Archives 2026

Zaheerabad, India, Feb 16:
MG Group, one of India’s leading bus and coach design, engineering and manufacturing enterprises, commemorated a significant milestone with the completion of 30 years of operations at its Zaheerabad integrated complex. The Group also unveiled a marble bust of its late Founder Chairman, Mr. Mohan Vasant Kamat, honouring his contribution to India’s modern bus building industry and his pioneering role as a first-generation entrepreneur.

The commemorative unveiling was led by:

• Mrs. Sudha Mohan Kamat, Co-Founder & Director, MG Group
• Mr. Anil Mohan Kamat, Chairman & Managing Director, MG Group
• Mrs. Devika Anil Kamat, Director, MG Group

This symbolic moment marked both the legacy of the Group’s founder and the continued leadership of the second generation.

Zaheerabad: From a Modest Start to a Nationally Relevant Manufacturing Hub

The Zaheerabad facility was established in 1996, when Mahindra & Mahindra extended an opportunity for Mr. Mohan V. Kamat to explore a presence in the region. With his characteristic humility and grit, he began operations in a repurposed hacksaw-blade factory acquired at a government auction—laying the foundation for what would grow into one of India’s most respected bus and coach manufacturing ecosystems.

Over the past three decades, MG Zaheerabad has grown into a fully integrated complex housing
MG Automotives, MG Bus & Coach, MG Composites and MG Grey Engine.

It has served leading OEMs, State Transport Undertakings (STUs) and private operators across segments such as:

• School & institutional transport
• Staff and urban applications
• Mofussil and regional mobility
• Special-application vehicles
• Premium & intercity coaches

The Zaheerabad plant has consistently contributed to MG Group’s position as a dependable, design-focused, made-in-India engineering partner.

 A Legacy that Shapes the Future

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Anil Mohan Kamat, CMD, MG Group, paid tribute to his father’s role in shaping India’s coach-building ecosystem:

“My father helped lay the foundation for India’s modern bus-body manufacturing industry. What he built at Zaheerabad was not just a facility, but a culture of courage, discipline and excellence. As we mark 30 years here, we are not looking back—we are strengthening our commitment to India’s mobility future.”

He added that the Group’s values of integrity, engineering precision, and customer-centricity—established by the founders—continue to define its strategic direction.

 Strategic Roadmap: High-Volume Platform Consolidation at Zaheerabad

MG Group announced a set of forward-looking decisions shaping its next decade of growth:

1. Consolidation of High-Volume Product Lines

The Group will migrate its School, Staff, Moffusil and Economy segment production from Belagavi to Zaheerabad, making Zaheerabad the principal hub for high-volume manufacturing.

2. Premium and Super-Premium Focus at Belagavi

The Belagavi unit will sharpen its focus on Premium and Super-Premium Intercity Coaches, aligning capacity with future long-distance mobility demand.

3. Renewed Expansion at Zaheerabad

The plant, which resumed operations recently after the setbacks of the pandemic, will undergo a calibrated ramp-up in 2026, with investments in:

• Production capacity
• Process automation
• Modern paint-shop & trim-line facilities
• Composites and lightweighting capabilities
• Skill-building for the local workforce

4. Stronger Integration Across MG Entities

The Group plans to deepen synergies between design, engineering, composites, electronics and manufacturing units to deliver faster, more efficient solutions for OEMs and STUs nationwide.

 Industry Outlook: Strengthening India’s Mobility Infrastructure

MG Group’s renewed direction is aligned with:

• India’s expanding urban and intercity mobility needs
• Rising demand across school, staff and regional passenger fleets
• Growing emphasis on safety, comfort and sustainable design
• Opportunities under Make in India and the Government’s mobility infrastructure push

Mr. Kamat stated:

“India’s passenger mobility landscape is entering a transformative decade. MG Group is preparing for this shift with deeper engineering integration, strong design capabilities and a sharper focus on product specialization. The next phase of growth will be built on both heritage and innovation.”

 A Tribute Rooted in Purpose

The marble bust unveiling was accompanied by a short tribute film and reflections from senior leadership who worked for decades with their late founder. The ceremony concluded with a tree plantation and a gathering with workers and staff, symbolising MG’s continuing partnership with the people of Zaheerabad.

Tirupati, Feb 16: Mohan Babu University (MBU) successfully hosted the DST ANRF Sponsored 2026 IEEE Contemporary Computing Innovations Conference (CCIC 2026), technically co-sponsored by IEEE Region 10 and supported by IEEE TEMS, at the Dasari Auditorium during 06–07 February 2026. The international conference brought together over 100+ global experts, keynote speakers, policymakers, and thought leaders from academia, industry, and research to deliberate on cutting-edge developments shaping the future of computing. Among the distinguished guests were Dr. Stefan Mozar, President, IEEE Consumer Technology Society from Australia; Prof. Prerna Gaur, Chair, IEEE India Council; Prof. Preeti Bajaj, Chair Elect, IEEE India Council; Mr. Saravana Kumar Kumaravasagam, Consul General, Consulate General of Malaysia in Chennai; Dr. Sudeendra Kaushik, President, IEEE TEMS; and Prof. Chirag Paunwala, Chair, IEEE Gujarat Section. MBU Vice Chancellor Prof. Nagaraj Ramrao and Registrar Dr. K. Saradhi also took part in the conference proceedings.

The two-day conference featured keynote addresses by internationally renowned experts, peer-reviewed technical paper presentations, hands-on workshops, parallel industry tracks, employability training sessions, interactive panel discussions, and showcases by students and startups, offering young innovators a global platform to present ideas and research outcomes. Serving as a vital forum for collaboration and networking, CCIC 2026 enabled meaningful dialogue and fostered strong industry–academia partnerships.

The conference covered a wide spectrum of contemporary computing themes, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Science and Big Data Analytics, Quantum Computing, Cloud and Edge Computing, Cybersecurity and Blockchain, the Internet of Things, Human–Computer Interaction, Software Engineering, Sustainable and Green Computing, Emerging Computing Architectures, and Computing for Societal Impact.

Organised by the Department of Data Science under the School of Computing, CCIC 2026 served as a premier international platform for collaboration, innovation, and cross-disciplinary exchange. The technical committee received more than 2000+ quality manuscripts from researchers across the globe representing both industry and academia. Following a rigorous peer-review process aligned with IEEE standards, 383 manuscripts were selected for submission to the IEEE Xplore Digital Library and indexing in Scopus, with only 5% originating from the host institution reflecting Mohan Babu University’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and academic integrity. Submissions were evaluated for originality, technical depth, and practical relevance, ensuring global visibility for high-quality research contributions.

Commenting on the conference, Mr. Vinay Maheshwari, Trustee, Mohan Babu University, said, “Conferences like CCIC play a critical role in bridging the gap between academic research, industry application, and societal needs. CCIC 2026 created a space for meaningful dialogue around emerging technologies, while enabling researchers, practitioners, and students to exchange ideas, validate research, and collaborate on solutions that will shape the next phase of computing innovation.”

By hosting platforms such as CCIC 2026, Mohan Babu University reaffirms its vision of nurturing a vibrant research ecosystem that encourages innovation, collaboration, and the application of technology for societal progress, while empowering young researchers to engage with global experts and contribute to impactful computing solutions.

Chandigarh, Feb 16: Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has reported widespread adoption of its recently rolled-out in-house digital payment module. Everyday around 500 consumers are paying their electricity bills online.

The upgraded system enables real-time posting of payments into SAP, ensuring instant updation and reducing payment reflection delays. The initiative benefits consumers through immediate confirmation and greater transparency, while also optimising gateway charges.

To further enhance accessibility, QR code scanners have been installed across all CPDL offices, including RA, SDO, CM, and Division offices. QR codes are also available on the CPDL website landing page and are being printed on consumer bills.

A CPDL spokesperson said, “This new payment module marks a meaningful step in our journey toward fully digital transactions. The strong initial response reflects growing consumer trust in our secure systems. With real-time integration and expanded QR access, we are making bill payments faster, simpler, and more transparent for a wider segment of users. By strengthening our own platform and reducing reliance on third-party gateways, we aim to enhance efficiency while minimizing additional costs for customers.”

CPDL wishes to inform consumers that these methods are safe to use and encourages customers to adopt these options. This initiative marks another step in CPDL’s continued focus on technology-driven, consumer-centric service delivery and building a more efficient, transparent electricity distribution system.

Hyderabad, Feb 16: Hyderabad Runners Society conducted its annual Club Run 2026 on Sunday, 15 February 2026, at the University of Hyderabad campus. This year marked the 17th edition of the Club Run, featuring two race categories — 10K and Half Marathon (21.1 km).

The run was flagged off by Shri Srinivas, DGM, NMDC Limited; Shri CH. Srinivas, DCP, Madhapur Law & Order, and SMT Shashi Singh, Race Director. Apollo Hospitals provided emergency medical support for the event.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from around 3,000 runners across the twin cities, including students and staff from the university. The Club Run serves as a qualifying race for the Hyderabad Marathon, allowing runners to push their limits and achieve personal bests.

In the Half Marathon (21.1 km), Avik Pal clinched the top spot in the men’s category with an impressive time of 1:20:08, while Vishwa led the women’s category, finishing strong at 1:42:38. In the 10K race, Yeswanth Kondri emerged victorious among the men with a time of 38:56, and Divya Reddy secured first place in the women’s category, clocking 54:25. The top three runners in each category were felicitated by the office bearers of Hyderabad Runners — Arun Kumar Kaliappan, Prashant Morparia, Madhumathi Sanjay, Ram Katikineni, Ajit Mishra, Snehith A, and Shashi Singh, Race Director of Club Run 2026.

The top three runners in each category were felicitated by Hyderabad Runners office bearers Arun Kumar Kaliappan, Prashant Morparia, Madhumathi Sanjay, Ram Katikineni, Ajit Mishra, Snehith A, and Shashi Singh, Race Director of Club Run 2026.

As part of the event ecosystem, the Kouch25K training program was conducted across 26 locations, engaging 417 participants who underwent an 8-week training journey and celebrated their progress through a 5K graduation run. In addition, the Mir Alam Runners group from the Old City — comprising about 30 runners — were trained by Hyderabad Runners Society for three months at Eidgah Bilali (Eidga Maidan) and completed their graduation run, reflecting the organisation’s strong outreach and inclusion efforts across communities.

Hyderabad, Feb 16: TiE Hyderabad hosted a special February edition of its flagship TiE Leadership Series at its office in Sandhya Techno-1, Khajaguda, Raidurg, Hyderabad this weekend. The session featured Meera Shenoy, Founder of Youth4Jobs and SwarajAbility, a distinguished social entrepreneur widely recognised for her pioneering work in building inclusive and sustainable solutions for underserved communities.

Delivering the opening remarks, Murali Kakarla, President of TiE Hyderabad, highlighted the organisation’s mission as a leading entrepreneurial network dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, funding, and incubation. He noted that through its diverse initiatives and events, TiE Hyderabad continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening the region’s startup and innovation ecosystem.

Drawing from decades of experience in building mission-driven organisations, Ms Shenoy shared insights from her journey advancing accessibility, innovation, and employment opportunities for marginalised communities, particularly persons with disabilities. Through Youth4Jobs and SwarajAbility, she has demonstrated how purpose-led enterprises can create scalable and sustainable impact. Addressing an audience of over 100 entrepreneurs, leaders, and ecosystem enablers, she spoke about leadership with purpose, building resilient social enterprises, and driving long-term impact through innovation and inclusive growth.

The session offered valuable perspectives for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, investors, and changemakers seeking to align business success with meaningful societal contribution.

The event also marked the official launch of “TiE Social Impact,” a new initiative by TiE Hyderabad aimed at nurturing social enterprises and supporting impact-driven innovation. The initiative seeks to build a robust support ecosystem for social entrepreneurs by providing structured mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to networks that can help scale solutions addressing pressing societal challenges.

This edition of the Leadership Series reflects TiE Hyderabad’s continued commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and enabling purpose-driven innovation across the region.

Annual sponsors for TiE Hyderabad include IKP and PalTech, while the Leadership Series is powered by MSN Realty.

IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand Feb 16: In a landmark initiative for higher education in India, IIT Roorkee has initiated the drafting of a comprehensive mental health policy, setting a precedent for all IITs. The first draft of the policy was prepared by the Wellness Centre, a mental health care facility for the community, with the collective expertise of the Dean of Student Welfare, Associate Dean of Student Wellness, Mental Health Professionals (Clinical Psychologists at IIT Roorkee), External Advisors and Faculty members.

The initiative was further strengthened through “SAHYOG 2.0,” a focused inter-IIT discussion aimed at seeking & sharing inputs from fellow IITs to contribute meaningfully to the mental health policy framework of IIT community. The objective of this dialogue was to learn from existing policies, protocols, and governance mechanisms followed across IITs, and to incorporate relevant insights into a comprehensive, inclusive, and student as well as IIT community-centric policy.

SAHYOG 2.0 builds upon the success of SAHYOG 1.0, held in 2024, and aligns with the recent directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and the University Grants Commission (UGC), emphasizing the critical role of higher education institutions in mental health governance. Discussions at the event covered:

• Institutional approaches to mental health governance and policy formulation
• Preventive, promotive, and responsive mental health interventions
• The role of Wellness Centres, Counselling Cells, and Student Welfare structures in policy implementation
• Role of Mental Health Professionals and facilitation of the services provided to them
• Standardization and alignment of mental health policies across IITs
• Formulation of standard operating procedures for crisis situations

The collaborative sessions not only enabled cross-institutional learning but also emphasized the need for a policy that is student-centric, inclusive, and practical, ensuring the mental well-being of the entire IIT community.

Speaking about the initiative, Prof K.K Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “Mental health and well-being have emerged as critical pillars of excellence in higher education, and initiatives such as SAHYOG 2.0 reflect our collective recognition of this responsibility.”

The institute welcomed delegates, including Deans, faculty members, and mental health professionals from all IITs, alongside renowned external advisors from institutions such as AIIMS Rishikesh, GMCH Chandigarh, IHBAS, KGMU, TISS, IOP Kolkata, OP Jindal, Mariwala Health Initiative and Delhi University, UPSIFS as well as distinguished officials, a Supreme Court Advocate, and an Anthropologist, highlighting the significance of the event in shaping a uniform mental health policy across the IIT system.

The success of SAHYOG 2.0 reflects IIT Roorkee’s steadfast commitment to cultivating an aware, compassionate, and psychologically resilient campus ecosystem. This pioneering policy initiative represents a transformative step in advancing structured mental health governance across India’s premier educational institutions.

Bengaluru, Feb 16: Denta Water and Infra Solutions Limited (“Denta Water”), announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025. The company a leading civil engineering contractor in the water infrastructure sector.

The Company reported sustained growth across key operating metrics during the quarter and nine-month period, driven by strong execution across marquee water management projects, disciplined cost management and a healthy project pipeline.

Key Highlights – Q3 & 9M FY26:

• Strong revenue growth supported by accelerated execution across irrigation, urban water supply and wastewater projects
• EBITDA margin improved to 36.32% YoY in 9MFY26
• Order book at ₹8,414.82 Mn as on December 31, 2025 

Standalone Key Financials:

The Company remains committed to a selective bidding strategy focused on high-quality projects with attractive margins, balanced risk profiles and efficient execution timelines.

Commenting on the results, Mr. C. Mruthyunjaya Swamy, Chairman of Denta Water, said: “Q3 and the nine-month performance underscore the strength of our execution capabilities and the resilience of our business model. We continue to witness healthy traction across irrigation, drinking water and wastewater management projects, supported by a robust order book and expanding geographic footprint. Our focus remains on timely project delivery, prudent capital allocation and sustainable value creation as we contribute to strengthening India’s water infrastructure and long-term water security.”

New Delhi, Feb 16:  Five students from the Institute of Design at JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) were felicitated by the Union Minister for Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on 13 February at The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, for their Systems Design project developed for the Taj Restaurant under the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). The recognition marked a significant moment for the university, highlighting the impact of industry-linked academic projects and the role of design-led thinking in addressing complex, real-world systems.

The project was undertaken by an interdisciplinary team comprising Harsh Warrier, Susnitha Sivaraju, Yashika Bhatt, Rashi Bhagre, and Ritika Malik under the mentorship of Binil Mohan, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Design, JKLU. The team collectively carried out the initial research for both the Taj Mahal and ITDC, forming the foundation for the design interventions proposed as part of the project. The final presentation was structured into three parts, reflecting a collaborative approach with clearly defined areas of contribution.

The first segment of the project focused on research related to the Taj Mahal, followed by the development of a solution framework by Harsh Warrier, Rashi Bhagre, and Susnitha Sivaraju. The second segment presented research for ITDC along with a detailed set of solutions developed by the same team members. The final segment highlighted the specific solution work and contributions undertaken by Ritika Malik.

“The felicitation is a proud moment for the university and underscores the impact of industry-linked, research-driven design education in addressing complex systems,” said A Balasubramaniam, Director, Institute of Design, JKLU.

The recognition stands as a testament to the quality of work being carried out by students at the Institute of Design and reinforces the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, academic excellence, and strong engagement with industry partners.

The students were felicitated during the double commemoration event celebrating the 60 years of ITDC and 70 years of the Ashok Hotel. Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, also graced the ceremony with his presence.

Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida Campus hosted an Interactive Session with Seni r Income Tax Officials on “Compliances under the Income-tax Act and Taxpayer Services”, and  “An Overview of the new Income-Tax Act, 2025”, with an aim to sensitise and spread awareness about income-tax compliances, statutory compliances, taxpayer facilitation measures, and taxpayer services amongst the faculty and students.

On this occasion, a team from Income Tax Department Noida Uttar Pradesh led by Smt. Aparna Karan, IRS, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, U.P. (West) & Uttarakhand, Kanpur, comprising of Smt. Meenakshi Jha Goswami, IRS, Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax, Noida, Sh. Sheodan Singh Bhadauriya, IRS, Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax (Admn.), Kanpur, Sh. Sudhir Kumar Sharma, IRS, Addl. Commissioner of Income Tax, Noida, Sh. Ved Prakash, IRS, Addl. Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS), Ghaziabad and other senior officials of the income Tax department, addressed the gathering.

Smt. Aparna Karan, IRS, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, U.P. (West) & Uttarakhand, Kanpur, averred, “We are glad to visit Amity University and sensitise the students and faculty regarding the new provisions of the IT Act. The Income Tax Provisions have been simplified and made easy to understand by the common masses. Every student is a brand ambassador of our country and making them aware about IT reforms and provisions is extremely crucial since they are the future leaders who will play a significant role in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat.”

Dr. Gurinder Singh, Group Vice Chancellor Amity Universities highlighted the significance of understanding the Income Tax provisions by the Indian students who are studying abroad. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Sanjeev Bansal, Additional Pro VC Amity University and the session was attended by the students, faculty and staff of Amity University. The session was highly beneficial in fostering taxpayer education, strengthening institutional outreach and promoting a better understanding of the New Income Tax Act.