Archives 2026

Hyatt Place Butwal Marks Entry into the City’s Hospitality Market, Ushering in a New Era of Premium Hospitality in Western Nepal

Nepal, Jan 13:  Marking a milestone for Western Nepal’s hospitality sector, Hyatt Place Butwal has officially entered the market as Butwal’s first internationally branded five-star hotel. The launch underscores the city’s rapid transformation into a key economic, industrial, and tourism hub, bringing global hospitality standards to a region poised for accelerated growth.

The hotel has already made a strong impact on Butwal’s evolving social and lifestyle landscape, following the successful hosting of its grand opening celebration, “New Year’s Eve Under the Stars.” The event drew prominent business leaders, influencers, and residents, showcasing Hyatt Place Butwal’s ability to curate premium, world-class experiences and position itself as a new centre for high-profile gatherings in the city.

Commenting on the launch, Tushar Nagar, General Manager, Hyatt Place Butwal, said,
“The overwhelming response to our New Year’s Eve celebration clearly shows that Butwal is ready for a premium lifestyle and hospitality experience. With the operationalisation of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and the city’s rapidly expanding industrial base, the demand for international-standard accommodation has grown significantly. Hyatt Place Butwal is here to bridge that gap—serving business travellers, leisure guests, and the region’s growing trade ecosystem.”

Butwal: Emerging as Western Nepal’s Next Economic Hub

Strategically located at the intersection of the Mahendra Highway (Asian Highway) and the Siddhartha Highway, Butwal is fast evolving from a transit town into a commercial and industrial powerhouse. Enhanced international air connectivity, expanding industrial zones, and strong highway access are positioning the city as Western Nepal’s most important connector for trade, tourism, and transit.

The operationalisation of Gautam Buddha International Airport has further accelerated this momentum, strengthening Butwal’s role in cross-border trade, investment, and tourism. As manufacturing and allied industries continue to expand across Lumbini Province, the city is increasingly emerging as a preferred base for business travel and corporate activity.

Hyatt Place Butwal complements this transformation by offering the city its first international-standard destination for corporate stays, conferences, meetings, and networking events, redefining business hospitality in the region.

 Why Travelers Choose Hyatt Place Butwal

  • Gateway to Lumbini:
    Located within convenient driving distance of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the hotel provides pilgrims and cultural travellers with a refined retreat to relax and rejuvenate after their spiritual journey.

  • Global Comfort & Standards:
    As Butwal’s first five-star hotel, Hyatt Place Butwal delivers globally recognised benchmarks in comfort, hygiene, and service—setting a new standard previously unavailable in the region.

  • A Lifestyle Destination:
    Featuring a scenic outdoor swimming pool, a modern fitness centre, and signature dining experiences, the hotel also positions itself as a lifestyle hub for domestic travellers and local residents seeking premium staycation and leisure experiences.

With its launch, Hyatt Place Butwal not only elevates the city’s hospitality offering but also reinforces Butwal’s growing stature on Nepal’s economic and tourism map, setting the stage for the next phase of regional growth and global connectivity.

Diebold Nixdorf Elevates Jaivinder Singh Gill to Strengthen Regional Leadership

Diebold Nixdorf Strengthens Regional Leadership to Accelerate Growth, Elevates Jaivinder Singh Gill

Mumbai, India, Jan 13: Diebold Nixdorf, a world leader in transforming the way people bank and shop, has strengthened its regional leadership with the promotion of Mr. Jaivinder Singh Gill to Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Banking & Retail, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), and the appointment of Mr. Sandeep Sethi as Managing Director, India. The leadership changes are aimed at accelerating growth, deepening customer engagement and supporting large-scale digital transformation across banking and retail markets in the APMEA region by reinforcing strategic leadership across partnerships, enterprise sales and market execution.

Following his promotion, Jaivinder Singh Gill will lead as Senior Vice President and Managing Director – Banking & Retail, APMEA. With over 30 years of leadership experience spanning technology, banking, retail, and financial services, Jaivinder has played a key role in driving business transformation and regional expansion at Diebold Nixdorf. In his new role, he will continue to spearhead strategic growth initiatives and strengthen partnerships across the APMEA region.

Jaivinder Singh Gill said,

“Bank and retail systems across APMEA region are at a critical inflection point where modernisation can no longer be decoupled from resilience and consumer trust. Organizations are increasingly challenged to go beyond incremental adjustments to, in some cases, ‘reboot’ their systems and refocus them on business outcomes architecting across the physical and digital boundaries.” He added. “We are focused on empowering merchants and financial institutions to build secure, scalable and future-proofed commerce solutions that anticipates and adapts to changing consumer behaviour and regulatory requirements.”

Additionally, Diebold Nixdorf has appointed Sandeep Sethi as Managing Director, India. He will lead the banking business for India. Sandeep is a seasoned sales leader and accomplished executive with 27 years of experience in enterprise sales management, specializing in the banking, payments, and retail automation sectors. Prior to Diebold Nixdorf, he served as VP & Regional Head for India & South Asia at Wibmo (A PayU/Naspers company), leading the region’s payment business, driving growth across Authentication, Payment Gateway, Tokenisation, Fraud & Risk Management (FRM), and Digital Banking platforms. He is noted for leading Wibmo’s SaaS-led Payment Tech platform business in India and South Asia. He has also held leadership positions at several Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, NCR Corporation, Xerox, and Canon.

“Sandeep’s appointment significantly strengthens our leadership depth at a time when financial institutions in India are navigating large-scale transformation,” said Jaivinder Singh Gill. “His experience across payments, digital banking platforms and enterprise ecosystems will be critical in helping our clients to modernise, manage risk and deliver secure, seamless experiences at scale. With my expanded responsibilities, this allows us to align the regional strategy with strong on-ground execution as we continue to build resilient, future-ready connected commerce platforms.”

With these leadership appointments, Diebold Nixdorf reinforces its commitment to accelerating growth, advancing digital transformation and delivering secure, innovative connected commerce solutions that help banking and retail clients modernise operations and meet evolving customer expectations across global markets.

Swiggy Announces Winners of Inaugural ‘Food for Thought Challenge’

Swiggy Announces Winners of the Inaugural Edition of ‘Food for Thought Challenge’ – Reinforces Commitment to Student Innovation

 Bengaluru, Jan 13: Swiggy (Swiggy Ltd, NSE: SWIGGY / BSE: 544285), India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, today announced the winners of the inaugural edition of Food For Thought Challenge (FFTC) – its flagship case study competition. The Food for Thought Challenge (FFTC) gave the opportunity to thousands of students across campuses in the country to share fresh, disruptive ideas that could further strengthen Swiggy’s position as a trusted companion for every student during the campus years.

IIM Lucknow was crowned the Winner for their innovative ideas for more meaningful student engagement for food delivery and dining out. The team was rewarded pre-placement interviews and a cash prize of ₹1,50,000. IIM Indore ranked First Runner Up and was rewarded with a cash prize of ₹50,000. Teams from IIM Bengaluru and MICA Ahmedabad were also amongst the other 4 finalists of the competition.

The Food For Thought Challenge, which was launched in September 2025, saw an overwhelming response from the student community, receiving 2,600+ submissions from 600+ colleges across India, with more than 30% of the entries from IIMs, IITs, NITs, and other leading institutions. The Finale Round was chaired by Rohit Kapoor, CEO, Swiggy Food Marketplace. Swiggy intends to make Food for Thought an annual platform with an objective of enabling innovation and connecting better with the student community.

Speaking on the entries and the initiative, Deepak Maloo, Vice President – Food Strategy, Customer Experience & New Initiatives, Swiggy, said,

 “College students are more than just our customers; they are a catalyst for innovation. With FFTC, we were keen to harness their disruptive, fresh perspectives to identify and unlock new growth levers and further enhance customer experience. The participating teams were impressive, demonstrating an incredible knack for turning data-driven insights into disruptive, actionable ideas.”

The Food For Thought Challenge had a rigorous evaluation process and all the submissions underwent a multi-stage evaluation. The submissions were graded on a 4-point framework (innovativeness, impact on growth, execution feasibility, cost effectiveness). The top 8 teams from the list advanced to a semi-final round with top Swiggy executives in the Jury Panel and 4 teams made it to the Grand Finale, hosted in Bengaluru.

By engaging with campuses, Swiggy aims to foster an ecosystem where young talent can contribute to the future of food tech and logistics, mirroring the company’s own journey as a market disruptor founded on bold ideas. Swiggy’s Student Rewards Program and Campus Streaks initiatives have already garnered attention amongst the student community and are in line with Swiggy’s larger effort to deliver greater value and convenience to young consumers across India. The Student Rewards program has received an overwhelming response and enables over 7 lakh college students across 3,600+ campuses today.

EaseMyTrip Announces ‘Republic Day Travel Sale’ with Big Savings Deals on Flights, Hotels, Buses, Cabs, and Holiday Packages

New Delhi, Jan 13: EaseMyTrip, one of India’s leading online travel platforms, has announced the launch of its ‘Republic Day Travel Sale’, offering travelers attractive deals to plan their upcoming journeys during the Republic Day period and the early months of the year. The campaign, live from 13th to 17th January 2026, is designed to encourage travel across the country and beyond, combining value-driven pricing with seamless booking experiences.

As part of the ‘Republic Day Travel Sale’, travelers can unlock a host of limited-period offers, including:

  • Flights:UP TO INR 10,000 OFF*
  • Hotels:UP TO INR 10,000 OFF*
  • Holiday Packages:Starting at INR 9,999*
  • Buses:UP TO INR 250 OFF*
  • Cabs:UP TO INR 500 OFF*

These offers can be availed by using the promo code ‘EMTREPUBLIC’ on the EaseMyTrip app or website.

Customers can unlock additional benefits when booking with AU Bank, BOBCARD, Federal Bank, and ICICI credit cards, as well as Federal Bank debit cards. Travelers also stand a chance to win exclusive giveaways from partner brands like Foxtale, Relaxo, and The Man Company.

The ‘Republic Day Travel Sale’ brings together an extensive network of airline partners, including Air Astana, Air Canada, Air France, Akasa Air, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, ITA Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, Swiss International Air Lines, Thai VietJet Air, and Virgin Atlantic.

Travelers can also enjoy exclusive hotel discounts across a wide portfolio of hospitality partners, including 7 Apple Hotels, Ahuja’s Hospitality, Aivaa Hotels & Resorts, Amritara Hotels & Resorts, Ananta Hotels & Resorts, Astra Hotels, Birj Hotels, Bloom Hotels, Club Mahindra, Clarks Collection, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, DLS Hotels & Resorts, Ecko Hotels, ECO Hotels, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, FabHotels, Ginger Hotels, GoStops, Haryana Tourism, HOSHR, Hotel Sonar Bangla, Icon Hotels, juSTa Hotels & Resorts, Lemon Tree Hotels, Le Roi Hotels, Lime Tree Hotels, Limewood Hotels & Resorts, Lords Hotels & Resorts, Magnus Hotels, Mount Hotels & Resorts, MP Tourism, Moustache Hostels, Mumbai House Hotels, Neemrana Hotels, One Earth Hotels, OTHPL, OYO, Pride Hotels Group, Ramee Group of Hotels, Ramoji Group of Hotels, Renest Hotels, RG Suites, SaltStayz, Sayaji Hotels, Shahpura Hotels, Shrigo Hotels, Sinclairs Hotels & Resorts, Spree Hotels, Starlit Hotels, Sterling Holidays, Suba Hotels, Summit Hotels & Resorts, Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts, TGI Hotels, The Altruist Hotels, The Byke Hospitality, The Clarks Hotels & Resorts, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Treehouse Hotels, Vesta Hotels & Resorts, VITS Hotels, WelcomHeritage, Windflower Resorts & Hotels, Zone by The Park, and Z Express Hotels.

As part of the sale, EaseMyTrip has curated special holiday packages covering popular domestic destinations such as Corbett, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Jaipur, Kashmir, Kerala, Manali, and Nainital, along with international destinations including Bali, Dubai, Europe, Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The sale comes at a time when early-year travel demand is showing strong momentum, with Republic Day emerging as a key booking window for both short breaks and advance trip planning.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Chief Marketing Officer, EaseMyTrip, said, 

“Republic Day often marks the start of the year’s travel planning for many consumers. Through our ‘Republic Day Travel Sale’, we aim to make journeys more accessible by offering strong value across flights, stays, and holiday packages, while continuing to deliver a simple and reliable booking experience. Early-year travel demand has been growing steadily, and we want to ensure our customers can plan their trips with convenience and confidence.”

With travel demand picking up in January, EaseMyTrip’s ‘Republic Day Travel Sale’ makes travel more flexible, convenient, and affordable, echoing the pride and progress of the Indian Republic.

Himalaya BabyCare Launches New Campaign Promising Worry-Free Care for Baby’s First Winter

Hyderabad, Jan 13: Himalaya BabyCare, India’s leading baby care brand loved by babies and trusted by parents, has unveiled a heartwarming new campaign that captures a mother’s instinctive concern during her baby’s first winter. Set against the cold and dry air of winter, the film captures a tender moment of parents protecting their baby’s soft cheeks and skin.

The DVC opens with a mother voicing her worry about how the harsh winter air could dry out her baby’s delicate skin, especially those soft, chubby cheeks. Responding with warmth and reassurance, the narrative shifts from concern to confidence as she makes a simple yet powerful promise—“Hum hone hi nahi denge”, a declaration that her baby’s cheeks will remain soft, no matter how harsh the  weather.

Rooted in emotion and everyday realism, the film reinforces Himalaya Gentle Baby Lotion and Gentle Baby Cream as trusted winter essentials for babies. The communication highlights Himalaya Gentle Baby  Lotion and Cream with a skin-friendly pH of 5.5, powered by the Penta Moisture Lock formulation to deeply moisturize and help protect the baby’s delicate skin barrier during winter.

By blending maternal instinct with science-backed reassurance, the DVC reaffirms Himalaya BabyCare’s role as a dependable partner for parents navigating their baby’s first winter. 

Speaking about the campaign, Mr. Chakravarthi N. V., Director – BabyCare, Himalaya Wellness Company, said,

“At Himalaya BabyCare, we understand that a baby’s first winter can bring many questions and concerns for new parents. This DVC reflects the deeply emotional truth that every parent wants to protect their baby from even the smallest discomfort. 

Through this film, we wanted to reassure parents that Himalaya BabyCare, the No. 1 Doctor Prescribed Brand* stands as a trusted partner in nurturing and protecting their baby, and that our gentle formulations are thoughtfully crafted to keep baby’s skin soft, nourished, and winter-ready.”

With its emotion-led storytelling and strong product credibility, the campaign strengthens Himalaya BabyCare’s long-standing bond with parents and its identity as a brand trusted by moms** and loved by babies^, echoing the promise of gentle, safe, and effective care for their baby’s first winter and beyond.

Z Partners with Kabaddi Champions League Haryana to Launch ‘Mitti Ka Khel’ Across Zee5 & TV

‘Z’ Partners with Kabaddi Champions League Haryana to Bring ‘Mitti Ka Khel’ to Millions; Inaugural Season to Telecast Live across Zee 5 & Linear Channels

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (‘Z’), India’s leading media and entertainment company, today announced a landmark partnership with the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Haryana to bring the high-octane action of professional kabaddi to viewers nationwide. Officially sanctioned by the Amateur Kabaddi Association Haryana (AKAH), the league’s inaugural season is set to take place from January 25th to February 7th, 2026, featuring 8 powerhouse franchises competing for the ultimate glory.

The collaboration will see KCL Haryana stream digitally on the Zee 5 app and broadcast across ‘Z’s leading linear channels, including Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Z Yuva, Z Bollywood, &Pictures HD, Z Punjabi, and ‘Z’s dedicated sports platforms. By offering feeds in both Hindi and regional languages, ‘Z’ aims to maximize accessibility for fans across India’s diverse demographic landscape, particularly within the heartlands where Kabaddi is a legacy sport.

The 14-day tournament will feature the founding eight franchises: Karnal Kings, Gurugram Gurus, Rohtak Royals, Faridabad Fighters, Panipat Panther, Sonipat Stars, Bhiwani Bulls, and Hisar Heros. Guided by Dronacharya Awardee Shri Balwan Singh, championed by brand ambassadors Rajesh Narwal and Mohit Chhillar and with world’s top kabaddi players, the league is designed to give ‘Mitti Ka Talent’ a professional platform to rise.

he partnership extends beyond live matches to include a 360-degree content ecosystem on Zee 5, featuring “Champions Talks” (podcasts with players and coaches), “Champ’s POV” (behind-the-scenes footage), and city-wise cine-films. ‘Z’ will support the league with an intensive promotional campaign across its network, leveraging its cumulative reach of over 800 million viewers to build a massive, youth-centric fanbase.

Laxmi Shetty, Head – Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast and Digital, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, 

“At ‘Z’, we are committed to strengthening our content-tech leadership by bringing India’s most authentic and high-passion sports to every screen. Kabaddi is more than just a sport; it is a cultural legacy that resonates with the heartbeat of Bharat. By partnering with Kabaddi Champions League Haryana, we are unlocking a massive opportunity for brands to connect with a deeply engaged, youth-led audience in a high-impact, event-based environment. This collaboration perfectly aligns with our strategy of diversifying our sports portfolio and monetizing niche, regional-first properties. With our integrated ecosystem across Linear and Zee 5, we are not just broadcasting a tournament; we are building a professional stage for grassroots talent and providing advertisers with a high-trust platform to reach the real pulse of India.”

Beyond the mat, KCL Haryana is committed to social impact, aligning with the Government of Haryana’s “Drug-Free Haryana” campaign to promote fitness, discipline, and pride through sports.

“We are thrilled to partner with ‘Z’, an iconic broadcaster that understands the soul of Indian entertainment and sports,” said a Spokesperson for KCL Haryana. 

“Haryana is the global powerhouse of Kabaddi, and with ‘Z’s unparalleled reach, we can finally give our local champions the national visibility they deserve. By bringing together the best players and ensuring the best, high-octane games, we are creating the best viewing experience for fans across every screen in Bharat.  This league is a professional bridge for grassroots players to become national icons. With ‘Z’s expertise in storytelling and digital-first innovation, we are confident that the inaugural season will set a new benchmark for indigenous sports in India.”

The season officially kicks off on January 25th, 2026, following a state-wide Trophy Tour. Fans can expect world-class production, expert commentary from the likes of Sunil Taneja and Vishwash Chauhan, and high-energy live performances throughout the league days.

The Great Indian Kitchen Transition: How “Quick & Easy” is Costing Our Health

Over the past two decades, the Indian kitchen has quietly transformed. The whistle of the pressure cooker and the aroma of hand-ground spices are increasingly drowned out by the crinkle of plastic packets. From “healthy” breakfast cereals to ready-to-heat parathas, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have shifted from occasional treats to daily staples.

Health experts warn that this isn’t just a shift in taste—it’s a silent rewriting of India’s public health story.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Most people think of processed foods as frozen peas or pasteurized milk. UPFs are very different. These are industrial formulations that home kitchens can’t replicate, made from substances extracted from real foods—hydrogenated fats, modified starches—and bound with cosmetic additives like emulsifiers, artificial flavors, and colors to make them last for months while tasting addictive.

“These foods are engineered to be hyper-palatable,” explains Dr. Arun Gupta, public health advocate. “They override the body’s natural signals of fullness. You don’t just eat them—you keep eating them.”

Hidden Health Risks

The visible rise in obesity is just the tip of the iceberg. Reports from The Lancet and ICMR show that regular consumption of UPFs drives chronic diseases, increasingly affecting younger Indians.

The Sugar Trap: “Healthy” products like fruit yogurts or brown bread often contain hidden sugars that spike insulin levels.

Gut Health: Additives that smooth packaged foods disrupt gut microbiota, affecting immunity, digestion, and even mental health.

The Health-Washing Mirage: Labels like “High Fiber” or “Zero Cholesterol” often mask long lists of chemicals on the back.

Government Intervention

The Indian Government is responding. The Economic Survey 2024-25 emphasized stricter food regulations, with Front-of-Pack Warning Labels set to roll out in 2026. Imagine a clear red symbol stating “High in Salt” or “Ultra-Processed”—helping parents make healthier choices in seconds.

Reclaiming the Thali: Intentional Swaps

Reversing the trend doesn’t mean abandoning modern life—it means making simple, informed swaps. The ICMR-NIN 2025-26 guidelines emphasize minimal processing and whole-food nutrition:

Instead of Try Why?
Instant oats/cereal Dalia, Poha, Upma Real grains provide sustained energy and natural fiber
Packaged fruit juice Whole fruit Fiber prevents sugar spikes
Flavored yogurt Home-made curd Avoids artificial thickeners and added sugars
“Healthy” biscuits Roasted chana or makhana Whole foods satisfy hunger without industrial fats

The Verdict

India is moving faster than ever—but our bodies are still tuned to slow, whole-food nutrition. The Great Indian Kitchen Transition has given convenience but at the cost of metabolic resilience.

The most powerful health tool isn’t a supplement or gym membership—it’s the simple act of choosing foods that look most like nature intended, reading labels, and reclaiming the tradition of the Indian thali.

Honeywell Launches AI-Powered Smart Shopping Platform with Google Cloud for Personalized In-Store Experience

Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) today unveiled its AI-enabled Smart Shopping Platform, developed in collaboration with Google Cloud and 66degrees, designed to revolutionize the in-store retail experience. Leveraging Google’s Gemini and Vertex AI technologies, the platform brings digitally enhanced personalization, product guidance, and navigation to physical retail stores.

The solution allows shoppers to effortlessly locate products, compare options, and discover relevant alternatives when items are unavailable—making in-store shopping more convenient and enjoyable. Retailers benefit from an “out-of-the-box” AI solution without needing an in-house AI team.

David Barker, President of Honeywell Productivity Solutions and Services, said:

“There is nothing more frustrating than roaming a store unable to find the last item on your list. The Smart Shopping Platform solves these pain points, creating a seamless experience for shoppers while enabling retailers to enhance operations.”

Built on Honeywell’s Mobility Edge™ platform and powered by Google Cloud AI, the Smart Shopping Platform connects a retailer’s digital data to the physical store. Features include:

  • Personalized Recommendations: Shoppers can link loyalty accounts to receive suggestions based on purchase history, preferences, complementary products, and ongoing promotions.

  • Store Navigation: Step-by-step guidance helps customers find products quickly.

  • Alternative Suggestions: AI-driven recommendations mirror e-commerce convenience when products are out of stock.

  • Employee Assistance: Retail associates using devices like Honeywell CT70 can provide instant, expert guidance to shoppers, enhancing customer service.

Jose Gomes, Vice President, Retail and CPG, Google Cloud, added:

“This collaboration turns Honeywell devices into intelligent assistants for both shoppers and staff, streamlining store operations and delivering a frictionless shopping journey. It’s a win-win for retailers and consumers alike.”

The platform will be available to retailers starting February 2026, supporting major grocery chains, department stores, specialty retailers, and more.

Prestigious SKOCH Award Conferred on Genesys’ Digital Twin Implementation in Varanasi

Mumbai, India, Jan 13: Genesys International Corporation Ltd. announced that the Varanasi Smart City 3D Digital Twin, implemented by Genesys International for Varanasi Smart City Limited (VSCL), has been conferred the SKOCH Award (Gold) 2025 in the Urban Development category. The award recognises the Design, Development, and Deployment of the 3D Urban Spatial Model, evaluated under the e-Governance stream.

The SKOCH Award follows a structured, multi-stage evaluation process that includes research-led validation, assessment by an independent jury of domain experts, and review of measurable governance impact, with shortlisted teams participating in interaction or presentation stages as part of the final evaluation.

In Varanasi, the objective was to create a city-scale digital base designed for daily municipal use, not just visualisation. Genesys implemented a high-fidelity 3D urban spatial foundation and organised it into decision-ready layers that enable planning, monitoring, and faster inter-department coordination. The pan-city deployment covered areas within Varanasi Nagar Nigam limits and involved end-to-end project planning, establishment of ground control for positional accuracy, and comprehensive data acquisition.

The project combined manned aerial surveys using LiDAR and optical imagery (nadir and oblique, including RGB/NIR) with terrestrial mobile LiDAR and 360-degree street-level panoramic imagery. These datasets were used to produce 2D and 3D base maps at 1:500 scale, high-precision elevation models, a 3D reality mesh, and a unified spatial database integrating multiple line-department datasets.

Speaking on the recognition, Sajid Malik, Chairman and Managing Director, Genesys International Corporation Ltd., said,

“Varanasi Smart City’s SKOCH Award (Gold) is a strong validation of what happens when high-accuracy city data is paired with real municipal workflows. Our role was to implement the end-to end digital twin foundation, from manned aerial LiDAR and optical surveys to street-level mobile LiDAR and panoramic capture, and then translate that into applications that departments can actually use for planning, monitoring, and response.”

The Digital Twin enables practical municipal use cases, including urban planning and development control, asset mapping and maintenance, project execution support, public safety and emergency response, and flood and resilience planning. The scope also includes integrated governance modules such as crowd management, solid waste management, road works management, water works management, flood management, and crime control, allowing departmental workflows to be executed and monitored through dashboards. The solution has been deployed at the city’s command environment, including the Kashi Integrated Command and Control Centre (KICCC), supported by training, user acceptance testing, and post-go-live manpower support.

Tourism India Alliance Successfully Concludes TEX 2026 in Odisha, Spotlighting India’s Emerging and Unique Destinations

Gopalpur-on-Sea, Odisha, Jan 13: Tourism India Alliance (TIA) successfully concluded the 2026 edition of its flagship Tourism Exchange (TEX 2026), held from January 8 to 10 at the Mayfair Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Gopalpur-on-Sea, Odisha. The three-day event brought together over 300 delegates and more than 30 exhibitors from across India and overseas, reinforcing TEX’s position as one of the country’s most comprehensive and influential tourism platforms.

TEX 2026 served as a strong forum for collaboration, dialogue and business development, uniting state tourism boards, global tourism bodies, industry leaders and travel companies to collectively shape the future of India’s tourism landscape. This year’s edition placed a sharp focus on destination diversification, sustainability, innovation and the promotion of lesser-known yet high-potential regions. The event was supported by Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, further underlining its national relevance and industry significance.

Throughout the event, tourism experts highlighted the need to promote the distinct identity and uniqueness of emerging destinations such as Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Industry leaders noted that destinations like Gopalpur-on-Sea remain relatively unexplored despite their strong potential, with Odisha offering diverse tourism experiences spanning serene beaches, eco-tourism, Buddhist circuits, culture, heritage and tribal tourism capable of attracting both domestic and international travellers.

Discussions also highlighted Chhattisgarh’s focus on sustainable tourism development, with the state having taken several steps to strengthen its tourism ecosystem, including granting industry status to tourism in 2024 and introducing a dedicated homestay policy.

Poonam Sharma, DGM, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, said,

“Platforms like TEX provide an important opportunity for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue around sustainable and inclusive tourism development. Chhattisgarh has been working towards strengthening its tourism ecosystem through policy support and responsible tourism initiatives, and such platforms help amplify these efforts at a national level.”

Jagdeep Bhagat, President, Tourism India Alliance, said,

“The tourism destinations in Odisha now need focused promotion at both the national and international level. Several lesser-known destinations such as Gopalpur have immense potential, and TEX 2026 was deliberately hosted here to draw attention to these hidden gems and encourage stakeholders to explore and invest in them.”

The event featured a robust knowledge programme with expert-led sessions covering artificial intelligence in tourism, leadership and motivation for the travel trade, GST and compliance frameworks, the evolution of luxury travel in India, and inbound tourism growth.

Another major highlight of the event was the Tourism India Alliance Awards for Excellence in Tourism 2026, which recognised outstanding achievements across multiple categories, celebrating innovation, leadership, sustainability and technology-driven initiatives across the tourism sector.

Building on the momentum of TEX 2026, Tourism India Alliance announced that the next edition of the Tourism Exchange will be held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, from January 7 to 9, 2027, further strengthening the platform’s focus on promoting emerging destinations across India.

With the successful conclusion of TEX 2026, Tourism India Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem by fostering collaboration, promoting sustainable development and enabling long-term growth pathways. The event marked another significant milestone in TIA’s ongoing efforts to position India as a diverse, resilient and globally competitive tourism destination.