29th October 2026; Mumbai, India: With a rich legacy of crafting distinctive sedans, Škoda has always had a story to tell through its cars. The new Škoda Slavia builds on that legacy with its design, presence, performance and European engineering. And when a car has this much character, it needs little introduction. This simple thought lies at the heart of ‘Says It All.’, an integrated campaign by Škoda Auto India and BBH India that takes the idea beyond traditional automotive advertising, across film, print and OOH.

At the heart of the ‘Says it All’ campaign are two quirky films built around conversations that have little to do with cars, at least at first. One explores the curious fact that a cow can walk up a flight of stairs but cannot walk back down; while the other revolves on the equally unexpected fact of a drunk ant. Two seemingly random conversations that eventually find their way back to the new Škoda Slavia, letting the car’s character do the talking without ever needing to explain itself.

The idea extends beyond the films into print and OOH, with each execution interpreting ‘Says It All.’ in its own distinctive way. In print, a series of redacted ads deliberately conceal key details of the new Slavia, letting the car do the talking without spelling everything out.

The boldest expression of ‘Says It All.’ comes to life in OOH. In a move that puts the campaign’s philosophy into action, Škoda is giving away one of its outdoor sites to Indian homegrown businesses and brands, offering them a platform to tell their own stories. By choosing not to use the space to advertise the new Slavia, Škoda brings ‘Says It All.’ to life in an unexpected way: when your product truly speaks for itself, you can afford to let others do the talking.

Speaking about the campaign, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “The new Slavia carries forward Škoda’s rich sedan legacy, and with ‘Says It All.’, we wanted to reflect this character through a campaign that takes a different approach to telling the car’s story. The core idea is to let the Slavia speak for itself, by using its identity to connect with a new generation of customers who appreciate the car’s distinctive design, performance and European engineering.”

Parikshit Bhattacharya, Chief Creative Officer, BBH India and Propagate India, added, “For the launch of the new Škoda Slavia, we didn’t need to say much because it enjoys a great fan base. And fans know pretty much everything about the car. That gave us the freedom to steer the idea beyond a conventional car campaign, from films featuring strange topics of conversation and redacted print ads to an OOH execution that gives its media space away to other brands. Each expression of the campaign became a talking point because it talked about anything but the car. Thanks to a car that ‘Says It All.’”

‘The new Škoda Slavia. Says It All.’ is live across digital, print and OOH, bringing the campaign’s central thought to life across multiple formats and audiences.

The MPV project represents the largest commercial shipbuilding export order secured by GRSE, reflecting the shipyard’s expanding capabilities in the international commercial shipbuilding market. The project also underscores GRSE’s strategic focus on diversifying its portfolio and strengthening its presence in the global maritime sector.

The ceremony was graced by senior officials from GRSE, Carsten Rehder and DNV.

The project entails the design and construction of twelve CORAL 7500 DWT Multi-Purpose Vessels, developed in collaboration between GRSE and Germany’s Carsten Rehder. The first contract, signed in June 2024, covered four vessels. The fifth vessel is the first of four MPVs being built under the second contract, signed in October 2024. A third contract, signed in September 2025, covered the four hybrid-propulsion MPVs, taking the total order of MPVs to twelve.

Each vessel will measure 120 metres in length, with a beam of 17 metres and a draught of 5.85 metres, and will have a deadweight capacity of 7,500 tonnes. Designed for operational versatility, the vessels will feature a large cargo hold capable of accommodating bulk, general and project cargo. Their design will also permit the carriage of containers on hatch covers and multiple wind turbine blades on deck, providing flexibility to meet diverse cargo transportation requirements.

The MPVs are being developed in collaboration with leading German maritime companies, including F.H. Bertling, ForestWave Navigation/Schulte & Bruns, and Delft Shipping. Technical design support is being provided by M/s SEDS in association with GRSE, while DNV will undertake the classification and certification of the vessels.

Within the Manufacturing sector, with aggregate weight of 76.062, 17 out of 23 industry groups at NIC 2 digit-level have recorded a positive growth in September 2026 over September 2025.

The top three positive contributors for the month of September 2026 are – “Manufacture of electrical equipment” (33.9%), “Manufacture of rubber and plastics products” (19.9%) and “Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers” (19%). This sectoral growth of Manufacturing is broad based and indicates a strong domestic consumer demand, he said.

Representing robust outlook towards technology, the industry group “Manufacture of electrical equipment”, item groups “Electrical Apparatus for Switching or Protecting Electrical Circuits (e.g., Switchgear, Circuit Breakers/Switches, Control/Meter Panels) and Parts Thereof”, “UPS and Solid-State Drives” and “End-Face Connectors for Optical Fibres and Cables” have shown significant contribution in growth, said Mr Gupta.

Within Electricity & Gas Supply, with a weight of 10.865,  Electricity Generation from Non-Renewable Sources recorded double digit growth of 16.5%  in September 2026 over September 2025.

Double digit growth was also recorded in Use-Based Classification in September 2026 over September 2025 in its categories of Capital Goods (weight 8.082) at 10.4% and Intermediate Goods (weight 22.416) at 12.2%.

High consistent growth in Capital goods and Intermediate goods represents the positive investment sentiment of Indian Industry, said Mr Gupta.

“The September IIP data point to a differentiated industrial cycle. Strong growth in manufacturing and electricity-related activity contrasts with the contraction in mining and the relatively modest expansion in consumer non-durables. The key consideration is that the strength in capital and intermediate goods is translating into sustained investment and broader demand across industrial segments albeit by a lag” said Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, SG & CEO, PHDCCI.

The high-level forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and experts to deliberate on strategic reforms, investment opportunities, technological innovation, industrial competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.

The Forum reinforced PHDCCI’s commitment to bridging industry and government, converting policy dialogue into actionable outcomes, and positioning Karnataka as a global hub of innovation, investment and enterprise, contributing significantly to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The initiative brought together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policy experts and institutional stakeholders to deliberate on strategic policy priorities, emerging opportunities and actionable reforms to accelerate Karnataka’s economic growth, industrial development, technological advancement and sustainability agenda.

The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, PHDCCI, who highlighted PHDCCI’s role in facilitating industry–government engagement and advancing policy dialogue. Referring to India’s ambitious renewable energy targets and the journey towards achieving 100 GW of solar energy capacity, he highlighted the importance of visionary leadership, strategic planning and a well-defined roadmap in translating ambitious goals into tangible outcomes. He encouraged participants to share their insights and recommendations to help shape actionable policy priorities for Karnataka.

The special address was delivered by Shri Sameer Shukla, IAS, Residence Commissioner, Government of Karnataka, who underscored the important role of States in translating policy priorities into tangible developmental outcomes. He emphasised a two-pronged approach of strengthening existing State policies while reviewing emerging developments in response to changing national and international circumstances. He also highlighted the importance of developing relevant policy recommendations for consideration by the concerned authorities, describing the consultation as a positive beginning towards identifying practical measures for Karnataka’s future development.

The keynote address was delivered by Shri Upendra Tripathy, Honorary Advisor (Climate Change) to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka and Karnataka State Climate Ambassador. He highlighted innovation, communication and effective implementation as key drivers of progress, emphasising the need to connect government, industry, academia and research institutions to identify and scale up innovative solutions. He encouraged the Karnataka Policy Forum to serve as an open platform for exchanging ideas and translating them into actionable policy recommendations. Citing India’s solar energy journey, he highlighted how policy innovation, expert consultation and inter-ministerial coordination can help overcome technological and economic barriers to achieving ambitious targets. He also underscored the importance of research-driven solutions to address climate change and accelerate sustainable development.

The high-level brainstorming session on “Policy Priorities for a Future-Ready Karnataka” was led by Mr. Sanjay Kumar, PhD (Cambridge), Chief Policy Adviser, Climate Parliament, Chairman, Western Ghats Committee, Government of India, and former Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Government of India.

The deliberations focused on identifying key policy challenges, assessing sector-specific opportunities, prioritising reforms and developing an actionable policy matrix to strengthen policy formulation, inter-sectoral coordination and effective implementation. Participants exchanged views on enhancing Karnataka’s investment attractiveness, fostering innovation, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and promoting environmentally sustainable economic growth.

The forum witnessed participation from distinguished industry and institutional representatives, including Ms. Monika Rathi, CEO, Inox Neo Energies; Mr. Ashish Tak, Co-Founder, Grun Power; Mr. Sanju Shishodia, Executive Vice President – Strategic Finance, Gruner Renewable Energy; Mr. Nishant Idnani, Managing Director, Vaultus; and Mr. Sodhi Gurvinder Bir Singh, Founder, Diamond Technology, among others.

The open-house discussion enabled participants to share industry perspectives, identify implementation challenges and deliberate on policy interventions to strengthen Karnataka’s position as a destination for investment, industrial development, technological innovation and sustainable enterprise. Discussions also highlighted the importance of connecting research and innovation with industry requirements, strengthening stakeholder coordination and ensuring that policy recommendations are supported by practical implementation pathways.

The deliberations underscored the importance of collaborative policymaking, effective institutional coordination and sustained public–private engagement in addressing the State’s evolving economic and developmental priorities. The forum reaffirmed the value of bringing together diverse stakeholders to identify emerging opportunities, promote innovation and translate sectoral experience into practical, outcome-oriented policy recommendations for inclusive and sustainable growth.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Mathews Vincent, CEO, Greenleaf Green Solutions and Co-Chair, Karnataka Chapter. The initiative marked a constructive step towards strengthening the interface between policy and industry, building consensus on priority reforms and advancing a shared vision for a future-ready, innovative and globally competitive Karnataka.

During the first half of FY 2026-27, SAIL demonstrated steady operational and top-line growth. Crude steel production rose to 9.61 million tonnes (MT) compared to 9.50 MT in H1 FY’26, while sales volume stood at 9.33 MT against 9.46 MT in the corresponding prior period. Driven by strong demand realization, revenue from operations grew substantially by 10.7% year-over-year to Rs. 58,243 crore, compared to Rs. 52,625 crore recorded in H1 FY’26. Operating performance saw significant expansion as Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 55% to Rs. 8,917 crore from Rs. 5,754 crore in H1 FY’26. Consequently, Profit Before Exceptional Items and Tax jumped to Rs. 4,732 crore against Rs. 1,781 crore in the previous year. Accounting for exceptional items of Rs. 217 crore, Profit Before Tax (PBT) reached Rs. 4,515 crore compared to Rs. 1,443 crore in H1 FY’26. Profit After Tax (PAT) for the half-year surged over three-fold to Rs. 3,410 crore, up from Rs. 1,112 crore reported in H1 FY’26.

To look at the quarterly performance, In the second quarter of FY 2026-27, SAIL maintained strong momentum across production, top-line, and earnings compared to both the previous quarter (Q1 FY’27) and the corresponding period last year (Q2 FY’26). Crude steel production reached 4.85 MT in Q2 FY’27, up from 4.76 MT in Q1 FY’27 and 4.65 MT in Q2 FY’26. Sales volume registered robust growth, reaching 5.16 MT compared to 4.16 MT in Q1 FY’27. After factoring in exceptional items of Rs. (73) crore, PBT stood at Rs. 2,356 crore compared to Rs. 2,159 crore in Q1 FY’27 and Rs. 553 crore in Q2 FY’26. Profit After Tax (PAT) for Q2 FY’27 reached Rs. 1,774 crore, reflecting steady growth over Rs. 1,636 crore in Q1 FY’27 and a steep rise from Rs. 427 crore in Q2 FY’26.

Overall, the Sales volume grew by 5% in Q2 FY 2026-27 over the corresponding period of the last year (CPLY), driven by increased outreach to retail and consumer segments. Boosted by higher sales volumes and focused cost-optimization initiatives, Profit After Tax (PAT) surged by ~315% in Q2 FY 2026-27 compared to CPLY. Total debt fell to Rs. 20,583 crore as the company pushed forward with its ongoing strategy to reduce overall borrowings.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. A K Panda, CMD, SAIL said, “SAIL’s performance in H1 and Q2 FY 2026–27 reflects our operational resilience, financial prudence and strategic agility amid global market volatility. Leveraging India’s strong infrastructure growth and rising domestic steel demand, we achieved an 8.2% QoQ growth in finished and saleable steel during Q2, supported by higher sales volumes and robust production, alongside a significant increase in iron ore production and sales. Our focus remains on enhancing techno-economic parameters, rationalizing costs, maintaining inventory discipline through systematic stock reduction and increasing the share of high end products to improve profitability and strengthen our balance sheet through sustained reduction in borrowings.”

The creatively transformed ambulance stands as a striking example of the ‘Waste to Art’ concept, demonstrating how materials destined to be scrapped can serve a larger social purpose when imagination meets craftsmanship. By repurposing the vehicle into an installation centred on health awareness, ECL has combined environmental responsibility with a message of public welfare.

The installations were unveiled by Dr. Satish Jha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), ECL, in the presence of the company’s Functional Directors — Shri Md. Anzar Alam, Director (Finance); Shri Gunjan Kumar Sinha, Director (HR); Shri Girish Gopinathan Nair, Director (Technical/Projects & Planning); and Shri Chittaranjan Kumar, Director (Technical Operations). The Chief Medical Officer of Sanctoria Hospital, Heads of Departments and other ECL employees also attended the occasion.

The initiative was brought to life through the dedicated efforts of the ECL team at Sodepur Central Workshop, which also crafted an artistic installation featuring the Coal India insignia for the hospital premises. The team’s craftsmanship and innovative approach exemplify how discarded materials can be creatively repurposed to enhance institutional spaces while conveying meaningful messages.

Beyond their visual appeal, these Waste-to-Art installations carry a broader message about responsible resource utilisation, environmental consciousness and health awareness. They demonstrate how creative reuse can contribute to sustainability while inspiring people to adopt more responsible practices.
The initiative embodies the spirit of Special Campaign 6, which promotes cleanliness, efficient resource management, space optimisation and the conversion of waste into value.

At Sanctoria Hospital, the discarded ambulance has thus become more than an artistic creation. It serves as a reminder that sustainability does not always begin with new resources; sometimes, it begins with recognising fresh possibilities in what has already served its purpose.

The index stood at 124.3, up from 116.5 in September 2025. Manufacturing grew 7.6%, with 17 of 23 industry groups recording positive growth. Electricity and gas supply rose 11.2%.

Motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers grew 19.0%, with auto components, passenger cars and commercial vehicles contributing most. Electrical equipment rose 33.9%, led by switchgear, UPS systems and optical fibre connectors. Rubber and plastics products grew 19.9%, supported by tyres for light motor vehicles, acrylic sheets and V-belts.

Mr. Shrikant Goyal, Managing Director, Getfive Funds, said, “September’s IIP growth of 6.7%, with manufacturing expanding 7.6%, shows that industrial activity continues to grow, although at a more moderate pace than in August. From an investment perspective, the breadth of growth is encouraging: 17 of 23 manufacturing groups recorded positive growth, while capital and intermediate goods grew 10.4% and 12.2%, respectively.

For India’s SMEs, particularly those serving manufacturing supply chains beyond the major metros, this can create opportunities to scale. For investors, the opportunity lies in backing businesses that are strengthening their capabilities, moving up the value chain and becoming more integral to India’s manufacturing ecosystem. This is the stage where such companies need patient capital to scale, and we see a long runway ahead for India’s manufacturing-led SME story.”

These sectors rely on networks of component suppliers and ancillary units, many of them SMEs in industrial clusters outside the metros. Growth in these segments is likely to translate into fuller order books for such units.

Under the use-based classification, intermediate goods grew 12.2%, the fastest among all categories and the largest contributor to overall growth. Primary goods rose 4.0% and capital goods 10.4%, with the capital goods index at 153.4. Infrastructure and construction goods grew 7.2% and consumer durables 6.0%.

The data points to demand for inputs and machinery, a sign of continued investment by manufacturers and their suppliers. September’s growth was 6.7%, against 8.0% (quick estimate) in August.

India – Oct. 28, 2026 – Samsung Electronics today announced that Interbrand, a global brand consultancy, ranked the company No. 5 on its annual “Best Global Brands” list for the seventh consecutive year, with a brand value of USD 105.2 billion. Samsung is the only company based in Asia to remain in the global top five each year since 2020.
Interbrand’s evaluation reflected:

• Record earnings, driven by focused investments in AI semiconductors
• Stronger AI competitiveness in the Device eXperience (DX) Division
• A customer-centric brand strategy under the “One Samsung” approach

The Device Solutions (DS) Division continued to grow by increasing the supply of high-value memory products to meet rising demand for AI. It also maintained its technological leadership with the industry’s first mass production and commercial shipment of HBM4.

The DX Division is bringing greater convenience to people’s daily lives through personalized AI experiences and connectivity across its products, including mobile devices, televisions, and home appliances. This year, Samsung introduced Galaxy Z Fold8, an eighth generation Galaxy foldable, featuring a new form factor and a 4:3 display aspect ratio that redefines the foldable category. The design resonated strongly with younger consumers while broadening the device’s appeal across generations.

As one of the longest-standing brand consultancies, Interbrand evaluates brand value annually through a comprehensive analysis of a company’s financial performance and outlook, the brand’s influence on purchasing decisions, and its competitiveness. The evaluation considers strategy, empathy, differentiation, customer engagement, consistency, and trust.

Link to the Samsung India Newsroom: Samsung Ranks No. 5 in Interbrand’s ‘Best Global Brands 2026’ for Seventh Consecutive Year

Link to the Samsung Newsroom Bharat: सैमसंग लगातार सातवें साल इंटरब्रांड की ‘बेस्ट ग्लोबल ब्रांड्स 2026’ सूची में 5वें स्थान पर है

With a financial commitment of approximately ?35.99 lakh, Project SAKSHAM aims to empower 50 unemployed and underemployed youth, particularly from Project Affected Villages (PAVs) and neighbouring communities of Kokrajhar district. The initiative will provide specialised training in Polymer Science and Processing, equipping participants with industry-relevant technical knowledge and practical skills to improve their employability and livelihood prospects.

The selected youth will undergo structured training at CIPET Guwahati, covering polymer materials, processing technologies, quality control, industrial safety and related applications. The programme will combine classroom instruction with hands-on practical training, industry exposure, career guidance and placement assistance. During the ceremony, the dignitaries interacted with the trainees, learnt about their aspirations and encouraged them to pursue the programme with dedication, discipline and a commitment to continuous learning.

Aligned with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission and the Sustainable Development Goals relating to quality education, decent work and economic growth, and reduced inequalities, Project SAKSHAM reflects NTPC Bongaigaon’s commitment to youth empowerment, inclusive development and sustainable livelihood creation. By connecting local talent with specialised technical training, the initiative seeks to open new avenues for employment and entrepreneurship while contributing to the socioeconomic development of Kokrajhar and the wider Bodoland Territorial Region.

Nationwide Participation Reinforces Ethical Values

The observance witnessed enthusiastic participation from POWERGRID employees across its Corporate Centre, regional headquarters, substations, offices and project locations throughout the country. Employees collectively took the Integrity Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties. Aligned with this year’s theme, “Probity for Prosperity” (?????????? ?? ???????), the initiative underscores the role of integrity in strengthening public trust, promoting good governance and achieving sustainable prosperity. Various awareness programmes and employee engagement activities are being organised during the week to further strengthen a culture of honesty and fairness.

Commitment to Transparency and National Progress

Marking the commencement of the week, POWERGRID also organised the symbolic release of sky balloons at its establishments across the country. As a key contributor to India’s power transmission infrastructure, the Corporation remains committed to embedding integrity, transparency and accountability across all areas of its operations. Through such initiatives, POWERGRID seeks to reinforce ethical practices and responsible decision-making, recognising that ethical governance is fundamental to organisational excellence, public trust and the nation’s long-term progress.