Archives April 2026

New Delhi, Apr 2: Kärcher India was a Sapphire Sponsor at the Kerala Professional Housekeepers Association (KPHA) convention held on 25th March. Kärcher further strengthened its foothold in the professional cleaning space by setting up a dedicated stall at the convention centre, showcasing its wide range of technologically advanced cleaning solutions such as scrubber dryers, vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, sweepers, and high-pressure washers.

As part of the event, Varun Handa, Strategic Head of Kärcher India, was a featured speaker at the convention, where he addressed attendees on the topic of “Hospitality Solutions at Kärcher.” The session highlighted Kärcher’s approach to enabling efficient, scalable, and sustainable cleaning solutions tailored for the hospitality industry.

The discussion also covered Kärcher’s broader sustainability vision, including green energy adoption, reduction of CO₂ emissions, circular economy practices, and the development of sustainable products.

“As Kärcher, we believe the future of cleaning lies at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and responsibility. Whether it is adopting green energy sources, reducing CO₂ emissions, or embracing the circular economy, our aim is to create a long-term impact. Through platforms like KPHA, we are able to demonstrate the value of structured cleaning methodologies like PDIR in enhancing hygiene standards and operational efficiency, especially within the hospitality segment,” said Varun Handa, Strategic Head, Kärcher India.

The session also emphasized the importance of hygiene and structured cleaning methodologies such as PDIR (Preventive, Daily, Intensive, Restorative), along with best practices for efficiency and maintenance.

Having grown up on television sets and now navigating reality TV and digital conversations, Ashnoor Kaur has had a front-row seat to how the industry is evolving. Known for her early start as a child actor and more recently seen as a contestant on Bigg Boss 18, she believes that while formats are changing, television continues to hold its ground.

 “I feel the way people are consuming television today has changed significantly. Today, almost every GEC also has a strong OTT presence. For instance, Star Plus content is available on JioHotstar, and earlier Viacom18 content used to be on Voot. This shift has made content far more accessible. I’ve seen Gen Z audiences watching daily shows while travelling, directly on their phones, which was never the case earlier,” she says.

Her views come at a time when conversations across the industry are increasingly focused on format evolution, digital-first storytelling and the balance between traditional and new platforms, a trend reflected at forums like Content India 2026, organized by Dish TV India, where creators and industry voices discuss the future of the Indian content and entertainment ecosystem.

Despite the shift to on-demand, she maintains that television still has a strong connect.

 “The traditional habit of sitting at a fixed time to watch TV on a cable network has clearly evolved into on-demand viewing. However, in Tier 2 and interior markets, television still holds strong relevance and continues to be deeply embedded in daily routines. Going forward, while consumption formats will keep evolving, I don’t think television as a medium will lose its relevance. It caters to a distinct audience segment that continues to engage with it consistently.”

At the same time, she points out how the explosion of content has made it harder to hold attention. “I think it’s very different because of course with the advent of social media and short form content, the attention span has really gone down, it’s really reduced. So I think these days the hook of a video really needs to be engaging for the person to actually watch the entire video. Because right now there’s an overflow in supply and there’s limited demand. So the demand remains the same. But there’s so much content out there everywhere that it’s really important to find your niche and also get the right people to get to watch your content.”

Reflecting on how content today travels beyond boundaries, she adds,

“Content knows no boundaries. And I feel, you know, with events like Content India wherein we have people from all over the globe coming in, sharing their own insights, I feel it’s a great experience and it’s a great melting pot to kind of taper down to that one thing that connects us and that is content cinema movies.” 

New partnership addresses growing gap between security priorities and real-world attack surface coverage

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Kaufman Rossin, a Top 50 public accounting, advisory, and tax firm, and Synack, the leader in penetration testing as a service (PTaaS), today announced a strategic partnership to deliver scalable, AI-powered penetration testing and continuous security validation for regulated enterprises.

At a time when organizations are rapidly expanding their digital footprint while facing increasingly sophisticated, AI-driven threats, many security teams struggle to keep pace. Recent industry research shows that penetration testing remains a top priority, but organizations are testing only a fraction of their total attack surface—creating a critical gap between perceived and actual security posture.

This partnership directly addresses that gap by combining Kaufman Rossin’s deep cybersecurity advisory expertise with Synack’s AI-powered PTaaS platform and the Synack Red Team (SRT)—a global community of elite, vetted security researchers. Together, the firms enable organizations to move beyond static, point-in-time testing toward a continuous, scalable model that keeps pace with modern attack surfaces.

Kaufman Rossin clients will gain access to Synack’s full platform capabilities, including web application, host, cloud, API, and AI/LLM penetration testing, as well as attack surface management. Unlike traditional pen testing approaches that rely on periodic, manual assessments, Synack’s platform enables continuous testing aligned to infrastructure changes, compliance cycles, and evolving threat landscapes—without requiring organizations to switch vendors or restart engagements.

“Our clients operate in highly regulated environments where security, speed, and consistency are non-negotiable,” said Kory Patrick, leader of Kaufman Rossin’s cybersecurity practice. “They need a model that not only meets compliance requirements but also keeps pace with constant change. Synack enables us to deliver scalable, repeatable testing with the depth and rigor our clients expect—while significantly accelerating time to value.”

For Synack, the partnership expands its reach into organizations that require both advanced technical capabilities and trusted advisory relationships. Kaufman Rossin’s team of more than 100 certified risk professionals—including CISSP, CISM, OSCP, and CRISC—supports clients across the financial services, fintech, healthcare, legal, and technology sectors.

“Kaufman Rossin represents the kind of trusted advisor organizations rely on to navigate increasingly complex security and compliance challenges,” said Jay Kaplan, CEO of Synack. “By combining their advisory strength with our AI-powered platform and global researcher community, we’re helping customers fundamentally rethink how penetration testing is delivered—moving from reactive assessments to continuous, intelligence-driven security validation.”

Synack’s platform has demonstrated measurable impact for security teams, reducing the total cost per pen test by up to 32%, saving an average of 22 days per engagement, and accelerating remediation timelines for high and critical vulnerabilities by 47% or more. These gains translate directly into reduced risk exposure, faster compliance readiness, and improved operational efficiency for organizations under increasing regulatory and business pressure.

The partnership also establishes a foundation for joint go-to-market initiatives, enabling Kaufman Rossin and Synack to deliver integrated security offerings that combine advisory services with continuous testing and risk validation.

~ Introducing are first-of-its-kind ZEISS prescription lenses to provide extremely clear vision designed to reduce cognitive load~

 Apr 2: ZEISS, a pioneer of science in optics announces the launch its latest prescription lenses ZEISS ClearMind lenses in India. The all-day lenses addition to the lens portfolio delivers clear vision while reducing cognitive load due to blur for daily eyeglass wearers. For eye care professionals this offering elevates their practice with advanced lens technology that supports both visual performance and comfort.

In today’s fast-paced world with countless visual stimuli to process, there is an increase in information overload where individuals may feel overwhelmed. With pre-existing conditions of blur on spectacle lenses, the ability to identify and interpret complex stimuli is compromised. ZEISS ClearMind lenses are built on a unique design that reduces and smooths optical errors, increasing the clear vision zones and reducing peripheral lens blur thus reducing cognitive load.

Commenting on the addition to the lens portfolio, Rohan Paul, Business Head – India & Neighboring Markets, Vision Care, ZEISS India, said, “At ZEISS, innovation is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to protecting vision & visual health of world’s consumers. The launch of ZEISS ClearMind lenses reflects our continued focus on developing advanced optical solutions that enable individuals to see better, clearer and experience better comfort in their daily lives. We look forward to the positive impact these lenses will have, in collaboration with our valued business partners, as we continue to reach individuals seeking effective and personalized eye care solutions.”

Benefits of ZEISS ClearMind lenses at a glance

• ZEISS ClearMind is a new, premium, all-day lens portfolio with larger zones of clear vision embedded with ZEISS NeurOptix technology
• In consumer studies, 96 % of wearers confirmed extremely clear vision. 9 out of 10 wearers also experienced less cognitive load in a blind test compared to a standard ZEISS progressive lens
• The lenses are available for all age groups to promote perceived overall well-being, and good vision

Backed by scientific research to reduce cognitive load

Research conducted at the ZEISS Vision Science Lab (Tübingen University, Germany) established a direct connection between lens-induced blur and increased cognitive load. In consumer studies, 96% of wearers reported extremely clear vision when using ZEISS ClearMind lenses. 9 out of 10 wearers experienced reduced cognitive load compared to standard progressive lenses. Many wearers also reported an improvement in overall well-being while using the lenses. They also highlighted the importance of comfortable vision while staying focused for long hours.

Embedded with ZEISS NeurOptix technology for improved visual clarity

By aligning lens clarity zones to natural eye-movement patterns, ZEISS NeurOptix technology aims to reduce the brain’s cognitive load, provide more relaxed, effortless vision, as well as improve comfort during long days of digital, visually busy and dynamic activity. As a result, ZEISS Progressive ClearMind lenses offer up to 41% larger near-vision zones compared to ZEISS SmartLife progressive lenses. The technology also supports fast adaptation. 88% of wearers adjust within a few days, and over half within just an hour.

All-day lens portfolio includes single vision, progressive and digital focal types

ZEISS Single Vision ClearMind lenses are designed for 18+ wearers with blurry vision near or far. They reduce peripheral blur and provide larger clear vision zones than standard ZEISS lenses. ZEISS Digital ClearMind lenses are made for 35+ wearers experiencing blurry vision and tired eyes. They reduce blur and offer larger vision zones than ZEISS Digital SmartLife lenses. The design supports natural viewing habits and ensures smooth transition to near vision. It also enables an easier shift to progressive lenses in the future. ZEISS Progressive ClearMind lenses are designed for 45+ wearers with presbyopia. They reduce and optimize peripheral blur, creating wider clear vision zones than ZEISS SmartLife progressive lenses. They support smooth transitions across distances and improve overall visual flow.

April 02, 2026 — AAVantgarde Bio (AAVantgarde), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering therapies for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) focused on large gene delivery via its two proprietary Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vector platforms, today announced the appointment of Philip Lao as Senior Vice President of Business Development.

Mr. Lao joins the Company’s leadership team and will report to Dr. Natalia Misciattelli, Chief Executive Officer. “Philip brings extensive genetic medicine and ophthalmology experience, and his track record of creating value through strategic partnerships will significantly strengthen our business development capabilities at this crucial time for AAVantgarde,” said Dr. Natalia Misciattelli, Chief Executive Officer of AAVantgarde. “Philip’s proven track record will help drive the company’s future strategic growth. We are pleased to welcome him to AAVantgarde.”

“I am excited to join AAVantgarde and help accelerate the company’s progress by expanding strategic partnership and commercial opportunities for our novel pipeline of retinal
therapeutics and beyond. I am confident that our proprietary platforms will deliver transformative therapies for underserved patients who currently lack effective treatment
options,” said Mr. Philip Lao, Senior Vice President of Business Development of AAVantgarde.

Prior to joining AAVantgarde, Mr. Lao served as Head of Business Development at Adverum Biotechnologies, a retinal gene therapy company, where he led the successful sale of the company to Eli Lilly in December 2025. His career includes extensive experience in M&A an strategic licensing roles at Novartis, Pfizer, and Takeda, where he led cross-functional teams in the evaluation and execution of complex global transactions. Philip began his career in the Healthcare Investment Banking team at Deutsche Bank and holds a BA in Economics and an MBA, both from the University of Chicago.

Amsterdam, April 26: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is proud to share that 30x Philips MediaSuite TVs have been selected to bring personalised home comforts to patients and their families staying at the Sternenbrücke children’s and youth hospice in Hamburg. 

Carrying the motto ‘We can’t give life more days, but we can give more life to the days’ – the Sternenbrücke hospice opened its doors in 2003, with a focus on providing specialist care and a safe environment for children, adolescents, and young adults suffering from life-shortening illnesses. 

With an outdated TV system with minimal capabilities and often experiencing obstructed channels, the Sternenbrücke team turned to AV integration specialists, AVARA, and PPDS, to deliver a modern solution. Key requirements included bringing the familiarity and ‘barrier free’ accessibility of a range of entertainment services similar to those enjoyed at home. In addition, the hospice required the ability to create and share important information directly to patients, collectively in communal areas, via the TV screen, rather than paper. 

Home from home entertainment

30x Philips MediaSuite TVs (32”-55”), as well as a Philips Business TV, were installed inside a range of environments around the hospice, including private and communal areas, each tailored around the needs of the patients within those spaces. 

AVARA’s system delivered simple and clear operation and menu navigation with a diverse range of age appropriate entertainment, including the option for subtitles, and a simple remote control. 

AVARA connected the Philips Professional Displays using PPDS’ CMND server, implementing a network that significantly reduces workload by enabling the control and updating of all TVs centrally, eliminating the need for individual management in each room. 

Shared moments

Each room is now equipped with access to a wide range of apps and streaming services, allowing families to tune in to their favourite films and series, browse media libraries, listen to the radio, or enjoy gaming on the connected PlayStations. 

In addition, AVARA integrated a dedicated information portal for parents, providing access to general details about Sternenbrücke, as well as up to the minute news and information. 

By modernising the TV system, AVARA has helped create a home-from-home environment where patients and families can come together without concern. The modern, intuitive technology enables families to share valuable moments focused entirely on comfort, ease of use, and joy. 

Peer Gent from the management team at Stiftung Kinder-Hospiz Sternenbrücke commented: “Our new Philips MediaSuite TVs give our guests joy, distraction from the often stressful everyday life, and precious moments together.” 

“Thanks to the committed cooperation of all those involved, we were able to implement a barrier free and easy-to-use TV system that goes beyond technical improvements. We are thrilled and would like to thank AVARA and PPDS for their generous support in realising this project.”

Chestertons India Private Limited (Chestertons India) incorporated as wholly owned subsidiary; brand usage arrangement executed with Chestertons Global Network; commercial operations expected in Q1 FY27

Mumbai, Apr 02: Justo Realfintech Limited is pleased to announce the incorporation of Chestertons India Private Limited as its wholly owned subsidiary, and the execution of a brand usage and business rights arrangement that brings the Chestertons name, one of the world’s oldest and most respected real estate advisory brands, into the Indian market. This marks a significant strategic milestone in the beginning of Justo’s evolution from a project marketing and residential advisory platform into a full-spectrum, institutionally capable real estate services group

Founded in London in 1805, Chestertons operates across more than twenty countries, offering advisory services across residential and commercial property, capital markets, leasing, valuation, and cross-border transactions. Chestertons is a founding member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), reflecting its adherence to the highest global standards of professional practice, ethics, and governance in real estate advisory.

In India, the brand will be operated exclusively through Chestertons India Private Limited, a company wholly owned by Justo Realfintech Limited. The launch of Chestertons India represents a deliberate and calibrated dual brand expansion strategy to address two different market segments. Justo’s core business shall focus on the mid segment product in range of Rs. 50 lacs to Rs 3.5 crore. Chesterton India will be positioned to operate in premium and super premium category with the support of Justo’s extensive developer network and channel partner network across key markets and will serve as the primary operating leverage for Chestertons India’s business development.

Further, the Company intends to diversify its revenue into various allied verticals which may include sale of high-end premium residential and plotting schemes and villas, commercial leasing, cross border outreach for investments in India using Chestortons’s international network, capital market services and hospitality services. The Company shall make formal announcement on the initiation of such planned services as it moves forward in this journey.

Chestertons’ global presence across the Middle East, Europe, the UK, and Southeast Asia creates a structured pathway for bilateral investment advisory between global capital and Indian real estate origination, besides providing access to established international client base and NRI investors that is difficult to reach through domestic positioning.

As part of the agreement with Chestertons Global Network, the Company intends to undertake Project and Development management services in association with Arbour Investments Private Limited, a leading company in the real estate investment management space in India. Details of this arrangement shall be made available upon finalisation of terms and subject to applicable laws and regulations.

“The India entry of Chestertons through our wholly owned subsidiary is a calibrated strategic step in the evolution of Justo’s advisory business. It allows us to participate more meaningfully in larger, institutionally aligned and higher-value segments of the real estate lifecycle while remaining anchored in our execution-led approach. We believe this initiative strengthens our service architecture, broadens our market relevance and enhances our ability to create long-term value through a wider advisory canvas.”

Pushpamitra Das, Chairman and Managing Director, Justo Realfintech Limited

“India represents one of the most compelling real estate growth stories globally. In Justo, we see a partner with on-ground execution credibility, local market understanding and a disciplined advisory orientation. That combination makes Justo the right fit for Chesterton’s India entry and for building a business that can serve developers, investors and property owners with both global standards and local delivery.”

Mohamed Mussa, Managing Director, Chestertons Global

“The launch of Chestertons India is a transformational moment for Justo and for the advisory ecosystem it is building. This initiative brings together global institutional credibility and deep local market expertise in a way that is genuinely differentiated. We are excited to be associated with Chestertons India Private Limited under the Project Management Consultancy and Development Management service verticals and are confident in creating value through our experience and expertise.”

Chirag Mehta, Director, Arbour Investments

The appointment aims to strengthen legal oversight and institutional governance within the Council

New Delhi, Apr 1: The SIIA and Data Analysis Research Council (SIIADARC) has announced the appointment of Dr Bhargav Mallappa as Director of, following an official selection process and approval by the competent authority. The appointment has been made by Dr. Lijo Kuriyadath, Director, SIIADARC.

Dr Mallappa, will serve in this nominated position for a fixed tenure of five years. The role is honorary in nature and aligned with the Council’s broader objective of strengthening institutional governance and legal oversight within its framework.

Speaking on the appointment, Dr. Lijo Kuriyadath, Director, SIIADARC, said, “Dr Bhargav Mallappa’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Council continues to strengthen its institutional framework. His experience and commitment to professional integrity will play an important role in advancing the Council’s objectives.”

Accepting the role, Dr Bhargav Mallappa stated, “I am honoured to take on the responsibility Director at SIIADARC. I look forward to contributing to the Council’s mission while upholding its values, bylaws and the principles of the Constitution of India.”

The Council reiterated that the position carries a strong emphasis on ethical conduct, accountability and compliance. Any deviation from its bylaws or legal standards may invite disciplinary action, including termination of the appointment.

SIIADARC continues to focus on strengthening its institutional processes through such appointments, ensuring a robust and accountable framework for its operations.