Archives February 2026

New Delhi: February 2026, the House of OLFA Originals, in collaboration with composer and cultural patron Dr. Sanjaanaa Jon, presented The Invisible Arts – an invitation-only evening in New Delhi where the scent of OLFA quietly shaped the atmosphere in dialogue with music and philanthropy. Conceived in the spirit of We Are the New World, the gathering explored fragrance and sound as parallel languages of memory, diplomacy, and unity.

The evening welcomed a distinguished audience drawn from the diplomatic world and the best of international society, including H.E. Issa Alshibani, Ambassador of Oman, and H.E. Fernando Bucheli, Ambassador of Ecuador, alongside Raghav Chandra, Rekha Bhatia, Prashant Jain, and Shashi Abraham. Attendance was intentionally intimate, favouring depth of engagement over scale.

The musical programme unfolded with restraint and classical resonance. Ustaad Kamal Sabri offered a resonant sarod recital, grounding the evening in tradition. Operatic interpretations by Sparsh Bajpai followed, complemented by a vocal performance from Nishi Singh, whose presence added a contemporary tonal layer. Selections aligned with Dr. Sanjaanaa Jon’s We Are the New World further reinforced the evening’s ethos of artistic diplomacy and global consciousness.

Throughout the programme, bespoke scent experiences by OLFA were revealed gradually, guiding the emotional architecture of the space and introducing guests to the house’s signature oud and floral expressions as living elements of the experience rather than display.

In quiet alignment with the evening’s values, support was extended to PACT, a New Delhi–based organisation dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of stray dogs — giving voice to the voiceless through sustained, compassionate action.

A Bantr production its emphasis on discretion, craftsmanship, and cultural dialogue, The Invisible Arts reaffirmed OLFA Original’s position at the intersection of scent, sound, and society — where atmosphere becomes memory, and memory becomes legacy.

New Delhi, Feb 17: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, today convened policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, reinforcing India’s commitment to responsible, scalable and globally competitive artificial intelligence.

As part of the Summit’s programme, the Impact AI PitchFest — supported by the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) — brought together AI founders and leading venture capital investors in a structured platform to accelerate scale-ready innovation.

The Impact AI PitchFest featured presentations by 31 AI-native startups building deployable solutions across enterprise and public-impact sectors.

In a significant announcement at the Summit, 16 IVCA member venture capital funds —  3One4 Capital, 888VC, Accel Ventures, Ankur Capital, Antler, Boundless Ventures, Capital A, Chiratae Ventures, Dallas VC, Inflection Point Ventures, Mount Growth Fund (Kavaach), PeakXV Partners, Piper Serica, Prosus, Seafund, SenseAI — collectively committed ₹500 crore to support high-potential AI startups emerging from and aligned with the platform. The coordinated participation signals strong investor conviction in India’s AI ecosystem and reinforces structured alternate capital backing for scalable innovation.

Setting the broader policy context and underscoring the government’s commitment to responsible and scalable AI deployment, Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and CEO, IndiaAI Mission, said, “India’s approach to artificial intelligence is anchored in real-world deployment, public value and inclusive scale. Through the India AI Impact Summit, we are bringing together innovators, investors and policymakers to ensure that AI solutions are not only cutting-edge, but also aligned with governance priorities and national development objectives. The Impact AI PitchFest reflects the growing maturity of India’s AI ecosystem. It is encouraging to see structured alternate capital participation supporting startups that are building deployable, scalable solutions. Such collaboration between government and industry will be central to strengthening India’s leadership in trusted and responsible AI.”

In a significant signal of long-term confidence in India’s AI ecosystem, a collective of IVCA’s venture capital members announced a ₹500 crore commitment to support high-potential AI startups aligned with the platform’s vision. The commitment is intended to deepen investor engagement with AI-led innovation, enable commercially viable deployment, and align alternate capital with India’s broader digital ambitions.

Reflecting on the depth of innovation and the importance of ecosystem alignment, Prashanth Prakash, Partner, Accel & Co-Chair, VC Council, IVCA, said, “What we saw at the PitchFest was genuinely exciting. The breadth of applications was striking. Teams tackling everything from recruitment and education to healthcare and defence, all with deployable AI solutions. But more than the sectors, it was the quality of founders that stood out. They’re technically deep and they understand their markets. That balance is what separates companies that will scale from those that won’t. It’s also encouraging to see government convene platforms like this. Bringing policy, investors and entrepreneurs into the same room creates the alignment the ecosystem needs to move faster. That’s why we’re committed to this. India can build world-class AI companies, and what we saw today reinforces that belief.”

Highlighting the scale opportunity for Indian AI founders, Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Peak XV & Surge and Co-Chair, VC Council, IVCA said, “Indian startups will innovate across the AI stack, from applications and tooling, to models and chips. India already has more consumer AI startups than the US and this trend will accelerate over the new several years. India’s AI leadership will come from building population-scale products that solve real needs for 900 million Indians, helping people find jobs, grow income, and build businesses. Platforms like this, where the government and ecosystem come together to support founders early, play an important role in accelerating that journey. The ambition and quality of founders we’re seeing is exceptional, and many of these companies will go on to build globally significant businesses from India.”

Speaking on behalf of the alternate capital ecosystem, Rajat Tandon, President, IVCA, emphasised the importance of institutional alignment between innovation and long-term funding and opined, “India’s AI ecosystem is entering a phase where innovation must be matched with patient capital and structured support. The ₹500 crore commitment by our VC members reflects a shared conviction in the quality and ambition of Indian AI founders. Platforms like the Impact AI PitchFest bring policy, capital and entrepreneurship onto a common platform — and that alignment is essential to building globally competitive AI enterprises from India.”

The India AI Impact Summit continues through the week at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together stakeholders across government, industry, academia and investment communities to shape the next chapter of India’s AI growth story. Within this larger national effort, the Impact AI PitchFest signals that India’s alternate capital ecosystem is prepared to play a proactive and aligned role in enabling responsible, scalable AI innovation.

Bengaluru, Feb 17: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru, in association with Free Spirits Motorcycling Club (FSMC), is set to host the Women Bikers’ Ride on 7th March 2026 — a powerful celebration of courage, independence, and women who challenge conventions. The ride forms part of the 3rd edition of the mall’s signature Women’s Day campaign, TheSheImpact, which champions women-led stories, businesses, and communities.

This high-energy initiative will bring together women riders from across the city, creating a striking visual of solidarity on wheels. The Women Bikers’ Ride honours women who not only embrace the thrill of motorcycling but also embody leadership, resilience, and the spirit of breaking stereotypes.

Following the ride, the celebration will continue at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru with an evening of inspiring storytelling by experienced women bikers, live music, and engaging performances. Interactive games and activity zones will further add to the festive atmosphere, fostering meaningful connections and a strong sense of community.

Through initiatives such as the Women Bikers’ Ride under TheSheImpact, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru continues to strengthen its position as a premier destination for inclusive, experience-led events that bring people together and celebrate diverse voices.

Event Details:

What: Women Bikers’ Ride (ThSheImpact 2026)

When: 7th March 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Where: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru

Registration: BookMyShow

Technip Energies India’s Managing Director Davendra Kumar has been conferred the Business Leader of the Year – Engineering Services award at the CHEMTECH Leadership & Excellence Awards 2026.

The award recognises his contributions to engineering and manufacturing spheres, as well as his leadership and role in setting global benchmarks.

Commenting on the recognition, Davendra Kumar said, “This award reflects the collective effort of our teams in India and the Technip Energies network. Over the years, our India team has built capabilities to deliver complex projects. We remain focused on safe, reliable and sustainable engineering solutions for our clients. We are equally proud of our contributions to India’s journey toward becoming a leading global energy hub, driven by innovation, sustainability, and collective progress”.

Technip Energies India has scaled up its operations and strengthened its role as a global player in LNG, Refining, Petrochemicals, Specialty Chemicals and Fertilizers. The company has also expanded its domain across Sustainable Solutions, including Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Carbon Capture and Sustainable Aviation Fuels.

The award was presented at a ceremony held in Mumbai, in the presence of distinguished leaders from India’s engineering and chemical industries.

Instituted in 1983, the CHEMTECH Leadership & Excellence Awards recognise visionary contributions across engineering, technology, research, and academia. The winners are selected through an evaluation process conducted by an independent jury of eminent industry leaders.

Hyderabad/New Delhi, Feb 17: Mahindra University today announced the official launch of its Centre for Language Learning and Development (CLLD). Designed as a hub for linguistic excellence and pedagogical innovation, the Centre aims to empower students, researchers, and educators with the communication tools necessary for success in a globalised world.

The launch was marked by a two-day workshop for teachers titled ‘Stories Worth Telling: An Experiential Workshop for Teachers’, reiterating the University’s commitment to holistic learning.

Speaking at the launch, Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, said, “Strong language skills are central to learning, research and leadership. This centre will support students and faculty in communicating ideas effectively across academic and professional settings. This initiative aligns with the University’s broader academic vision of nurturing thoughtful professionals who can engage with the world through ideas, dialogue and scholarship.”

Dr Medury further emphasised that strengthening language learning within higher education institutions is essential to preparing students for interdisciplinary collaboration and global engagement.

Tabitha Chekuri, Head, Centre for Language Learning and Development, Mahindra University, said, “The idea behind the Centre stems from a simple yet powerful belief that language learning lies at the heart of education, and that its true strength comes from those whonurture it in classrooms every day. Language is not merely a subject; it is the medium through which students think, question and engage with the world. By placing teacher development as one of the central pillars, the Centre affirms learning as an ongoing process of reflection, dialogue, and collaboration.”

In the coming months, the Centre will roll out a series of academic initiatives, including an academic writing workshop to support PhD scholars in research writing and publication processes, and a faculty development programme focused on strengthening assessment practices through effective rubric design and alignment with learning outcomes. The Centre also plans to introduce a Certificate of Proficiency course toward the end of the current semester, aimed at enhancing students’ language proficiency and communication skills to support both academic achievement and career readiness.

With the establishment of the Centre for Language Learning and Development, Mahindra University reinforces its commitment to fostering a culture of critical inquiry, effective communication, and continuous professional growth, as part of its broader educational initiatives.

Chennai, India, Feb 17: Color Pencil, India’s integrated early-learning and children’s content company, today announced the launch of India’s first kids’ experiential learning store at SKYHUB, located on GST Road, Kilambakkam, Chennai. The flagship store was formally inaugurated on February 15 by acclaimed actress Vani Bhojan, who graced the grand opening ceremony in the presence of distinguished guests and partners.

Designed as a first-of-its-kind destination for playful, hands-on learning, the Color Pencil Experiential Store brings together curated learning zones, interactive play, and immersive discovery experiences for children and families. The store marks a significant milestone in Color Pencil’s journey and coincides with the unveiling of the brand’s new identity, reflecting its evolution and future-focused vision.

This Chennai launch is the first of six experiential stores planned across key Indian cities over the next two years, underscoring Color Pencil’s commitment to redefining how children engage with learning beyond traditional classrooms and screens.

Speaking on the launch, P. Narayanan, Founder, Color Pencil, said: “From day one, Color Pencil has been driven by a simple but powerful idea – to make learning simple, joyful, and truly effective. Our experiential store is an extension of this philosophy into the physical world. It allows children to learn by doing, exploring, and discovering in a space designed just for them. Chennai is where this journey begins, and we are excited to take this model to multiple cities across India over the next two years.”

Meena Chhabbria, CEO, Color Pencil, added: “This store represents a new chapter for Color Pencil, not just in retail, but in how early learning is experienced. With our new brand identity, we are reinforcing our commitment to screen-smart, play-led, and research-backed learning. Our growing ecosystem of apps, games, books, and learning tools come together in this experiential format to create a truly holistic learning environment for children and parents alike.”

Expressing her association with the launch, Vani Bhojan, Actress said: “I am delighted to be part of Color Pencil’s journey and to inaugurate India’s first kids’ experiential learning store. Today’s children need learning experiences that are engaging, joyful, and meaningful. Color Pencil’s approach of combining play, visual learning, and real-world interaction is a wonderful way to nurture curiosity and build strong foundations in young minds.”

Founded in 2022, Color Pencil has rapidly emerged as a leading name in early-learning and children’s content. Guided by its philosophy of “How Simple!”, the company breaks down complex ideas into clear, playful, and instantly understandable concepts through visual learning, interactive play, and curriculum-aligned content.

In collaboration with IIT Madras, Color Pencil develops cutting-edge learning tools that blend time-tested pedagogy with modern technology. Its growing ecosystem includes Play Pixo, an engaging learning app, Play TVO games, Vedic Maths books, and Flash Cards – carefully crafted tools that children love – designed to deliver meaningful, play-led, and highly effective learning experiences.

The SKYHUB experiential store is designed as a vibrant, community-centric destination where families and children can immerse themselves in the complete Color Pencil ecosystem. Visitors can explore hands-on products, interact with beloved characters, and participate in shared learning experiences. The space brings together children, parents, and educators to connect, discover, and experience learning together.

New Delhi, Feb 17: Former President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind will attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Shri Ram Chandra Mission Ashram being held at Shahjahanpur tomorrow. The expansive celebrations marking fifty years of the ashram is being regarded by organisers and followers as a ‘Mahakumbh’ of all faiths being hosted between February 12 to March 2. The twenty-day spiritual congregation will be marked by group meditation, reflection, and service. The group meditation will be led by Revered Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission.

Speaking on the significance of the golden jubilee celebrations, Revered Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “The completion of fifty years of the Shahjahanpur ashram is symbolic of the continued spiritual work of our previous Masters. The Shahjahanpur ashram has been the epicentre sending out ripples of spirituality and drawing people from all over the world for collective evolution of consciousness. The place has been serving as a centre for contemplative life, meditation sessions and positive energy.”

Six segments of the golden jubilee celebrations are being observed – the first was held between 12-14 February, second between 16-18 February followed by 20-22 February, 24-26 February and 26-28 February and the final one between 28 February to 2 March. Thousands of devotees are expected to arrive from across India and from several countries abroad, underscoring the Mission’s steady global presence and its enduring appeal among practitioners of Raja Yoga. Arrangements of food and stay have been made for all participants. Volunteers have been positioned at airports in Lucknow and New Delhi, railway station of Lucknow and bus stations in Lucknow and Shahjahanpur.

The ashram inspires inner discipline, collective consciousness, and spiritual renewal. Established as a modern meditation centre and a global hub of the ‘Sahaj Marg’, the ashram has brought together people from all faiths across 164 countries through five decades. The ashram was dedicated by founder Ramchandra Maharaj on Basant Panchami of 1976 in the memory of his Guru Samarth Mahatma Shri Ramchndra ji Maharaj.

Kolkata, India, Feb 17th:  Eternal Limited and OpenAI today announced a strategic collaboration to advance AI capabilities across Eternal’s businesses: Zomato, Blinkit, District, Hyperpure, Zomato’s giveback initiative – Feeding India, as well as its AI-native venture – Nugget.

The collaboration will focus on AI deployments across Eternal’s apps, partner platforms and internal systems. Eternal will also work with OpenAI’s Enterprise API platform to explore new ways customers and partners interact with its platforms, deploy advanced AI tools within partner applications and integrate advanced coding models into its in-house AI orchestration platform.

Eternal is strengthening AI infrastructure across its consumer and enterprise platforms, building AI as foundational infrastructure across its commerce ecosystem. Through this collaboration, the company intends to deploy OpenAI models across select use cases, including AI-assisted workflows for merchants and delivery partners, contextual AI assistants embedded within partner portals, and experimentation around next-generation search and discovery interfaces. These efforts are aimed at making AI useful in everyday decisions and workflows, while maintaining the reliability and speed its platforms require.

The collaboration also extends to Nugget, Eternal’s AI-native venture, where OpenAI’s models will be leveraged across select use cases to accelerate product development and iteration.

Internally, Eternal is also considering integrating OpenAI’s latest coding models, including GPT-5.3-Codex, within Stitch, its in-house automation and developer orchestration platform. Stitch powers end-to-end automation across engineering and non-engineering functions. Eternal expects this integration to strengthen Stitch’s ability to support teams in shipping faster, automating complex workflows and reducing manual overhead across functions.

Eternal and OpenAI will also explore a collaboration on a structured Partner Upskilling Program aimed at driving AI adoption across Eternal’s restaurant and delivery partner ecosystem. The program will focus on deploying advanced AI tools and assistants within partner applications and portals to support operational efficiency, compliance and business decision-making.

“From high leverage areas like software development to real on ground implications of influencing operations, we are learning about the evolving implementations of newer and developing tools in the AI landscape. We are happy that this collaboration with OpenAI will open up even more surface area for us to learn and innovate”, said Albinder Dhindsa, Group CEO, Eternal. 

“Eternal operates at a meaningful scale across consumer and partner platforms,” said Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International, OpenAI. “We are excited to support their teams in applying AI advancements to real-world systems, from AI-native ventures to partner-facing initiatives”. 

Eternal Limited:

Founded in 2008, Eternal is India’s largest new-age tech organization by market capitalization and the first tech company to join the prestigious BSE Sensex 30-share index. Driven by its mission of powering India’s changing lifestyles, Eternal’s line of businesses are spread across diverse verticals, including food delivery (Zomato), quick commerce (Blinkit), going-out offerings (District), and B2B supplies (Hyperpure).

Built in India for India, Eternal generates millions of direct and indirect earning opportunities, fueling growth and innovation across the nation.

Bengaluru, Feb 17th: The ASME Engineering Education Seminar & Workshop on Drone Technology was held at REVA University as part of the Mechanical Engineering Education Summit (MEEd), focusing on bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry-led drone applications. Hosted in Bengaluru, a growing hub for aerospace, manufacturing, and deep-tech innovation, the seminar examined how engineering education must evolve to align with real-world deployment, regulatory requirements, and business-driven use cases in the drone ecosystem.

Organised by ASME Foundation India, the seminar emphasized  drone technology as an integrated, multidisciplinary system rather than a standalone technical skill. While access to basic drone assembly has become increasingly widespread, the seminar highlighted the growing demand for professionals who can combine mechanical design, electrical systems, digital intelligence, and business understanding to develop scalable, application-ready drone solutions. Through expert interactions and practical sessions, the programme highlighted the need for engineers to develop a broad, hands-on understanding of technology to build careers in drone manufacturing, testing, operations, and field deployment across sectors such as defence, agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure.

Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Madhukar Sharma, president and director of ASME India Private Limited, described the necessity of platforms such as MEEd and IMECE in keeping engineering education up to date with the realities of current engineering practice. “ASME is a not-for-profit, member-driven global engineering society committed to advancing industry-relevant learning and responsible innovation,” Sharma said. “Initiatives such as MEEd and global platforms including IMECE bring together academia, industry, and emerging technologies to shape future-ready engineers. India hosting IMECE outside the U.S. for the first time last year reflects the country’s growing contribution to the global engineering ecosystem. We look forward to the next edition of ASME IMECE India scheduled in Chennai this September.”

Setting the context of the Foundation’s work in relation to the seminar, Ms. Avni Malhotra, deputy director of  ASME Foundation India, highlighted the importance of application led engineering education. “At the ASME Foundation India, we focus on ensuring that engineering education translates into real-world impact—especially in contexts where access and opportunity are limited,” said Malhotra. “Through initiatives like MEEd, we work to connect students and educators with industry realities, social challenges, and innovation pathways, so that technology is developed not in isolation, but with purpose and relevance.”

Emphasising the role of industry exposure in preparing students for a rapidly changing job market, Dr. KS Narayana Swamy, pro vice chancellor, REVA University, noted that seminars and workshops such as the ASME MEEd programme help students remain relevant amid technological disruption. “Engineering careers today demand far more than academic credentials,” Swamy said. “Students must build problem-solving ability, communication skills, and adaptability, while engaging closely with industry to understand evolving expectations and future career pathways.”

The seminar brought together professionals working closely with India’s growing drone and aerospace landscape. Industry leaders such as Mr. Abhishek Burman, co-founder and CEO, General Aeronautics Pvt Ltd; Mr. Zain Saeed, co-founder and COO, Enord; Dr. Ananda CM, program director for Civil Aircrafts and head of the Aerospace Electronics Division, NAL; and Dr. Subrata Nayak, R&D technical lead, ideaForge Technology Inc., shared insights drawn from real industry experience. During the sessions, speakers broke down how drones move from concept to real-world use, covering design decisions, manufacturing processes, certification requirements, deployment challenges, and the regulatory landscape. The discussions also highlighted the blend of technical expertise and cross-functional skills needed to build sustainable careers in UAV-related fields.

Academic insights were shared by Dr. M. Sivapragasam, professor, M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, and Dr. Manjunath S V, associate professor and head of the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at Mangalore Institute of Technology and Engineering. They spoke about the need to better align academic curricula with industry expectations and to strengthen hands-on, experiential learning within engineering programmes.

The seminar also featured a hands-on workshop on Drone Technology in Mechanical Engineering Using ANSYS Simulation, conducted by Mr. Gokul Raj M, technical account manager at Infinipoint Technologies Pvt Ltd, and powered by ANSYS, part of Synopsys. The workshop gave participants a practical look at how simulation tools and AI-enabled UAV workflows are used in real engineering environments, from design validation to testing and operational planning. Two other workshops were also organised: Enabling Next-Generation Autonomous System Workflows: From Design to Deployment by MathWorks, led by Ms. Richa Singh, application engineer, MathWorks; and Physics-Informed Machine Learning for Drones/UAV by ASME Cyber Physical Systems India, conducted by Mr. Anand Nagarajan of Airbus and Mr. Unnat Mankad  of Baker Hughes.

Beyond the technical sessions, the seminar created space for open conversations between faculty members, students, and industry professionals on curriculum relevance, evolving skill expectations, and on-the-ground industry realities. Participants also used the platform to network with practitioners and technology experts, underlining the value of industry-connected learning pathways in drone technology and related engineering fields.

Over the past two years, the MEEd Summits in India have played a key role in bridging the gap between industry and academia, with support from the MEEd India Steering Committee,comprising industry leaders, vice chancellors, and leading researchers. The seminar was supported by technology and industry partners, including ANSYS (part of Synopsys), Infinipoint Technologies, and MathWorks, strengthening the programme’s focus on applied learning, AI driven engineering workflows, and career-oriented skill development.