23, May 2026
Karnataka Doctor Grows 30 Tonnes of Chemical-Free Kesar Mangoes on Rocky Land Using Israeli Technology
Karnataka, May 23 (BNP): A doctor from Karnataka has turned barren, rocky land into a thriving mango orchard, producing nearly 30 tonnes of chemical-free Kesar mangoes with the help of Israeli farming technology and sustainable agricultural practices.
Dr. Sameer Nair, an Ayurvedic practitioner based in Belagavi, transformed over five acres of rocky terrain into a high-density Kesar mango plantation after adopting Israel-inspired cultivation techniques. Beginning the venture in 2019, the orchard started yielding fruit within three years and has witnessed rapid growth since then, with production expected to touch nearly 30 tonnes this season — almost six times higher than earlier harvests.
Unlike traditional mango cultivation, which generally involves fewer trees per acre and longer waiting periods, Dr. Nair implemented high-density farming by planting around 700 saplings per acre. Supported by drip irrigation, solar-powered systems, and water conservation structures, the orchard has significantly improved productivity while reducing resource wastage.
The farm follows nearly 95 per cent organic practices, relying largely on cow dung-based manure and farm waste instead of chemicals. The mangoes are allowed to ripen naturally on trees without artificial ripening agents, aiming to preserve both taste and consumer health. Each fruit is also protected using eco-friendly bags to shield it from insects, harsh weather, and microbial damage, while enhancing quality and colour.
Sold under the brand “Vaishali Farm Kesar Mango,” named after his mother, the produce has attracted strong customer demand, with buyers visiting the orchard directly and exports reaching overseas markets in previous seasons. Dr. Nair is now reportedly planning to process surplus mangoes into pulp for long-term preservation.
Dr. Nair’s success story highlights how a blend of modern agricultural innovation and eco-friendly farming can transform unproductive land into a sustainable, profitable venture.
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- By Neel Achary
23, May 2026
New Balance Brings Grey Days 2026 to India
India, May 23 : New Balance celebrated Grey Days 2026 with the launch of its first New Retail Concept store at DLF Mall of India, Noida, alongside ambassadors Janhvi Kapoor and Pat Cummins. A global celebration of the brand’s signature colour, Grey Days honours the timeless influence of grey — from its origins as a practical choice for runners to its evolution as a defining expression of New Balance’s heritage, craftsmanship, and independent spirit.
The New Retail Concept store introduces a new chapter in New Balance’s retail journey in India blending the performance and lifestyle universe together through an elevated retail environment designed around product discovery, community, and brand storytelling.
Positioned at the intersection of sports & culture, New Balance brought together its ambassadors in a neighbourhood-inspired setup which featured an engaging fireside chat & an interactive cricket session with the ambassadors—creating a moment that felt both personal and culturally relevant.
Pat Cummins, Australian cricketer and New Balance ambassador, added,
“I’m delighted to be a part of the Grey Days celebrations in India. Grey has always been New Balance’s signature colour and it is exciting to see the brand bringing this to life in India – creating spaces where sport, style, and community come together in a very natural way.”
Stuart Henwood, Senior Director, New Balance, Middle East, Africa & India, said,
“Grey Days is a celebration of everything New Balance stands for – timeless design, craftsmanship, and an independent spirit that has defined the brand for decades. As we expand across the MEAI region, our focus remains on creating authentic, meaningful experiences that connect our consumers to the essence of New Balance.”
Speaking about the campaign and the store launch, actress and New Balance ambassador Janhvi Kapoor said,
“Grey Days celebrates what I personally love about New Balance its quiet confidence and its ability to stay true to itself while continuing to evolve. It feels great being a part of this celebration that honours the brand’s legacy, timeless design, & brings together the entire New Balance community across the globe.”
Radeshwer Davar, Country Manager, New Balance India, said,
“The launch of our New Retail Concept store at DLF Mall of India, Noida marks an important milestone in New Balance’s retail expansion journey in the country. As we continue to strengthen our retail presence, our focus remains on delivering elevated and immersive consumer experiences. Celebrating this milestone with our ambassadors during Grey Days makes it particularly special and reflects the growing momentum of the brand in India.”
23, May 2026
NEEV Foundation launches ‘Iss Garmi, Farq Nazar Aayega’ summer relief campaign across six states
New Delhi, May 23: With temperatures breaching 45°C across large parts of India, NEEV Foundation has mounted a large-scale summer relief campaign, “Iss Garmi, Farq Nazar Aayega,” targeting outdoor workers, the general public, stray animals and birds bearing the brunt of this season’s extreme heat. The initiative is being rolled out across six states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra.
NEEV Foundation is deploying 60 relief vans to distribute clean, cold drinking water at high-footfall public areas and directly to those working long hours in the open, including traffic police personnel, delivery executives, construction workers, street vendors and autorickshaw drivers. Alongside water, the vans will distribute ORS pouches and protective caps to counter heat exposure and help replenish minerals lost to excessive perspiration.
Acknowledging that the crisis extends beyond human welfare, the foundation has installed water tanks for stray animals and placed bird feeders and water trays across multiple locations. The campaign is anchored in a simple idea of access and empathy. As the foundation describes it: “The thirsty always come to the well. This summer, we decided to take the well to the thirsty.”
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Vivek Patni, Director – Wonder Cement and founder of Neev Foundation said, “India’s summers are becoming increasingly harsh for people who spend most of their day outdoors. Through this campaign, we wanted to create immediate, accessible relief for those who keep our cities functioning despite extreme weather conditions. Sometimes the most meaningful interventions are also the simplest, whether it is offering a glass of water, a moment of shade or basic support during difficult conditions.”
He added, “NEEV was founded on the belief that social responsibility begins with showing up for people when they need support the most. We hope this campaign also encourages citizens to participate in small acts of care, from keeping water outside homes for birds and stray animals to supporting delivery personnel and outdoor workers during peak summer hours. Collective action often begins with individual awareness. Sometimes, a small beginning brings a big change and starts a revolution.”
The campaign carries a deliberate public mobilisation intent, seeking to deepen community participation in heat relief at a time when rising temperatures are emerging as a sustained challenge across urban and rural India.
The seasonal effort is part of a broader development mandate. NEEV Foundation’s Rural Development Centre in Nimbahera anchors its long-term work, which spans skill development for women under the Hunar programme, community infrastructure through Sanrachna, educational support under Udaan, healthcare outreach through Arogyam and sustainability initiatives under Eco Green.
With “Iss Garmi, Farq Nazar Aayega,” the foundation seeks to demonstrate a point that is straightforward but easy to overlook during a crisis: directed compassion, deployed at scale, can produce tangible relief for those most exposed to India’s harshest summer in recent years.
23, May 2026
ICAI Inaugurates second edition of Digital Transformation Finance Summit 2026
22, May 2026
Planetcast Wins Asia-pacific Broadcasting+ Sports Broadcasting – Singapore Award
Cloud.X Turbo Deployment for beIN Asia Pacific Transformed Live Sports Delivery Across 12 APAC Markets Through a Hybrid-Remote Broadcast Hub Supporting 40+ Simultaneous Live Events With 99.99% Uptime
SINGAPORE – May 22, 2026 – Planetcast, a global leader in media services and technology, today announced it has won the “Sports Broadcasting – Singapore” category at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards for its Cloud.X Turbo deployment powering beIN Asia Pacific’s live sports broadcast operations.
“With Cloud.X Turbo, Planetcast redefined live sports broadcasting across APAC through a purpose-built hybrid-remote architecture that centralized operations into a single managed hub supporting more than 40 simultaneous live events with broadcast-grade reliability, ultra-low latency and intelligent automation,” said Sanjay Bhat, CEO, Planetcast. “This deployment demonstrates how broadcasters can scale premium live sports delivery more efficiently across diverse markets while building a more agile and future-ready operating model.”
Planetcast was recognized for transforming beIN Asia Pacific’s live sports operations through a first-of-its-kind hybrid-remote architecture powered by Cloud.X Turbo and centralized through Planetcast’s Singapore facility. The deployment replaced fragmented, manual SDI-based workflows with a centrally managed hybrid SDI + IP broadcast infrastructure, using SRT over IP for low-latency contribution and distribution, designed to deliver greater scalability, flexibility and reliability for premium live sports programming across the region.
The platform supports more than 40 simultaneous live events across 17 channels (16 linear + 1 FAST), affiliates and 24 OTT streams throughout 12 APAC markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and the Philippines. The transformation powers coverage of some of the world’s largest sporting events, including Formula 1, the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Roland-Garros and the Australian Open.
As part of the deployment, Planetcast introduced intelligent automation through its Cloud.X Turbo platform, including its built-in Feed Management and Distribution System (FMDS), enabling zero-touch workflows, dynamic sports playout, real-time content orchestration and centralized feed management across all channels, affiliates and OTT streams. The project also achieved measurable operational improvements, including significant reductions in operating costs, manpower requirements and technical faults while maintaining 99.99% uptime and ultra-low latency playout.
Planetcast’s award-winning deployment for beIN Asia Pacific reflects the growing shift toward hybrid-remote and IP-first broadcast operations as media companies look to scale live sports delivery with greater efficiency, flexibility and resiliency. The project establishes a new operational model for managing premium live sports across multiple markets and platforms while reducing infrastructure complexity and operational overhead.
22, May 2026
Qualys Achieves FedRAMP High Authorization for TotalCloud, Extending Protection to Cloud Workloads in its Government Platform
Mumbai- May 22: Qualys, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based IT, security and compliance solutions, today announced that its TotalCloud solution has achieved FedRAMP High Authorization, sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This milestone extends the FedRAMP High status of the Qualys Government Platform to include Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP). Qualys TotalCloud is now listed on the FedRAMP Marketplace, enabling federal agencies, suppliers, and highly regulated industries to leverage its comprehensive cloud security capabilities.
The FedRAMP High Authorization represents the most stringent level of compliance within the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). It aligns with NIST SP 800-53 High Impact controls, ensuring the platform meets the rigorous security requirements for handling the government’s most sensitive unclassified data.
Unified Cloud Security for Federal Agencies
Now part of the Qualys Government Platform, TotalCloud provides federal agencies and commercial suppliers with a unified approach to cloud-native security. The platform integrates risk-based prioritization from code to cloud, compliance monitoring, runtime/threat detection, full attack surface discovery, and cloud-native application protection into a single, scalable platform. This comprehensive solution helps organizations accelerate compliance, reduce cyber risk, and streamline security operations.
22, May 2026
SKF India (Industrial) Unveils Next-Generation Solutions to Solve Modern Industry’s Reliability and Energy Efficiency Challenges
Pune, India | May 22: SKF India (Industrial) (NSE: SKFINDUS | BSE: 544572), India’s leading product and solutions provider for industrial applications, unveiled a suite of products & solutions that are having better efficiency, high performance and reliability in demanding Industrial applications. Launched at the SKF Tech Day 2026, these solutions address the critical ‘Three Pillars of Modern Industry’: energy efficiency, maximum uptime, and resilience in extreme environments.
As industrial sectors face stricter Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and rising operational costs, SKF India (Industrial)’s latest innovations provide strong solution addressing the decarbonization issue and reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Key Launches:
About SKF VA9A1 SRBs:
Designed for demanding operating conditions and harsh environments in low-speed applications across industries such as mining, cement, and power generation, the VA9A1 SRB series helps customers eliminate the “big three” industry challenges: premature wear, lubrication failure, and the high cost of unplanned downtime.
With 8% additional internal space, this allows for higher grease retention, keeping operations running longer between service intervals.
About SKF AEM DGBBs:
With industrial motors consuming nearly 40% of the world’s electricity, efficiency isn’t just a goal- it’s competitive necessity. SKF AEM are the high-performance duo for small and medium motors, engineered to turn energy waste into operational savings.
It comes with an energy-efficient deep groove ball bearing (DGBB) designed for motor applications, SKF AEM enables up to 25% reduction in bearing friction and up to 2x increase in bearing life.
By improving energy efficiency and durability, the solution helps customers lower energy consumption, reduce maintenance interventions, and optimize total cost of ownership.
About SKF CeraDrive DGBBs:
CeraDrive is an advanced DGBB designed with ceramic rolling elements that eliminate up to 99% electrical erosion caused by stray currents in VFD-driven motors. Approximately 30% lighter than traditional insulated bearings, the solution enables cooler operation at higher speeds while improving reliability and motor protection.
Designed for modern industrial environments, CeraDrive helps customers improve energy efficiency, minimize motor failures, and reduce unplanned downtime in critical operations.
About SKF SDVD housings:
Another key product featured was the SDVD housing series, developed for high-performance material handling applications where stability, sealing protection, and ease of maintenance are critical for customers operating in harsh environments.
The solution combines optimized bearing seat geometry for enhanced stability, advanced Taconite sealing for superior contamination protection, and bolt-end covers for simplified servicing, helping customers improve uptime, streamline maintenance, and enhance operational efficiency even in remote applications.
Reinforcing SKF India (Industrial)’s focus on intelligent, sustainable manufacturing, Sanoj Somasundaran, CTO, SKF India (Industrial) & Director, Technology Development, ISEAM (India, SE Asia, Middle East), said, “For us, at SKF India (Industrial), four key levers are driving our transformation. Energy efficiency, Sustainability, Digitalization & regional ecosystem for product applications & product development that enables us to be more customer centric.
The products we unveiled at SKF Tech Day 2026, fulfils our ambition to serve the customers better. Our propositions showcased at the event included VA9A1, AEM, CeraDrive, 4RTRB, Lubrication pump, Aptitude Insight and SDVD series. These products and solutions are focused on addressing efficiency, performance & reliability in demanding industrial applications which are key for our customers.”
Girish Hanchate, Director – Industrial Market, India, SKF India (Industrial) Limited said, “India’s industrial landscape is at a pivotal point where efficiency and sustainability are competitive necessities. Our customers are under constant pressure to do more with less – less energy, less downtime, and fewer maintenance interventions. With the launch of VA9A1 series, CeraDrive, SDVD series, we are moving beyond being a component supplier and to becoming a partner to customers in solving their problems by leveraging SKF’s legacy of bold innovation. These solutions are likely to become industry benchmarks as the country moves towards energy efficient operations.”
Driving the Future of Heavy Industry
As industries accelerate their decarbonization and electrification journeys, mitigating electrical erosion and maximizing efficiency, are becoming essential to achieving reliable, long-term performance. SKF India (Industrial)’s latest innovations are engineered to bridge this gap, enabling customers to protect critical assets and optimize energy use without compromising on reliability, providing the foundation for a more sustainable and high-performance industrial future.
22, May 2026
Western Pop Artist Kat Velasco Releases “Shutting Down Midtown” Today, Continuing Build Toward Debut Album Cowgirl Complex
Kat Velasco continues building momentum ahead of her debut album Cowgirl Complex with her new single “Shutting Down Midtown,” out today on all major streaming platforms.
Credit Justin Hammond
LOS ANGELES, CA – May 22, 2026 – Western pop artist Kat Velasco releases her new single “Shutting Down Midtown,” out today on all major streaming platforms. The track is a vibrant, story-driven celebration of Nashville’s Midtown nightlife, offering a portrait of the city’s late-night culture beyond its renowned Broadway strip.
While Nashville is best known for its honky tonks on Broadway, “Shutting Down Midtown” turns its attention to another iconic pocket of the city, one defined by its mix of locals, visiting party crowds, and the artists who call it home.
Written alongside close friends and collaborators Johnny Gates and Joey Myron, the song brings Midtown’s nightlife to life with vivid detail and name checks to local staples including Losers and Red Door, positioning the track as both an anthem and an unofficial guide to a night out in Nashville.
“Nashville gets painted as this one thing but if you live here, you know it’s so much more than just Broadway… There are all these different corners of the city that feel like their own world and of course, Midtown is one of them. This song is about those nights, blended with all types of people… I think the majority of locals have been caught ‘Shutting Down Midtown’ if I had to guess,” Kat Velasco shares.
Kat Velasco’s music reflects a shift toward self-definition, shaped by stepping away from expectation to fully embrace her voice as an artist. After initially pursuing a more traditional career path, she ultimately committed to songwriting full-time, developing her sound in Nashville through collaboration and self-driven storytelling.
Now over half a million streams into her career with early support from Spotify and CMT, she is carving out a distinct lane in Western pop through her self-described “complex cowgirl” identity, rooted in Southern upbringing, shaped by Nashville, and defined by a modern, unfiltered perspective. That evolution leads into her debut era, anchored by her forthcoming album Cowgirl Complex and a series of releases expanding her narrative world.
Blending country storytelling with pop and rock influences, Velasco’s music is grounded in real-life experience and emotional honesty, earning early comparisons to Stevie Nicks and Maren Morris. Her recent releases, including “You’re Drunk” (2026), “I Should Quit Drinking” with Johnny Gates (2026), and “Show Pony” (2025), build a catalog defined by vulnerability, attitude, and sharp observational songwriting ahead of her debut album.
22, May 2026
Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor Inaugurates Its 19th Outlet in Bengaluru’s Koramangala Amid Grandeur and Cultural Celebration
Bangalore: The grand inauguration of the 19th outlet of Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor was successfully held in Koramangala, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s continued expansion.
The evening was graced by renowned personalities including actor and singer Ambarish Bhattacharya, actor, director, and singer Anirban Bhattacharya, and acclaimed artist Sreenanda Shankar, whose presence added to the celebratory spirit of the occasion.
The inauguration ceremony, illuminated with traditional lamps, reflected a vibrant blend of culture, music, and celebration. The guests of honour marked the occasion with heartfelt interactions and engaging performances, creating a memorable evening for all attendees.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajib Paul, the driving force behind the brand, shared his vision of bringing the rich culinary heritage of Bengal to audiences across India and beyond. His continued commitment to authenticity and innovation has been instrumental in the brand’s growing success.
Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor is not just a restaurant; it is an emotion deeply connected to Bengal’s culture, nostalgia, and flavours. With every new outlet, our vision is to bring people closer to authentic Bengali culinary experiences while preserving the warmth and spirit of our heritage,” said Rajib Paul.
Inspired by the imaginative worlds of Bhooter Raja and Shundi Raja, the new outlet in Koramangala has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the charm, warmth, and cultural essence of Bengal.
With this launch, Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor continues its journey of celebrating authentic flavours and warm hospitality, welcoming food lovers from all backgrounds to experience its distinctive culinary offerings.
The brand looks forward to strengthening its presence and continuing its growth across new markets in the coming years.
22, May 2026
Vodia PBX V70 Webinar Now Available on Demand
BOSTON: May 22, 2026 – Vodia Networks, Inc., a provider of unified cloud communications solutions to enterprises, contact centers, and service providers, is pleased to announce the recording of the company’s May 14, 2026 webinar, “Vodia PBX V70: Admin Interface, Analytics, AI, and Multi-Tenant Performance,” is now available on demand.
This webinar introduced attendees to V70’s completely revamped admin portal and interface, new inbound and outbound AI agents, built-in automation, and scalable multi-tenant performance. Sales Engineer Eric Altman and VoIP Engineer Hamlet Collado hosted the webinar, which also included a live Q&A session.
Why Watch the V70 Webinar?
This webinar is a deep dive into V70, which Vodia officially released in March. V70 features snapshots and centralized remote provisioning to reduce operational risk, alongside custom dashboards, emergency alerts, Jitsi Meet, and WhatsApp Business integration.
V70’s latest features and improvements include:
● Admin interface
● Call capacity
● Cross-tenant presence and BLF sharing
● Custom dashboards
● Emergency alerts
● External presence sharing
● Inbound and outbound AI agents
● Jitsi Meet
● Snapshots
● Skills-based routing
● Multiple supported operating systems
● WhatsApp Business integration
Prior to the webinar, Eric Altman joined Doug Green, publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss V70 in detail on the Technology Reseller News podcast.
What’s next?
Vodia continues to expand and improve V70, and the company has already evolved the platform to V70.2. Development will continue throughout 2026 with ongoing improvements focused on real-world deployments, scalability, and operational visibility.
User Feedback Matters
Vodia believes the best way to improve its platform is by working closely with its partners and customers.
