New Delhi, Feb 25: Thimme Gowda D.T., a senior Congress leader from Mysuru, on Wednesday met senior party leader and CWC member Gurdeep Singh Sappal in Delhi and discussed issues relating to organisational coordination and cadre strengthening.

Mr. Gowda lauded Mr. Sappal’s role as a permanent member of the Congress Working Committee and his responsibilities as the administration-in-charge at the All India Congress Committee (AICC). He said structured administrative functioning and coordination at the central level play a key role in maintaining institutional continuity within the party.

He lauded Mr. Sappal’s role as adviser to Congress president Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and his coordination of the party president’s office. According to Mr. Gowda, effective alignment between national leadership and State and district units remains essential for strengthening the party’s outreach.

Mr. Gowda, who has been associated with the Congress for over 25 years, has worked with the Youth Congress and the Mysuru District Congress unit in various organisational capacities. Party members in the district describe him as a grassroots worker who has remained engaged in booth-level management, voter outreach and campaign coordination during Lok Sabha, Assembly and Panchayat elections.

Over the years, he has focused on strengthening local networks and maintaining communication between party leadership and cadre at the block and village levels. Colleagues attribute to him a consistent presence in organisational activities rather than pursuit of formal positions.

Apart from electoral responsibilities, Mr. Gowda has participated in social initiatives and relief activities, particularly during periods of crisis. Party sources said his engagement combines organisational discipline with community outreach.

Researchers have discovered and characterized at the atomic level a mechanism that enables bacterial pathogens—including hospital bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa—to assemble antibiotic-resistant three-dimensional (3D) biofilms. These findings open a new avenue for developing therapies against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections by targeting the biofilm assembly.  Many pathogenic bacteria form 3D biofilms to protect themselves from the immune system, antibiotic treatments, and drying on environmental surfaces. Some of the most problematic hospital bacteria, such as multidrug-resistant A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa, use specialized hair-like filaments called adhesive pili to attach to tissues or abiotic surfaces. After attaching, the bacteria then grow into thick 3D biofilms consisting of multiple layers of bacteria. This process is also mediated by adhesive pili, but until now it has been unclear how they prevent the growing 3D biofilm from falling apart. 

Using a combination of advanced electron microscopy methods, the researchers at the MediCity Research Laboratory of the University of Turku in Finland, led by S. Jusélius Senior Researcher Anton Zavialov, discovered that adhesive Csu pili from neighboring A. baumannii bacteria attach to each other in an antiparallel manner. These pili rapidly assemble into flat sheets that link bacteria together and shield them from hostile environments. 

“Impressively, Csu pili can self-assemble into huge, complex networks connecting hundreds of bacterial cells,” says Dr. Zavialov. 

The team demonstrated that Csu pili can form at least two types of flat structures and resolved them at a near-atomic resolution.  

“Cryo-electron microscopy methods are developing very rapidly. To obtain the first model, I initially developed a manual approach, and only later did we apply computational tools to solve these exceptionally large assemblies in 3D,” explains first author, Doctoral Researcher Henri Malmi. 

The researchers also found that the pilus network becomes embedded in a less defined matrix composed of polysaccharides and DNA secreted by the bacteria.  

“This final structure somewhat resembles reinforced concrete: the pili act like steel bars, while polysaccharides and DNA form the concrete. In this way, the bacteria effectively hide in a bunker,” adds Dr. Zavialov. 

The team is now focused on developing inhibitors that target the connections between pili. Such inhibitors could be used in combination therapies to prevent 3D biofilm assembly and help antibiotics eliminate the pathogens more effectively. 

Wootzwork is scaling a new manufacturing model that gives global OEMs a single, accountable partner for complex industrial programs across India and Southeast Asia. 

Houston, Dallas – Feb 25; As global manufacturing shifts across regions, supply chains, and regulatory environments, execution risk has quietly become one of the biggest constraints on industrial growth. For many OEMs, the challenge is no longer access to factories, but the complexity of coordinating dozens of suppliers, quality systems, timelines, and interfaces across borders. Wootzwork was built to solve that problem. Today, the company announced a $6.6 million Series A round to scale a new model of manufacturing execution built around single-point accountability. 

 The round was led by Z47, with continued participation from Nexus Venture Partners and AdvantEdge Founders, and the addition of Stride Ventures. The capital will be used to expand Wootzwork’s global engineering and program teams, support larger and more complex OEM programs, and scale its manufacturing control systems across regions.

 As industrial supply chains globalise, execution has become increasingly fragmented. Programs now span multiple countries, dozens of suppliers, and different quality frameworks, creating coordination gaps that lead to delays, rework, and cost overruns. It is estimated that 15 to 30 percent of anticipated offshore savings are typically lost through these breakdowns. What should be a strategic advantage often turns into an operational burden that absorbs time, talent, and leadership attention.

 Wootzwork was built as an alternative to that model. The company operates as a single, accountable manufacturing partner to global OEM’s for complex industrial programs across India and Southeast Asia, with on-shore manufacturing where required in customer markets. This allows OEMs to execute at scale without managing factories, interfaces, or execution risk internally. Wootzwork operates with engineering and program teams across India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, enabling close coordination with enterprise customers while retaining deep on-ground manufacturing control.

 “Most companies treat manufacturing complexity as a risk to be minimised,” said Karan Anand, co-founder and CEO of Wootzwork. “We treat it as a competitive advantage. When the system is engineered properly, complexity becomes leverage – not chaos.” 

 No factory in the world is fully efficient for any complex product. Modern OEM programs involve high-mix parts, specialised processes, and sequencing that rarely exist under one roof and often shouldn’t, for economic reasons. Even when capacity exists, the right machine, process maturity, or quality discipline is usually fragmented across suppliers. By mapping, qualifying, and governing manufacturing capacity across regions, Wootzwork orchestrates the journey of a product from concept to factory-level output in weeks rather than years. For global enterprises, this translates into faster time to production, fewer internal teams tied up in supplier coordination, and full visibility and control from raw materials through final delivery which allows them to stay focused on product, engineering, and customers instead of execution complexity.

 Over the past year, Wootzwork has executed highly complex, cross-border manufacturing programs for more than 22 global enterprises across 12 international trade lanes spanning North America, Europe, and APAC. These include the US, UK, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand. 

 The company has activated a network of more than 300 suppliers, executing over 30 million parts and assemblies across precision components, heavy and structural fabrication, industrial fasteners and hardware, custom industrial machines, process equipment and skids, and multi-part assemblies. Programs span industries including food processing, packaging, renewable energy, data centres, automotive engineering, material handling, warehousing, and industrial hardware. Across these programs, Wootzwork has maintained greater than 98 percent on-time delivery and quality compliance under stringent international quality frameworks.

 “Even as a relatively new partner, Wootzwork moved very quickly to support us across a broad range of work, including programs tied to demanding end customers,” said Felix Franke, managing director at Saxonia-Franke GmbH & Co. KG. “Their ability to ramp up fast while maintaining quality gave us confidence early on.”

 “Working with Wootzwork has been a seamless experience,” added Curtis Bishop, director of sales at AFC Industries. “The team stands out for its responsiveness and ability to stay flexible as our requirements evolve. Their quoting process is extremely thorough, and they remain highly adaptable to our needs. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Wootzwork in 2026 and beyond.”

 Under the hood, Wootzwork overlays its proprietary engineering, governance, and execution systems on top of existing factory infrastructure, enabling manufacturing partners to operate at global standards without being replaced or rebuilt. “Scale usually breaks quality because systems don’t scale with it,” explains Himanshu Uniyal, co-founder and COO of Wootzwork. “We built the system so quality scales with execution, not against it.”

 “Wootzwork represents the kind of founder-led global ambition in advanced manufacturing that we want to back from India,” said Sudipto Sannigrahi, Managing Partner and Investor at Z47. “Karan and Himanshu have built deep execution capability in a space where trust is earned over years, not quarters. We are happy to see the AI driven manufacturing engine that Wootzwork has built and the quality of global customers they are adding value to. We’re proud to support them with patient capital, conviction, and partnership as they build a globally relevant manufacturing company.” 

 The Series A will enable Wootzwork to expand its engineering footprint, deepen its manufacturing control capabilities, and take on larger, more mission-critical OEM programs. As global supply chains continue to rebalance, the company believes the next phase of industrial manufacturing will be defined less by geography and more by who owns execution.

Mumbai, Feb 25: From the classrooms of ITM Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) to the high-energy environment of a national television set, ITM IHM students recently experienced the thrill and challenges of live show production on the set of MasterChef India. MasterChef India is a competitive cooking reality TV series where amateur and home chefs compete for the coveted title, making it one of the country’s most popular culinary platforms.

The experience gave students direct insight into television production workflows, including scheduling, coordination across departments, and adherence to broadcast timelines. During the event, the students executed a coordinated on-stage movement by placing cloches on specific contestant tables at the center of the set while maintaining a perfectly timed walk-in sequence. Each member was assigned a particular contestant’s apron and walked in a line in the exact order, ensuring synchronized entry and precise placements.

Prior to going on set, students practiced their formation and timing, focusing on alignment, pace, and clean, coordinated movements. Their preparation translated seamlessly into performance, offering first-hand insight into the precision required in live production, where every action must be accurate and camera-ready. With the live streaming market projected to grow at 26.74% annually and reach $318 billion by 2031, mastering live production disciplines has never been more career-critical.The experience underscored a critical lesson: whether in a bustling kitchen or on a live show floor, teamwork, discipline, and timing are essential for success.

The participating students from FY BBA-IHTM and SY BBA-IHTM included Shaun Mascarenhas, Fahyan Hussian, Madhusudan Mahendran, Astan Correa, Giriraj Bale, Ranveer Shinde, and Mohammad Kaif. They demonstrated exceptional professionalism and adaptability while navigating the fast-paced demands of show production.

Dr. Purva Tawade, Director & Dean of ITM IMH said, “Seeing our students bring the same discipline and professionalism from the classroom to a national stage like MasterChef India is truly inspiring. Experiences like these prepare them to excel in the fast-paced world of hospitality and beyond.”

This experience reflects ITM IHM’s commitment to bridging academic learning with real-world exposure, preparing students to excel in dynamic hospitality and event environments.

Feb 25: NDTV has announced the appointment of Naveen Kapoor as Editor, NDTV World, strengthening the network’s global editorial leadership as it expands its international news footprint.

A senior newsroom leader with over 25 years of experience, Naveen Kapoor has been part of the core leadership teams behind some of India’s most influential news organisations, including Times Now, WION, and Press Trust of India (PTI). Over the course of his career, he has played a pivotal role in building, scaling, and leading news platforms that are today leaders in their respective segments. 

Commenting on the appointment, Rahul Kanwal, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, said, ‘Naveen’s experience in building global newsrooms and leading complex editorial operations makes him a strong addition to NDTV World as we deepen our international focus. His leadership and editorial depth align strongly with our journalism‑first approach.’

Before joining NDTV, Naveen was the Founding Editor of PTI’s Video Services, where he built a modern television and digital news agency from the ground up. His responsibilities included setting up editorial frameworks, domestic and international bureaus, newsroom systems, and content delivery mechanisms aligned with international standards. Earlier, as Head of Newsroom at WION, India’s first global news channel, he was instrumental in transforming the channel into a credible international news brand with an expanded global footprint and robust coverage of major geopolitical and world events. Naveen has also served as Senior Vice President and Chief of News Operations at Times Now, where he was part of the core team that shaped the channel’s editorial and operational foundations and supported its rise as a leading news network.

Across roles, Naveen has led coverage of several defining national and international stories, built high‑performing newsroom teams, and driven journalism that balances credibility, speed, and a strong global perspective.

He holds a B.A in English from Delhi University and a Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and has completed the Reuters Foundation Course in TV Journalism. He has also undergone TV Broadcast Journalism training in the United States under the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). 

In his new role, Naveen Kapoor will lead the editorial direction of NDTV World, with a focus on strengthening its global outlook, editorial depth, and commitment to credible, independent journalism.

Texas-based firm reflects on nearly two decades of helping authors find visibility in a fast-changing media market

HOUSTON, Texas, Feb. 25 — From the rise of self-publishing to growing concerns over AI-driven scams, authors today face a complex path to visibility. Ascot Media Group, now celebrating 18 years in operation, continues to work with writers across genres to help their stories reach journalists, producers and readers in an increasingly crowded media environment.

“For nearly two decades, our mission has been to help authors share their voices with the world,” said Trish Stevens, founder of Ascot Media Group. “Every story has the power to touch someone’s life. We just make sure it reaches the people who need to hear it.”

The Story Behind the Stories

Founded 18 years ago in Friendswood, Texas, Ascot Media Group has become a trusted bridge between authors and the media. From debut writers to NY Times bestselling authors and public figures, politicians, judges and celebrities, the company has helped clients across every genre find their audiences — and, in some cases, even movie deals.

“Every day, our inbox fills with fascinating people and powerful stories waiting to be told,” Stevens said. “Whatever the topic, whatever the genre, chances are we’ve worked with an author who has brought one of those stories to life.”

A Reputation Built on Access and Approachability

Behind Ascot’s success is Stevens’ belief that every author deserves a fair shot at being heard — not just those with big budgets or big names. Known for her compassion toward “struggling authors,” she offers a range of affordable publicity plans designed to meet writers where they are.

“I never want cost to be the barrier between an author and their readers,” Stevens said. “Some of our most inspiring clients started with nothing more than a manuscript and a dream of making it big.”

That approach has earned Ascot both loyalty and respect. Many authors return with every new book, and other PR firms even turn to Ascot behind the scenes to execute their campaigns — a testament to the firm’s results and professionalism.

Expanding Services for a Changing Market

In 2026, Ascot Media Group plans to expand its services to include additional support across the publishing process, such as editorial assistance, back-cover copy development, publishing guidance and audiobook production. The expansion reflects broader industry shifts as authors increasingly seek integrated support beyond traditional publicity.

Transparency in an AI Era

As AI-driven scams flood the publishing world, it’s become more important than ever for authors to do their due diligence when it comes to doing business with agents, publishers and marketing firms. Ascot Media Group stands apart because it operates with full transparency, credible testimonials (www.ascotmedia.com/testimonials) and a long track record of real results.

A Partner to the Media

With countless media relationships built over the years, Ascot remains a go-to resource for journalists and producers worldwide in search of credible guests and compelling story ideas.

“If you need stories, we have them — all of them,” Stevens said. “Because stories are what connect us, and helping share them is what drives us.”