Cooler Export to Gulf Countries Faces Heat Nagpur's cooler manufacturers are grappling with significant losses this year as the West Asia conflict disrupts exports to Gulf countries. The war has severely impacted the cooler market, which traditionally thrives on seasonal demand in regions like Iraq, Kuwait, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia. Local producers, who supply both domestic and regional markets, are now facing a collapse in export orders, with some estimates suggesting losses of up to Rs2 to 2.25 crore. Rakesh Awachat, director of Ram Coolers Private Limited, highlighted the extent of the crisis. His company, which began exporting coolers to Sudan in 2016, relies on the Gulf market for a substantial portion of its business. "The export season typically starts in the last week of January, with shipments continuing until the end of March to meet the summer demand in Gulf countries," he explained. However, this year, the war has halted shipments to key destinations. "Our coolers could not reach Iraq, Kuwait, or Sudan, and negotiations with Saudi Arabia have also been disrupted," Awachat said. The conflict has not only affected existing export routes but also created uncertainty in future deals. Manufacturers from Uttar Pradesh, another major hub for cooler production, have also reported similar challenges. "The war has hit all Gulf export operations, and there’s no clarity on when things will return to normal," said industry sources. Compounding the issue, the meteorological department’s forecast of rain in the coming days has raised concerns about reduced demand for coolers. March and April are critical months for sales, as households and businesses prepare for the summer heat.#nagpur #iraq #ram_coolers_private_limited #rakesh_awachat #gulf_countries
CBSE Cancels Class X Exams for Gulf Students Amid Regional Tensions The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced on Thursday (March 5, 2026) that the Class X board examinations for students in Gulf countries had been canceled following a “critical review of the prevailing situation in parts of the Middle East.” The board stated that the mode of declaring results for these students would be communicated separately “in due time.” In the same circular, the CBSE confirmed that the Class XII board exams, originally scheduled for Saturday (March 7) for students in the Gulf region, had been postponed indefinitely. This marks the third such update issued by the board for students in countries like Bahrain, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia since the conflict in West Asia escalated. The CBSE had previously postponed both Class X and XII exams for Gulf students scheduled for March 5 and 6, respectively, on Tuesday. In the latest circular, the board urged students to “remain in close contact” with their schools and emphasized reliance on official announcements for updates. According to Education Ministry data as of December 2024, there were approximately 214 middle, secondary, and senior secondary schools affiliated with the CBSE in the seven Gulf countries mentioned. However, the ministry noted that this list may include overlapping entries, as some senior secondary schools also offer secondary and middle school classes. The CBSE reiterated that the postponement of Class XII exams for Gulf students would remain in effect until further notice, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty in the region.#middle_east #central_board_of_secondary_education #cbse #gulf_countries #education_ministry
