Hindi
Anant Goenka takes charge as Ficci president for 2025 to 2026
NEW DELHI: Ficci has opened a new chapter in its leadership story with Anant Goenka, vice chairman of the RPG Group, taking over as president for 2025 to 2026 at the chamber’s 98th annual general meeting in New Delhi. He succeeds Harsha Vardhan Agarwal of Emami Limited, marking a smooth handover at one of India’s most influential business bodies.
Vijay Sankar, chairman of The Sanmar Group, has been elevated to senior vice president while Puneet Dalmia, managing director and CEO of Dalmia Bharat Limited, joins the top table as vice president. Together, the three form a leadership line-up that blends industrial pedigree with boardroom heft.
Goenka brings a seasoned track record to the presidency. As vice chairman of the $ 4.8 billion RPG Group and former head of Ceat, he led a decade of transformation from 2012 to 2023 that saw the company’s market capitalisation multiply 25 times. Ceat also clinched global accolades including the Deming Grand Prize and Lighthouse recognition from the World Economic Forum. His earlier stints at Unilever and KEC International, along with honours from Kellogg, Forbes and the Economic Times, add further shine. A Wharton graduate with an MBA from Kellogg, he is widely regarded as one of India’s next generation business leaders.
Sankar, now senior vice president of Ficci, heads the $ 1.6 billion Sanmar Group, a multinational enterprise with roots in Chennai and manufacturing hubs spanning Mexico, Egypt and India. Known for its strong ethical culture and governance practices, the group has interests in chemicals, engineering technologies and shipping. Sankar also holds board positions at leading companies including TVS Motor Company and serves in several philanthropic and educational institutions. A Kellogg MBA and chartered accountant, he also represents Denmark in Chennai as its honorary consul general.
Joining them is Puneet Dalmia as vice president. At the helm of Dalmia Bharat since 2004, he has driven the company’s rapid expansion with a philosophy of responsible and sustainable growth. A tech entrepreneur in his earlier avatar, he co-founded JobsAhead.com before it was acquired by Monster.com. His leadership has earned recognition including the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and the best CEO title in the cement category from Business Today. Dalmia, a BTech from IIT Delhi and MBA gold medallist from IIM Bangalore, also chairs the Board of Governors of IIM Raipur.
Together, the new leadership trio signals a forward-looking agenda for Ficci as it navigates the evolving contours of Indian industry with seasoned hands and fresh energy.
Hindi
MIFF 2026 to return to Mumbai; film entries open till April 12
19th edition to host WAVES Doc Bazaar, spotlighting global documentary talent
MUMBAI: The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 is set to take place from June 15 to 21 at the NFDC Complex, with film submissions currently open and the deadline fast approaching on April 12.
Organised by the National Film Development Corporation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the biennial festival remains one of South Asia’s most prominent platforms for documentary, short fiction and animation films.
Filmmakers, producers and content creators from across the globe have been invited to submit entries via the Film Freeway platform for the Competition Section. Offline submissions will not be accepted, reinforcing a fully digital entry process.
MIFF 2026 continues to sweeten the deal with a robust awards pool of Rs 55 lakh. The coveted Golden Conch for Best Documentary carries a top prize of Rs 10 lakh, alongside multiple awards across categories, making it one of the most lucrative non-feature film festivals in the region.
A key highlight this year will be the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar, scheduled from June 16 to 18 alongside the festival. Designed as a hub for collaboration, the Doc Bazaar will feature a co-production market, viewing rooms and a work-in-progress lab, bringing together global buyers, sellers and creators under one roof.
Since its inception in 1990, MIFF has built a reputation as a serious showcase for non-feature cinema, drawing participation from filmmakers worldwide. The previous edition saw over 350 films from more than 30 countries, underlining its growing international footprint.
With submissions closing soon and preparations underway, MIFF 2026 is shaping up to be a vibrant meeting point for storytelling, collaboration and cinematic craft, offering filmmakers both a stage and a springboard.
