10, Mar 2026
Right-Fitting Senior Indian Homeownership
– by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces
As the world gets increasingly torn by war and Indian retirees worriedly track the impact on their investments, one major area of concern should be housing – specifically, the costs involved, and whether the house is a good fit in the first place. If it is not, good money may be following bad in the worst possible times.
For decades, the Indian middle and upper-middle class have viewed the ‘big bungalow’ or the spacious 4 BHK apartment as the ultimate badge of success. In a culture where property is the primary symbol of wealth and social standing, the instinct has always been to upsize. However, there is a dawning realization among retirees and soon-to-be retirees that for the happiest homeowners, the most strategic move is not getting the biggest house possible.
Nor is it just right-sizing, which is just a fancy name for downsizing – which is depressing. It is ‘right-fitting’ – getting the right size AND type of home for the life they actually lead.
For senior Indian homebuyers and homeowners approaching or in retirement, the transition from ‘more is better’ to “what (not how much) do I really need?” is one of the most consequential financial and lifestyle decisions they will ever make.
The Illusion of the ‘Dream Home’
For younger Indians, a home typically has some very specific concept parameters. It is a hub for raising children, if necessary housing extended family, proudly socializing, and storing artifacts accumulated over the years. It is a container for a life lived and yet to be lived, so it has to be big. To reuse the term – the bigger the better.
When Indian homebuyers sell their homes in a tier-1 city like Mumbai to relocate to a tier-2 city like Pune, Kochi or Coimbatore, the temptation is to use the price differential to buy a bigger home than the previous one. Size is often the primary criterion, with not much thought given to how well the space and location will serve in later years.
In later years, as children often move abroad for education or migrate to different cities for work, the functions of the home change. It is not unusual to find elderly Indian homeowners living in outsized, badly-located storage spaces dedicated to a life that they once had – or hoped to have – and no longer have now.
For older people with an empty nest, an oversized home in the wrong area becomes a source of depression and regret. Depression because large empty spaces echo the past far more efficiently than smaller ones, and regret because the cost – both financially and in terms of effort – are no longer justified.
There may be a lingering hope that the flown birds, so to speak, may return to the nest. And indeed, that can happen, especially in these times of global socio-economic upheaval where many NRIs have to return to India and may need the space. But this assumes that the returning migratory birds will either have no option other than to live with their parents, or that they would prefer to.
This is a big assumption, and may even be vindicated in some cases. But the larger trend is that returning expatriate professionals are more interested in the nuclear family format, and will want to live separately. Also, younger Indians value convenience and being able to entertain themselves and their family. A large flat can accommodate the body, but not the heart and soul.
Too often, managing a large home becomes the single focus of a retired Indian couple’s life. It feels ‘productive’, since they are working hard at tangible tasks, but it is actually just the life of a hamster in a wheel. They are running energetically to nowhere, spending their precious silver years and remaining bandwidth as perennial housekeepers.
The Township Advantage
The financial logic of a tool that fits the job — in this case, a home that actually serves its occupants — is particularly relevant in the Indian context. Inflation eats into everything, from the value of one’s savings to the cost of living. A large, isolated home consumes as many resources as a well-located one, without delivering a better life. This is where the integrated township emerges as the ultimate ‘right-fitting’ solution for ageing Indians.
In a regular residential tower or villa, you must manage the property but the world outside is often chaotic, inaccessible, or lonely. A township flips the script. It is not just about the square footage of your apartment but about the extended living room that starts the moment you step out of your front door.
From Maintenance Trap to Managed Lifestyle
In a township, the burden of maintaining the structure is professionalized and shared. Instead of haggling with individual contractors for plumbing or security, homeowners enjoy a seamless ecosystem. This shift allows retirees to stop being property managers and start being real residents.
The efficiency of a township means you can opt for a ‘right-fitted’ 2 or 3 BHK that is easier to clean, manage and navigate even as you enjoy the luxury of dedicated green open spaces, landscaped gardens, and fully-equipped clubhouses.
Social Touch Points
The greatest risk of the ‘big house’ is the ‘beautiful bubble’ effect. Yes, it is big, but the life that ageing inhabitants live inside becomes very small. There is no world to step into. Townships solve this because they are fundamentally ‘social architecture’.
When you live in a township, you don’t have to schedule a visit to see a friend. You are likely to meet them at the clubhouse or supermarket within the premises, on the walking track, or at the cafe. For the Indian senior, these small interactions are the literal heartbeat of a happy retirement.
Townships provide a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment where ‘going out’ does not need a car or driver. It offers the independence of a private home with the safety net of a village.
Future-Proofing for the ‘Returning Migratory Birds’
The concern that children might return from abroad and need space is valid, but the township model addresses this more realistically than a giant, empty villa. If children and their nuclear families do return, they are rarely looking for a spare bedroom in a silent house. They are often returning from a developed country, and want a real lifestyle.
A township offers amenities like swimming pools, gyms, play areas, and high-speed connectivity that every modern NRI professional takes for granted. It allows for ‘proximity without pressure.’ Many families find that ‘right-fitting’ involves owning two smaller units within the same township rather than one giant, awkward bungalow. This preserves the privacy of both generations while ensuring they are only a five-minute walk apart.
The Luxury of Optionality
Ultimately, ‘right-fitting’ into a township is a strategic allocation of resources. By not over-investing in dead square footage that only serves to store old furniture, homeowners unlock capital and time.
The real luxury in the silver years is optionality — the freedom to travel to see grandchildren, to join a hobby club, or to simply enjoy a sunset in a park that you do not have to mow yourself. A big house demands that you serve it, while a township serves you.
For the modern Indian homeowner, the dream is no longer just about the height of the gate or the size of the floor plan. It is about finding a fit that is snug enough for comfort, yet expansive enough for a community. If you are over 50, it is high time to stop thinking about wider-apart walls and ceilings, start optimizing the life you live within them.
About the author:
Akash Pharande is Managing Director of Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in Greater Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in the region.
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- By Neel Achary
10, Mar 2026
A Viral Menu with a Strong Message: India Gate’s Not Your Biryani Sparks Conversation on Respect This Women’s Day
New Delhi, Mar 10: KRBL Limited, a global leader in the food industry and the parent company of the World’s leading Basmati Rice Brand, India Gate Basmati Rice, has launched its new campaign, #NotYourBiryani, this International Women’s Day. With this initiative, the brand takes a resolute stand against everyday language that disguises objectification as praise. Words like ‘Hot,’ ‘Spicy,’ and ‘Sizzling’ are no longer exclusive to the kitchen, used so carefreely to describe women that their original culinary meaning now seems almost secondary.
The core of the campaign is the viral #NotYourBiryani Menu Card. Designed like a restaurant menu, it places these words firmly back in their rightful setting. ‘Spicy’ is a flavour that brings heat to a dish, not a passing remark. ‘Hot’ refers to temperature or taste, not a comment on their appearance. ‘Sizzling’ celebrates layered flavour, not a person’s identity. The visual is simple, striking, and impossible to ignore. These words belong on our plates, not in the way we speak about women.
Online, the campaign gains momentum through voices that resonate with young audiences, including Nayab Midha, Ayesha Khan and Harshita Gupta, supported by hundreds of nano influencers who share their own stories with #NotYourBiryani. Real-time brand conversations keep the tone sharp and relevant. Furthermore, on Women’s Day, a Vox Pop takes the conversation straight to the public. The message also extends offline with bold billboards. The campaign culminates in a powerful reminder: she’s a woman, not your biryani. The words used to describe flavour, heat and spice belong on a plate, not as labels that reduce women to something meant for commentary or consumption.
Commenting on the campaign, Kunal Sharma, Vice President – Marketing and Organised Trade, KRBL Limited, said,
“As a trusted kitchen staples partner of India, we recognise the central role that women play in shaping the community and culture, and how connection to food is woven into the social fabric of the country. At India Gate, this belief is reflected in our core philosophy, the Taste of Indian Values, which celebrates respect, dignity, and the cultural principles that bind households together. With #NotYourBiryani, we wanted to gently but firmly put certain words back where they belong. The idea is not to shame, but to spark reflection. Respect begins with everyday language, and as a household brand, we believe it is our responsibility to use our voice to challenge what has been normalised for far too long.”
India Gate has long been part of everyday meals across India. With that presence comes responsibility. #NotYourBiryani is more than a campaign. It is a cultural wave aimed at young, socially active audiences who shape conversations online and offline. With #NotYourBiryani, India Gate turns a familiar phrase into a powerful reminder. The language we use matters. Spice is for food. Respect is for people.
10, Mar 2026
Post-Budget Webinar 2026 Highlights Skilling of 1.5 Lakh Multiskilled Caregivers to Strengthen India’s Care Ecosystem
Chandigarh, Mar 10: The Post-Budget Webinar 2026 on the theme “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas – Fulfilling Aspirations of People” was organised under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, multilateral institutions, and private organisations to deliberate on the effective implementation of key announcements made in the Union Budget 2026–27. The webinar forms part of the Government’s annual post-Budget consultation process aimed at translating policy announcements into actionable implementation frameworks.
Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the Union Budget lays out a roadmap for building a future-ready workforce and strengthening human capital for a Viksit Bharat. He highlighted the importance of scalable models, innovation-driven growth, and stronger linkages between education, skilling, and the real economy to support India’s long-term development goals.
Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, also participated in the inaugural session. In his concluding remarks, he highlighted the growing significance of the care economy in India’s development journey.
“The care economy represents both a social priority and an economic opportunity for India. Through the Budget announcement to train 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers, we are building a professional ecosystem that integrates healthcare, wellness, and assistive technologies while creating dignified employment opportunities, particularly for women. Recognising language as a skill and strengthening global mobility pathways will further enhance employability in international markets,” he said.
As part of the Post-Budget Webinar, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) led a dedicated breakout session on the sub-theme “Strengthening India’s Care Ecosystem: Skilling 1.5 Lakh Multiskilled Caregivers”, conducted in blended mode with participation from stakeholders across sectors.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, emphasised the need for building a robust and quality-driven training ecosystem to support the emerging care economy. She noted that the focus is on developing structured training frameworks to prepare multiskilled caregivers capable of meeting evolving healthcare and care-related demands, while also ensuring dignity, recognition, and credible career pathways through professional training and standardised certification.
Ms. Manisha Sensarma, Senior Economic Adviser at MSDE, outlined the strategic vision behind the Budget announcement to train 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers. She highlighted that the initiative aims to address rising domestic demand driven by an ageing population as well as global shortages of care and allied healthcare professionals. The programme also seeks to transition the informal workforce into a structured National Caregiver Ecosystem by integrating healthcare skills with wellness practices and expanding training opportunities.
The breakout session brought together an eminent panel of national and international stakeholders, including Prashant Pise, Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, Jagadish Chelani, Mia Oka, Bharath Visweswaraya, Giorgia Varisco, S P Singh, Srinivasa Rao Pulijala, K Ganesh, Sandeep Kumar, Karthik N, Sumitra Mishra, Rajit Mehta, Alexander Thomas, and Sunil Kumar M M, among others.
Key action points emerging from the deliberations included the development of a structured caregiver career pathway supported by standardised training curricula and multi-skilling modules. Participants also emphasised the importance of training-of-trainers programmes to ensure the availability of qualified instructors, and the use of apprenticeship models to provide hands-on training through hospitals, healthcare providers, and allied institutions.
Additional recommendations included collaboration with State and Union Territory governments to leverage Skill India International Centres (SIICs) to support international mobility of care professionals, building a network of credible training infrastructure through ITIs, healthcare providers, and training institutions, and integrating skilled caregiver profiles on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) to enhance transparency and accessibility.
The Post-Budget Webinar witnessed wide participation from stakeholders across India through both physical and virtual modes. Attendees included representatives from States and Union Territories, the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Directorate General of Training (DGT), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Sector Skill Councils, awarding bodies, assessment agencies, industry partners, and training institutions.
The discussions reinforced the Government’s commitment to strengthening India’s care ecosystem, enhancing workforce skills, and positioning the country as a global hub for skilled caregiving professionals.
10, Mar 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square Appoints Nikhil Malhotra as Commercial Director
New Delhi, Mar 10: DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square has appointed Nikhil Malhotra as Commercial Director, strengthening the hotel’s leadership team as it sharpens its positioning across corporate, leisure, and MICE segments.
In this role, Malhotra will lead the hotel’s commercial strategy across sales, marketing, and revenue optimisation. He will work closely with the leadership team to grow market share, build strategic partnerships, and drive sustained revenue performance across key business segments.
Malhotra brings over 15 years of hospitality experience across leading international hotel brands. Over the course of his career, he has worked with brands including Accor, Hyatt, The Zuri Group, and Alila Hotels & Resorts, building strong expertise in market development, key account management, commercial planning, and team leadership.
Commenting on the appointment, Nikhil Malhotra said, “The Gurugram market continues to evolve rapidly, and it presents strong opportunities across corporate travel, social events, and emerging lifestyle segments. I look forward to working closely with the team to strengthen our commercial strategy, deepen market partnerships, and drive sustained growth for the property.”
With his strong background in strategic sales leadership and market-driven commercial planning, Malhotra will support the hotel’s continued growth in Gurugram’s dynamic hospitality market.
10, Mar 2026
AAEON Brings Innovative Robotics, Machine Vision, and Industrial AI Demos to Embedded World 2026
AAEON will be at Hall 1, Booth 306 of NürnbergMesse in Nuremberg, Germany between March 10 and March 12, 2026.
(Taipei, Taiwan – Mar 10) AAEON, an industry leader in embedded computing, will host live demonstrations showcasing the edge AI capabilities of its products across multiple solutions at Embedded World 2026 in Nuremberg, between March 10 and March 12, 2026.
Date: March 10 – March 12, 2026
Booth: Hall 1, Booth 306
Venue: Nuremberg Messe GmbH, Messezentrum 90471 Nuremberg, Germany
This year, robotics and edge AI will be central themes of AAEON’s Embedded World showcase, allowing visitors the opportunity to see how scalable AI platforms from across its product portfolio are accelerating intelligent automation across industries.
At Booth 306, AAEON will present a varied selection of live application demonstrations featuring new, exciting technologies from leading platform providers. Most notable of these is a speak-and-command robot featuring the upcoming BOXER-8741AI, built on NVIDIA Jetson T5000 module.
Meanwhile, AAEON will host a number of live demonstrations developed in conjunction with key software partners, beginning with a four-wheeled robot running on AAEON’s BOXER-8651AI and remotely controlled by AAEON’s RTC-1030 rugged tablet, built in collaboration with Rover Robotics and Cogniteam.
On the themes of machine vision and industrial AI, AAEON will introduce visitors to a new AI Workstation powered by the NVIDIA RTX PRO™ 6000 Blackwell, running Ipsotek’s AI Video Analytics from Eviden. The demonstration will feature multiple use-case videos showcasing the adaptability and scalability of Ipsotek’s VISuite software. Demo scenarios include edge-based deployments as well as advanced forensics and investigations, utilizing VLM and agentic AI models. In addition to this, an industrial defect detection application developed with computer vision specialists Awentia will be present, executing Awentia’s VLM engine on AAEON’s new modular MEX-BTS System Box PC, equipped with NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation GPU, powered by NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture.
In its first public outing, the upcoming MIX-PTLWV1 Mini-ITX motherboard will be used in a demonstration illustrating how its Secure Edge AI reference architecture can be implemented for intelligent perception and decision-making. Powered by Ultralytics and Sandgrain CyberRock, the solution will illustrate the suitability of Ultralytics’ YOLO models on Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 Processors, as well as how such licensed models can secured by Sandgrain CyberRock.
From AAEON’s UP Division, the UP Xtreme ARL AI Dev Kit will be deployed with Network Optix’s Nx AI Manager, showcasing the tool’s cross-hardware compatibility, custom pipeline configuration, and centralized, software-based model management. A further offering from UP will be a voice-controlled robotic arm built on the upcoming UP Xtreme PTL Edge, AAEON’s first Mini PC to host Intel Core Ultra Series 3 Processors.
On Tuesday 10 March at 15:00, AAEON will participate in a technical workshop featuring a live demonstration on deploying and accelerating real-time computer vision workloads on Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors using the Intel® OpenVINO™ Toolkit and Ultralytics YOLO. The session will showcase practical implementation strategies and performance optimization techniques for edge and embedded AI applications. Industry professionals and developers are encouraged to register in advance to secure their participation: https://aaeon-intel-ultralytics-vision-ai.eventbrite.com.
Among its static product demos, AAEON will present a range of products that utilize innovative technologies from leading providers including Qualcomm Technologies and AMD. Notably, visitors will get a public showing of AAEON’s uCOM-Q6490, a SMARC module powered by Qualcomm Dragonwing™ QCS6490 processors, which features an 8-core CPU running up to 2.7 GHz, a dedicated GPU, and an NPU capable of up to 12 dense TOPS to deliver powerful heterogenous compute performance, and the GENE-R8K6, a 3.5″ SubCompact Board with AMD Ryzen™ Embedded 8000 Series processors.
10, Mar 2026
Rohde & Schwarz and NETGEAR collaborate for next generation Wi-Fi 8 access point testing
Mar 10: NETGEAR has selected the CMP180 radio communication tester from Rohde & Schwarz for the development of future Wi-Fi 8 access points. By integrating the tester into their design validation test environment, NETGEAR will be able to speed up the development of performance optimized Wi-Fi products.
The CMP180 supports many cellular and non-cellular technologies including Wi-Fi 8.
Rohde & Schwarz, a leading supplier of test and measurement equipment for wireless applications, and NETGEAR, manufacturer of advanced networking technologies and leading-edge Wi-Fi 7 products, collaborate to get the next generation Wi-Fi 8 products ready for the market.
Wi-Fi 8 is the next generation Wi-Fi based on the upcoming IEEE 802.11bn standard. With the focus on ultra-high reliable (UHR) WLAN, this new technology will improve the wireless user experience at homes, offices and factories: high-speed connectivity under all conditions with low latency for gaming, learning and working applications which will use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to provide an immersive user experience.
Design validation of Wi-Fi 8 access points requires test solutions which support the latest Wi-Fi 8 features like distributed resource units (DRU) or unequal modulation (UEQM) with up to 320 MHz wide channels in all supported bands and highest modulation schemes (4096QAM), while providing the performance (EVM), and scalability (4×4 MIMO) required to optimize the wireless device performance.
Rohde & Schwarz provides NETGEAR with the CMP180 radio communication tester, a future-proof non-signaling testing solution for wireless devices, which can be used in research, development, validation and production. It supports many cellular and non-cellular technologies including the latest Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8 and 5G NR FR1 in frequencies up to 8 GHz and bandwidths of up to 500 MHz.
The CMP180 comes equipped with two analyzers, two generators and two times eight RF ports in a single box, plus the possibility to scale up by stacking several testers. This makes it a cost-efficient test solution with best-in-class performance, addressing current and future test demands.
While its fast multi-DUT testing capabilities make the CMP180 ideal for testing in mass-production test environments, test engineers can use the instrument throughout the entire development cycle: from engineering validation tests (EVT), design validation tests (DVT) and production validation tests (PVT) to mass production (MP).
Joseph Emmanuel, VP, Consumer Business Unit HW Engineering at NETGEAR, says: “Working with Rohde & Schwarz enables us to bring our Wi-Fi 8 products on the market with the expected high quality and extremely high performance for the best multi-gigabit Wi-Fi experience everywhere at home.”
Goce Talaganov, Vice President Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz, says: “We are grateful for the close collaboration with NETGEAR on the latest Wi-Fi 8 technology. Our experience in wireless device testing and early cooperation with Wi-Fi 8 chipset and device vendors helped us to improve our test solution for the upcoming broad Wi-Fi 8 market.”
9, Mar 2026
kyron.bio Announces Strategic Partnership with Servier to Advance Precision Glycosylation in Antibody Therapeutics
Paris, 9 March, 2026 – kyron.bio, a biotechnology company pioneering precision glycoengineering for antibody therapeutic development, today announced a strategic partnership with Servier, an international pharmaceutical group governed by a Foundation.
Under the terms of the agreement, kyron.bio will use its technology to glycoengineer an antibody selected by Servier, who will fund the associated research activities. Servier will have the option to further explore antibody engineering and development opportunities based on the outcomes. Financial details are not disclosed.
kyron.bio’s proprietary glycoengineering platform can enhance therapeutic performance of antibodies by enabling precise control of the glycan structures to improve efficacy, safety, and scalability. In this partnership kyron.bio will seek to demonstrate clear glycan control on the Servier antibody of interest for a specific pre-determined N-glycoform.
To date, engineering of glycans have been under-exploited, due to technical challenges, limiting the use of glycan engineering in drug design. kyron.bio is changing that. The company has developed a scalable, proprietary method to achieve comprehensive control over glycosylation, unlocking the possibility to use precision glycosylation in next generation drug design.
Dr. Emilia McLaughlin, founder and Chief Executive Officer of kyron.bio said,
“We are delighted that Servier has chosen to explore the potential of our glycoengineering platform. Servier has deep expertise in therapeutic development and combined with our precision glycosylation technology, this partnership provides a powerful opportunity to unlock new levels of antibody performance and deliver better outcomes for patients.
“Precision glycosylation represents a transformative approach in biologics development. By engineering defined glycan profiles, therapeutic antibodies can be optimized for improved immune engagement, pharmacokinetics, and reduced variability.”
In 2024, kyron.bio was the winner of the Servier Golden Ticket award which has provided invaluable support and mentorship through the company’s early translational phase and has developed a foundation for understanding the potential of kyron.bio’s technology.
Dr. Emmanuel Nony, Director of External Innovation Europe at Servier said,
“Meeting kyron.bio as a winner of Servier’s Golden Ticket award has enabled our scientists to develop an understanding of the kyron.bio glycan engineering technology and its exciting possibilities in antibody drug design. This collaboration is opening new frontiers for antibody derivatives as well. Together, we are exploring innovative pathways to optimize drug design and production, with a shared commitment to bringing safer and more effective therapies to patients.”
kyron.bio’s strategy is to form strategic drug design partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies working on next-generation antibody therapeutics, alongside in house therapeutic development programs.
A successful company creation from the French Entrepreneur First Scheme, in 2025 kyron.bio raised €5.5m in a seed round from an experienced syndicate of venture investors including HCVC, Verve Ventures, Entrepreneurs First and Saras Capital, as well as private angel investors and the European Innovation Council. It has established an R&D base at the biotech hub Paris Biotech Santé in the Cochin Hospital.
9, Mar 2026
NHAI and IHMCL to Honour Safe Truck Drivers at ‘Vishisht Saarthi’ Ceremony in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, March 09: To promote road safety on National Highways and recognise commercial vehicle drivers who demonstrate exemplary driving behaviour, a “Vishisht Saarthi Felicitation Ceremony” will be organised tomorrow, March 10, at 10:00 AM at the Muthangi Truck Parking facility on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
The event is expected to be graced by Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI); Vishal Chauhan, Managing Director of Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL); and Mudit Agarwal, CEO of IHMCL, as disclosed by Ajay Bhandari, Founder of the Hyderabad-based logistics platform Loadsor.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is a government agency responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of India’s National Highway network. Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) is a government company responsible for implementing and managing digital toll collection and intelligent transport systems on India’s National Highways.
The programme is being organised by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) in collaboration with logistics technology platforms TruckSuvidha and Loadsor, which actively work with driver communities across the country to promote responsible and safer driving practices.
Vishisht Saarthi is a driver welfare and recognition initiative aimed at supporting and empowering truck drivers and transport workers in India. The programme focuses on improving drivers’ skills, enhancing road safety awareness, promoting better health and welfare practices, and recognising drivers who demonstrate professionalism and responsible behaviour on highways.
The initiative trains, supports and honours professional truck drivers to improve road safety and their working conditions. Launched under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, the programme seeks to encourage safe and efficient driving practices, raise awareness about health and welfare issues affecting drivers, and recognise those who consistently follow safety standards and traffic norms.
Referring to the crucial role played by truck drivers in the country’s logistics ecosystem, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the past, at the time of its launch nationally) described drivers as “Saarthi,” meaning guide or driver, acknowledging their vital contribution in keeping India’s economy and supply chains moving.
To implement the Vishisht Saarthi programme across the country, the Ministry partnered with five digital logistics platforms, including Hyderabad-based Loadsor and New Delhi-based TruckSuvidha, along with three others. The Hyderabad event is being organised in collaboration with TruckSuvidha and Loadsor, which help conduct driver training sessions, awareness programmes, and welfare initiatives.
These platforms were selected because they operate extensive digital freight networks connecting truck drivers, fleet owners and shippers across India. Through these networks, they help conduct driver training and skill-development programmes, promote road safety awareness, support driver welfare and recognition initiatives, and reach thousands of drivers across the country.
The programme to be held tomorrow at Muthangi aims to honour truck drivers who consistently follow traffic rules, maintain lane discipline, and contribute towards making highways safer for all road users. During the event, selected drivers will be felicitated with the “Vishisht Saarthi” recognition certificate for their commitment to safe driving and adherence to highway safety norms.
The event will also feature an awareness session for drivers highlighting important road safety practices and information about emergency assistance available to drivers on National Highways.
Through this initiative, the organisers aim to highlight the vital role played by truck drivers in ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country, while encouraging the wider driver community to adopt responsible and disciplined driving practices on National Highways. With millions of truck drivers in India facing challenges such as long working hours, health concerns and limited formal training opportunities, programmes like Vishisht Saarthi seek to professionalise the trucking industry and enhance safety on highways.
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9, Mar 2026
K&L Gates Among First Law Firms Globally to Earn ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AI Governance Certification
The certification establishes a formal framework for the responsible development, deployment, and oversight of artificial intelligence systems. Following a comprehensive independent audit, the certification confirms that K&L Gates’ AI program operates with robust controls around accountability, risk management, ethics, transparency, data protection, and regulatory compliance.
This milestone validates that governance principles are embedded across K&L Gates’ AI lifecycle—from evaluation and implementation to ongoing monitoring and improvement. As regulatory scrutiny and client expectations surrounding AI continue to evolve globally, the certification reinforces K&L Gates’ leadership in responsible AI adoption within the legal industry.
“This certification reflects our commitment to combining innovation with accountability,” said Stacy Ackermann, Global Managing Partner of K&L Gates. “Clients are embracing AI to transform their businesses, and they expect their law firms to responsibly do the same. Achieving ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification demonstrates that we have built a governance framework that prioritizes risk management, transparency, and trust while enabling us to deliver valuable insight and legal services to our clients.”
Harpreet Suri, Chief Technology Officer of K&L Gates, added: “As organizations across industries implement or evaluate AI technologies, they increasingly expect the same discipline and transparency from their legal advisers. Achieving ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification is a direct result of the dedication and rigor of our technology, security and information governance teams, whose work ensures that AI is deployed responsibly, securely, and in alignment with our professional obligations. This certification enables K&L Gates to provide enhanced confidence in how AI is thoughtfully and responsibly integrated into our client service delivery.”
In 2023, K&L Gates established a cross-disciplinary AI Solutions Group to guide its firmwide AI strategy, advising clients on developing, deploying, and investing in AI technologies. The firm also implemented a comprehensive Generative AI Policy and AI Forward℠ framework that mandates approved platforms, transparency with clients, verification of AI outputs, and mandatory training, all guided by principles of responsible innovation and human-centric excellence.
As an early adopter of generative AI, K&L Gates employs centralized governance to oversee AI deployment across its global platform, ensuring alignment with confidentiality obligations, data-governance requirements, and professional standards. AI enhances legal research, drafting, contract review, due diligence, and discovery through vetted AI platforms including Legora, Vincent, Westlaw Precision AI, Relativity Analytics, CoCounsel, and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Firmwide adoption is supported by role-specific training with AltaClaro, as its first law firm partner, and Hotshot Legal, emphasizing AI literacy, prompt engineering, and partner supervisory oversight. The firm’s leadership extends beyond internal operations through the K&L Gates Endowment for Ethics and Computational Technologies at Carnegie Mellon University in 2016 and a founding sponsor for the AI Access to Justice Summit. In 2025, K&L Gates was named an “Innovation Icon” by BTI Consulting Group for integrating AI into its global client-service strategy.
9, Mar 2026
Comau’s Hyperflex wins the Solution Award – Robotics Innovation Award at MecSpe 2026
