National, 16th May 2026: Hindi ZEE5 has unveiled the trailer of its upcoming original investigative docu-series Hathras – 16 Days, a searing exploration of one of India’s most disturbing and debated rape cases that shook the conscience of the nation. Directed by filmmaker Patrick Graham, the series follows the haunting 16-day journey after the 2020 Hathras incident, uncovering the intersections of caste, gender, institutional silence, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Through the eyes of journalist Tanushree Pandey, Hathras – 16 Days pieces together the uncomfortable realities that unfolded behind the assault of a young Dalit woman in Hathras. The series is streaming now exclusively on Hindi ZEE5.

Key Details:

Title: Hathras – 16 Days

Platform: Hindi ZEE5

Language: Hindi

Genre: Investigative Docu-Series / True Crime Documentary

Setting: Rural Uttar Pradesh

Premiere: 15th May 2026

Director: Patrick Graham

Production: A Docubay Original  

Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx8Bbh2U0sc

The trailer offers a chilling glimpse into the events that followed the assault of a young Dalit woman in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, and the nationwide outrage that ensued. What begins as a brutal crime quickly spirals into a larger examination of caste hierarchy, political power, media manipulation, and the systems that often work to suppress truth. At the heart of the narrative is journalist Tanushree Pandey’s courageous investigation, as she battles institutional roadblocks, intimidation, and public scrutiny to bring the story to national attention. Layered with first-hand testimonies, on-ground reporting, archival footage, and perspectives from journalists, activists, law enforcement officials, and policymakers, Hathras – 16 Days goes beyond retelling a tragedy, it investigates the machinery that shaped its aftermath.

Official Statements:

Kaveri Das, Business Head – Hindi ZEE5 and Chief Channel Officer – &TV, said:

“At Hindi ZEE5, we remain committed to telling stories that matter, stories that not only engage audiences, but also compel them to reflect on the realities around them. Hathras – 16 Days is not merely a recounting of a headline-making incident; it is an exploration of the existing systems and prejudices that continue to plague our society and the institutional silence. Through this docu-series, we aim to present a narrative that is both courageous and thought-provoking, while staying rooted in empathy and truth.”

Patrick Graham, Director, said:

“Hathras – 16 Days was obviously more than just another true-crime documentary. For me, it was about examining the larger forces that operate behind such incidents – the layers of caste, gender, authority, and narrative control that often determine whose truth gets heard. What drew me most was the extraordinary courage of the journalists who refused to let the story disappear, especially Tanushree Pandey, whose pursuit of answers became the emotional spine of this documentary. This is ultimately a story about voices that are too often ignored because of their position on ancient hierarchies that continue to exist in certain pockets in the society”.

Hathras – 16 Days is streaming now exclusively on Hindi ZEE5

Eight Franchise Teams, 200 Young Players, Live Auction and Streaming Broadcast Planned

New Delhi, May 16, 2026:
Outer Delhi Warriors, one of the prominent franchises in the Delhi Premier League, has officially announced the launch of the Krishna Apra Future Star Under-15 Championship, a grassroots T20 tournament aimed at identifying and developing the next generation of cricket talent from Delhi NCR.

The inaugural edition of the championship will be held at the Jamia Millia Islamia grounds from June 20 to June 27, 2026. Player trials are scheduled to begin in May, followed by a live player auction and a planned broadcast on a leading streaming platform.

As part of the initiative, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has been appointed Brand Ambassador, bringing with him extensive mentoring experience from his tenure with Gujarat Titans.

Former India cricketer and broadcaster Aakash Chopra has also joined the championship as Brand Ambassador and will serve as one of the key public faces of the tournament.

The tournament’s management team will additionally include Sanjay Rawat as Tournament Secretary and Navnati Dinesh as League Observer.

Tournament Structure

The championship is designed as an Under-15 boys’ T20 competition featuring players selected through open trials conducted across Delhi NCR.

The tournament format will mirror the structure of professional franchise leagues:

• Open trials for aspiring cricketers

• A live player auction

• Selection of 200 players across eight franchise teams

• 15 league-stage matches

• Two semi-finals and a final

The top-performing players will earn entry into the Outer Delhi Warriors Academy Training Programme, which aims to provide long-term development support, professional mentorship, and structured performance training.

Leadership Commentary

Naresh Panwar, Co-owner of Outer Delhi Warriors, said:

“Outer Delhi Warriors has always believed in building a larger vision for grassroots cricket. We feel there is a strong need to create a structured pathway for young cricketers and prepare them for highly competitive environments from an early stage.

The Krishna Apra Future Star Under-15 Championship marks our first formal initiative toward identifying and nurturing promising cricket talent across Delhi NCR.”

Outer Delhi Warriors entered the Delhi Premier League during the 2025 season and has quickly established itself as one of the league’s recognizable franchises, featuring players such as Priyansh Arya, Suyash Sharma, Harsh Tyagi, and Shivam Sharma.

Speaking about the initiative, Aakash Chopra said:

“Indian cricket has never lacked talent. What has often been missing is the right identification and support system at an early age. Structured trials, auctions, and professional exposure can inspire young players and motivate them to pursue cricket seriously.”

Parthiv Patel added:

“The journey from raw talent to professional cricket requires discipline, proper guidance, match exposure, and consistent development. The Krishna Apra Future Star Under-15 Championship has been designed with exactly that vision.”

Sponsorship and Vision

Manish Gupta of Krishna Apra, a well-known real estate brand in North India, said:

“We believe in investing in the country’s future, and sports play a major role in shaping it. We are proud to support an initiative that aims to build the next generation of Indian cricketers.”

The championship is also expected to receive guidance and support from senior international cricketers as the organizers look to create a strong developmental ecosystem for emerging T20 talent in India.

 Hyderabad’s Agri entrepreneur, who created new export categories for India honoured by UAS Bengaluru

Hyderabad, May 16, 2026: In a rare and significant recognition, the University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore conferred an Honorary Doctorate on its former student, Hyderabad-based agripreneur Dr GVK Naidu, Founder and Managing Director of Sam Agritech, during its 60th Convocation Ceremony.

UAS is India’s premier agricultural university and among the country’s oldest institutions dedicated to agricultural education, research and extension. Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor and Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, presided over the function and formally presented the Doctorate.

The honour is considered exceptional, as agricultural universities seldom confer honorary doctorates upon their own alumni. It recognises Dr Naidu’s pioneering contribution to India’s fresh produce export sector and his role in transforming agricultural innovation into globally competitive business models.

Responding to the recognition, Dr Naidu said, “I never imagined that the university where I once studied would one day honour me with a doctorate. This recognition belongs to the farmers, employees, and partners who have been part of this journey.”

Founded in 1996, Sam Agritech has emerged as one of India’s leading integrated exporters of fresh and value-added produce. The company has played a key role in developing new export categories from India, including fresh pomegranate arils, fresh-cut coconut chunks, fresh figs, dried arils, and ready-to-eat fruit segments.

In recent years, the company has also diversified into high-value crops such as Hass avocado cultivation, blueberry initiatives, and almond processing, aligning with evolving global demand trends and expanding India’s horticulture footprint.

Sam Agritech operates a fully integrated farm-to-market ecosystem across South India, including nurseries, captive farms, high-care processing facilities, and international marketing networks. It is also recognised for establishing multi-locational high-care processing units near cultivation zones, enhancing product freshness and food safety.

The company adheres to global standards, including HACCP, ISO, Global GAP, BRC, US FDA, SMETA, and Fair Trade certifications, and has made a notable social impact, with over 90 per cent of its workforce comprising women in rural processing operations.

Industry observers describe the honour as recognition of the growing importance of value addition, innovation, and market-linked agriculture in India’s agri sector.-

Bangalore, 16 May 2026

In a significant development for India’s electrical infrastructure and industrial manufacturing sector, Intertech and UK-based James Durrans & Sons have announced plans for phased manufacturing of original Marconite in India. The announcement was made during ELASIA 2026, South Asia’s premier trade fair dedicated to the power, electrical, controls, automation and lighting industries.

The proposed localisation initiative is aimed at supporting India’s rapidly expanding infrastructure ecosystem while aligning with the Government of India’s “Make in India” vision for advanced industrial technologies.

James Durrans & Sons, a 163-year-old British company and global manufacturer of Marconite technology, has been associated with Intertech since 2011 to expand the product’s reach in India. David Wilson of James Durrans & Sons said the company had identified India as a key strategic growth market nearly two decades ago before partnering with Intertech to establish Marconite across the country. Since then, the partnership has steadily expanded, with the product now being supplied across sectors including solar energy, power utilities, oil and gas, railways and metro infrastructure projects.

The companies confirmed that work is currently underway to establish manufacturing pathways, raw material sourcing and technical processes required for local production. The first phase is expected to involve the establishment of a pilot manufacturing facility within the next 12 to 18 months, after which operations could be scaled further for the wider Indian market.

Intertech CEO Gurumohit Singh said the company has consistently focused on technically engineered earthing solutions designed specifically for Indian operating conditions. He noted that Intertech follows a scientific approach involving soil resistivity analysis, fault current calculations and site-specific engineering before implementing any grounding system.

Marconite, originally developed for military and radar applications, is globally recognised as a carbon-based conductive material used in earthing and lightning protection systems. Unlike conventional grounding compounds, the product is designed to be waterless and maintenance-free, ensuring long-term operational reliability without recurring servicing requirements.

 
Over the years, Marconite technology supplied by James Durrans has been deployed globally across several critical infrastructure and defence-linked sectors, including organisations such as British Telecom, the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Air Force and Saudi Aramco. In India, Intertech has established a strong presence across industrial and infrastructure segments, with projects and clientele including Tata Steel, Apollo Hospitals, Motherson Sumi, STUDDS, Avaada Energy, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army and Delhi Metro.

With the proposed localisation of original Marconite manufacturing, Intertech and James Durrans aim to strengthen India’s access to globally proven earthing technologies while contributing to the country’s long-term infrastructure and manufacturing ambitions.

Jamshedpur, India: Building on the successful launch of its pioneering executive education initiative in public policy and leadership, XLRI – Xavier School of Management has commenced admissions for the second batch of its flagship Public Policy & Sustainable Leadership (PPSL) programme.

Launched in collaboration with the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India, PPSL, the one-year hybrid executive programme, has emerged as a distinctive interdisciplinary platform bringing together policymakers, administrators, academicians, development professionals, sustainability practitioners, professionals from private sector under one academic ecosystem. One of the unique elements of the programme is the eclectic class mix comprising of both government sponsored candidates and self-sponsored candidates.

The inaugural cohort includes officers from the Government of India (IAS, IPS, IFoS and State Civil Service officers) and various state governments, senior professionals from UN Women, PSI India, Council on Energy, Environment & Water (CEEW), PCI India, IBM Research Labs, and academicians from public administration institutes.

The 180 hours programme has been carefully designed to accommodate working professionals through a hybrid delivery format combining two short immersive campus residencies with interactive online sessions held on Sundays. It offers a multidisciplinary curriculum covering public policy, public finance, public management, public systems, governance, sustainability, leadership, stakeholder engagement, business strategies & non-market strategies and emerging developmental challenges.

Speaking about the programme’s relevance and impact, Prof. Kalyan Bhaskar, Associate Professor, XLRI and Programme Director of PPSL, stated:

“The PPSL programme reflects XLRI’s larger vision of creating responsible leadership at the intersection of public policy, governance, civil society and public value creation. The diversity of the participants enriches classroom discussions, peer learning and enables meaningful dialogue between administration, academia, development sector and industry.”

With increasing complexities in public policy, governance, sustainability transitions and public administration, the programme aims to create a new generation of leaders capable of designing inclusive, ethical and evidence-driven solutions for society.

The second batch is expected to further strengthen the programme’s relevance by fostering collaborative learning among officers, practitioners and professionals working across public systems and developmental institutions.

The last date for application is 18th August 2026. The program commences on 18th September 2026 with the inaugural campus component at XLRI Jamshedpur.

More details about the programme, eligibility and admissions are available at the XLRI website. Link: https://application-portal.xlri.ac.in/ppsl

CANNES, 16 May 2026: Eros Innovation presented AI in Asia at Cannes Next, the official innovation track of the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes, on 14 May 2026. The three-hour programme at the Village Innovation, Pantiero, followed by a reception, brought together over 200 studio leaders, sovereign funds, government representatives, filmmakers, and technology companies to discuss sovereign AI, AI-native storytelling, and the future of film financing.

The programme focused on the idea that Asia is building the infrastructure for AI-native culture through sovereign and rights-aware AI systems. Eros Innovation’s Large Cultural Models (LCMs), launched at the IndiaAI Summit in New Delhi by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, as a sovereign AI initiative and trained on 1.5 trillion rights-cleared cultural tokens, formed the technological foundation of the discussions. The platform launches globally as Eros Universe in June 2026.

 “We came to Cannes not to talk about what AI is doing to the entertainment industry, but to show what happens when AI is built from inside culture rather than on top of it. The industry once embraced VFX because it expanded human creativity rather than replacing it. We believe Cultural Intelligence is the natural next evolution — AI built responsibly to enhance creator value, protect identity, and unlock entirely new forms of storytelling for the global entertainment industry.”, said Kishore Lulla, Founder, Eros Innovation.

The programme opened with a keynote by Kishore Lulla, followed by a fireside conversation with Joerg Bachmaier, CEO of Studio Babelsberg, on how AI is changing large-scale film production while preserving human creative decision-making.

The first panel, Sovereign AI vs Platform AI – Who Owns Culture?, examined the development of sovereign AI systems outside dominant US and Chinese platform ecosystems. Speakers included Paul Trillo of Asteria Films, Alex Serdiuk of Respeecher, and Ridhima Lulla of Eros Innovation, with moderation by Anssi Komulainen of the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. Discussions focused on AI-native filmmaking, consent-based voice AI, cultural datasets, governance frameworks, and creator identity protection systems.

The second panel, AI-Native Storytelling – Not Assisted, Not Enhanced, Native, explored the shift from AI-assisted production to AI-native storytelling. Christina Caspers-Röhmer of Trixter (Cinesite Group), Shin Chul of BIFAN, Ridhima Lulla, and VFX supervisor Martin Madsen discussed AI-native character systems, evolving VFX workflows, and the growing AI filmmaking ecosystem in Asia. The session was moderated by Mikael Windelin.

The final panel, The Future of Film Financing in the AI Era, focused on how AI-driven cost compression and new financing structures are reshaping film funding and ownership models. Speakers included Marc Iserlis of Republic and filmmaker Miguel Faus, whose debut feature Calladita became the first blockchain-crowdfunded film. The discussion, moderated by Piyush Bhatia of Eros Innovation, also referenced Eros Innovation’s own film securitization model. 

New Delhi, May 16 (BNP): Gig workers associated with app-based transport and delivery platforms have announced a five-hour nationwide shutdown demanding better wages, social security benefits and a minimum payment of Rs 20 per kilometre.

Representational image

The protest call, supported by several gig workers’ unions and associations, is expected to affect app-based cab services, food delivery operations and logistics services in major cities across the country.

Worker representatives alleged that rising fuel prices, increasing maintenance expenses and reduced incentive structures have significantly impacted their earnings in recent months. They claimed that despite rising operational costs, the per-trip payments offered by aggregator platforms remain inadequate.

Among the key demands raised by the workers are a guaranteed minimum fare of Rs 20 per kilometre, fuel compensation, insurance coverage, social security benefits and transparent payment policies.

Union leaders said the temporary shutdown is intended to draw attention to the financial challenges faced by lakhs of gig workers who depend on app-based services for their livelihood. They also urged the central and state governments to frame comprehensive welfare policies for workers in the gig economy sector.

Meanwhile, commuters and customers in several metropolitan cities may face inconvenience during the protest period due to reduced availability of ride-hailing and delivery services.

Several aggregator companies are yet to issue detailed responses regarding the shutdown call and the demands raised by workers.

Guwahati, May 16 : Indian Institute of Technology Guwahatikicked off the 44th Astronomical Society of India (ASI) Annual Meeting with a formal inauguration event today, 16th May 2026. The five-day conference has brought together over 600 astronomers, researchers, students, and science communicators from across the globe.

This event marks a special milestone for IIT Guwahati and the Northeast scientific community, as ASI Annual Meeting has returned to the region after 30 years. The conference was last hosted in the Northeast by Gauhati University in 1996.

The inaugural ceremony of the event was graced by the esteemed presence of Prof. Devendra Ojha, President, Astronomical Society of India, and Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati.

Other dignitaries present during the event included, Prof. Sukumar Nandi, Dean of Administration; Prof. Santabrata Das, Chair, Local Organizing Committee, IIT Guwahati, along with Prof. Sarita Vig, Secretary, Astronomical Society of India; Prof. Anandamayee Tej, Chair, Scientific Organizing Committee; Prof. Yashwant Gupta, Director, National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune; Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru; Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Vice‑Chancellor, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and Prof. Manish K. Naja, Director, Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, among others.

Welcoming the participants, Devendra Jalihal, Director, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, said,

“We are delighted to host the 44th Annual Meeting of Astronomical Society of India at IIT Guwahati and bring together researchers, students, and members of the scientific community on our campus. Such gatherings play an important role in inspiring young minds, especially in the Northeast, to connect with the wonders of STEM and innovation. I am confident that this initiative will foster new ideas, collaborations, and greater engagement with science among students and researchers across the region.”

Established in 1972, the Astronomical Society of India is the professional association of astronomers in the country. With more than a thousand members dedicated to advancing astronomy and related sciences in India, this annual meeting serves as the Society’s flagship platform for scientific exchange, collaboration, and outreach.

Speaking during his ASI Presidential Address, Devendra Ojha said,

 “The Astronomical Society of India has a rich legacy spanning more than five decades since its establishment in 1972 and has evolved into a diverse and vibrant scientific community. I am particularly excited about this year’s conference as ASI returns to the Northeast after three decades. With new facilities such as large telescopes and next-generation observational infrastructure on the horizon, the future of astronomy in India is bright and offers immense opportunities for the astronomical community. Through this conference, we aim to create new avenues for young researchers to engage in meaningful scientific discoveries and foster collaborative research efforts.”

The five-day conference will feature more than 140 scientific talks and 355 poster presentations covering a diverse range of themes, including –

·Sun and Solar System

·Exoplanets and astrobiology

·Stars and galaxies

·Cosmology

·Astrochemistry

·Astronomy technologies

·Data science

·Astronomy education

·Heritage

·Gender equity in science.

A key highlight of the pre-event activities held on 15th May 2026 was a public lecture on the topic, “A Decade of AstroSat – India’s First Space Observatory”, delivered by Prof. Annapurni Subramanyam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, and recipient of the Vigyan Shri Award 2024.

Additionally, three workshops on thematic areas including “Compact Objects in the AstroSat Era”, “Radio Astronomy from Space”, and “Rubin LSST: Exploring the Transient Sky” were also conducted on the opening day of the conference.

The inaugural event also included ASI award presentations recognizing excellence in astronomy and astrophysics. This year, the ASI Zubin Kembhavi Award was presented to the team behind the GROWTH-India Telescope in Hanle, Ladakh. Other major honours included the Laxminarayana and Nagalaxmi Modali Award to Dr. Girish Kulkarni of TIFR and the Justice Oak Award for Outstanding Thesis in Astronomy to Dr. Prateek Mayank.

Alongside the scientific activities being conducted at IIT Guwahati, the Public Outreach and Education Committee (POEC) of ASI is conducting astronomy-themed outreach activities across Guwahati and other parts of the Northeast. As part of this initiative, astronomers visiting Guwahati will engage with students at nearly 20 schools and colleges. In addition to this, exhibitions of astrophotography are being showcased at both the Guwahati Planetarium and Guwahati Science City to inspire the researchers of tomorrow.

The 44th ASI Annual Meeting at IIT Guwahati is expected to strengthen astronomy research and collaborative scientific engagement in the Northeast while inspiring students and the public to engage more deeply with astronomy and space science.