STAMFORD, Feb 12: Gartner, Inc., a leading business and technology insights company, today warned that misconfigured AI in cyber-physical systems (CPS) could trigger shutdowns of national critical infrastructure in a G20 country by 2028.

CPS includes operational technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS), industrial automation systems, IIoT devices, robots, drones, and other AI-powered systems interacting with the physical world. Gartner highlights that even well-intentioned engineers, flawed updates, or minor configuration errors can result in large-scale service disruptions, posing risks to public safety and economic stability.

“The next major infrastructure failure may not come from hackers or natural disasters, but from AI misconfigurations,” said Wam Voster, VP Analyst at Gartner. “Implementing secure ‘kill-switches’ or override modes, accessible only to authorized operators, is essential to safeguard critical systems.”

Gartner notes that misconfigured AI can autonomously misinterpret sensor data or trigger unsafe actions, potentially impacting key services such as power grids, manufacturing plants, and transport networks. With AI models increasingly opaque, human intervention remains essential.

Gartner recommends key measures for mitigating AI-related risks in critical infrastructure:

• Safe Override Modes: Secure human-accessible controls to retain ultimate authority over autonomous systems.

• Digital Twins: Test configuration changes in virtual replicas before deployment.

• Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous observation and rollback mechanisms for AI updates, supported by national AI incident response teams.

Gartner clients can explore these insights in Predicts 2026: Emergent Critical Risks of AI in CPS Security, and learn infrastructure modernization strategies via the complimentary Modern Infrastructure: Built for Tomorrow’s Business Demands roadmap.

Gartner continues to provide independent AI research and guidance for C-level executives, helping organizations safely leverage AI to achieve mission-critical priorities.

Novotel Pune has announced the appointment of Rohit Vijay Honmote as its new Chief Engineer, further strengthening the hotel’s leadership team with a seasoned engineering professional who brings over 11 years of extensive experience in hospitality engineering, operations, financial control, and procurement management.

A Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), Rohit joins Novotel Pune with a strong background in managing large hotel assets, preventive maintenance systems, sustainability initiatives, and energy optimization. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing all engineering operations, ensuring seamless maintenance of hotel infrastructure, driving energy efficiency, and upholding the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.

Prior to joining Novotel Pune, Rohit served as Chief Engineer at ibis Pune Viman Nagar and Hinjewadi. Earlier, he held key leadership roles including Deputy Chief Engineer at Lemon Tree Premier, Pune, and Assistant Manager – Engineering at The Leela, Mumbai. His career also includes significant stints at Balaji Sarovar Premiere, Solapur, Asian Heart Institute, and Lansh Engineering Pvt. Ltd., giving him a well-rounded perspective across hospitality and critical infrastructure environments.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Anant Leekha, General Manager, Novotel Pune, said,

“We are pleased to welcome Rohit to the Novotel Pune leadership team. His strong technical expertise, experience with sustainability-certified hotels, and hands-on approach to engineering operations make him a valuable addition. We are confident that his leadership will further enhance our operational efficiency while supporting our commitment to safety, sustainability, and guest satisfaction.”

With this appointment, Novotel Pune continues to invest in strong leadership to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining world-class infrastructure and sustainable operations.

Indigrid Technology Raises INR 40 Crore in Additional Funding to Close Extended Series A Round at INR 75 Crore and Scale Integrated Electronics Manufacturing in India 

GURUGRAM, Feb 12: Indigrid Technology Private Limited, India’s leading integrated electronics manufacturing company operating across EMS, ESDM, and ODM services, has raised INR 40 crore in additional funding to close its extended Series A round at INR 75 crore. The round was led by Cactus Partners, which played a key role in the company’s growth and subsequent capital raise from Valour Capital, with participation from ITI Growth Opportunities Fund, Vimson group, and Global South Capital.

The funding comes amid accelerating demand for localised electronics manufacturing in India, driven by global supply chain realignment and rising domestic demand across automotive, consumer, and industrial electronics. Indigrid plans to deploy the capital to scale capacity across its recently commissioned manufacturing facilities, deepen technology and process capabilities, and evaluate strategic acquisitions to expand its footprint across key electronics segments.

“We are excited to welcome Valour, Vimson group, ITI Growth, and Global South Capital on board. This investment endorses our vision and provides the strategic capital needed to accelerate our ambitious expansion plans in high-growth electronics verticals. Earlier investments from Cactus Partners provided us a strong base and knowledge for growing into a large business, and this new investment will further strengthen our footing in the domain,” said Rishab Puri and Sameer Narang, Co-Founders of Indigrid Technology.

Over the past few years, Indigrid has built an integrated manufacturing platform serving over 35 marquee customers, combining design, engineering, testing, and large-scale production under one umbrella. The company currently operates three advanced manufacturing facilities across Manesar and Goa and has steadily expanded its capabilities to support OEMs and global customers seeking reliable, compliant, and scalable manufacturing partners in India.

Commenting on the fundraise, Karan Goshar, Managing Partner of Valour Capital said,

“Indigrid Technology is building critical capabilities for India’s industrial resilience and their integrated model is a strong platform for the ‘China-plus-one’ shift” and Mohit Gulati, Managing General Partner ITI Growth Opportunities Fund said “Indigrid’s technology focus in high growth electronics sector gels well with our investment thesis” while Mragank Jain, Managing Partner, Global South Capital, said, “Indigrid’s remarkable growth places it perfectly to capture the manufacturing localisation opportunity, and we will support the company in its global expansion and M&A.”

“From our earliest conversations with the Indigrid team, we saw their capabilities and potential to build a scaled, integrated manufacturing platform. Over the past few years, we have worked alongside the team to sharpen execution and governance, and this follow-on raise is a strong validation of the platform they have built and the long-term opportunity ahead,” added Rajeev Kalambi, General Partner, Cactus Partners.

This additional investment builds on the strong foundation created with Cactus Partners’ early backing and hands-on guidance, which supported Indigrid’s initial scale-up and operational strengthening. With the closing of its Series A round, Indigrid is entering its next phase of growth, focused on capacity expansion, automation, and strengthening its position as a full-stack electronics manufacturing partner.

Mumbai, Feb 12: Amagi Media Labs Limited, a cloud-native SaaS platform providing AI-enabled solutions to global media and entertainment companies, today announced its financial results for Q3 FY26 and the nine months ended December 31, 2025, demonstrating robust growth and profitability.

Key Highlights:

• 9M FY26 Performance: Revenue increased 30% year-on-year to ₹1,109 Cr; Adjusted EBITDA rose over 10x to ₹116 Cr; PAT turned positive at ₹37 Cr, driven by operating leverage and cost discipline.

• Q3 FY26 Update: Revenue grew 22% YoY to ₹404 Cr, with Adjusted EBITDA of ₹58 Cr and PAT of ₹31 Cr, reflecting strong execution and seasonal monetization strength.

• Liquidity Position: Cash and bank balances totaled ₹803.4 Cr as of December 31, 2025, providing ample liquidity for ongoing operations and planned investments.

• Strategic Focus: Continued investments in core platform and AI-enabled capabilities to support scaling and deeper customer integration.

Commenting on the results, Baskar Subramanian, Managing Director & CEO, said:

“We delivered a strong quarter, with 22% revenue growth and meaningful profitability expansion. Our platform, connecting content providers, distributors, and advertisers, continues to strengthen, and operating leverage is translating into improved Adjusted EBITDA and PAT performance.

Looking ahead, we remain focused on deepening customer integration, investing in AI-enabled capabilities through Amagi Intelligence, and maintaining capital discipline. The investments we are making today are designed for long-term growth and sustainability, beyond just the next quarter.”*

Amagi continues to leverage its AI-powered solutions to support global media and entertainment companies, delivering scalable and data-driven monetization opportunities while building a robust platform for the future.

Haridwar, Feb 12: Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, India’s leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), recently engaged with acid attack survivors at its Haridwar facility to build workplace skills and professional readiness, in collaboration with the Chhanv Foundation. The engagement took place over three days and focused on strengthening confidence and preparing participants for professional environments.

Planned with care and sensitivity, the three-day engagement focused on building practical capabilities. Participants took part in guided sessions on workplace etiquette, personal grooming, communication skills, interview preparation and basic digital tools. They were also introduced to real corporate and industrial environments through plant walkthroughs and interactions with teams across the facility, helping them gain a clearer understanding of professional settings and expectations.

Informal conversations with Akums’ leadership and employees created a warm and supportive atmosphere, encouraging openness and helping participants feel at ease as they prepared for future work opportunities. The engagement closed with a focused discussion on employability readiness and a formal acknowledgement of participation, reinforcing the importance of continued learning and self-belief.

Speaking on the engagement, Arushi Jain, Director, Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, said,

“At Akums, we believe that meaningful inclusion begins with sharing skills and opening doors to real workplaces. This was about helping participants rebuild confidence and see themselves as professionals again. Working closely with the Chhanv Foundation allowed us to create an experience that respected individual journeys while staying closely aligned with the realities of the workplace. We hope this time here strengthens both capability and belief in what lies ahead.”

The Chhanv Foundation has been at the forefront of supporting acid attack survivors across India, working to restore dignity, confidence and independence through rehabilitation, education and livelihood-focused initiatives. Known for its survivor-centric approach, the Foundation goes beyond immediate care to enable long-term social and economic reintegration. 

Mr. Alok Dixit, from the Chhanv Foundation, said,

“Rebuilding life after trauma is about more than healing — it is about regaining confidence, independence and a professional identity. Experiences like this give survivors the chance to step back into the world of work with clarity and dignity. We are grateful to Akums for creating a respectful space where learning felt natural and encouraging.”

For many participants, the experience marked an important turning point. One survivor shared,

“Before coming here, I was nervous about entering a workplace again. But everyone treated us with so much kindness and respect. It helped me believe that I can work, grow and support myself with confidence.”

Another participant said,

“Learning how to communicate better and prepare for interviews has changed how I see my future. I am leaving with new skills and the feeling that I still have many possibilities ahead.”

The collaboration with the Chhanv Foundation ensured that the engagement remained survivor-focused and grounded in practical workplace readiness. Through efforts like this, Akums continues to combine its leadership in healthcare manufacturing with a sustained commitment to building skills, inclusion and long-term opportunity.

“I keep it simple with regular workouts, staying active, and clean eating to do justice to my role as a police officer in the show” says Pooja Katurde of Sony SAB’s Pushpa Impossible

Sony SAB’s Pushpa Impossible is winning hearts with its inspiring storytelling and relatable characters. The show beautifully captures the everyday triumphs and challenges of its lead protagonist, Pushpa (Karuna Pandey), making it one of television’s most loved family entertainers. As Pushpa Impossible enters one of its most intense weeks yet, Pooja Katurde’s portrayal of the sharp, no-nonsense police officer and Pushpa’s daughter in law, stands out with striking authenticity.

Pooja Katurde says staying fit is not just about looking the part, but about truly feeling like her character. With intense investigation sequences, physical fitness helps her stay alert and maintain physical stamina and discipline. The actor believes that fitness is essential to her preparation to convincingly portray a uniformed officer and to bring authenticity to her character. For Pooja, fitness has become an important part of understanding her character’s strength and discipline.

Speaking about the experience, Pooja Katurde shares, 

“Wearing the uniform itself puts you in a very different mindset. It automatically demands strength, confidence, and alertness. I knew that to play a police officer, I must stay fit and maintain a certain physique because the role demands it. What the audience sees on screen is a flawless and confident presence, but behind the scenes, I put in immense effort to maintain that for the role. I’m not someone who believes in extreme workouts so I keep it simple with regular workouts, staying active, and clean eating to do justice to my role as a police officer in the show. When your body feels strong, it reflects on screen without you trying too hard.”

Mumbai, Feb 12: Indian hip-hop sensation Panther, known for his raw, honest, and hard-hitting rap, is back with a refreshing musical twist. He unveils a softer, romantic side with his latest single, “Yeh Baatein”, a soulful ballad that celebrates the magic of unspoken words and subtle emotions.

Written and performed by Panther, “Yeh Baatein” follows the philosophy of Less is More. The track combines Panther’s regional roots with global sounds, creating a dreamy, heartfelt composition that captures the beauty of silence in love—the pauses, glances, and half-smiles that speak volumes without words.

A quintessential romantic pop song, “Yeh Baatein” showcases Panther’s shayarana (poetic) prowess, seamlessly blending soul, rhythm, and emotion in his signature style. The song’s hook is instantly memorable, lingering long after the first listen and making it a perfect addition to listeners’ playlists.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the song, Panther shares,

“This song is very close to my heart. I’ve always expressed myself through strong bars and hard rap, but this time I wanted to give something more to the listeners and embrace the softer, more poetic side of me with ‘Yeh Baatein.’ I’m sure my fans will relate to this feeling as well.”

With “Yeh Baatein,” Panther demonstrates his versatility as an artist, moving seamlessly from hard rap bars to tender, heartfelt ballads—proving that the power of music lies not only in lyrics but also in emotion and expression.

New Delhi, Feb 12: Cosmo First Limited today announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 2025 and year-to-date December 2025, reporting improved EBITDA performance in Q3 FY26 compared to the previous year.

The improvement was driven by a strong 29% increase in sales volumes and better performance from the specialty chemical subsidiary. However, overall EBITDA was partially impacted by margin decline in BOPP and BOPET core films, the full-quarter impact of high USA tariffs, a volume loss of around 6% due to the shutdown of one BOPP line, and a non-repetitive inventory loss of ₹8.4 crores arising from a drop in raw material prices.

Profit After Tax (PAT) remained muted due to higher depreciation and interest costs related to newly commissioned capacities.

The Company expects double-digit revenue growth in the coming quarters, supported by enhanced utilization of recently added capacities. Additionally, the recently announced reduction in USA tariffs is expected to improve profitability from USA operations starting Q1 FY27, once the higher-duty-paid inventory is fully exhausted.

Cosmo Plastech, the Group’s rigid packaging vertical, achieved positive EBITDA in December 2025. The focus going forward will be on improving profitability through higher capacity utilisation and operational efficiency.

Both consumer-facing businesses—Zigly (Petcare) and Cosmo Consumer (Window Films, Paint Protection Films & Ceramic Coatings)—continued to scale up. Zigly posted over 50% year-on-year topline growth in Q3 FY26, reflecting strong momentum in the petcare segment.

Commenting on the Company’s performance, Mr. Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO, Cosmo First Ltd., said,

“The FY26 focus will be on achieving close to full capacity utilization for the Films business and faster scaling of new businesses.”

 Key Developments During the Quarter

1. Films Business (Cosmo Films)

• Announced a strategic joint venture in South Korea with Filmax Corporation to introduce and scale multiple Cosmo First business verticals in the South Korean market.

• Honoured with the IFCA Star Award for excellence in packaging innovation.

• Launched high-performance packaging films for the pet food industry.

2. Rigid Packaging (Cosmo Plastech)

• Expanded into rigid packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry with PET sheets.

3. Petcare Business (Zigly Petcare)

• Expanded footprint in Western India.

• Opened its first complete pet care centre in Pune and second centre in Jaipur.

4. CSR & Foundation (Cosmo Foundation)

• Partnered with the Border Security Force (BSF) to expand Delhi’s green cover with a 15,000-tree Miyawaki and fruit-bearing forest initiative.

• Ms. Yamini Kumar Jaipuria was honoured as ET NOW Impactful Women Leaders of India 2025 and Impactful CSR Leader of India 2025 at the ET Edge GSA Transformation Series.

5. Corporate / Group-Level Milestone

• Achieved the globally recognised Information Security Management System certification – ISO/IEC 27001:2022.