Mumbai, April 2 : The UBS Athletics Kids Cup is entering its third season with a bold ambition: to inspire one million children across the country to get active through sport. Following rapid growth in its first two years, the grassroots initiative is expanding its activities to new cities, scaling up its school-b ased model and systematically expanding its nationwide ‘train-the-trainers’ programme in order to embed sport within the Indian education system on a long-term basis.

 The initiative, organised in India by Dspowerparts and supported by UBS, will be held across Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Chennai, with additional cities expected to be added during the season.

From momentum to mission: the road to one million

Now entering its third year, the programme has expanded rapidly since its launch, engaging hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren through athletics-based competitions focused on running, jumping and throwing.

The organisers explained that the one-million target is the next major step, though not necessarily for 2026. In addition to further increasing participant numbers, the main focus is on strengthening the entire system.

Train-the-Trainers: scaling impact through educators

A key focus this year is the ongoing development of the ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programme, which is designed to equip PE teachers with the tools they need to run athletics activities in schools on a long-term basis.

The initiative is based on the successful format of Switzerland’s UBS Kids Cup, which has just produced the new indoor heptathlon world record holder, Simon Ehammer, and aims to promote physical activity, health and the personal development of children aged 7 to 15.

Competitions are conducted through schools, with participants progressing from local events to regional and city-level finals in a structured, multi-stage format .

The organisers position the programme as part of a broader effort to strengthen grassroots sport in India, where structured access to athletics remains limited for many children.

Bhubaneswar/Raipur: Odisha has achieved a proud sporting milestone as both its men’s and women’s hockey teams emerged champions at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games held in Raipur.

ଛତିଶଗଡ଼ର ରାୟପୁରଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ପ୍ରଥମ ‘ଖେଲୋ ଇଣ୍ଡିଆ ଜନଜାତି କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା’ ରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଉଭୟ ମହିଳା ଓ ପୁରୁଷ ହକି ଦଳ ଚମ୍ପିୟାନ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ସମସ୍ତ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାବିତ୍‌ଙ୍କୁ ଆନ୍ତରିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜଣାଉଛି। ଏହି ସଫଳତା ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଗୌରବର ବିଷୟ।

ଆମର ଜନଜାତି କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ପ୍ରତିଭାଙ୍କ ଏହି ଅସାଧାରଣ ସଫଳତା ଓଡ଼ିଶା… pic.twitter.com/3ZjlyQ64yV

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) April 2, 2026

The double victory highlights the exceptional talent and determination of athletes from the state’s tribal communities, marking a significant moment in Odisha’s sporting journey.

Sports enthusiasts and officials have extended heartfelt congratulations to the players, praising their dedication and outstanding performance on a national stage. The achievement is being seen as a major boost for grassroots sports development, especially among tribal youth.

This success not only brings pride to the state but also signals a promising future for Odisha in Indian hockey. With continued support and recognition, these athletes are expected to scale even greater heights and further strengthen the state’s reputation in the sporting arena.

This advancement in quantum algorithms could help accelerate some of the most computationally intensive simulations used in engineering today.

Helsinki, Finland – April 2, 2026 – Researchers from Quanscient, a leader in cloud-based multiphysics simulation technology and quantum algorithms, and Haiqu, a leading developer of quantum middleware, today announced a new algorithm that can significantly advance the use of quantum computing in real-world engineering applications. The teams conducted a 15-step nonlinear fluid benchmark with an obstacle, making this the most physically complex, publicly documented variant of a Quantum Lattice Boltzmann Method (QLBM) hardware demonstration to date.

Developed and tested on IBMs largest-available quantum computer, the IBM Heron R3, the algorithm reduces the number of qubits required to run complex simulations in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) on quantum computers, demonstrating a viable path toward future industrial-scale solutions.

CFD is widely used to model how air, water, and other fluids behave around objects, such as airflow over an aircraft wing. It plays a critical role in product development and testing across industries, including aerospace, automotive, and energy. However, these simulations are extremely demanding for even today’s most powerful supercomputers, often taking days or even weeks to complete, if possible at all.

The new algorithm addresses one of the key challenges in applying quantum computing to CFD: high resource requirements. By significantly reducing the number of qubits and computational operations needed, this approach makes it more practical to run complex simulations on quantum computers. It demonstrates a more efficient path toward using quantum systems for real-world applications, and ultimately could help companies design better products and optimize complex systems more quickly.

“This is an interesting and timely contribution to quantum CFD,” said Oleksandr Kyriienko, Professor and Chair in Quantum Technologies at the University of Sheffield. “It proposes a more flexible quantum LBM framework while keeping the core algorithm efficient, and it strengthens the case with applications ranging from linear acoustics to IBM-QPU-assisted nonlinear flow simulations. We need more works like this to achieve industrially relevant quantum solutions.”

“This is one of the most realistic CFD simulations ever executed on a quantum computer. It is an important signal that quantum CFD research is moving toward simulating how fluids interact with real-world shapes and obstacles on quantum hardware,” Mykola Maksymenko, CTO of Haiqu. “This is the direction that any industrially meaningful workflow would have to take to reach commercial viability.” 

“CFD is one of the most computationally difficult branches of simulation with some of the largest impact on the world’s biggest sectors,” said Valtteri Lahtinen, Chief Scientist of Quanscient. “Quantum computers offer a future path to simulations that are far more complex than what classical computers can handle, which may allow for the design of more efficient vehicles and aircraft, better energy systems and more. Our work with Haiqu is a critical step toward making this a reality.”

Researchers from Quanscient and Haiqu developed and tested a novel One-Step Simplified LBM (OSSLBM) based on a quantum Lattice Boltzmann Method (QLBM) algorithm, which is a powerful generalization of an important classical CFD technique. Their approach allowed them to run a nonlinear fluid‑flow simulation with an obstacle, such as fluid moving around a solid object, over multiple steps on IBM quantum hardware. Haiqu’s algorithmic and runtime layer was critical to making this possible, reducing circuit depth, improving and developing new key algorithmic subroutines, and applying targeted error‑reduction techniques that allowed the quantum system to execute a multi‑step, complex workflow that would otherwise be out of reach for today’s devices.

The researchers believe their work represents a new algorithmic framework that reshapes how fluid simulations are performed on quantum computers, turning a complicated sequence of calculations into a simpler, more efficient process designed for quantum hardware. The hybrid quantum-classical OSSLBM can be executed on current hardware, outlining a practical path for moving beyond simple linear demonstrations toward more realistic, engineering‑relevant quantum fluid simulations as quantum systems continue to mature.

Bengaluru, India, April 02: Samsung R&D Institute India, Bangalore (SRI-B) announced the continued rollout of its Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme across leading academic institutions, in line with our Global CSR vision is ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People’, reaffirming its commitment to empowering youth with future-ready digital skills and creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation.

As part of this initiative, SRI-B has onboarded six premier institutions in the current financial year, including NITTE Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Christ (Deemed to be University), RV College of Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, BMS College of Engineering, and Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. With this, the programme is now actively being run across 15 colleges in total. Notably, SRM Institute of Science and Technology is the only participating institution from Tamil Nadu under SRI-B’s Samsung Innovation Campus initiative this year, with the remaining colleges based in Karnataka.

Samsung Innovation Campus is Samsung’s global CSR and skilling initiative, launched in September 2022, aimed at equipping young learners with advanced digital skills. The programme offers specialised training across core technology domains, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Coding and Programming.

The AI/ML curriculum covers neural networks, machine learning, data processing, and hands-on AI projects, while the IoT track focuses on sensors, connectivity, cloud integration, and smart device development. Students are also trained in programming fundamentals, including Python, data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles. Courses under the programme typically span six months and are delivered with mentorship from SRI-B experts.

Commenting on the initiative, Mohan Rao Goli, Managing Director and CVP, Samsung R&D Institute India, Bangalore, said, “SIC bridges the gap between academia and industry, aligning with government’s Skill India and Digital India visions. This 2026 initiative to six colleges will create a robust talent pipeline, fostering innovation and employability for the next generation.”

In India, our Citizenship programs are inspired by our corporate vision of ‘Powering Digital India’. India is a vibrant and young country with soaring aspirations, and to give wings to every dream our CSR efforts are focused on two domains: Smart Education and Skilling Youth. All our CSR programs aim to provide people equal access to the knowledge, skills, and the resources required to shape a better future for the community and build a New India.

Aligned with the government’s Skill India and Digital India missions, the initiative underscores Samsung’s commitment to fostering innovation, enhancing employability, and contributing to India’s digital growth story.

Nationally, the programme has recorded around 45% women participation, reflecting Samsung’s commitment to building an inclusive and equitable technology ecosystem. Along with technical training in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and programming, the programme also offers soft-skills training to help students become workplace-ready.

Together with initiatives such as Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung Innovation Campus is helping strengthen India’s digital skilling ecosystem, empowering young innovators to learn, build, and shape the future through technology.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has marked a significant achievement in the fiscal year 2025–26 by completing 5,313 kilometers of national highways, surpassing its annual target by 15%. This milestone highlights India’s continued focus on strengthening road infrastructure to enhance connectivity, support economic growth, and facilitate regional development.

Pic Credit: Pexel

Expanding Connectivity Across the Nation

The newly constructed highways span multiple states, connecting major cities, industrial hubs, and remote areas. This expanded network reduces travel time, eases transportation of goods and passengers, and promotes economic activity in previously underserved regions. By linking key economic zones, these roads are expected to improve trade efficiency and support local businesses.

Boosting Infrastructure Efficiency

The success in highway construction reflects improvements in project planning, execution speed, and adoption of modern construction technologies. Streamlined approvals, effective land acquisition strategies, and advanced construction techniques have contributed to faster completion rates.

Driving Economic Growth

The expanded highway network plays a pivotal role in stimulating commerce, tourism, and industrial activity. Enhanced connectivity lowers logistics costs, strengthens supply chains, and provides businesses with faster access to markets, thereby benefiting both producers and consumers.

Looking Ahead

NHAI is committed to further increasing highway construction in the coming years, with a focus on sustainable, resilient, and technologically advanced infrastructure. Future projects aim to incorporate smart mobility solutions, eco-friendly construction practices, and modern highway management systems to meet the growing demands of a rapidly developing nation.

This achievement underscores NHAI’s central role in shaping India’s transportation infrastructure and advancing the government’s vision of nationwide connectivity and economic progress.

New Delhi, April 2026: Indian Railways has reported robust growth in both passenger traffic and freight operations for the fiscal year 2025–26, underscoring its role as a vital backbone of the nation’s transport and logistics network.

Passenger Traffic and Revenue Surge
During FY26, Indian Railways carried 741 crore passengers, marking a 3.5% increase from 716 crore in FY25. Passenger revenue also grew significantly, reaching approximately ₹80,000 crore, a 6% rise compared to the previous year. The figures highlight the growing reliance on rail travel across urban and rural India, reflecting both convenience and affordability for commuters.

Freight Operations Set New Records
Freight traffic hit a new milestone of 1,670 million tonnes (MT), up 3.25% from FY25, accompanied by a 4.5% increase in wagons handled, from 2.79 crore to 2.91 crore. This growth underscores Indian Railways’ efficiency and its critical role in delivering cost-effective logistics solutions for bulk commodities.

Key Commodities Driving Growth
Significant growth was recorded in sectors like fertilisers (13.5%) and pig iron & finished steel (13.1%), reflecting rising industrial and agricultural demand. Infrastructure-related commodities, including iron ore (6.7%) and cement (4.7%), also saw strong movement, supporting ongoing construction and development projects nationwide.

Balanced Regional Growth
Several railway zones contributed to this growth, with South Western Railway leading at 14.9%, followed by North Central (12.6%), East Coast (10.4%), and West Central (10.1%). Other zones also recorded positive gains, reflecting widespread regional development and improved freight-handling capabilities across the country.

Freight Revenue Highlights
Freight earnings reached approximately ₹1,77,754 crore, up 1.44% from FY25. Iron ore emerged as the top revenue contributor, followed by cement, pig iron & steel, fertilisers, food grains, and mineral oil, demonstrating the critical importance of railways in supporting industrial supply chains and trade.

Driving Connectivity and Economic Growth
Indian Railways’ achievements in FY26 highlight its dual role: ensuring safe, reliable mobility for millions of passengers and serving as an efficient logistics partner for industries. With consistent operational improvements and capacity expansion, Railways continues to be a key driver of economic growth and national connectivity.

India’s venture capital (VC) ecosystem demonstrated strong growth in 2025, with total investments reaching an estimated $16 billion—up nearly 20% compared to 2024, according to the India Venture Capital Report 2026 by Bain & Company in collaboration with the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA).

Deal activity also witnessed a significant boost, rising approximately 18% year-on-year, with over 1,300 transactions completed across different stages of funding. This reflects sustained investor confidence in India’s startup ecosystem and its diverse sectors.

The fintech sector emerged as a major driver of growth, with investment value rebounding more than 2.2 times compared to the previous year. While payments continued to attract the largest share of VC funding, investors increasingly diversified into other fintech sub-sectors offering predictable monetization models, signaling a shift toward sustainable and scalable business opportunities.

Experts believe this surge in venture capital funding highlights India’s growing prominence as a global startup hub, supported by a robust ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors, and government initiatives. As more sectors mature and investor strategies evolve, India’s VC landscape is expected to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years.

New Delhi, Apr 2: India’s automobile industry is experiencing a remarkable surge, with strong sales momentum driven by booming SUV demand and rising exports. The combination of domestic enthusiasm for larger, versatile vehicles and growing global orders is propelling the sector to new heights.

Consumer preferences are increasingly shifting toward SUVs, which offer comfort, performance, and practicality for modern lifestyles. This trend has led automakers to prioritize production in the SUV segment, resulting in consistent month-on-month sales growth. At the same time, Indian vehicles are gaining recognition in international markets, with exports contributing significantly to the industry’s expansion.

Industry experts note that favorable government policies, increased consumer confidence, and strategic investment in production facilities have amplified this growth. Manufacturers are scaling up capacities, innovating with new models, and meeting the dual demand of domestic buyers and global clients.

The growth in exports not only strengthens India’s position as a global automotive hub but also creates opportunities for job creation, skill development, and technological innovation. Analysts predict that the continued rise in SUV popularity and international demand will sustain momentum throughout 2026, making it a landmark year for the Indian auto sector.

As the industry adapts to evolving consumer trends and explores new markets, it stands poised for long-term growth, signaling a bright road ahead for manufacturers, buyers, and the economy alike.