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INDIAWOOD 2026 is poised to underline the accelerating growth trajectory of India’s woodworking and furniture manufacturing market, with the 26th edition scheduled from February 26 to March 2 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bengaluru. Organised by NürnbergMesse India and supported by EUMABOIS, the exhibition is expected to be the largest in its history. Market indicators point to rising global confidence, with over 1,000 brands from more than 50 countries confirmed to participate. Visitor footfall is projected to exceed 90,000 industry professionals, while exhibition space has expanded to 85,000 square metres, reflecting 15 per cent growth over the previous edition.…

The Union Budget 2026–27 has repositioned education as a central pillar of India’s economic and workforce strategy, with a sharp focus on employability, artificial intelligence (AI) integration and industry-aligned skills. The budget’s thrust on linking education more closely with jobs, entrepreneurship and services-led growth signals a shift toward outcome-driven learning aligned with evolving talent needs. Commenting on the policy direction, Arjun Nair, Co-founder of Great Learning, said the emphasis on embedding AI across learning systems, expanding higher-education capacity around industrial corridors and encouraging modular, industry-designed programmes would meaningfully strengthen India’s talent pipeline. He noted that aligning education with careers and…

Commenting on the Union Budget FY27, Pinakin Simaria, Head – Agri Business Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Budget marks a clear long-term shift in policy stance by combining innovation, investment-led growth and climate resilience within a single framework. Simaria said the Budget continues to prioritise small and marginal farmers (SMFs) through the “Third–Kartavya Framework”, with a strong focus on productivity enhancement and entrepreneurship. He noted that agriculture is increasingly being positioned as a “credible engine of economic growth”, supported by a sectoral growth rate of 4.45 per cent during FY16–FY25, the highest witnessed in recent decades. He highlighted the…

Reacting to the Union Budget 2026, Shekhar Bhandari, President – SME, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Budget charts a growth-oriented path while remaining firmly anchored in fiscal discipline, offering stability as India advances towards its long-term development goals. Bhandari highlighted that the fiscal deficit being contained at 4.4 per cent in the current year and projected to decline further to 4.3 per cent next year sends a positive signal to markets. He noted that this fiscal prudence provides a stable macroeconomic environment and aligns with Bharat’s broader Vision 2047, supporting sustained economic momentum. He said the Budget places strong emphasis…