All posts by Neel Achary

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Nov 20: Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group, the largest operator of integrated and purpose-built economic zones in the region, and part of AD Ports Group today announced that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with the most exciting racing on water, SailGP.

The sponsorship comes as SailGP returns to the capital from November 29-30, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global host city for leading international sporting events. The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council will take place at AD Ports Group’s Free Port, Mina Zayed venue and ensure smooth access to on land and on water areas, courtesy of the Group’s Ports cluster. 

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities and Free Zones, AD Ports Group, said: “This agreement reflects our commitment to hosting world class events that add value to Abu Dhabi and showcase the strength of our infrastructure. SailGP is a global competition built on precision, speed and teamwork, which aligns well with our own values. By sponsoring the Abu Dhabi round, we are demonstrating AD Ports Group’s readiness to support major international operations and to contribute to the growth of Abu Dhabi as a leading destination for global sport and industry.”

Julien di Biase, Chief Operating Officer at SailGP, said: “This is another significant milestone as we count down to our winner-takes-all Grand Final in Abu Dhabi. With thanks to our partners, we cannot wait to get racing and deliver another successful event in the UAE and find out who is our 2025 championship winner!”

Partnering with SailGP, KEZAD Group strengthens the position of the Free Port and Mina Zayed waterfront as a multi-use space capable of hosting large international events alongside its core trade and maritime functions.

The collaboration complements AD Ports Group’s wider efforts to bring global events to Abu Dhabi and promote the emirate’s role as a centre for business, tourism and cultural exchange.

Noida,  Nov 20:-Medanta Hospital, Noida has successfully treated a 65-year-old patient from Turkmenistan suffering from debilitating right-hand tremors through Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, offering him a renewed sense of independence and quality of life.

The patient, who had battled severe tremors for years, struggled with essential daily activities such as eating, writing, and dressing. Despite medical therapy, the tremors progressed to the point where he became dependent on his family for even basic tasks.

After a detailed multidisciplinary evaluation by the Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology, the patient was recommended DBS an advanced, FDA-approved surgical therapy for movement disorders.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Yashpal Bundela, Director Neurosurgery; Dr. Anil Dhar, Associate Director, Neurosurgery, and Dr. Namita Kaul, Director Neurology, using state-of-the-art stereotactic navigation and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring to precisely implant electrodes in the movement-regulating areas of the brain.

Within days of the procedure, the patient showed a dramatic reduction in tremors, regained fine motor control, and was able to perform daily tasks with minimal support — a significant milestone after years of struggle.

“DBS is more than a procedure  it is a transformation for patients whose lives are restricted by movement disorders. Seeing such outcomes, especially in international patients who travel with hope, reinforces our commitment to precision care,” said Dr. Yashpal Bundela, Director Neurosurgery

The patient is currently undergoing post-surgical DBS programming sessions and rehabilitation, showing sustained improvement in movement and confidence.

Amazon MX Player unveils Bharat Ke Super Founders India’s bold new entrepreneurial reality series led by Suniel Shetty and fuelled by a landmark  INR 100 Crore commitment

Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming service, unveils Bharat Ke Super Founders, a high-stakes entrepreneurial reality series that marks a major milestone for India’s startup entertainment landscape. Hosted and mentored by Suniel Shetty, the show brings together some of the country’s most promising founders to pitch their ideas to a panel of eminent business tycoons, who, along with Recur Club, have collectively allocated ₹100 crore to fund the startup dream of India. This marks the largest investment pool ever showcased on an Indian entertainment platform.

Built on a format that champions authenticity, transparency, and a deep respect for the entrepreneurial journey, Bharat Ke Super Founders ensures that every pitch presented is backed by verified information, credible data, and real business fundamentals. The show creates an environment where deals are grounded in genuine investment intent, offering a level of clarity and accountability that makes it a one-of-its-kind entrepreneurial reality format, unlike anything witnessed on any other entrepreneurial reality show. Rooted in its name, the show celebrates Bharat – the diversity, resilience, and ambition of entrepreneurs from every corner of the country and puts Super Founder at the forefront, recognising individuals whose ideas, conviction, and determination have the potential to spark meaningful change.

Fuelling this mission is a formidable roster of tycoons: Dr A. Velumani (Creator, Thyrocare), Nitish Mittersain (Joint Managing Director & CEO, Nazara Technologies), Dr Aarti Gupta (Managing Partner, Anikarth Ventures), Shanti Mohan (Founder & CEO, LVX), Aditya Singh (Co-Founder, All In Capital), and Ankur Mittal (Co-Founder / Partner at Physis Capital and Inflection Point Ventures). Joining them through the season is a rotating panel of other eminent business leaders, who bring additional perspectives, sectoral depth, and investment philosophies to the table. Alongside them, Eklavya Gupta from Recur Club joins the panel as a key contributor to the ₹100 crore commitment, bringing Recur’s AI Native debt infrastructure to the Bharat Ke Super Founders platform. This combined approach reflects how India’s strongest companies are built today, using equity to set direction and debt to power scale.

Sharing insights on the show format, Amogh Dusad, Director and Head of Content, Amazon MX Player, shared,

“With Bharat Ke Super Founders, we are proud to introduce a format that sets a new benchmark for authenticity in the entrepreneurial reality space. By showcasing real investments and verified pitches, we are democratising opportunities for founders across Bharat and spotlighting ideas that truly deserve to scale. This show reflects our commitment to building content that empowers, inspires, and celebrates India’s innovators.”

Aruna Daryanani, Director, Amazon MX Player, added,

“Our vision with this show is to champion founders who represent the ambition and diversity of India. With a ₹100 crore pledge from our esteemed tycoons, the show becomes a real catalyst for businesses ready to take the next leap. We believe our viewers across India will be deeply inspired by the passion and purpose these founders bring to the stage.”

Talking about being part of the show, Host and mentor Suniel Shetty, shared,

“Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of New India. Bharat Ke Super Founders is a show that recognises the changemakers shaping tomorrow. Every founder who walks onto this stage will bring a story worth telling, and I’m honoured to help guide them forward.”

Dr. A. VeluMani, MD, AVMLabs and Creator-Thyrocare, and an Investor,  one of the tycoons of the show, said,

 “Bharat is full of focused, frugal and determined founders who simply need the right mentorship and a real opportunity. This show finally gives them that platform to get attention and identity. Here, we not just invest in them but mentor them to execute and scale with responsibility and accountability. Bharat needs 1.5 million successful entrepreneurs to feed 1.5 billion intestines and this stage will ignite a new energy and confidence to startup and scale up a wave of focused, empowered, disciplined and impactful  entrepreneurship across the country.”

With dynamic pitches, powerhouse panel, and a groundbreaking format that puts real money on the table, Bharat Ke Super Founders will soon stream exclusively on Amazon MX Player, for free, across the MX Player app, Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Airtel Xstream.

A shift in seasons often brings with it a quiet urge to refresh our spaces. And sometimes, it doesn’t take a full renovation. It only demands the right tile design to breathe new life into a room. Tiles today are more than functional surfaces, they’re expressions of texture, colour, and exsiting personality. If you’re looking to upscale your interiors, here are five tile trends that are making a strong impression this season.

1. Large Format Tiles;

There’s something inherently calming about seamless surfaces. Large format tiles, especially in neutral shades and minimal grout lines, create an expansive, uninterrupted flow that instantly makes a room feel bigger and more serene. No matter if its floors or walls, they lend a refined, contemporary edge. Collections like SOMANY’s Coverstone and Regalia, with their generous proportions and elegant finishes, make this design choice effortlessly achievable.

2. Earthy Tones & Textures;

Well, these are about sun-baked terracottas, warm sands, or the subtle grain of natural stone. Earthy tiles in rustic finishes or soft mattes bring a grounded, organic aesthetic that pairs beautifully with both minimalist and bohemian styles. SOMANY’s Porto and Sedimento collections echo this trend beautifully, offering textured surfaces and muted tones that invite calm into any corner of the home.

3. Simpolo’s Venitto collection;

It’s brings a sharp, modern character to interiors with its bold textures and polished elegance. Each design in this listicle captures a fresh trend that instantly lifts the mood of a space. Think of it as an easy style upgrade for anyone looking to refresh their home this season.

4. Fabric & Shades;

If there’s a collection that blends the texture of textiles with range of colours, it’s Colorato. They  offer a beautiful surface that feels warm, inviting, and visually calming. Their highlight has to be that beautifully curated palette with rich earthy tones, soft greys, and deep architectural hues that work effortlessly across modern spaces. The matte finish softens reflections, making each surface feel quiet and composed. Overall, Colorato tiles brings a harmony of fabric-like texture and nuanced colour to your interiors.

5. AGL’s Double Charge tiles;

It bring a tough, long-lasting finish that keeps its shine even in heavy-use spaces. The patterns stay crisp because the dual-layer technology adds depth and richer detail. If you want durability without compromising on style, this collection fits the season’s refresh perfectly.

6. Mosaic & Moroccan Tiles as relief;

Mosaics are having a creative renaissance, today’s mosaic tiles explore irregular shapes, metallic highlights, and striking contrasts. Right from dressing up a backsplash or adding visual texture to a niche, these playful surfaces work best in smaller doses. Somany’s Italmarmi collection with widest choice of designs, sizes and themes, provide a varied collection to choose from.

Airtel Payments Bank Secures Rights for Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling System Implementation from IHMCL

Airtel Payments Bank has bagged the rights from Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) to implement the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at the Daulatpura Toll Plaza in Jaipur.

The Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system is an advanced, barrier-less Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) solution that allows vehicles to pass through toll plazas without stopping. It facilitates seamless transactions by reading FASTag and Vehicle Registration Numbers (VRN) using high-performance RFID readers and ANPR cameras. This implementation is expected to reduce congestion and travel time, improve fuel efficiency, and provide commuters with a smoother travel experience.

The deployment of MLFF at Daulatpura marks a significant milestone in transforming toll operations and advancing the government’s vision of a modern, technology-driven highway infrastructure.

Mr. Ganesh Ananthanarayanan, Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Payments Bank, said,

“India is at the cusp of a transport revolution driven by digital infrastructure and intelligent mobility systems. Airtel Payments Bank has been at the forefront of digitizing travel-related payments, and this partnership with IHMCL to implement the MLFF tolling system is another important step in that journey. We are honoured to collaborate in advancing the next phase of smart and seamless mobility. With our robust digital banking ecosystem, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s vision of a frictionless, future-ready transport network.”

Through this initiative, Airtel Payments Bank and IHMCL are moving towards a nationwide shift leading to frictionless mobility. The initiative underscores Airtel Payments Bank’s commitment to powering India’s digital public infrastructure and enabling faster, more efficient movement of people and goods across the country.

Hyderabad, Nov 20: The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FTCCI) is set to host the FTCCI Women’s Leadership Summit 2025 on November 28 at Marvel, T-Hub, Hyderabad, from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm.

The Summit aims to serve as a powerful platform for championing the cause of women’s leadership, recognising their growing impact across sectors, and nurturing the next wave of influential and purpose-driven women leaders. Designed as a high-impact, full-day leadership experience, the event will bring together entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, innovators and changemakers from Telangana and across India.

This year’s Summit will feature an inspiring lineup of eminent speakers, including Ms. Khushboo Hoda, Head of Health and Wellness, Volvo India; Ms. Tanya Chaitanya, CEO, Her Circle & President, Digital & Diversity Initiatives, Reliance Industries; Dr. Vanitha Datla, Vice Chairperson & Managing Director, Elico Healthcare Services Ltd; Ms. Radhika Yuvraj Iyengar, Country Director, Women in Tech India and Senior Director, Data Strategy & Personalisation, Credera; Ms. Archana Naidu, Board Member & Head of Business – iKeva, Founder of Graybox Strategy & Society for Animal Aid; Ms. Nisary Mahesh, Founder & CEO, HerMoneyTalks; and Ms. Deepti Akki, Athletic Development Director at the Basketball Federation of India.

The Summit has been conceptualised to help delegates gain fresh leadership perspectives, expand their professional networks, and build renewed purpose in their business and career journeys. It will include keynote talks, panel discussions, leadership conversations, and interactive networking sessions. Dr Tasneem Shariff, Chair of the FTCCI Ladies Wing Committee, noted that the Summit reflects FTCCI’s commitment to empowering women and elevating their voices in business, industry and public leadership.

FTCCI President R. Ravi Kumar, Senior Vice President K. K. Maheshwari, and Vice President Srinivas Garimella have extended an invitation to women professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and corporate organisations to participate in this significant leadership forum.

India, Nov 20: IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, released the results of “The Impact of Technology in 2026 and Beyond: an IEEE Global Study,” a survey of global technology leaders from Brazil, China, India, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. The study covers which technologies AI will influence the most in 2026; expectations for AI market growth, benefits, uses, and skills; and future technology trends. To learn more about the study and the impact of technology in 2026 and beyond, visit https://transmitter.ieee.org/iot-2026.

Increased Use of Agentic AI by Everyone to Drive Need for More Data Analysts

Agentic AI is like a smart assistant that, when given a task, can work independently, but still needs its work double-checked. Its adoption is on the rise, and a strong majority of technologists globally (96%) agree that agentic AI innovation, exploration and adoption will continue at lightning speed in 2026, as both established enterprises and start-ups deepen investments and commitments to technology.

However, the rise of agentic AI won’t be confined to business. Survey respondents see it reaching mass or near-mass adoption by consumers in 2026 for the following uses:

(52%) Personal assistant | scheduler | family calendar manager
(45%) Data privacy manager
(41%) Health monitor
(41%) Errand and chore automator (e.g. grocery orders)
(36%) News and information curator

In addition, 91% agree the use of agentic AI to analyze greater amounts of data will grow in 2026, spurring a data analyst hiring boom to analyze the accuracy of results, transparency and vulnerabilities. According to the survey, the top skills technologists will seek in candidates they plan to hire for AI-related roles in 2026 are:

(44%) AI ethical practices skills (+9% from prior year)
(38%) Data analysis skills (+4% from prior year)
(34%) Machine learning skills (+6% from prior year)
(32%) Data modeling skills, including processing (no change from prior year)
(32%) Software development skills (-8% from prior year)

Humanoid Robots as Co-Workers: The Influence of AI on Other Tech

A majority (77%) of technologists agree the novelty of humanoid robots can inject fun into the workplace but over time will become like commonplace co-workers with circuits. Robotics is also a top area of technology over half (52%) of technologists think will be influenced by AI in 2026. Other areas influenced by AI in 2026 will include extended reality (XR), including augmented, virtual and mixed reality (36%); and autonomous vehicles (35%). Meanwhile, the top industries expected to experience the greatest transformation from AI next year will be software (52%); banking and financial services (42%); healthcare (37%) and automotive and transportation (32%).

Policy and Governance Guided by ‘Who Built the AI?’

Policy and governance regarding how and when AI should be used depends on where the AI was built. When asked which statement best describes their organizations’ stance on AI products – built by their company or built by a third party – for work at their company, a majority of technology leaders selected:

Full speed ahead: AI will be integrated throughout the organization and our use policies will align with government regulations, if any exist or are enacted. (49% if company-built AI vs. 40% third-party-built AI)
Everyone follows the rules: We will be issuing clear policies on how and when AI can be used. (26% company-built AI vs. 33% third-party built AI)

The stage technologists expect their organization to be in the adoption of generative AI in 2026 has advanced significantly:

(39%) Using Regularly, But Selectively: Generative AI will continue to be a regular part of our work in selective areas, and adds value. (+20% from prior year)
(35%) Rapidly Integrating, Expecting Bottom Line Results: AI will continue to be integrated throughout all our operations. We’ve already seen measurable bottom line results and expect these to grow.

The top uses for AI applications technology leaders expect in 2026 includes:

(47%) Real-time cybersecurity vulnerability identification and attack prevention (-1% from prior year)
(39%) Aiding and/or accelerating software development (+4% from prior year)
(35%) Increasing supply chain and warehouse automation efficiencies (+2% from prior year)
(32%) Automating customer service (+4% from prior year)
(29%) Powering educational activities such as customizing learning, intelligent tutoring systems, university chatbots (-10% from prior year)
(23%) Accelerating disease mapping and drug discovery (-3% from prior year)
(22%) Automating and/or stabilizing utility power sources (-3% from prior year)

More than half of those surveyed (51%) cited 26-50% of jobs across the global economy will be augmented by AI software in 2026, while less than one-third (30%) cited 51-75% of jobs, (16%) cited 1-25% of jobs, and only (4%) cited 76-100% of jobs.

Close to half of technologists (49%) think it will take 5-7 years to build out the global data center infrastructure required to meet growing AI development and demand. One-third think it will happen sooner, in 3-4 years, while 10% think it will not happen for 8-10 years or more.

New Delhi, Nov 20:  KAFF, a leading innovator in premium kitchen appliances, today announced the launch of the OV81 ZNSCN, an extra-large built-in electric oven that combines sophisticated European aesthetics with breakthrough cooking technology. Now available across leading retail channels, this flagship product represents a significant leap forward in home cooking innovation.

Breakthrough Design and Aesthetics;

The OV81 ZNSCN introduces a stunning half-mirror glass finish on both the door and control panel, creating a sleek, contemporary focal point in modern kitchens. The built-in design features a matte stainless steel handle and LED-lit knob controls that deliver both visual appeal and intuitive functionality.

Advanced Cooking Technology;

At the core of the OV81 ZNSCN is True Convection technology, ensuring perfectly even heat distribution for consistent, professional-quality results. The product features touch controls with a digital display, offering precise temperature management and cooking customization.

Key technological innovations include;

• Digital Clock with Automatic Cut-Off Timer: Precision timing that prevents overcooking
• Rapid Heat (Boost) Function: Dramatically reduced preheating times for faster meal preparation
• End of Cooking Time Function: Set-and-forget convenience for busy households
• Catalytic Cleaning Technology: Self-cleaning system that eliminates manual scrubbing
• Chromed Ladder Frame: Multi-level cooking flexibility with easy maintenance

Premium User Experience;

The OV81 ZNSCN incorporates a soft-close door mechanism, delivering whisper-quiet operation that reflects KAFF’s attention to luxury details. The extra-large capacity accommodates everything from daily meals to elaborate entertaining, making it ideal for modern Indian families.

SMT’s Hydra TAVR Valve Demonstrates Sustained Safety, Durability, and Hemodynamic Performance at 5 Years

Sahajanand Medical Technologies’ (SMT) TAVR product Hydra’s 5-year follow-up results from the pivotal Hydra CE Study were presented by Dr. Vilhelmas Bajoras at PCR London Valves 2025. The long-term data reaffirm Hydra’s durable valve performance, sustained hemodynamic improvement, and favourable safety profile in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

The Hydra CE Study, led by Prof. Audrius Aidietis (Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics, Lithuania) and Prof. Adam Witkowski (National Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland), was a prospective, multicenter clinical trial that enrolled 157 patients across Europe. Of these, 54 patients from Lithuania and Poland were followed for up to 5 years, providing valuable long-term evidence on valve durability and clinical outcomes.

At 5 years, Hydra demonstrated high overall survival, low rates of disabling stroke, and durable valve performance with stable gradients and effective orifice area. Importantly, the data confirms favorable valve durability with no cases of structural valve deterioration requiring reintervention, underscoring Hydra’s consistent long-term performance.

The primary endpoint of the long-term cohort was all-cause mortality at 5 years.

Secondary endpoints included cardiovascular mortality, stroke, permanent pacemaker implantation, paravalvular leak, hemodynamic performance (mean gradient and effective orifice area), NYHA functional class improvement, and the absence of structural valve deterioration, endocarditis, or thrombosis.

The all-cause mortality was 24.3%, with cardiovascular mortality of 6.0%. The stroke rate was 12.2%, including two disabling and four non-disabling strokes or transient ischemic attacks. Permanent pacemaker implantation occurred in 16.7% of patients, and notably, no moderate or severe paravalvular leak was observed, at 5 years.

Hydra demonstrated sustained valve function, with effective orifice area increasing from 0.68 ± 0.15 cm² at baseline to 2.09 ± 0.57 cm² (p < 0.001) and mean transvalvular gradient decreasing from 53.4 ± 14.24 mmHg to 8.0 ± 3.14 mmHg (p < 0.001).

In addition, 65% of patients showed an improvement of at least one NYHA class, reflecting sustained symptomatic relief. Importantly, no valve endocarditis, thrombosis, or structural valve deterioration was reported through 5 years.

Commenting on the study results, Prof. Audrius Aidietis, Principal Investigator of the Hydra CE Study, Senior Consultant at Cardiology and Angiology Centre and Cardiac Surgery Centre of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics, Lithuania said,

“The 5-year results highlight Hydra Valve’s sustained safety, durability and consistent clinical performance. We observed durable valve function, survival and stable hemodynamics through 5 years. These findings underscore the long-term reliability of Hydra in treating patients with severe aortic stenosis.”

Dr. Vilhelmas Bajoras, Co-Investigator of the Hydra CE Study, Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania added, 

“The absence of structural valve deterioration or significant paravalvular leak at 5 years is an achievement. Hydra continues to demonstrate that self-expanding TAVR technology can deliver durable outcomes and sustained clinical benefits over the long term.”

Dr. Krishna Sudhir, Chief Medical Officer at Sahajanand Medical Technologies (SMT), added

 “These consistent 5-year outcomes of Hydra showing excellent survival, sustained valve function, and stable hemodynamics, reaffirm our commitment to advancing cardiovascular care through engineering and evidence-based medicine. The valve’s enduring performance underscores our commitment to delivering reliable, safe, and durable TAVR solutions that advance patient outcomes across the globe.”

The 5-year Hydra CE results stand as a testament to SMT’s unwavering commitment to advancing quality-driven, research-based cardiovascular care. Guided by clinical and evidence-based medicine, SMT strives to deliver transformative solutions that address evolving patient needs worldwide. With quality at its heart, the company remains dedicated to its mission of saving millions of lives and improving long-term health outcomes globally.