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Companies like Google, Accenture, Diageo, Myntra, IKEA, and L’Oréal are including fertility treatments like IVF under insurance, offering emotional support through employee assistance programmes, organising seminars to drive awareness on infertility and available support systems. Egg and sperm freezing, too, are being added to medical insurance programmes for employees looking to delay their parenthood journey for career or personal reasons. India has a population of as many as 27.5 million infertile people, including men and women, according to the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction. However, organisations are stepping up to drive the change. In November last year, Google India expanded its family building benefits in India, increasing reimbursements for expenses related to fertility treatments — including options like fertility preservation, IUI, and IVF.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday asked his party workers to halt the agitation demanding mandatory use of the Marathi language in banks and other establishments across the state, as per an official statement from MNS. In a letter to the party worker, Thackeray said, «It's time to halt the agitation as we've raised sufficient awareness about the issue. It's up to the Marathi community to insist on their rights. If our community doesn't take action, then what's the point of these agitations?» He expressed hope that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's lead Maharashtra government will follow the law regarding the use of the Marathi language in all establishments across the state. «I have seen a statement of the Chief Minister in which he has said that no one will be allowed to take the law in their hands. We are also not interested in taking the law into our hands but it is the responsibility of the government to follow the law. I expect the government to follow the law regarding the use of Marathi language in all establishments across Maharashtra,» Thackeray said in the letter. Thackeray urged his workers to pause the agitation but remain focused on the issue.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has started initial discussions with banks and global vendors to buy 4G and 5G network gear against letters of credit (LCs) instead of making full upfront payments, backed by the government's debt conversion. Switching back to an LC-based payments model with global vendors is likely to give Vi far more cash-flow flexibility and allow it to accelerate its 4G network expansion and 5G rollouts via bigger volume equipment purchases, multiple people aware of the discussions said. The telco needs to speedily expand its 4G services as it aims to narrow the network coverage difference with rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, and stem rapid user losses.

Sachin Shah, Executive Director & Fund Manager, Emkay Investment Managers, says private sector banks are favoured due to reasonable valuations, eased liquidity from RBI actions, and a rebound in the rural market economy. Domestic focused businesses and export-oriented industries with strong value propositions also present advantages as India benefits from lower tariffs in global markets. Identifying strong businesses with solid balance sheets will be crucial. What should one do? How should one gauge an event like Trump-led reciprocal tariff and prepare for it? We were preparing, for the last two months we knew we were going to get a reciprocal tariff, April 2nd was the date that we all were watching out for, April 3rd for India. Despite all that, this tariff has hit us hard. It was much more than we expected. Sachin Shah: Yes, you are right, this is an event which we have been discussing for a while now and now it has happened. But we also have to become aware of the fact that this is sustainable, something we need to really think through because this is definitely going to impact the US economy the most and this is also reflected in the US capital markets clearly for the last few weeks and more so in the last couple of days. This is going to be very, very inflationary for the economy and clearly at this point in time, it looks like it may not be very sustainable.

IndusInd Bank ignored established Indian derivative accounting practices for years as it chased profit growth, resulting in a $175 million balance-sheet hole and the biggest crisis for the lender in its three-decade history, multiple sources said. Still, the 2.35% shortfall in the net worth of India's fifth-biggest private sector lender may not have come to light last month had the rupee not sharply slumped recently, said the sources. IndusInd disclosed in March accounting discrepancies in its derivatives portfolio whose impact roughly equated to an entire quarter's profits and sparked the loss of about one-fourth of its market value.

Between the conception And the creation Between the emotion And the response Falls the Shadow — The Hollow Men, TS Eliot “I think of my works as meditation, [samadhi],” says Trishla Jain. And it shows. Looking at her canvases, you realise two processes are at work — one, the very essence of the creative process that takes form in her paintings is on display; two, this process is reversed by an active act of immersion for the viewer who now becomes part of the creative process. In other words, we are in the Shadow zone — the breather — between conception and creation, between emotion and its response.

Bharatiya Janata Party over the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a «part of the party's agenda of polarization.» Speaking with ANI, Rawat said, «Earlier also when amendments were made in the bill, questions were raised and we resolved them through discussions but you (government) are not resolving them...It seems that this is also a part of the BJP's agenda of polarization.» Additionally, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram urged the government not to pass the law, noting the «sensitivities» of people associated with the waqf board. «This is a matter of faith and it is a matter of practising religion and it is a property donated voluntarily for a religious purpose. The government should be aware of the sensitivities, respect the sensitivities and take people along and not pass the law just because they have a majority in the House,» Chidambaram said. He also added that the BJP is bringing the bill to «send a signal» to their core voters.

systemic liquidity to enable smoother transmission of policy rate decisions. This was conveyed by the executives to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials at a pre-policy review consultation meeting Monday in Mumbai, sources told ET. «During the meeting, the consensus was that RBI should provide more durable liquidity in the system and that the interest rates should come down,» a person aware of the development said.

Chetan Bhagat recently shared his experience of meeting Bollywood superstar Salman Khan for the first time. In an interview with Lallantop, Bhagat recalled visiting Salman’s residence, Galaxy Apartments, during the making of Hello, a film adaptation of his novel One Night @ the Call Center. He described the visit as surreal, saying it felt like stepping into another world.

Mahua Moitra to make representation to the Securities and Exchange Board of India for seeking transparency and investor awareness in the financial markets by mandating public disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) details as well as portfolio holdings of alternative investment funds (AIFs) and foreign portfolio investors (FPIs). A Bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna while refusing to entertain the Moitra’s petition gave liberty to her to make representation to Sebi. Once representation is made, it shall be considered in accordance with law, the apex court said The MP told the SC that the rapid expansion of AIFs and FPIs in India's financial markets has given rise to serious transparency concerns. “Unlike Mutual Funds (MFs), which are subject to stringent public disclosure norms, AIFs and FPIs operate under opaque structures, raising risks of market manipulation, money laundering, and tax evasion,” she said. The lack of public disclosure norms on AIFs and FPIs pose severe risks to financial stability, market integrity, and economic sovereignty, she said. Given the increasing role of AIFs and FPIs in India's financial markets, regulatory transparency is crucial to protect the interest of market stakeholders, especially the retail investor, ensuring market stability and preventing financial malpractices through circumvention of the law, the petitioner said.

Mahua Moitra's petition seeking transparency and investor awareness in India's financial markets. The MP is asking for transparency by mandating public disclosure of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO) details as well as portfolio holdings of Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs). The rapid expansion of AIFs and FPIs in India's financial markets has given rise to serious transparency concerns. Unlike Mutual Funds, which are subject to stringent public disclosure norms, AIFs and FPIs operate under opaque structures, raising risks of market manipulation, money laundering, and tax evasion, said Moitra. «Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), a statutory body, regulates the securities markets in India. As part of its mandate, SEBI oversees the operations of Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) in India. SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012 and SEBI (Foreign Portfolio Investors) Regulations, 2019 have been enacted for the regulation of AIF's and FPI's in India,» the petition stated. «However, while Mutual Funds (known as 'Collective Investment Schemes') are subjected to strict public disclosure norms (under SEBI Mutual Fund Regulations 1996 & SEBI Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) Regulation 1999, etc.), there are virtually no public disclosure norms for both AIFs as well as FPIs in India,» according to the MP's petition.

electric buses under the PM E-Drive scheme to cover more cities without increasing the budget allocation. The Centre currently offers a subsidy of ₹20-35 lakh per e-bus, depending on the carrying capacity and specification of the vehicle. According to officials aware of the development, Surat, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru have together raised a demand for more than 15,000 units. This is well above the scheme target to subsidise 14,028 e-buses with a funding support of ₹4,391 crore. «The newly formed Delhi government is expected to raise a significant demand for e-buses. Orders from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata are awaited as well,» a senior official told ET, while adding that the government may lower the per e-bus subsidy for catering to more cities.

India’s economy, MSMEs remain critically underinsured. With less than 15% having adequate insurance coverage, millions of businesses are left vulnerable to financial shocks. Why, then, do so many small enterprises overlook such a crucial safety net? Business insurance penetration among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India remains alarmingly low. Given that there are 63 million MSMEs, which currently contribute approximately 30% to India’s gross domestic product (GDP), only a small fraction have insurance. Insurance coverage is crucial for MSMEs, given their limited capacity to withstand risks such as payment defaults. In the post-pandemic world, challenges such as supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, inflation, and economic slowdowns have further heightened the risks associated with exports, making risk mitigation through insurance more vital than ever. This raises an important question: Are MSMEs reluctant to embrace insurance, or is the system failing to make insurance accessible and compelling? According to Girija Subramanian, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, The New India Assurance Co. Ltd., the issue is deeply rooted in perception and awareness. Speaking on the sidelines of the Economic Times (ET) MSME Awards 2024 in Delhi, Subramanian addressed this challenge in a fireside chat moderated by Neha Dewan, Assistant News Editor, The Economic Times.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Users could face service quality issues as telecom operators struggle to expand networks, with about 15 states yet to align with the Centre’s updated Right of Way (RoW) rules to deploy telecom infrastructure, three executives aware of the matter said.

The resources conglomerate has also used funds it raised through a qualified institutional placement to repay loans, sources aware of the development said. The promoter holding company, London-based Vedanta Resources, also managed to save $185 million in interest costs in the same time period.

fuel efficiency norms under the CAFE III (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency) standards as they resumed talks with the government after a hiatus of a few months, said people aware of the matter. The new norms are slated to come into effect on April 1, 2027. In the latest round of consultative meeting held earlier this month between the auto industry and government, representatives from automakers cited the current low penetration of electric vehicles (EVs)-critical for curbing overall vehicular emissions-in the Indian market for easing the norms.

International Day of Yoga and said the day had taken «the shape of a grand festival». The United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga with an aim to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga. It was first celebrated in 2015. Sharing India's vision for a healthier world population in his monthly «Mann ki Baat» radio broadcast, Modi said, «The theme of yoga day, 2025, has been kept as 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'. That is, we wish to make the whole world healthy through yoga.» The prime minister noted that, alongside fitness, keeping a count was also becoming a habit, citing examples of people keeping tabs on the number of steps taken, calories consumed and burnt in a day. «Amid all these counts, another countdown is about to begin. The countdown to the International Day of Yoga. Now, less than 100 days are left for yoga day. If you have not yet included yoga in your life, do it now. It is not too late yet,» he said. Noting the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated 10 years ago, Modi said, «Now this day has taken the shape of a grand festival of yoga. This is such a priceless gift from India to humanity, which is going to be very useful for future generations.»

Instagram to highlight why she believes her children will have a richer childhood in India compared to the USA. She listed eight key reasons that make India an ideal place for raising kids. One of the biggest advantages, according to Kristen, is the exposure to diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. Growing up in India allows children to develop cultural awareness and adaptability, making them more open-minded and accepting of different perspectives. Additionally, India’s multilingual environment ensures that her children will learn Hindi alongside English and be exposed to various regional languages. This, she believes, will enhance their cognitive abilities, communication skills, and future career opportunities. Kristen also emphasized that growing up in India will provide her children with a broader global perspective. They will gain insights into different societal norms, regional issues, and global challenges, shaping them into more informed global citizens. Furthermore, the experience of adjusting to a new educational system and social environment will build their resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills.

Operation Brahma' to assist Myanmar after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook the country, claiming over 1,644 lives and reducing buildings to rubble. The large-scale humanitarian mission includes rescue teams, medical aid, and relief supplies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Myanmar’s military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, expressing solidarity. In a post on X, he said, «Spoke with Senior General H E Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences at the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour.»

reservation for Muslims in public contracts. He also said that the party will hold a protest against the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly, calling Speaker U T Khader's decision as «dictatorial». «Some party leaders met and discussed several issues, especially about the state government's price rise. By increasing milk prices probably the Congress government has given a Ugadi gift to the public. We want to create public awareness and we have decided to protest against this price rise,» Vijaynedra said. Speaking to reporters here, he said the BJP will begin a day and night protest at the Freedom Park here from 11 am on April 2. «All BJP MLAs, MLCs, former legislators, those who have contested Assembly polls, district presidents and state officers will participate in this protest. There will be a protest against this Congress government's price rise at all district centres on April 4 and at all mandals on April 5,» he added. Speaking about the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly on the last day of the legislature session, last week, Vijayendra, calling it «dictatorial», said this is not right and it is «unconstitutional».

Vodafone Idea after the recent government decision not to waive interest and penalties related to adjusted gross revenue dues. The development came amid demands by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio that the government have a clause for refund of the money that they have fully paid up for the spectrum bought before 2022 but could have now surrendered, said officials aware of the matter. Vodafone Idea was hoping to immediately surrender some spectrum bought before 2022 and use it partly to pay for bank guarantees in the near future. Surrender of excess airwaves could have reduced the telco's government obligations by ₹30,000-₹40,000 crore, depending on the quantum of spectrum returned. Officials said the move to allow surrender of spectrum would have involved a complicated process to change the rules of auctions conducted before 2022, which was also a deterrent.