News Broadcasting
Hinduja group cautiously optimistic
MUMBAI: The Hinduja group core management team has reacted to Budget 2003-04 by stating that the media and entertainment sector could benefit indirectly from the measures announced for the IT sector. However, disappointment has been expressed at the increase in service tax and duties reductions for cable related infrastructure.
The following are the reactions of the various heads of business units.
IndusInd Network Entertainment CEO RC Khanduri
“No direct significant announcements for the media sector. However, it could benefit from the benefits accruing to other industries such as FMCG and telecom who would increase ad spends to attract more customers.”
IndusInd Media and Communications director Ashok Mansukhani
“Cable industry’s demand for being equated to IT as information infrastructure industry has been ignored. Its request for appropriate reductions in customs duty and excise on the entire value chain required for installing conditional access has been rejected. The increase of service tax at a time when customers are resisting increased subscriber rates will cause further problems.”
Hinduja group CVIL COO Ravi Mansukhani
“Increase in service tax to 8 per cent will pose problems, as most advertisers having large clients do not pass on service tax to broadcasters.”
Ashok Leyland Finance MD S. Nagarajan
“Investments in roads, airports and finance centres at Rs 600 billion will stimulate demand, employment opportunities and overall economic growth.”
Gulf Oil Corporation MD SS Pramanik
“Focus on infrastructure is extremely positive. Question is can the government back it up with funds and innovative financing?”
Gulf Oil Corporation lubricants division COO V. Ramesh
“Except for the duty reduction in additives, the customs duty has no effect on our industry at all. On the excise front there is no difference or sops to this industry, which is reeling under pressure of negative market growth.”
Hinduja Foundation president SK Bapat
“Various initiatives in the budget concerning health, education and poverty alleviation would open up possibilities for taking up new projects/schemes by charitable institutions like Hinduja Foundation.”
Hinduja National Hospital director finance NS Shenoy
“For the first time in the history of independent India, importance of the health care Industry has been recognised by the finance minister, making it a part of the five basic priorities for quality of life.”
Hinduja TMT CEO R Mohan
“Extending the 10A and 10B benefit to amalgamation and de-mergers of companies is a good initiative as it will boost M&A activities. Reduction in excise duty on preloaded software for the IT Sector as well as capital goods is a welcome sign.”
Hinduja TMT president technology KV Seshasayee
“Increase in FDA cap to 74 per cent and reduction of 5 per cent import duty on telecom and IT components will benefit telecom sector.”
IndusInd Bank MD Bhaskar Ghose
“Raising of ceiling for FDI in public sector banks from 49 per cent to 74 per cent is likely to attract foreign banking interest in local banks as subsidiaries. Further the proposed amendment to allow mergers and acquisitions in public sector banking segment is a welcome move. Finally proposed buyback of high interest securities from banks and exemption from tax of the use of resultant profits for NPA write-offs is a practical and welcome step.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
