Archives 2026

Ahmedabad, Jan 07 : Urban planning in India must move beyond drawing city boundaries and focus on people, productivity and time efficiency, K. Srinivas, Secretary, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), said on Thursday while inaugurating the 74th National Town & Country Planners Conference organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI).

Mr. Srinivas said urbanisation has now been recognised as a positive force for economic growth, with town planners emerging as key stakeholders in India’s development story.

“It is no longer enough to design cities in kilometres. There is a need to design locally, design for people and, most importantly, design for time. In urban areas, time efficiency determines productivity, whether in mobility, housing, education or access to services,” he said.

Highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead, Mr. Srinivas noted that India is expected to add between 35 and 40 crore people to its urban population in the coming decades. He cautioned that despite significant progress, urban development continues to face structural issues such as weak municipal finances, rising costs of living, inadequate health infrastructure and a persistent disconnect between urban planning and economic planning.

“Planners are often seen as gatekeepers. The need of the hour is to become facilitators and drivers of development,” he said, calling for greater congruence between public investment in urban infrastructure and its economic impact.

Earlier, NK Patel, Patron and Past President of ITPI, said Gujarat was hosting the national conference after 13 years with the same enthusiasm and commitment to advancing the planning profession.

The three-day conference, themed ‘Proactive Regional Planning and Development to Usher Viksit Bharat’, has drawn around 500 participants from across the country. Key discussions on the first day focused on planning and development approaches for rapid transit corridors and metro cities regional planning for economic development.

In his address, ITPI President Pradeep Kapoor, stressed the need to move beyond city-centric master plans.

“No city can develop in isolation. Regional planning must take centre stage if we are to manage rapid urbanisation and move towards balanced growth, especially as India approaches 40% urbanisation before 2030,” he said.

Former Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Keshav Verma urged young planners to act as urban warriors and adopt a vision-driven approach.

“Business-as-usual planning has created inefficient and unhealthy cities. The paradigm must shift for greater focus on quality of life, sustainability, green spaces and people’ participation. Good urban planning is also good economics,” he said.

Darshna Vaghela, Minister of State for Urban Development, spoke about the state’s urban transformation over the past two decades and citied the approval of over 225 town planning schemes in the last three years. She urged planners to ensure cities evolve as liveable, inclusive hubs rather than concrete-dominated spaces.

The second day of the conference will include sessions on inclusive infrastructure planning for global events, climate literacy in academia and practice, AI application for sustainable planning and management, and lessons from 100 years of town planning schemes in Gujarat. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will be the chief guest at the valedictory session.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World Visits the Alma Mater of India’s T20I Skipper Suryakumar Yadav Under the ‘Class of ’26’ Initiative

Navi Mumbai, Feb 07 : The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World marked a significant stop at Pillai College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai, the former college of India’s current T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, as part of the ‘Class of ’26’ initiative. The visit celebrated the academic journey of the Indian captain while inspiring students by bringing them face-to-face with one of cricket’s most coveted trophies.

The event was held in the presence of senior dignitaries from the Mahatma Education Society, institutional heads, and faculty members, with students actively participating in cricket-themed engagements including trivia sessions, tap-the-ball challenges, and wicket-taking activities, creating a vibrant and competitive atmosphere around the trophy on campus.

The trophy then travelled to Rizvi College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai, the former college of India all-rounder Shivam Dube. The event was attended by senior dignitaries from the Rizvi Education Society, along with the principal and faculty members of Rizvi College of Arts, Science and Commerce. Students interacted with the official mascots while taking part in competitive engagements.

Another stop on the tour was Delhi Public School, Amritsar, the former school of India all-rounder Abhishek Sharma. The visit took place in the presence of Abhishek Sharma’s parents, Mr. Raj Kumar Sharma and Mrs. Manju Sharma, along with school dignitaries and faculty members. Students actively participated in activities including trivia sessions and tap-the-ball challenges, making the experience engaging and memorable.

The trophy also visited Karam Devi Memorial Academy, the former school of India bowler Kuldeep Yadav, where the activation took place in the presence of Kuldeep Yadav’s father and his close friend, along with school dignitaries, representatives from the Kanpur Cricket Association, as students participating in cricket-themed engagements including trivia sessions.

The trophy further travelled to Chandigarh University, Mohali, the former college of India bowler Arshdeep Singh, where the event was attended by Executive Director Student Affairs and Administration, along with faculty members. Students actively participated in interactive activities such as trivia sessions and tap-the-ball challenges, adding to the excitement around the visit.

Through the ‘Class of ’26’ initiative, the Trophy Tour with DP World inspired the next generation as the team looks to defend its title on home soil.

Fans can follow the journey on the official Trophy Tour social media handle, @icctrophytour.

Fans can secure their spots for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with tickets starting at just INR 100 in India (approximately USD 1.11) and LKR 1,000 in Sri Lanka (approximately USD 3.26).

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from 7 February to 8 March across venues in India and Sri Lanka, including Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo) and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy).

Chennai, Feb 7: IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), India’s first university-based research park and a leading force behind India’s deep tech transformation, and Unicorn India Ventures, India’s leading DeepTech VC Fund, have joined hands to launch a Rs 600 crore deep tech fund. The fund will also have an additional Rs 400 crore as greenshoe option.

IIT Madras India’s premier engineering institution—has ranked No. 1 for ten consecutive years in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for excellence in academics and innovation, and leads the nation in intellectual property creation, achieving a record average of more than one patent per day. Bolstering the innovation & commercialization capability of IIT Madras is the IITM Research Park which is home to several global R&D labs, Centers of Excellence, and Incubators. IITM Research Park and the IITM Incubation Cell has played a pivotal role in translational research, commercialisation, and nurturing cutting-edge deep tech startups across SpaceTech, Communications, ClimateTech, EVs, Semiconductor, Quantum, and DefenseTech. To further strengthen the innovation ecosystem and accelerate the growth journey for the startups, IIT Madras Research Park has selected Unicorn India Ventures as the Fund Manager for the DeepTech Fund.

The Fund will look to build a portfolio of 25+ companies in IP-led, engineering heavy startups in sectors like Robotics, SpaceTech, DefTech, Semicon, MedTech, etc. that align with national strategic interests.

With an average first investment size of Rs 8-10 crore, the investment strategy will follow a dual stage approach. The fund will be used to invest in early-stage deep tech startups that have reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3– 4 with an aim to identify high-potential innovations to nurture them through the initial commercialization hurdles. To ensure that portfolio companies are not capital starved as deep tech is a long gestation investment business, the fund will also support them with capital at early mid stage where they have reached TRL 5 – 7 to accelerate the development of concept proven technologies.  A part of the corpus would be assigned to select early late-stage companies that reach TRL 7 – 9 with a proven product tech and need support with accelerated scale up and market penetration.

Dr Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director of IIT Madras and the man behind the Shakti micro-processor says

“Science and technology will play a crucial role in the growth story and towards India becoming Viksit Bharat 2047, focusing on technology sovereignty, AI, semiconductors, defencetech and quantum technology. The need of the hour to reduce reliance on technology imports and strengthen indigenous capabilities. IIT Madras has been in forefront of this wave for over a decade and this Fund is the next logical step for us.”

Natarajan Malupillai, Group CEO of IITM Research Park, says,

“India’s deep-tech ecosystem is at a pivotal moment, driven by supportive policies, sustained R&D investments, and a strong entrepreneurial aspiration among our youth. This fund will accelerate the scale-up of mission-driven, globally competitive startups while strengthening India’s culture of innovation & entrepreneurship. We are pleased to partner with Unicorn India Ventures to advance India’s deep-tech leadership—imagining, designing, and building in India for the world.”

Bhaskar Majumdar, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures, says,

“It is an honour to be selected by IITM & IITMRP, which have been the backbone of deep tech innovation in India. With our proven understanding of deep tech, we believe we have the resources and the network to support early-stage deep tech companies. As an active deep tech investor, we have already built a portfolio of nearly 30 companies and this new fund in partnership with IITMRP comes at the right time as we have met numerous innovative deep tech companies in the last 2 years. India has the talent, capital and patient investors like us and IITM to pool in our collective knowledge, resources and industry connections to help the next generation of deep tech founders.”

The fund will deploy 60% of the investable corpus to build the initial portfolio and reserve 40% for follow-on rounds to ensure that there is enough “Patient Capital” to back winners through the “Valley of Death”. Significant portion of the companies will be sourced from IITM’s ecosystem and balance from the wider Indian deep tech ecosystem.

Unicorn India Ventures, as the fund manager will leverage its ability to mobilise capital beyond the primary fund corpus and build a robust co-investment engine to ensure that portfolio companies are never capital starved. The Fund will take the lead in raising the corpus from IITM alumni, and its global network of LPs comprising family offices, UHNIs, and large Indian institutions.

Film actors Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra interact with the media in Kolkata during the special trailer screening of their upcoming film ASSI

Kolkata, Feb 07: Actors Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra arrived in Kolkata today to attend a special media preview of the trailer of their upcoming film ASSI.

The closed-door trailer screening was held at SSR Globe Cinema, where journalists from Kolkata were invited for an exclusive viewing.

Following the screening, the film’s team engaged in an in-depth interaction with the media at Polo Floatel Hotel.

On this occasion, the makers described ASSI as a film that goes beyond being just an issue-based story. It is an experience that continues to resonate with the audience even after the film ends. A fast-paced investigative thriller that unfolds with strong dramatic elements, ASSI keeps viewers engaged till the very end—without preaching, but by posing powerful questions.

Speaking about their respective roles and the film’s sensitive treatment, Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra emphasized that ASSI does not sensationalize incidents. Instead, it explores society, mindsets, and the psychological impact such events leave on people’s lives. The film draws its strength from its compelling characters, courtroom drama, and gripping narrative pace.

The title ASSI is derived from the harsh reality of approximately 80 assault-related FIRs registered in the country every day, giving the film a deep and urgent relevance to contemporary times.

ASSI, releasing on 20 February, has been deliberately scheduled for a February release to reach college and university youth and to initiate an important conversation among them. As the film’s team stated, this is not just a film to be watched—it is a film to be shared, discussed, and reflected upon.

The film ASSI will release in cinemas across the country on 20 February.

Evolution shifts focus to “Platformization,” rewarding technical expertise and service-led growth

Mumbai, India, Feb 7 — Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, today announced the next generation of its NextWave Partner Program, fundamentally redefining partner profitability for the AI era. As the industry moves toward AI-driven security, NextWave moves beyond transactional volume to reward partners who deliver platform-centric security outcomes.

The evolved program enables the entire partner ecosystem to move away from the ‘point-product’ trap. By focusing on platformization, Palo Alto Networks enables partners to integrate their customers’ security stacks across the network, cloud, and SOC—reducing complexity while increasing high-margin, partner-led service opportunities.

Available to partners now, the new NextWave Partner Program is built on direct feedback from the global partner community, focusing on three transformative benefits:

Enhancing Partner Margins: Streamlined rebates focus on Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW), Next-Generation Security (NGS) and platformization to reward technical expertise and maximize profitability.
Accelerating Deal Velocity: Enhanced Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) and new automated deal registrations, combined with improved service delivery tools, to reduce friction and speed up time to close.
Reinvesting For Growth: A new Partner Development Fund (PDF) reinvests earned rebates directly into partner-led demand generation, training, and solution development to drive differentiation and accelerate joint customer success.

With Tailored Paths for Every Partner:

Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs): Predictable, tiered pricing to build high-margin managed services to ensure accelerated outcomes.
Distributors: Enhanced capabilities, governance and support for Distributor Managed Partner growth.
Global System Integrators (GSIs): A “Global Path” rewarding multi-theater influence and strategic consulting with a white glove experience, coming later this year.
Authorized Services (ASC & APS): Real-time deployment assistance to ensure “first-time-right” customer implementations.

Simone Gammeri, Chief Partnerships Officer, Palo Alto Networks

“Our partner ecosystem is more critical than ever in addressing the demand for AI-driven security platforms. Unlike transactional programs, the NextWave Partner Program rewards ‘platformization’ over transactions, so we are empowering our partners to dismantle the complexity that leaves customers vulnerable. This program isn’t just about selling software; it’s about ensuring customers achieve total, AI-driven resilience with a single, unified defense.”

Hugues Foulon, CEO, Orange Cyberdefense

“The NextWave Partner Program serves as a catalyst for deeper strategic collaboration and trust between Palo Alto Networks and Orange Cyberdefense. By increasing transparency, especially around team incentives, we are able to align our efforts more closely, foster co-innovation, and tailor Palo Alto Networks’ solutions to better safeguard our joint customers against evolving cyber threats.”

Jaipur, Feb 6: Luxury fashion is undergoing a powerful transformation. Where understated elegance once defined sophistication, 2026 marks a shift toward bold expression, individuality, and confident presence.

For much of the past decade, quiet luxury—characterized by clean lines, muted palettes, and restrained branding—dominated the fashion landscape. Today, consumers are increasingly dressing for self-expression rather than validation, using clothing to reflect mindset, energy, and identity. Modern luxury is no longer about blending in; it is about being unmistakably oneself.

Pleyne: Jaipur’s Bold Statement in Contemporary Luxury
Jaipur-born luxury label Pleyne is at the forefront of this evolution. Combining the city’s rich heritage and craftsmanship with a global outlook, Pleyne emphasizes statement silhouettes, confident detailing, and intentional boldness.

“Quiet luxury had its moment, but fashion is ultimately about expression,” says Chirag Sogani, Founder of Pleyne. “People today want to be seen for who they are. Their clothes should support that confidence, not suppress it.”

According to Sogani, bold fashion is not synonymous with chaos. “Loud fashion means dressing with clarity. When you are secure in your identity, your style naturally carries a presence,” he explains.

Heritage Meets Modernity
Jaipur’s artistic legacy inspires Pleyne’s philosophy, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary, global influences. “Jaipur teaches you that craftsmanship and confidence can coexist,” says Sogani. “We respect where we come from, but we design for where the world is going.”

Luxury as Empowerment
As minimalism-driven uniformity gives way to individuality, fashion is becoming a tool for personal empowerment. Statement dressing today emphasizes attitude over trends, and authenticity has become the ultimate marker of sophistication.

“The future of luxury is personal,” Sogani adds. “People are not looking for approval anymore. They are looking for authenticity, and fashion plays a powerful role in that journey.”

In 2026, luxury is no longer measured by how quietly it speaks, but by how confidently it shows up. With brands like Pleyne leading the way, the modern fashion landscape celebrates individuality as the new sophistication.

Luxury in Indian interiors is undergoing a transformative shift. No longer defined by extravagance or sheer brightness, modern luxury is now about control, mood, and experience—led by a thoughtful approach to lighting.

Layered lighting, the strategic combination of ambient, task, and accent illumination, is redefining how Indian homes are designed and experienced. This approach allows spaces to adapt seamlessly throughout the day, enhancing both functionality and ambiance.

“Today’s homeowner is far more design aware,” says Naman Jain, Founder of Lumeil. “They do not want lighting that simply fills a room. They want lighting that responds to time of day, to function, and to emotion. That ability to control the atmosphere is what defines modern luxury.”

Lighting as Architecture, Not an Add-On
Modern interiors now integrate decorative lighting into the very architecture of the home. Statement pendants, sculptural chandeliers, and refined wall fixtures are planned alongside layouts and finishes, anchoring zones over dining areas, double-height living rooms, and corridors. The result is fewer, more considered focal points supported by subtle secondary layers that enhance comfort without overwhelming the space.

Room-by-Room Adaptability
Layered lighting offers tailored solutions across the home:

• Living areas mix ambient ceiling lights, accent wall fixtures, and task lighting for reading or work.

• Bedrooms use warm wall lights, bedside pendants, and indirect illumination to promote rest.

• Transitional spaces like hallways and entrances employ light to create rhythm and anticipation.

This intentional approach reflects a larger trend toward thoughtful living, where every element in the home serves both functional and aesthetic purposes.

A Smarter, More Thoughtful Future
As Indian homes evolve, lighting will remain central to how spaces are experienced. Luxury today is not about excess; it is about clarity, restraint, and the power to create atmosphere on one’s own terms. Layered lighting offers homeowners this power, enabling them to shape their environment with subtlety and ease.

“In many ways, lighting sets the emotional foundation of a home,” adds Jain. “When it is done right, you may not notice it immediately, but you feel the difference every day.”

Mr.  Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist, Bank of Baroda

“The policy has left repo rate unchanged as expected and hence the markets have been quite unaffected. Quite expectedly too there have been no forecasts made on GDP and inflation next year as the new series are expected this month. Interestingly, while there is assurance on liquidity supply by RBI, no measures have been announced which means that they will be announced on need based.

Again, in line with the push given by the Budget to MSMEs, the RBI has increased the limit for collateral-free loans to Rs 20 lakh. Hence there seems to be steady follow up action to the Budget announcements.

We may expect that the rate cycle has ended and 5.25% repo rate would stand for some time before any action is taken, which is more likely in upward direction if inflation turns out to be higher in future. “

 Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India.

“The RBI’s decision to hold rates steady, reflects a cautious and stability focused stance in a volatile global environment. As the economic growth outlook remains stable and maintain momentum, we can expect this overall growth to have a positive impact on the real estate sector. The pause underscores the central bank’s priority on managing currency pressures and external risks.

For the real estate sector, the repo rate continues to remain at its lowest level in the post-pandemic period. While a further reduction in rates would have provided an added boost to homebuyer sentiment, particularly in the affordable housing segment, we expect banks to pass on a greater share of the existing rate benefits to consumers in the coming months. A stable interest rate environment offers much-needed predictability, supporting informed decision-making for both homebuyers and developers. In addition to the rate actions, the central bank has also eased the rules for bank lending to REITs which is a positive step considering it will ease their credit access and facilitate access to lower cost funds.”

New Delhi, Feb 6: IndiaMART, India’s largest online B2B marketplace, has been honoured with three prestigious awards at the 16th IAMAI India Digital Awards 2026, highlighting its leadership in AI, performance marketing, and data-driven innovation.

The company won Gold awards for AI Innovation of the Year and Best Execution of Performance Campaigns, and a Silver award for Data Science Technology of the Year, reinforcing its commitment to building a scalable, technology-led, and trusted digital commerce ecosystem for Indian businesses.

Award Highlights:

• Gold – AI Innovation of the Year (VANI):
  IndiaMART’s in-house voice AI system, VANI, autonomously handles buyer calls for intent validation and lead approval. Capable of multilingual conversations and contextual intelligence, VANI automates nearly 80% of buyer voice validations, transforming a traditionally human-dependent process into a scalable, AI-first operation.

• Gold – Best Execution of Performance Campaigns (Creator Affiliate Program):
  The Creator Affiliate Program drives B2B commerce through affiliates and influencers, onboarding 10,000+ industry-specific creators. With automation-first onboarding, transparent processes, and performance-driven incentives, the program establishes a robust ecosystem aligned with IndiaMART’s B2B core.

• Silver – Data Science Technology of the Year (Real-Time Price Exchange):
  IndiaMART’s Real-Time Price Exchange leverages AI and ML to provide transparent and contextual B2B price intelligence. By analyzing unstructured buyer–seller interactions across voice, chat, and enquiries, the system delivers market-relevant price ranges, addressing inefficiencies in India’s fragmented B2B sector.

This recognition marks a significant milestone in IndiaMART’s journey, emphasizing its focus on AI-led innovation, performance-driven growth, and data science excellence in building a resilient, future-ready marketplace for MSMEs and large enterprises across India.