Saudi Arabia Introduces “Package Visa”, Integrating Travel Booking Integrating Travel Booking with Easier Visa Application

A fully digital initiative connecting visa application directly to travel bookings,

making it easier to visit Saudi than ever before

 Designed to make traveling to Saudi seamless and more accessible

 Part of Saudi’s wider effort to deliver experience-led tourism

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 6 July 2026: Saudi has announced the launch of Package Visa, a new digital initiative designed to simplify travel to Saudi by integrating tourist visa application directly into curated travel bookings. The launch is currently underway through qualified travel and tourism service providers across selected international markets ahead of a broader rollout.

The initiative builds on Saudi’s wider efforts to simplify visiting the country. Since launching the tourist e-Visa, Saudi has introduced several new ways to visit, including visa on arrival and the Stopover Transit Visa. Together, these initiatives have supported the country’s rapid tourism growth, with Saudi welcoming more than 29 million inbound visitors in 2025.

Commenting on the initiative, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism, said: “As Saudi’s tourism sector continues to grow at pace, Package Visa reflects our commitment to making travel to Saudi more seamless for visitors. By integrating visa issuance with travel bookings, we are simplifying the visitor journey and creating a more connected travel experience. This initiative also strengthens collaboration across the tourism ecosystem and supports Saudi’s position as an increasingly accessible global destination.”

For visitors, Package Visa means fewer steps between planning a trip and experiencing Saudi. Instead of arranging flights, accommodation, and a visa separately, eligible travelers can book everything through one integrated travel process, with the option to add events, activities and tourism experiences. The result is a simpler, more connected journey from booking to arrival. 

For qualified travel and tourism service providers, the initiative creates an opportunity to offer more attractive travel packages, streamline the traveler journey, and encourage longer stays and richer travel experiences.

To ensure a smooth and reliable travel experience, Package Visa is available only through qualified travel and tourism service providers that meet clear service standards and offer 24/7 customer support.

As Saudi continues to grow its tourism sector, Package Visa marks another step toward making travel easier, more connected, and more seamless for visitors discovering the country.

For more information: visitsaudi.com/PackageVisa

Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), launched in June 2020, is responsible for marketing Saudi’s tourism destinations worldwide and developing the destination’s offerings through programs, packages, and business support. Its mandate includes developing the country’s unique assets and destinations, hosting and participating in industry events, and promoting Saudi’s destination brand locally and overseas. STA operates 16 representative offices around the world, serving 38 countries. To learn more please visit www.VisitSaudi.com.

(Promotional Feature)

India’s Hiring Outlook softens but Still Leads the World

After reaching a peak last quarter, India’s employment outlook cools, reflecting a more cautious approach by employers amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Yet, despite the moderation, India continues to lead the world in hiring optimism, underscoring the country’s resilience and growth potential.

India's hiring outlook leads the world  (AI Generated image)

A Shift Toward Selective Hiring  

The latest Employment Outlook Survey, based on interviews with over 3,100 employers across India, reveals that hiring intentions for Q3 2026 have declined by 29% compared to Q2. The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) now stands at 48% — down 20 points from the previous quarter, but still 6 points stronger than the same period last year.  

“India’s Q3 hiring outlook remains the strongest globally,” said Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup that conducted the survey. “The moderation reflects a more measured approach to hiring rather than a loss of confidence. Employers are navigating challenges such as AI-led workforce optimization, softer entry-level demand, and global trade uncertainty, but remain positive about long-term growth.” 

Sectoral and Regional Trends  

Hiring sentiment eased across most sectors, with eight of nine industries reporting quarter-on-quarter declines.  

- Trade & Logistics saw the steepest drop (44%), followed by Public Sector, Health & Social Services (37%) and the Information sector (47%).  

- Hospitality was the only sector to post growth, rising 6 points since Q2.  

- Utilities & Natural Resources remains India’s most competitive sector with an outlook of 61, ranking first globally despite a slight quarterly dip.  

- Finance & Insurance recorded one of the strongest year-on-year gains, up 14 points since Q2 2025.  

Regionally, the East leads with a NEO of 52, though down 16 points from last quarter. The South showed the greatest annual improvement, rising 10 points since Q3 2025. Large organizations (1,000–4,999 employees) remain the most optimistic, with a NEO of 56, well above global averages.

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AI’s Role in Hiring Decisions  

While artificial intelligence is reshaping workforce strategies, employers continue to value human judgment most.  

- Resume review by people (75%) remains the top hiring resource, ahead of AI-driven tools.  

- Employers place the highest premium on communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, highlighting the enduring importance of human adaptability.  

- At the same time, technical skills in AI model development, IT, and data literacy are commanding higher pay premiums, alongside sales and marketing expertise.

Looking Ahead  

The survey underscores a dual reality: India’s hiring momentum has cooled from record highs, but the country remains the global leader in employment optimism. Employers are balancing short-term caution with long-term investments in skills, capability building, and workforce resilience.  

As Gulati noted, “Organizations are looking beyond immediate hiring needs and investing in talent that supports productivity, innovation, and sustainable growth.”  

The full Q3 2026 Employment Outlook Survey results are available at [ManpowerGroup India](https://manpowergroup.co.in/meos-q3-2026.aspx). 

The next update, covering Q4 2026 expectations, will be released in September.

Why South India Is Emerging as the Retirement Capital of India

India's retirement landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Longer life expectancy, changing family structures, increasing mobility, and evolving lifestyle aspirations are reshaping how seniors want to live in their post-retirement years. While this shift is visible across the country, it is South India that has emerged as the clear frontrunner in organised senior living.

According to the latest JLL-ASLI report, South India accounts for nearly 60% of India's organised senior living market, making it the epicentre of the country's retirement housing growth. This leadership is not accidental. It is the outcome of a unique combination of demographic trends, social realities, healthcare infrastructure, and migration patterns that have been unfolding over several decades.

The first and perhaps most important reason is demographics. Southern states have consistently recorded lower fertility rates, higher life expectancy, and better health outcomes than many other parts of the country. As a result, they are ageing faster than the national average. Kerala offers the clearest example. According to the Kerala Government's Elderly Budget 2026-27, nearly one in five residents in the state is already a senior citizen. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are witnessing similar trends, creating a larger and more immediate need for age-friendly housing and support ecosystems.

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In many ways, South India is experiencing today what the rest of India is likely to encounter over the next two decades. As the country's senior population continues to grow and is projected to exceed 190 million by 2030, demand for organised retirement communities is expected to accelerate significantly. The JLL-ASLI report estimates that the potential market for senior living will expand from 1.57 million households in 2024 to over 2.27 million households by 2030.

The second factor is cultural acceptance. Organised senior living has historically faced hesitation in India because ageing was viewed primarily as a family responsibility. However, South India has adapted more quickly to changing social realities. With increasing urbanisation, smaller family sizes, dual-income households, and children pursuing opportunities across cities and countries, families are recognising that retirement communities can offer a better quality of life than isolated living at home.

What is particularly encouraging is that senior living is increasingly being viewed not as a care solution but as a lifestyle choice. Seniors today are looking for companionship, wellness, security, recreation, and independence. The growing acceptance of organised senior living across the South reflects a broader shift in how ageing itself is being perceived.

The third driver is the region's large NRI population. States such as Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh have a long history of international migration. Millions of families have children settled in the Middle East, North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. While these families remain deeply connected to their roots, geographical distance often creates concerns around the safety, healthcare access, and day-to-day well-being of ageing parents living in India.

For many such families, organised senior living communities provide peace of mind. Professionally managed environments, healthcare support, emergency response systems, security, and opportunities for social engagement help bridge the gap created by physical distance. In fact, the JLL-ASLI report identifies the higher concentration of parents with NRI children as one of the reasons South India has emerged as the country's dominant senior living market.

Closely linked to this is a fourth trend that is becoming increasingly visible: the return of NRIs to their hometowns after retirement. After spending decades abroad, many are choosing to return to familiar cultural environments while seeking the comfort, convenience, and lifestyle standards they have experienced overseas.

At Vedaanta Senior Living, we are seeing growing interest from returning NRIs who want the best of both worlds: proximity to family, culture, and community, combined with professionally managed living environments that support active and independent ageing. South India's mature senior living ecosystem positions it particularly well to cater to this emerging segment.

The fifth and perhaps most enduring advantage lies in healthcare and urban infrastructure. South India is home to some of India's most advanced healthcare networks, offering retirees access to multispecialty hospitals, specialised medical care, rehabilitation services, and preventive healthcare facilities.

Importantly, this advantage is no longer restricted to metropolitan cities. Tier 2 destinations such as Coimbatore, Kochi, Kottyam, Guruvayur, Mysuru, and several cities across Kerala and Tamil Nadu are increasingly attracting retirees. These locations offer quality healthcare, lower living costs, less congestion, stronger community connections, and a better overall quality of life. For many seniors, they represent the ideal balance between accessibility and tranquillity.

As India prepares for an ageing future, the question is no longer whether senior living will become mainstream. The real question is which regions are best positioned to lead this transition. South India's demographic maturity, cultural readiness, strong NRI connect, returning retiree population, and healthcare-led urban development have together created a powerful foundation for growth.

The region is not merely witnessing the rise of retirement communities. It is shaping a new model for ageing in India, one that prioritises independence, dignity, wellness, and community. That is why South India is steadily establishing itself as the retirement capital of India.

- By Shreya Anand, Director of Vedaanta Senior Living

(Promotional Feature)

Graphic Novels Meet Financial Literacy: IRDAI’s New Initiative

From Jargon to Comic Panels: How India is Redefining Life Insurance for the Masses

Imagine trying to understand the financial security of your family through a dense thicket of legal jargon, policy numbers, and complex acronyms. For millions of Indians, this intimidating wall of text is exactly why they stay away from life insurance. Despite staggering economic progress, 87% of India still grapples with a massive life insurance protection gap, a vulnerability that climbs past 90% for young adults aged 18 to 35.

To smash this barrier, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is throwing out the traditional rulebook. In its place, they are introducing something far more universally understood: storytelling.

On June 30, 2026, in Mumbai, IRDAI Chairman Shri Ajay Seth officially unveiled a new Consumer Awareness Comic Book Series. Coinciding with National Insurance Awareness Day, this creative initiative aims to democratize financial literacy, moving the national conversation away from mere product pushing and toward genuine, informed understanding.

---

Meet Supriya: The New Face of Financial Literacy

At the heart of this initiative is a major shift toward narrative-led learning. Instead of dry tables and technical footnotes, complex insurance clauses are being translated into relatable, everyday human experiences.

The comic series follows the journey of Supriya, a young and dynamic life insurance advisor. Through her interactions, real-life dilemmas are transformed into vivid "story memories." Readers can see in real-time how a single financial decision made in the past directly impacts a family's safety net during an unforeseen crisis.

By utilizing sequential art and engaging dialogue, the series systematically unpacks some of the most misunderstood aspects of life insurance:

• The Married Women’s Property (MWP) Act: Demystifying how a husband can secure his life insurance policy purely for the benefit of his wife and children, protecting it from creditors.
• Waiver of Premium (WoP): Explaining how a policy stays active even if the policyholder can no longer pay premiums due to critical disability.
• Critical Illness Riders: Illustrating how immediate financial support during major medical emergencies acts as a vital shield for personal savings.

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The Paradox of India's Insurance Boom

This creative push comes at a critical time for India’s economy. The life insurance sector has immense momentum. In the 2026 financial year (FY26), the industry recorded a roaring 15.7% year-on-year increase in New Business Premium (NBP), issuing over 2.83 crore policies.

Yet, industry experts point out a troubling paradox: while the overall sector is growing rapidly, actual insurance penetration has failed to keep pace with the country’s booming economic expansion. Millions remain financially exposed to sudden life events.

"India’s growth story is being shaped by the aspirations, progress, and resilience of its people," noted Shri Kamlesh Rao, Chairperson of the Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC-Life). "Strengthening the financial preparedness of households will be a key pillar in building long-term economic resilience. Life insurance goes beyond expanding penetration; it embeds protection as an integral part of financial planning for every Indian family."

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A Collective Push for "Insurance for All"

The launch event also hosted an extensive panel discussion titled “India Asks: Why Prioritize Life Insurance?” Moderated by independent financial journalist Sonia Shenoy, the panel featured prominent sector heavyweights, including:

• Shri Kamlesh Rao (Chairperson, IAC-Life)
• Mr. Doraiswamy (Managing Director, LIC)
• Sameer Bansal (Managing Director & CEO, PNB MetLife)
• Rushabh Gandhi (Managing Director & CEO, IndiaFirst Life Insurance)

The consensus among the leadership was unanimous: to bridge the protection gap, the industry must speak the language of the consumer. This requires continuous trust-building, grassroots financial literacy, and a commitment to radical simplicity.

Shri Aditya Gupta, Secretary General of the Life Insurance Council, echoed this sentiment. "Life insurance is a promise that helps individuals and families stay prepared for life’s uncertainties. The next phase of growth aims at making insurance conversations simpler, more relatable, and accessible. This comic book series is an innovative step toward engaging people through storytelling."

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Fighting the Vulnerability Gap on a War Footing

The driving force behind the nationwide campaign is IAC-Life, a collaborative body formed in 2019 under the aegis of the Life Insurance Council. Driven by a coalition of 25 life insurance firms and guided by six nominated CEOs, the committee treats the protection gap as a socio-economic priority that must be addressed on a war footing.

Supported by a cross-industry marketing team and creative agencies, IAC-Life has spent years deploying campaigns like the 'Sabse Pehle Life Insurance' initiative, which is currently navigating its second successful phase.

By replacing intimidating legal text with vibrant panels featuring characters like Supriya, the IRDAI and IAC-Life are hoping to spark a cultural shift. If a picture is worth a thousand words, India's insurance sector is betting that a comic strip might just be worth a secure financial future for millions of households.

Why Electrical Safety Must Become the Foundation of India's Smart Homes

India's residential landscape is evolving rapidly. Today's homes are no longer just living spaces; they are becoming technology-enabled environments powered by smart appliances, home automation, connected devices, and increasing electrical loads. While homeowners are investing significantly in aesthetics and technology, one crucial aspect often remains overlooked: the electrical infrastructure that supports it all.

The conversation around smart homes has largely revolved around convenience and connectivity. However, a truly smart home is one that is designed to be safe, reliable, and resilient. As our dependence on electricity continues to grow, electrical safety must become a fundamental part of every construction and renovation decision.

Over the past decade, the average Indian household has witnessed a significant increase in electricity consumption. Air conditioners, induction cooktops, electric water heaters, smart televisions, work-from-home setups, and now EV charging points have collectively increased the load on residential electrical systems. Yet, in many cases, the supporting electrical infrastructure has not evolved at the same pace.

This mismatch creates avoidable risks. Overloaded circuits, ageing wiring, voltage fluctuations, and inadequate protection systems continue to be among the leading causes of electrical failures in residential and commercial buildings. While these issues often remain unnoticed, they have the potential to cause appliance damage, business interruptions, and in severe cases, electrical fires.

The industry therefore needs to shift its focus from reactive maintenance to preventive safety. Protection devices such as Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs), Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs), Distribution Boards, Surge Protection Devices, and isolators should no longer be viewed as technical accessories. They are critical safety components that determine how effectively an electrical system responds when something goes wrong.

Another important aspect is the unique operating environment in India. High ambient temperatures, fluctuating voltage, inconsistent power quality, and continuous usage place enormous stress on electrical products. Solutions developed for Indian conditions must be engineered to withstand these realities while delivering consistent performance over many years.

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There is also a growing need to create awareness among homeowners. A large section of consumers continues to prioritise visible finishes over hidden infrastructure. While premium interiors and smart devices certainly enhance the living experience, the safety of an entire home depends on what lies behind the walls. Investing in certified electrical products and ensuring professional installation should become a standard practice rather than an afterthought.

The role of the electrical industry is also changing. Manufacturers are no longer expected to supply products alone; they are expected to deliver complete safety ecosystems that combine engineering excellence, product reliability, ease of installation, and long-term performance. Innovation today is as much about improving protection and durability as it is about introducing new technologies.

As India moves towards smarter cities and digitally connected homes, the industry's responsibility extends beyond powering buildings. It is about building confidence, ensuring reliability, and safeguarding lives. Electrical safety should never become visible only after an incident occurs. It must remain the silent strength that supports modern living every day.

The future of the electrical industry will be defined not only by innovation but by its ability to make every home, workplace, and commercial establishment safer. That is where the real opportunity lies, and that is the direction the industry must continue to pursue.

(The author Sumit Kumar is the  Business Unit Head & Vice President, VYNA Electric)

For more information, visit - www.vynaelectric.com

Patriarchal way of Thinking, Living, and Governance

Patriarchy is a mindset where resources are ABUSED to satisfy EGOSELF and this is majorly seen in the behaviour of men with dangerously high level of testosterones hormone. Their major focus is to “KILL or GET KILLED” and not LIVE AND LET LIVE. So, when manhood bypass “Dhamma” or righteousness, it enters into the zone of Patriarchy.

Hence, it is NOT men versus women. Women have never denied the role of a man in building up the progressive society. Chivalry says all inclusive, Patriarchy utters me-myself.

Historical Stories asks us to reflect what is Dharma and Adharma. It still guides men, where to draw the line so that man’s chivalry does not get converted into Patriarchy.

But, Ashoka, the third Mauryan Emperor underwent a bitter war of succession following the death of his father, Emperor Bindusara. Genghis Khan and his mass rapes are responsible for one third of world’s population, having his genetic material. All such incidences depicts the bitter face of power-hungry Patriarchal mindset.

19^th century industrial revolution and two world wars, Nazi-Holocaust, one can clearly see that when men’s needs changed into greed, the whole planet became a war zone which didn’t spare children even and became the classic example of mass chemical imbalance in men.

Here, in the modern history, such incidences made POWER as the prime religion.

Depiction in Kama Sutra and Mandirs of Khajuraho, elaborate the right conduct of a Sambhrant (a civilised citizen), as a perfect balance of three life goals: Dharma (moral duty), Artha (wealth), and Kama (pleasure) where even the Nagar-Vadhu was considered as a person of respect.

All the Gods, the Siddhas, the saints, the powerful people transformed from Patriarchal mindset to marg of Dhamma to become peace propagators.  

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Men say that every technological progression that we see today is accomplished by them, true. When for the first time a man created a washing machine, it was out of love, and compassion for significant ones. In non-patriarchal foot prints, the most basic trait of manhood is to protect and provide. But the day he felt proud of his creation and developed a desire for commercial use to nourish his ego. Here begins the game of patriarchal control and power.

In India, centuries of invasions fuelled the patriarchal mindset conditioning, and Sati Pratha, Dowry, Female Feticide, Rapes or Abandonment were accepted. To add on to it, patriarchy found is easy to blame females of all what is not going right and innocent women just simply received it, betrayed by their own men. It converted weaker men into slaves, women and children into commodity, and law as a toy in their hands.

In Today’s world, Russia - Ukraine, US - Iran bombing each, to get control.

In India, the war is of different type,

·         Government and corporate sector in the garb of empowering women, are pitching women against men.

·         Working class is pressurised for more profits, disturbing their work life balance resulting into Men becoming Narcissistic.

·         Rise of Liquor and Social Media, Video Games to deprive rational thinking of the victims.

·         Male victims of patriarchy are deluded with ego, competition, jealously, demeaning, their own women.

·         The old school mothers have become guards of patriarchy.

Now is the time we should practice manhood with Dhamma and Compassion to reestablish the fundamentals of egalitarian society.

Abheesha Jain on Father’s Day 2026

India's Riskiest Driving Hour Is Between 9 PM and 10 PM; Women and Men Record Near-Identical Driving Scores as per latest Road Safety Report

~ Analysis of 4.5 million trips, 55 million kilometres across 17 states and over 27 thousand users highlights the need for behaviour-led interventions

~ Women and men record near-identical driving scores of 92.86 and 92.43 respectively

~ 9 PM–10 PM emerges as India's riskiest driving hour, while 1 PM–2 PM is the safest

~ Behavioural factors account for over 80% of road accidents in India

Mumbai, June 25, 2026:  As per latest India Road Safety Report (IRSR) 2026, which found that 9 PM to 10 PM is the riskiest driving hour in India, with an average driving score of 86, compared to 93 between 1 PM and 2 PM, the safest hour of the day. Based on analysis of more than 4.5 million trips, 55 million kilometres of driving behaviour and data from over 27 thousand active users of the Zuno SmartDrive app across 17 states, the report found that driving patterns offer a better understanding of road risk than demographic characteristics. The findings reinforce the need for behaviour-led interventions to improve road safety outcomes across India.

Key Findings from the India Road Safety Report 2026:

• Women recorded an average driving score of 92.86, while men recorded 92.43, indicating negligible variation in overall driving behaviour.
• Driving scores remain stable through most of the day before declining sharply after 8 PM.
• The riskiest driving hour is 9 PM–10 PM (score: 86), while 1 PM–2 PM (score: 93) is the safest.
• Sudden braking (87) and harsh acceleration (91) emerged as the weakest behavioural parameters among Indian motorists.
• Seasonal conditions had a limited impact on driving behaviour, with average scores remaining largely consistent across summer, monsoon and winter.

According to the report, behavioural factors account for more than 80% of road accidents in India, underlining the importance of addressing speeding, distraction and unsafe manoeuvres through a combination of awareness, enforcement and technology-led interventions. As per Zuno General Insurance, a new-age digital insurer.

Commenting on the report, Shanai Ghosh, MD and CEO, Zuno General Insurance, said, " Road safety remains one of India's most important public challenges, impacting lives, livelihoods and economic productivity. Through Zuno SmartDrive, we have had a front-row view of driving behaviour across millions of journeys, and one insight stands out clearly: road accidents are often driven by identifiable and measurable behavioural patterns. The India Road Safety Report 2026 highlights how data, driving patterns and technology can complement infrastructure, enforcement and vehicle safety measures to build safer roads. As India works towards its road safety goals, creating greater awareness of driving behaviour and encouraging safer habits can play an important role in reducing fatalities and improving outcomes."

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India records around 1.73 lakh road fatalities annually, accounting for nearly 11% of global road deaths, while road accidents impose an economic burden estimated at 3–5% of GDP. Nearly two-thirds of fatalities occur among people aged 18–45 years. Two-wheeler riders account for 44% of all road deaths, while pedestrians account for nearly 19% of fatalities, highlighting the disproportionate impact on vulnerable road users.

As India works towards its commitment under the Stockholm Declaration to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030, the report highlights the need for coordinated action across infrastructure, enforcement and behavioural interventions.