All posts by Neel Achary

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 3 June: During Make it in the Emirates 2026, Metal Park, the world’s first integrated Asset-as-a-Service ecosystem dedicated exclusively to the metal industry, announced a strategic collaboration with SGS to strengthen inspection, testing, verification, and laboratory capabilities across the growing metal ecosystem in KEZAD.

The collaboration aims to enhance operational confidence, material verification, and quality assurance services for companies operating within Metal Park’s Production Hub and Storage Hub, supporting manufacturers, processors, traders, logistics providers, and downstream metal businesses.

As industrial supply chains continue to evolve, reliable inspection and laboratory infrastructure play an increasingly critical role in ensuring traceability, compliance, operational efficiency, and international market alignment.

Through this collaboration, both parties will explore the development and integration of inspection and laboratory-related services tailored to the operational requirements of the metals sector. The initiative is expected to support a broad range of activities including material testing, certification, verification, quality control, and operational inspections across various metal-related processes and supply chain movements.

Located in KEZAD and strategically connected to Khalifa Port, Etihad Rail, and regional logistics corridors, Metal Park continues to expand its ecosystem through partnerships that strengthen industrial resilience and simplify access to critical support services under one integrated platform.

Vahid Fouladkar, CEO of Metal Park, commented:

“As the metal industry moves towards greater operational transparency and resilience, inspection and laboratory capabilities become an essential part of the ecosystem rather than a standalone service. Our collaboration with SGS reflects our commitment to enabling manufacturers, processors, and supply chain stakeholders with trusted infrastructure and globally recognised expertise directly within the Park.”

Dmitry Nikitin, Head of Middle East and Managing Director UAE, SGS commented:

“As industrial ecosystems continue to evolve, trusted inspection, testing, and verification services become critical enablers of operational confidence and supply chain resilience. Through our collaboration with Metal Park, SGS is proud to contribute its global expertise and technical capabilities to support the growing metals ecosystem in the UAE. Together, we aim to help businesses operate with greater quality assurance, traceability, compliance, and efficiency across the value chain.” 

The announcement was made during Make it in the Emirates 2026, one of the UAE’s leading industrial platforms bringing together manufacturers, investors, industrial enablers, and technology providers to support the nation’s long-term industrial growth strategy.

Further details regarding the scope of services and operational rollout will be announced in upcoming updates.

Mumbai, June 3: The Adani Foundation and Anushkaa Foundation have announced a joint initiative aimed at providing comprehensive treatment support to 10,000 children affected by clubfoot across India.

The programme is designed to ensure early detection, timely medical intervention, and sustained rehabilitation for children born with clubfoot, a congenital condition that, if untreated, can lead to lifelong mobility challenges. The initiative will focus on expanding access to corrective treatment, including the widely used Ponseti method, along with physiotherapy and follow-up care.

Through this collaboration, both foundations aim to strengthen outreach in underserved and rural communities, where access to specialised orthopaedic care is often limited. The programme will also work with hospitals, healthcare professionals, and local health workers to identify affected children at an early stage and ensure proper treatment pathways.

Representatives from both organisations stated that the initiative reflects a shared commitment to improving child health outcomes and enabling children to lead active, independent lives. They emphasised that early intervention can significantly improve recovery rates and prevent long-term disability.

The project is expected to create a large-scale impact by combining medical support, awareness campaigns, and community-level engagement, ultimately helping thousands of children regain mobility and improve their quality of life.

Scrum.org Launches New Self-Paced Professional Scrum Master™ Advanced Fundamentals Training Course. The new course helps Scrum Masters enhance their capabilities and includes an attempt at the PSM II certification

BOSTON – June 3 – Scrum.org, the Home of Scrum, announced that it has added a new self-paced course, Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals, to its online learning platform. This course for new and experienced Scrum Masters goes beyond the basics, where students explore the unique blend of skills and practices needed to support the Scrum Team and organization. By the end of the course, students will understand what it takes to be a successful Scrum Master and their importance to the entire product delivery process. This course is highly recommended for people preparing to take the globally recognized Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) certification test and includes an attempt at the test upon completion of the course.

Throughout this course, students will develop the ability to act and grow as a Scrum Master who enables Scrum Teams to deliver value effectively, demonstrates leadership to enact positive change, and fosters a culture of Professional Scrum, self-management and continuous improvement across the organization. Students will work through real-world scenarios, case studies, and interactive exercises that challenge them to assess and respond to complex situations that Scrum Masters face daily. 

“We are very excited to announce our newest self-paced training course – Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals,” said Dave West, CEO, Scrum.org. “There are many facets to being a Scrum Master, often facing the balance of leadership, enabling the Product Owner to maximize value, fostering continuous improvement and more. This course enables Scrum Master to learn how to grow these skills and more at their own pace and at a time that suits them. We understand that people learn in many different ways and look forward to building out our online learning platform.”

Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals is optimized for interactive learning including activities where students take action and make choices, reading, watching videos and quizzes.This course helps students prepare for the Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) certification test. Students taking the Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals course will receive a password to take the certification test upon completion of the course.

This course can be purchased together with the Professional Scrum Fundamentals course as part of a bundle. The bundle is ideal for those who want foundational Scrum training prior to taking the Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals course. The bundle includes attempts at both the PSM I and PSM II certification tests. The bundle is available at the discounted price of $490.

Students can purchase the new course or bundle on the Scrum.org website.

June 3: The Union Cabinet has approved the construction and upgradation of the Khagaria–Purnea highway corridor in Bihar into a four-lane road, with an estimated investment of ₹3,936 crore.

The project aims to significantly improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and boost economic activity across northern Bihar. Once completed, the upgraded highway will enhance road safety, facilitate smoother freight movement, and provide better access to key urban and rural areas along the route.

Officials said the initiative is part of the government’s broader infrastructure development push to strengthen national highways and improve last-mile connectivity. The project is also expected to generate employment during both the construction and operational phases.

The Khagaria–Purnea corridor is considered a crucial link for trade and transportation in the region, and its expansion is expected to support agricultural supply chains, local industries, and overall socio-economic development in Bihar.

New Delhi, June 3 (BNP): At least 21 people, including 17 foreign nationals, lost their lives in a devastating fire that engulfed a building in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday. The incident, one of the deadliest fire tragedies in the national capital in recent years, triggered a massive rescue and relief operation by emergency services.

According to officials, the blaze broke out in a building that housed a restaurant and guest accommodation facility. The fire spread rapidly through the multi-storey structure, trapping several occupants inside. Firefighters, police personnel, and disaster response teams rushed to the scene and launched an intensive rescue operation, successfully evacuating more than 40 people. Several injured persons were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Preliminary investigations indicate that many of the victims were foreign nationals, reportedly from African and Central Asian countries, who were staying at the facility. Authorities have launched a detailed probe to determine the exact cause of the fire and ascertain whether any negligence or violation of safety norms contributed to the tragedy.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of panic as thick smoke quickly filled the building, leaving many occupants struggling to escape. Some reportedly attempted to save themselves by jumping from upper floors, while rescue personnel worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control and search for survivors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. Authorities have assured all possible assistance to the injured and to the families affected by the tragedy.

The incident has once again brought the issue of fire safety compliance in commercial establishments and lodging facilities into sharp focus. Investigators are examining whether the building adhered to prescribed fire safety regulations and whether adequate emergency measures were in place.

The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms and regular inspections of commercial properties to prevent such incidents in the future.

Hyderabad, India, June 03: T–Hub, the world’s largest home for startups, has launched the third cohort of ORBIT, the AIC T–Hub SpaceTech accelerator program, inducting 13 startups building critical technologies across propulsion systems, orbital servicing, sovereign compute, satellite intelligence, space energy systems, satellite connectivity, and downstream geospatial technologies.

The cohort includes Sanyark Space Technologies, Trishul Space, Kessler Dynamics, Velotrax, Zoove Space, Space OS, Humanity Space, Landlens, STAR Labs, Red Balloon Aerospace, Astro Voltaics, Orbit Grid, and Nibiaa Devices. The cohort brings together founders with experience across ISRO and India’s private space sector, including former ISRO scientists and leaders from leading SpaceTech companies.

Selected startups will gain access to leading experts, investors, former ISRO leaders, and veterans from India’s space sector through specialised masterclasses, mentorship sessions, and industry engagements.

India’s SpaceTech sector is witnessing strong momentum, driven by increasing private participation, growing investor interest, and rising global attention. Hyderabad has emerged as an important hub for the sector and is home to a growing number of startups building across the space value chain. The emergence of Skyroot Aerospace as India’s first SpaceTech Unicorn highlights the city’s growing role in India’s SpaceTech journey.

Through initiatives such as ORBIT and its broader SpaceTech efforts, T–Hub continues to support founders building technologies across the space sector while contributing to the growth of Hyderabad’s innovation ecosystem.

Padma Shri A. S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman at ISRO, graced the launch and said, “The pace and intensity with which young startups are building technology and capability in India’s space sector is truly encouraging. Platforms like ORBIT are playing a critical role in enabling founders and strengthening India’s SpaceTech capabilities for the future.”

Kavikrut, CEO at T–Hub, said, “India’s SpaceTech ecosystem is entering an exciting phase, with founders building ambitious companies and solving complex challenges across the space value chain. Through ORBIT, we aim to give startups access to the expertise, networks, and opportunities they need to grow and contribute to India’s expanding space economy.”

With the launch of Cohort 3, ORBIT has now supported 36 SpaceTech startups across three cohorts, while T–Hub‘s broader SpaceTech initiatives have engaged with more than 100 startups building across the space sector.

The impact of these efforts is already visible. Previous ORBIT cohorts have collectively enabled ~₹30 crore in funding and contributed to 18 published IPs, with startups demonstrating strong commercial and technological progress.Among the startups demonstrating this progress are Cosmoserve, which raised $3.17 million in pre-seed funding; Spantrik, which completed its VTVL demonstrator test flight “Hopstone”; Research Sat, which confirmed an ISS payload mission for November 2026; and Nalwa Aero, the first Indian company to receive DGCA Design Organisation Approval for a 5-seater eVTOL aircraft.

Building on this momentum, T–Hub remains committed to supporting SpaceTech founders and contributing to India’s growing space economy.

New Delhi, June 03: Following intense anticipation, Eclectic Films and Dr Swarnjit Singh hosted an exclusive screening of their upcoming documentary film, “1947: Brexit India”, in the capital on Sunday. The event was graced by Member of Parliament and prolific author Dr. Shashi Tharoor as the Chief Guest, alongside an elite gathering of diplomats, historians, and media veterans.

Directed by Sanjivan Lal, written by the legendary Shama Zaidi, and narrated by Bollywood icon Boman Irani, the documentary offers a shift from standard political histories. It dissects the 338-year British presence through a clinical economic lens, examining how a bankrupt post-war Britain, squeezed by strategic American loan mandates, rushed the Partition to shift the immense human and logistical liabilities onto a divided India and Pakistan. Alongside Dr Shashi Tharoor and Boman Irani, the film also features world-renowned historian William Dalrymple; security expert Commodore Uday Bhaskar; and celebrated political scientist Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, among other distinguished scholars.

The screening was attended by a cohort of thought leaders, including H.E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah, H.E. Ambassador Maliki, H.E. Mahishini Colonne, Naseer Abdullah and others. The reception of the film was highly reflective, with many attending guests noting that the film offers a fresh, necessary lens on the events of 1947, bringing forward a financial dimension of history that is rarely explored in standard academic teachings.

Speaking about the event, Dr. Shashi Tharoor remarked, “History is never merely about the past; it continues to shape the present. Delighted to have contributed to this thoughtful exploration of India’s long encounter with British rule.”

He also added that every Gen Z and Gen Alpha must watch this documentary if they want to truly understand the British rule in India’s independence.

Dr. Swarnjit Singh, the film’s Producer and Concept Creator, added, “To see a project that took over a decade of archival research resonate so deeply with this room of brilliant minds is incredibly validating. We didn’t set out to make a conventional historical film. We wanted to audit the Empire. The British entered as merchants, operated through a mafia-style grip on our resources, and cut a hasty deal the moment the balance sheet turned red. This screening proves that audiences are hungry for the economic truths behind 1947.”

Director Sanjivan Lal stated, “Framing ten years of dense research data into a gripping narrative was a massive creative challenge. Our goal was to let the numbers speak alongside the human tragedy. The overwhelming response from the media and dignitaries tonight shows that looking at the Partition through this economic lens changes the conversation entirely.”

The documentary, which was an official selection at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2023 and Mumbai International Film Festival(MIFF) 2024, is currently gearing up for its highly anticipated digital premiere on a major OTT platform.

Bengaluru, June 3 (BNP): Senior Congress leader and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D. K. Shivakumar was sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, marking a significant political transition in the southern state. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru, in the presence of senior Congress leaders, elected representatives, party workers, and supporters.

Shivakumar assumed office following the resignation of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who stepped down as part of the Congress party’s leadership transition plan after serving nearly three years in office. The change in leadership comes after consultations between the state leadership and the Congress high command.

A prominent leader from Kanakapura and a key architect of the Congress party’s electoral successes in Karnataka, Shivakumar has held several important positions in the state government and the party organization. His elevation to the state’s top post is being viewed as a significant moment for the Congress, which seeks to consolidate its position ahead of future political challenges.

The swearing-in ceremony also showcased unity within the Congress ranks, with outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other senior leaders sharing the stage during the event. Party leaders expressed confidence that the new government under Shivakumar’s leadership would continue the developmental initiatives launched by the previous administration while focusing on governance, infrastructure, welfare, and economic growth.

With the formation of the new government, attention will now shift to the allocation of portfolios and the implementation of the administration’s policy priorities. Political observers believe Shivakumar’s tenure will play a crucial role in shaping Karnataka’s political and developmental landscape in the years ahead.

Hyderabad, June 3: Following its successful run in Kondapur, Stuff Foods LLP has officially opened its second outlet in Manikonda, Hyderabad. Strategically designed to capture the neighborhood’s booming residential and IT-driven demographic, the new location brings together three distinct culinary brands: ST-UFF Idli, Yolk Theory, and MV’s Kulchas, offering premium, consistent flavor at an accessible price tag.

Modern Vibe, Smart Format & Menu Expansion

Spanning approximately 750 sq. ft. with a 26-seat capacity, the outlet boasts a modern, youthful, and premium quick-dining vibe. The space is engineered around a balanced operational format, seamlessly catering to quick dine-in, takeaways, and online deliveries, ensuring fast service without compromising the guest experience.

By consolidating three brands under one roof, Stuff Foods LLP streamlines kitchen efficiency, guarantees strict quality control, and allows diverse groups of diners to satisfy completely different cravings in a single order. To mark the Manikonda expansion, the menu is growing to include expanded North Indian offerings, South Indian favorites, egg specialties, and signature dishes from all three brands. Additionally, the kitchen will soon introduce Cooker Pulao, a highly anticipated dish specifically tailored to meet local Hyderabadi cravings.

Premium Quality & Future Roadmap

Despite economic pressures in the food and beverage sector, Stuff Foods LLP successfully maintains an average price point of ₹300–₹400 for two people. This is achieved through razor-sharp operational efficiency, smart local sourcing, centralized planning, and high-volume execution, ensuring that exceptional taste remains affordable. 

The Manikonda expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s aggressive growth roadmap toward a target of 50+ outlets. Looking ahead, the immediate next step will be the rollout of a Yolk Theory food truck targeting the high-traffic corporate hubs of Hitech City and Madhapur. Concurrently, brick-and-mortar expansion plans are already underway for Himayat Nagar, Sindhi Colony, and Secunderabad. 

Mumbai, June 3: TukTuki, India’s premier homegrown micro-drama entertainment platform, has officially crossed the 1 million download milestone. This achievement highlights an explosive shift in consumer behavior as India’s micro-drama industry tracks toward a projected $5 billion market size by 2030, growing at a staggering 50% to 60% CAGR. Unlike traditional long-form streaming, TukTuki has pioneered a hyperlocal, family-friendly format where complete narratives unfold through tightly packed 1–3 minute vertical episodes designed specifically for the country’s 250 million active micro-drama users who consume mobile content on the go.

While legacy Bollywood studios enter the space looking to use short videos merely as low-cost test beds for larger Intellectual Properties (IPs), TukTuki is treating micro-dramas as a standalone, high-retention destination. The platform is directly solving the industry’s critical supply and user retention bottlenecks by scaling its content library across relationships, social drama, mythology, and aspirational narratives. Boasting a diverse portfolio of over 200+ titles so far, TukTuki keeps its catalogue fresh and engaging by introducing 25 new titles every month. The app besides Hindi-language originals also boasts of regional languages series like Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati.

To sustain this high-volume model in India’s unique app economy, where the standard Chinese model of 70% ad-driven revenue does not map directly, TukTuki is executing a strategic subscription-first approach (targeting a 50% revenue share), balanced with a 40% ad-supported framework and a 10% stream from alternative models like branded content. Central to accelerating this massive pipeline is TukTuki’s strategic adoption of AI content production. By blending advanced artificial intelligence tools into its pre-production workflows, and localized versioning, the platform has radically optimized its agile production cycles. By optimizing agile production cycles, TukTuki delivers premium, relatable content to audiences in smaller towns and cities (Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets) without barriers like mandatory logins.

As part of its ongoing expansion to strengthen the platform’s high-emotion, short episodic formats, TukTuki’s upcoming slate features recognizable film and television actors. The recent series from the app includes performances by Rajneesh Duggal (1920, Inspector Avinash), Jaspal Sharma (Dangal, Gangs of Wasseypur), Bhumika Gurung (Nimki Mukhiya), Nikita Sharma (Do Dil Ek Jaan), and Sangeeta Odwani (Yeh Hai Mohabbatein), alongside performers Karan Mehra, Ayush Anand, Aditi Rawat, Manish Khanna, Pawan Yadav, and Adarsh Chaudhary.

Anshita Kulshrestha, Founder & CEO of TukTuki, said,

“Crossing 1 million downloads is a strong validation of the fundamental shift in how audiences discover and consume stories today. In a mobile-first world, compelling narratives can unfold in minutes while still delivering immense emotional depth. As legacy entertainment houses acknowledge this format, our edge remains our agility, our deep understanding of the ‘swipe’ economy, and our commitment to building a massive, continuous supply of relatable, family-friendly storytelling for audiences across India.”

Reinforcing its creative credibility, TukTuki’s original production Maidame was recently recognized with the Screenxx Award for Best Content in Short Form (Fiction), proving that ultra-short-form vertical content can achieve both mass scale and critical creative prestige.

TukTuki: Top 3 Most Watched Shows