Newly introduced hospitality group – Pemako elevates the ultimate luxury travel experience in the destination

Its 2 stunning properties create an unforgettable holiday circuit across Punakha and Thimphu

Pemako – a brand new luxury hospitality brand from Bhutan, invites discerning guests from India on a profound journey to the land of the Thunder Dragon. Their flagship hotel Pemako Punakha is now officially open and promises to showcase the country’s vibrant culture through – uniquely designed spaces, delectable cuisines, warm hospitality and perceptive experiences – seamlessly weaved together for an invigorating luxury holiday. Additionally, Pemako Thimphu, a recently rebranded hotel in the city centre is a remarkable addition to their portfolio. Both properties, with their distinct experiences, promise to offer a one-of-a-kind circuit for a serene escapade to the mountains.

Their flagship hotel – Pemako Punakha

Christiane Doris Wasfy, General Manager, Pemako, comments, “We are delighted to introduce the luxury hospitality group – Pemako and its stunning properties to Indian travellers. As we celebrate the grand opening of Pemako Punakha, a result of 7 years of dedication, design and innovation, we look forward to catering to adventurers and explorers constantly seeking unique journeys. The group offers ideal stay experiences with its 2 stellar properties in Punakha and Thimphu that embrace nature, and cultural realms and offer extraordinary gastronomy – all the while giving the freedom and the time to detach oneself from worldly distractions, to think and feel more deeply. We are looking forward to welcoming guests from around the world and showcasing the beauty of Bhutan through Pemako.”

Pemako Punakha

For the thoughtful traveller driven by the desire for novelty and absolute escapism, the hotel is a haven for a transformative stay experience. An earthly paradise, waiting to be discovered!

Unique design ethos:With concept designs by Bill Bensley and spread across 70 acres of untouched land, the property boasts of an interesting combination of 19 luxury tented villas, 1 two-bedroom tented villa and 1 presidential tented villa – each privately placed and uniting seamlessly with the beauty of nature. Nestled by the Mo Chhu River in the quaint town of Punakha, the signature arrival experience sets out by crossing a bridge strung with fluttering prayer flags, followed by a short yet scenic ride to the haven. Upon a heartfelt welcome by the resident Lama, a divine prayer ritual for one’s well-being and a warm welcome tea, head to the spacious luxury tents.

Each tent is opulently designed, with a private temperature-controlled pool – the first hotel in the country to offer this, accompanied by a sprawling outdoor deck, breath-taking valley views and curated artisanal souvenirs placed across the room, sharing deep insights into the lively culture of Bhutan.

Experiential highlights:Pemako Punakha allows one to disconnect from the quotidian life offering transcendent experiences that stimulate the senses, and restore body and soul. Enrol in a mindful meditation session led by the resident Buddhist monk, or indulge in a foundational yoga session amidst the refreshing landscapes.

Embark on an adventurous escapade in the pristine Mo-chu River – with a perfect white water rafting experience and glimpses of the bountiful Punakha valley, or seize the day by hosting a prayer flag, an auspicious activity believed to carry blessings of happiness, long life and prosperity with the swaying wind. One can also opt for an exquisite wellness session at The Lotus Realm Spa which offers treatments that embrace age-old Bhutanese practices with a skilled touch of Dungtshos, traditional medicine doctors. Here, sacred rituals nurture the mind and spirit.

Culinary extravaganza:Fresh organic, local produce and traditional delights are at the forefront of Pemako Punakha’s unique culinary experience! Discover authentic Bhutanese cuisine at Alchemy House, savour international delicacies at cosy indoor spaces, or treat your tastebuds at the outdoor riverside venue – Soma, the all-day dining restaurant. One can also choose to spend the evening enjoying a range of handcrafted cocktails at the Five Nectars Bar!

The hotel is home to a diverse range of private dining experiences – a curated menu at Chef’s table, riverside spots in the most intimate setting, or a private barbecue at the picnic deck ATI. Each meal is freshly prepared by world-class chefs at exquisite venues catering to the most discerning palates.

Location: Pemako Punakha is located at a 3.5-hour drive from the Paro International Airport (116km). The scenic mountain drive takes you through the Dochula Pass and the capital city of Thimphu. A distinct highlight is that direct helicopter transfers can also be arranged from the airport to the hotel via a 25 to 30-minute scenic ride.

Pemako Thimphu

An urban sanctuary strategically located right at the heart of the capital city – the recently rebranded hotel is an architectural wonder blending traditional with contemporary. Featuring 66 meticulously designed suites and rooms, Pemako Thimphu features a stunning facade resembling a Dzong (Fortress) and is located just 45 minutes from the Paro International Airport. Each room at this magnificent hotel offers panoramic views of the pristine natural beauty that the country is renowned for while the perceptive design touches lend noteworthy insights into Bhutanese artistry.

All-day dining restaurant at the recently rebranded – Pemako Thimphu

From the finest local cuisine to world delicacies, Pemako Thimphu offers a range of gastronomical experiences across its different dining options – Ara, Chig Ja Gye, Rimps, and The Thongsel. To get an authentic glimpse into Bhutanese traditions and heritage, one can partake in curated experiences from cultural performances, tailor-made dining setups, tranquil treatments at the spa, guided local sightseeing tours and beyond. A truly immersive stay fostering a haven of sophistication that caters to a diverse range of travellers, the ones seeking a harmonious blend of comfort, culture and tranquillity!

Overall, Pemako offers an exceptional journey in Bhutan to travellers seeking an unforgettable holiday beyond the ordinary. The spectacular circuit through Punakha and Thimphu encapsulates an immersive experience that captures the soul of the country and redefines opulence.

For more information or to book your stay please email info@pemako.bt, or contact +975 77100093

Website: www.pemakohotels.com | Instagram @pemakobhutan

Wide range of solutions for applications, machine sections and machines that help Pulp & Paper industry maximize plant performance & reduce environmental impact

Visit us at Stall No. B33, Hall No. 9, India Expo Centre, Greater Noida

SKF India, the leading global manufacturer of bearings, sealing solutions, lubrication management, condition monitoring systems, and services, will showcase its extensive range of innovative products and solutions at the Paperex 2023 event to be held from December 6-9, 2023, at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida. Under the theme of ‘Empowering industry with intelligent & clean solutions‘SKF India aims to highlight its commitment to providing sustainable solutions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of pulp and paper machinery.

SKF India showcasing bearings and lubrication solutions at Paperex’23

Sujeeth Pai, Director for Industrial Business, SKF India, said,“Pulp and paper companies today are taking several steps to operate sustainably and create value for their customers. Given our focus on driving intelligent and clean growth, Paperex presents an excellent opportunity to partner with customers and showcase solutions that help them increase operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and stay profitable and we look forward to engaging with industry professionals.Together, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that boosts our customers’ capabilities to serve their markets and help them transition to a cleaner world.”

Key exhibits at the SKF booth include: Bearings and Units, Housing and Accessories, Automatic Lubrication systems, Maintenance products, Power Transmissions, and Seals, Condition monitoring solutions and details on Performance Contracts.

RecondOil, a patented Double Separation Technology (DST) that facilitates the reuse of industrial oil, thereby contributing to a significant reduction of carbon footprint.

CARB Bearings, designed with self-aligning & high load bearing capabilities to improve reliability and enhance the efficiency of pulp and paper machinery.

Microlog DBx – a powerful diagnostic tool which helps customers optimize their maintenance activities, avoid downtime and supports the digitalization journey.

Drawing on its proven experience in providing an appropriate combination of products and services as well as application-specific expertise, SKF in India remains well-positioned to meet the needs of the pulp and paper industry. The participation at Paperex 2023 underscores SKF’s commitment to provide a diverse range of innovative products that not only helps pulp and paper customers achieve their performance goals but also advance their sustainability objectives.

Visit Pulp and paper | SKF for solutions for increasing overall productivity of your pulp & paper machinery.

About SKF

SKF is a world-leading provider of innovative solutions that help industries become more competitive and sustainable. By making products lighter, more efficient, longer lasting, and repairable, we help our customers improve their rotating equipment performance and reduce their environmental impact. Our offering around the rotating shaft includes bearings, seals, lubrication management, condition monitoring, and services. Founded in 1907, SKF is represented in approximately 129 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2022 were SEK 96,933 million and the number of employees was 42,641.

For more information, please visit www.skf.com/in.

SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group.

The partnership augments the efforts by the government of India to propel India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

SEMICON India will be collocated with electronica India and productronica India

Messe Munchen India, the Indian subsidiary of one of the biggest Global exhibitor, Messe Munchen GmbH and a leading organizer of trade fairs in India, and SEMI, the global industry association advancing growth for 3,000 member companies and helping the semiconductor industry deploy life changing tech worldwide, have officially inked a monumental agreement. The partnership heralds the collaboration to host SEMICON India, in colocation with electronica India and productronica India thereby creating Southeast Asia’s single largest platform for showcasing the latest advancements in electronics and semiconductor industry. The next edition of SEMICON India will be held in 2024 in the month of September.

SEMICON India 2024 will be held between 17th to 19th september 2024 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida

The collaboration comes in the wake of the earlier announcements by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) at the SemiconIndia 2023 event in Gandhinagar and subsequently at the curtain raiser of SEMICON India during electronica India and productronica India 2023 in Bengaluru and signals a significant stride in advancing Indias domestic semiconductor ecosystem and connecting it to the global industry.

Messe Muenchen India Pvt. Ltd. is one of the largest trade fair organizers in the country today. The company has an extensive portfolio of B2B trade fairs covering a wide range of consumer and capital goods as well as emerging technologies. The company serves the Indian industry and international market with powerful brands such as air cargo India, analytica Anacon India/India Lab Expo, bauma CONEXPO India, drink technology India, electronica India, IFAT India, Indian Ceramics Asia, Intersolar India/The smarter E India, LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA, MatDispens, Pack Mach Asia Expo, Pharma Pro Pack, productronica India, SmartTech Asia, World Tea & Coffee Expo, and many others.

India has emerged as an attractive destination for semiconductor manufacturing and sourcing due to its rapidly expanding domestic market, demand for new-age electronics including electric vehicles, and a fast-developing supply chain for machinery, components, assembly, testing, and many other specialised products and services. Creating a frugal supply chain for semiconductor manufacturing in India is the need of the hour.

Giving a sense of the opportunities that await participants at SEMICON India, Bhupinder Singh, CEO, Messe Muenchen India, said, “India’s demand for semiconductors is valued at $24billion today, and this is likely to emerge as a $110 billion opportunity by 2030. This explains the initiatives by global semiconductor companies to enter the Indian market. As the organisers of South Asia’s largest trade fair for electronics manufacturing – electronica India and productronica India, we are excited to work with SEMI to host SEMICON India.”

“It will be a vital event for the semiconductor industry in India, providing a platform for companies across the semiconductor ecosystem to showcase their latest products and technologies, and to network with potential customers and partners. We are confident that SEMICON India will play a key role in advancing the domestic semiconductor ecosystem.”

Regarding SEMICON India, Ajit Manocha, President and CEO, SEMI, said, “Considering the inherent strengths of the Indian economy, the government’s India Semiconductor Mission is an open invitation to the world to make and source semiconductors in India. From policy support to talent availability and attractive demand, India has all the elements for success in semiconductor design and manufacturing. What the country needs today is a mature and resilient supply chain that can respond to the exponential demand. SEMICON India will be a place for all stakeholders to come together and build win-win partnerships to develop the ecosystem in India. Thus, we are excited to host SEMICON India with our longstanding partners Messe Mnchen.”

SEMICON India will give Indian semiconductor and electronics companies access to global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing and design supply chain, thereby integrating the upstream and downstream value chains for semiconductors. Additionally, it will provide a platform for stakeholder participation in critical initiatives across areas including Workforce Development, Sustainability and Supply Chain Management to advance industry growth.

About this collaboration with SEMI, Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, CEO, Messe Mnchen, said, “Today, global manufacturers are looking to diversify their supply chains, and India offers the world a unique opportunity in this regard. We have had a successful partnership with SEMI in hosting SEMICON Europa in Munich, and the decision to jointly host SEMICON India is a natural extension of this partnership. SEMICON India promises to be a high-energy meeting place of ideas and innovators from the global industry, and I am very excited to see this platform contributing towards the development of the ecosystem in India.”

About SEMI
SEMI connects more than 3,000 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics design and manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Electronic System Design Alliance (ESD Alliance), FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA), the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) and SOI Consortium are SEMI Strategic Technology Communities.

Home Chef Reetika Mitra released her maiden book “Fooding Around amidst a group of food enthusiasts. Published by Turtle House, the book comprises 125 recipes which Reetika has perfected at her home kitchen over the years. As a passionate home chef and now an author she has been experimenting with flavors, exploring diverse cuisines and perfecting her culinary skills over the years. Her culinary experiments have ranged from crafting Vietnamese Banh Xeo to perfecting the Greek Avgolemono soup, showcasing her ability to adapt international cuisines to the discerning Indian palate while preserving their authentic essence. The book comprises a range of gourmet dishes like Chicken Szechuan Peppercorn, Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls, Bahn Xeo, Pad Thai with Water Chestnut, Asian Orange Chicken, Nasi Goreng, Chicken Pho to name a few.

Fooding Around Book Launch

According to the author Reetika Mitra, “Everyone has their unique touch. For me, my two secret ingredients are passion and love. The greatest satisfaction for me lies in serving a delectable spread of appealing and tasteful food. For generations, food has been an influential aspect in bringing people closer and helping to make meaningful connections and it would never bring me greater pleasure than for my recipes to connect souls together with sumptuous food that matters. I would like to thank all the panelists who graciously took out time to expand our knowledge of the culinary world, the industry’s trends and more. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all my friends and family members for their support throughout this culinary endeavor. I am absolutely elated at introducing these recipes and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to bring more such culinary joy to a global audience.”

The book was launched amidst a panel discussion on home chefs and the impact of travel on their cooking. The eminent panelists included Mr. Aalok Wadhwa – Founder, Gurgaon Foodie, Mr. Kaushik Mitra – CFO, PepsiCo (India), Chef Ashish Bhasin, Author Chef Nishant Choubey, Anubhuti Krishna, Food & Travel Writer and Curator along with Reetika Mitra.

Among the key topics of discussion were relevant industry trends, the rediscovery of lost recipes as a result of various past and ongoing wars and more. It was noted that as wars evolved and recipes became lost, this phenomena gave rise to a critical point in the evolution of the culinary world; the reconstruction of lost recipes where key ingredients of the dish would be unavailable like bread halwa, dosa and more. Speaking about various trends in the culinary industry and on the distinction between home chefs and michelin-star chefs, the panelists noted that the concept of home-cooked food was evolving in the daily bustling lives of individuals. Appreciating the fact that home cooked food was being well-received and highly sought after by not only home-chefs but also acclaimed michelin-star chefs, it was observed that the culinary boundaries of home-chefs intersected with that of michelin-star chefs; and it was the panel’s view that the two should stay as two distinct and separate entities with separate culinary identities and techniques.

Reetika Mitra’s story is the perfect blend of hope, resilience, and never giving up on one’s dreams. Hailing from the vibrant city of Kolkata, Reetika transcends the traditional role of a homemaker to emerge as a celebrated culinary expert. Her journey began as a young girl observing her grandmother, mother, and aunts as they cooked meals for the entire family. She found herself captivated as she followed them around the bustling kitchen.

This time-honored ritual began with the men of the household procuring the freshest ingredients from the local market-vegetables, fish, and meats. The day would culminate with the entire family gathering to savor the flavors of their labor, with the children being served first, followed by the elders. This daily spectacle left an indelible mark on Reetika, sparking her enduring passion for the culinary arts.

Reetikas culinary journey took a significant step forward in the early 1990s when her delectable recipes were featured in “Sananda,” a respected Bengali magazine under the ABP groups stewardship. Her contributions quickly earned her the status of a regular contributor, a testament to her culinary talent.

Eager to share her culinary adventures with a wider audience, Reetika ventured into the digital realm, giving birth to the renowned food blog, “Fooding Around.” This online repository boasts over one hundred and fifty meticulously crafted recipes sourced from various corners of the world. With an ardent desire to share her culinary passion, she also cultivated a thriving community of thousands of followers on the Fooding Around Facebook Page.

Reetikas culinary talents have transcended geographical boundaries, with her recipes finding a place in international magazines such as Coherence in Hong Kong and The Successful Woman in Canada. Her journey reached its pinnacle when the celebrated master chef Ranbir Brar recognized her as a culinary luminary during the Master Food Presenter Contest of 2020.

Link: Buy the cookbook here | Price: INR 850 /-

eBay, a global commerce leader that connects millions of buyers and sellers around the world, has launched its first-ever ‘Seller Guide‘ for Indian exporters. This handbook serves as a vital tool, providing sellers who are venturing into cross-border e-commerce with a complete roadmap. From data on India-centric supply to onboarding procedures, promotions, and shipping strategies, this guide paves the way for a smooth and successful seller e-commerce export journey. eBay, leveraging over two decades of customer insights and an extensive database of billions of listings, empowers people and creates economic opportunity for all.

eBays Seller Guide cover was unveiled at Top Seller Meet’23 by ADG, DGFT, Shri. Gangadhar Panda, Deputy Director, DGFT, Shri. Moin Afaque, and eBay leadership

In India, eBay focuses on enabling cross-border trade for Indian small businesses (SMEs and MSMEs) in over 190+ global markets by assisting them in scaling their businesses overseas, across business sizes, locations, and categories. Among other details to simplify cross-border trade, the seller guide also deep dives into popular export categories and product lines for Indian sellers such as:

Luxury Jewelry like Bracelets, Diamond Necklaces and more: eBay India has seen a 35% growth rate in 2022 in this category. The demand for popular product lines has been majorly from US, UK, Australia and Germany. Men’s jewelry is an emerging product line for Indian sellers recording a whopping 21% YoY growth in 2022.

Four-Wheeler Parts & Accessories: This category has showcased a 50% growth rate in 2022. The most popular products are Bumpers & Noise Reduction Reinforcements, Headlight Assemblies, Pistons & Rings and Tail-light Assemblies.

Heavy Equipment & Metal Working Products: Under this segment, product categories such as Gauges, Heavy Equipment Parts & Accessories, and Metalworking Lathes have seen a 20% growth rate in India. The key markets showing this demand include USA, UK, Australia, and Germany.

Rugs: In the Furniture, Home Furnishings and dcor category, the demand for rugs has seen a 10% growth in 2022. The trending products on eBay are Hand Knotted & Hand Tufted Carpets , Jute Rugs, Jute Runner, Oriental and Persian Wool Rugs.

Leather Jackets: Under the Clothing Shoes & Accessories, leather jackets are seeing increasing year-on-year demand. In 2022, it saw a 10% growth vis–vis 2021.

Ayurvedic Products & Herbal Remedies: In the Health Care, Beauty and Personal Care category, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Herbal Remedies and Homeopathy are witnessing massive demand from US, UK and Germany. Indian sellers have seen a 15% growth rate for Ayurvedic products in 2022.

Here is the link to eBay’s Seller Guide – link.

On the launch of this seller guide, Vidmay Naini, General Manager – eBay’s Global Emerging Markets said, “As we near the end of 2023, eBay is committed to creating economic opportunities for all. We continue to be a pioneer in the world of online commerce, bridging the gap between buyers and sellers, enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs, and enabling the realization of ambitions both big and small. As we see a promising outlook, we are dedicated to propelling cross-border trade and nurturing a more interconnected global economy. Our user-friendly platform with advanced technology ensures a seamless and compelling experience that resonates with the aspirations of the next generation of customers. We wholeheartedly support the governments Make in India and e-commerce export initiatives, and we look forward to a bright and prosperous future as we contribute to the ongoing acceleration of cross-border e-commerce in India.”

eBay serves as a catalyst for realizing dreams, connecting enthusiasts, and aiding entrepreneurs in their journey to success. As a global marketplace, it has built multiple offerings for Indian small businesses to enable the ecommerce export ecosystem. The eBay Global Shipping Program is aimed at simplifying international shipping and logistics for retail exporters with multiple logistics solutions at competitive pricing. Addressing buyer trust is paramount in ecommerce exports; to address trust in the Jewelry category eBay launched the Jewelry Authenticity Guarantee Program in collaboration with Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This program ensures a secure transaction experience and complete confidence in the authenticity of jewelry for buyers and sellers. Tailored resources and support are provided to Indian sellers to help grow their jewelry businesses on our platform. To address business scaling and incubation for retail exports, the eBay Global Xpansion Program offers an array of unique benefits for sellers. These include prioritized support from dedicated account managers and access to unique tools that utilize real-time data to identify high-performing product categories and inform smart listing decisions.

eBay in India also fosters strong and continuing relationships with policymakers and industry associations to build a valuable ecosystem for cross-border trade. Some of the partners are – Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and U.S. – India Business Council (USIBC).

About eBay

eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the worlds largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2022, eBay enabled nearly $74 billion of gross merchandise volume.

For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.

Key Highlights:

Study conducted across 200 ECE Classrooms in seven States in India

The Report examines causes behind low learning outcomes in 3-6 years age group of children

The low priority given to ECE is reflected in budgetary proposal and outlays

Report highlights lack of consistent on-ground support to deliver quality ECE across the country

The limited utilisation of play-based materials and workbooks impacts student learning opportunities

Central Square Foundation (CSF), a leading non-profit in Indias primary and pre-primary education sector released a report titled Building Strong Foundations: Examining Early Childhood Education in India. The report stems from an in-depth Situational Analysis Study conducted across 200 Early Childhood Education (ECE) classrooms in India aimed at validating existing research data and identifying opportunities for enhancing ECE programmes, shed light on crucial aspects that call for urgent and immediate action.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) in India Report by Central Square Foundation

Recognising the imperative need for research on programmatic factors affecting the quality of ECE, CSF delved into the intricacies of the ECE ecosystem across select States. The primary and secondary research looked at aspects of ECE delivery including curriculum design, teaching-learning time, effectiveness of learning, teacher training, monitoring quality, and parental perception.

The report advocates for prompt remedial actions to address these gaps and ensure a robust learning foundation for young students. It further aims to understand the current models of public provisioning of ECE in India, study different aspects of delivery that affect learning in the classrooms and outline the way forward for other stakeholders within the ECE ecosystem. For this Study, CSF reached out to a mix of Anganwadis, co-located Anganwadis, and pre-primary sections in government primary schools (either as 1-year or 2-year pre-primary programme) between March – May, 2023, across seven states – Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana & Uttar Pradesh. The survey analysis was partly supported by Key Education Foundation, a non-profit working in the space of early childhood education, which conducted research on classroom curriculum analysis on pedagogy, ease of use and teaching-learning resources.

The report recognises the global outlook and progressive nature of India’s ECE policies while at the same time it observes that the country’s early learning outcomes are sub-par. The Report recognises the need for “Play-based learning” as a fundamental curriculum for children to learn faster & effectively. The Report also reveals the need for classroom resources to be more user-friendly to promote their usage among children.

Among the key “classroom-based observations“, it was found that time spent on ECE activities was low. Zero ECE activities were observed in 23% of the ECE classrooms that were sampled. In classrooms where an ECE activity took place, it was found that these activities accounted for only an average of 35 minutes out of a two-hour observation period. There was also very little time for hands-on activities and practice by children. Only 14% of the observed ECE activities followed the recommended approach of carrying out age-appropriate and student-led small-group interactions. Interviews with monitoring stakeholders and teachers suggest that officials face competing priorities and don’t have access to reliable ECE data.Strengthening monitoring protocols for ECE is crucial, as few officials observe teachers, indicating a need for enhanced ECE-specific feedback.

The report recognises that the onus of delivering pre-school education rests with two government ministries (the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Development) which has led to diffused responsibility, ownership, accountability, collaboration and support in the sector. This approach has often resulted in duplicated efforts that have proven counterproductive, adversely affecting ECE quality and learning outcomes.

It also underlines the low priority given to ECE, reflected in the budgetary proposals and outlays by both ministries.This is also evident in the availability of dedicated teachers for ECE classrooms, especially in government primary schools. Further, the utilisation of the funds also remains low.

Speaking at the release of the report, Shaveta Sharma-Kukreja, CEO and MD of CSF, emphasised, “The future of ECE in India hinges on addressing systemic challenges and operational hurdles to effectively implement well-crafted policies. Despite their forward-looking nature, these policies struggle to translate into optimal student learning outcomes and school readiness. Elevating the status of ECE and allocating increased financial resources are critical steps in that direction. Enhanced policy implementation aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and the NIPUN Bharat Mission, ensuring improved learning outcomes for all children.”

Key recommendations from the Report:

Synergy between Ministries: To achieve ECE-specific goals in the country, collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Development is vital.

Increase Funding: There is a need to increase ECE-specific funding with clear priorities for yearly expenses, and incentivise states to meet their ECE goals.

Strengthen data systems and build a robust monitoring framework to get reliable data on critical ECE indicators for Anganwadis and Balvatikas/ pre-primary classrooms in government schools.

Promote parental awareness and encourage them to actively champion for quality education. Equip parents with essential tools, resources and guidance to actively engage in at-home learning activities.