain unchanged

Sundaram Finance continues to enjoy the confidence of its deposit holders, with its public deposit base currently standing at ₹6,160 crore. The steady growth in deposits reflects the enduring trust that customers have placed in the company over the years, backed by its strong financial fundamentals, prudent governance, and consistent track record.

Commenting on the revision, Dhandayuthapani, Head Deposits, said, “The increase in the interest rate for our three-year deposits is aimed at providing enhanced value to our deposit holders while continuing to offer a safe and dependable investment avenue. We are grateful for the continued trust and confidence reposed in Sundaram Finance by our deposit holders, as reflected in our growing deposit base.”

Sundaram Finance’s fixed deposit schemes continue to offer investors an attractive combination of competitive returns, safety, and the assurance of partnering with one of India’s most trusted financial institutions.

Ambuja Cements Records Strong Start to FY27, Advances Capacity Expansion Plans

New Delhi, July 28: Ambuja Cements has begun the financial year 2026–27 with strong operational performance, while continuing to focus on expanding its cement production capacity to 119 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

The company’s expansion strategy aims to meet rising demand from India’s infrastructure and construction sectors while strengthening operational efficiency and long-term growth.

Ambuja Cements is investing in capacity enhancement, technology upgrades, and sustainable manufacturing practices to improve productivity and support future market requirements.

The company said the expansion plans will help strengthen its position in the cement industry and contribute to India’s ongoing infrastructure development.

With continued focus on growth, efficiency, and sustainability, Ambuja Cements is working towards building a stronger and more competitive business in the coming years.

Air India Launches ‘easy Connect’ Flights From Amritsar, Connecting Punjab To 27 Global Destinations

Bengaluru, 28 July: Air India today inaugurated ‘Easy Connect’ services from Amritsar, further expanding the Government of India’s transformative hub-and-spoke model and bringing seamless global connectivity closer to travellers across Punjab. The launch marks an important step forward in the initiative’s nationwide rollout announced in June 2026.

As part of the Easy Connect programme, international travellers from Amritsar can complete through check-in to their final destinations, clear immigration formalities at Amritsar airport, and enjoy seamless transfers through Delhi without having to re-check baggage or change terminals.

This enables travellers to fly via Delhi as international transit passengers, eliminating the need for repeated processes and significantly reducing travel complexity and unfamiliarity often associated with connecting through foreign airports, including foreign language barriers.

Air India has designated two daily flights from Amritsar to Delhi as ‘Easy Connect’ services:

• AI1113: Departs Amritsar at 09:10 AM and arrives in Delhi at 10:40 AM
• AI1115: Departs Amritsar at 10:00 PM and arrives in Delhi at 11:20 PM

Together, these flights provide seamless onward connectivity to 27 international destinations within four hours of arrival in Delhi, including destinations in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Commenting at the launch, Mr Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, said: “The expansion of hub-and-spoke operations to Amritsar is another step towards our vision of building an aviation network that truly serves a New India – one where global access is no longer confined to a handful of metropolitan centres but extends to every region of the country. By strengthening connectivity through Indian hubs, we are strengthening the foundation for a more integrated, accessible, and globally competitive aviation ecosystem.”

“With these flights, Punjab becomes closer to the rest of the world, deepening connections with its vibrant global diaspora and unlocking new opportunities for tourism, economic growth, and cultural exchange.”

Mr Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Puneet Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India; and Mr P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, along with other senior officials from government agencies, airport stakeholders, and Air India were present at the inaugural event.

From Punjab to the world 

The morning Easy Connect service from Amritsar (Flight AI1113) is timed to facilitate convenient onward connections to key European destinations including London Heathrow, Birmingham, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna, Amsterdam, Zurich, Frankfurt, and Rome, as well as select destinations in Southeast Asia and West Asia.

The late evening service (Flight AI1115) offers smooth connectivity to destinations in the USA, Canada, Australia, such as New York (JFK), Newark (New Jersey), San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney, and select destinations in Southeast Asia and West Asia such as Singapore, Phuket, Bali, Dubai, among others.

Air India will also become the first Indian carrier to implement the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Standard Operating Procedure for inbound hub-and-spoke operations, enabling seamless international-to-domestic transfers via Delhi for passengers travelling onwards to Amritsar. The inbound Easy Connect model is expected to be introduced from Amritsar within the next two months.

P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, said: “Punjab is home to one of the largest globally connected communities of Indians, with generations of families, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals forging strong links with communities around the world, especially the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Yet for many travellers, international journeys have often involved navigating multiple airports, repeated formalities, and lengthy transit experiences. With Easy Connect flights from Amritsar, travellers can now begin their overseas journeys from their home city without any hassle. We are proud to support the Government of India’s vision to bring the world closer to every Indian while strengthening India’s position as a major global aviation hub.”

Air India is leading a phased nationwide rollout that will progressively connect more domestic “spoke” cities in addition to Amritsar and Varanasi to the airline’s primary hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, unlocking seamless, end-to-end international travel for millions of Indians. In the coming weeks, Air India will begin Easy Connect services from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, and several other Indian cities.

Building India’s role as a global aviation connector 

The Easy Connect initiative forms part of a broader effort to channel more international traffic through Indian airports rather than overseas transit hubs. Nearly 25 million passengers travel long-haul to and from India annually, of which close to 20 million are connecting travellers – and around 85% (approximately 17 million) of whom currently transit through overseas hubs rather than Indian airports.

Through the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke framework and Air India’s growing global network, Easy Connect aims to progressively shift more of this traffic through Indian hubs, providing travellers with a more familiar, seamless, and nationally integrated travel experience.

Air India currently operates the largest international network among Indian carriers, connecting India to destinations across North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, while its extensive domestic network enables convenient access from cities across the country.

More about Easy Connect flights 

Passengers travelling on Air India’s Easy Connect flights are required to complete certain pre-departure and transit processes to ensure a seamless journey, including mandatory DigiYatra enrolment for Indian nationals. Indian passport holders connecting internationally on Easy Connect flights are required to enrol in DigiYatra. Web check-in and Customs declaration are not available at spoke airports.

Bookings for Air India’s Easy Connect flights are available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, contact centre, and travel agents