National

IICA Kicks Off First National Association of Impact Leaders Meeting 2025

Published

1 year ago

March 2, 2025

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), affiliated with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, recently organized the inaugural National Association of Impact Leaders (NAIL) Meet 2025 in Goa.

This event drew over 100 attendees, serving as a gathering point for esteemed ESG professionals, policymakers, and thought leaders who came together to share insights, discuss emerging sustainability trends, and plan for a more resilient and responsible corporate future.

Under the esteemed leadership of Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey, DG & CEO of IICA and Chairman of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), the event was marked by a series of engaging discussions.

A significant panel discussion moderated by Prof. Garima Dadhich featured prominent NAIL members, who explored the extensive implications of regulatory changes. Topics included SEBI’s new regulations, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the discontinuation of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). These discussions emphasized both the challenges and the opportunities facing the corporate sector.

Senior officials from the Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities (DDHS) at SEBI provided an in-depth analysis of the evolving ESG rating framework, highlighting investor expectations and the necessary adaptations corporations must undertake to stay compliant and competitive.

Additionally, representatives from SEBI’s corporate finance department shared valuable insights into the industrial benchmarks established for BRSR Core and their direct effects on businesses aiming to improve ESG compliance.

A Senior Expert in ESG Practice from KPMG India presented on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in ESG data analytics, reporting, and decision-making processes.

Adding to the discourse, Aruna C. Newton, Vice President of Infosys Limited, offered valuable insights into how strong governance frameworks can foster the adoption of green technologies, ultimately promoting a culture of corporate sustainability.

During the event, IICA also announced the upcoming 3rd edition of its flagship annual ESG conference, the National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC), which is set to take place on July 2nd and 3rd, 2025, with support from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

National

Pickup Vehicle Crashes Into Divider, Two Killed Including Child

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A tragic road accident took place in Uttar Pradesh when a pickup vehicle lost control and crashed into a road divider.

The driver and a three-year-old girl died on the spot due to the impact of the crash. Nine passengers who were travelling in the vehicle sustained injuries. They were rushed to the district hospital for treatment.

Reports said the victims were travelling to their native village to celebrate the Holi festival. A video showing the horrifying scene of the accident has gone viral on social media.

Preliminary reports suggest that overspeeding may have led to the accident. Police have started an investigation into the incident.

National

Five from Karnataka Killed in Car–Container Collision in Andhra Pradesh

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Andhra Pradesh: Five people from Karnataka were killed on the spot after the car they were travelling in rammed into a container truck from behind in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Tuesday.

The accident occurred near Gangavaram in Palamaneru while the victims were on their way to Tirupati temple from Bengaluru. According to police, the car crashed into the rear of a container vehicle with great force, leaving the vehicle completely mangled.

The deceased have been identified as Mohandas (71), Nagaraj (61), Kusuma (61), Jayanti (59), and Pooja (33). All of them were residents of Rajajinagar in Bengaluru.

Preliminary reports suggest that the impact of the collision was so severe that all five occupants died at the scene. Police have registered a case at the Palamaneru police station and further investigation is underway.

More details are awaited.

National

Woman Kills Ex-Lover Over Blackmail in Ballia

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A married woman allegedly killed her former lover in Ballia after he blackmailed her with private videos, police said.

According to police, the victim was identified as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Azamgarh. He was reportedly in a relationship with the woman from a nearby village.

Police said the woman wanted to end the relationship. However, Gupta allegedly began blackmailing her using obscene videos and harassed her repeatedly.

Unable to bear the threats, the woman informed her brother and sister-in-law. The trio allegedly planned the murder during a wedding function on February 5.

On February 7, they allegedly called Gupta to the village on a pretext. He was strangled to death, police said. The accused then poured acid on his face to hide his identity and tried to destroy evidence.

An unidentified body with a disfigured face was found on February 10. The crime was later solved during the investigation.

Police have arrested three accused, including the woman, and sent them to judicial custody. Efforts are on to arrest other suspects involved in the case.