Press Release - “Board Exams will happen twice a year, and it will benefit students”: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at ABP Network’s Smart Education Summit 2025

 “Board Exams will happen twice a year, and it will benefit students”: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at ABP Network’s Smart Education Summit 2025

·         “15 foreign Universities will establish their branches in India in next few years”, Dharmendra Pradhan said.

·         “We launched a successful Chandrayaan mission,” Dharmendra Pradhan said

·         “Three language formula is not debated in any other state except Tamil Nadu”, said Dharmendra Pradhan

New Delhi, June 9, 2025: Countering allegations of deleting the history of Mughals from school textbooks, Union Education Minister,Dharmendra Pradhan, said, “We are adding many other facets and people from Indian history who were omitted by the previous Governments. Hence, space taken by Mughal dynasty has reduced.” He was speaking at ABP Network’s Smart Education Summit 2025.

As India takes confident strides toward its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, ABP Network hosted the Smart Education Summit 2025 in the national capita, with Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan gracing the event as Chief Guest. This year’s summit delved into the theme ‘Education for a Future-Ready India’, placing a sharp focus on the intersection of learning, technology, and future skill development.

Giving clarity on change in Board examination patterns, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Boards examination will happen twice to destress students. Students themselves have expressed the need for this, so that the better score out of the two attempts can be considered.”

Speaking about ensuring care of young children, he said, “A child’s mental development happens by the time it reaches 5^th standard. Therefore, for the first time, Union Health Ministry and other bodies are looking closely at improving early childhood care and education.”

Highlighting the challenge faced by education sector, he said, “The biggest challenge is that we have a dropout rate of 40% from entry level to senior school years.” 

Regarding native languages, he remarked, “We are promoting the local and native languages of our citizens by promoting education in mother tongue. There is a mindset that if we don’t teach English; our children will not stand out in global competition. Other countries, like China, Japan, Korea, and Israel, are not dependent on English.” 

Sharing his views, he said, “Competencies matter more than degrees. Education should not be about degrees but it should increase competencies. So, we are making an education ecosystem that’s outcome oriented. We are preparing our young students to be part of the global workforce.”

“Three language formula is not debated in any other state except Tamil Nadu. Our policy is clear, we will not impose any language from a different state on the citizens of a particular state.” Dharmendra Pradhan further added, “Tamil Nadu state board schools teach three languages, including Tamil, English, and as a third language, Telugu, Kannad, Malayalam, and Urdu are taught. In fact, people spend more in Tamil Nadu to learn Hindi. 

On being asked the need for Apaar ID, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Till some time before, some elite institutions used to practice a Credit system in imparting education. Under NEP, we are creating a credit infrastructure for everyone. To record all credit earned by an individual student, so that they are duly preserved, validated, and utilized, an academic bank of credit has been conceptualized and now implemented. To access this repository of credit, a unique ID. Apaar is a byproduct of Aadhar for the education sector. When Aadhar was imagined, many sectoral byproduct IDs were imagined.”

On reservations introduced in Odisha for socially backward people, he remarked, “Odisha had scope of incorporating 11.25% reservations for economically weaker sections. We rectified the anomalies of last many decades and have implemented this.”

Regarding education systems, he said, “In India, higher education GER is about 28%. We have to make it 50% by 2035. For that we are leveraging technologies to make personalized learning modules, build smart classrooms. Technology adoption is must to revolutionize education in the country. This will be the 5^th year of NEP implementation. We are a promoting education system that’s Indian knowledge system and centers on people, fosters Indian language, advance technologies adoption, and initiating several other measures.”

Commenting upon Central Government objectives, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Welfare is a major agenda in the Indian Government; another agenda is to build confidence of the Indian nation. We have been focusing towards advancing India after taking people along.” 

Regarding International universities coming to India, he said, “15 Foreign Universities will establish their branches in India in next few years. We are sending our institutions outside.” 

Earlier, setting the context of changing education landscape in the country, he mentioned “Today, India has 14.72 lakh schools, with most schools in the villages. We have over 98 lakh teachers who are diving education in India.”  He further added, “Education sector got derailed in India due to colonization. We once contributed 25-30% of global GDP.  While we are the 4^th largest economy, we are not in the same state as we were once before. Hence, we need to pursue the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, shared by our Hon’ble Prime Minister. The efforts have to come from every sector, but we can achieve this fundamentally if our education sector is robust.  For the same, we passed the National Education Policy in India, which is in different stages of implementation.” 

ABP Network’s Smart Education Summit 2025is a high-impact platform for furthering discourse on building synergies between academia and industry, bridging the digital divide, and integrating smart learning technologies in classrooms across the country. A curated set of insightful sessions, keynote addresses, and fireside chats brought together distinguished educators and institutional leaders to explore the transformative potential of technology in education.

ABOUT ABP NETWORK:

An innovative media and content creation company, ABP Network is a credible voice in the broadcast & digital sphere, with a multi-language portfolio of news channels reaching 528 million individuals in India (Source BARC, TG-2+, Mkt- All India, FY 24-25, Cume. Reach). ABP Studios, which comes under the purview of ABP Creations – the content innovation arm of the network – creates, produces, and licenses original, path-breaking content outside of news. ABP Network is a group entity of ABP, which was incorporated almost 100 years ago and continues to reign as a leading media company.

Press Release - Renault India Unveils Discovery Days to offer 10 Days of Unmissable Benefits, Exciting Offers and Carnival Experiences

Renault India Unveils Discovery Days to offer 10 Days of Unmissable Benefits, 

Exciting Offers and Carnival Experiences  

• o Financing at 0% interest rate and 50% waiver on processing fees 
  
• o Exchange benefits up to ₹40,000 
  
• o Exciting loyalty and segment benefits for existing Renault customers 
  

National, June 3, 2025: Renault India, wholly owned French carmaker Renault Group, today announced the launch of Renault Discovery Days, a thrilling nationwide campaign running from June 6 to June 16, 2025. Under the initiative, Renault India is inviting customers to visit Renault showrooms across country and discover an exciting range of vehicles, now available with retrofit CNG options, along with never-before offers designed to maximize customer delight and accessibility. 

Renault Discovery Days will turn showrooms into vibrant hubs of activity over two consecutive weekends, with thematic carnivals, immersive consumer events, and engaging experiencesdesigned to connect with automotive enthusiasts, families, and first-time buyers alike. 

During this limited-time celebration, Renault is rolling out special offers on the popular RXT, RXT+ and RXZ variants, which includes:  

• · Attractive NRFSI 0% rate of interest across the entire Renault line-up 
  
• · 50% waiver on NRFSI processing fees 
  
• · Exchange benefits up to ₹40,000 
  
• · Additional loyalty and segment benefitsfor existing Renault customers and those upgrading within the Renault family 
  

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Francisco Hidalgo, Vice President (Sales & Marketing), Renault India  said, “We’re thrilled to introduce Renault Discovery Days to the Indian market, a campaign that drives product discovery, unmatched consumer offers, and experiential showroom interactions. Through this initiative we aim to reignite the passion for Renault, showcasing the innovation in our range and rewarding the loyalty of our customers with tangible, meaningful benefits. Whether you’re drawn to our stylish city hatchbacks, our adventure-ready SUVs, or our eco-friendly retrofit CNG options, we are there to extend an exceptional Renault experience to our consumers.” 

With a wide selection of vehicles engineered for India’s dynamic roads, combining smart design, fuel efficiency, and advanced features, customers can book their test drives, explore exclusive offers, and make the most of the Discovery Days benefits before June 16. 

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For more information, visit your nearest Renault showroom or log on to https://www.renault.co.in/

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ABOUT RENAULT  

Renault, a historic mobility brand and pioneer of electric vehicles in Europe, has always developed innovative vehicles. With the ‘Renaulution’ strategic plan, Renault has embarked on an ambitious, value-generating transformation moving towards a more competitive, balanced and electrified range. Its ambition is to embody modernity and innovation in technology, energy and mobility services in the automotive industry and beyond. 

Renault India Pvt. Ltd. is a fully owned subsidiary of Renault S.A.S. France. Renault India cars are manufactured in the manufacturing facility located in Oragadam, Chennai, with a capacity of 480,000 units per annum. Renault India also has a widespread presence of close to 430+ sales and 490+ service touchpoints, which include 250+ Workshop on Wheels locations across the country, with benchmark sales and service quality.

Press Release_FSN becomes the first Indian food supply company to establish international operations

Mumbai, India, 05 May, 2025: Food Service Network (FSN), Asia’s leading tech-driven food supply and distribution company, has officially expanded its operations into Indonesia through a strategic partnership with Restaurant Brands Asia (RBA), the master franchisee of Burger King and Popeyes. This move marks FSN’s entry into international markets and positions it as the first Indian food supply company dedicated to establishing a global presence.

The partnership reflects the continued strengthening of FSN’s long-standing relationship with RBA. As part of this expansion, FSN will manage end-to-end supply and distribution operations for Burger King and Popeyes across Indonesia, supporting nearly 170 outlets through six strategically located distribution centers.

FSN’s Indonesia operations will replicate the centralized distribution model it has successfully implemented across India by leveraging standardized processes, integrated IT systems, and a strong vendor network to ensure consistency, efficiency, and food safety.

In Indonesia, FSN will collaborate with over 30 local suppliers and manufacturers, while also exploring opportunities for selective imports from India to optimize sourcing and supply chain efficiency. The company’s technology stack, comprising SAP ERP, Warehouse Management System (WMS), and Transport Management System (TMS). This will enable seamless integration, real-time visibility and dashboard, data-driven decision-making across the network.

“Our relationship with FSN spans over a decade in India, where we have grown together as trusted partners,” said Sandeep Dey, President at RBA Indonesia (Burger King & Popeyes). “We are pleased to welcome FSN to Indonesia as they take on the critical role of managing distribution and backend operations for our brands, Burger King and Popeyes. FSN’s vision to become a one-stop solution for foodservice companies aligns perfectly with our operational needs and long-term goals. Their commitment to efficiency and innovation across the supply chain makes them an ideal partner, and we look forward to replicating the same level of collaboration and success in Indonesia. We wish the FSN team continued success on this new journey.”

Gaurav Jain, Chairman at FSN, added, “Our partnership with RBA has been built on shared values of operational excellence and innovation. Expanding into Indonesia is a natural progression in our journey, and we are proud to bring our capabilities to a high-growth market with immense potential. FSN’s goal is to build Southeast Asia’s most advanced foodservice network, anchored in technology, reliability, and scalable execution.”

About Food Service Network (FSN)

Food Service Network (FSN) is India’s leading integrated food supply partner, providing end-to-end logistics and procurement solutions to QSRs, FMCG brands, HoReCa, cloud kitchens, and e-commerce businesses. Powered by AI-based demand planning and temperature-controlled logistics, FSN ensures cost efficiency, food safety, and service reliability.

With operations in 280+ cities, a fleet of 400+ vehicles, and a network serving 5,000+ outlets, FSN partners with top brands including Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, PepsiCo, Rebel Foods, and Amazon Fresh. As the only Indian cold chain logistics company with international operations, FSN is now scaling its vision across Southeast Asia, guided by technology, sustainability, and a leadership team with over 200 years of combined industry experience.

Control Z Flash Sale | iPhone 11 at just Rs 14999

1st May, 2025 | New Delhi: Control Z, India’s leading destination for premium renewed smartphones, today revealed its latest flash sale featuring the renewed iPhone 11 at an irresistible price of INR 14,999. The sale will go live on 4thMay, from 12:00 pm onwards, exclusively on the Control Z website.* Shoppers can unlock even deeper savings with 5 % instant discount when purchasing with HDFC Bank credit/debit cards or by verifying their student status via UNiDAYS. 

“This flash sale continues our mission to make flagship technology more attainable while accelerating the shift toward circular consumption. Choosing renewed devices does more than save money; it meaningfully reduces ewaste and carbon emissions, proving that premium tech can be both affordable and planetpositive,” said Yug Bhatia, Founder of Control Z.

Each renewed iPhone 11 at Control Z undergoes over 300 automated quality checks to ensure it meets the highest standards of performance and aesthetics, just like a brand-new device. It comes with a 100% battery health guarantee and is backed by an 18-month warranty, providing customers with both peace of mind and exceptional value.

Website Link: https://www.controlz.world/

 

About Control Z:

Control Z is redefining the smartphone experience by offering renewed devices that look, feel, and perform just like new. Every Control Z phone undergoes 300+ automated quality checks to ensure top-tier performance, and all iPhones come with 100% battery health for a truly seamless user experience. With an 18-month warranty, free pick-up and drop services, and easy EMI options, Control Z makes owning a premium smartphone affordable, reliable, and hassle-free—while contributing to a more sustainable future.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Shivani Rawat | 7838152095 | shivani@controlz.world

 

 

*Till stock lasts

Press release - BenQ Launches GV50: The Ultimate Portable Projector for Comfort and Convenience

National, 14^th April, 2024: BenQ, a leading provider of advanced display technology solutions, unveils the GV50 Smart FHD Laser portable projector, designed with ultra-flexible projection angles and exceptional audio-visual features to provide the ultimate comfortable viewing experience on the 120” Screen, anywhere, anytime. 

In the fast-paced urban lifestyle, moments of relaxation are increasingly vital amidst the demands of work and personal life. The GV50 smart laser portable projector meets this need by transforming any room into a cozy cinema. With Google TV and built-in Netflix, you get instant access to your favorite content.

As the new flagship portable model, the GV50 retains the 135° vertical projection flexibility of BenQ’s popular GV portable projector series while introducing significant upgrades in brightness, and onboard system capabilities featuring a Laser Light Source (up to 30,000hrs of Lifetime) for sharper details. Intelligent screen adaptation technologies, including auto-focus, auto 2D keystone correction, and obstacle avoidance, provide an easy/ effortless experience, regardless of room size or projection surface. It also comes with 150 minutes of video playtime or 280 minutes of Bluetooth music playback.

"The GV50 is thoughtfully crafted to complement modern lifestyles. It offers unmatched flexibility, enabling users to access high-quality content anytime, anywhere. GV50 is a gateway to immersive experience, perfectly suited to the way people engage with content today" said Mr. Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India.

Key Features at the Glance:

Immerse Yourself in Cinema-Quality Viewing with 1080P Resolution, Laser Light Source and Powerful 18W 2.1ch Speakers

The GV50 delivers unparalleled audio-visual quality, top-notch service standards, and exceptional color accuracy. Equipped with BenQ CinematicColor and CinematicSound technologies, Rec. 709 color precision, HDR/HLG support, and a bright 500 ANSI lumens, it elevates the immerse experience to a whole new level.

GV50 is designed to project 120” Full HD 1080p visuals from anywhere. Living up to BenQ's stellar reputation as a leading innovative projector brand, It also comes with a powerful In-built 18W Speaker System with extra bass for rich cinematic-audio experience

Unlimited Entertainment with Google TV and Built-In Netflix 

Geared towards all-in-one entertainment, the GV50 comes preloaded with the latest Google TV and licensed Netflix, offering seamless streaming, along with a 22.4ms input lag for casual gaming. It features USB-C data transmission, DisplayPort output, and power delivery for mobile devices and Nintendo Switch. Besides, its integrated battery provides up to 150 minutes of video playtime or 280 minutes of Bluetooth music playback.

Project from Any Angle with a Versatile Base Design

The GV50 stands out for its purpose-driven features, designed to deliver an immersive experience, even in compact spaces without compromising space or convenience. Its omnidirectional angle versatility, two-stage tilt projection, digital zoom, and digital H/V lens shift combine to offer a hassle-free experience from any position. 

Price and Availability:

Exclusively available on the BenQ E-store & Amazon starting from April 22.

Pre-booking is now live! Enjoy a special launch price of ₹69,990 on pre-orders until April 22 — only on BenQ E-store & Amazon.

About BenQ Corporation

Founded on the corporate vision of “Bringing Enjoyment ‘N’ Quality to Life”, BenQ Corporation is a world-leading human technology and solutions provider aiming to elevate and enrich every aspect of consumers’ lives. To realize this vision, the company focuses on the aspects that matter most to people today – lifestyle, business, healthcare, and education – with the hope of providing people with the means to live better, increase efficiency, feel healthier and enhance learning. Such means include a delightful broad portfolio of people-driven products and embedded technologies spanning digital projectors, monitors, interactive large-format displays, and lighting solutions. Because it matters.   

About BenQ Group

The BenQ Group is a $25+ billion powerhouse comprised of nearly 20 independent companies operating in over 30 countries across numerous industries with a combined workforce of over 100,000 employees.  Each Group member is a recognized leader in its own field, contributing to the BenQ Group’s vast resources, broad R&D, and distinct strategic strengths.  By leveraging each company’s vertical specialization to create true scale across horizontal markets, the BenQ Group controls a highly efficient value chain with the unrivaled ability to deliver critical components and world-class solutions in the following industries: TFT-LCD, green energy, fine chemicals, and advanced materials, lighting, IC design, precision components, system integration, branded business, and service.  The Group is committed to profitable and sustainable businesses that share its long-standing vision of Bringing Enjoyment ‘N’ Quality to Life.

The BenQ Group companies are BenQ Corporation, AU Optronics Corporation (world’s top manufacturer of large-size TFT-LCD panels), Qisda Corporation, Darfon Electronics Corporation, BenQ ESCO Corp., BenQ Materials Corp., BenQ Guru Corp., BenQ Medical Center, BenQ Medical Technology Corp., BenQ AB DentCare Corp., BriView Co., Ltd., Daxin Materials Corp., Dazzo Technology Corp., Forhouse Corp., Lextar Electronics Corp., LILY Medical Corp., and Raydium Semiconductor Corp.                                                                            

NEWS: Cloudflare eliminates major barriers to AI agent development

 

India, April 8, 2025 – Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the leading connectivity cloud company, today announced several new offerings to accelerate the development of AI agents. Cloudflare now enables developers to easily build and deploy powerful AI agents with the industry’s first remote Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, generally available access to durable Workflows, and a free tier for Durable Objects. These offerings enable developers to build agents in minutes, rather than months, simply, affordably, and at scale.

AI agents – AI-enabled systems that can act autonomously, make decisions, and adapt to changing environments – represent the future of AI. AI agents have the potential to unlock massive productivity gains, and yet businesses are struggling to build agents that deliver real return on investment. Building agents require access to three core components: AI models for reasoning, workflows for execution, and APIs for access to tools and services. In order to build scalable agentic systems, organizations need access to a platform that can provide each of these components in a scalable, cost-efficient way.

“Cloudflare is the best place to build and scale AI agents. Period. The most innovative companies out there see that agents are the next big frontier in AI, and they’re choosing Cloudflare because we’ve got everything they need to move fast and build at scale on our Workers platform,” said Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. “Cloudflare was built for this moment. First, we built the most interconnected network on the planet. Then, we built a developer platform that took advantage of that network to run code within 50 milliseconds of 95% of everyone online. And, we’re keeping our foot on the gas to give developers the best tools to build the future of agentic AI.”

With today’s announcement, Cloudflare's Developer Platformaddresses some of the most critical challenges in building AI agents by:

Unlocking smart, autonomous actions with the industry’s first remote MCP server

MCP is a fast-growing open source standard that lets AI agents interact directly with external services. This shifts AI from simply giving instructions to actually completing tasks on a user’s behalf – whether that’s sending an email, booking a meeting, or deploying code changes. Previously, MCP has been limited to running locally on a device, making it accessible to developers and early-adopters but hindering wider, mainstream adoption.

Cloudflare is making it easy to build and deploy remote MCP servers on Cloudflare, so any AI agent can securely connect over the Internet and interact with services, like email, without the need for a locally hosted server. MCP servers built on Cloudflare can retain context, providing a persistent, ongoing experience for each user. And through partnerships with Auth0, Stytch, and WorkOS, Cloudflare is simplifying authentication and authorization that allows users to delegate permissions to agents, making secure agent deployment dramatically simpler.

Building intelligent, contextually aware AI agents with Durable Objects, now on free tier

Previously only available as part of paid plans, developers can now access Durable Objects on Cloudflare’s free tier, expanding broad and democratized access to a critical component for building agents. Durable Objects are a special type of Cloudflare Worker that combines compute with storage, allowing you to build stateful applications in a serverless environment without managing infrastructure. Durable Objects provide the ideal foundation for AI agents that need to maintain context across interactions, such as remembering past preferences or changing behavior based on prior events. Cloudflare’s network ensures Durable Objects scale out to millions of simultaneous customer interactions and can operate agents near the original request, ensuring each customer has a fast, low latency response.

Deploying durable, multi-step applications with Workflows, now generally available

Workflows allow you to build multi-step applications that can automatically retry, persist, and run for minutes, hours, days, or weeks. Workflows is now generally available, providing developers and organizations with a reliable way to build and manage multi-step applications infused with AI. For example, building an agent Workflow to book a trip would require searching for flights in a price range, which would require a persistent search over a certain predetermined time span. Then, once the flights have been found, an agent would purchase the flights with traveler information and a credit card. And finally, send confirmation to each traveler in the party.

Paying only for what you use, for the most cost-efficient AI deployment

AI inference is hard to predict and inconsistent in nature, unlike training, because it relies on human behavior, including the time of day and what action a person wants to take. With traditional hyperscalers, this requires organizations to prepare and provision for the highest level of capacity they can expect, even if that level only happens at peak times. Cloudflare's serverless platform automatically scales inference and AI agent resources based on demand, from zero to global scale in milliseconds. This ensures organizations only pay for what they use, dramatically reducing costs compared to traditional cloud deployments that require constant provisioning.

"Cloudflare offers a developer-friendly ecosystem for creating AI agents that includes a free tier for Durable Objects and serverless options for AI inference,” explains Kate Holterhoff, senior analyst at RedMonk. “These low-cost, easy-to-use options could empower more businesses to adopt and experiment with agentic AI."

Cloudflare has been a leader in making AI inference accessible, breaking down barriers that have kept AI out of reach for most businesses. Cloudflare has GPUs deployed across more than 190 cities globally, bringing AI as close to the user as possible for low latency experiences.

To learn more, please check out the resources below:

Get started building at agents.cloudflare.com

Blog: Piecing together the Agent puzzle: MCP, authentication & authorization, and Durable Objects free tier

Blog: Cloudflare Workflows is now GA: production-ready durable execution

About Cloudflare

Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET) is the leading connectivity cloud company on a mission to help build a better Internet. It empowers organizations to make their employees, applications and networks faster and more secure everywhere, while reducing complexity and cost. Cloudflare’s connectivity cloud delivers the most full-featured, unified platform of cloud-native products and developer tools, so any organization can gain the control they need to work, develop, and accelerate their business.

Powered by one of the world’s largest and most interconnected networks, Cloudflare blocks billions of threats online for its customers every day. It is trusted by millions of organizations – from the largest brands to entrepreneurs and small businesses to nonprofits, humanitarian groups, and governments across the globe.

Learn more about Cloudflare’s connectivity cloud at cloudflare.com/connectivity-cloud. Learn more about the latest Internet trends and insights at https://radar.cloudflare.com.

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Press Release - The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog and New Development Bank’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) Sign a Statement of Intent to Strengthen Independent Evaluation in India

New Delhi, India, 8th April 2025: The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) and the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the New Development Bank (NDB) have signed a statement of intent to enhance cooperation in the field of independent evaluation and capacity-building. 

 

The statement of intent establishes a framework for strategic and technical collaboration between DMEO and IEO, supporting evidence-based policymaking and improving development effectiveness. The partnership will focus on knowledge exchange, evaluation capacity-building, and awareness initiatives to reinforce India's evaluation landscape.

 

Key areas of cooperation between DMEO and IEO include:

• Technical assistance: Sharing expertise and best practices in independent evaluation methodologies.

• Capacity-building: Organising workshops and training programmes to strengthen technical capabilities at national and state levels.

• Knowledge-sharing: Facilitating exchange of methodologies, tools and evaluation approaches.

• Awareness and communications: Joint activities to promote M&E, including conferences, stakeholder meetings and learning events.

 

In her message on this occasion, Ms. Nidhi Chhibber, Director-General, DMEO, NITI Aayog, stated, “By bringing together the expertise of DMEO, NITI Aayog and IEO, NDB, the partnership will facilitate the sharing of technical knowledge, development of methodologies, and capacity building, leading to a more synergistic and strengthened monitoring & evaluation ecosystem”.

 

In his remarks, Mr. Ashwani K. Muthoo, Director General, IEO, NDB, noted, “With 26 projects worth USD 8.6 billion financed in India since 2016, NDB is deeply committed to supporting the country’s development journey. Independent evaluation ensures that these investments yield sustainable results. Through this collaboration with DMEO, we aim to not only enhance evaluation capacity but also contribute to India’s long-term development goals by strengthening accountability, evaluation-based knowledge-sharing and evidence-driven decision-making”.

 

NDB’s portfolio in India spans critical sectors such as transport infrastructure (with 55% of its projects focused on this sector), water and sanitation (16%), renewable energy (3%), and COVID-19 emergency assistance (23%). These projects are spread across 13 states and union territories, with four initiatives having a nationwide scope.

 

This partnership underscores NDB’s commitment to supporting India's development agenda and reinforces its role in fostering sustainable and inclusive growth.

 

 

About the New Development Bank

NDB is a multilateral bank established in 2015 by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) with the aim of mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS countries and emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs). In alignment with its members’ development objectives and commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, NDB prioritises high-impact operations that are climate-smart, disaster-resilient, technology-integrated, and socially inclusive. NDB’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) is responsible for independently evaluating the Bank’s policies, strategies, processes, initiatives and operations. IEO also contributes and provides oversight to improve the effectiveness of the Bank’s quality assurance and self-evaluation activities.

 

About the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO)

DMEO was established by the Government of India on 18th September 2015, as an attached office of the NITI Aayog by merging the erstwhile Program EvaluationOffice and Independent Evaluation Office. To ensure that DMEO is able to function independently, it has been given separate budgetary allocations and manpower in addition to complete functional autonomy. The Programme Evaluation Organization (PEO) was established by the Government of India in October 1952 with a specific task of evaluating the community development programmes and other intensive area development schemes which were being funded by the Government of India. It worked as a division of the erstwhile Planning Commission and was headed by an Adviser (PEO) who reported to the Member, Planning Commission. PEO had 15 field units (7 Regional Evaluation Offices + 8 Project Evaluation Offices) located across the country. In an effort to accord more functional autonomy to the programme evaluation mechanism in the country, the Government of India established the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) in November, 2010. The IEO was headed by a Director General, equivalent to a Union Minister of State in rank and status.

 

 

Press Release _ Nu Republic® Unleashes Starboy® 6 Wireless Headphones: Own the Spotlight. Feel the Bass

 Nu Republic® Unleashes Starboy® 6 Wireless Headphones: Own the Spotlight. Feel the Bass

“The latest in the Starboy® franchise by Nu Republic ® - this is definitely the boldest Headphones in the game—Built to Turn Heads & Drop Jaws”

National, 12 February 2025: Nu Republic®, India’s trailblazing lifestyle tech brand, is proud to introduce Starboy® 6 Wireless Headphones, a head-turning masterpiece built for those who dare to stand out. With one-of-a-kind LED lights, an ultra-cool design, and powerful sound, Starboy 6 is here to redefine the headphone experience. 

These visually striking headphones aren’t just about aesthetics—they pack a punch with Nu Republic’s signature X-Bass® technology, delivering deep, dynamic sound that fuels every beat. With Dual Mode (Game/Music) for seamless switching and ENC for crystal-clear calls, Starboy® 6 ensures an immersive audio experience, whether you're vibing to your playlist or dominating the game.

Starboy® 6’s ultra-responsive flip mic lets you take the spotlight—crisp, clear, and always on point. 

Whether you're gaming, streaming, or making power moves, your voice comes through loud and legendary.

With Dual Pairing, you can switch effortlessly between devices, while 42ms low latency in Game Mode gives you a competitive edge. The intuitive button controls make switching tracks and adjusting volume effortless, while the lightweight, ergonomic design ensures all-day comfort.

Experience next-level comfort with memory foam earcups and a premium, breathable vegan leather finish on these wireless headphones. The memory foam molds to your ears, ensuring a perfect fit that cancels noise without pressure, while the vegan leather adds a luxe touch—soft, durable, and eco-friendly. All-day comfort meets style, perfect for long listening sessions.

Ready to light up your vibe and own the spotlight? With a head-turning design and a playtime that matches your energy, Starboy 6® is more than just headphones—it’s a statement. Enjoy 30 hours* of non-stop power and switch seamlessly between Game and Music modes for the ultimate audio experience., 

Nu Republic® Starboy 6® Wireless Headphones are available at an unbeatable price of INR 2499/- on www.nurepublic.co, setting a new benchmark in tech-meets-style audio gear.

Outstanding Features

• Nu Republic Starboy® 6 Wireless Headphones : 
• LED Lights – One-of-a-kind, bold & vibrant breathing LED lights to turn heads when you sport your coolest look. 
• Flip Mic – Unleash your voice with clarity
• Dual Pairing – Connect & switch between two devices seamlessly
• 42ms Low Latency – for ultra-smooth gaming experience
• ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation)– Crystal-clear calls & communication
• 30 Hours* Playtime – All-day power for non-stop action
• Dual Mode (Game/Music) – Switch between immersive gaming & dynamic music
• X-Bass® Technology – Deep bass, crisp highs, and immersive audio
• Button Controls – Effortless control at your fingertips
• All-Day Comfort – Lightweight and ergonomic fit, with vegan leather + memory foam cushions. 

About Nu Republic®

Nu Republic® is an industry disruptor in lifestyle technology, blending electronics, music, and fashion into one powerful ecosystem. With a product portfolio spanning wireless earbuds, smartwatches, power banks, speakers, and innovative charging solutions, Nu Republic® is committed to making high-style attainable and high-tech affordable. Endorsed by iconic power couple Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Akhtar, the brand is synonymous with self-expression and next-gen innovation. For more details, visit www.nurepublic.co.

RSVP : Surbhi Batra (surbhi@nurepublic.co / +91 9818041337)