Category Archives: News

FREED Introduces EMI Score, a Free Financial Assessment Tool to Help Borrowers Evaluate Loan Affordability

GURUGRAM, India and MUMBAI, India, Aug. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FREED, India’s first liability management platform, today launched EMI Score, a free borrower-first measure of financial health. EMI Score reads income stability and quality, monthly savings, and total loans and EMIs, then places each borrower on a scale of 0 to 100 that shows exactly where they stand and what they can comfortably carry.

The score is free and live today at freed.care/emi-score.

Why India needs a borrower-side score

Credit is one of the most powerful tools a household has. Borrowing is how millions of Indians move their lives forward, and the expansion of credit in this country has been genuinely good for people and for the economy. A loan works best when it is taken to build something, and when it is taken after an honest assessment of whether it can be repaid sustainably.

That second part is where the gap lies. Household debt has climbed to 45.5% of GDP, and non-housing loans now account for 58.4% of household borrowing, per the RBI’s Financial Stability Report of June 2026.

Borrowers today have no simple way to answer the question that matters most to them: If they can genuinely afford this EMI alongside everything they are already carrying. Without an answer, millions quietly take on more than their income and savings can sustain, and find out only after a payment is missed, by which point the options have narrowed. What has been missing is a way for people to see stress building while they can still do something about it.

How EMI Score works

EMI Score brings together three parts of a person’s financial life into a single number between 0 and 100:

Income– how stable and sufficient monthly earnings are

Savings– the cushion available to fall back on

Loan behaviour– how well existing loans are being handled

The score places each borrower in one of three zones, and each zone leads to a clear next step.

Prevention, care and cure are how FREED has built its debt relief solutions stack. EMI Score is the diagnosis. What follows it is treatment.

Ritesh Srivastava, Founder and CEO, FREED, said, “FREED exists to put the borrower first, and EMI Score is the clearest expression of that. Credit is a good thing. It is how people buy homes, educate their children and build businesses. The question is never whether to borrow. It is whether this loan, at this moment, is one you can comfortably carry. Today most people discover they are in stress only after a missed payment. We want to move that moment earlier, from cure to care to prevention. A loan should help you move forward. It should never become the thing that keeps you up at night.”

Every borrower already knows their credit score, and it does its job well. EMI Score answers a different question, and it answers it for the borrower rather than the lender. It is not a record of how loans have been handled in the past. It is a read on whether today’s income and savings can carry today’s EMIs, and what happens if one more is added.

Both readings matter, and they are strongest together. When borrowers understand what they can sustain and stay within their means, defaults become less likely and the wider lending system grows steadier. Over time, a trusted borrower-side measure of borrowing health becomes a bridge between borrowers and lenders, helping both sides make better and more sustainable decisions. That is the India FREED is working toward, where people borrow confidently, responsibly, and with a clear understanding of what they can truly afford.

About FREED

FREED is India’s first liability management platform, built to help borrowers take charge of their loans at every stage, from staying financially healthy to simplifying and resolving debt. Through EMI Score, credit insights, loan consolidation, loan settlement and FREED Shield, the platform gives borrowers a clear view of where they stand and the tools to act on it, so that a loan stays an enabler of progress and never a source of stress.

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Thunes to Support Fiserv’s Real-Time Global Payouts for Platforms

Capability enables Fiserv merchant customers to offer real-time international payouts via a single integration.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, and Fiserv, a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology, today announced a strategic collaboration to transform how global platforms and marketplaces handle international payouts.

Through the alliance, Thunes will support payouts for Fiserv’s merchant ecosystem, enabling ecommerce platforms, marketplaces and other Fiserv clients to send money instantly around the world to pay employees, bills and suppliers.

By leveraging Thunes’ Direct Global Network, Fiserv clients will gain the ability to reach 12 billion bank accounts and mobile wallets in over 140 countries and 90 currencies.

Sanjay Saraf, Chief Product Officer, Fiserv Merchant Services, said: “As merchants expand across borders, they need payments that are as seamless as their growth ambitions. Our work with Thunes helps businesses move money globally with greater speed, transparency and predictability, supporting more efficient and scalable global operations.”

Chloé Mayenobe, Deputy CEO at Thunes, added: “We are thrilled to enable cross-border payments infrastructure for Fiserv as they expand the boundaries of what their customers can achieve. This collaboration further validates Thunes’ ability to support the world’s largest fintechs with a robust global network designed to support compliant and efficient cross-border payouts. Together with Fiserv, we are powering the future of global commerce by making cross-border payments transparent, reliable, and real-time in supported markets.”

Kyle Rosen, Head of Americas at Thunes, added: “This collaboration with Fiserv captures the powerful momentum we are building in the US. U.S. platforms and marketplaces have historically faced significant friction when paying out globally at scale. Together, Thunes’ licensed U.S. payments capabilities and Fiserv’s merchant ecosystem can unlock increased speed and efficiency for businesses looking to capture global growth. We are proud to be the infrastructure engine driving this next chapter of real-time commerce for U.S. enterprises.”

This latest collaboration for Thunes represents another milestone for its growth in the Americas having obtained money transmission licenses in all U.S. states where required. Thunes continues to grow its support for major fintechs in the U.S. and around the world, offering fast, secure and reliable global money movement through its Direct Global Network.

About Thunes:

For more information, visit: https://www.thunes.com/

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CitiusTech Appoints Dhaval Shah as Acting CEO and Shyam Karunakaran as President to Lead Next Phase of Growth and Transformation

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CitiusTech, a leading digital and enterprise AI company for healthcare and life sciences organizations, today announced that Dhaval Shah, Chief Business Officer for the MedTech (HMT) and Life Sciences (HLS) markets, has been elevated to the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Shyam Karunakaran, Chief Business Officer for Healthcare Payer & Platforms (HHP & Platforms), has been elevated to the role of President, with broad responsibilities spanning enterprise strategy, markets, growth, and execution. Rajan Kohli, Chief Executive Officer, has decided to move on from his role by the end of August 2026 to pursue other opportunities.

The appointments reflect succession planning that has been in place and CitiusTech’s confidence in the strength of its leadership team, positioning the company for its next phase of growth. This leadership transition comes as CitiusTech builds on strong business momentum, with a continued focus on healthcare specialization, AI-led transformation and delivering measurable outcomes for clients.

“Over the past two decades, CitiusTech has built a strong and differentiated business, underpinned by deep healthcare expertise, trusted client relationships and an exceptional leadership team,” said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., Chairman, CitiusTech. “As two of CitiusTech’s early founding employees, Dhaval and Shyam have been integral to that journey and today lead over 80% of our business. Their deep understanding of our clients, people and industry, combined with their proven track record of building and scaling businesses, positions them strongly to lead CitiusTech through its next phase of growth. This is an exciting time for the company as healthcare organizations accelerate their adoption of AI and look for partners who can translate that technology into meaningful outcomes. Dhaval and Shyam have the full support of the Board, and the mandate to lead the organization and execute on its strategic priorities. We thank Rajan for his contributions to CitiusTech and wish him every success in the future.”

CitiusTech delivered strong growth in FY26, placing its performance in the top quartile of technology services companies, with strong business momentum continuing into FY27, while maintaining industry-leading client satisfaction, and multiple recognitions as a leader by leading industry analysts. CitiusTech is already helping clients apply AI to real-world healthcare challenges, with growing demand for healthcare-specific AI solutions driving strong momentum across the business. The focus now is to scale these offerings rapidly and responsibly to meet the evolving needs of clients.

Dhaval Shah has been with the company for more than 19 years, helping shape its culture, values, and operating model since its earliest days. Over his tenure, Dhaval has held various leadership roles and was responsible in building the company’s MedTech and Life Sciences businesses. Until recently, he served as Chief Business Officer for these industry segments.

“I want to thank Rajan and the Board for the strong foundation we are inheriting. Our vision to accelerate healthcare intelligence is well and truly underway,” said Dhaval Shah, Acting Chief Executive Officer, CitiusTech. “Our focus now is to make intelligence an integral part of how healthcare organizations operate, make decisions and deliver outcomes. We will build on this foundation to establish CitiusTech as a leader in healthcare AI services.”

Shyam Karunakaran has spent 17 years at CitiusTech. He served as Chief Business Officer for the company’s Payer and Platform businesses and helped build them into the franchises they are today. As President, he will bring that same strategic mandate to the broader organization, with responsibilities across enterprise strategy, markets, growth, and execution.

“Between Dhaval and me, we bring more than 36 years of experience at CitiusTech, and we are excited to lead the company through its next phase,” said Shyam Karunakaran, President, CitiusTech. “The healthcare industry stack is being rebuilt around AI, and CitiusTech is uniquely positioned to win across three layers – the Engineering Layer, the Intelligence Layer, and the Agentic Layer.”

Rajan Kohli said, “It has been a privilege to lead CitiusTech and work alongside such a talented team. Together, we forged strategic partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem, elevated client trust, enhanced CitiusTech’s brand visibility as a category leader, and built a strong foundation in AI that is now driving real outcomes for our clients. I’m grateful to Bill and the Board for their partnership throughout this journey. Dhaval and Shyam are outstanding leaders, and they have my best wishes as they take CitiusTech to even greater heights.”

About CitiusTech

CitiusTech is a leading digital and enterprise AI company for healthcare and life sciences organizations. We enable 140+ enterprises to build a human-first ecosystem that is efficient, effective, and equitable. Leveraging deep domain expertise and next-generation technologies including AI, Cloud, Data, and Intelligent Automation, we assist our clients to realize their vision, accelerate transformation, and achieve business outcomes. With 7,700+ healthcare technology professionals worldwide, CitiusTech powers digital innovation, business transformation, and industry-wide convergence through next-generation technologies, solutions, and products. Follow CitiusTech on X or LinkedIn.

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Moloco Launches Global Agency Partner Program with More than a Dozen Founding Partners

New program recognizes agency expertise, strengthens strategic collaboration, and helps brands unlock growth across the independent app ecosystem

NEW DELHI, Aug. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Moloco, a global leader in AI performance advertising, today announced the launch of the Moloco Agency Partner Program, a new initiative that strengthens collaboration with global agencies and recognizes those helping brands drive growth on the Moloco platform. The program launches with more than a dozen founding partners across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC, including PMG, Dentsu UK&I, M+C Saatchi Performance, SplitMetrics, RocketLab, Admiral Media, Addict Mobile, Tappx, BlueMedia, GatherOne, Yaaha, CyberZ and Opt.

As advertisers expand their performance marketing strategies across channels such as mobile apps and connected TV, agencies play an important role in helping clients identify new growth opportunities and drive measurable business outcomes. The Moloco Agency Partner Program gives agencies access to resources, support and strategic collaboration to deepen their expertise on the Moloco platform, and provide an opportunity to deliver greater value to clients while growing their own businesses.

“Agencies play a critical role in helping marketers navigate a rapidly changing advertising landscape,” said Sunil Rayan, Chief Business Officer, Moloco. “We’re committed to giving our agency partners the education, collaboration and support they need to create even greater value for their clients. By working more closely together, from education and product collaboration to joint go-to-market initiatives, we can help marketers unlock new growth opportunities while giving agencies another way to differentiate themselves.”

The Moloco Agency Partner Program recognizes agencies for the expertise they’ve built on the platform and the success they’ve delivered for their clients. Partners gain access to certification and education, dedicated support, co-marketing opportunities and closer collaboration with Moloco’s product and go-to-market teams. As agencies deepen their partnership with Moloco, they can unlock additional opportunities for strategic planning, executive engagement and joint marketing initiatives designed to help grow their businesses alongside their clients.

“Our partnership with Moloco has strengthened our ability to deliver high-performing UA campaigns for clients across verticals. Moloco’s AI-driven optimization has been central to that impact, and we look forward to growing alongside Moloco as it expands its footprint in India and globally,” said Nimit Chaudhry, Founder and CEO, strongmetrics.

“I’ve worked closely with the Moloco team for over a year now and they’ve consistently delivered strong results. They’re always quick to bring new tests to grow the account, and what I really value is that it’s always done with the client’s wider strategy in mind,” said Megan Knaggs, App Performance and Gaming Lead, Dentsu UK&I. “For clients who are ready to move beyond the walled gardens of app marketing, Moloco has been a natural next step. And we’re excited to be part of the Agency Partner Program.”

“Our partnership with Moloco has enabled us to build stronger relationships with brands across India and international markets, helping them drive better lower-funnel performance outcomes. Moloco’s AI-driven programmatic technology and audience intelligence give us the transparency, precision, and efficiency our clients need. Together, we are helping advertisers drive smarter app discovery and UA outcomes through relevant, data-driven solutions,” said Arooshi Dharamdasani, CEO, Momentus.

The Agency Partner Program’s founding partners span four regions, with additional agencies expected to join over time. Future phases of the program are expected to introduce an agency badge that recognizes and showcases each agency’s expertise as Moloco continues to invest in the agencies helping shape the future of AI-powered advertising.

For more information about the Moloco Agency Partner Program, visit https://www.moloco.com/solutions/agency-partner-program.

About Moloco

Moloco is an AI-native performance advertising company built for the open Internet. Founded in 2013, Moloco has spent more than a decade building AI systems that make ads more effective and has dedicated itself to shaping the future of the Internet economy. Its core business, Moloco Ads, is an AI-native performance advertising platform that empowers mobile app marketers to drive real business outcomes across millions of mobile apps and a growing number of connected TV platforms. Moloco Commerce Media, the company’s AI-native retail media business, enables retailers and marketplaces to build ad businesses that balance shopper experience with advertiser performance. Moloco’s solutions reach over 200 countries and territories, and the company has offices throughout the US, the UK, Germany, Korea, China, India, Japan, and Singapore. Learn more at www.moloco.com.

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Rain, Rides & a Little Magic: Imagicaa’s Baarish Mein Magic Makes a Perfect Case for Monsoon Adventures

Mumbai, Aug 17: Imagicaa, one of India’s largest theme parks, is inviting travellers to look beyond the usual monsoon road trips to scenic hill stations and discover a different kind of rainy-day escape through its latest campaign, ‘Baarish Mein Magic.’ To bring the campaign to life, the brand has launched a new digital film across its social channels, encouraging families, friends and thrill-seekers to step out, embrace the rains and turn an ordinary day into an adventure.

More than a seasonal campaign, ‘Baarish Mein Magic‘ aims to bring theme parks into the monsoon travel conversation by celebrating everything that makes the season special. The idea behind the film is to offer an escape from the everyday chaos that the rains can bring to city life and transport audiences into the magical world of Imagicaa, where the rain becomes part of the experience rather than an inconvenience. The film captures how a regular day can quickly turn into an unexpected adventure through thrilling rides, shared laughter and the simple joy of getting a little drenched. At its heart is a simple idea, sometimes the best memories are the ones you don’t plan for.

Commenting on the campaign, Mr. Jai Malpani, Managing Director, Imagicaaworld Entertainment Limited, said

 “Baarish Mein Magic’ comes from a simple observation, people love stepping out and travelling during the monsoon, but a theme park is rarely the first experience that comes to mind. We wanted to challenge that thinking and show people that the rains can make a day at Imagicaa even more exciting and memorable. The campaign is also about giving people a break from the everyday chaos of the city during the monsoon and transporting them into a world of fun, adventure and magic.  There is something inherently joyful about experiencing the thrill of a ride, sharing a laugh with your family or friends and simply embracing the season together. Through this campaign, we want to make Imagicaa part of the monsoon travel conversation and encourage people to discover a more spontaneous, adventurous side of the season.”

While monsoon may traditionally be associated with road trips and hill stations, Imagicaa believes the rains can add a whole new dimension to a day of entertainment. Set against the foothills of Lonavala, the destination offers a mix of indoor AC shows, covered zones and a lively atmosphere, alongside appropriate weather-led measures, high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, and safety protocols across the park.

The campaign film brings this idea to life by turning the familiar monsoon experience on its head, replacing the idea of staying indoors with rides, rain, laughter and a day full of unexpected moments. It positions Imagicaa as a place where visitors can step away from the routine, leave the bustle of the city behind and immerse themselves in a world where the monsoon becomes part of the magic.

ATLANT 3D Launches NANOFABRICATOR® PRO: The World’s First and Only Physical Platform for AI-Driven Materials Discovery

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ATLANT 3D today announced the launch of NANOFABRICATOR® PRO, the world’s first and only physical platform for AI-driven materials discovery. The platform connects AI-driven materials discovery with programmable atomic-scale fabrication, experimental validation, and device prototyping, accelerating the transition from design to manufacturable materials and devices.

As AI transforms materials discovery, a key challenge remains validating AI-generated predictions. Traditional workflows separate materials design, fabrication, characterization, and manufacturing into disconnected processes, slowing innovation and limiting the transition from digital discoveries to real-world technologies.

Powered by ATLANT 3D’s proprietary Direct Atomic Layer Processing (DALP®) technology, NANOFABRICATOR® PRO is the foundation of the Physical AI Infrastructure for Matter and ATLANT 3D’s A-HUB Autonomous Materials Foundry, integrating AI-driven materials discovery, atomic-scale manufacturing, and rapid validation across semiconductors, advanced packaging, quantum technologies, and emerging applications.

Industrialized with Automated Industrial Robotics (AIR), NANOFABRICATOR® PRO is a SEMI-compliant platform for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. AIR manufactures the platform in the U.S., enabling scalable production, supporting ATLANT 3D’s U.S. expansion, and delivering a production-ready system.

“AI is fundamentally changing how new materials are discovered. The next frontier is turning those discoveries into real-world innovations. Together with AIR, we introduce NANOFABRICATOR® PRO, which enables creation of next-gen self-driven platforms with integrated metrology,” said Dr. Maksym Plakhotnyuk, CEO and Founder of ATLANT 3D. “By connecting AI-driven materials discovery, advanced manufacturing, and experimental validation, we enable rapid translation of computational predictions into functional materials while laying the foundation for the Physical AI Infrastructure for Matter.”

“Industrializing breakthrough technologies requires advanced expertise in reliable and scalable platforms,” said Bob Fung, President of Automated Industrial Robotics Silicon Valley. “Our partnership combines advanced engineering with U.S. manufacturing capabilities to deliver NANOFABRICATOR® PRO platform to enable next frontiers for future industries.”

ATLANT 3D’s next frontier is to bring self-driving platform capabilities based on NANOFABRICATOR® PRO with integrated metrology and other processing solutions. The company is seeking strategic partners across advanced technologies for growth and expansion to build the next generation of Physical AI.

About ATLANT 3D

ATLANT 3D enables AI-driven materials innovation and atomic-scale manufacturing. Through DALP® technology, the company provides programmable control of matter to transform digital materials design into physical reality, pioneering the Physical AI Infrastructure for Matter.

To learn more about NANOFABRICATOR® PRO, visit www.atlant3d.com/nanofabricator_pro, and ATLANT 3D, visit www.atlant3d.com.

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Colorado River Crisis Deepens as Key Reservoirs Hit Historic Lows

Washington, August 17: The Colorado River water crisis has entered a critical phase, with the river’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, falling to historic lows and growing uncertainty over how the water supply will be shared among the seven US states that depend on the river.

Lake Mead, which supplies water to millions across the US Southwest, recently fell to about 1,040.4 feet above sea level, below its previous record low set in 2022. Lake Powell has also reached a record-low elevation, intensifying concerns over water supplies and hydropower generation.

The Colorado River is a critical source of water for more than 40 million people and supports millions of acres of farmland across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, as well as parts of Mexico. The river’s declining flows are being driven by prolonged drought, extremely low snowpack, rising temperatures and decades of demand exceeding available supplies.

The situation has also raised concerns about electricity generation. Lake Powell’s declining water level is approaching the minimum elevation required for Glen Canyon Dam to generate hydropower. A further decline could threaten a major source of electricity for communities and utilities across the region.

States remain divided over water cuts

The crisis has been compounded by a political deadlock among the seven Colorado River Basin states over a new framework for managing the river after existing operating guidelines expire at the end of 2026.

The states have been unable to reach a consensus on how the burden of water-use reductions should be distributed. The Upper Basin states — Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico — and the Lower Basin states — Arizona, California and Nevada — have sharply different positions on future cuts.

In July, the US government proposed a new 10-year framework that could require substantial reductions in water use, particularly in Arizona, California and Nevada. The proposal could reduce Lower Basin water supplies by as much as 3 million acre-feet annually under certain conditions.

The US Bureau of Reclamation has meanwhile moved ahead with plans for post-2026 river operations. Its final environmental impact statement released in July proposes an adaptive framework for managing Lake Powell and Lake Mead through 2036, allowing operating rules to respond to changing water conditions.

Agriculture and cities face mounting pressure

Agriculture accounts for a substantial share of Colorado River water use, making farmers and irrigation districts central to the debate over future reductions. Urban areas, meanwhile, are investing in conservation, water recycling, groundwater management and other measures to prepare for reduced supplies.

Arizona has already taken steps to use stored water to help utilities manage potential reductions in Colorado River supplies, illustrating the growing importance of water banking and conservation strategies.

The crisis has transformed the Colorado River from a long-term environmental concern into an immediate economic and infrastructure challenge. Decisions taken during the coming months will determine how the river’s limited water is allocated among cities, farms, industries and ecosystems.

With reservoir levels continuing to fall and the existing management framework approaching expiration, the Colorado River Basin faces a defining test: finding a sustainable balance between water demand and a river whose supply is increasingly constrained by a hotter and drier climate.

India’s Manufacturing Future Will Be Built by Engineers Who Understand How the World’s Best Products Are Made

Caresoft Global and Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation (DRIIV) signed a MoU to collaborate for talent development in India by bridging the skill gap.

NEW DELHI, Aug. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Caresoft Global and DRIIV (Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate for talent development in India. The partnership brings global manufacturing and technology intelligence into the Indian engineering, manufacturing, and education sector through a structured industry engagement model. DRIIV operates under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and was established on the recommendation of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). Adroit Technologies Innovative Solutions Pvt. Ltd. joins as Implementation Partner.

India is among the world’s fastest-growing manufacturing economies, moving toward higher-value products and globally integrated supply chains. The industry is shifting quickly toward Electric Vehicles, Software Defined Vehicles, and electronics-intensive product architectures. That shift raises a persistent challenge for long-term competitiveness: developing engineers with real exposure to global manufacturing practices and technology knowhow. Indian institutions produce graduates with strong theoretical foundations, but few students have studied how world-class products are designed, benchmarked, engineered, and improved across their lifecycle.

Prof. Ambuj D. Sagar, Acting CEO, DRIIV, noted that the collaboration addresses a national priority. “India’s manufacturing ambitions will increasingly be shaped by the strength of its engineering capabilities. This initiative creates a collaborative framework through which academia and industry can complement engineering education with exposure to contemporary industrial practice.”

“The Caresoft Global Institute gives engineering institutions a structured model for engaging with industry while preserving the strength of their academic programs,” said Krishna Kumar Gaur, Head, Institutional Relations, DRIIV. “Working with universities, faculty and industry, we aim to build institutional capability that prepares students for the changing expectations of manufacturing and engineering employers.”

At the center of the initiative is Iceberg, Caresoft Global’s engineering benchmarking and technology intelligence platform, which shows how leading OEMs and suppliers make decisions on design, performance, manufacturability, quality, and cost. The collaboration will drive talent upskilling in India by deploying Centers of Excellence across the country and by running focused, multidisciplinary development programs in emerging technology sectors. These include Software Defined Vehicles, Electric Vehicles and new energy mobility, high-voltage battery systems, hybrid systems, automotive electronics, semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data analytics. Adroit Technologies will manage operations of the Centers of Excellence, including faculty enablement, onboarding and delivery across mechanical, automotive, electrical and electronics, manufacturing, industrial engineering, computer science/IT, and AI disciplines.

For Caresoft Global, the goal is accessibility. “Every product tells an engineering story,” said Prideep Subramaniam, VP, APAC, Caresoft Global. “Through Iceberg, the engineering and manufacturing ecosystem in India will study how products are engineered, benchmarked and improved using real manufacturing intelligence. That includes Electric Vehicles, Software Defined Vehicle architectures, and the Electronics and systems behind them. The result is a deeper understanding of the decisions that shape product quality, manufacturability, performance and competitiveness.”

About Caresoft Global

Caresoft Global is a world leader in automotive benchmarking and cost reduction products and programs. Operating worldwide with over eight technology centers, the company benchmarks vehicles and systems and provides competitive insights to the global auto industry. To date, Caresoft Global has identified more than $3.5 billion worth of cost reduction opportunities for the global automotive industry. With this collaboration, the company is bringing that same engineering intelligence to the academic sector.

Marketing and Communications:

marcom@caresoftglobal.com 

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Pracheen Kala Kendra to Present Three-Day Malhaar Utsav in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, August 17: Pracheen Kala Kendra, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will organise the three-day Malhaar Utsav 2026 at Rani Laxmi Bai Hall, Sector 38, Chandigarh, from August 20 to 22.

The festival, themed around “The Magic of Monsoon” and “Timeless Raagas,” will bring together leading Hindustani and Carnatic vocalists for three evenings of classical music. The programmes will begin at 6:30 pm each day.

Dr Sukhminder Kaur Brar, Chairperson of the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, will be the chief guest and inaugurate the festival. The organisers have invited music enthusiasts to attend the programme, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.

The opening evening on August 20 will feature vocal recitals by Vidushi Shubhra Talegaonkar and Vidushi Ronkini Gupta. They will be accompanied by artistes on tabla, harmonium and sarangi.

The August 21 programme will showcase Carnatic vocal recitalist Vidushi Sudha Raghuraman and vocalist Vidushi Dhanashree Pandit Rai. The performances will feature accompaniment on mridangam, flute, tabla and harmonium.

The festival will conclude on August 22 with vocal recitals by Vidushi Ruchira Kedar and Pt Sankumay Debnath, accompanied by tabla and harmonium artistes.

The three-day event is expected to offer Chandigarh’s classical music enthusiasts an opportunity to experience diverse vocal traditions while celebrating the cultural and musical associations of the monsoon season.

The organisers have advised visitors to take their seats before 6:30 pm, with admission being subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hockey World Cup: India Women Hold Olympic Silver Medallists China to 2-2 Draw in Opener

Amstelveen, August 17: The Indian women’s hockey team began its FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with an impressive 2-2 draw against Olympic silver medallists China at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

India made a strong start, with Navneet Kaur putting the team ahead in the eighth minute. China responded through Zhang Ying in the 15th minute to level the score.

India regained the lead in the second quarter when Deepika found the net in the 25th minute, giving her side a 2-1 advantage. China, however, fought back and Ma Ning scored in the 39th minute to restore parity.

Neither side could find a decisive goal in the final quarter, as India held on for a valuable point against the Olympic silver medallists. The result marked a determined performance by the Indian side against one of the strongest teams in women’s hockey.

India will next face South Africa in Pool D as it looks to build on the encouraging opening result and strengthen its position in the tournament.