Archives March 2025

Celebrated artist Tarun Khanna joins the stellar cast of Sony SAB’s much-anticipated devotional epic Veer Hanuman , as he steps into the revered role of Lord Shiva for the 11th time. Premiering on 11 th March at 7.30 pm, the mythological saga brings to life the remarkable story of Lord Hanuman, and his journey from a young boy to the revelation of his powers. With its compelling storyline and dynamic characters, this show promises to enthrall and inspire audiences, taking them on a transformative spiritual adventure.

Actor Tarun Khanna is no stranger to mythological roles, with his recent stint on Shrimad Ramayan where he also portrayed the character of Shiv ji, impressing audiences. His experience in the genre brings the ability to elevate every role he portrays, and his performance in Veer Hanuman promises to resonate with audiences as Lord Hanuman is believed to be a Shiv Ansh (incarnation of Lord Shiva).

On the occasion of Mahashivratri, Tarun Khanna shared, “Bringing Lord Shiva to life is always an honor, but “Veer Hanuman” is truly special. Exploring the profound connection between Shiva and Hanuman adds a whole new dimension, making this portrayal incredibly powerful and moving. I can’t wait for audiences to experience that divine energy and connect with it on a spiritual level.”

Renowned actor Tarun Khanna has joined the stellar cast of Sony SAB’s much-awaited spiritual saga ‘Veer Hanuman’. He will be playing the iconic role of Lord Shiva for the 11th time in the show. Airing from 11th March at 7:30 pm, the mythological serial will trace the amazing journey of Lord Hanuman’s life – from a child to the revelation of his divine powers. Packed with an intriguing storyline and strong characters, the show promises to take the viewers on a spiritual and inspirational journey.

Tarun Khanna is not new to mythological characters. Recently, he impressed the audience by playing the role of Lord Shiva in ‘Srimad Ramayan’. His deep understanding of this genre brings every character alive. His presence in ‘Veer Hanuman’ is very special, because Hanuman ji is considered to be Shiv Ansh (incarnation of Lord Shiva).

Tarun Khanna said on the occasion of Mahashivratri “It has always been an honour for me to bring Lord Shiva to life, but ‘Veer Hanuman’ is truly special for me. This show has given me the opportunity to explore and present the deep connection between Shiva and Hanuman, which makes it even more powerful and emotionally deep. I am confident that the audience will feel this divine energy and will be able to absorb it spiritually.”

Hyderabad, 3rd March 2025: A smile is more than just an expression—it’s a child’s first step toward confidence. Yet, thousands of children in India are born with cleft conditions that hinder their ability to eat, speak, and smile freely. Since 2016, Himalaya Wellness Company’s initiative, Muskaan, has been transforming lives by providing comprehensive cleft care and supporting free cleft lip surgeries across the country. Now, Muskaan takes a bold step forward with celebrated badminton champion PV Sindhu, who joins forces with Himalaya and Smile Train India to amplify awareness and ensure more children receive life-changing treatment.

Known for her commitment to social causes, Sindhu has been a strong advocate for empowering children and ensuring their overall well-being. Her association with Muskaan further strengthens the initiative’s reach, inspiring people to contribute to this noble cause. By lending her voice and platform, Sindhu aims to raise awareness not only about the need for cleft treatment but also about the broader health challenges faced by children with cleft conditions, such as difficulties in getting proper nutrition, speech, and overall development. Through this initiative, she hopes to ensure that every child receives the comprehensive care they need to lead a healthier and more confident life.

Speaking at the event held in ITC Kohenur, Hyderabad, Olympic medallist PV Sindhu expressed her support to the cause, emphasizing how confidence plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s future. “Confidence shapes a child’s future—it gives them the courage to chase their dreams and face the world without hesitation. Every child deserves that strength, and access to cleft care plays a vital role in ensuring they can grow up without limitations. I am truly honoured to support Himalaya’s Muskaan initiative, which is making a real difference by providing children with the treatment they need. By raising awareness, we can empower more children with the confidence to thrive. I encourage everyone to join us in spreading the word and making a difference.”

The event featured an engaging panel discussion with Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Director, Consumer Products Division, Himalaya Wellness Company, and Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President & Regional Director for Asia, Smile Train. They shed light on the importance of early cleft intervention and the growing impact of Muskaan over the years. Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has facilitated over 2,000 free cleft surgeries across 600+ districts in India.

Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Director, Consumer Products Division, Himalaya Wellness Company, said, “At Himalaya, we believe that wellness goes beyond products—it is about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. With PV Sindhu’s support, we aim to reach even more families to ensure that every child gets the opportunity to smile confidently. Our vision of ‘Wellness in every home, Happiness in every heart’ is deeply connected to this initiative, and we are grateful to be able to continue making a lasting impact.”

Emphasizing the need for timely treatment, Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President & Regional Director for Asia, Smile Train, added, “Timely cleft treatment not only restores a child’s smile but also ensures they can lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Awareness plays a critical role in bridging the gap between children in need and life-changing cleft care. With Himalaya’s continued commitment and PV Sindhu’s support, we hope to reach even more families and ensure that no child has to live with an untreated cleft.”

Through her role in Muskaan, PV Sindhu will help drive widespread awareness, encourage public participation, and reinforce the importance of timely cleft treatment. With her support, Himalaya and Smile Train India are optimistic about extending their outreach and inspiring more people to join this growing movement.

Thane, 03rd March 2025 – Korum Mall, a leader in sustainability-driven initiatives, successfully hosted an inspiring science awareness campaign in collaboration with Nalanda Public School on National Science Day. Eighty young visionaries from Grade 7 took the stage to deliver a thought-provoking performance on the urgency of climate action. With students from Grade 6, parents, and mall shoppers in attendance, the play served as a wake-up call for a sustainable future.

Bringing science to life, the event made learning interactive and engaging. Through live performances, students demonstrated how the Earth has evolved. They further stressed how human intervention has slowly degraded Earth and inspired young minds to be proactive in saving our planet. A street march led by students further emphasized sustainability and environmental conservation, perfectly aligning with Korum Mall’s commitment to these causes.

“The dedication of the students of Nalanda Public School was truly remarkable. Science is crucial in shaping a sustainable future, and this event ignited curiosity and awareness among children and adults alike,” — Mr. Deva Jyotula, Senior Vice President of Retail, KORUM MALL

Nalanda Public School also expressed appreciation for Korum Mall’s support. “We sincerely thank Korum Mall for being a valuable venue partner. Their commitment to sustainability and education provided an ideal platform for our students to showcase their creativity and spread awareness about climate action,” said [Mrs. Nandita Khanna], [Principal] of Nalanda Public School.

Mumbai, 3rd March 2025: POCO, one of India’s leading consumer technology brands, is all set to launch its latest smartphone, the POCO M7 5G, bringing The BIG Show to the segment. With a focus on powerful performance and seamless multitasking, the POCO M7 5G stands out as the only smartphone in its segment to feature 12GB RAM (6GB Turbo RAM) and the Snapdragon® 4 Gen 2 processor.

Designed to deliver an unmatched user experience, the POCO M7 5G delivers seamless multitasking, smooth performance, and unmatched efficiency, making it a game-changer in its category. The excitement is already building, with the first look of the device unveiled yesterday through an exclusive KV drop on POCO India’s social media.

POCO M7 5G ensures smooth performance, efficient multitasking, and power-packed efficiency. Building anticipation ahead of the launch, the first look of the device was unveiled yesterday through the KV drop on POCO India’s social media handles.

[March 3, 2025]: The Indian School of Business (ISB) today celebrated the graduation of 505 students across PGP MAX Co2024, PGP PRO Co2024, PGP MFAB Co2024 and AMPBA Co2023 (Winter) and AMPBA Co2024 (Summer) programmes at the school’s Hyderabad campus. The graduation day commenced with the ceremonial procession led by the Dean of ISB, Chief Guest Shri Mahesh Kolli, Founder and Group President, Greenko Group, and senior faculty members of ISB.

In his address, Shri Mahesh Kolli urged the graduates to embrace the transformative opportunities that lay ahead of them. He emphasised the importance of cultivating strong beliefs, identifying megatrends, and fostering sustainable partnerships as essential pillars for impactful careers and entrepreneurial success. Kolli underscored that sustainability is not merely an environmental necessity, but a powerful economic opportunity, capable of driving growth through innovation.

Drawing from Greenko’s journey, he explained how integrating nature’s value into business models can unlock affordability and accessibility without compromising on environmental goals. Kolli concluded by inspiring the graduating class to lead with curiosity, creativity, and purpose in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future.

Professor Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB, congratulated the graduating classes on their remarkable achievement of completing rigorous programmes, while balancing careers and personal commitments. The Dean also urged graduates to reflect on the knowledge and skills gained at ISB and use them not only for professional success, but also to create meaningful impact in their industries and communities. He encouraged the graduates to lead with kindness, address global challenges, and support those less fortunate. He also emphasised the need to be lifelong learners to stay relevant and achieve great success. He reaffirmed ISB’s pride in their accomplishments, pledging the school’s continued support as they move forward in their journeys.

Students from the Post Graduate Programme in Management for Working Professionals (PGP PRO Class of 2024-Hyderabad; Delhi; Mumbai and Bengaluru cohorts: 221; Post Graduate Programme in Management for Senior Executives (PGP MAX Class of 2024): 62; Post Graduate Programme in Management for Family Business (PGP MFAB Class of 2024): 59 and Advanced Management Programme in Business Analytics (AMPBA) Class of 2023 (Winter): 71 and Class of 2024 (Summer): 92 graduated today from ISB.

ISB celebrated academic and leadership achievements, wherein Scholar of Excellence awards were presented to outstanding students from each programme. The graduation ceremony also honoured faculty members and academic associates for their important role in the students’ learning journeys. The ceremony ended with graduates tossing their hats in celebration, joined by their jubilant families and friends.

Master Residential Real Estate, authored by Ashwinder R. Singh, has been featured on Shark Tank, marking a rare achievement for a real estate book. The publisher presented it as one of their most successful titles, solidifying its reputation as a go-to resource for real estate professionals, students, developers, and channel partners.

Since its release, the book has been a No. 1 Amazon Bestseller, widely recognized for its insights into residential real estate. Its feature on Shark Tank further underscores its industry impact and credibility.

A Definitive Guide to Real Estate Mastery

Ashwinder R. Singh has authored three books—A to Z of Residential Real Estate, Master Residential Real Estate, and Master Commercial Real Estate. Together, they form a comprehensive trilogy that provides real estate professionals with a structured understanding of the sector.

“When I wrote my first book, I had no idea it would turn into a trilogy or reach this level of recognition,” said Singh. “I wrote it to bring practical, experience-driven insights to the industry. Seeing it featured on Shark Tank is a milestone I never expected.”

Why This Book Stands Out

Unlike traditional real estate books, Master Residential Real Estate is built on real-world applications. It offers actionable strategies, case studies, and insights designed to help professionals navigate a complex and evolving market.

Its consistent No. 1 ranking on Amazon speaks to its relevance and the value it provides to readers. The Shark Tank feature further reinforces its status as a must-read for those serious about real estate.

A Rare Achievement in Publishing

Business and leadership books often gain mainstream attention, but a real estate book making it to Shark Tank is nearly unheard of. The combination of its bestselling status and recognition on a platform known for highlighting game-changing ideas sets Master Residential Real Estate apart.

Guwahati,3 March 2025: The Great Kabab Factory at Radisson Blu Guwahati is set to transport food lovers to an era of royal indulgence with the Mughal Darbar Food Feast, an extraordinary culinary experience celebrating the opulence of Mughlai cuisine.

From 28th February to 16th March, guests can savour an exclusive menu curated by the acclaimed Chef Vakil Ahmad Qureshi, who is specially coming for this grand feast to showcase his mastery of authentic Mughlai flavours.

The Mughal Darbar Food Feast promises an unparalleled dining experience featuring succulent kebabs, fragrant biryanis, rich gravies, and decadent desserts. The menu will highlight time-honored dishes such as Galouti Kebab, Murgh Chaap, Nalli Nihari, Dum Pukht Biryani, and Shahi Tukda, all prepared with traditional cooking techniques and royal spices to bring out the true essence of Mughlai cuisine.

Speaking about the festival, Dinesh Kapri, Vice President- Operations, shared, “Mughlai cuisine is a blend of rich heritage, bold flavors, and intricate cooking methods. At this food festival, we aim to recreate the regal dining experience of the Mughal courts, offering guests a feast that celebrates tradition and indulgence.”

Ankur Mehrotra, General Manager at Radisson Blu Guwahati, said, “The Mughal Darbar Food Feast is a tribute to the opulent flavours of Mughlai cuisine. Our chefs have crafted a menu that revives the essence of royal feasts, blending rich spices, slow-cooked meats, and aromatic gravies for an unparalleled dining experience.”

Speaking on Radisson Blu Guwahati’s tradition of hosting diverse food festivals, Chef Karthikeyan, Executive Chef at Radisson Blu Guwahati, said, “We want to bring authentic food from across the world for our guests. We are happy that Radisson Blu Guwahati is a one-stop destination for authentic flavours and unique culinary experiences. With every festival, we strive to introduce our guests to the finest cuisines, curated by expert chefs who are passionate about preserving tradition while innovating for modern palates.”

Radisson Blu Guwahati continues to set new standards in luxury dining, and this festival is yet another testament to its commitment to bringing unique gastronomic experiences to the city.

A Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) report on the global distribution of STEM graduates reveals that 34% of all graduates in India come from STEM disciplines. Additionally, industry insights indicate that India’s annual STEM graduate output is sufficient to meet the IT-related workforce demands of Europe and the USA, including specialized roles. This highlights the important role of STEM in promoting employment and accelerating economic growth. Covering engineering, technology, and scientific research opportunities, the STEM domain includes roles such as software developer, computer network architect, environmental engineer, and biochemist with the most sought-after positions being software developers (24%), data analysts (18%), and AI/ML specialists (15%).

Each year, more than 1.5 million students take the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), competing for roughly 16,000 seats at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Likewise, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) sees over 1.8 million aspirants vying for around 90,000 MBBS seats. This fierce competition reflects the high societal and economic value placed on STEM careers, driven by lucrative salary prospects and the perception of greater job stability in these fields. Industry reports also indicate that 70% of the highest-paying jobs worldwide demand highly skilled STEM graduates. Salaries for these roles typically range from 4-8 lakhs for freshers, 6-11 lakhs for mid-level managers, and 12-30 lakhs for senior professionals. The gender distribution in these positions reflects a male-to-female ratio of 4:1.

This indicates stark gender disparity in the STEM field. For instance, between 2013-14 and 2021-22, female enrollment in undergraduate programs rose by 46% and by 55.5% in postgraduate courses. However, enrollment in engineering degrees declined by 1.35% at the undergraduate level and a sharp 43% at the postgraduate level, according to government data. Globally, women accounted for only 29% of the STEM workforce across 146 nations assessed in the Global Gender Gap Report (2023), despite making up 49% of the workforce in non-STEM fields. Additionally, women in STEM earn 15-30% less than men—a gap attributed not to skill differences but to men’s higher confidence in negotiating salaries, as highlighted by a Stanford University study. However, with increasing efforts toward pay transparency, diversity initiatives, and policy interventions, this gap is expected to narrow in the coming years, leading to a more equitable pay structure and higher female representation in STEM.

With tech companies expanding their hiring focus to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, STEM opportunities are growing in locations such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. In the coming years, STEM hiring from these regions is expected to rise by 15-20% by 2027. Additionally, India’s overall STEM sector is projected to see a 40-45% increase by 2027, driven by rising demand for skilled professionals across industries.

Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services commented ‘The growing emphasis on STEM education and workforce development is a testament to India’s commitment to innovation and economic progress. This is also reflected in the Union Budget announcement focusing on transforming India’s education landscape with initiatives like 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, high-speed internet for rural schools, AI integration, and skill development. The tinkering labs will help in research in the STEM field where students can practice new ideas and approaches. Additionally, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘One Day as a Scientist’ initiative, for National Science Day 2025, encourages young minds to engage with research institutions, fostering hands-on scientific exploration.’

Hyderabad, February 2025: The prestigious two-day Women’s International Summit on Entrepreneurship (WISE) & B2B Expo 2025, being hosted by The Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE), was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Shri Jishnu Dev Verma, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana; today at the Engineering Staff College in Gachibowli, Hyderabad, India. Guests of Honor Smt. Konda Surekha, Minister for Environment and Forests, Govt of Telangana; Smt. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises; Eminent Guests Smt Meghana Rao, Founder, Meru International Schools; Smt Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group; Shri C. Shekar Reddy, National Vice Chairman – CII, Indian Green Building Council; Smt Saroj Bajaj, President, Mahila Dakshata Samithi; International Speakers Mr Anurag Singh, COO, UFG LAB, UAE; Mr Nicolas Cary, President and Co-Founder, Blockchain.com, UK; Mr Gareth Wynn Owen, British Deputy High Commissioner, UK Consulate; Mr Ovais Sarmad, Former Deputy Executive Secretary, UNCC, Spain; Ms Rubylyn Hernandez, Aartees Education Foundation Inc, Philippines; graced the occasion. Ms. Lalitha Aluri, National President, COWE India; Ms. Uma Gurkha, Founder Director, COWE India; Ms. Nidhi Toshniwal, National Vice President, COWE India; Ms. Madhu Tyagi, Past National President, COWE India; Ms. Neeraja Reddy, National Secretary-1, Ms. Jyotsna Cheruvu, National Secretary-2, COWE India; Ms. Darsi Aparna, National Treasurer; Ms. Meetu Puri, National Jt. Secretary-1; and were present on the occasion.

WISE is a transformative event empowering women entrepreneurs by providing a platform for networking, learning, and collaboration. This premier event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, global trade representatives, and women entrepreneurs. During the two days It has eight panel discussions on topics like e-vehicles, emerging technologies, rural to global. Women entrepreneurs will showcase their products and services at a B2B Expo. Over 40 buyers including PSUs, Software and other major companies and 70 sellers are participating in a unique buyer seller meet. Over 108 women entrepreneurs from across the country will be recognised their individual fields are being honoured for contributions to COWE and felicitated with Shakti Awards for their outstanding contribution at the valedictory on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jishnu Dev Verma said, this event truly embodies the spirit of innovation, sustainability, and cross border collaboration. Today as we discuss empowering women entrepreneurs through technology, the future of business is digital, inclusive, and globally connected. We should go beyond participation, equity axis and expansion. Technology is the key enabler to bridge gender gaps, open new markets and make businesses scalable. The rural women have woken up, they are family makers and society makers. Women are half the population and we can’t talk about vikasit Bharat with out vikasit women. We need to empower women through education, entrepreneurship.

Smt. Konda Surekha said, our Government is committed to create an inclusive, empowering eco-system where women entrepreneurs thrive and lead the state’s economic growth. Today empowerment of women is not just a matter of social justice, it is a catalyst for economic development. Our government is focussed on transforming women into wealth creators through the Indira Mahila Shakti program, this flagship program will enable one lakh crore in bank linkages over five years, the vision is to create one lakh women crorepatis, interest free loans are provided for SHGs, establishment of Indira Mahila Shakti bazars, integration of SHG products with e-commerce. I commend COWE for its two decades of remarkable work in fostering women entrepreneurship across India. It has empowered women through training, mentorship, and entrepreneurship development programs. Their contribution in developing women specific industrial estates, skill training and grassroot mentorship has created transformative opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Smt. Mercy said, we at the ministry of MSME run a whole lot of schemes for women. If you would like to access some of these schemes, look up at the GIFT scheme, also at the zero effect and zero defect scheme. At the Central level we are working towards onboarding all MSMEs on ONDC and also, we want to encourage all our MSMEs to be on e-commerce platform. We are also aggressive on digitalisation.

Smt Sangita Reddy, digital knowledge is very important, and you can begin your journey on digital learning today by logging on to techequity.com, this platform was India’s gift to women of the world during G20. It is a completely free platform, it has over 500 courses in 120 languages, and over 3 lakh women already benefited from this platform.

The goal of WISE is to foster cross-sector collaborations, technological innovations, and sustainable business growth. The prestigious event, funded under the International Cooperation Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, is highlighting the critical role women entrepreneurs play in driving India’s economy. Women-led enterprises contribute significantly, representing 20% of MSMEs, employing over 23% of the workforce, and accounting for nearly 13.5 to 15% of the GDP.

Ms. Lalitha Aluri said, COWE has empowered over 2 lakh women entrepreneurs during the last two decades bridging gaps in the market access, finance and business development. Our initiatives including women specific industrial estates, Spoorthi and micro cluster development at district level in all the states continue to drive women led entrepreneurship. Our vision is to expand COWE across all states, reaching ten thousand registered members, support 20 plus micro clusters and establish women specific industrial zones in five states with corporate partnerships, incubator tie ups, and integration with key government schemes, we aim to strengthen women led businesses nationally. WISE 2025 is not just an event, it’s a movement.

Ms. Uma Gurkha said, our vision in starting COWE was to empower women through entrepreneurship. We worked to bring awareness, skilling, marketing support, networking, advocacy with the governments. We touched the lives of more than ten thousand women during this period.

Ms. Jyotsna Cheruvu said, the vision and objective of WISE 2025 is to focus on MSME sectors and MSME led women entrepreneurs at the micro level. We want to create a platform for learning and also to understand the various tools available across the globe, with several foreign speakers sharing their insights.

The theme of the event, “Innovation, Sustainability, and Cross-Border Collaboration”, underscores the significance of adopting cutting-edge practices, promoting eco-friendly initiatives, and cultivating international alliances to empower women entrepreneurs in a rapidly evolving business landscape, fostering their growth and success.

COWE is commemorating the 20 years of its glorious journey with the prestigious Women’s International Summit on Entrepreneurship. During these two decades it built its network pan India with 1800 life members in 12 Chapters with a footprint across Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, UP, Uttara Khand, West Bengal, Haryana. COWE empowers women to be successful entrepreneurs and will be spreading its network across the country.

IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India – March 1, 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaboratively develop a Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan for Bhubaneswar City, Odisha . This initiative marks a significant milestone in advancing stormwater management in a city, urban resilience, mitigating flood risks, and future-proofing urban infrastructure against climate change challenges.

The MoU between IIT Roorkee and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) was formally signed by Prof. Akshay Dvivedi , Dean SRIC , IIT Roorkee, and Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS , Commissioner, BMC . The project shall be led by Prof DS Arya, Professor (HAG) , Department of Hydrology, IIT Roorkee. This collaboration aims to develop an integrated drainage master plan and a detailed project report (DPR) to provide sustainable, data-driven solutions for Bhubaneswar’s inundation challenges, with a focus on future climate change impacts and population growth projections up to 2050.

The signing ceremony was attended by several esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra , Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Odisha , and Smt. Sulochana Das , Hon’ble Mayor of Bhubaneswar . Other notable attendees included Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, IAS , Vice-Chairman of Bhubaneswar Development Authority ; Dr. Kamla Lochan Mishra, IAS , Executive Director, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority ; Shri Biranchi Narayan Mahasupakar , Chairperson, Sanitation Standing Committee ; and Shri Bilash Kumar Behera , City Engineer ; Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant , Director of IIT Roorkee ; Prof. Sumit Sen , Head, Department of Hydrology, IIT Roorkee Prof. NK Navani , Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Roorkee, Prof DS Arya , Professor Department of Hydrology, IIT Roorkee . Their presence emphasized a shared commitment to sustainable urban development and technological innovation.

This partnership brings together on-ground expertise and advanced technology to address Bhubaneswar’s flood management challenges. The project will leverage cutting-edge technologies for data collection, such as Drone Mapping, Total Station (TS), and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) for precise mapping and data acquisition. Additionally, IIT Roorkee will conduct hydraulic and dynamic simulations to optimize the city’s stormwater infrastructure, ensuring efficient floodwater discharge through various canals, including the Gangua Nala, ultimately to the Daya River. Plans also include integrating SCADA systems for real-time monitoring of pumping stations, along with a sensor-based flood alarm system. The project will offer both immediate solutions for critical flooding issues and a scientifically backed long-term master plan to address future urbanization and climate-related challenges. Furthermore, the collaboration will incorporate a comprehensive socio-environmental impact analysis and develop drainage rehabilitation plans to ensure sustainable urban development that protects vulnerable communities.

Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant , Director of IIT Roorkee, commented, “This collaboration exemplifies IIT Roorkee’s dedication to addressing real-world challenges through research-driven solutions. We aim to help Bhubaneswar build an infrastructure that is not just resilient but also adaptive to the challenges posed by climate change.”

Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS , Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, added, “This MoU is a significant leap toward sustainable urban development for Bhubaneswar City. With IIT Roorkee’s scientific expertise, we are confident of developing an integrated drainage system that will protect our city from current and future flooding threats.”

This partnership between IIT Roorkee and BMC goes beyond infrastructure development—it aims to make Bhubaneswar a model for climate-resilient urban planning in India. By blending IIT Roorkee’s scientific prowess with BMC’s local governance expertise, the initiative will serve as a national benchmark for urban flood management and sustainability, aligned with India’s Smart Cities Mission and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .