2, Apr 2026
transcosmos receives approval from METI to renew its DX Certified Business Operator certification
Tokyo, Japan, Apr 2: transcosmos is proud to announce that on April 1, 2026, the company renewed its certification as a DX Certified Business Operator under the certification system administered by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), following a screening process conducted by the Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan (IPA).
●DX Certification System – The DX Certification System (no translation available: https://www.ipa.go.jp/digital/dx-nintei/about.html) is Japan’s initiative to certify companies that have developed visions, strategies and systems to achieve digital transformation (DX), and are recognized as DX Ready to drive DX initiatives in accordance with the Digital Governance Code set by METI based on the Act on Facilitation of Information Processing.
– Find out list of DX certified business operators here (no translation available): https://disclosure.dx-portal.ipa.go.jp/p/dxcp/top transcosmos was first certified as a DX Certified Business Operator under the DX Certification System in April 2022. This marks the company’s second successful renewal, following its previous renewal in 2024. transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries. Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.
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- By Neel Achary
2, Apr 2026
Weak Budget Planning Leaves Large Funds Unspent in Odisha
A recent report has raised serious concerns over the quality of budget planning by the Odisha government, pointing to a significant gap between projected allocations and actual spending.
According to findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the state’s budget estimates have not been realistic, leading to consistent underutilization of allocated funds. While the government has been increasing its annual budget size, it has struggled to spend the funds effectively within the financial year.
Pic Credit: Pexel
For the 2024–25 financial year, the state initially proposed a budget of ₹2,75,613.86 crore. This was later increased with a supplementary allocation of ₹12,155.74 crore, taking the total budget to ₹2,87,769.60 crore. However, actual expenditure stood at ₹2,31,613.37 crore, leaving a substantial ₹56,156.23 crore unspent—about 19.5% of the total budget.
The report highlights that such a large gap reflects weaknesses in financial planning, execution, and monitoring. It also noted that departments failed to surrender unspent funds amounting to ₹2,815.91 crore, further indicating lapses in fiscal discipline.
The audit body emphasized that unrealistic projections and poor expenditure management are key reasons behind this trend. Experts suggest that better planning, timely implementation, and stronger oversight mechanisms are essential to ensure that public funds are utilized efficiently and effectively.
2, Apr 2026
Edmond Wong takes helm as the President of Orange Business Asia-Pacific from retiring predecessor Nick Lambert
Edmond Wong has been appointed as the Asia-Pacific President at Orange Business, taking over from incumbent Nick Lambert, who will be retiring by the end of April.
Apr 02: Nick has successfully led the APAC region for close to seven (7) years since 2019, bringing about significant business transformations amidst a complex global landscape while delivering outstanding performances year-on-year thanks to his strategic vision and strong focus on customers. His contributions and achievements leave APAC in a stronger position than ever, as the region is now poised for further wins and key growth across all markets.
As the named successor, Edmond brings with him 15 years of experience in business, leadership, and transformation in large, complex global organizations, and has also lived and worked in multiple countries, including Singapore, Melbourne, Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing for a multicultural environment understanding. Currently based in Singapore, Edmond was the Head of Business Management APAC at Orange Business since June 2020, prior to succeeding this role.
Having previously executed major corporate and regional programs across Sales and Marketing and driving Go-to-Market strategy for different parts of the region, Edmond has a proven track record in driving profitability and is skilled in stakeholder management, regional growth strategies with exemplary leadership in operational excellence and change management. He will now focus on accelerating APAC’s next phase business journey and growth levers, executing transformation, and fostering strategic partnerships.
“I’m deeply grateful to the Orange Business management team for their trust and faith in me to lead the APAC region. Over the next few months, I look forward to immersing into the different APAC market’s challenges and needs, meeting customers and collaborating with partners, expanding new grounds, and ensuring that we continuously drive momentum for the region.
“I wish to sincerely thank Nick for his guidance, support, and valuable advice to me from his time as the President of APAC until this transition period before his retirement. We share a special bond, and I hope to continue his work legacy and build on from his outstanding achievements,” said Edmond.
2, Apr 2026
Odisha Celebrates Foundation Day 2026 with Vision for a Prosperous Future
Odisha marked its Statehood Day with pride and reflection at a state-level celebration held at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology in Bhubaneswar. The event brought together officials, citizens, and dignitaries to honour the state’s rich history and cultural identity.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted Odisha’s unique legacy as India’s first linguistically formed state. He extended warm greetings to Odias living both within the state and across the globe, acknowledging their contribution to preserving the state’s heritage and identity.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming Odisha into a developed and prosperous state by 2036, when it will complete 100 years of its formation. He described the coming decade as a crucial period of determination and collective effort, urging citizens to actively participate in building a stronger and more inclusive Odisha.
He also stressed the importance of balancing development with the preservation of Odia identity and culture, ensuring that progress does not come at the cost of heritage.
As part of the celebrations, a special photo exhibition showcasing Odisha’s journey and achievements was organized by the Information and Public Relations Department. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Minister, who later toured the display and appreciated the visual documentation of the state’s evolution.
The event reflected a blend of pride in the past and a forward-looking vision, reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to growth while staying rooted in its cultural values.
2, Apr 2026
Bhubaneswar Opens Global Visa Centre for Easy Travel
Bhubaneswar has taken a significant step toward improving access to international travel services with the launch of a Global Visa Application Centre in the city. The new facility is set to simplify the visa application process for residents of Odisha, who previously had to travel to metro cities for similar services.
The centre will initially provide visa application support for a wide range of countries, including the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Estonia, Egypt, Morocco, and Malta. By bringing multiple services under one roof, the facility aims to reduce both the time and effort required for applicants.
Officials say the centre is designed with a focus on efficiency and convenience, offering streamlined procedures and quicker processing timelines. Applicants will benefit from organized documentation support, biometric services, and guidance throughout the application process.
The move is being seen as part of a broader effort to strengthen public service infrastructure in Odisha and make global opportunities more accessible to its people. With easier access to visa services, more residents are expected to explore opportunities in education, tourism, and business abroad.
The launch of this centre marks another step in positioning Bhubaneswar as a growing hub for modern services and international connectivity.
2, Apr 2026
Driving the Future of Cleaning: Kärcher India Takes Center Stage at KPHA 2026
New Delhi, Apr 2: Kärcher India was a Sapphire Sponsor at the Kerala Professional Housekeepers Association (KPHA) convention held on 25th March. Kärcher further strengthened its foothold in the professional cleaning space by setting up a dedicated stall at the convention centre, showcasing its wide range of technologically advanced cleaning solutions such as scrubber dryers, vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, sweepers, and high-pressure washers.
As part of the event, Varun Handa, Strategic Head of Kärcher India, was a featured speaker at the convention, where he addressed attendees on the topic of “Hospitality Solutions at Kärcher.” The session highlighted Kärcher’s approach to enabling efficient, scalable, and sustainable cleaning solutions tailored for the hospitality industry.
The discussion also covered Kärcher’s broader sustainability vision, including green energy adoption, reduction of CO₂ emissions, circular economy practices, and the development of sustainable products.
“As Kärcher, we believe the future of cleaning lies at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and responsibility. Whether it is adopting green energy sources, reducing CO₂ emissions, or embracing the circular economy, our aim is to create a long-term impact. Through platforms like KPHA, we are able to demonstrate the value of structured cleaning methodologies like PDIR in enhancing hygiene standards and operational efficiency, especially within the hospitality segment,” said Varun Handa, Strategic Head, Kärcher India.
The session also emphasized the importance of hygiene and structured cleaning methodologies such as PDIR (Preventive, Daily, Intensive, Restorative), along with best practices for efficiency and maintenance.
2, Apr 2026
Amaravati Bill Clears Lok Sabha; Nara Lokesh to Attend RS Session, Meet PM & HM
Mumbai, April, 2 : In a landmark development, the Government of India has passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha after detailed deliberations, that will formally grant statutory recognition to Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The Bill is now scheduled to be taken up for discussion and passage in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow, marking the final legislative step toward establishing Amaravati as the sole capital of the State.
During the Lok Sabha proceedings, leaders representing the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh strongly advocated for the Bill. Notably, MoS Rural Development and Communication Dr. Chandrashekar Pemmasani, TDP MP Appalanaidu, BJP MP C. M. Ramesh, BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, and JSP MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry spoke in support of Amaravati as the capital.
In contrast, YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy opposed the Bill on behalf of the YSR Congress Party, following which YSRCP MPs staged a walkout from Parliament.
Beyond the NDA alliance, several other parties extended their support to the Bill, including the Indian National Congress Samajwadi Party (SP), Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal reflecting broad political consensus across party lines in favor of Amaravati.
Minister Nara Lokesh will be present in New Delhi tomorrow to witness the Rajya Sabha proceedings. During his visit, he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, C. P. Radhakrishnan, to convey the gratitude of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed amendment to Section 5 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 replaces the earlier provision of “a new capital” with “Amaravati shall be the new capital,” thereby embedding Amaravati firmly within the statutory framework. This legislative move follows the unanimous resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on March 28, 2026, enabling the Bill’s introduction in Parliament.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh views this development as a defining milestone in the State’s post-2014 journey, one that restores institutional clarity, strengthens governance, and paves the way for Amaravati to emerge as India’s youngest world-class greenfield capital city.
2, Apr 2026
WorldFish Launches Venture Platform to Mobilize Capital to Scale Aquatic Food Innovation
WorldFish today announced the launch of WorldFish Ventures (WFV), a wholly owned commercial subsidiary established to accelerate the scaling of innovations in aquatic food systems through market-based approaches and strategic partnerships.
Approved by the WorldFish Board of Trustees, WorldFish Ventures represents a significant milestone in the organization’s evolution—strengthening the pathway from scientific innovation to large-scale adoption by harnessing the power of markets to deliver impact.
WorldFish has long been at the forefront of developing innovations in aquatic food systems, including genetically improved fish strains, fisheries management, digital platforms, and capacity development solutions. WorldFish Ventures is designed to translate these innovations into scalable, investable solutions that can reach underserved markets more effectively and sustainably.
“WorldFish Ventures reflects a deliberate step forward in how we deliver impact,” said Alyssa Jade McDonald-Baertl, Chair of the WorldFish Board of Trustees. “The Board has placed strong emphasis on ensuring that WorldFish’s scientific excellence is matched by mechanisms that enable scale. This structure provides the right balance between maintaining mission integrity and engaging effectively with market actors to expand reach and sustainability.”
WorldFish Ventures will operate as a dedicated platform to mobilize private sector engagement, crowd in investment, and accelerate the deployment of innovations across priority markets in Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Its initial portfolio will focus on:
- Improved fish genetics, including globally recognized tilapia and carp breeding programs
- Digital platforms and analytics, including next-generation data solutions for aquatic food systems
- Training and capacity development, through scalable models such as the WorldFish Academy
In addition to scaling WorldFish innovations, WFV will actively onboard and commercialize innovations from partners, including startups, research institutions, and private sector actors, creating a broader ecosystem for innovation deployment.
“Scientific breakthroughs only achieve their full value when they reach scale,” said Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish. “WorldFish Ventures is designed to harness market forces to accelerate that process—enabling us to deliver solutions at the pace and scale required, particularly in underserved markets where the opportunity for impact is greatest.”
The venture will begin with a pilot phase, working with partners across the value chain to validate scalable business models, strengthen delivery systems, and build the foundations for long-term financial sustainability.
WorldFish Ventures will operate within a governance framework that ensures continued stewardship of WorldFish’s intellectual assets, strong mission alignment, and clear oversight, while providing the flexibility required to engage effectively with private sector partners and investors.
With the establishment of WorldFish Ventures, WorldFish is advancing a model that integrates science, markets, and partnerships to accelerate the transformation of aquatic food systems and expand access to nutritious, sustainable aquatic foods.
2, Apr 2026
Kaufman Rossin and Synack Partner to Scale AI-Powered, Continuous Penetration Testing for Regulated Companies
New partnership addresses growing gap between security priorities and real-world attack surface coverage
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Kaufman Rossin, a Top 50 public accounting, advisory, and tax firm, and Synack, the leader in penetration testing as a service (PTaaS), today announced a strategic partnership to deliver scalable, AI-powered penetration testing and continuous security validation for regulated enterprises.
At a time when organizations are rapidly expanding their digital footprint while facing increasingly sophisticated, AI-driven threats, many security teams struggle to keep pace. Recent industry research shows that penetration testing remains a top priority, but organizations are testing only a fraction of their total attack surface—creating a critical gap between perceived and actual security posture.
This partnership directly addresses that gap by combining Kaufman Rossin’s deep cybersecurity advisory expertise with Synack’s AI-powered PTaaS platform and the Synack Red Team (SRT)—a global community of elite, vetted security researchers. Together, the firms enable organizations to move beyond static, point-in-time testing toward a continuous, scalable model that keeps pace with modern attack surfaces.
Kaufman Rossin clients will gain access to Synack’s full platform capabilities, including web application, host, cloud, API, and AI/LLM penetration testing, as well as attack surface management. Unlike traditional pen testing approaches that rely on periodic, manual assessments, Synack’s platform enables continuous testing aligned to infrastructure changes, compliance cycles, and evolving threat landscapes—without requiring organizations to switch vendors or restart engagements.
“Our clients operate in highly regulated environments where security, speed, and consistency are non-negotiable,” said Kory Patrick, leader of Kaufman Rossin’s cybersecurity practice. “They need a model that not only meets compliance requirements but also keeps pace with constant change. Synack enables us to deliver scalable, repeatable testing with the depth and rigor our clients expect—while significantly accelerating time to value.”
For Synack, the partnership expands its reach into organizations that require both advanced technical capabilities and trusted advisory relationships. Kaufman Rossin’s team of more than 100 certified risk professionals—including CISSP, CISM, OSCP, and CRISC—supports clients across the financial services, fintech, healthcare, legal, and technology sectors.
“Kaufman Rossin represents the kind of trusted advisor organizations rely on to navigate increasingly complex security and compliance challenges,” said Jay Kaplan, CEO of Synack. “By combining their advisory strength with our AI-powered platform and global researcher community, we’re helping customers fundamentally rethink how penetration testing is delivered—moving from reactive assessments to continuous, intelligence-driven security validation.”
Synack’s platform has demonstrated measurable impact for security teams, reducing the total cost per pen test by up to 32%, saving an average of 22 days per engagement, and accelerating remediation timelines for high and critical vulnerabilities by 47% or more. These gains translate directly into reduced risk exposure, faster compliance readiness, and improved operational efficiency for organizations under increasing regulatory and business pressure.
The partnership also establishes a foundation for joint go-to-market initiatives, enabling Kaufman Rossin and Synack to deliver integrated security offerings that combine advisory services with continuous testing and risk validation.
2, Apr 2026
ZEISS India Strengthens Portfolio with the Launch of ZEISS ClearMind Lenses
~ Introducing are first-of-its-kind ZEISS prescription lenses to provide extremely clear vision designed to reduce cognitive load~
Apr 2: ZEISS, a pioneer of science in optics announces the launch its latest prescription lenses ZEISS ClearMind lenses in India. The all-day lenses addition to the lens portfolio delivers clear vision while reducing cognitive load due to blur for daily eyeglass wearers. For eye care professionals this offering elevates their practice with advanced lens technology that supports both visual performance and comfort.
In today’s fast-paced world with countless visual stimuli to process, there is an increase in information overload where individuals may feel overwhelmed. With pre-existing conditions of blur on spectacle lenses, the ability to identify and interpret complex stimuli is compromised. ZEISS ClearMind lenses are built on a unique design that reduces and smooths optical errors, increasing the clear vision zones and reducing peripheral lens blur thus reducing cognitive load.
Commenting on the addition to the lens portfolio, Rohan Paul, Business Head – India & Neighboring Markets, Vision Care, ZEISS India, said, “At ZEISS, innovation is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to protecting vision & visual health of world’s consumers. The launch of ZEISS ClearMind lenses reflects our continued focus on developing advanced optical solutions that enable individuals to see better, clearer and experience better comfort in their daily lives. We look forward to the positive impact these lenses will have, in collaboration with our valued business partners, as we continue to reach individuals seeking effective and personalized eye care solutions.”
Benefits of ZEISS ClearMind lenses at a glance
- ZEISS ClearMind is a new, premium, all-day lens portfolio with larger zones of clear vision embedded with ZEISS NeurOptix technology
- In consumer studies, 96 % of wearers confirmed extremely clear vision. 9 out of 10 wearers also experienced less cognitive load in a blind test compared to a standard ZEISS progressive lens
- The lenses are available for all age groups to promote perceived overall well-being, and good vision
Backed by scientific research to reduce cognitive load
Research conducted at the ZEISS Vision Science Lab (Tübingen University, Germany) established a direct connection between lens-induced blur and increased cognitive load. In consumer studies, 96% of wearers reported extremely clear vision when using ZEISS ClearMind lenses. 9 out of 10 wearers experienced reduced cognitive load compared to standard progressive lenses. Many wearers also reported an improvement in overall well-being while using the lenses. They also highlighted the importance of comfortable vision while staying focused for long hours.
Embedded with ZEISS NeurOptix technology for improved visual clarity
By aligning lens clarity zones to natural eye-movement patterns, ZEISS NeurOptix technology aims to reduce the brain’s cognitive load, provide more relaxed, effortless vision, as well as improve comfort during long days of digital, visually busy and dynamic activity. As a result, ZEISS Progressive ClearMind lenses offer up to 41% larger near-vision zones compared to ZEISS SmartLife progressive lenses. The technology also supports fast adaptation. 88% of wearers adjust within a few days, and over half within just an hour.
All-day lens portfolio includes single vision, progressive and digital focal types
ZEISS Single Vision ClearMind lenses are designed for 18+ wearers with blurry vision near or far. They reduce peripheral blur and provide larger clear vision zones than standard ZEISS lenses. ZEISS Digital ClearMind lenses are made for 35+ wearers experiencing blurry vision and tired eyes. They reduce blur and offer larger vision zones than ZEISS Digital SmartLife lenses. The design supports natural viewing habits and ensures smooth transition to near vision. It also enables an easier shift to progressive lenses in the future. ZEISS Progressive ClearMind lenses are designed for 45+ wearers with presbyopia. They reduce and optimize peripheral blur, creating wider clear vision zones than ZEISS SmartLife progressive lenses. They support smooth transitions across distances and improve overall visual flow.
