Daily Bharat News

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to India, H.E. Evagoras Vryonides, delivered the welcome address.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Vryonides expressed enthusiasm over Cyprus assuming the EU Council Presidency and outlined the key priorities of its term. He stated that Cyprus aims to promote an autonomous and outward-looking European Union, with a strong focus on economic growth, employment generation, defense cooperation, innovation, and strengthened transatlantic ties.

The High Commissioner also highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between India and Cyprus, tracing it back to their shared association with the Non-Aligned Movement. He noted that bilateral relations have gained fresh momentum following recent engagements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Cypriot leadership. Emphasizing future cooperation, he pointed to sectors such as trade, tourism, defense, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

Sharing details of upcoming engagements, Dr. Vryonides said several high-level visits from Cyprus to India are scheduled in the coming months. These include the Deputy Minister’s participation in the AI Summit, the Foreign Minister’s visit for the Raisina Dialogue, and the President of Cyprus’s official visit to India in May 2026.

In his address, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh congratulated Cyprus on assuming the EU Council Presidency and described the moment as significant for India–EU relations. Drawing parallels between Cyprus’s emphasis on “Autonomy” and India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he underlined the growing convergence between India and the European Union.

Referring to the recent India–EU Summit, the Minister highlighted cooperation in digital transformation, clean and green energy, security and defense, resilient supply chains, and innovation. He also mentioned ongoing negotiations toward an India–EU Free Trade Agreement.

Describing the India–EU partnership as an “anchor of stability and a force for global good,” Shri Singh stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges.

The reception concluded with informal interactions among diplomats and guests, reaffirming the strong diplomatic, economic, and strategic ties between India, Cyprus, and the European Union.

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VLLP Managing Partner Nihaar Binda Thackeray opened the session, stressing the need for stronger institutional trust, clear regulations, and expert guidance to help businesses overcome cross-border hurdles. Swiss MP and President of the Swiss-India Parliamentary Group, Dr. h.c. Nik Gugger, echoed this by reaffirming Switzerland’s dedication to trade facilitation and deeper bilateral engagement through parliamentary and governmental channels.

Switzerland Global Enterprise’s Regional Director APAC & Southern Switzerland, Luka Degiovannini, highlighted India’s rise as a manufacturing powerhouse and innovation hub. Florin Müller, Head of Swiss Business Hub India, detailed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), outlining its goals and opportunities across sectors, while SICC Director Colonel Chandoke emphasized the chamber’s role in fostering trade and investment.

VLLP Partner Chintan Thorat urged a holistic view of geopolitical risks, noting that 80% of business threats stem from political factors yet receive only 20% of strategic focus. Citing disruptions like Ukraine and Brexit alongside India’s local dynamics, he advocated for multi-layered risk frameworks integrating political, economic, cultural, and sociological elements. The forum ended with consensus on TEPA, key institutions, and smart risk analysis as pillars for confident cross-border growth.

The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea, led by Minister Choi Gyo Jin, announced the formal opening of the Korea Education Centre with the objective of strengthening educational services for overseas Koreans and expanding international educational cooperation. The Centre has been established as an overseas educational institution under the Overseas Koreans Education Act, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Korea Education Centre focuses on identity education and lifelong learning for overseas Koreans, while also serving as a hub for Korean language education and international student attraction. Since the establishment of the first Korea Education Centre in Japan in the 1960s, the network has expanded to 47 centres across 22 countries worldwide.

In response to increasing globalization, the Ministry of Education has steadily expanded both the number and roles of Korea Education Centres. Following the launch of the “Study Korea 300K Project” in August 2023, these centres have been further strengthened as public platforms for supporting international students seeking education in Korea and for promoting Korean language education in strategically important countries. Through this initiative, the Ministry aims to stimulate demand for studying in Korea and support the long-term settlement of international students.

Currently, 11 Korea Education Centres globally are assigned specific international student attraction functions, including centres in Los Angeles, Osaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Tashkent, Almaty, Thailand, Seattle, Mexico, Indonesia, and India.

At present, the Korea Education Centre network comprises 47 centres across 22 countries, with regional distribution as follows: Japan (15), North America and Latin America (13), Russia and CIS countries (7), Southeast Asia (6), and Europe and Oceania (6).

India, the world’s most populous country, has long-standing ties with Korea, including medical support and peace mediation efforts during World War periods. Since 2015, when the two nations elevated their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, educational exchanges and cooperation have continued to expand.

The opening ceremony in New Delhi was attended by a delegation from the Korean Ministry of Education, including Mr. Seol Sehun, Director General of Planning and Coordination. Also present were Mr. Lee Seong Ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, Mr. Ravikesh, Registrar of Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Mr. Lee Kwang Il, Chairman of the Korean Association in India.

More than 120,000 overseas Koreans currently reside in India and are actively engaged in sectors such as education, industry, culture, and research, serving as an important bridge between the two nations. With growing interest in Korea driven by the Korean Wave, the Korea Education Centre in India plans to focus on promoting Korean language education and attracting Indian students to pursue higher education in Korea.

Commenting on the occasion, Education Minister Choi Gyo Jin stated, “The role of the Korea Education Centre in India should be greatly strengthened in line with Korea’s elevated economic and cultural status in the international community and the global education powerhouse strategy aimed at attracting 300,000 international students.”

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Greater Noida: Sharda School of Media, Film & Entertainment (SSMFE), Sharda University, successfully hosted an inspiring interactive session titled “Your Voice, Your Screen, Your Storytelling – Careers in Broadcasting.” The event, held at Auditorium 014, aimed to connect students with the dynamic world of radio, television, and digital media.

The session featured prominent speakers including RJ Atishay (104.8 Ishq FM), Dr. Vipin Gaur (Secretary General, Newspaper Association of India), and Tushar Kaushik, News Anchor and Social Media Influencer. The speakers not only shared valuable insights into career opportunities but also guided students on live presentation techniques, voice modulation, and the nuances of digital storytelling.

Dr. Vipin Gaur delivered a thought-provoking address, stating, “Journalism is not just our responsibility towards society, but our duty as well,” urging students to balance technology and ethics for true professional success. He further reminded participants: “Media is the mirror of society; our words shape reality.” “A journalist’s role extends beyond reporting news—it’s about building trust within the community.” “In the age of rapid technology, ethics must be our guiding light.” Media persons should strive to present the whole truth, not just a part of it.”

The program was led by Prof. Ritu Sood, Dean, SSMFE, who emphasized the importance of such initiatives in bridging the gap between academia and industry. The event was coordinated and moderated by Prof. Rashid Hashmi, who played a pivotal role in shaping the session and facilitated engaging Q&A discussions that allowed students to interact directly with the experts.
Prof. Ritu Sood expressed her delight over the event’s success, calling it a milestone in students’ personality development, while Prof. Rashid Hashmi stated that the initiative would inspire young minds to explore careers in radio, television, podcasting, and digital media.

The film was widely appreciated by the Indian audiences who attended the first day of the three-day New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025. The experience became even more special as the Indian K-Wave fans had the opportunity to interact online with one of the actors of the film, Moon Choi. 

Moon Choi, who plays an important role of ‘Kumi Fukada’, a Japanese student who helps Yun Dongju publish his poetry collection, spoke at length about the preparations that went behind playing her character and also responded to questions asked by the Indian audiences. Speaking about the significance of the Korean poet Dongju, Moon Choi said, “He is the most famous poet in Korea and we learn his poems in middle school. If you have attended school in Korea, you would have read the poems of Dongju. Such is his significance.”

She further spoke about the similarities in the history of both Korea and India and emphasized that both the nations have had a painful past. “I learned that the date of Liberation Day in Korea actually falls on the same day as India’s Independence Day, which is August 15. We gained our freedom in 1945 and in India it was in 1947. This experience of being under a regime of a totally different culture which tries to conquer you by conquering your language and culture, we have both been through it.”

In response to a question by a film viewer about whether she would like to work in the Indian film industry, Moon Choi said, “Oh my god, I am so interested in Indian films. Seriously, I am a big fan of Indian films. If I get the chance, I would love to be able to work in India. You have such a gorgeous history and culture, and not to mention about your literature, culture, the food, and art. I have never been to India yet. But if I get a chance, I would love to work in an Indian film.”
Besides the Cine Talk event, the K-culture lovers who attended the event also participated in a face-painting activity where they had the flags of both countries painted on their faces. The viewers also stood with the cut-out of the lead characters of the opening film and clicked their photos. There was also a “comment wall” where they expressed their opinions regarding the event and also wrote about the strong friendship between Korea and India. 

On Day 2 of the New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025, ‘Assassination’ (2015), an action film centred on an armed independence movement’s secret mission, portraying the struggles and choices of those who fought for Korea’s liberation, will be screened. On Day 3, an occult drama titled ‘Dark Nuns’ (2025), that also released in India at PVR INOX theatres, will be screened. The film weaves together themes of religion and the supernatural, exploring the intersection of human faith and fear through a tense, immersive narrative.

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 New Delhi: LGT Business Connextions Ltd, a prominent name in India’s travel and hospitality sector, has announced the launch of its Initial Public Offering (IPO), marking a milestone moment in the company’s growth journey. The IPO will open for public subscription on August 19, 2025, and close on August 21, 2025, with the shares scheduled to be listed on the BSE SME platform.

The public issue comprises a fresh issue of 23,62,800 equity shares worth ₹25.28 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 2,62,800 shares valued at ₹2.81 crore, aggregating to a total issue size of 26,25,600 shares amounting to ₹28.09 crore. The IPO is priced at ₹107 per share, with a face value of ₹10. The minimum bid size has been fixed at 2,400 shares, and the lot size at 1,200 shares.

Founded in 2016, LGT Business Connextions has emerged as one of India’s leading providers of travel, tour, and holiday solutions, catering to a diverse customer base through its strong service network. The company owns three properties and operates 15 more on lease, with its corporate headquarters in Chennai and operational offices strategically located across Cochin, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Mumbai, and Noida.

In terms of financial performance, the company has demonstrated consistent growth over the years. For the financial year ending 2024, LGT reported revenues of ₹88.93 crore and a net profit of ₹3.63 crore, which grew to ₹100.42 crore in revenues and ₹5.21 crore in net profit in FY25. This upward trajectory reflects the company’s ability to expand its reach and maintain profitability despite an increasingly competitive market.

The funds raised through the IPO are earmarked for capital expansion, service diversification, technology upgrades, and strengthening the company’s marketing network, all aimed at enhancing its footprint and competitiveness in the Indian travel and hospitality industry.
The company’s growth has been driven by its experienced leadership. Mr. Wilfred Selvaraj, 53, the Managing Director, holds a degree in Arts from Bharathidasan University and boasts over three decades of experience in senior roles across national and multinational travel and hospitality organisations. He joined LGT in 2020 and has been instrumental in steering its expansion and operational excellence.

 agent, she has played a pivotal role in adopting new technologies and enhancing service quality within the company.

As the travel and hospitality sector in India continues to recover and expand post-pandemic, LGT Business Connextions’ IPO is seen as a strategic step to bolster its resources, expand its presence, and solidify its position as a trusted travel solutions provider nationwide.