Archives February 2026

Guwahati, Feb 16th: In a grand showcase of confidence, charisma, and contemporary masculinity, Karnajit Ningthoujam from Manipur, Talikaba Longkumer from Nagaland, and Papu Medhi from Assam were crowned winners of the 15th Gatsby Mega Mister North East 2026 at a high-energy Grand Finale held in Guwahati. Upholding the pageant’s distinctive format, the three winners will share equal honours and responsibilities as titleholders.

The 15th edition followed an extensive audition process conducted across eight Northeastern states, both on-ground and online, drawing participation from hundreds of aspiring contestants. After multiple screening rounds, the shortlisted finalists underwent an intensive grooming and mentoring programme in Guwahati before competing in the Grand Finale, where they were evaluated on personality, fitness, intelligence, stage presence, and overall confidence.

Conceptualised by fashion entrepreneur Abhijeet Singha, the pageant is produced by Mega Entertainment and marketed by Mega Activation, continuing its established vision of identifying and grooming male talent from the Northeast and “Taking India to the World Stage.”

Congratulating the winners, Abhijeet Singha said, “Fifteen years of Gatsby Mega Mister North East reflects the evolution of male pageantry in the region. What began as a regional platform has grown into a credible gateway to national and international arenas. Karnajit, Talikaba, and Papu embody discipline, character, and global ambition. I am confident that they will carry forward the legacy of representing the Northeast with pride on larger platforms.”

The newly crowned winners will now embark on a transformative journey that includes professional representation, advanced grooming, brand engagements, structured mentorship, and opportunities for national and international exposure. The platform has consistently enabled its titleholders to compete at global pageants and modelling platforms, reinforcing its reputation as one of the region’s most influential male talent incubators.

The 15th edition was presented by Title Sponsor GATSBY, with support from Furniture Partner Nilkamal, Beverage Partner Coca-Cola, and Fashion Partner Trends, under the Incredible India banner.

Congratulating the new winners, a spokesperson from Gatsby said, “Mega Mister North East represents a distinct cultural confidence that is both authentic and progressive. At GATSBY, we believe grooming is not about conformity, but about enabling self-expression that feels natural and instinctive. The North East has consistently influenced national conversations around style and individuality, and this partnership reflects a shared sensibility — movement, presence, and personality that are lived rather than performed. Through this association, we celebrate a generation that owns its space with quiet assurance and contemporary rhythm.”

Special recognitions were also presented during the evening, with Karnajit Ningthoujam being awarded the Coca-Cola Refreshing Personality title for his vibrant presence and confident appeal. Alex Lalhruaitluanga was honoured as Nilkamal Mister Popular, reflecting strong audience support, while Talikaba Longkumer received the GATSBY Style Icon award for his distinctive sense of style and contemporary flair.

The Grand Finale brought together fashion, performance, and celebration of regional identity, further consolidating Guwahati’s position as a key hub for fashion and pageantry in the Northeast. Over the years, winners from Gatsby Mega Mister North East have gone on to represent India at prestigious international competitions, strengthening the pageant’s credibility and global footprint.

With the crowning of Karnajit Ningthoujam, Talikaba Longkumer, and Papu Medhi, the 15th edition of Gatsby Mega Mister North East marks another milestone in a journey that continues to shape internationally competitive talent from the region.

Guwahati, Assam, Feb 16: As a lead up to the AI Impact Summit 2026, Yotta Data Services today announced the successful construction, commissioning, and operationalisation of the National Data Center – North East Region (NDC NER), inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in the presence of the Honourable Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. The facility marks a major milestone in India’s journey toward digital, data, and AI sovereignty, while significantly strengthening the nation’s core digital infrastructure in the North-Eastern region.

Executed by Yotta as a green field facility from grounds up, on behalf of National Informatics Centre, Govt of India, the Tier III IGBC Gold-rated NDC NER is the largest data center commissioned in Assam to date and among the most advanced government datacenters in Eastern India. Built to operate in Seismic Zone V, the facility was executed under highly challenging geotechnical conditions, including high groundwater levels and weak soil strata. To ensure structural stability and long-term resilience, the foundation design required the installation of deep load-bearing piles, creating a robust substructure capable of supporting critical data centre infrastructure. The facility adheres to the highest standards of structural safety, fire-rated external facades, and resilient design, ensuring uninterrupted operations for mission-critical government workloads.

The state-of-the-art G+5 facility spans a 4,000 sq. m. campus and currently supports 200 racks with a 2 MW IT load, with built-in scalability to double capacity in the next phase. The data center has been engineered for a total power design capacity of 8 MW, making it the largest datacenter in the  North-East region, ensuring long-term readiness for growing cloud, AI, and digital governance requirements across the North-Eastern states.

Built for Sovereign, Secure, and Scalable Digital Governance

NDC NER has been purpose-built to provide a secure, high-availability, and sovereign environment for storing, processing, and managing sensitive government data. It will serve as a foundational pillar for e-Governance platforms, citizen-facing digital services, and inter-departmental systems across the North-East, enabling faster service delivery, improved data localization, and higher operational resilience

The facility incorporates multi-layered redundancy across power, cooling, network, and security systems, including DG-backed power infrastructure, redundant UPS and battery systems, advanced Building Management Management System (BMS), dedicated Network Operations Centre (NOC) and  and a dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC). Sustainability is a core design principle, with 104 kW rooftop solar capacity, energy-efficient cooling systems, water treatment infrastructure, and green building practices aligned to national sustainability goals.

Commenting on the milestone, Sunil Gupta, Co-Founder, CEO & Managing Director, Yotta Data Services, said: “Digital sovereignty is no longer optional – it is foundational to India’s economic, strategic, and technological future. The National Data Center for the North-East is not just a facility; it is a sovereign digital backbone that ensures government data, citizen services, and future AI workloads are hosted securely, reliably, and within India’s borders. At Yotta, we are proud to partner with the Government of India and NIC in building infrastructure that is resilient, future-ready, and truly made for India.”

Enabling the Next Phase of India’s AI-Ready Infrastructure

With its scalable architecture and high-availability design, NDC NER is positioned to support next-generation workloads, including data-intensive analytics, AI-driven governance platforms, and regional digital innovation initiatives. The facility reinforces Yotta’s commitment to building world-class, sovereign digital infrastructure that supports India’s vision of becoming a global digital and AI powerhouse—while ensuring that critical data remains secure, localized, and under national control.

Currently, Yotta Data Services operates some of India’s largest hyperscale and edge data center campuses across key digital hubs, including Navi Mumbai, Greater Noida, Gujarat, and emerging strategic regions. Together, these facilities form a nationwide, sovereign digital infrastructure footprint designed to support government, enterprise, cloud, and AI workloads at scale—ensuring high availability, data localization, and regulatory compliance within India’s borders.

Visakhapatnam, Feb 16:  Doctors at KIMS ICON Hospital, Visakhapatnam, have successfully treated a rare and complex kidney injury in a 17-year-old boy that came to light following a road traffic accident.

The patient, identified as Palle Ravichandra Kumar from the Anakapalli region, was brought to the hospital with complaints of abdominal pain after the accident. Detailed evaluation and advanced imaging revealed a Pelvi-Ureteric Junction (PUJ) avulsion — a complete disruption between the renal pelvis and the ureter.

Adding to the rarity of the case, the injury was found to have occurred in a duplex kidney, a congenital condition in which a single kidney has two separate urinary drainage systems. Such injuries caused by blunt trauma are extremely uncommon, and their occurrence in a duplex kidney is considered exceptionally rare, doctors said.

Explaining the case, Dr. Sandeep Maheshwar Reddy Kallam, Consultant Urologist, Laparoscopic Uro-Oncologist and Andrologist at KIMS ICON Hospital, said that no other abdominal organs were injured, making the diagnosis even more unusual.

Considering the complexity of the injury and the altered anatomy of the kidney, the medical team decided to perform immediate surgical intervention. Dr. Sandeep Maheshwar Reddy Kallam, along with Dr. Murali Krishna and Dr. Siva Sai Bharadwaj, carried out a delicate reconstructive surgery aimed at restoring urinary flow while preserving kidney function.

“The presence of a duplex kidney demanded extreme precision during the procedure,” the doctors noted.

The patient responded well to treatment, recovered steadily, and has since been discharged in stable condition. The doctors attributed the successful outcome to timely diagnosis, the use of advanced imaging techniques, and prompt surgical management.

Bodh Gaya, Feb 16: The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya inaugurated the International Research Conference on Mindfulness (IRCM) 2026, the third edition of its flagship biennial conference dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research on mindfulness. Held over two days in a hybrid format, the conference brought together academicians, researchers, practitioners, and students from across India and abroad, including participants from Japan, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

The conference witnessed a global response, receiving over 255 paper submissions, reflecting a more than threefold increase from its previous edition. The strong participation underscores the growing relevance of mindfulness-based research across management, social sciences, and allied disciplines.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya, in the presence of conference conveners Dr. Remya Lathabhavan and Dr. Teena Bharti. Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Jyoti Bachani, Saint Mary’s College of California, Dr. Vishal Gupta, IIM Ahmedabad, and Dr. Ramya Tarakad Venkateswaran, IIM Calcutta, delivered keynote addresses emphasising the integration of contemplative practices with modern research to enhance organisational effectiveness and societal well-being.

In her address, Dr. Vinita S. Sahay underscored the enduring value of contemplative traditions, noting that the “acid test of the greater good is the test of time,” and describing mindfulness as a time-tested philosophy that continues to guide meaningful ways of living and leading. Dr. Jyoti Bachani stated, “Wisdom is eternal, while AI is ephemeral,” and highlighted the importance of convening such dialogue in Bodh Gaya, the land historically associated with the origins of mindfulness.

Organised around 12 thematic tracks, the conference explored mindfulness in leadership, organisational behaviour, finance, education, decision-making, and sustainability. Scholars presented empirical and conceptual work that examined how reflective awareness can bridge research gaps and generate solution-oriented outcomes across disciplines.

 Pre-conference workshops featured applied learning sessions. Mr. Shishir Arya, an IIT, IIM alumnus-turned mindfulness coach, conducted experiential sessions linking professional effectiveness with mindful living. Dr. Surbhi Dayal, faculty at IIM Indore and an expert in Madhubani art, facilitated an interdisciplinary dialogue connecting mindfulness, artistic expression, and lifestyle transformation. These workshops encouraged participants to align theoretical frameworks with lived emotional and cognitive experiences.

 The conference concluded with addresses by Dr. Oleg Medvedev, University of Waikato, New Zealand, Dr. Prachi Thakur, JAGSoM, India & Sunway University, Malaysia, and Dr. Yanki Hartijasti, Universitas Indonesia, who highlighted emerging global research collaborations and the role of mindfulness in shaping resilient institutions and societies. The valedictory session included an expression of gratitude to contributors, participants, and the organising committee for fostering a vibrant platform for dialogue and discovery.

 As the world accelerates in complexity, IRCM 2026 reaffirmed the importance of reflection, clarity, and conscious engagement. Mindfulness remains a core value of IIM Bodh Gaya, and the institute is committed to embedding it across teaching, research, and leadership development to nurture responsible, self-aware, and socially conscious leaders.

New Delhi, Feb 14th:  BioAsia, Asia’s premier life sciences and health-tech forum co-hosted by the Government of Telangana, is preparing to launch its 23rd edition on February 17–18. 2026. The event will be held at a new expanded venue at HITEX to accommodate unprecedented demand from international delegates, investors, startups, and global life sciences corporations. The move to a significantly larger space at HITEX is not merely logistical — it signals BioAsia’s transition into a high-impact global platform capable of hosting multi-track executive sessions, expanded exhibitions, and curated investor-founder interactions under one roof.

Over the past few years, Hyderabad has witnessed:

• Rapid expansion of global pharma and biotech GCCs
• Strengthened biologics and vaccine manufacturing capacity
• New investments in bioprocess design, advanced therapies, and AI-enabled healthcare

BioAsia 2026 is expected to further accelerate this momentum by catalyzing strategic partnerships that extend beyond the two-day event.

This year, BioAsia marks a significant advancement driven by transformative shifts and continued growth in the life sciences sector, with a strong spotlight on the TechBio inflection point where biology converges with AI and automation.

The announcement of the Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, along with key strategic investments, has positioned Hyderabad as a prominent player on the global life sciences stage while reinforcing Telangana’s ecosystem across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and CRDMO services.

BioAsia 2026 represents a decisive shift toward execution, scale, and global competitiveness, reflecting the rapid evolution of the life sciences ecosystem. The event convenes high-impact global voices through plenaries, forward-looking panel dialogues, immersive exhibition engagement, expanded B2B partnering, and deeper cross-border collaboration, all centred on the TechBio inflection point, digital transformation, advanced biologics, and next-generation manufacturing.

Strategic discussions will examine how innovation progresses from laboratory discovery to clinical and commercial execution, with particular emphasis on AI as an enabler of speed, efficiency, and smarter decision-making across the life sciences value chain. Global sessions will spotlight emerging therapeutic modalities, AI-driven drug discovery, automation-enabled biomanufacturing, digital health ecosystems, and resilient supply networks. Moving beyond announcements, BioAsia 2026 is designed to catalyze actionable partnerships, fostering operational collaborations, R&D acceleration, and technology integration that translate dialogue into measurable outcomes.

Telangana, under the leadership of Mr. Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble Chief Minister and Mr. D. Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, amplified the Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy during the 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, positioning the state among the world’s leading life sciences clusters and accelerating its global investment outreach. This alignment synchronizes Telangana’s ambitions with global priorities such as sustainability, digital health, precision medicine, and supply chain diversification.

The state has evolved from a generics-led manufacturing base into a diversified, innovation-driven bioeconomy characterized by strong R&D capabilities and TechBio integration. The momentum generated by Telangana’s Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy, combined with BioAsia’s global stature, continues to propel the state forward as a leading hub for life sciences and healthcare innovation.

New Delhi, Feb 14th: Jalagam-3, national water workshop on water security organised by S M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF), designed to deepen awareness through capacity-building and experience-sharing. The initiative focuses on strengthening community resilience mechanisms that sustain grassroots water conservation and water management efforts.

This Jalagam workshop, organised with our knowledge partners National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) –Delhi. The event brought together policy leaders, practitioners, innovators, and community voices to reflect on one urgent question: how to take India from water scarcity to water security?

The day began with a welcome address by Ms. Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO of S M Sehgal Foundation. She shared that the Jalagam series, launched in 2022, has since been hosted in Delhi, Jhansi, Aurangabad, Hyderabad, Bikaner, and Indore. These workshops have brought together government agencies, NGOs, corporates, academia, and community water champions, transforming grassroots experiences into policy conversations. With increasing participation and national engagement, Jalagam is evolving into a credible intellectual platform that amplifies community voices, shares best practices, influences policy thinking, and contributes to shaping a water-secure India.

Mr. Bharat Lal, Secretary General & CEO of the National Human Rights Commission of India delivered the keynote address. He emphasized that water security becomes sustainable only when communities step forward and convert initiatives into people’s movements. Drawing from his experience as Founder Mission Director of Jal Jeevan Mission, he underlined that lasting change requires ownership at the grassroots level.

Mr. Gaurav Mehta, Head, Marketing, PR, Corporate Communications & CSR, DCB Bank, and Dr. Alok Kumar Sikka of the International Water Management Institute highlighted the importance of partnerships, corporate responsibility, and scientific research in advancing water conservation efforts.
Mr. Salahuddin Saiphy, Principal Lead, Water Management, S M Sehgal Foundation, led the first session on “Pathways to Water Resilience and Sustainability.” The discussion marked by constructive energy and enthusiasm featured distinguished voices including Aabid Surti of Drop Dead Foundation; Padma Shri awardee Uma Shankar Pandey; Dr. Nupur Bahadur of KPMG India; Raman Kant of Bhartiya Nadi Parishad; and Jagdish Gurjar of Gram Gaurav Sansthan and reflected a vibrant exchange of insights and people led solutions for India’s water security from grassroots. Their experiences reminded us that true strength grows from the commitment and care of local communities.

Focusing on innovation and future-ready solutions, “Emerging Technologies for Water Management” was moderated by Prof. Ashok Keshari of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The session examined real-time monitoring and resource management using IoT, artificial intelligence, and data-driven planning. Speakers included Himanshu Joshi from NITI Aayog, Maya Sherman from the Embassy of Israel in India, and Anshuman from The Energy and Resources Institute, who emphasized how technology can enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in water governance.
Dr. Ruchira Bhattacharya, Head, Delhi Centre of NIRDPR moderated the session titled “Making Water Conservation Everyone’s Business.” The discussion centered on participatory approaches and institutional frameworks, with speakers including S. V. Suresh Babu of WWF-India, Ankit Kumar of HCL Foundation, and Ekansha Khanduja of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water emphasizing collective accountability and cross-sector collaboration.

The last session on “Role of Youth and Educational Institutions in Awareness on Burning Water Issues and Making Water Conservation a Mass Movement for Achieving Water Security,” moderated by Dr. Vikas Jha (SMSF), brought together Ranjan Panda from Youth4Water, Vimlendu Jha from Swechha, and Gopal Das Singhal of Shiv Nadar University. The dialogue highlights that youth must be seen not just as future beneficiaries but as present-day leaders capable of shaping public discourse, influencing behavior, and mobilizing communities for sustainable action.

What stood out most was the openness of the floor, youth leaders and community members sharing lived experiences, asking difficult questions, and shaping the dialogue. Moderated by Pooja O. Murada, Principal Lead, Outreach for Development and Salahuddin Saiphy, Principal Lead, Water Management from SMSF, the richness of the conversation extended far beyond the stage. Although the workshop did bring subject experts, yet the audience, comprising voices from academia, youth groups, practitioners, and grassroots communities contributed a wealth of experience and insight, each narrating their journeys and perspectives toward building a water-secure nation.

As Jalagam 3.0 concluded, one message stood clear: water security is not the responsibility of a single institution or sector. It is a shared national commitment, anchored in community action, strengthened by policy support, and accelerated by innovation.

Joy Honey & Almonds Advanced Nourishing Body Lotion

A thoughtful winter gift that wraps everyday care into one comforting essential. Powered by the natural goodness of honey, this nourishing cream provides up to 48 hours of moisturization by drawing moisture from the environment into the skin, helping it stay soft and balanced even in cold, dry weather. Honey is also known for helping control acne and protecting the skin against microbial concerns. Enriched with almond oil, rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E, the formula deeply nourishes, helps reduce dryness and supports skin repair, leaving skin healthy, smooth and well cared for. Its rich yet non-greasy texture absorbs easily, making it ideal for daily use and a genuinely feel-good Christmas gift that’s both practical and indulgent.

Skin Fruits Fruit Moisturizing Skin Cream

A versatile daily skincare essential that blends the goodness of fruit extracts with deep nourishment for soft, healthy-looking skin. Enriched with Apple extract, known for its antioxidant properties, the cream helps improve skin texture and natural glow, while Almond oil deeply nourishes and supports moisture retention. Jojoba oil, which closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, helps maintain hydration balance and strengthens the skin barrier. The formula provides long-lasting moisturization, helps reduce dryness and dullness, and leaves the skin smooth and refreshed without a greasy after-feel. Its lightweight yet nourishing texture makes it ideal for everyday use across all skin types, offering effective care at an accessible price point.

Joy Honey & Almonds Advanced Nourishing Body Lotion

A thoughtful winter gift that wraps everyday care into one comforting essential. Powered by the natural goodness of honey, this nourishing cream provides up to 48 hours of moisturization by drawing moisture from the environment into the skin, helping it stay soft and balanced even in cold, dry weather. Honey is also known for helping control acne and protecting the skin against microbial concerns. Enriched with almond oil, rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E, the formula deeply nourishes, helps reduce dryness and supports skin repair, leaving skin healthy, smooth and well cared for. Its rich yet non-greasy texture absorbs easily, making it ideal for daily use and a genuinely feel-good Christmas gift that’s both practical and indulgent.

Skin Fruits Fruit Moisturizing Skin Cream

A versatile daily skincare essential that blends the goodness of fruit extracts with deep nourishment for soft, healthy-looking skin. Enriched with Apple extract, known for its antioxidant properties, the cream helps improve skin texture and natural glow, while Almond oil deeply nourishes and supports moisture retention. Jojoba oil, which closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, helps maintain hydration balance and strengthens the skin barrier. The formula provides long-lasting moisturization, helps reduce dryness and dullness, and leaves the skin smooth and refreshed without a greasy after-feel. Its lightweight yet nourishing texture makes it ideal for everyday use across all skin types, offering effective care at an accessible price point.

Mumbai/ Prayagraj, Feb 14th: At Magh Mela 2026, one of India’s largest annual public gatherings, infrastructure made from recycled plastic waste is being used to support everyday public needs across the Mela grounds. Implemented under Maidaan Saaf campaign, this initiative by Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in collaboration with implementation partner Econscious, has introduced functional public utilities within the temporary city that comes up along the ghats of Prayagraj each year.

As part of the initiative, 20 changing rooms, four police watch towers, public benches, and 25,000 dustbin liners, all manufactured using recycled plastic waste have been installed across bathing areas, walkways and key service points. These facilities are intended to support crowd movement, public convenience and structured on-ground waste collection as visitors move through the Mela over several weeks.

Magh Mela is being held from January 3 to February 15, 2026, spanning over 44 days and is expected to welcome nearly eight crore visitors. With the Mela functioning as a temporary city for an extended period, public facilities remain in constant use, facing pressure from high footfall, changing weather conditions and daily operational demands.

Speaking about the effort, Vaibhav Verma, Co-Founder, Econscious, said, “When we worked together on these installations, the intent was to integrate waste management into spaces people already use throughout the Mela. Keeping the site cleaner through visible infrastructure helps encourage responsible practices and creates cues that can influence positive behaviour change over time.”

Commenting on the initiative, Devyani R L Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia, said, “Magh Mela holds a unique place in India’s cultural calendar, creating a temporary city along the ghats of Prayagraj over several weeks. Given the scale and duration of the congregation, our effort is on integrating responsible waste handling into the day-to-day functioning of the Mela in a way that is practical, visible, and relevant to the local context. Through Maidaan Saaf, and in collaboration with our partners, we are working to support a cleaner Mela experience while building awareness around mindful waste disposal practices.”

The initiative builds on learnings from earlier large-scale congregations, including Maha Kumbh 2025, and follows established coordination mechanisms to support consistent use and upkeep of public facilities throughout the Mela period.