education

IIT Guwahati Brings India’s Astronomy Community Together for the 44th ASI Annual Meeting

Neel Achary 0 Comment

Guwahati, May 16 : Indian Institute of Technology Guwahatikicked off the 44th Astronomical Society of India (ASI) Annual Meeting with a formal inauguration event today, 16th May 2026. The five-day conference has brought together over 600 astronomers, researchers, students, and science communicators from across the globe.

IIT Guwahati Brings India’s Astronomy Community Together for the 44th ASI Annual Meeting

This event marks a special milestone for IIT Guwahati and the Northeast scientific community, as ASI Annual Meeting has returned to the region after 30 years. The conference was last hosted in the Northeast by Gauhati University in 1996.

The inaugural ceremony of the event was graced by the esteemed presence of Prof. Devendra Ojha, President, Astronomical Society of India, and Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati.

Other dignitaries present during the event included, Prof. Sukumar Nandi, Dean of Administration; Prof. Santabrata Das, Chair, Local Organizing Committee, IIT Guwahati, along with Prof. Sarita Vig, Secretary, Astronomical Society of India; Prof. Anandamayee Tej, Chair, Scientific Organizing Committee; Prof. Yashwant Gupta, Director, National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune; Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru; Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Vice‑Chancellor, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and Prof. Manish K. Naja, Director, Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, among others.

Welcoming the participants, Devendra Jalihal, Director, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, said,

“We are delighted to host the 44th Annual Meeting of Astronomical Society of India at IIT Guwahati and bring together researchers, students, and members of the scientific community on our campus. Such gatherings play an important role in inspiring young minds, especially in the Northeast, to connect with the wonders of STEM and innovation. I am confident that this initiative will foster new ideas, collaborations, and greater engagement with science among students and researchers across the region.”

Established in 1972, the Astronomical Society of India is the professional association of astronomers in the country. With more than a thousand members dedicated to advancing astronomy and related sciences in India, this annual meeting serves as the Society’s flagship platform for scientific exchange, collaboration, and outreach.

Speaking during his ASI Presidential Address, Devendra Ojha said,

 “The Astronomical Society of India has a rich legacy spanning more than five decades since its establishment in 1972 and has evolved into a diverse and vibrant scientific community. I am particularly excited about this year’s conference as ASI returns to the Northeast after three decades. With new facilities such as large telescopes and next-generation observational infrastructure on the horizon, the future of astronomy in India is bright and offers immense opportunities for the astronomical community. Through this conference, we aim to create new avenues for young researchers to engage in meaningful scientific discoveries and foster collaborative research efforts.”

The five-day conference will feature more than 140 scientific talks and 355 poster presentations covering a diverse range of themes, including –

·Sun and Solar System

·Exoplanets and astrobiology

·Stars and galaxies

·Cosmology

·Astrochemistry

·Astronomy technologies

·Data science

·Astronomy education

·Heritage

·Gender equity in science.

A key highlight of the pre-event activities held on 15th May 2026 was a public lecture on the topic, “A Decade of AstroSat – India’s First Space Observatory”, delivered by Prof. Annapurni Subramanyam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, and recipient of the Vigyan Shri Award 2024.

Additionally, three workshops on thematic areas including “Compact Objects in the AstroSat Era”, “Radio Astronomy from Space”, and “Rubin LSST: Exploring the Transient Sky” were also conducted on the opening day of the conference.

The inaugural event also included ASI award presentations recognizing excellence in astronomy and astrophysics. This year, the ASI Zubin Kembhavi Award was presented to the team behind the GROWTH-India Telescope in Hanle, Ladakh. Other major honours included the Laxminarayana and Nagalaxmi Modali Award to Dr. Girish Kulkarni of TIFR and the Justice Oak Award for Outstanding Thesis in Astronomy to Dr. Prateek Mayank.

Alongside the scientific activities being conducted at IIT Guwahati, the Public Outreach and Education Committee (POEC) of ASI is conducting astronomy-themed outreach activities across Guwahati and other parts of the Northeast. As part of this initiative, astronomers visiting Guwahati will engage with students at nearly 20 schools and colleges. In addition to this, exhibitions of astrophotography are being showcased at both the Guwahati Planetarium and Guwahati Science City to inspire the researchers of tomorrow.

The 44th ASI Annual Meeting at IIT Guwahati is expected to strengthen astronomy research and collaborative scientific engagement in the Northeast while inspiring students and the public to engage more deeply with astronomy and space science.

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Hartek Foundation Impacts Over 20,000 Lives in Punjab Through Sustainable Development Initiatives

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May 16 : Hartek Foundation, the CSR arm of the Hartek Group, impacted over 20,000 lives across Punjab during FY 2025–26, guided by its mission of “Power to Serve.” Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Foundation continued to drive meaningful social change through strategic collaborations with government institutions, focusing on advancing data-driven governance, gender-responsive policing, youth engagement, disability inclusion, climate resilience, road safety, and sustainable rural transformation across Punjab.

Hartek Foundation Impacts Over 20,000 Lives in Punjab Through Sustainable Development Initiatives

During the year, Hartek Foundation supported over 9,770 individuals through flood relief and rehabilitation initiatives in Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, and Ferozepur. The Foundation provided essential supplies, hygiene kits, temporary shelters, solar lighting systems, and support for rebuilding 50 homes with electrical fittings, helping affected families restore safe living conditions.

With a focus on skill building, the Foundation conducted statewide training programmes for over 2,000 Punjab  officials on gender sensitivity and mainstreaming women in policing, in collaboration with Punjab Police and J-PAL. Furthermore, it launched the SAAHAS Fellowship with the Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Wing and the ADAPT Fellowship with the DC Office (currently being piloted in Hoshiarpur) to strengthen data-driven governance and research at the state and district levels.

Under the flagship “Hartek Skill Lab” initiative, more than 4,000 students in government schools benefitted from STEM Labs equipped with over 160 educational models, along with safety awareness programmes, disaster preparedness sessions, and infrastructure support. These initiatives were launched to create long-term, sustainable impact by bridging the gap between theoretical and practical learning.

The Skill Lab initiative also empowered over 250 women and supported livelihood generation through skill-based entrepreneurship programmes, including tailoring, stitching, and the integration of Phulkari into corporate supply chains. Women associated with these initiatives earned an average monthly income of ₹27,000, fostering long-term financial independence and community resilience.

Speaking on the same, Harkirat Kaur, CEO, Hartek Foundation said,

 “At Hartek Foundation, we believe sustainable social transformation begins at the grassroots level. Our initiatives are designed to create long-term impact by strengthening communities through education, healthcare, livelihood generation, and inclusive development. Over the past year, we have focused on building resilient ecosystems that empower individuals, especially women and youth, to become agents of change within their communities. As we move forward, we remain committed to expanding our outreach and creating scalable, sustainable solutions that contribute meaningfully to nation-building.”

The Foundation further strengthened its rural development programme through healthcare outreach initiatives in rural Punjab by conducting preventive health camps, screenings, and blood donation drives, benefitting over 850 patients. This included women-centric healthcare initiatives focused on menstrual hygiene, anaemia management, and breast cancer awareness. The initiatives also promoted Climate Action (SDG 13) through tree plantation drives, dustbin installations, and awareness campaigns across villages, benefitting over 2,500 individuals.

business

Government of Karnataka and British Council empower students with UK study programme under SCOUT

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Government of Karnataka and British Council empower students with UK study programme under SCOUT

Bengaluru, May 16: British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, in partnership with the Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), Government of Karnataka, has announced Scholars for Outstanding Undergraduate Talent (SCOUT) in Karnataka during the Campus to Career Summit held at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, in the presence of Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka is Shri Siddaramaiah, Shri D.K Shivakumar, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister and Dr M.C Sudhakar, Honourable Minister of Higher Education. This initiative comes as part of the wider Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state and marks the latest edition of the programme under the GREAT campaign.

Building on previous successful editions, the programme will provide 29 undergraduate students from across Karnataka with a two-week immersive learning experience at the University of Wolverhampton, UK, from 27 June to 11 July 2026.

The cohort will include five students each from Mysuru University, Karnatak University, BASE University, Davangere University, Akkamahadevi Women’s University, and Bidar University, along with three faculty members and two officials from KSHEC. The initiative is designed to offer high potential students from underserved socio-economic backgrounds access to international education, equipping them with academic, professional, and leadership skills.

SCOUT aims to create meaningful global exposure through a certified short-term course delivered by a UK higher education institution, selected through an open call process. The SCOUT programme will focus on key themes including Climate, Innovation, Resilience, Cities, Leadership, and Equity, enabling participants to develop critical thinking, research capabilities, and an outlook to succeed in a globalised world.

An online induction session, SCOUT Circle, was conducted on 26 March 2026, where the University of Wolverhampton introduced the programme structure and project assignments to the selected cohort, marking the formal commencement of the engagement.

The programme continues to align with broader efforts to strengthen India-UK educational ties. By creating a pipeline for future international study, SCOUT also contributes to expanding student mobility and long-term academic partnerships between Karnataka and the UK.

Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council, said: “The SCOUT programme continues to create meaningful pathways for talented students who may not otherwise have access to international education. Aligned with the ambitions of the India–UK Vision 2035, which places education and skills at the heart of bilateral collaboration, SCOUT deepens UK’s partnership with the Karnataka Government. Together, we aim to deliver a transformative learning experience that builds global perspectives, strengthens critical skills, and nurtures long-term academic aspirations. It is encouraging to see this initiative evolve into a strong platform for fostering innovation, leadership, and meaningful cross-cultural exchange.”

Dr M.C Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, said: “SCOUT programme reflects our continued commitment to expanding opportunities for students across Karnataka, particularly those from underserved backgrounds. By enabling access to global learning environments and industry relevant themes, the programme equips students with the knowledge and confidence to contribute meaningfully to their communities and future careers. This collaboration also strengthens our engagement with UK institutions, opening new avenues for academic partnerships and student mobility.”

The programme will be delivered in two phases, beginning with preparatory engagement and virtual learning modules which has already taken place, followed by the in-person immersion in the UK. Participants will also benefit from cultural exposure and experiential learning, ensuring a holistic understanding of the UK’s academic and social environment.

business

NYSE President Lynn Martin Joins U.S. Presidential Delegation for Historic Trump-Xi China Summit in Beijing

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Business Wire India

The New York Stock Exchange, part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), one of the world’s leading providers of financial market technology and data powering global capital markets, today announced that NYSE Group President Lynn Martin joined the delegation of U.S. business leaders participating in President Trump’s historic state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

 

Following the presidential summit in Beijing, Martin traveled to Shanghai at the invitation of the White House to represent the U.S. business community at a ministerial forum as part of this year’s APEC 2026 Second Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM2) and Related Meetings.

 

 

Her attendance underscores the NYSE’s long-standing role at the intersection of global markets and economic opportunity. For more than two centuries, the NYSE has connected capital with ambition, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors from around the world to power growth and shared prosperity.

 

 

At the APEC 2026 Women and the Economy Forum, Martin served as the U.S. business leader on a high-level panel focused on artificial intelligence, science, technology, and economic opportunities for women globally.

 

 

In remarks, Martin emphasized that sustained global growth depends on inclusive AI adoption, strong governance and infrastructure, and international cooperation:

 

 

  • “Technology doesn’t wait for institutions to catch up. It evolves and forces organizations to evolve with it or risk disruption. And the economies, the companies, and the people who are ready for it will drive what comes next. Driving innovation in science and technology isn’t a passive act. It requires deliberate investment, deliberate inclusion, and deliberate cooperation.”
  • “The U.S. capital markets are the deepest, most liquid, and most transparent in the world. That did not happen by accident. It happened because we built the institutions, the rules, and the accountability structures that gave investors and companies the confidence to participate. We are committed to bringing that same discipline to how we engage on AI domestically and internationally.”
  • “Bridging the AI divide, a goal this APEC forum has explicitly embraced, means AI training programs are mandatory, not optional, because research consistently shows that women are less likely to self-select into discretionary pilots and workshops. It means that when AI governance frameworks are written — at the company level, the national level, or in multilateral forums like this one — women need seats at the table before the frameworks are finalized. And it means measuring inclusion the same way we measure financial performance: with specific targets, reported publicly, and with real accountability attached.”
  • “The United States is acting on this. And it is worth noting that some of the most important work is coming from the White House itself. First Lady Melania Trump has made AI education a signature initiative, launching the Presidential AI Challenge, which invites K-12 students and educators across America to develop AI-driven solutions to real-world problems.”
  • “President Trump has made American AI leadership an explicit national priority. His executive order removing barriers to AI innovation, his July 2025 AI Action Plan, and most recently his December 2025 executive order establishing a unified national policy framework all send the same signal: the United States is committed to sustaining and enhancing its position at the frontier of this technology and we are doing it by getting out of the way of the people building it. The administration’s three pillars — accelerating innovation, building AI infrastructure, and leading international diplomacy and security — are not abstract goals. They are backed by policy and capital.”
  • “The NYSE has been a functioning institution through wars, financial crises, pandemics, and more geopolitical shocks than I can count. The institutions that endure are not the ones that assumed the environment would always be favorable. They are the ones that built resilience into their structure from the start. The same logic applies to AI governance globally. We can build the framework now, while there is still time to do it well, or we can wait for a crisis to force our hand.”

 

About Intercontinental Exchange

 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks that connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes helping our customers access mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and efficiency. ICE’s futures, equity, and options exchanges – including the New York Stock Exchange – and clearing houses help people invest, raise capital and manage risk. We offer some of the world’s largest markets to trade and clear energy and environmental products. Our fixed income, data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers streamline processes and capitalize on opportunities. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming U.S. housing finance, from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration and the long-term servicing relationship. Together, ICE transforms, streamlines and automates industries to connect our customers to opportunity.

 

 

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading “Key Information Documents (KIDS).”

 

 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 – Statements in this press release regarding ICE’s business that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on February 5, 2026.

 

 

ICE Data Indices, LLC does not sponsor or endorse any financial product and makes no representation regarding the advisability or suitability of investing in any financial product.

 

 

Category: NYSE

 

 

SOURCE: Intercontinental Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

business

STARTEEPO Invest Announces 5% Stake in Xerox Holdings Corporation

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Business Wire India

STARTEEPO Invest (“STARTEEPO”), an alternative investment fund focused on public equity opportunities, today announced that it has acquired a significant ownership position in Xerox Holdings Corporation (“Xerox” or the “Company”).

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260515594020/en/

 

 

As of the date of this release, STARTEEPO and its affiliates beneficially owns 6.6 million shares of Xerox (excluding options), representing approximately 5.05% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. STARTEEPO has filed a Schedule 13D with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) providing additional details regarding its investment.

 

 

Investment Perspective

 

 

STARTEEPO believes that Xerox represents an interesting investment opportunity supported by a combination of balance sheet initiatives, ongoing operational improvements, and its position within a changing and consolidating industry.

 

 

In STARTEEPO’s view, the Company is undergoing a multi-step transition focused on stabilizing revenues, improving margins, and strengthening its financial profile over time. STARTEEPO believes that even incremental progress across these areas may contribute to a more balanced market perception.

 

 

Shareholder Approach

 

 

STARTEEPO intends to act as a constructive, long-term shareholder and may engage in discussions with Xerox’s management and Board of Directors regarding the Company’s business, strategy, capital structure, and opportunities to enhance shareholder value. The firm may also communicate its investment perspective to institutional investors and market participants.

 

 

František Bostl, Chairman of the Board of STARTEEPO Invest, commented:

 

 

“We view Xerox as a deep value opportunity and today it represents one of the largest positions in our portfolio, reflecting our strong conviction in the company’s long-term potential. We are honored to become part of the history of this iconic technology company.”

 

 

Additional information are available at www.starteepo.com/xerox.

 

 

About STARTEEPO Invest

 

 

STARTEEPO Invest is an alternative investment fund based in Prague, Czech Republic, focused on identifying high-conviction opportunities in public equity markets. The firm applies a fundamental, long-term investment approach, with a focus on disciplined analysis and constructive engagement.

 

 

This communication expresses solely the opinion of STARTEEPO and its affiliates and not any other party. This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or offer to buy or sell any securities. STARTEEPO’s opinions stated herein are based on publicly available information and its own analyses. STARTEEPO may, at any time and without notice, buy, sell, reduce, increase, or otherwise change its investment position, including for reasons that may be inconsistent with the views expressed in this communication. Investing in securities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of the principal amount invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Every investor should conduct their own independent research and due diligence or consult with a licensed financial, legal, or tax advisor before making any investment decision.

 

 

 

 

 

business

NTT DATA Announces Intent to Acquire WinWire to Scale Enterprise AI Adoption and Accelerate Industry Transformation with Microsoft

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Business Wire India

  • Accelerates AI‑driven transformation through expanded agentic AI and data engineering capabilities that underpin NTT DATA’s AI strategy
  • Adds 1,000 Azure engineers and AI specialists to scale cloud and AI delivery capabilities
  • Advances NTT DATA’s North America leadership position, scaling industry aligned AI led innovation across its cloud services and Microsoft Business Unit
  • Builds on NTT DATA’s position as the fastest-growing Microsoft GSI partner, accelerating co-innovation in enterprise AI

NTT DATA, a global leader in AI, digital business and IT services, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire WinWire,an award-winning Microsoft partner specializing in Agentic AI, AI on Azure, data engineering and cloud-native development as foundational capabilities for enterprise AI. The acquisition strengthens NTT DATA’s position as a trusted partner to help organizations move beyond experimentation to operationalize AI at scale.

 

The acquisition further advances NTT DATA’s enterprise AI strategy as demand accelerates for AI-driven, cloud-native transformation. By expanding capabilities across data platforms, agentic AI and modern applications, NTT DATA is sharpening its ability to deliver production-ready AI solutions aligned to industry needs, reinforcing its leadership as Microsoft’s Global System Integrator (GSI) Growth Champion Partner of the Year.

 

 

Upon closing, WinWire will add more than 1,000 skilled Azure engineers and Microsoft specialists to NTT DATA, bringing deep experience across Microsoft environments, including Microsoft Fabric and Azure AI Foundry. This expanded talent base will strengthen NTT DATA’s global Microsoft practice and accelerate the delivery of next‑generation AI and cloud solutions.

 

 

These expanded capabilities, combined with WinWire’s proven industry specialization and long‑standing partnership with Microsoft, will enhance NTT DATA’s ability to deliver industry‑specific, cloud‑native and agentic AI solutions that address complex business challenges securely and consistently.

 

 

As enterprises increasingly demand AI platforms that support enterprise-wide transformation, industry analysts estimate the global AI market will grow from $390 billion to nearly $3.5 trillion over the next decade, highlighting the scale of AI adoption across enterprises.

 

 

By combining NTT DATA’s full-stack capabilities, industry expertise and managed services with WinWire’s specialized strengths in modern applications, data engineering and agentic AI, the company is uniquely positioned to help clients develop and scale AI solutions and unlock value from AI across the enterprise.

 

 

Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with global delivery centers in India,WinWire is a trusted Microsoft partner and a six‑time Microsoft Partner of the Year Award winner and finalist, supporting enterprises in establishing AI‑ready digital foundations and scaling intelligent, cloud‑based solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes.

 

 

“The acquisition of WinWire is a decisive step in advancing our enterprise AI strategy and expanding our leadership in Microsoft Azure and AI-powered cloud transformation,” said Abhijit Dubey, CEO and Chief AI Officer, NTT DATA, Inc. “By combining WinWire’s deep expertise in cloud-native development and agentic AI with NTT DATA’s global scale, this positions us to lead the shift to enterprise AI, enabling clients to move from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment and achieve meaningful business outcomes.”

 

 

Building on NTT DATA’s strategic partnership with Microsoft

 

 

The agreement builds on NTT DATA’s long-standing strategic partnership with Microsoft, combining its global scale with WinWire’s award-winning expertise in Azure-based AI and data transformation.

 

 

WinWire is also a member of the Microsoft Agentic Partner Alliance Program, further strengthening joint innovation and execution for industry-specific AI solutions.

 

 

WinWire will complement NTT DATA’s Global Business Unit for Microsoft Cloud, established to meet rising demand for secure, AI-driven enterprise transformation. The business unit spans Microsoft Cloud, security and AI, supported by more than 24,000 Microsoft certifications and operates across more than 50 countries.

 

 

The combined capabilities also reinforce NTT DATA’s ability to co-innovate and co-sell with Microsoft, building on its recognition as Microsoft’s 2025 Global System Integrator Growth Champion partner of the year.

 

 

“As a leading Microsoft Solutions Partner recognized through multiple awards over the years, we built WinWire with a clear focus on delivering meaningful Microsoft Azure and AI-led transformation for our enterprise clients,” said Ashu Goel, CEO, WinWire. “Joining NTT DATA marks an exciting new chapter, allowing us to extend our capabilities to a much broader global client base. Together, we are well positioned to accelerate innovation and shape the next wave of AI-driven transformation for our clients.”

 

 

“As enterprises look to unlock the full value of AI on Microsoft Azure, the role of skilled partners has never been more critical,” said Stephen Boyle, CVP, Enterprise Partner Solutions Microsoft. “By combining NTT DATA’s global scale with Winter’s expertise in cloud-native development and agentic AI, this acquisition enhances our joint ability to co-innovate and deliver transformative solutions.”

 

 

Advancing client outcomes through cloud-native and AI-driven transformation

 

 

WinWire brings differentiated agentic AI, including its Agentic AI @ Scale framework, enabling the design and deployment of intelligent, autonomous systems embedded directly into enterprise workflows. Its portfolio of AI frameworks and industry accelerators helps organizations move from pilot initiatives to enterprise-scale AI adoption.

 

 

The combined portfolio spanning infrastructure, applications, data, AI and managed services will enable faster time to value and secure enterprise-scale AI deployment.

 

 

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Rothschild & Co acted as the exclusive financial advisor to NTT DATA on the transaction.

 

 

About NTT DATA

 

 

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 70 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D. Visit us at nttdata.com.

 

 

About WinWire

 

 

WinWire unleashes the Power of Agentic AI to deliver innovative solutions that help our customers gain competitive advantage. WinWire is at the forefront of enabling enterprises in the Healthcare and Software and Digital Platforms (SDP) sectors to embark on a transformative Agentic AI journey.

 

 

As a globally recognized, multi-award-winning Agentic AI firm, WinWire delivers a spectrum of AI-led digital transformational services that include:

 

 

  • Agentic AI Services – Harness the power of Agentic AI to accelerate the Frontier Firm Journey.
  • Foundational AI Services – Data Estate & BI Modernization for AI-Ready data.
  • Operational AI Services – Manage, optimize, and evolve agents and enterprise applications leveraging Agentic AI systems to reduce costs & enhance agility.
  • Visit us at: https://www.winwire.com/

 

 

 

business

Experian Expands Agent Trust Partner Ecosystem with Akamai to Advance Trusted AI Driven Commerce

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Business Wire India

Experian today announced that Akamai Technologies has joined its growing partner ecosystem, designed to further advance secure, trusted AI driven commerce through the Experian Agent Trust™ framework, alongside partner Skyfire supporting emerging payment innovation.

 

As AI agents begin to search, decide, and transact autonomously, they introduce a fundamental challenge for businesses: how to trust an action when it is no longer directly initiated by a human. Without a verified connection between humans and AI agents, autonomous commerce introduces new risks in fraud, misrepresentation, and unauthorized transactions. Experian Agent Trust is designed to address this challenge by establishing identity, accountability, and trust in agent driven interactions.

 

 

“Trust, security, and performance must scale alongside the growing role of AI agents in digital commerce,” said Kathleen Peters, Chief Innovation Officer at Experian. “Agentic commerce will not scale without trust. By adding Akamai to our partner ecosystem, we are strengthening the infrastructure to verify agents, the humans behind them, and their intent, enabling fast, secure, and accountable transactions. This reflects strong momentum across our ecosystem as we bring together leaders in identity, payments, and cybersecurity to shape the future of digital commerce.”

 

 

Akamai is a global leader in cybersecurity and edge computing. Its capabilities strengthen Experian’s Agent Trust framework by supporting secure delivery, controlling bot and agent activity, and helping protect transactions in real time.

 

 

“Agent-driven commerce introduces a new set of security expectations for businesses and consumers,” said Akamai’s Patrick Sullivan, Chief Technology Officer, Security Strategy. “Our work with Experian brings together identity intelligence and edge security so organizations can confidently interact with AI agents while maintaining performance and trust across every touchpoint.”

 

 

Together, Experian and Akamai help organizations authenticate AI agents and better protect digital commerce environments as this new model continues to evolve.

 

 

Advancing the KYA Standard with KYAPay

 

 

Experian, Akamai and Skyfire are active members of the KYAPay initiative (https://kyapay.org/), an extension of the Know Your Agent protocol. KYAPay introduces a standardized way to declare agent intent and enables tokenized payment credentials, supporting secure and seamless agent driven commerce experiences.

 

 

Know Your Agent provides AI agent developers with a consistent method to identify themselves, the platforms they operate on, and the users they represent. For businesses, it offers a scalable framework to authenticate AI agents and understand who they represent and why they are acting.

 

 

“Standardizing how AI agents declare intent and transact is key to unlocking the full potential of agentic commerce,” said Amir Sarhangi, CEO and co-founder of Skyfire. “Through our collaboration in Experian’s partner ecosystem and the KYAPay initiative, we enable secure, tokenized payments that unify identity, authorization, and execution in a trusted framework.”

 

 

Strengthening the Trust Stack for Agentic Commerce

 

 

Within Experian’s partner ecosystem, Akamai’s capabilities will work alongside Experian’s identity and fraud prevention services to support a layered approach to trust.

 

 

Human to Agent Binding will connect verified consumers, devices, and AI agents. Experian will issue an Experian Agent Trust token that validates identity, consent, delegated authority, and transaction risk in real time. Akamai will extend this model by adding an independent security layer of verification, trust evaluation, and enforcement at the edge.

 

 

This human to agent binding will create a secure, persistent link between verified individuals, their devices, and the AI agents acting on their behalf, enabling a continuous, auditable understanding of who the user is and how the agent behaves over time.

 

 

Beyond bot traffic, Akamai will evaluate both human and agent driven traffic in real time, validating agent identity, correlating it with behavioral signals and user context, and assessing intent. By combining declared identity with continuous analysis and edge based decisioning, Akamai will help ensure that only verified, trustworthy users and agents are able to access and transact with merchant systems.

 

 

These combined capabilities will support a more seamless path from AI generated recommendations to completed purchases, with transparency and security maintained throughout the experience.

 

 

Built for the Future of Commerce

 

 

Experian’s Agent Trust services will be platform agnostic and integrate with existing commerce and payment systems. They will be supported by the Experian Agent Registry, which maintains dynamic trust scoring for human bonded AI agents.

 

 

These capabilities will build on Experian’s leadership in identity verification and fraud prevention, helping clients avoid an estimated 15 to 19 billion dollars in fraud losses each year.

 

 

To learn more about Experian Agent Trust, go to: https://www.experian.com/agenttrust.

 

 

About Experian

 

 

Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. We help to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using our unique combination of data, analytics and software. We also assist millions of people to realize their financial goals and help them to save time and money.

 

 

We operate across a range of markets, from financial services to healthcare, automotive, agrifinance, insurance, and many more industry segments.

 

 

We invest in talented people and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data and to innovate. A FTSE 100 Index company listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN), we have a team of 25,200 people across 33 countries. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at experianplc.com.

 

 

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian and its affiliates. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

 

 

 

 

 

business

Lupin Inaugurates Atharv Ability, an Advanced Multidisciplinary Neuro-Rehabilitation Center in Delhi

Neel Achary 0 Comment

Mumbai, New Delhi, May 16: Global pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced the launch of Atharv Ability, its world-class neuro–rehabilitation center in Naraina Vihar, Delhi, dedicated to delivering comprehensive, outcome-driven, specialized, and multidisciplinary care for adults and children with neurological disabilities—enhancing mobility, improving quality of life, and supporting long-term recovery.

Atharv Ability stands at the forefront of advanced neurorehabilitation, combining clinical expertise, technological precision, and personalized care programs to bridge critical treatment gaps across a wide spectrum of conditions—including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and pediatric neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy.

Following the successful launch of its centers in Mumbai in 2023 and Hyderabad in 2024, Atharv Ability’s Delhi facility seeks to expand access to integrated, high-quality neuro–rehabilitation care in a region where such specialized services remain limited.

Commenting on the launch, Rajeev Sibal, President – India Region Formulations, Lupin said, “As advances in neurological treatment continue to improve outcomes, rehabilitation offers a powerful opportunity to restore independence and enable meaningful recovery. Atharv Ability embodies this belief that healthcare must extend beyond treatment to sustained recovery, with personalized, patient‑focused care. This expansion underscores our belief that high-quality neurorehabilitation must be accessible, affordable, and standardized across India.

Atharv Ability integrates advanced technologies with multidisciplinary care, featuring end-effector robotics for gait and hand training, AI-based balance and postural-control systems, and therapies spanning neuro-physiotherapy, occupational, speech and swallowing, cognitive-behavioral, aqua, visual and virtual-reality-based rehabilitation.

technology

Yogi govt’s AI vision gains new momentum, Lucknow emerges as a growing hub of technology and innovation

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New Delhi, May 16: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as one of the country’s largest hubs for technology and AI innovation. In line with this vision, more than 50 IAS officers and senior administrators from across India participated in the ‘AI Transformation Conclave 2026’ held in Lucknow on Friday.

During the conclave, a high-level capacity-building workshop on the theme ‘The AI-Powered Public Administrator: Competencies for a New Era of Governance’ was conducted by Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, founder of NIHIT and Sherpa of Working Group-7 of the India-US CEO Forum.

Dr. Subi Chaturvedi said, “Uttar Pradesh, especially Lucknow, is emerging as the most suitable center for AI innovation in India. Earlier known for its culture and heritage, the city is now building a new identity as a hub of innovation under the current government’s leadership.”

She added, “With companies like InMobi launching deep-tech operations in the state, a new ecosystem of governance, research, talent, digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurship is taking shape in Uttar Pradesh.”
The conclave also featured extensive discussions on the Uttar Pradesh government’s ambitious AI policy and technology vision.

Recently, the country’s first AI City was approved in Lucknow’s Vrindavan Yojana at a cost of ₹368 crore, while a special budget allocation of ₹225 crore has been made for the UP AI Mission.

On this occasion, Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the State Transformation Commission, stated that Uttar Pradesh is moving towards becoming a national model for AI transformation in government functioning, which will further accelerate the state’s goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy. 

Principal Secretary of the IT and Electronics Department, Alok Kumar, said, “The government is fully committed to building robust infrastructure for emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and deep-tech innovations.” 
Special provisions for the UP AI Mission, AI City, and other emerging technologies have been included in the recent budget.

The conclave also witnessed detailed discussions on the role of AI in the AI ecosystem, cybersecurity, digital governance, MSMEs, startups, and citizen-centric services. 

Referring to the ‘MANAV’ framework presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Chaturvedi emphasized ethical, accountable, accessible, and human-centric AI. She said, “Inclusive growth and a trustworthy technological future can only be achieved through safe and human-friendly AI.”

The NIHIT platform is an important initiative operating under the India-US CEO Forum, supported by InMobi, Mastercard, and Tata Sons. It functions as a knowledge-sharing platform aimed at strengthening innovation, startups, MSMEs, cybersecurity, and global supply chains between India and the United States. 

news

Rupee Breaches 96-Mark for First Time, Hits Historic Low Against Dollar

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Mumbai, May 15 (BNP): The Indian Rupee plunged to a historic low on Friday, breaching the 96-mark for the first time against the US Dollar amid rising crude oil prices, a stronger American currency and escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Rupee Breaches 96-Mark for First Time, Hits Historic Low Against Dollar

The domestic currency touched an all-time low of 96.14 during intra-day trade in the interbank foreign exchange market, falling 50 paise from its previous close of 95.64 on Thursday. The rupee had opened at 95.86 before slipping further during the trading session.

Forex traders attributed the sharp decline to growing global uncertainty, particularly the intensifying Iran-Israel conflict and concerns over possible disruptions in crude oil supply through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Market experts said investors are increasingly moving towards the US Dollar as a safe-haven asset amid fears of geopolitical instability and volatile energy prices. Rising crude oil costs have also added pressure on the Indian currency, as India remains heavily dependent on oil imports.

According to analysts, the rupee has emerged as one of the worst-performing Asian currencies this year, registering a decline of over six per cent so far in 2026.

Financial observers warned that a prolonged weakness in the rupee could increase import costs, fuel inflationary pressure and impact domestic fuel prices in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India is expected to closely monitor the foreign exchange market to maintain stability.