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Escalation of Middle East conflict could delay rate cut: Dun & Bradstreet

MUMBAI, India, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Economy Observer report presents Dun & Bradstreet’s projections for critical economic indicators, accompanied by commentary and insights into the most recent economic trends. As a worldwide provider of business decisioning data and analytics, Dun & Bradstreet combines global data with local expertise to helps clients make smarter decisions.

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Key economic forecast:

Real Economy: We expect Index of Industrial Activity (IIP) to have registered a robust growth in March 2024 driven by construction-related activities, election-related expenditures, and resiliency in demand, both domestic and exports. Notably, non-oil exports recorded an 8% growth in March 2024, a significant positive amidst the Red Sea crisis. Dun & Bradstreet expects the IIP to have grown by 5.0% in March 2024.

Price Scenario: Even as the retail inflation has moderated recently driven largely by the moderation in the miscellaneous/services inflation, the escalation of conflict in West Asia poses threat to retail inflation (CPI) in India. Besides, the stickiness in the food inflation would impact a downward threshold to the headline inflation The wholesale inflation (WPI) is also expected to inch upwards. Dun & Bradstreet expects the Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) to be 4.3% and Wholesale Price Inflation (WPI) to be around 0.5% in April 2024.

Money & Finance: Even as retail inflation has edged down, the recent upward risk to inflation and receding bets of an early US Fed rate cut to likely further postpone policy rate cut in India. The hardening of the US 10-year US Treasury and heightened geopolitical tensions are expected to keep yields elevated in April 2024 in line with the level witnessed in March 2024. The short-term yield is expected to moderate in April 2024 owing to surplus liquidity in the banking system. Dun & Bradstreet anticipates the 10-year G-Sec yield to be around 7.1% in April 2024, while we expect the 15-91-day Treasury Bills yield to remain at around 6.85%.

External Sector: Rupee is expected to turn bearish and depreciate during April and May 2024 due to concerns regarding surge in oil prices stemming from heightened instability in the Middle East. Another key risk to rupee lies in the potential postponement of the Fed’s rate-cutting trajectory. Given the uptick in inflation in the US and resilient growth, the Fed might delay its rate-cutting measures, consequently bolstering the dollar in the short term. Dun & Bradstreet expects the rupee to depreciate to 83.4 per US$ in April 2024 and further depreciate to 83.6 per US$ in May 2024.

Dr Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun & Bradstreet said, “The persistent stickiness in food inflation is preventing headline inflation from falling within the RBI’s 2-4% tolerance band. Moreover, the escalating tensions in Middle East could delay rate cuts until late 2024. If conflict arises, it may disrupt the vital trade route leading to a surge in global crude oil prices thereby impacting India’s imported inflation. The deteriorating global supply chain, as indicated by the 8% negative growth recorded by the Dun & Bradstreet Global supply Chain Index in Q2 2024, has potential to further disrupt trade impacting commodity prices”.

Dun & Bradstreet’s Economy Observer Forecast

Variables

Forecast

Latest Period

Previous period

IIP Growth

5.0% March-24

5.7% February-24

4.1% January-24

WPI Inflation

0.5% April-24

0.53% March-24

0.2% February-24

CPI (Combined) Inflation

4.3% April-24

4.85% March-24

5.09% February-24

Exchange Rate (INR/US$)

83.6 May-24

83.4 April-24

83.0 March-24

15-91 day’s T-Bills

6.85% April-24

6.93% March-24

7.03% February-24

10-year G-Sec yield

7.1% April-24

7.07% March-24

7.09% February-24

Bank Credit

20.4% April-24

20.2% March-24

20.5% February-24

 

About Dun & Bradstreet:

Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit www.dnb.com.

Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited is headquartered in Mumbai and provides clients with data-driven products and technology-driven platforms to help them take faster and more accurate decisions across finance, risk, compliance, information technology and marketing. Working towards Government of India’s vision of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by supporting the Make in India initiative, Dun & Bradstreet India has a special focus on helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility, increase their credibility, expand access to global markets, and identify potential customers & suppliers, while managing risk and opportunity.

India is also the home to Dun & Bradstreet Technology & Corporate Services LLP, which is the Global Capabilities Center (GCC) of Dun & Bradstreet supporting global technology delivery using cutting-edge technology. Located at Hyderabad, the GCC has a highly skilled workforce of over 500 employees, and focuses on enhanced productivity, economies of scale, consistent delivery processes and lower operating expenses.

Visit www.dnb.co.in for more information.

Click here for all Dun & Bradstreet India press releases.

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HarperCollins India Brings Global Bestseller – Designing the Mind, to Indian Readers

Modern self-mastery manual to leading great lives, by Ryan A. Bush

NEW DELHI, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a world saturated with quick fixes and surface-level self-help, HarperCollins India announces the release of Designing the Mind by Ryan A. Bush – an international bestseller that offers a powerful alternative: a systematic, deeply transformative approach to mastering the mind.

Positioned at the intersection of psychology, philosophy and self-optimization, the book introduces ‘psychitecture’: a methodical practice of redesigning the mind’s internal ‘software’ to achieve greater clarity, self-control and emotional tranquillity.

At its core, Designing the Mind challenges a fundamental assumption that thoughts, emotions and behaviours are fixed. Drawing from neuropsychology and the teachings of great thinkers, such as the Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, Friedrich Nietzsche and Abraham Maslow, Bush presents a compelling framework for consciously redesigning the mental patterns that shape lives.

Rather than offering fleeting motivation or prescriptive hacks, the book equips readers with a set of principles to step outside their own thinking and examine it as a system, one that can be understood, refined and ultimately rebuilt.

Talking about the book, Ryan A. Bush says, “I’m excited to bring Designing the Mind to India and introduce these principles to a whole new group of psychitects. India has one of the richest traditions of introspective inquiry in the world, and I think this book will find a natural home here.”

Sachin Sharma, Publisher, HarperCollins India, says, “One of humanity’s most profound questions is whether it is truly possible to rewire the brain. In Designing the Mind, Ryan Bush expertly blends practical exercises, actionable insights, and theoretical concepts to empower readers in engineering their own minds. We are thrilled to bring this international bestseller to Indian readers.”

About the book:

Neuropsychology suggests that the human mind is infinitely malleable and adaptable. It is known that it is possible to rewire emotions and build deep tranquility into human minds. It is also known that the biased beliefs and self-limiting habits that hold people back from their potential can be overcome. Yet when one actually seeks to modify and master the mind, they are usually met with shallow life hacks and fleeting fixes.

Fortunately, many great ancient philosophers left behind the open-source cognitive code for altering one’s own mental patterns and becoming the ideal self. Legendary thinkers like the Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Abraham Maslow have revealed the insights for building a brilliant mind, and award-winning systems designer, Ryan A. Bush, weaves them into a vital theory for helping individuals scale the heights of self-mastery and lead great lives.

About the author:

Ryan A. Bush is a designer and thinker focused on building better systems, better people, and a better future. As founder of Designing the Mind, Ryan’s central purpose is to provide wisdom education and expand human potential beyond the norm. Ryan’s background is in the design of systems – he works with tech startups to design and develop everything from patented physical products, to software, to buildings, to business models. But his most relevant credential is a lifelong appetite for introspective investigation, ravenous reading, and obsessive self-optimization. For more than a decade, Ryan has been studying the insights of ancient teachers, practical philosophers, and cognitive scientists. His ideas have been featured on major platforms like Lifehack and Modern Stoicism, and he has been a guest on podcasts with topics ranging from emotions to philosophy to motivation.

About HarperCollins India

At HarperCollins Publishers India, we believe in telling the best stories and ensuring they reach the widest readership. We publish around 250 new books every year across 10 imprints, adding to a diverse catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across print and digital formats. Our authors include APJ Abdul Kalam, Agatha Christie, Amish Tripathi, Amitav Ghosh (Erasmus Prize 2024), Jhumpa Lahiri, Paulo Coelho, Raghuram Rajan, Sudha Murty, Ruskin Bond and many more.

HarperCollins India has been honoured with seven Publisher of the Year awards and proudly represents global publishers such as Harvard University Press, Lonely Planet, Oneworld, Nosy Crow, Usborne and National Geographic Children.

We have also been certified as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, a testament to our culture, creativity and people.

Contact

Kritika Nautiyal

Manager – Marketing 

Email: kritika.nautiyal@harpercollins.co.in

Mobile: +91 7895252058

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Agoda Highlights Cool Escapes Across India to Beat the Summer Heat

NEW DELHI, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the summer approaches across India, digital travel platform Agoda highlights a selection of refreshing hill stations and highland retreats offering cooler climates and scenic landscapes. From the Nilgiri Hills to the Himalayas, these destinations provide travelers with a welcome escape from the heat while showcasing India’s geographic diversity.

Travel interest for hill destinations typically increases between April and June as travelers seek milder temperatures, fresh air, and nature-led experiences. Agoda’s latest recommendations reflect a growing preference for quick getaways and lesser-crowded alternatives to traditional summer hotspots, with travelers prioritizing accessibility, weather comfort, and cultural depth.

In southern India, Coonoor offers a quieter alternative to the more frequented Ooty. Surrounded by tea plantations and rolling hills, the town’s temperate climate and colonial-era charm make it an appealing retreat. Visitors can explore viewpoints such as Dolphin’s Nose or take scenic walks through tea estates, where the cool breeze provides relief from the summer heat.

Also in Tamil Nadu, Yercaud sits within the Shevaroy Hills and remains one of the region’s more understated summer destinations. Known for its lake, coffee plantations, and shaded forests, Yercaud attracts travelers looking for a relaxed pace without long travel times. Its relatively lower altitude still offers a noticeable drop in temperature compared to nearby cities.

Further north, Lansdowne provides a serene Himalayan foothill experience. This cantonment town is characterized by pine forests, quiet walking trails, and panoramic mountain views. It offers an unhurried atmosphere and offbeat appeal to travelers seeking a quieter alternative to busier hill stations in Uttarakhand.

For those willing to travel farther, Ladakh offers a dramatic contrast to India’s summer heat. With high-altitude deserts, expansive landscapes, and cool daytime temperatures, Ladakh has become increasingly popular during summer months. Beyond its scenery, the region’s monasteries and local culture provide a deeper travel experience.

In Karnataka, Coorg, also known as Kodagu, remains a perennial favorite. Its mist-covered hills, coffee estates, and forested terrain create a consistently cool and refreshing environment. Seasonal rainfall further enhances its greenery, making it especially appealing for nature-focused travelers.

Western India offers its own escape in Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. Surrounded by the Aravalli Range, Mount Abu provides a significant temperature drop compared to the desert plains. Attractions such as Nakki Lake and the Dilwara Temples combine natural beauty with cultural interest.

In the eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling continues to attract visitors with its cool climate and panoramic views of Kanchenjunga. Globally renowned for its premium tea, often referred to as the “Champagne of Teas,” Darjeeling holds a special appeal for travelers seeking both natural beauty and cultural richness. Its iconic tea gardens, heritage railways, and colonial architecture contribute to its enduring charm, while the elevation ensures comfortable temperatures even during peak summer.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda said, “Summer travel in India increasingly reflects a shift toward destinations that balance climate comfort with meaningful experiences. Hill stations and highland regions continue to resonate because they offer both immediate relief from the heat and a deeper connection to nature and local culture. At Agoda, we are passionate about helping travelers discover these unique places and create unforgettable memories. With our extensive range of accommodations and activities, we make it easy to plan the perfect travel experience.”

With over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda enables travelers to plan and combine every part of their journey in one place. Running from 7 May to 21 May, Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with a special flash sale of up to 70% on 19 May and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 3 May to 6 May. Discover more on Agoda’s mobile app or at Agoda.com.  

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Lumina Datamatics Wins IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service Category

MUMBAI, India, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lumina Datamatics, a strategic partner to global publishers and eCommerce retailers, has won the IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service category. The award was presented at a prestigious ceremony held at the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mumbai on 30th April 2026.

This esteemed recognition is part of the IMC Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality (RBNQ) Awards for 2025, one of India’s most respected benchmarks for organizational excellence. The award underscores Lumina Datamatics’ unwavering commitment to business excellence, quality-driven processes, and continuous performance improvement. Notably, Lumina Datamatics Limited is the only organization recognized in the service segment this year, representing excellence across the Business Process Management spectrum.

The selection followed a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process conducted by an eminent panel of judges, assessing organizations on key parameters such as leadership, strategy, customer focus, operational effectiveness, and overall business performance.

Speaking on the achievement, Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director & CEO, Lumina Datamatics, and Vice Chairman & CEO, TNQTech said, “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition. This achievement reflects the collective dedication, collaboration, and relentless focus on quality demonstrated by our teams across the organization. It reinforces our commitment to delivering consistent value to our clients worldwide while continuously striving for excellence in everything we do.”

The milestone highlights Lumina Datamatics’ strong foundation in operational excellence and its ongoing efforts to set new benchmarks in service delivery across global markets.

About Lumina Datamatics:

Lumina Datamatics is a trusted partner in providing digital Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to companies in the Publishing and Retail Industries worldwide. We are among the largest service providers in the Content space, and our customers include 8 of the top 10 academic publishers and 3 of the 5 largest Retailers and Marketplaces. Lumina Datamatics’ expert solutions combine its various in-house and client-facing platforms, partnerships with global technology leaders, and more than 7,500 professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Philippines, and India. This integrated global capability enables the company to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions to clients worldwide.

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