Bhubaneswar, 7th October 2025: ODM Educational Group successfully organised DIGIFEST 2025, the first-ever digital festival in Odisha. The event was held across various ODM campuses, bringing together young innovators to showcase their digital skills and future-ready capabilities.

The event aims to highlight the indispensable importance of digital literacy for students in academic and professional success. As the world rapidly transitions toward an AI-driven economy, initiatives like DIGIFEST ensure students develop computational thinking, problem-solving abilities, and technological fluency skills essential for the 21st century. The festival also addressed the growing demand for STEM education while fostering creativity and innovation among young minds.

Mr Swoyan Satyendu, CEO of ODM Educational Group, said, “DIGIFEST 2025 represents a paradigm shift in how education embraces technology. This festival demonstrates our commitment to nurturing digital natives who will lead tomorrow’s technological revolution.”

Mr N. P. Haris, CEO of Cybersquare, remarked, “The digital transformation in education is not just about adopting new tools; it’s about reimagining how students learn, create, and solve problems. DIGIFEST 2025 perfectly exemplifies this vision by providing a platform where theoretical knowledge meets practical application.”

The festival witnessed unprecedented participation from six ODM schools across the nation, each contributing unique technical demonstrations. ODM International School, Angul, showcased expertise in technical presentations, website development, visual coding games, and documentary filmmaking. ODM International School, Durgapur, presented a comprehensive display of AI, IoT, and robotics innovations alongside programming competitions and mobile application development.

ODM Public School, Bhubaneswar, demonstrated remarkable skills in artificial intelligence, IoT applications, robotics, and multimedia production. ODM Global School focused on robotics demonstrations, visual coding, and website development, while ODM Sapphire Global School impressed audiences with individual and group presentations, visual coding, robotics, and Python programming. ODM International School, Gurgaon, hosted age-appropriate competitions ranging from elementary-level presentations to advanced programming challenges, ensuring inclusive participation across all academic levels.

Dr. Satyabrata Minaketan, Chairman of ODM Educational Group, stated, “Witnessing these young minds transform abstract concepts into tangible solutions fills me with immense pride. DIGIFEST 2025 validates our educational philosophy that learning should be experiential, collaborative, and aligned with global technological trends.”

DIGIFEST 2025 firmly establishes ODM Educational Group as a pioneer in technology-integrated education, setting new benchmarks for digital learning in eastern India. The festival’s success highlights the group’s dedication to equipping students for a digitally driven future while upholding academic excellence. As institutions nationwide seek to enhance digital capabilities, DIGIFEST stands as an inspiring model for integrating innovation with traditional learning methodologies.

The inaugural festival marks the beginning of an annual tradition that will continue to grow with ODM, fostering technological excellence and nurturing the next generation of digital leaders across Odisha and beyond.

New Delhi, 7th october, 2025: This festive season, The Lodhi reimagines the art of gifting with a collection of Diwali hampers that bring together the essence of tradition and the joy of indulgence. Designed to celebrate togetherness and elevate the spirit of giving, each hamper blends artisanal treasures with festive accents, making them perfect for family, friends, and corporate gifting.

The collection features a range of exquisitely crafted hampers such as The Deluxe Hamper, priced at INR 5,000, a refined assortment featuring The Lodhi’s signature artisanal chocolates, assorted dates and nuts, Newby loose-leaf tea, and festive accents including a Ganesh idol and decorated candle holder. For those seeking a more elaborate indulgence, The Signature Hamper, at INR 7,500, comes in a festive red basket, complete with elegant décor accents such as a Ganesh idol, diya, and scented candle. Inside, it offers an indulgent selection of dry fruits, Zuffon millet snacks, French macarons, luxury perfume, artisanal jams, coffee, olive oil, cookies, and The Lodhi’s signature chocolates, making it a thoughtful blend of tradition and gourmet flair.

Stepping up in grandeur, The Premium Hamper, priced at INR 10,000, brings together a lavish selection of handcrafted sweets, artisanal chocolates, premium dry fruits, and luxury teas, complemented by elegant décor accents such as coasters and a festive candle, a refined choice for those who value exclusivity in their celebration. The collection further extends to The Luxury Hamper at INR 15,000, a curation of international delicacies, French macarons, organic preserves, and The Lodhi’s signature chocolates, paired with artisanal décor accents. Adding to this is The Lodhi Hamper, priced at INR 25,000, an extravagant ensemble featuring gourmet indulgences, artisanal desserts, elegant décor, and a Lodhi sling bag, embodying both sophistication and festive grandeur.

For the ultimate indulgence, The Grand Hamper, priced at INR 55,000, features The Lodhi Hamper along with a one-night stay in The Lodhi Pool Room, creating a memorable and luxurious festive experience. Taking it a notch higher, The Lodhi Platinum Hamper, priced at INR 1,00,000, offers The Lodhi Hamper, a one-night stay in The Lodhi Pool Room, a spa couple massage, and an exclusive New Year’s Gala Dinner for two, the epitome of opulent gifting.

Adding a unique dimension to this year’s collection are The Lodhi Exclusives, bespoke hampers showcasing an array of handcrafted silverware, artisanal delights, and elegant décor accents.These exclusive offerings reflect prosperity, purity, and refined elegance, making them timeless keepsakes that beautifully blend tradition with contemporary luxury.

With personalisation and bespoke options available, The Lodhi ensures every hamper resonates with thoughtfulness and charm, making it not just a gift but a lasting memory.

IIT Roorkee Hosts Inaugural Session of the XIIth Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)

Roorkee, October 7th, 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) inaugurated the XIIth Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) today, bringing together leading scientists, researchers, and policymakers from across the world to deliberate on sustainable water resource management, hydrological innovations, and climate resilience. The Assembly features over 627 participants from 49 countries and 682 scientific contributions, making it one of the largest gatherings in IAHS history. The week-long event will foster global collaboration through plenary discussions, workshops, and networking to advance water sustainability and climate adaptation.

The Chief Guest, Shri Anand Bardhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand, inaugurated the session and commended IIT Roorkee and IAHS for their global contributions to advancing hydrological research and its societal applications. “Hydrology is central to climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. Institutions like IIT Roorkee play a vital role in bridging global knowledge with local solutions that empower communities and policymakers alike,” said Shri Anand Bardhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand.

The event began with the traditional lighting of the lamp and the IIT Roorkee Kulgeet, followed by addresses from key dignitaries including Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, Prof. Salvatore Grimaldi, President, IAHS, Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Vice President, INSA and Director, CSIR-NEIST, Prof. Sumit Sen, Chairperson, IAHS SA 2025, and Prof. Ankit Agarwal, Convener, IAHS SA 2025. The IAHS Scientific Assembly at IIT Roorkee reflects our commitment to solving global water challenges through innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. It reinforces India’s leadership in hydrological research and sustainable water management. I am confident that these six days assembly will inspire new ideas, enduring partnerships, and transformative innovations contributing meaningfully to both hydrology and society at large, said Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee. The session also featured the release of the Proceedings of the IAHS Scientific Assembly 2025, marking the beginning of a week-long scientific deliberation that includes technical sessions, exhibitions, and international collaborations. 

New Delhi, October 7, 2025: The Indian Healthcare League(IHL), India’s pioneering sports league dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and fitness among healthcare professionals,  announced its official broadcast partnership with DD Sports, one of the country’s largest and most widely accessible sports broadcasters. With this collaboration, all IHL matches will now be telecast live across India from 14th – 21st December 2025, ensuring millions of households can join in celebrating the spirit of healthcare and sportsmanship.

This year, the league carries a special focus on Cancer Awareness, using the platform of sports to amplify one of the most pressing health challenges facing India. The IHL aims to spread the message of early detection, preventive lifestyle, and community support by engaging viewers through matches, campaigns, and inspiring stories of doctors who dedicate themselves to both medicine and fitness.

Highlighting the league’s commitment to inclusivity and women empowerment, the final day will feature an exclusive Women’s Match, showcasing the strength, resilience, and leadership of women healthcare professionals. This aligns with Whitecoat Sports’ broader mission of breaking barriers and creating equal opportunities in healthcare and sports.

Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Rahul Mangal, CMD, Whitecoat Sports, said:
“This collaboration with DD Sports is a game-changer for the Indian Healthcare League. Our vision has always been to celebrate healthcare professionals, inspire a culture of fitness, and spread meaningful awareness on critical health issues like cancer. The addition of a dedicated women’s match further strengthens our mission of empowerment and equality. With DD Sports as our broadcast partner, we are confident of reaching millions of Indians with both entertainment and inspiration.”

DD Sports, renowned for its grassroots and national-level coverage, will not only showcase matches but also highlight the journeys of 150 doctors and healthcare professionals participating in the league. These inspiring individuals balance their demanding careers with their love for sports, making them true role models for the community.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

• Live Broadcast: All IHL matches to be broadcast live on DD Sports TV Channel, DD Waves OTT Platform, and DD Sports YouTube Channel
• Nationwide Reach: Ensuring accessibility for both urban and rural audiences across India
• Cancer Awareness Mission: Dedicated focus on spreading awareness, education, and preventive health measures
• Women Empowerment Spotlight: Special Women’s Match on the final day to highlight inclusivity and gender equality in healthcare and sports
• Healthcare Heroes in Action: 150 doctors and medical professionals competing in the league, showcasing both skill and dedication

The 2025 season of IHL promises high-energy matches, meaningful health campaigns, and inspiring participation from India’s medical community. Fans can look forward to action-packed fixtures, behind-the-scenes stories, and a league that goes beyond sports to drive a powerful message of health, fitness, and collective well-being.

New Delhi, 7th October 2025: The curtain-raiser for the Rajasthan DigiFest in association with TiE Global Summit 2026, which will be hosted by the Government of Rajasthan in Jaipur from 4–6 January 2026 at the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC), was held in New Delhi today.

The event was held in the presence of Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister for Industries, IT, Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of Rajasthan, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, Government of India, Dr Saurabh Srivastava, Padma Shri, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi and Dr. Ravi Kumar Surpur, Secretary and Commissioner IT&C, Government of Rajasthan, along with several start-up founders, industry leaders and TiE dignitaries. 

Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, the summit is built around the pillars of Technology, Growth and Sustainability.
It is being held in a non-metro city for the first time, underscoring Rajasthan’s emergence as a hub for technology, innovation, and startups. With the theme “Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the AI Age – Innovation, Impact & Inclusion”, the Summit will highlight transformative sectors including AI/ML, FinTech, AgriTech, AR/VR, MediaTech, PropTech, Sustainability, and Higher Education Partnerships.

Remarking on the momentous occasion, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister for Industries, IT, Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of Rajasthan said, “Rajasthan is a land that has had a long history of courage, creativity and resilience. We now aim to move from soil and sand to silicon and software. With several new policies, our government is aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat. So, I welcome all of you not only to the Rajasthan DigiFest that we are hosting in 2026, but also to do business in Rajasthan.”

Dr. Ravi Kumar Surpur, Secretary and Commissioner IT&C, Government of Rajasthan said, “The Rajasthan DigiFest X TiE Global Summit marks a significant milestone in our journey towards building a digitally empowered, inclusive, and future-ready Rajasthan. It is a vision that ensures we are not only ready for tomorrow, but we are building today with responsibility and abundant opportunity for all. Rajasthan, with its rich cultural heritage and growing digital infrastructure, is fully aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat. Our focus is on digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development to propel Rajasthan into the forefront of India’s development”.

Mr. Mahavir Pratap Sharma, Convener and Chair, TiE Global Summit 2026 stated, “Rajasthan has created a conducive ecosystem for where innovation is nurtured, and talent is celebrated. With participation from across the globe, we aim to create a platform that celebrates entrepreneurship while driving meaningful partnerships and impact.”

The event will bring together 10,000+ entrepreneurs, 500+ investors, 100+ global speakers, and 200+ startups from over 30 countries. The Summit will feature a Global Investor Meet, Startup Showcase and Pitch Sessions, the TiE Women Global semi-finals and finals, the TiE University finals, Gaming hackathon, Film Festival and the TGS 100 competition for India’s most investable startups. Alongside government–industry dialogues, delegates will have opportunities for networking, investor–startup speed meets, hands-on workshops, and curated tours that spotlight Jaipur’s innovation ecosystem and cultural heritage.

iStart Rajasthan – A Model for India’s Startup Growth

The driving force behind Rajasthan’s entrepreneurial transformation is iStart Rajasthan, the flagship startup initiative of the Department of Information Technology & Communication (DoIT&C).

Since its inception, iStart has redefined how states nurture innovation—creating a robust ecosystem that provides seed funding, incubation, mentorship, policy support, and market access to startups across sectors.

With over 6,500+ registered startups, Bhamashah Techno Hub—India’s largest incubator—and an expanding network of innovation hubs, Rajasthan today stands among India’s top states for startup growth and digital governance.

Through forward-looking policies, digital empowerment programs, and youth-centric initiatives, the DoIT&C has positioned the State as a national role model in enabling entrepreneurship, frontier technology adoption, and public–private collaboration.

Hosting TGS 2026 in Jaipur is a testament to Rajasthan’s progressive vision under the iStart Rajasthan banner—a bold step towards connecting the State’s innovators with global investors, mentors, and technology leaders.

New AI-driven capabilities make tax and compliance faster, smarter, and easily embedded within enterprise workflows

India — October 7, 2025 — Avalara, Inc., the global leader in tax and compliance automation, today announced a series of AI-powered innovations that redefine enterprise compliance. The company introduced Avi, Avalara’s AI agent now embedded directly into users’ daily workflows; Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers that provide seamless access to Avalara’s AI platform; and several new intelligent capabilities across its product suite.

These advancements enable third-party systems and AI agents to easily discover and connect with Avalara’s APIs, embedding compliance at every stage of business operations. The result is a connected, intelligent framework where compliance happens in real time, whenever and wherever business takes place.

“Compliance is no longer a back-office burden, but a mission-critical function,” said Scott McFarlane, CEO and Co-Founder, Avalara. “With Avalara’s agentic AI, customers are cutting filing times from days to hours, reducing compliance risk, and freeing teams to focus on growth.”

Avi, Avalara’s intelligent AI agent, is now active where users work, advising, executing, and automating compliance tasks. For instance, the Avi Browser Extension guides users through ERP configurations and identifies compliance actions instantly, while Avi in Outlook scans inbound invoices, digitizes them, validates taxes and certificates, and integrates results directly into ERP systems. This helps organizations catch compliance risks early and significantly reduce processing costs.

Avalara’s MCP servers form the backbone of this intelligent network. They enable interoperability by allowing enterprise systems to connect with Avalara’s AI-powered APIs and extend compliance functionality across platforms. With these technologies, Avalara continues to evolve compliance into an intelligent, scalable global framework that operates across industries and geographies.

Among its latest innovations, Avalara has also introduced a set of enterprise-grade AI capabilities designed to deliver greater speed, precision, and insight:

● Advanced Rules with AI Visualization, allowing users to create or modify compliance rules through simple language prompts.
● AI-Powered Reporting and Insights, where embedded intelligence highlights anomalies, trends, and generates proactive compliance reports.

AI-Driven Global E-Invoicing, which uses AI to map invoice data to country-specific compliance requirements, reducing manual customizations and accelerating time to compliance.Avalara’s AI-driven platform also now extends into multiple compliance domains, including exemption certificate validation, cross-border classification, generative tax research, and property tax automation. To drive adoption, Avalara is collaborating closely with partners and customers through face-to-face meetings, developer and partner events, and registrations in global agent and MCP server directories such as Google AgentSpace—ensuring Avalara’s AI capabilities are accessible across enterprise systems worldwide.

For over two decades, Avalara has built one of the most extensive libraries of tax and compliance content in the industry, supporting over 43,000 businesses and government entities across more than 75 countries. Its purpose-built AI agents continue to transform tax and compliance—from calculation and filings to exemption management—with unmatched precision.

New Delhi, October 6, 2025: In a significant development, the People Forum of India (National Bharat Sevak Samaj), a Government of India Organisation, has appointed Shri Lakshan Dhiraj as the National Chairman of its Youth Wing. The appointment was formally approved by Dr. S. Manimozhiyaan, National Chairman of the Forum, and came into effect on Monday, October 6, 2025.

According to an official statement issued by Dr. Bhargav Mallappa, National Deputy Chairman and In-charge of Administration & Organization, the appointment entrusts Shri Dhiraj with the responsibility of leading youth-oriented initiatives across the country. He will focus on mobilizing young citizens towards national integration, social responsibility, and community welfare.

“This appointment reflects the Forum’s continued commitment to empowering the youth and nurturing leadership that contributes to India’s development goals,” said Dr. Mallappa. “Shri Lakshan Dhiraj’s energy and vision are expected to strengthen the organisation’s mission of service and unity.”

Shri Lakshan Dhiraj expressed his gratitude and shared his vision for the Youth Wing: “I am honoured to take on this responsibility and look forward to engaging with the youth of our nation. Together, we will work towards social welfare, skill development, and encouraging young citizens to actively participate in initiatives that strengthen our communities and foster unity across India.”

As National Chairman of the Youth Wing, Shri Dhiraj will work to expand the Forum’s outreach among young people and inspire voluntary participation in programmes aligned with national welfare, skill development, and social service.

The People Forum of India (NBSS) operates under the broader mission of promoting social welfare and public service across the nation through voluntary, non-political engagement. The organisation continues to collaborate with both State and Central Government bodies to implement initiatives that benefit communities across India.

Chandigarh, October 6, 2025: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated the PM-SETU (Prime Minister Skill and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) scheme at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, along with other youth-focused education and skill development initiatives worth over ₹62,000 crore. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, was also present at the event.

With an outlay of ₹60,000 crore, PM-SETU aims to modernize 1,000 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) through a unique 200 Hub and 800 Spoke model. This transformative initiative underlines the government’s commitment to empowering India’s youth through modern skilling and employability programs.

Speaking at the launch, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “As Chaudhary Charan Singh used to say, the path to national development passes through our farms and villages. Similarly, ITIs will now drive India’s growth. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has given a clear message to our youth — focus on your skills and education to build a developed India by 2047.”

In Phase 1 of PM-SETU, ITI Bharatpur in Rajasthan has been identified as a Hub, while ITIs in Dholpur, Karauli, Kaman, and Bayana will serve as Spokes. These institutions will focus on key sectors such as Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Hospitality.

Each Hub will be equipped with:

• Innovation Centers

• Training of Trainers (ToT) facilities

• Production Units

• Placement Services

Spoke institutes will offer expanded training outreach. The initiative will be industry-driven, with Anchor Industry Partners managing each cluster to ensure relevance and employability. The Bharatpur cluster will leverage partnerships with CII, FICCI, and local industry bodies to strengthen regional skilling ecosystems.

With the PM-SETU scheme, India’s ITIs are poised to become engines of employment, entrepreneurship, and economic transformation.

Barcelona, 6th October 2025: Softonic, the world’s leading software download platform, has unveiled a major upgrade to its user safety infrastructure with the launch of real-time Security Reports a new system designed to make software downloads more transparent, reliable, and secure.

Previously, program pages offered a simple Clean/Warned/Blocked status. Now, users will see detailed security breakdowns on each software listing, including:

• File status (clean or flagged)

• Date of latest scan

• Antivirus engines used

• External verification from VirusTotal

• Softonic’s long-term security commitment

Currently covering 35% of the platform’s catalogue, the feature will expand to all listings in the coming months. Already used by over 3 million monthly users, the Security Reports system is helping reduce user anxiety around unknown downloads.

“Security isn’t new here its visibility is,” said Jouni Kuisma, Head of Product at Softonic. “We’re making complex detections understandable with plain language and real-time updates empowering users to make confident decisions.”

As part of its roadmap, Softonic will also roll out mobile-focused transparency, including permissions visibility for access to camera, contacts, and location—an essential move given that mobile accounts for over 60% of Softonic’s traffic.

National, October 06, 2025: PhonePe today announced a strategic partnership with Utkarsh Small Finance Bank to launch the Wish Credit Card, designed to empower every Indian with easy, digital access to credit. The card will be available for online application directly via the PhonePe app, offering users a seamless and hassle-free experience.

This collaboration aims to expand the reach of formal credit to a wider, digitally-savvy population, especially those who are underserved or new to credit – including self-employed individuals, homemakers, Gen Z users, and residents of tier-2 and tier-3 cities where credit card penetration remains relatively low.

What makes the Wish Credit Card unique is its Fixed Deposit (FD)-backed model, which allows users to unlock credit against an FD. This not only provides a secured credit line but also enables users to earn interest on their deposit, making it both a practical and rewarding financial tool. As a RuPay Credit Card, it supports UPI-based payments, bridging the convenience of modern digital payments with the traditional safety of a fixed deposit.

The card further promotes financial inclusion by helping users build a strong credit history, making future access to loans or credit products easier and more reliable.

Key Features of the Wish Credit Card:

• 3% reward points on recurring monthly payments like mobile recharges and utility bills via the PhonePe app

• 1% reward points on shopping from select leading e-commerce brands

• 1% reward points on all Scan & Pay transactions

• Milestone bonus of reward points on monthly spends above a specified threshold

• Simple redemption process with 1 reward point equal to ₹1
  (T&C apply)

The end-to-end digital application and issuance process through the PhonePe app ensures that users can complete the journey without any paperwork or branch visits. The rollout of the Wish Credit Card will take place in phases.

Deep Agrawal, Head of Payments at PhonePe, commented: “This partnership with Utkarsh Small Finance Bank is a vital step in enhancing our financial services ecosystem. It offers users easy access to a trusted credit product, seamlessly integrated with RuPay on UPI. Together, we’re moving closer to a more financially inclusive India.”

Govind Singh, MD & CEO of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, said: “As digital adoption grows across the country, it’s essential to provide products that meet the evolving needs of customers from diverse backgrounds. This FD-backed Credit Card blends the security of traditional banking with the ease of digital payments, while also helping users build their creditworthiness.”

With the launch of the Wish Credit Card, PhonePe and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank are setting a new benchmark for accessible, inclusive, and rewarding credit solutions in India’s growing digital economy.