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ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 – Pune, to be held on 30th October 2026 in Pune, Maharashtra

/ Blogs

Education is undergoing one of the most significant transformations of the modern era. Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, changing workforce expectations, new-age skills and evolving learner needs are reshaping not only classrooms, but the very institutions and systems that support learning. In this rapidly changing environment, the question is no longer simply about how education should adapt to technology. The bigger question is: How can educational institutions, educators, policymakers and industry leaders work together to build an education ecosystem that is future-ready, inclusive and capable of creating opportunities without boundaries? This conversation will take centre stage at the ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 – Pune, scheduled for 30th October 2026 in Pune, Maharashtra, under the theme “Maharashtra’s Education Without Boundaries: Building Institutions for the Future.” Organised by ArdorComm Media Group, the summit will bring together education leaders, academicians, institutional heads, policymakers, HR professionals, EdTech innovators, entrepreneurs and industry experts to deliberate on the forces transforming education and employability. Pune: Where Education Meets Innovation Pune’s reputation as an education hub is deeply rooted in its history. Often referred to as the “Oxford of the East,” the city has developed into a vibrant ecosystem where education, research, technology, entrepreneurship and industry intersect. Its universities and educational institutions attract learners and academics from across India, while its technology and startup ecosystem has created new opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry. But Maharashtra’s educational story extends far beyond Pune. Cities such as Nagpur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Satara, Ahmednagar and Wardha are increasingly contributing to the state’s broader education, skilling and innovation landscape. This geographic diversity presents an important opportunity: Can Maharashtra build an education ecosystem where access to quality learning, innovation and employability is not limited by geography? That is the larger conversation behind the summit’s theme of education without boundaries. From Digital Adoption to Intelligent Institutions Technology has already transformed the education sector. Digital classrooms, learning management systems, online courses, virtual collaboration and AI-powered tools are becoming increasingly familiar. But the next phase is likely to go much deeper. AI has the potential to influence curriculum design, personalised learning, assessment, student support, institutional administration and research. At the same time, educational leaders must consider questions around responsible AI adoption, data privacy, digital inclusion and the changing role of teachers. The challenge, therefore, is not simply to make institutions more digital. It is to make them smarter, more responsive and more human-centric. The summit will provide a platform to examine what this transformation means for institutions and the people who lead them. Who Owns the Future of Learning? One of the central questions confronting education today is whether the future of learning will be shaped primarily by institutions, industry or technology. The answer may ultimately lie in collaboration. Universities and schools bring pedagogical expertise and a deep understanding of learners. Industry understands emerging workforce requirements. Technology can provide new tools to personalise, democratise and scale learning. Bringing these strengths together could help create an education system that moves beyond traditional boundaries. The ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit will explore this intersection and ask how different stakeholders can work together to prepare learners for an increasingly unpredictable future. Are Campuses Ready for the Intelligent Era? The concept of the smart campus is evolving. Tomorrow’s educational campus could be more connected, data-driven and responsive, with technology supporting everything from classroom experiences and campus management to student engagement and institutional decision-making. But technology alone does not create an intelligent campus. Institutions must also rethink infrastructure, faculty development, student services, cybersecurity, digital accessibility and organisational culture. The discussion around “Smart School Campuses: Are Schools Ready for the Intelligent, Connected Campus?” will therefore go beyond gadgets and infrastructure to explore what genuine institutional transformation should look like. Universities as Engines of the Knowledge Economy Higher education institutions are increasingly being asked to do more than award degrees. They are expected to become centres of research, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry collaboration and job creation. This shift is particularly important as India seeks to strengthen its knowledge economy and create opportunities for a young and ambitious workforce. The question is whether universities can evolve into innovation engines capable of translating research into real-world solutions, encouraging entrepreneurship and building stronger bridges with industry. For Maharashtra, with its combination of educational institutions, industrial strength, technology hubs and startup ecosystem, this could be a particularly powerful opportunity. The Human Advantage in an AI-Driven World As AI takes on an expanding range of cognitive and technical tasks, one question is becoming increasingly important: What will humans do best? Creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, adaptability, empathy, leadership and ethical decision-making are likely to become even more valuable as technology advances. This means education cannot focus exclusively on technical knowledge. Learners will need the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn throughout their careers. Educational institutions, therefore, have a crucial responsibility to develop not only employable graduates, but adaptable individuals capable of navigating an evolving world of work. From Degrees to Demonstrable Skills Employability is also undergoing a fundamental shift. A degree remains important, but employers increasingly need evidence of what candidates can actually do. Projects, portfolios, practical exposure, internships, industry certifications, problem-solving abilities and workplace-ready skills are becoming important components of the employability conversation. This raises a crucial question for educators and industry: Is the future of employability moving beyond credentials towards demonstrable skills? Bridging this gap will require closer collaboration between educational institutions, employers and the skilling ecosystem. ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026: Celebrating Those Creating Change While the summit will focus on the questions shaping the future, the ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026 will celebrate the individuals and organisations already contributing to that future. The prestigious awards aim to recognise educators, academicians, institutions, innovators, EdTech companies, startups and organisations demonstrating excellence, leadership and innovation across the education ecosystem. The awards will recognise achievements across six key categories: Preschool Education School Education Higher Education Skills & Training EdTech Startups EdTech Corporate The awards are built around four core principles: Recognise Celebrate outstanding

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Will the Office Become Optional? The Future of Work After Hybrid Work

/ Article/Stories

For a while, it looked as though the traditional office was heading towards extinction. The pandemic proved that millions of people could work from kitchen tables, spare bedrooms and home offices without bringing businesses to a halt. Video calls replaced meeting rooms, collaboration platforms replaced physical desks, and “work from home” went from an occasional benefit to a defining feature of working life. But the office did not disappear. Instead, the workplace is going through something more complicated: a negotiation between what organisations need and what employees have come to expect. In 2026, the question is no longer simply whether people should work from home or from the office. The more important question is what the office is actually for. The office is back—but the old office may not be Across India and globally, companies have increasingly established structured office-attendance policies. JLL’s 2025 research found that 66% of global office workers said their organisations had clear expectations around the number of days they should work on-site. In Asia-Pacific, about seven in 10 employees were subject to some form of return-to-office requirement. India has been particularly notable in this shift. JLL reported in 2025 that 90% of organisations in India required employees to spend at least three days a week in the office, while more than half expected in-office days to increase by 2030. Yet this does not necessarily mean employees have rejected flexibility. A 2025 Pew Research Center study in the US found that 72% of hybrid workers would choose to remain hybrid if given the choice, rather than work entirely from home or entirely from the office. That distinction matters. Employees are not necessarily asking for the office to disappear. They are asking for a reason to be there. From attendance to purpose For years, office attendance was largely treated as a measure of commitment. Being physically present meant being available, visible and involved. Hybrid work has challenged that assumption. An employee can now spend eight hours in an office and accomplish less than someone working from home with fewer interruptions. Conversely, there are conversations, creative exchanges and informal interactions that are difficult to reproduce completely through a screen. The challenge for HR is therefore not to determine which environment is universally more productive. It is to understand which type of work benefits from which environment. An individual preparing a report may need uninterrupted concentration. A newly joined employee may need face-to-face guidance. A creative team brainstorming a campaign may benefit from being together. A manager conducting a sensitive conversation may prefer a private physical setting. A global team may have no choice but to collaborate virtually. The future workplace will increasingly be organised around these differences. The office needs to earn the commute Perhaps the biggest change in employee expectations is that the office can no longer assume that people will come simply because they are told to. If an employee spends two hours commuting to sit through virtual meetings all day, the question naturally arises: Why did I come to the office? This is where the physical workplace has to become more intentional. Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2025 found that employees’ office preferences are influenced by whether they have autonomy over where they work. Social and event-oriented spaces become particularly important on flexible workdays, while functional spaces matter more when office attendance is required. Another 2025 study found that commuting time and the type of people employees expect to encounter in the workplace are among the most influential factors in choosing between home and office. Social spaces, technology and functional facilities can make the office more attractive. In other words, companies need to stop thinking of the office simply as a collection of desks. The future office could be a place for collaboration, mentoring, learning, relationship-building, problem-solving and culture. The desk may become one of its least important features. The Gen Z question Younger employees are likely to make this debate even more interesting. For someone beginning a career, an office can offer experiences that are difficult to obtain remotely: observing senior colleagues, building informal networks, learning how meetings work, developing confidence and forming professional relationships. But younger workers have also entered the workforce after seeing that flexibility is possible. They may not accept the argument that “this is how work has always been done” as sufficient justification for returning to the office. For HR leaders, this creates an important balancing act. Too little physical interaction could weaken mentoring and belonging. Too much mandatory attendance could make organisations less attractive to talent that values autonomy. The answer may lie somewhere between the two. Hybrid work is becoming more sophisticated The first version of hybrid work was relatively simple: three days in the office, two days at home. That model may not be enough for the next stage. A better approach is likely to be purpose-led hybrid work. Instead of saying: “Everyone must be in the office on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday,” organisations could ask: “What work needs to happen together this week?” That might mean bringing teams together for strategy meetings, innovation sessions, training, client discussions or team-building, while allowing employees to work remotely when deep individual work is the priority. This requires better planning—and considerably better managers. The manager becomes more important than the policy One of the biggest lessons from hybrid work is that workplace flexibility cannot compensate for poor management. A flexible workplace with a controlling manager can still feel restrictive. A physical workplace with an empowering manager can feel collaborative and energising. Recent research has also highlighted the importance of alignment between company workplace strategies and employee preferences. A 2026 study found that employees had become clearer about whether they preferred office-based, remote or hybrid arrangements, while successful alignment increasingly depended on shared values such as flexibility, community and balance. This means HR cannot simply create a policy and expect the policy to solve the problem. Managers need to learn how to measure outcomes rather than visibility,

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PM Modi Urges Teachers to Monitor Drug Abuse, Excessive Screen Time Among Students

/ Education Community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called upon teachers to remain vigilant about issues such as drug abuse and excessive screen time among students, while encouraging them to support children through sports, physical activities and creative pursuits. Interacting with National Award-winning teachers at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence, Modi stressed that educators should look beyond academic performance and pay close attention to students’ behaviour, habits and overall well-being. Addressing the growing concern over drug use among young people, the Prime Minister said identifying affected students can be particularly challenging in metropolitan areas and large universities. He urged teachers to take proactive steps to create awareness and carefully observe any noticeable changes in students’ behaviour. Modi also encouraged teachers to move beyond textbooks and syllabuses and take an interest in the broader lives of their students. He emphasised the importance of preserving childhood by giving children opportunities to participate in activities that promote physical, social and creative development. The Prime Minister further highlighted the need to address excessive phone and screen usage among students. Rather than simply restricting screen time, he suggested that teachers and schools encourage greater participation in outdoor sports, physical games and creative hobbies, which could help students naturally spend less time on digital devices. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu marked National Teachers’ Day 2026 with an article titled “Shaping Minds; Building the Future”, in which she highlighted the responsibility of teachers to nurture students into responsible and compassionate human beings. Murmu said educators should help shape generations that respect India’s cultural heritage, develop a scientific outlook, contribute to human welfare, uphold the principle of Antyodaya, protect the environment and strive for both individual and collective excellence, while keeping the nation first. The President also underlined the trust placed in teachers by parents and guardians when they send their children to school. She said educators have a duty to protect students’ safety, development and dignity and should ensure that their words and conduct do not create fear, anxiety or feelings of inferiority among children. As part of this year’s National Teachers Awards, Murmu honoured 82 teachers and educators from three departments in the presence of Education Minister Pralhad Joshi. The awardees included 48 teachers from the Department of School Education and Literacy, 21 educators from higher educational institutions and polytechnics, and 13 skill trainers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Source: Indian Express

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How Industry Events Drive Innovation and Business Growth

/ Blogs

In a rapidly changing business environment, innovation is no longer optional. Organisations need new ideas, stronger partnerships, emerging technologies and deeper industry knowledge to remain competitive. While digital platforms have made communication easier than ever, industry events continue to provide something technology alone cannot fully replicate: meaningful human connection and collaboration. Industry conferences, business summits, exhibitions, trade shows, leadership forums and networking events bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, technology providers, policymakers, educators and professionals under one roof. These gatherings create an environment where ideas can be exchanged, partnerships can begin and opportunities can turn into measurable business outcomes. According to the Events Industry Council and Oxford Economics, business events brought together 1.65 billion participants globally in 2025 and generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending. Including direct, indirect and induced activity, business events supported US$3.1 trillion in total business sales, US$1.8 trillion in global GDP and 24.2 million jobs. But the impact of industry events goes far beyond economic numbers. Their real value lies in their ability to connect people, accelerate knowledge sharing, encourage innovation and create opportunities for long-term business growth. What Are Industry Events? Industry events are professional gatherings designed to bring together people and organisations from a particular sector or business ecosystem. They can include: Industry conferences Business summits Trade shows and exhibitions Leadership forums Networking events Technology conferences Investor and startup events Roundtables Workshops and masterclasses Awards and recognition programmes These events provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas, understand market trends, discover new technologies and build professional relationships. For example, India’s events ecosystem increasingly connects businesses with tourism, hospitality, transportation, technology, media and creative industries. KPMG’s 2026 assessment found that events also contribute to technology adoption, sustainability, sponsorship and destination development. 1. Industry Events Create Opportunities for Innovation Innovation often begins with a conversation. A business leader may discover a new technology through a conference presentation. A startup may find its first enterprise customer at an exhibition. Two organisations may identify an opportunity to collaborate after a panel discussion. Industry events create these moments by bringing diverse perspectives together. When professionals from different backgrounds interact, they can challenge existing assumptions, exchange experiences and develop new approaches to common problems. This makes events valuable innovation platforms rather than simply gatherings. From Ideas to Action Innovation becomes meaningful when ideas move beyond discussion. A well-designed industry event can help participants: Discover emerging technologies Understand new market opportunities Learn from successful case studies Identify industry challenges Meet potential technology partners Explore new business models Collaborate on future projects The Events Industry Council’s latest research specifically identifies innovation, knowledge transfer, research collaboration, investment and new business opportunities as important catalytic effects of business events. 2. Networking Helps Businesses Build Valuable Relationships One of the biggest advantages of attending industry events is networking. Digital communication has made it possible to connect with almost anyone, but face-to-face interaction can create a different level of trust and engagement. A conference can bring together: Potential clients Business partners Investors Suppliers Industry experts Government representatives Startup founders Technology providers Future employees These relationships can develop into partnerships, sales opportunities, collaborations and long-term professional connections. In fact, the Events Industry Council’s 2026 research found that 70% of respondents identified face-to-face relationship-building as the event outcome that is most difficult to replace. 3. Events Accelerate Knowledge Sharing Industries are changing quickly. Artificial intelligence, automation, digital transformation, sustainability and changing customer expectations are forcing organisations to continuously update their knowledge. Industry events provide a concentrated environment for learning. Instead of spending weeks researching different developments independently, professionals can gain insights from multiple experts within a single event. Keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations and roundtables can provide practical perspectives that businesses can take back to their organisations. Why Knowledge Exchange Matters Knowledge sharing helps organisations: Identify emerging trends Learn from industry leaders Avoid common mistakes Understand customer expectations Improve business processes Discover new technologies Develop future strategies This makes industry events particularly valuable for decision-makers who need to understand where their industry is heading. 4. Industry Events Help Businesses Discover New Markets Growth often requires businesses to look beyond their existing customer base. Trade shows, exhibitions and industry conferences can introduce organisations to new markets, regions and customer segments. For example, a technology company attending an industry exhibition may discover opportunities in education, healthcare, finance or government that were not part of its original growth strategy. Events can therefore act as a bridge between businesses and new markets. Participants can explore: New customer segments New geographical markets New industries New distribution channels New partnership opportunities Emerging business requirements This can help organisations identify growth opportunities before their competitors. 5. Events Strengthen Brand Visibility Industry events also provide an important platform for brand building. Speaking at a conference, exhibiting at a trade show or participating in a panel can position an organisation as an active contributor to its industry. For businesses, this can strengthen: Brand Awareness → Credibility → Trust → Relationships → Business Opportunities Thought leadership is particularly valuable. When executives and experts share useful insights rather than simply promoting their products, they can build authority and credibility within their professional community. Events therefore allow brands to demonstrate expertise in a way that traditional advertising cannot always achieve. 6. Industry Events Connect Startups With Established Businesses Startups can benefit significantly from industry events. Many early-stage businesses have innovative products but limited access to decision-makers, investors and established organisations. Events can help bridge that gap. A startup can use an industry conference to: Demonstrate its product Meet investors Find mentors Connect with potential customers Build partnerships Receive industry feedback Understand market requirements At the same time, established companies can discover innovative technologies and emerging solutions by engaging with startups. This creates a two-way innovation ecosystem. 7. Events Encourage Cross-Industry Collaboration Some of the most valuable ideas emerge when different industries interact. For example: Education + AI = AI-powered learning Healthcare + Technology = Digital health solutions Finance + AI = Intelligent financial services Media + Technology

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CBSE Three-Language Policy: Centre Working on Implementation Plan, Supreme Court Told

/ Education Community

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it is working on modalities to implement the CBSE’s new three-language requirement for Class 9 students, under which at least two of the three languages must be Indian languages. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the CBSE was examining various aspects of the implementation and requested additional time. The Supreme Court accepted the submission and adjourned the matter for a week. The development comes after the top court raised concerns on August 20 about the practical challenges associated with introducing the policy. While the bench indicated that there was no objection to the eventual introduction of the three-language system, it stressed that the implementation should not place undue pressure on students. The court also highlighted the need to address practical issues, including ensuring sufficient teachers and other human resources for the range of languages that students may choose. The Supreme Court had first agreed on May 27 to hear a challenge to the CBSE policy and issued notices to the Centre, CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Under a CBSE circular issued on May 15, the study of three languages — R1, R2 and R3 — became compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, 2026. At least two of the three languages are required to be native Indian languages. The policy is part of the CBSE’s efforts to align its academic framework with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. Students who wish to study a foreign language can select it only as their third language after taking two Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language. To support the transition, the CBSE has directed that students use Class 6 R3 textbooks from the 2026-27 edition until dedicated Class 9 R3 textbooks become available. The board has also clarified that there will be no Class 10 board examination for R3. The provision is intended to keep the emphasis on language learning while preventing additional academic pressure on students. Schools were further instructed to update their R3 language options for Classes 6 to 9 on the CBSE’s OASIS portal by June 30. The ongoing Supreme Court proceedings are focused primarily on resolving implementation-related concerns, including infrastructure, staffing and ensuring that the policy does not create unnecessary difficulties for students. Source: PTI

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ICMR-NIN Study Finds Vitamin D3 More Effective Than D2 in Supporting Muscle and Heart Health

/ Health & Wellness Community

Vitamin D3 may be more effective than Vitamin D2 in maintaining and restoring skeletal muscle and cardiac function, according to a study conducted by researchers at the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad. The study, titled “Dietary Vitamin D2 Is Less Potent Than Vitamin D3 at Maintaining or Restoring Structure and Metabolism of Skeletal Muscle and Heart in Male Rats,” was published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Researchers examined the comparative effects of Vitamin D2 and D3 on skeletal muscle and heart health in male rats during both the maintenance phase and recovery from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is primarily known for its role in calcium regulation and bone health, but it also contributes to the functioning of tissues such as skeletal muscle and the heart. While both D2 and D3 are commonly used in supplements and food fortification, researchers noted that their effects on non-bone tissues have not been studied as extensively. For the study, weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups receiving diets containing Vitamin D2, Vitamin D3, a combination of both, or a vitamin D-deficient diet. Researchers subsequently assessed body composition, muscle strength, muscle structure and metabolism, along with indicators linked to cardiac function. The findings showed that Vitamin D3 resulted in greater improvements in muscle mass, muscle fibre size and grip strength compared with Vitamin D2. It also demonstrated stronger effects on biological markers associated with muscle development and energy metabolism. A similar trend was observed in the heart. Vitamin D3 produced greater changes in markers linked to cardiac contractility and metabolism. The differences between the two forms were particularly noticeable when the animals were recovering from Vitamin D deficiency. Dr Ayesha Ismail, Scientist F at ICMR-NIN and corresponding author of the study, said both forms improved calcium-related parameters, but Vitamin D2 was less effective across several indicators associated with muscle and heart structure and energy metabolism. ICMR-NIN Director Dr Bharati Kulkarni said the findings suggest that Vitamin D3 could have greater potential than Vitamin D2 in maintaining and restoring skeletal muscle and cardiac functions. However, the researchers cautioned against directly applying the findings to humans. They said additional research involving human populations is needed to determine whether the observed differences between Vitamin D2 and D3 have similar implications for skeletal and other body functions. The study adds to existing evidence suggesting that the two forms of Vitamin D may not have identical effects beyond their established role in calcium regulation and bone health. Researchers said further studies will be important in assessing the potential implications for vitamin supplementation and food-fortification programmes. Source: ANI

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Dr. Neetu Malhotra, Principal, Satyam Fashion Institute, Noida shares insights on AI integration, hands-on skills and innovation in fashion education

/ Interviews

Q: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your experience at the Digital Bharat Education Conclave 2026. A: I am Dr. Neetu Malhotra, Principal of Satyam Fashion Institute, Noida. Thank you for inviting me. Digital Bharat Education Conclave 2026 was really a nice initiative, and all the educators and vice chancellors are giving a lot of knowledge regarding AI and Digital Bharat. AI is very important for the future generation and in today’s scenario. Because I am associated with a design college, hands-on skills are important, but AI is playing an important role in innovation and future skills. Students are giving 100% to their hands-on skills by developing products, but imagination and then creating the final product, design thinking skills and innovating their skills by incorporating AI will be a great initiative. Q: Tell me more about your institute. A: We are from Satyam Fashion Institute. We are running AICTE-approved Fashion Design, Textile Design, Lifestyle Accessories and Fashion Communication programmes. We are providing B.Des. and M.Des. programmes. These programmes are duly approved by SNDT University, an 120-year-old university, and we are inculcating NEP-aligned programmes because NEP is very important in today’s scenario. Students should learn in accordance with the National Education Policy, with the Indian Knowledge System, and we have also inculcated AI integration with Fashion Communication, Fashion Design, Textiles and Lifestyle Accessories programmes. Q: What is the basic qualification for applying to the programmes at Satyam Institute of Fashion Technology? A: For the B.Des. programme, the student should be 12th pass. For the postgraduate programme, for the M.Des. programme, a B.Des. is necessary. For the postgraduate diploma programme in Fashion Design, two years of any graduation stream is required. Q: In terms of AI implementation, how is it playing a role in the field of fashion designing? A: While designing on paper, students have different levels of design skills. Those who are good in design skills can design on paper, but some students are hesitating to design on paper. They may have good imagination skills. So, AI, while giving a good prompt, can help. Suppose they have to design a shirt with a collar and buttons. They are giving a good prompt, and after giving a good prompt, they are getting the results. That’s why AI is important, and AI is helping those students who are not good in hands-on skills and hand illustration. Q: What has been the outcome of the event and what is your takeaway from today’s event? A: The takeaway from the event is that AI is important, but hands-on skills are also important to create and innovate. In today’s scenario, AI is very essential for each and every individual, whether you are a teacher or a student. In both ways, if a teacher is going to the industry and learning what new things are coming in, in terms of technology, in terms of industry and in terms of practical knowledge, and after learning from the industry, when a teacher is guiding the students, then the output is really good. Q: ArdorComm Media is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. What message would you like to give to ArdorComm Media Group? A: Thank you so much to you and your team. You have taken a very good initiative, and this will be very fruitful for all the students, for all the teachers, those who are studying in the university and stakeholders. This will be a great initiative, and I hope for future association with you and our college.  

Dr. Neetu Malhotra, Principal, Satyam Fashion Institute, Noida shares insights on AI integration, hands-on skills and innovation in fashion education Read More »

Tata Play Binge Shots Expands Micro-Drama Line-Up with Klip

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

Tata Play Binge Shots has strengthened its micro-drama content offering by adding Klip, a short-form drama platform founded by filmmaker Vicky Bahri and producer-actor Harman Baweja, to its portfolio. Klip brings a library of more than 60 shows and over 3,000 episodes, offering more than 6,000 minutes of predominantly Hindi-language content. Its programming spans genres including drama, romance, thrillers, mystery, comedy and fantasy. The platform’s catalogue features titles such as Dhundh, Tasveer, Mastermind, Khabardar and Ek Raat. Klip adds around 15 new shows to its library every month, expanding the volume of short-form content available to viewers. With the addition of Klip, Tata Play Binge Shots now hosts a broader collection of micro-content platforms, including STAGE, Pocket Films, Bullet, BhaktiFlix and Vertigo TV. Klip’s content will also be accessible through the Tata Play Mobile App, giving subscribers another option to watch short-format entertainment on the go. The addition reflects the growing demand for bite-sized, mobile-friendly entertainment and further expands Tata Play Binge Shots’ focus on short-form and micro-drama programming. Source: Economic Times

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Civil Aviation Minister Pushes for Faster, Hassle-Free NOC Process to Boost Ease of Doing Business

/ Governance Community

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has directed officials to simplify and streamline the process for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in the aviation sector, with a focus on making the system more transparent, automated and time-bound. Naidu chaired a meeting in New Delhi with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India to review measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the sector. During the meeting, the minister stressed the need to minimise manual intervention in the NOC process and make it more efficient and user-friendly. He directed officials to examine ways to simplify, automate and decentralise the procedure and complete the necessary groundwork for implementing the reforms within 15 days. The proposed changes are intended to make the process easier for members of the public, housing societies, builders and industry stakeholders, while ensuring that all aviation safety and regulatory requirements continue to be met. Naidu also reviewed the possibility of informing applicants about permissible building heights at the initial stage of the application process. The proposal is particularly relevant for major metropolitan centres such as Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where construction activity and aviation-related height restrictions frequently intersect. The ministry said the proposed measures are aimed at improving regulatory efficiency and providing greater clarity to applicants while maintaining necessary safeguards for aviation safety. Source: News on AIR

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Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Co-founder & Chancellor, Shobhit University and Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Education shares insights on AI, skilling, innovation and empowering rural India

/ Interviews

Q: As we are talking and the buzzword around is Artificial Intelligence, skilling and innovation as a part of our life. How is Artificial Intelligence blending with skilling and innovation? A: Actually, I always look at AI, skilling and innovation together. AI plus skilling plus innovation is called impact. This is what AI represents. It represents technology, technology to facilitate, enabler, to democratize the education system because where it was not going, we are using AI to ensure that in small villages everywhere, the learners get more opportunity. Skilling, AI is going to provide more opportunities for skilling because the learning ecosystem is accessible now. And when skilling is there, more information is there. When we talk about innovation, generally the challenge is how to manage the data, how to look into the real problems. And if in the rural areas, through AI and skilling, we are able to bring the transformations, the solutions lying there silently, they will find more solutions, more things will come out and young people will formulate ideas. I always believe innovation starts with something called jugaad. Once you identify a problem, find a solution which is maybe one time, not sustainable, but with the help of information, knowledge and skills, you can make it a sustainable and replicable solution. It becomes innovation, and the country needs so much. I’m sure that AI, skilling and innovation, when we look at them together, this is what we need. Q: I really follow you, and I’ve seen your journey, which you balance pretty well with the Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Your passion about the rural empowerment of the country and towards rural India development, you have done a lot. Would you like to throw some light on that? A: Actually, you used about Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3. So I look at it as a pyramid. So Tier 3 is the base of the pyramid, which is rural areas. So any pyramid will stand when the base will be strong. And this is what we are doing. We are working on the base of the foundation of that pyramid, which is called Bharat, which is called civilization, which is called development. That has to be very strong. And through one of our universities, we are ensuring this thing that everybody who has aspiration, who has eligibility, wants to do something, they must have access to education, to technology and to fulfill their dreams. Q: In terms of AYUSH and especially in healthcare or wellness, any insightful thoughts of yours as an initiative? A: Actually, if you look at the government initiatives nowadays, we are talking every district should have one medical college. This is an initiative of the government. But if we look at the number of people around, population of the country and the needs, modern healthcare cannot fulfill the requirement. It means we have to go back. We have to see that our traditional medical system, healthcare system and wellness system has to be strengthened. We are working through one of our medical colleges. We have a 200-bed hospital, naturopathy, yoga. We are working, and this is the only idea that at the end of the day, the country has to be healthy. It does not mean that through modern healthcare or traditional healthcare it is, but we have to be healthy and we have to ensure this thing that all pathies are integrated and strengthened. And we are working on AI and Ayurveda together. This is what the nation gets. Q: You’re also chairing a very important and a very strong association in education, ASSOCHAM National Council on Education. The responsibilities with that profile, the responsibilities at your current role and the responsibilities toward society—how do you manage and balance this? A: Everybody can manage one thing. And secondly, when we talk about education, every time it is that there has to be a bridge between industry and academia. And this, as Chair of ASSOCHAM National Education Council, I have an opportunity to strengthen that bridge because I am very close to industry through ASSOCHAM. And otherwise, as a professional, I’m very close to education. So we are trying to bridge it, and once you have a desire to do things, the door is open for you. Q: I may be emotional in saying that we have ventured or entered the fifth year of our existence as a media startup. You have seen the journey growing. So, any message for the anniversary or good wishes for ArdorComm Media? A: Five years is not a big time, but it is not small also because these are formative times, and formative times are always very challenging. And you have passed that, I’m sure. So one thing I will tell you: remain as you are, remain unaffected and do what you are doing. You are spreading the fragrance of education, skilling and the digital world. Keep doing. My good wishes and blessings.  

Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Co-founder & Chancellor, Shobhit University and Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Education shares insights on AI, skilling, innovation and empowering rural India Read More »