Archives April 2026

In Indian households, cleanliness is closely tied to comfort, wellbeing, and pride. A clean home is not just about neat floors or tidy corners; it reflects a healthier environment for the entire family. Recognising this evolving need, Eureka Forbes recently brought this idea to life through its ‘Chakachak Clean’ campaign featuring Shraddha Kapoor, highlighting how smart, technology-led solutions can make everyday cleaning simpler and more effective. The campaign reinforces the brand’s focus on encouraging consistent hygiene practices that fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles.

With busy schedules, changing routines, and compact urban homes, maintaining consistent cleanliness has become increasingly challenging. Traditional methods like sweeping and mopping often miss fine dust, allergens, and hidden dirt under furniture and corners. Over time, this can impact indoor air quality and trigger allergies, making regular deep cleaning essential rather than optional. The Chakachak Clean approach addresses this shift by promoting smarter cleaning solutions that deliver consistent results with minimal effort.

Smart cleaning devices, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, help bridge this gap by offering automated and systematic cleaning. Using advanced sensors and intelligent navigation, they move efficiently, avoid obstacles, and reach difficult areas, making them especially useful for compact homes.

“Smart cleaning is not just about convenience; it is about building a consistent hygiene routine that fits modern lifestyles. With advancements in navigation, filtration, and automation, today’s solutions from Eureka Forbes are designed to deliver deeper results with minimal effort,” says Dr. Anil Kumar, Chief Scientist at Eureka Forbes. 

Modern vacuum cleaners now go beyond basic suction power, offering app-based control, scheduling, and smart mapping for improved efficiency. Features like auto-emptying dustbins further reduce manual effort, making them suitable for fast-paced urban living. Beyond convenience, advanced filtration systems help capture fine dust and allergens, improving overall hygiene. This is especially important in homes with children, elderly members, or pets, where indoor air quality directly affects health.

As reflected in the Chakachak Clean campaign, the growing adoption of smart cleaning solutions highlights a broader shift toward technology-driven living. With consistent automated cleaning, homes remain hygienic with less manual intervention, transforming cleaning from a time-consuming chore into a seamless part of everyday life.

Keturah founder says year-on-year gains reflect resilience amid regional uncertainty

Dubai, UAE, 29^th April; 2026: Dubai’s standing as one of the world’s leading luxury real estate markets is being underlined by sustained demand across key price segments.

A new market analysis from the Keturah luxury brand highlights a clear acceleration in developer sales in recent weeks, with strong year-on-year growth in both value and volume despite regional uncertainty. 

Data from DXBinteract shows that developer sales above AED5 million reached AED25.04 billion between March 1 and April 15, a 21.4% increase on the same period last year, while transaction volumes rose 59.7% to 1,813 deals.

The AED5–10 million segment recorded the strongest growth, with value rising from AED3.43 billion to AED7.91 billion year-on-year and volume increasing from 503 to 1,153 transactions across the full March to April 15 period.

In the AED20–50 million range, value grew from AED5.38 billion to AED7.20 billion, with volume up from 211 to 236 transactions. The AED50–100 million bracket saw value climb from AED1.55 billion to AED2.63 billion, with transaction volumes rising from 24 to 42 deals across the period.

“In the current environment, the consistency of activity across these key segments is a strong indicator of underlying stability,” says Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand.

“The scale of growth across three distinct price bands tells you a great deal about the buyers driving it. These are committed, purposeful people taking a long-term view, and that level of sustained, broad-based confidence is a very encouraging sign.” 

He adds: “Dubai’s luxury market has durability because developers are thinking differently about what they build. There is more focus on how homes are actually lived in, and less reliance on short-term demand cycles. You can see that in the quality and consistency of what is coming to market.” 

Keturah’s two major luxury projects currently under development in Dubai sit directly within this market environment. Keturah Resort, a wellness-certified community along Dubai Creek adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, is designed around long-term living in a natural waterfront setting, while Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion bio-living community in Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7, is structured around controlled supply, residential privacy and end-user demand rather than short-term turnover. 

Together, they reflect where the market is heading, with greater emphasis on how people live at home day to day, and how developments are structured to support that. 

“Dubai continues to attract long-term capital because the fundamentals are stable and predictable,” says Talal. “The infrastructure is in place, the regulatory environment is transparent, and there is a long-term approach to how the city is planned and delivered. That combination gives investors and end-users a level of certainty they can rely on.”

Edinburgh, United Kingdom, April 28^th 2026. pureLiFi, the global leader in LiFi technology, today announced a landmark partnership with Askey, a leading manufacturer of advanced network communications equipment, to revolutionise the Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) market. Askey will pioneer the demonstration of a fully integrated “all-in-one” solution that combines a high-performance 5G modem and pureLiFi’s proprietary through-window bridging technology in a streamlined self-installable solution.

Moving at an accelerated pace, Askey and pureLiFi are working to solve the industry’s “last-metre” challenge: delivering gigabit broadband indoors without the need for drilling holes, cabling, or professional installations. This addresses the broadband providers’ need for easy install solutions to slash their waitlists.  This system utilises LiFi technology and wireless power to transmit data through windows, effectively bridging the 5G gap for users globally. Broadband subscribers may significantly enhance their service by relocating their Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) outdoors, which can deliver substantial benefits.

Disrupting the FWA Business Model

Unlike existing solutions that require separate accessories, such as pureLiFi’s Bridge XC Flex, this new collaboration integrates the bridging capabilities directly into Askey CPE. This “all-in-one” approach allows Telcos to provide self-installable units that increase network capacity by up to 6x. By eliminating the need for technician “truck rolls,” the solution allows operators to onboard users faster and more affordably while also lowering CO2 emissions.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in wireless infrastructure, combining Askey’s leading Netcom expertise and global reach with pureLiFi’s pioneering innovation. Leadership from both organisations emphasised that this partnership is designed to fundamentally change how high-speed 5G internet is delivered and consumed.

Robert Lin, CEO of Askey, said that “Askey is committed to staying at the cutting edge of connectivity by working with global innovators like pureLiFi. We’ve been working for 5 years to solve the problem of bringing outdoor FWA signals indoors. pureLiFi’s LiFi bridge is the answer. Our combined system will enable carriers to get users connected cost-effectively and quickly while improving the overall 5G experience.  By being the first to demonstrate ‘all-in-one’ FWA CPE with an integrated LiFi bridge, we will disrupt the FWA business model.

Ron Schaeffer, CEO of pureLiFi, added: “This partnership builds on pureLiFi’s pioneering position as innovators in the LiFi space and Askey’s excellence in 5G consumer premises equipment. Our proprietary wireless bridging technology is the key to unlocking the full potential of 5G FWA indoors. Together, we are providing a solution that is secure, unjammable, reliable, and incredibly simple for the end-user to install. We are proud to work with Askey to make better broadband connectivity a reality through the 5G spectrum with help from LiFi.”

Improved Access and User Experience

The Askey system is designed to provide reliable, gigabit-class data throughput, ensuring that users in urban, suburban and rural environments can access high-speed broadband regardless of modern building materials that block 5G signals. By integrating the modem and bridge into one unit, Askey is simplifying the user journey and ensuring that high-speed 5G is more accessible than ever before.

Availability

Units will be available for demonstration and testing with telecommunications carriers around the world within the first half of 2026. Both organisations are ready to revolutionise FWA, helping more users get online without requiring additional infrastructure investment.

Puri, Apr 28 (BNP): The centuries-old Chandan Yatra has commenced in Puri, ushering in one of the most spiritually significant summer festivals associated with Lord Jagannath. The celebration blends devotion, tradition, and seasonal symbolism, offering a unique expression of Odisha’s temple culture.

A Ritual of Divine Cooling and Devotion

As temperatures rise, the festival centres on the cooling ritual of sandalwood (chandan) application, symbolising relief and divine care for the deities. Idols from the Shree Jagannatha Temple are ceremonially taken out in processions and placed on decorated boats for a sacred water voyage at the Narendra Pushkarini lake.

The atmosphere during the festival is marked by devotional chants, traditional music, and large gatherings of devotees who witness the rituals with deep reverence.

Two Sacred Phases of the Yatra

Chandan Yatra unfolds in two structured phases, each carrying distinct ritual significance:

• Bahara Chandan Yatra (First 21 Days):
  In this outer phase, deities are brought out of the temple for ceremonial boat rides at Narendra Pushkarini. The lake transforms into a vibrant spiritual space where rituals and devotion merge in a festive setting.
• Bhitara Chandan Yatra (Next 21 Days):
  The inner phase continues within the temple premises, where priests conduct elaborate rituals with precision and devotion, maintaining the sanctity and continuity of tradition.

Deep Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Chandan Yatra is more than a seasonal observance—it reflects the intimate bond between devotees and Lord Jagannath. The use of sandalwood paste, symbolic water journeys, and structured temple rituals together represent purity, cooling comfort, and spiritual balance during the harsh summer months.

Closely linked with the broader Jagannath tradition, the festival is considered an important part of the annual temple calendar and a spiritual precursor to major celebrations like Rath Yatra. It draws pilgrims, devotees, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country.

A Living Expression of Heritage

With its rare combination of ritual, nature, and devotion, Chandan Yatra continues to preserve Odisha’s living temple heritage. The festival stands as a reminder of how ancient traditions adapt seamlessly into contemporary devotion, keeping cultural identity alive through generations.

New Delhi, Apr 28 (BNP): The global fintech industry is on track for strong expansion, with projections suggesting it could reach USD 2 trillion by 2030, nearly tripling from current levels, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid digital transformation, according to McKinsey.

AI is becoming a central force in reshaping financial services, enabling automation in lending, real-time fraud detection, personalized banking, and seamless digital payments.

The financial ecosystem is undergoing a structural shift as banks and fintech firms integrate advanced technologies to improve efficiency and customer engagement while lowering costs.

Emerging economies are expected to contribute significantly to this growth, driven by rising internet penetration, mobile-first banking, and increasing financial inclusion.

Industry analysts also highlight that supportive regulations, digital infrastructure expansion, and innovation in embedded finance and real-time payments will define the next phase of growth.

Rishikesh, Apr 28 (BNP): Film actor Suniel Shetty, who recently arrived in Rishikesh, praised the arrangements made for the Char Dham Yatra and appreciated the facilities created for pilgrims.

During his visit, the actor expressed satisfaction over the management, cleanliness, and improved infrastructure put in place for devotees undertaking the sacred pilgrimage. He described the overall experience in Rishikesh as memorable and spiritually uplifting.

Shetty also lauded the efforts of the administration and organisers for ensuring smooth travel, better amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere for the large number of pilgrims expected during the yatra season.

The Char Dham Yatra, one of the country’s most significant religious pilgrimages, draws lakhs of devotees annually to the holy shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

His remarks come as preparations for this year’s pilgrimage continue on a large scale.

Sony BBC Earth Marks Sir David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday with Exclusive Premiere of ‘Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure’

Mumbai, Apr 28: Few storytellers have shaped global understanding of the natural world as profoundly as Sir David Attenborough. As the legendary presenter and natural historian turns 100 on 8 May 2026, Sony BBC Earth, the home of the world’s most celebrated natural history storytelling, is commemorating the milestone with a special programming initiative culminating in the exclusive premiere of Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure.

Sony BBC Earth rolled out a curated ‘100 Days Tribute’, featuring some of Attenborough’s most iconic works across decades. The initiative builds up to the premiere of the one-hour special, offering viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of ‘Life on Earth’ a landmark series that redefined wildlife filmmaking, airing 8th May 2026 at 12 PM and 9 PM.

The special features exclusive interviews with Attenborough and members of the original crew, revisiting a time when global travel and colour television were still evolving. From filming amid political unrest in Comoros and Rwanda to navigating threats in Iraq, the series captures the ambition and risk behind what became one of television’s most influential productions. First broadcast in 1979 and watched by over 500 million viewers worldwide, Life on Earth remains a defining moment in factual storytelling.

It confirmed Attenborough’s reputation as the most successful and influential wildlife filmmaker of our time. His astonishing encounter with gorillas in the mountains of Rwanda for this series is frequently voted one of the top TV moments of all time.

In the programme ‘Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure’, Sir David Attenborough comments,

“I have been lucky enough to have a long career making natural history programmes, but there was one series that changed everything Life on Earth. It was the most ambitious lifestyle expedition ever undertaken, the first truly global natural history series filmed entirely in colour, nothing on this scale had ever been attempted before. It took you to areas in the natural world which you hadn’t considered before. What we set out to do was tell the greatest story to all the world. That was a turning point in my life.”

Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure is executive produced by Mike Davis, with Sue Aartse-Tuyn as Production Executive and Victoria Bobin as Producer-Director.

Over the years, Sony BBC Earth has brought Indian audiences some of Attenborough’s most acclaimed work, including Planet Earth I and II, Blue Planet II, Frozen Planet I, The Hunt, Dynasties, and Life, among others, reinforcing its positioning as a destination for premium factual storytelling.

Watch ‘Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure’, airing 8th May 2026, only on Sony BBC Earth at 12 PM and 9 PM!