All posts by Neel Achary

New Delhi, India, Feb 26: The BRICS Educational Film and Media Association (BEFMA) has announced the appointment of Syed Sultan Ahmed as its Vice-President to steer BEFMA’s strategic programs. He will lead the organization’s efforts to create a more inclusive, innovative, and impactful media education landscape across BRICS & BRICS+ nations. He aims to empower both educators and students to engage with and produce content that resonates with diverse global audiences.

“I’m honoured to join BEFMA at a moment when film and media are becoming vital tools for education and global conversation,” said Syed Sultan Ahmed. “I look forward to working with educators, filmmakers and young creators across BRICS to expand access, deepen media literacy, and give learners the means to tell their own stories to the world.”

Sultan is a leading education reformer, social entrepreneur, and an award-winning filmmaker with over two decades of experience at the intersection of cinema, life skills, and school leadership. He currently serves as Chairperson of The Association of International Schools of India (TAISI), is Founder & Chief Learner of LXL Ideas, and curator for the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF). School Cinema, Sultan’s film-based teaching pedagogy has reached millions of students across countries.

Sultan has been honoured with seven National Film Awards from the President of India, including Best Educational Film, Best Film on Family Values, and Best Film on Sports. His films have been showcased at over 575 international film festivals, earning widespread recognition for his contributions. 

By:- Prabhat Kumar, Chairman (IRS), Pan IIT Alumni India

Pan IIT welcomes the Knight Frank – Deloitte report identifying India as the world’s most strategic higher education growth market, driven by its 155 million-strong youth cohort. To harness this potential, we advocate for a dual strategy: vertical expansion through world-class research and specialisation, and horizontal expansion via accessible education hubs across India. These hubs will integrate academia, industry, and innovation, positioning India as a leader in the Global South for educational collaboration and opportunity.

Enabled by 100% automatic-route FDI and supportive budget provisions for research and skill development, we urge the adoption of further streamlined policies to attract private and foreign university investment. Our focus must be on scaling technical and vocational education while deeply integrating Indian Knowledge Systems. Pan IIT is committed to partnering with all stakeholders to transform India into a global knowledge exporter and destination.

New Delhi, Feb 26: In a shift toward performance-linked climate accountability, the Zero Prize was announced as India’s first national results-based environmental award that links financial reward directly to independently verified reductions in air, water, and land pollution. Convened by the School of Policy and Governance (SPG), the initiative is supported through philanthropic contributions, corporate CSR partnerships, and institutional stakeholders, and aims to align funding with measurable environmental outcomes.

With a total corpus of ₹5 crore, the Zero Prize will award ₹1 crore each across three categories — Air, Water, and Land to solutions that demonstrate scientifically validated pollution reduction within defined geographies. The announcement event was held at India Habitat Centre in the presence of award-winning actor and environmental advocate Dia Mirza as Chief Guest, along with policymakers, sustainability leaders, and industry stakeholders.

The Prize is open to startups, NGOs, corporates, municipal bodies, research institutions, and individual innovators across India. Eligible applicants must implement a real-world pilot within defined urban or peri-urban contexts and undergo independent third-party monitoring and validation. Early-stage concepts without measurable on-ground execution will not qualify.

While climate commitments and sustainability capital continue to expand, organisers note that much of the ecosystem still rewards announcements, pilot-stage activity, or projected outcomes rather than independently verified environmental performance. The Zero Prize seeks to address this gap by recognising only measurable, attributable pollution reduction achieved within defined physical boundaries.

“For 140 years, my family has built a legacy on the power of nature through Ayurveda. But today, that very nature is under threat. ,” said Mr. Saket Burman, Co-Founder of Zero Prize and Vice Chairman, Dabur India Ltd. “ I am proud to support the Zero Prize, a ₹5 Crore national challenge that encourages Indian entrepreneurship and Jugaad to come up with high impact scalable solutions.  We are looking for the proven innovations that will make India’s air, water, and land measurably cleaner for the next generation. It’s time to move beyond the boardrooms and into the field. No promises.Only results.”

Each shortlisted solution will establish a documented baseline and demonstrate quantifiable reduction over a 12-month challenge period. For air, reduction in particulate exposure within defined zones will be assessed through fixed-location monitoring systems adjusted for meteorological variation. For water, pollutant load reduction including parameters such as BOD, COD, TSS, and nutrients will be measured at defined discharge points using CPCB-aligned protocols. For land, reduction in waste leakage or improper disposal will be assessed through traceable weight-based audits and documented verification.

Mr. Ruchir Punjabi, Chair, School of Policy and Governance, added “Innovation is often messy, but in the fight against pollution, it needs to be abundant. The Zero Prize is a bridge. By offering India’s first results-based incentive, we are mobilizing the country’s brightest problem-solvers from tech startups to civic researchers to tackle our environmental crisis with the same urgency as a unicorn exit. We are looking for the disruptors who can leverage the economic opportunity of making India more livable. If you have a solution that is science-verified and ready to scale, the stage is yours. Let’s build an ecosystem where the most impactful solutions don’t just survive, they win.

All claims will undergo independent third-party validation, with awards granted only after verified baseline-to-post-intervention environmental improvement. Key findings will be made publicly accessible.

Applications open in March 2026 and close in August 2026, with winners to be announced in February 2027 following technical evaluation, pilot implementation, and independent validation. The Prize follows a milestone-based disbursement structure aligned with successful pilot execution and verification.

The Prize is structured as an annual national initiative focused on results-based environmental recognition and performance-linked funding. The framework aligns with national missions including the National Clean Air Programme, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, and Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 by accelerating verifiable, on-ground environmental outcomes.

By linking financial rewards to independently validated pollution reduction, the Prize adopts a performance-based accountability framework.

Mumbai, Feb 26: SMFG India Credit has unveiled its new brand anthem film “Chal Pado, Aage Badho,” a high-energy celebration of progress, partnership and shared purpose. Set within the vibrant environment of SMFG India Credit’s workplace, the film highlights how progress is driven by collective momentum and philosophy of becoming SARVOTTAM – Rise to be the best.

Rooted in the spirit of “Pragati”, the campaign brings together employees across functions and levels, from teams on the office floor to senior leadership in the boardroom, reflecting alignment, collaboration and a shared vision for growth. The narrative reinforces the belief that when people move forward together with purpose and confidence, meaningful progress follows.

The anthem is more than a song, it is a celebration of who we are — a culture built on belief, collaboration, and shared ambition. From frontline teams to leadership, from new joiners to mentors, this anthem carries the collective voice of SMFG India Credit.

Speaking on the launch, Ravi Narayanan, MD and CEO, SMFG India Credit, said,

“This composition is much more than a melody; it is the very heartbeat of our organizational philosophy. In it resides a little bit of the heart and soul of each one of my colleagues across the length and breadth of Bharat. It serves as a powerful reminder of our shared mission to constantly rise to be the best – to be ‘Sarvottam.’ The stirring refrain, “Badhe Chalo,” beautifully captures our collective resolve to keep walking ahead, innovating, and growing. It reflects the unwavering commitment of our entire organization as we journey toward becoming an institution — the absolute benchmark of excellence.”

“Our anthem reflects our deepening presence across nearly 1,000 branches, the scaling of our portfolio, and the progress at SMFG India Credit. This growth story is the result of our teams moving in alignment. Over the past year, we have strengthened our foundation, sharpened execution, and built momentum across markets. The nationwide production journey was a spectacular feat of unity. Filmed across the country, every frame radiates the boundless energy and discipline of our people, which enable us to grow responsibly while expanding access to credit across India,” adds Narayanan.

The 150,000 sqm facility will establish operations for storage and distribution of heavy machinery and industrial equipment in KEZAD – Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Feb 26: Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group, one of the largest operators of integrated and purpose-built economic zones in the region and Galadari Brothers’ Heavy Equipment Division have signed a 50-year land lease agreement for the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility in KEZAD A (KEZAD Al Ma’mourah).

Galadari is investing AED 75 million in the proposed 150,000 sqm facility that will establish operations for storage and distribution of heavy machinery and industrial equipment in the region. The group’s Heavy Equipment Division is a leading dealer and distributor of commercial vehicles and specialised construction machinery from international brands in the UAE. Headquartered in Dubai, Galadari Brothers is a diversified conglomerate with a legacy spanning more than 60 years and a presence across multiple sectors and international markets.

Since its inception more than four decades ago, the Heavy Equipment Division of Galadari has grown from being a single-product distributor to steadily build an expansive product portfolio constituting a wide range of construction equipment. The move to KEZAD comes as part of Galadari’s strategic plans to expand its business in the region, and its commitment to delivering excellence in services by joining a thriving economic zone with dedicated industrial clusters and practices.

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group said: “We welcome Galadari Brothers to KEZAD, and look forward to a fruitful partnership, as we support them in expanding their foothold in the region with our tailored services. By being in KEZAD, Galadari organically becomes an integral part of a cohesive industrial structure, designed for innovation, collaboration and delivery of outstanding services.

“As we continue on our growth path, we are hopeful that this association will be mutually beneficial for business – contributing to the growth of Galadari as well as the economic development of Abu Dhabi.”

Mohammed Galadari, Co-Chairman and Group CEO of Galadari Brothers said: “The establishment of this facility marks a significant step in advancing Galadari Brothers’ Heavy Equipment capabilities and scaling our operational infrastructure in the UAE. Located within KEZAD’s integrated industrial ecosystem, the facility enhances our ability to support large-scale projects while strengthening the logistics and supply chain networks that underpin regional growth. This investment reflects our long-term confidence in the UAE’s vision for economic diversification and industrial advancement while reinforcing our commitment to delivering the capacity, reliability, and expertise required to serve a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.”

Bengaluru, Feb 26: Swiggy today announced that it has further expanded its partnership with IRCTC. Swiggy has doubled down on its ‘Food on Train’ service, marking a 117% growth in network expansion in just twelve months. From 70 stations in February 2025, the footprint has surged to 152 stations as of February 2026. This rapid scale-up meets a burgeoning national demand for diverse culinary options, powered by a robust supply chain that now spans from Guwahati in the East to Rajkot in the West, and Pathankot in the North to Tirunelveli in the South. Swiggy also announced the launch of Holi special food for travellers from February 28, 2026, and March 08, 2026. Travellers can order Gujiya, Pua, Puran Poli delivered fresh at train seats and also get Flat ₹125 off .

In addition to this, Swiggy also has an expanded ‘Train Friendly Dishes’ menu, a segment engineered for high-speed convenience. By leveraging a data-led approach, Swiggy merges individual passenger history with deep insights into the 40 most-loved cuisines on the rail network. This ensures that the most relevant dishes are always front-and-center. As a result, this collection has been a primary growth drive, already accounting for 22% of total train orders. On the occasion of Holi, Swiggy’s “holi specials” will feature on this widget with collections of gujiya, sweets and chaats.

Speaking of the milestone, Mr. Deepak Maloo, Vice President- Food Strategy, Customer Experience & New Initiatives, Swiggy, said,

“We understand that food is an intrinsic part of train journeys and we stay committed to deliver good food and make journeys more memorable for lakhs of travellers every day. This nationwide expansion is perfectly timed for the Holi travel rush. We will be focusing on diversity by doubling down on transit hubs across India—from major junctions to regional stops like Itarsi, Tirunelveli, and Kharagpur —Swiggy is capturing the heart of the Indian train traveller. As millions board trains to return to their roots for the Festival of Colors, the ‘home-delivered’ experience on train will surely add more flavour to the festivities.”

Swiggy continues to elevate the traveler experience by expanding its ‘City Best’ selection curated list of award-winning restaurants across all 152 stations. By connecting passengers with the most celebrated local kitchens, this feature eliminates the guesswork of ordering in an unfamiliar city. This collection has been a huge hit providing a never-seen-before trust factor as evident in the data: 1 in 4 users engage with the widget immediately upon opening the app.

India’s food mobility landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift. According to Swiggy’s surveys, the ‘convenience economy’ has moved beyond the doorstep. Today’s traveler prioritizes hygiene and reliability above all else, even while on the move. As per Swiggy data, while metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and others account for 15% of the network, the true engine of this scale up lies in India’s interiors. Tier-1 hubs now make up 30% of the footprint, while a significant 55% is concentrated in Tier-2 and beyond cities and towns. From industrial hubs like Dhanbad, Bina and Bhilai to cultural centers like Agra, Gaya, and Madurai, Swiggy ensures that high-quality meals are just a few taps away, whether a passenger is at bustling junctions like Lucknow and Bhopal or small towns like Tadepalligudem and Deoghar. Nagpur, Kanpur, Surat, and Vijayawada continue to be the stars of the network. As Swiggy’s busiest hubs, they consistently see the highest number of train orders. Swiggy has maintained a remarkably high delivery success rate across stations and, who now feel confident ordering fresh food delivered directly to their train seats at all times.

Swiggy’s data also shows that travelers’ preferred time for ordering via Food on Train varies across locations. Itarsi and Ratlam have emerged as stations with the highest breakfast orders, while Kanpur, Bhopal, and Salem lead the charts for lunch orders. By dinner time, Nagpur and Vijayawada see the most orders, proving that Swiggy is successfully synchronized with the traveler’s clock, serving the right food at the right time throughout the entire journey.

Consumers can simply search “Train” on Swiggy to kickstart the journey of relishing the best of culinary delights across the country, right at their train seats.

India, Feb 26 : Securonix, Inc., a six-time Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant for SIEM, today announced the promotion of Ajay Biyani to Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan In this expanded role, Ajay will lead regional strategy, go-to-market execution, partner ecosystem development, and customer success initiatives across the region.

Since joining Securonix, Ajay has played a key role in scaling the company’s footprint across APJ through disciplined expansion, partner enablement, and strong customer engagement. He built and led cross-functional teams across sales, channels, and customer success, supporting more than 100 professionals across the region. Under his leadership, Securonix delivered sustained year-over-year revenue growth while expanding adoption of its Unified Defense SIEM platform across financial services, telecommunications, government, and other regulated industries.

Ajay also strengthened the regional MSSP and channel ecosystem, with strategic partnerships contributing significantly to pipeline growth and accelerating SaaS adoption across enterprise accounts.

With more than two decades of leadership experience spanning engineering, enterprise sales, and regional management, Ajay has held senior positions at ForgeRock, Verizon Enterprise Solutions, and Wipro Technologies. He has served as Vice President, APJ at Securonix since October 2022.

Across APJ, organizations are balancing rapid digital expansion with intensifying regulatory oversight and rising cyber risk. Enterprises in the region are under pressure to modernize security operations while demonstrating measurable resilience to regulators and boards. In his new role, Ajay will focus on helping organizations adopt governed, AI-powered security operations that deliver operational clarity, predictable economics, and executive-level accountability.

Ajay’s promotion reflects Securonix’s long-term investment in APJ as a strategic growth region and its broader commitment to scaling Unified Defense SIEM and agentic AI capabilities globally.

“APJ represents one of the most dynamic cybersecurity markets globally,” 

said Scott Sampson, Chief Revenue Officer, Securonix. 

“Ajay has demonstrated consistent leadership, built strong regional partnerships, and driven measurable growth. As we continue to scale our Unified Defense SIEM platform powered by agentic AI, his leadership will be instrumental in deepening customer trust and accelerating expansion across the region”.

Ajay Biyani said,

“Security leaders across APJ are under increasing pressure to deliver measurable resilience while navigating regulatory complexity and rapid digital growth. My focus will be on strengthening our partner ecosystem, supporting our customers’ transformation to AI-driven security operations, and ensuring organizations across the region become breach ready and board ready.” 

All 558 townhouse plots snapped up in six months, underscoring strong demand for luxury residential land in Dubai

Dubai, UAE, Feb 26: The first phase of Keturah Ardh, Dubai’s first heritage-wellness integrated luxury community, has sold out, with all 558 luxury townhouse plots acquired in just six months for AED1 billion. 

fäm Properties, the exclusive master agency for master developer MAG Group, today confirmed the milestone, which reflects solid demand for premium residential land in Dubai, particularly freehold townhouse plots, one of the most limited and sought-after asset classes in the city’s luxury market. 

“The sellout speaks for itself,” said Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties. “Residential plots with approvals for luxury townhouses are among the scarcest product types in Dubai, and buyers and investors responded accordingly.” 

“True heritage-wellness communities are rare, and over the past four years, this segment has consistently led the market in both performance and investor interest.” 

Located in the Al Rowaiyah First District, Keturah Ardh brings together traditional Arabic architectural principles with a fully integrated modern wellness approach. The 558 luxury townhouse plots are spread across 93 meticulously planned clusters, and phase one was brought to market with attractive payment plans. 

The broader master plan blends Arabic heritage with advanced wellness concepts to create a self-contained lifestyle community. The name ‘Ardh,’ meaning ‘earth’ or ‘land’ in Arabic, reflects its ties to culture and nature. 

The project reflects MAG Group’s 45-year dedication to quality and innovation, with amenities including spa and sauna facilities, yoga and pilates areas, running and cycling tracks, and extensive green spaces. Mature landscaping includes trees sourced from Italy, Spain, Thailand, and Africa. 

Infrastructure is being delivered in Q1 2026, with construction starting in Q4 2026, and full completion expected by 2030. 

Keturah Ardh is the fourth major project in the Keturah luxury portfolio, following Keturah Reserve, Keturah Resort: The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Al Jaddaf, and Keturah Bahar.

Mumbai India Feb 26: Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the world’s leading diver training organisation, has announced that the globally recognised PADI Open Water Diver course eLearning is now available in Hindi. With this initiative, PADI aims to ensure that language is no longer a barrier for Indians who wish to explore the underwater world. 

India, with its vast coastline and growing interest in adventure tourism, is rapidly emerging as one of Asia’s most promising scuba diving markets. Popular diving destinations such as Andaman Islands, Lakshadweep, Goa, and Puducherry are witnessing a steady rise in domestic travellers seeking immersive ocean experiences. However, for many aspiring divers, understanding technical concepts and safety procedures in English used to be a challenge.

With the PADI Open Water course material now available in Hindi, learners can study key diving principles—including safety procedures, equipment usage, dive planning, underwater communication, and skill techniques—in a language they are most comfortable with. Students can complete their theory through eLearning at their convenience before undertaking confined water and open water training sessions with certified PADI Instructors at authorised dive centres across the country. 

“Scuba diving is for everyone, and language should never limit someone’s ability to learn or explore. By offering the PADI Open Water course in Hindi, we are making dive education more inclusive and accessible. This will empower more Indians to confidently take their first step into the underwater world,” said Vinod Bondi, Regional Manager – India, PADI. 

This milestone reflects PADI’s broader commitment to inclusivity, sustainable tourism, and marine conservation awareness. By breaking language barriers, PADI continues to inspire a new generation of divers while strengthening India’s growing ocean community.

Iora’s Nature Day at Delhi Climate Innovation Week brings Multi-sectoral Stakeholder Perspective on Scaling Nature-based Solutions in India

New Delhi, Feb 26: Iora Ecological Solutions marked its Nature Day at the Delhi Climate Innovation Week with a day-long series of high-level dialogues focused on accelerating credible, bankable Nature- based Solutions (NbS) across India. The convening brought together more than 65 representatives from government leadership, multilateral institutions, financial sector representatives, technology innovators and community practitioners to articulate a coordinated pathway for embedding nature within India’s development and economic architecture.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Shri Tanmay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), underscored the need to balance development aspirations with ecological responsibility and cultural stewardship. “Our development must be in harmony with ecological balance. We must ask whether we can reverse the damage caused by unsustainable growth. We need a development paradigm inspired by nature’s wisdom, one that integrates ecological health into economics without reducing nature to just a number,” he said.

Mr. Swapan Mehra, Founder and CEO of Iora Ecological Solutions, emphasised the scale of the opportunity before India. “Nature is not a liability but the biggest investment opportunity. India is in a strong position to build on our legacy of regenerative relationships with nature. We have scale, markets, and communities close to nature. The question is, why are we not actively investing?” he stated, framing Nature Day as a call to shift from fragmented restoration efforts to structured, finance-ready NbS portfolios.

Dr Amitabh Kundu (Senior Fellow, IORA), Mr. Ankit Todi (Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra Group) and Mr. Gaurav Sarup (Chief Sustainability Officer and Deputy Head – HSE, Vedanta Group), underscored the importance of institutional alignment, private sector participation and innovation-led partnerships in mainstreaming nature within India’s growth strategy.

Four Thematic Sessions Identify Pathways to Scale

To address structural barriers and enabling mechanisms for scaling NbS, expert discussions were curated across four key themes of Economics, Financing, Technology and Community.

Economics of Nature Conservation

Moderated by Dr Madhu Verma, the session examined valuation, incentives and evidence frameworks required for scaling NbS. Experts including Mr. Pyush Dogra, Mr. Reuben Gergan, Dr Ritesh Kumar and Shri Soumitra Dasgupta IFS (Retd.) emphasised the urgent need for credible valuation frameworks, incentive design and landscape-level approaches. Discussions reinforced that measurable ecological restoration and climate resilience must replace narrow metrics such as tree counts.

Financing Nature-based Solutions: Pathways, Instruments and Scale

Moderated by Mr. Varghese Paul, this session addressed persistent barriers to capital mobilisation. Panelists Mr. Kirtiman Awasthi, Mr. Manoj Dabas, Ms Neha Kumar and Ms Nidhi Batra examined why capital flows remain fragmented despite clear socio-economic returns from NbS. The session identified the need for bankable project pipelines, viable revenue models and de-risking instruments to unlock institutional finance at scale.

Nature and AI: Data, MRV and Decision Systems

Moderated by Shri RK Srivastava IFS (Retd.), the discussion focused on monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV), interoperable data systems and technological innovation. With contributions from Mr. Mohammad Aatish Khan, Ms Saranya M, Dr Subhash Ashutosh IFS (Retd.) and Mr. Swapan Mehra, the discussion highlighted the central role of data integrity, monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, and interoperable platforms. Speakers stressed that trust, scientific rigour and governance frameworks will determine whether AI becomes a credible enabler of large-scale nature finance.

Empowering Communities: Institutions, Incentives and Inclusion

Moderated by Ms. Chhaya Bhanti, the session highlighted the institutional and behavioural dimensions of NbS. Speakers including Ms Anjali Makhija, Ms Jaskiran Warrik, Dr Mrigen Barua AFS (Retd.), Dr Nabaneeta Rudra and Mr. Ramanshu Ganguly emphasised that scaling NbS is ultimately an institutional and behavioural challenge, not merely a financial one. NbS scale when institutions are trusted, incentives are aligned, markets are accessible, and communities are architects rather than beneficiaries.

Clear Call for Integrated Action

The closing session featured a synthesis by Dr Aakriti Wanchoo, outlining integrated recommendations across finance, governance and technology. Reflections from Mr. Jagjeet Sareen and Shri Rajbir Singh Panwar, IFS (Retd.) reinforced the need to align national strategy with on-ground implementation.

Delivering the valedictory address, Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, IFS, reinforced the importance of institutional accountability and leadership in embedding nature within India’s growth trajectory.

Participants concluded that nature finance must scale, but it must scale with science, transparency and accountability at its core.

This Nature Day convening organised in partnership with Iora Ecological Trust and Vertiver, positioned investment in nature at the heart of climate innovation and economic planning.