MUMBAI: (Mar 4) The Maharashtra government is striving to promote bamboo cultivation across the state, highlighting its potential to generate rural employment, preserve traditional artisan skills, and reduce reliance on plastic, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik said on Wednesday.
The minister said government procurement rates for bamboo products will be considered to stabilise markets and encourage production.
Replying during a discussion in the legislative assembly, Naik said bamboo can now be cultivated in Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh in the north-western part of the state
Mumbai, 16 February 2026: World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with Climate Trends, hosted a high-level roundtable on “Urban Heat Stress and Its Growing Impact on India’s Economic Sectors and Public Health” as part of Mumbai Climate Week. The discussion highlighted how rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves are increasingly affecting productivity, worker safety, electricity demand, and supply-chain efficiency across Indian cities.
Addressing the session, Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of World Trade Center Mumbai and President of the All India Association of Industries, stated that urban heat is no longer just an environmental issue but a serious development challenge. He noted that many Indian cities are already experiencing temperatures 3–8°C higher than surrounding rural areas due to the Urban Heat Island effect. With India’s urban population projected to cross 40% by 2030, rising temperatures are expected to significantly impact public health, urban liveability, and economic productivity, particularly among vulnerable communities. He also highlighted that India could lose around 5.8% of total working hours by 2030 due to extreme heat, while the World Bank has warned of potential GDP losses of up to 4.5% without adequate adaptation measures.
Aarti Khosla, Founder and Director of Climate Trends, emphasized that climate action lies at the intersection of public health and economic growth. She noted that investing in resilience is economically beneficial, as every dollar invested in climate resilience can generate significantly higher savings by preventing future losses. She also stressed the need for practical financial models that support MSMEs and protect vulnerable workers, especially those in India’s large informal workforce.
Vishwas Chitale, Head of Climate Resilience at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), highlighted that rapid urbanisation is contributing as much to rising urban heat as climate change itself. He stated that higher temperatures and humidity levels are already affecting productivity and industrial output, making climate-resilient adaptation measures both an environmental necessity and a sound economic investment.
The roundtable brought together representatives from industry, finance, healthcare, sustainability, and policy institutions, who agreed that urban heat is emerging as a major economic and development challenge requiring coordinated planning, integrated policy frameworks, and actionable resilience strategies for Indian cities.
New Delhi [India], February 13: The Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) will convene the International Conclave on AI for Inclusion and the Future of Work 2026: Bridging the Equity Gap on 18th February 2026 at The Park, New Delhi. The conclave is being organised in partnership with iCreate, Indian Institute of Management Jammu, Infisum and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), and will serve as a precursor to the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, the conclave will bring together senior representatives from the Union and State Governments, global policymakers, industry leaders, economists, academic experts and social sector practitioners. Discussions will focus on aligning artificial intelligence with the goals of equity, livelihood security and inclusive economic growth.
As AI rapidly reshapes productivity, service delivery and business models, the conclave will examine emerging risks around concentration of capital, compute infrastructure and intellectual property, and their potential to deepen structural inequalities. Deliberations will explore policy and market interventions required to ensure equitable access to AI through infrastructure development, responsible data governance and inclusive skilling frameworks.
Key agenda areas include AI inequality in global development, governance frameworks for responsible AI deployment, formalisation pathways for MSMEs and informal workers, and the role of digital public infrastructure in expanding access to AI systems. Special emphasis will be placed on enabling participation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women entrepreneurs, gig workers, sanitation workers, artisans and first-generation business owners in emerging AI value chains.
A key outcome of the conclave will be the Delhi Declaration on Inclusive AI and the Future of Work, which is expected to outline national principles for equity-by-design, worker transition frameworks, portable social protection mechanisms, multilingual AI skilling pathways, inclusive data governance standards and strengthened Centre–State coordination. The Declaration will inform deliberations at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Dr. Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman, DICCI & Conclave Chairman, Conclave on AI for Inclusion and the Future of Work stated, “Artificial intelligence will define the next phase of economic expansion. The central question is whether this growth will remain concentrated or become participatory. This conclave is anchored in six pillars — education, small business formalisation, financial literacy, future-ready agriculture, AI for speedy justice, and AI for empowering informal workers. Inclusion must be embedded at the design stage of AI systems and governance frameworks to ensure durable social mobility.”
Padma Shri awardee Mr. Ravi Kumar Narra, National President, DICCI, added, “Economic empowerment delivers impact when policy intent is matched with institutional execution. AI must be deployed with similar discipline to enhance productivity in the informal economy, expand market access for small enterprises and enable credible worker transition pathways. Inclusion must be measurable, not aspirational.”
Through this conclave, DICCI aims to institutionalise inclusion as a foundational principle within India’s evolving AI policy ecosystem, advancing structured dialogue and actionable commitments that align artificial intelligence with equity, employment and national development priorities.
New Delhi [India], February 14: Infiheal, an IIT Bombay mental health startup, has launched DuoChat, described as the world’s first AI relationship coach designed to help two people communicate together in real time and build stronger relationships.
The product was introduced at the official pre-summit hosted by Infiheal and IGAP leading up to the India AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi, where senior leaders from major technology firms, public policy institutions, healthcare systems, international organizations, academic research centers, and regulatory authorities gathered to shape the future of responsible artificial intelligence.
DuoChat’s release comes just ahead of Valentine’s Day, a time when conversations around love, compatibility, emotional connection, and relationship health naturally take center stage. While the season often focuses on celebration, mental health experts note that it also highlights communication gaps and unresolved tensions in partnerships — making early-stage support tools particularly relevant.
Over the past decade, digital mental health tools have largely focused on individuals — offering support for anxiety management, emotional regulation, and personal resilience. However, research increasingly underscores that emotional well-being is deeply relational.
A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association found that nearly 60 percent of adults reported significant stress linked to friendships, family dynamics, or workplace communication — stressors that directly affect relationship quality.
Despite this awareness, relationship support often remains reactive. Couples therapy is frequently sought only during crises, and access barriers — including cost, stigma, and long waitlists — can delay intervention. Many individuals attempt to resolve conflict independently, without a shared framework for constructive dialogue.
Building a Shared AI-Facilitated Space
Infiheal previously launched Healo, an AI mental health companion offering guided emotional support and therapist matching. Within just over a year, Healo grew to more than one million users, with 91 percent reporting improvement in how they felt after using the platform.
During that expansion, the team observed a consistent pattern: a majority of user conversations centered on relationships — romantic, familial, and social. Users frequently uploaded screenshots of difficult exchanges, asking the AI to interpret tone and intent. While this offered individual clarity, it did not address the relational dynamic itself.
DuoChat was built to bridge that gap.
The platform creates a private, confidential chat environment where two participants engage simultaneously. The AI functions as a facilitator — not a replacement for communication. It introduces structured prompts, reflection cues, and perspective-building interventions designed to reduce defensiveness, prevent escalation, and clarify misinterpretations. Drawing from established relationship science and evidence-based therapeutic frameworks, the system intervenes selectively — primarily when conversations become heated or when guided reflection may restore empathy and understanding.
Early-Stage, Preventative Support
Globally, demand for counseling continues to outpace supply, leaving many couples and families waiting weeks or months for professional support. During these gaps, emotional distance can deepen.
DuoChat positions itself as early-stage support — not therapy, but a preventative tool aimed at encouraging healthier dialogue before disconnection becomes entrenched.
“We’ve built AI platforms to optimize productivity, entertainment, and even shopping. But we haven’t focused enough on leveraging AI to help people understand each other,” said Srishti Srivastava, Founder and CEO of Infiheal. “DuoChat is our attempt to shift AI toward strengthening human relationships, not replacing them.”
India-Led Innovation in Mental Health AI
Founded by Srishti Srivastava and Utkarsh Srivastava, Infiheal develops clinically validated AI models for mental healthcare within responsible AI frameworks, emphasizing safety and trust. The company has been recognized by Narendra Modi, in Mann Ki Baat and has showcased its work at global platforms such as the World Economic Forum in Davos.
With DuoChat launching around Valentine’s Day, the startup expands its mission to make mental health support accessible, affordable, and stigma-free — while reframing AI not just as a tool for individual optimization, but as a bridge for stronger human connection.
THANE: (Feb 8) At least seven godowns stocked with materials like paper products and plastic items were destroyed after a fire broke out in an industrial hub in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Sunday, an official said.
No one was injured in the incident at the godown complex in Bhiwandi’s Mankoli area, said Chief Fire Officer Nitin Lad from the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation.
After being alerted about the fire, which started around 2.30 pm, three fire engines were rushed to the spot, he said.
Mumbai, February 7, 2026:
India and the United States have taken a major step forward in strengthening their strategic and economic partnership with the signing of an Interim Trade Pact, setting the stage for an ambitious $500 billion bilateral trade target in the coming years.
The agreement, signed within days of its announcement, underscores the seriousness both nations attach to expanding trade ties. The interim pact significantly reduces import duties from as high as 50% to zero on several key Indian export sectors, including gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, smartphones, and auto components.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of World Trade Center Mumbai and President of the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), described the deal as a “transformational moment” for India’s global trade positioning.
“With today’s joint statement, it is amply clear that this trade deal will support India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat, strengthening our role in international trade while cementing our geopolitical and geoeconomic partnership with the United States,” Dr. Kalantri said.
The broader contours of the agreement were outlined in a joint statement by both countries, followed by a press conference addressed by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who indicated that the final Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is expected to be completed by March 2026.
According to trade experts, the immediate reduction in tariffs gives Indian exporters a significant competitive advantage over other global players, particularly benefiting MSMEs, job creation, and export-led growth.
Dr. Kalantri further highlighted that unlike several other trade agreements signed with regions such as the EU, UK, and New Zealand—whose benefits will materialize gradually—the India–US interim pact delivers immediate economic impact.
“The provisions on technology transfer and investment cooperation will boost India’s startup ecosystem, innovation capacity, and access to critical ICT products. This will not only accelerate economic growth but also strengthen national security,” he added.
Importantly, the pact reassures domestic stakeholders that India has not compromised on sensitive and strategic sectors, addressing political and economic concerns while ensuring broad acceptability of the agreement.
Trade analysts view the interim pact as a strong foundation for a comprehensive long-term trade framework, positioning India and the US as key economic partners in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
By Wellett Potter, University of New England
LONDON: (Feb 4) Would you create an interactive “digital twin” of yourself that can communicate with loved ones after your death?
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to seemingly resurrect the dead. So-called griefbots or deathbots – an AI-generated voice, video avatar or text-based chatbot trained on the data of a deceased person – proliferate in the booming digital afterlife industry, also known as grief tech.
Deathbots are usually created by the bereaved, often as part of the grieving process. But there are also services that allow you to create a digital twin of yourself while you’re still alive. So why not create one for when you’re gone?
Mumbai | 3 February 2026
By: Real News of India
World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), organised a Post-Budget Discussion Session to deliberate on the implications of the Union Budget 2026–27 for MSMEs, trade, industry, exports, and India’s long-term economic growth trajectory. The event brought together industry leaders, exporters, professionals, policy observers, and diplomats to analyse key budget announcements and their impact on the economy.
Speaking at the session, Mr. Siddhartha Rastogi, Principal Officer, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, Ambit Asset Management, stated that the Union Budget lays a clear roadmap for the coming years. Emphasising inclusive growth, he said that achieving a GDP growth rate of 7.2 percent requires strengthening India’s 6 crore MSMEs, which form the backbone of the economy. He highlighted that linking government spending with the TReDS platform would unlock liquidity and enhance order books for MSMEs, while promotion of digital payments and securitisation would improve credit flow and prevent capital from being stuck in the system.
Mr. Rastogi also welcomed the government’s focus on critical minerals and rare earth elements, noting that such initiatives would ensure stable supply chains, strengthen Atmanirbharta, and safeguard the economy from geopolitical risks.
Explaining indirect tax-related changes, Mr. Pranav Prakash Mehta, Partner, KJM INC and Specialist in Indirect Taxation, said that while the Budget did not introduce major taxation reforms, minor amendments would significantly improve ease of doing business. He noted that changes related to post-supply discounts would increase supplier accountability and ultimately benefit customers. He further added that clarifications on supply invoicing and invoice discounting would reduce litigation and speed up resolution of long-pending tax matters.
Sharing insights on direct taxation proposals, Mr. Arun Kumar Garodia, Former ITAT Member and Income Tax Consultant, said that the tax holiday announced for data centres would attract capital flows into new-age technology investments and strengthen India’s long-term investment climate. He added that changes in the taxation of share buybacks—now to be taxed under capital gains—would benefit both industry and shareholders. Reforms in Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and the decriminalisation of certain tax defaults, he said, reflect the government’s trust in the business community and promote a more collaborative growth environment.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, stated that the Budget provides a strong roadmap for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047. He said that incentives for data centres, focused support for technology-driven industries, and policy clarity would help India move towards a USD 10 trillion economy by 2030. He also emphasised that simplification of taxes and resolution of legacy issues would significantly enhance ease of doing business in the country.
The annual Post-Budget Discussion at World Trade Center Mumbai witnessed participation from over 150 business leaders, MSMEs, innovators, and diplomats from several countries. The session concluded with Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai, delivering the vote of thanks.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission on a PIL seeking voting rights for non-resident Indians (NRIs) in polls here.
A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices J K Maheshwari and Hima Kohli took note of the PIL filed by the Kerala Pravasi Association that the NRIs be given the voting rights.
The top court issued notices and ordered the tagging of the PIL with pending ones on the issue.PTI
Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle division of Hinduja group’s flagship Ashok Leyland, unveiled the country’s first electric double-decker air-conditioned bus here on Thursday.
These buses will replace the existing double-decker fleet of the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) undertaking.
As of now, Switch is operating its twin-floor electric AC buses in the United Kingdom.
Switch India has already secured an order of 200 electric double-decker buses in Mumbai and is looking at a dominant space in the electric double-decker segment, across key regions in the country, the company said.
“We already have an order for 200 electric double-decker AC buses in Mumbai. We will deliver 50 of these buses this financial year. Many more cities are discussing with us for these buses,” Mahesh Babu, CEO Switch Mobility India and COO at Switch Mobility Ltd told PTI.
Babu said amid discussions with multiple players, “we are expecting to deliver some 150-250 buses next year.”
In April this year, Switch Mobility announced an investment of 300-million pounds to develop a range of electric buses and light commercial vehicles in India and the UK.
“Ashok Leyland was a pioneer among Indian manufacturers when it first launched the double-decker in 1967 in Mumbai and Switch is carrying forward that legacy.
“With our strong expertise in double-deckers, both in India and UK and with over 100 Switch electric double deckers in service on UK roads, we reinforce our commitment to create this form factor (design) for India and the globe,” said Dheeraj Hinduja Chairman – Switch Mobility.
The electric double-decker AC bus EiV22 is powered by a 231 kWh capacity battery pack with dual gun charging system, which allows the bus to have a range up to 250 kms for intra-city transport, according to the company.
“The Switch EiV 22 is designed and developed to meet Indian conditions. Mumbai and double-deckers are synonymous with public transport, and we are certain that EiV 22 will transform the public transport space in terms of sustainability and footprint,” said Babu.
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