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Nitin Gadkari pushes shift from petrol, diesel vehicles

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that petrol and diesel vehicles are unlikely to remain viable in the future, and India must move towards cleaner fuel options.

Speaking at a recent industry event, he highlighted two major concerns—rising pollution and the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel. India spends a large amount on importing petrol and diesel, which affects the economy. At the same time, these fuels contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in urban areas.

To tackle these issues, Gadkari stressed the need to adopt alternative fuels at a faster pace. He encouraged automobile manufacturers to focus on electric vehicles, biofuels, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen. These options are cleaner and can help reduce both pollution and fuel costs over time.

He also said that India should aim to use fuels that can be produced within the country. This would not only reduce imports but also support local industries and make the country more self-reliant in energy.

Among the alternatives, Gadkari pointed to hydrogen as a promising option for the future. He said more efforts should be made in research and development to make hydrogen-based transport more practical and widely available.

The minister also emphasised the importance of improving public transport systems. Cleaner buses and better urban transport can reduce traffic congestion and pollution while making travel more efficient for people.

India has already taken steps in this direction by promoting electric vehicles and increasing ethanol blending in petrol. The government is also exploring new technologies to support green mobility.

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Anant Ambani offers to relocate Colombia hippos

Anant Ambani has offered to relocate 80 hippos from Colombia to Vantara, the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and urged authorities there to halt plans to cull the animals.

The hippos are descendants of animals brought to Colombia in the 1980s by drug lord Pablo Escobar for his private estate. After his death, the animals were left behind and their population has grown rapidly over the years. Officials estimate there are now more than 200 hippos in the country.

Colombian authorities have said the animals pose a threat to the local environment and nearby communities. With no natural predators in the region, the hippos have multiplied quickly and are considered an invasive species. The government has therefore approved a plan to euthanise around 80 of them as part of population control efforts.

Ambani, who leads Vantara and is an executive director at Reliance Industries, has reportedly written to Colombian authorities offering a different solution. He said the animals should be given a humane alternative and proposed relocating them to India, where they could be cared for in a protected environment.

According to reports, Vantara has offered to handle the cost and logistics of the transfer. The facility says it has the space, veterinary support and specialised infrastructure needed to care for large animals such as hippos.

Vantara has gained international attention for its wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work, housing and treating animals from India and abroad. The proposed transfer of dozens of hippos, however, would be a highly complex operation involving international transport permissions, quarantine procedures and long-distance movement of large wild animals.

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Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal’s startup hits $2 bn

Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has secured $100 million in fresh funding for his AI startup, Parallel Web Systems, taking the company’s valuation to $2 billion. The latest round highlights growing investor confidence in Agrawal’s new venture and in the broader artificial intelligence sector.

Agrawal, who led Twitter before Elon Musk’s takeover in 2022, has kept a relatively low profile since leaving the social media company. He is now building a business focused on the next generation of AI tools and internet infrastructure.

Parallel Web Systems develops technology that helps AI systems search, understand and interact with the internet more efficiently. Its products are aimed at AI agents, software tools that can perform tasks with limited human involvement. These systems are expected to become increasingly important for businesses using automation.

The startup plans to use the fresh capital to hire talent, expand research and strengthen its position in the enterprise market. It is also expected to scale products that allow companies to use AI for complex and data-heavy tasks.

Industry experts say demand is rising for tools that give AI systems access to real-time web information and help them complete tasks more accurately. This includes applications in legal work, financial research, customer support and workflow automation.

The funding also reflects a wider trend in the AI market. While consumer-facing chatbots have gained public attention, investors are increasingly backing companies building the core infrastructure behind AI products. Startups focused on data access, automation and intelligent systems are attracting major capital.

Agrawal joined Twitter in 2011 and rose through the engineering ranks before becoming chief executive in 2021. After his departure the following year, many in the tech industry closely watched his next move.

The rapid rise of Parallel Web Systems to a $2 billion valuation suggests strong confidence in both Agrawal’s leadership and the company’s business model. As AI adoption expands across industries, startups helping machines interact with live online information are seen as key players in the next stage of growth.

With this funding milestone, Agrawal has positioned himself once again at the centre of an important technology shift.

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Customers Bank CEO lets AI clone handle earnings call

In an unusual move that highlights how quickly artificial intelligence is entering corporate life, Customers Bank CEO Sam Sidhu used an AI-generated version of his own voice during a recent earnings call.

Instead of speaking every part of the briefing himself, parts of Sidhu’s prepared remarks were delivered by an AI voice clone designed to sound like him. He was still present on the call, but the digital version handled sections of the presentation.

The US-based bank said the experiment was meant to show how deeply AI is being integrated into its operations. The bank has been investing in automation tools and working closely with AI technology providers to streamline internal processes.

According to executives, the goal is to use AI across areas like loan processing, customer onboarding and routine banking operations, reducing the time and effort needed for everyday tasks.

Sidhu has been positioning AI as a key part of the bank’s future strategy, saying it could help improve efficiency and speed up services while lowering operational costs.

The use of an AI voice in an official earnings call stood out because such events are usually seen as formal and fully human-led. The move has drawn attention in the financial sector as a sign of how quickly technology is evolving.

The bank said the AI experiment reflects its broader shift toward “digital workers” that can support or even replace certain repetitive roles, allowing staff to focus more on complex decision-making and customer relationships.

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Sanjay Jamuar named CEO of Delhi Metro global arm

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has appointed Sanjay Jamuar as the first Chief Executive Officer of Delhi Metro International Limited (DMIL), a new company created to expand Delhi Metro’s services beyond the capital and into overseas markets.

The move marks an important step in DMRC’s efforts to turn its years of metro-building and operations experience into a global business opportunity.

Sanjay Jamuar brings decades of experience in transport and railway systems to the role. He has worked in Indian Railways, DMRC and global transit projects across Europe, the Middle East and other regions.

Delhi Metro is widely seen as one of India’s most successful urban transport systems, known for timely project execution, clean stations and efficient operations. Over the years, DMRC has already provided consultancy support to metro projects in several Indian cities and some international markets.

With the creation of DMIL, these services will now be handled through a dedicated business arm focused on consultancy, project management, operations and maintenance contracts in India and abroad.

DMIL is expected to offer services such as planning new metro systems, advising governments, training staff, improving operations and managing rail networks.

Officials believe his experience will help the new company compete for projects in fast-growing urban transport markets around the world.

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Noida airport gets interim CEO

Noida International Airport has appointed its Chief Financial Officer, Nitu Samra, as interim Chief Executive Officer in a leadership change aimed at accelerating the start of commercial flights.

The decision comes after aviation security authorities reportedly did not approve the continuation of former CEO Christoph Schnellmann in the role, as airport regulations require the chief executive to be an Indian citizen.

Samra, who has been associated with the airport project since 2021, will lead operations until a permanent CEO is selected by the board. Officials believe her appointment will ensure continuity and help complete the final steps needed before passenger services begin.

She has played a key role in the airport’s financial planning and project execution during its development phase. Her elevation is being seen as a practical move to keep the project on schedule while meeting regulatory norms.

Meanwhile, Schnellmann has been moved to the role of Executive Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors. He is expected to continue supporting the airport’s transition into full operations.

Located at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, Noida International Airport is one of India’s biggest upcoming aviation projects and is expected to serve the Delhi-NCR region. It is also expected to reduce traffic pressure on Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The first phase of the airport includes one runway and one passenger terminal, with capacity to handle around 12 million passengers annually.

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Infosys gives ₹51.75 cr stock grant to CEO Salil Parekh

Infosys has approved stock-based incentives worth ₹51.75 crore for its CEO and Managing Director Salil Parekh, even as the company is yet to take a call on annual salary hikes for employees.

The decision was cleared by the company’s board after recommendations from its Nomination and Remuneration Committee. The grant will be made through employee stock options and restricted stock units under existing company plans, with effect from May 2, 2026.

The compensation package is linked to performance and long-term business goals. Out of the total grant, ₹34.75 crore is tied to annual performance targets, ₹5 crore is linked to shareholder returns, ₹2 crore depends on ESG goals, and ₹10 crore comes under the company’s Expanded Stock Ownership Program. Most of these benefits will vest over time and depend on meeting set conditions.

The announcement came with Infosys’ latest quarterly results, where the IT major posted a strong rise in profit. Consolidated net profit for the March quarter increased 20.9 per cent to ₹8,501 crore, while revenue also recorded healthy growth.

Infosys said it remains cautiously optimistic about the year ahead and expects revenue growth of 1.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent in constant currency terms for FY27. The company also plans to hire around 20,000 freshers during the financial year, signalling continued investment in talent despite global uncertainty.

However, there is still no clarity on salary hikes for the wider workforce. Chief Financial Officer Jayesh Sanghrajka said the company has not yet decided when wage revisions will happen or how much the hikes will be.

The development has drawn attention because while senior leadership compensation has been finalised, thousands of employees are still waiting for updates on their annual pay revisions. Wage hikes in the IT sector have slowed in recent years as companies deal with weak global demand and cautious client spending.

Also Read: Finance Minister flags AI threat to banks

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Havells appoints ex-Britannia Chief to board

Havells India has appointed former Britannia Industries chief Varun Berry as an independent director on its board, adding one of India’s best-known corporate leaders to the company’s leadership team. His appointment is effective from April 22 and will be for five years, subject to shareholder approval.

Berry is widely respected in the consumer goods industry and is known for helping transform Britannia into one of India’s strongest food brands during his tenure. Under his leadership, the company expanded its product portfolio, improved profits and strengthened its market presence.

This is one of Berry’s first major corporate roles since stepping down from Britannia in late 2025. His move to Havells is being seen as an important addition at a time when competition in the electrical goods and consumer appliances market is increasing.

Havells is one of India’s leading consumer brands, known for products such as fans, switches, cables, lighting solutions and kitchen appliances. It also owns Lloyd, a major brand in the air-conditioner and home appliance segment.

Industry experts believe Berry’s experience in understanding consumer demand, building brands and managing large businesses could help Havells in its next stage of expansion. As an independent director, he will also bring an outside perspective to board decisions and corporate strategy.

Before Britannia, Berry held senior positions at PepsiCo and worked with Hindustan Unilever earlier in his career. His long experience across sectors gives him strong knowledge of Indian consumers and business growth strategies.

The appointment was announced alongside Havells’ latest quarterly earnings, where the company reported solid financial performance and announced a dividend for shareholders. This added to the positive sentiment around the company.

Investors often view the appointment of experienced independent directors as a sign of stronger governance and long-term planning. Berry’s presence on the board is expected to boost confidence among shareholders and market watchers.

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24-year-old builds ₹1 cr startup in 4 months

What began as a rejection has now become a success story for 24-year-old entrepreneur Ujjwal Nargotra, who says he built a ₹1 crore business in just four months after quitting his job.

Like many young founders, Nargotra had hoped to secure investment for his startup. He approached popular YouTuber and investor Tanmay Bhat, expecting financial backing. Instead, he received something else, advice that would change his path.

Rather than investing, Bhat reportedly told him to focus on building an audience through content creation. The message was simple: in today’s digital world, visibility can be as valuable as funding.

Nargotra took that advice seriously. He began sharing his journey online, posting regularly about startup life, lessons, struggles and business growth. Slowly, people started paying attention. In a short time, he says his social media following grew rapidly, helping him connect with thousands of potential users.

That online attention soon translated into business growth. His startup, LinkPlease, is a platform designed to help content creators manage messages, audience engagement and growth more efficiently. Many creators struggle to respond to followers and handle communication at scale, and the startup aimed to solve that problem.

Instead of chasing investors again, Nargotra focused on users. He offered free access to early creators, listened to their feedback and improved the product based on real needs. As word spread, more creators joined the platform.

Within four months, he claims the company crossed ₹1 crore in revenue, a milestone many startups take years to achieve.

His story has resonated widely online, especially among young entrepreneurs. Many see it as proof that rejection does not always close doors. Sometimes it redirects people toward better opportunities.

Nargotra’s journey also reflects a changing startup culture, where founders are no longer relying only on investors or large marketing budgets. Social media, personal branding and community building are becoming powerful tools for growth.

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Corporate Leaders

Apple names John Ternus CEO, Cook Chairman

Apple has announced a major leadership transition, naming John Ternus as its next Chief Executive Officer, while current CEO Tim Cook will become Executive Chairman from September 1, 2026.

The move marks the first change at the top of Apple since 2011, when Cook succeeded company co-founder Steve Jobs. After leading the tech giant for 15 years, Cook will remain closely involved in guiding Apple’s long-term direction in his new role.

During Cook’s tenure, Apple grew into one of the world’s most valuable companies. Under his leadership, the company expanded far beyond the iPhone, building successful businesses in wearables and digital services. Products such as the Apple Watch and AirPods became major growth drivers, while Apple’s services business also expanded rapidly.

Ternus, who currently heads Apple’s hardware engineering division, has been with the company for about 25 years. He has played a central role in the development of many of Apple’s flagship products, including the iPhone, iPad and Mac.

He was also deeply involved in Apple’s transition to its own custom-designed chips for Mac computers, a move widely seen as one of the company’s most successful strategic decisions in recent years.

Industry analysts view Ternus as a steady and experienced executive with strong technical expertise. His appointment suggests Apple wants to place product innovation and engineering at the centre of its next growth phase.

The leadership change comes at an important time for the company. Apple is facing increasing pressure to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence, as rivals continue to invest heavily in AI-powered products and services.

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