Archives 2026

Coventry University Group’s India Hub is hosting a week of high-powered engagements with strategic research partners, government and industry stakeholders to explore priority themes including artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, healthcare and clean growth. 

A delegation from Coventry University Group’s senior research leadership team led by Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), and including Professors Elena Gaura, Carl Perrin and Rohit Bhagat travelled to India to deepen those strategic partnerships. 

Over the past year the education group has developed a growing portfolio of collaborations with leading Indian institutions, including IIT Guwahati and GITAM, translating global engagement into real-world research impact and harnessing strategic relationships to create tangible research activity and joint programmes. 

Caption: Coventry University’s delegation meets with representatives of IIT Delhi

 Coventry University Group and IIT Guwahati formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding, enabling joint research, co-funded PhDs, staff and student mobility, and community engagement projects.  

Coventry University Group and IIT Delhi held a Winter School centred on energy storage, green hydrogen and the application of AI and machine learning in material development, characterisation and data analytics. This will further strengthen knowledge exchange and open avenues for exploring joint supervision models and collaborative research in those areas. 

The India Hub is playing a central role in strengthening academic, research and innovation partnerships with India in areas such as AI, healthcare innovation and societal wellbeing, as well as supporting Coventry University Group’s growing footprint in doctoral education, researcher development and innovation capacity-building. 

Through its partnership with GITAM, the Group has established a dual-award PhD programme, with the first cohort of candidates already enrolled across projects spanning health technologies, clean growth and creative disciplines. 

As part of the visit the delegation will also be engaging with government agencies, industry and various research institutes to advance joint initiatives in India across a range of stakeholders. 

Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University, said: “Our research always comes with a real-world change in mind and working alongside institutions and partners in India we can have a lasting impact on areas such as clean tech, AI and healthcare. This visit highlighted the importance of multi-disciplinary research, ethical frameworks and real-world validation, and demonstrated how UK–India collaboration can accelerate progress in these areas.” 

Yashodhara Dasgupta, Regional Managing Director of Coventry University Group’s India Hub, said: “The India Hub exists to turn relationships into outcomes. Whether through joint PhDs, research-led training or policy-facing dialogue, our focus is on creating platforms where UK and Indian expertise can come together to address real-world challenges and deliver shared value.” 

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the 4th DISCOM Conclave 2026 at PHD House, New Delhi, on 24th February 2026.

The highlight of the conclave was its distinguished list of guests:

Chief Guest: Mr Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India

Chair: Mr P R Kumar, Power Committee, PHDCCI & MD & CEO, Noida Power Company Ltd

Guest of Honour: Mr Alok Kumar, IAS (Retd.), Director General, All India Discoms Association & Former Power Secretary, Government of India

Guest of Honour: Mr Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority

The Conclave commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and Secretary General, PHDCCI, who emphasised the significance of the Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy’s presence, underscoring the importance of the conclave and the critical role that DISCOMs play in India’s evolving energy landscape.

Speaking at the 4th DISCOM Conclave 2026, the Chief Guest, Mr Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India highlighted India’s remarkable power sector transformation under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, from universal electrification to 500 GW renewable capacity targets. He emphasised that financially strong and digitally intelligent DISCOMs are central to achieving the nation’s energy vision.

With 5.5 crore smart meters already installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), he underscored the transformative potential of AI in demand forecasting, grid management, and operational efficiency. He called upon industry, innovators, and financial institutions to partner in building next-generation DISCOMs fit for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Mr Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority states – Building next-generation DISCOMs demands excellence across two critical dimensions — technical reliability and digital intelligence. On the technical front, DISCOMs must progressively achieve N-1 reliability standards at the distribution level, ensuring consumers receive truly uninterrupted, quality power supply.

Digital transformation must go beyond smart metering to encompass a holistic, integrated digital architecture with standardised components, interoperable systems, and robust cybersecurity frameworks. Bihar’s near one-crore smart meter deployment in prepaid mode demonstrates the transformative financial and operational impact already achievable.

The real opportunity lies in leveraging granular consumption data for precise demand forecasting, peak load prediction, and dynamic resource adequacy planning. Integrating finance, technology, data, and planning into one cohesive architecture will position Indian DISCOMs among the world’s best, driving India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.

Supporting the discussion further, Mr Alok Kumar, IAS (Retd.) Director General, All India Discoms Association & Former Power Secretary, Government of India said – “Indian DISCOMs have achieved a commendable turnaround in FY25, with reduced aggregate losses and improved profitability. With AT&C losses at 15%, there remains a significant opportunity to close the gap with the global benchmark of 7.5%, while turning the ACS-ARR gap meaningfully positive will further strengthen long-term financial resilience. With electricity demand projected to grow four to five times by 2047, DISCOMs have an immense opportunity to scale up, provided network investments keep pace with renewable integration.

Realising this potential requires pushing billing efficiency from 87% towards 92-93%, achieving 100% collection efficiency, ensuring timely state government subsidy payments, and enabling realistic tariff revisions by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). Encouragingly, addressing these two structural enablers — timely subsidies and progressive tariff revisions — alone can resolve 90% of sectoral financial stress. With focused operational improvements, India’s DISCOMs are well-positioned to become financially resilient institutions capable of powering Viksit Bharat 2047.

While addressing at the Conclave Mr P R Kumar Chair, Power Committee, PHDCCI & MD & CEO, Noida Power Company Ltd said – “India’s power distribution sector has made significant strides, with Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses falling from over 25% in FY14 to nearly 15% in FY25, and the Average Cost of Supply per unit to the Average Revenue Realized (ACS-ARR) gap narrowing to just 6 paise per unit. DISCOMs have collectively reported positive PAT this year. However, financial fragility persists, with nearly 80% of DISCOMs having a Debt Service Coverage Ratio below 3. Strengthening finances requires reducing losses, optimising power purchase costs, and ensuring cost-reflective tariffs.

On the digital front, transformation is no longer optional. With renewable energy poised to constitute 80% of future capacity, demand-side flexibility through smart metering and digital infrastructure is critical. Beyond the mandated 25 crore smart meters, DISCOMs must build a comprehensive digital stack — encompassing AI-based forecasting, SCADA, AMI, and cybersecurity frameworks — to evolve into intelligent energy service providers.”

In his address, Dr Ranjeet Mehta also predicted – “The DISCOMs will not just be power distributors — they will be energy managers, digital service providers, and key enablers of India’s energy transition. With smart meters, data analytics, AI-based demand forecasting, and improved consumer interfaces, DISCOMs can become more consumer-centric and financially sustainable.

In today’s rapidly changing environment, DISCOMs are recalibrating their strategies. I believe that across the country, DISCOMs have increasingly recognized that the customer must be at the center of their strategy.”

Amid the enlightening speeches by our honourable guests, PHDCCI and FICHTNER released a knowledge report on “Creating Next Generation DISCOMs – Financially Strong and Digitally Smart” underscoring the conclave’s vision and its alignment with India’s journey towards 2047. The report is also attached with this press release.

The event was also attended by a vast pool of policy makers, regulators, sustainability enthusiasts, power and distribution experts, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders.

Ras Al Khaimah, Feb24: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) marked the groundbreaking of a new 5,839 m² warehousing facility by Indu, a multi-industry-focused logistics and warehouse solutions provider, at Al Hamra Industrial Zone.

The ceremony was attended by senior RAKEZ representatives, including Ian Hunt, Chief Experience Officer; Alia Rabbani, Key Accounts Director; and Mohamed Ismayil, Senior Manager – Key Accounts.

The new development will deliver advanced warehousing solutions with a projected capacity of 12,000 m³. Designed to serve fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), hotel supplies, and food supplies, the facility will primarily support the F&B sector across the Northern Emirates by providing specialised storage solutions.

Scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026, the project forms a key part of Indu’s broader expansion strategy to evolve into a multi-industry-focused logistics provider, capitalising on Ras Al Khaimah’s accelerating economic growth and rising demand across key sectors.

Commenting on the milestone, Kush Kishore Lakhani, Managing Director at Indu, said, “Indu has always followed the ‘Build It and They Will Come’ approach. This strategic investment reflects the notable rise in activity across Ras Al Khaimah and the growing demand for advanced logistics solutions, particularly in the FMCG and F&B sectors. By establishing this facility, we are strengthening our footprint in the Northern Emirates and positioning ourselves to support the region’s continued economic and tourism-driven growth. The proactive support we received from RAKEZ, from application to construction permits, has been instrumental in helping us stay on track and execute this investment with confidence.”

Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, added, “Indu’s investment reinforces Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a growing logistics and distribution hub serving key sectors across the Northern Emirates. As demand rises across FMCG, hospitality, and food supply chains, scalable warehousing infrastructure becomes increasingly vital. At RAKEZ, we remain committed to providing investors with the industrial land, streamlined processes, and end-to-end support needed to accelerate their growth and deliver long-term value to the wider business ecosystem.”

The facility’s development comes amid sustained expansion in Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism and hospitality sectors, further strengthening the emirate’s supply chain capabilities and enhancing its industrial ecosystem.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Feb 24 – Xwatch Safety Solutions, part of Hexagon, a leader in excavator safety systems, and RodRadar, developer of the field-proven Live Dig Radar (LDR), today announced the industry’s first safety-grade solution for preventing underground utility strikes. The integrated system, set to be demonstrated at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2026 (March 3-7, Las Vegas), automatically stops excavator bucket movement when subsurface utilities are detected during active excavation, making RodRadar’s Zero-Strike vision a reality.

Underground utility strikes remain among the most persistent safety and financial challenges in construction. In the United States, one to two strikes occur every minute, with over 400,000 incidents reported annually, costing the economy approximately $30 billion each year and contributing to thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities over the past two decades.

Nearly 50% of strikes occur because utilities were not located or were mis-located, and in 64% of incidents the buried infrastructure was more than two feet outside the marked area.

RodRadar’s AI-driven Live Dig Radar digging system uses the first-ever ground-penetrating radar (GPR) embedded directly in an excavator bucket to detect underground utilities in real- time, during excavation, without reliance on pre-project utility data. Through the RodRadar- Xwatch integration, LDR detected utilities trigger an automatic bucket stop via Xwatch’s safety- grade hydraulic control system to prevent it from hitting the utility.

The integration represents a fundamental step in excavation safety. The approach is analogous to the automotive industry’s evolution from Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that merely warn drivers, to autonomous emergency braking that actively prevents collisions: the integrated system takes direct action, delivering what RodRadar terms Stop-Before-Strike (SBS), while operators retain override capability.

Xwatch Safety Solutions brings long-standing experience in safety-grade excavator control to this partnership. With over 6,500 systems installed worldwide, the company is a global leader in excavator safety technology, providing height and slew control through proportional hydraulic intervention. Acquired by Hexagon AB in April 2024, Xwatch operates within Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division, alongside Leica Geosystems and IDS GeoRadar.

“RodRadar has solved the detection problem during excavation,” said Dan Leaney, Director of Sales at Xwatch Safety Solutions. “By integrating their Live Dig Radar technology directly into our safety-grade hydraulic control, we can physically stop the machine before a strike occurs. That’s the difference between warning about a risk and actually preventing it.”

“Xwatch’s proven track record in safety-grade hydraulic control makes them an ideal partner to bring our Zero-Strike vision to reality,” said Yuval Barnea, VP of Sales and Marketing at RodRadar. “The integration further closes the safety gap, transforming LDR detections into automatic strike prevention and delivering the industry’s first-ever SBS solution. We envision this to be recommended and mandated by leading industry stakeholders, project owners, and contractors.”

Construction safety remains a critical industry concern, with 1,075 fatalities recorded in U.S. construction in 2023, the highest figure since 2011; struck-by incidents account for approximately 15.4% of those fatalities. The integrated solution aims to establish Zero-Strike Excavation as the new industry standard, with the potential to become mandated on job sites where underground utilities are present.

Mumbai, Feb 24: The iconic Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi Million returned to the prestigious Royal Western India Turf Club, Ltd. (RWITC), bringing together the worlds of elite thoroughbred & juvenile racing, heritage and high fashion in a spectacular showcase that blended sporting prestige with contemporary yet timeless luxury.

A landmark fixture on India’s racing calendar, this year’s edition elevated the race day experience with a special fashion moment by Ms Delna Poonawalla, who presented an exclusive teaser from her upcoming capsule collection. Inspired by the spirit of the “Fire Horse”, the showcase reflected themes of momentum, independence and fearless individuality, echoing both racing culture and modern sartorial expression.

Presented against the vibrant backdrop of the racecourse, the capsule highlighted bold animal prints, statement fascinators and refined silhouettes that celebrated turf elegance through a modern Indian lens. The preview offered guests an intimate look at the evolving design narrative ahead of a larger showcase slated for next month.

Speaking after the unveiling, Ms Delna Poonawalla said:

“This year my collection carries a very strong and trending element, animal print, inspired by the Year of the “Fire Horse”. Having been part of a legacy rooted in horses, this theme feels deeply personal. The “Fire Horse” represents momentum, freedom, independence and the courage to go after what you want, and I wanted that energy to translate into every look showcased here today.”

The racing action delivered memorable highlights on the track, with Margaretta claiming top honours in the prestigious Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi Million. Trained by P. Shroff and steered to victory by jockey Vivek G., the winner displayed remarkable speed and composure, further cementing the race’s reputation as a premier contest for juveniles. Adding, to the Poonawalla family’s celebratory evening, their horse Caccini triumphed in The Mystical Trophy under jockey David Allan and trainer Karthik Ganapathy, marking another proud moment for the legacy closely associated with Indian thoroughbred excellence. The coveted Best Turned Out Horse award was presented to Buckingham, recognising outstanding presentation and grooming standards in the paddock.

Beyond the racing action, the event’s celebrated style traditions continued to draw attention, with Semran Parvaiz awarded the Best Dressed Lady and Rohan Doctor named the Best Dressed Gentleman, reflecting the signature blend of elegance and race day fashion that defines the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi Million experience.

Delna’s presentation added a distinctive layer of glamour to the racing spectacle, reinforcing the longstanding association between the Poonawalla legacy and the evolution of race day fashion in India. From final fittings to spirited debates over fascinators, the collection reflected meticulous craftsmanship and an authentic connection to equine heritage.

As the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million once again defined the pinnacle of Indian juvenile racing, the evening stood as a celebration of speed, sophistication and style, where champions were crowned on the track and couture storytelling unfolded off it.

Switzerland, Feb 24 — The Hashgraph Group (THG), the Swiss-based Web3 and AI technology engineering company operating within the Hedera ecosystem, has today announced the launch of TrackTrace, deployed as a fully managed enterprise-grade solution that transforms and enhances global supply chain transparency through real-time tracking of products from origin, ethical sourcing, and carbon emissions data.

TrackTrace enables the certification of product authenticity and immutable data audit trails, while providing end-to-end transparency and traceability through cryptographically verified decentralized identifiers (DIDs). The platform creates verifiable audit trails of product-specific data, sustainability credentials, durability, reparability, and various other product data, while applying Agentic AI for workflow automation and compliant DPP reporting.

TrackTrace enables the linkage between physical events and digital records in a tamper-proof environment by integrating THG’s existing product IDTrust to provide decentralized identity and verifiable credentials, with digital executable business processes and immutable data audit trails anchored on Hedera – the world’s leading and most energy-efficient distributed ledger technology (DLT) that is governed by a council of leading global organisations such as Dell, Deutsche Telecom, EDF, FedEx, Google, Hitachi, IBM, Mondelēz, and Standard Bank, just to name a few of the over 30 Hedera Council members.

Built for enterprises, TrackTrace supports compliance with the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which introduces mandatory sustainability and circularity norms across various regulated product categories. The requirement for a digital product passport applies to all products, including all components and intermediate products manufactured or put into operation in the EU. Under the ESPR framework, all products will require a digital record, typically accessed via QR code, containing data on a product’s origin, composition, sustainability credentials, and lifecycle.

The Hashgraph Group’s efforts to evolve in accordance with regulatory changes are echoed across the Hedera ecosystem, with the recent announcement by FedEx that it has joined the Hedera Council to advance trusted digital infrastructure for global shipments and the future of digital global supply chains. TrackTrace is designed and built to enable the digital evolution of global supply chains by leveraging the convergence of agentic intelligence and workflow automation with decentralization and trusted data infrastructure, offering enhanced digital visibility, governance, and compliance across entire product lifecycles and environments.

“The European Green Deal strives to establish the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and needs infrastructure it can trust to transform Europe into a modern, efficient, and sustainable, economy,” said Stefan Deiss, Co-Founder & CEO at The Hashgraph Group. “With TrackTrace built on Hedera, we deliver that critical trust data infrastructure layer that enables companies to comply with DPP regulation, while strengthening global supply chain integrity and fostering the transition to a sustainable, transparent, and circular economy.”

Set to come into force in 2027, the DPP regulation will apply to categories including textiles, construction materials, batteries and electronics, fundamentally reshaping how products are designed, tracked, and reported across the European market. For businesses targeting the EU market, DPP becomes a strategic priority that requires urgent focus to ensure compliance with the ESPR. According to PwC, the DPP initiative will redefine how products are designed, produced, recycled, and managed across the EU. THG and PwC are already collaborating with enterprises that need to implement DPP in compliance with ESPR, leveraging TrackTrace to provide transparency, traceability, and auditability across the entire lifecycle of a product.

Micha Roon, Head of Engineering at The Hashgraph Group said, “In designing TrackTrace, we prioritized interoperability to ensure it communicates seamlessly with existing enterprise ERPs and diverse supply chain standards. We have embedded GDPR compliance by design, allowing businesses to share mandatory compliance data without exposing any sensitive intellectual property or personal information. Ultimately, our architecture leverages Hedera’s consensus algorithm to deliver quantum-resistant data security, ensuring that every digital product passport is both immutable and verifiable across global supply chain borders.”

The digital product passport also has implications for global trade since it does not only affect companies based in the EU. For instance, all products exported into the EU market, regardless of the country of manufacture, must have a corresponding DPP. For companies seeking to maintain market access, export products, and remain competitive within the EU market, time is of the essence to integrate DPP now into their product strategy, design, and operations.