NDTV's Emerging Business Conclave recently reached Raipur, spotlighting investment opportunities and employment growth in Chhattisgarh.   Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration Minister Arun Sao, attending as the chief guest, discussed the state’s vision for industrial development, tourism, and MSME growth.   He emphasised the government's efforts to turn tourism into a major industry and boost food processing to empower farmers and generate employment.  Speaking on Operation Sindoor, Sao described it as one of the most significant military operations in independent India, highlighting its global impact and precision in countering terrorism.

Image source: Dhaka Tribune, The Wire and Deccan Chronicle; Edited by Dinesh Raj M    More than 2,000 alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are estimated to have been “pushed back” across the border by Indian authorities since Operation Sindoor began in the early hours of May 7, following a nationwide verification exercise. Hot off the Press The Government action is taking place along the Bangladesh border in Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam. Gujarat was among the first to begin the round-up and has accounted for nearly half of all those who have been “pushed back”, reported Deeptiman Tiwary for The Indian Express. Delhi and Haryana, too, have sent back immigrants in large numbers with the rest being rounded up from Assam, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. While the Indian government claims that this exercise is being carried out as a security measure post the Pahalgam attack, the government's current drive could be seen as a direct response to the calls made by former Banglade

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has announced the 88th e-auction for MPEG-4 slots on its free-to-air DTH platform, DD Free Dish, scheduled tentatively for June 6, 2025.  Eligible private and foreign satellite TV channels, with valid MIB downlinking permissions, can apply by June 4, 2025, along with the necessary documentation and processing fee.  Successful bidders will receive slot allocation from June 13, 2025, to March 31, 2026, with placements based on language and genre.  Detailed auction guidelines and bucket rates are available on the official Prasar Bharati and DD Free Dish websites.

  dentsu X India has secured the integrated media mandate for Okaya Power Private Limited following a multi-agency pitch. The account will be managed from the agency’s Gurugram office. As part of the mandate, dentsu X will lead media planning, strategy, and investment management across platforms. With expertise in media, tech, data and content, dentsu X aims to support Okaya in becoming a leading name in sustainable energy across India. Sujata Dwibedy, CEO, dentsu X India, said, “We’re excited to partner with Okaya Power. Our integrated approach will help deliver impactful business outcomes and elevate the Okaya brand.” Arush Gupta, CEO, Okaya Power, added, “Partnering with dentsu X will empower us with sharper insights and strategies to strengthen our consumer connect and brand journey.”

  Image source: LiveFistDefence, Republic World and The Daily Guardian; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   In a rare and blunt admission, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has called out India’s defence procurement paralysis, stating that contracts are routinely signed despite knowing the timelines are doomed from the start. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, Singh remarked, “Not a single project has been completed on time.”  Hot off the Press The Air Chief Marshal's remarks were reported by The Times of India and echoed by Rahul Singh for Hindustan Times, striking at the core of India’s strategic vulnerability: a modernising air force that’s being held back by a sluggish defence ecosystem. Singh took specific aim at the Rs 48,000 crore Tejas Mk1A fighter jet deal signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in 2021. Deliveries were to begin by March 2024, yet, as of mid-2025, “not a single aircraft has been delivered,” he said. The IAF, operating with j

Kelly King. PR matters, and I can prove it. No scratch that - PR can and does make direct sales. As a former ad sales guy, that's tough to say out loud. But right now in Australia and beyond it's undeniably, provably true. And probably super important right now. I met Montu through Amanda Do at a BlackBird-hosted event. She was such a great advocate, and the success of Montus' storytelling in such a controlled environment stood out. Since that meeting I've developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art and science that is PR - which now challenges traditional marketing and advertising (Click Fraud, anyone?) as a reliable, predictable revenue driver of business. I did a bunch of research, and interviewed Montu's then-director of APAC PR Kelly King to try and figure out where public relations sits in 2025, and whether it can reframe at board level from brand-building expense to measurable revenue generator. Kelly King on the importance of storytelling to get mes

Sean Power steps up at Seven. The Seven Network has today announced Sean Power is being promoted to Director of News Integration and Strategy. The new role will see Power relocate to his hometown of Melbourne, to begin work on a new national program to be broadcast from Seven Melbourne’s brand new, state-of-the-art studios. Power has been an integral part of Seven’s news and public affairs division for seven years. He is currently Director of 7NEWS Sydney and before that held the role of Executive Producer of Sunrise. In his new role, which begins on Monday, Power will lead the integration of nightly news content across all of Seven’s platforms, ensuring cohesive coverage plans in news programs right across the day, and online via 7NEWS.com.au, 7plus, The Nightly and social platforms. In addition, he will oversee the network’s major news events in partnership with National News Desk Director and Foreign Editor Hugh Whitfeld. He will also act as the key liaison between Pro