14, May 2026
Dharmendra Pradhan Emphasises IIMs’ Role in Building Viksit Bharat
New Delhi, May 14 (BNP): Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the crucial role of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in building a “Viksit Bharat” and strengthening India’s global leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship and management education.
Addressing a programme, the minister said IIMs have emerged as centres of excellence and are playing a significant role in nurturing future leaders, job creators and policy thinkers for the country.
He stressed the need for academic institutions to align with the vision of a developed India by promoting research, innovation, skill development and industry-oriented learning. Pradhan also underlined the importance of preparing students to meet emerging global challenges and contribute towards nation-building.
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- By Neel Achary
14, May 2026
PanIIT Alumni India and GoK to organise day-long PanIIT Bangalore Summit 2026 on May 16
14, May 2026
Andhra CM Reduces Official Convoy Following PM Modi’s Fuel-Saving Appeal
Move aimed at promoting fuel conservation amid rising global energy concerns and West Asia tensions.
Amaravati, May 14 (BNP): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has reduced the number of vehicles in his official convoy from 12 to four in a move aimed at promoting fuel conservation amid the ongoing West Asia crisis and rising global fuel prices.
On Thursday, the Chief Minister travelled from his residence in Undavalli to the Secretariat with a significantly smaller convoy, drawing attention to the state government’s efforts towards responsible energy consumption.
The decision comes following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to adopt fuel-saving measures, including greater use of public transport, carpooling and electric vehicles. Addressing a gathering in Secunderabad earlier this week, Modi had described responsible energy use as a form of patriotism during challenging global circumstances.
Officials said the Andhra Pradesh government intends to encourage efficient fuel usage and minimise unnecessary expenditure through such symbolic initiatives.
14, May 2026
PM Modi’s UAE Visit Gains Significance Amid West Asia Crisis
New Delhi, May 14 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday is being viewed as a major diplomatic engagement amid the ongoing crisis and rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold high-level talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to further strengthen the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
According to reports, discussions are expected to focus on defence cooperation, energy security, maritime stability, trade resilience and regional security concerns amid fears of disruption to global supply chains and shipping routes in the Gulf region.
Energy cooperation is likely to remain a key agenda item, with both nations expected to discuss long-term crude oil and LNG supply arrangements, strategic petroleum reserves and alternative logistics mechanisms to minimise the impact of regional instability.
India and the UAE are also expected to deepen defence collaboration under a proposed Strategic Defence Partnership framework, covering areas such as cybersecurity, maritime security, intelligence-sharing, counter-terrorism and defence manufacturing.
Officials and analysts believe the visit highlights the rapidly expanding India-UAE relationship, which has evolved beyond traditional energy ties into a comprehensive strategic partnership involving trade, infrastructure, fintech, renewable energy, digital technology and investment cooperation.
The welfare of the large Indian diaspora in the UAE is also expected to figure prominently in the discussions. The UAE hosts more than 4.5 million Indians and remains one of India’s most important economic and strategic partners in the Gulf region.
14, May 2026
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot to Inaugurate PanIIT Bangalore Summit 2026, India’s Flagship AI & Deep Tech Leadership Summit
Bengaluru, May 14: PanIIT Bangalore Summit 2026, presented by the Government of Karnataka and convened by Pan IIT Alumni India Association, will be inaugurated by Honourable Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot on May 16 at Taj Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru. Positioned as India’s flagship AI and deep–tech leadership summit, the event will bring together 2,000+ delegates, including 250+ founders, 120+ investors, and participants from across the global IIT ecosystem of 500,000+ alumni across 23 IITs.
The summit, under the theme “Sovereignty in Technology,” comes at a time when India’s position in the global innovation economy is under sharper scrutiny. The concept note says India produces nearly 16% of global AI talent but spends just 0.7% of GDP on R&D, creating a gap between the depth of its talent and its ownership of technology. It argues that while India continues to supply skilled engineers to the world’s leading technology powers, the country must now build stronger capabilities in foundational technologies, infrastructure, and scientific research.
Bengaluru, the host city, is central to that conversation. The concept note describes Karnataka and Bengaluru as the epicentre of India’s technology ambitions, citing the state’s position among India’s top GDP-contributing states and Bengaluru’s role as the country’s leading hub for venture capital investment. It traces the city’s technology journey through multiple waves, beginning with public-sector and strategic institutions such as HAL, NAL, BHEL and DRDO, followed by the rise of IT services leaders such as Infosys, TCS, HCL and Wipro, the consumer-tech wave, and the product and SaaS wave. The current phase, it says, is the fifth wave: deep technology, artificial intelligence and scientific innovation.
The summit has been designed as a platform for execution rather than discussion alone. According to the materials, the programme will include high-level plenaries, deep-dive panels and parallel tracks across AI, defence, semiconductors, energy, mobility and healthcare. A curated pitch-a-thon will connect high-potential startups with 200+ venture capitalists, while 10,000+ participants of hackathon will tackle real-world challenges sourced directly from the Government of Karnataka, with the best solutions considered for real deployment at scale in the state.
The speaker lineup brings together leaders from government, science, business and the startup ecosystem. Confirmed participants include Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of ANRF and former CEO of India AI Mission, Venkat Padmanabhan of Microsoft Research India, Irina Ghose of Anthropic India, Vidit Aatrey of Meesho, Harsh Jain of Groww, Tarun Mehta of Ather Energy, Phani Kishan Addepalli of Swiggy, Pawan Kumar Chandana of Skyroot Aerospace, and Bharat Goenka of Tally Solutions.
The Government of Bihar will be sending two MLAs to participate in this mega event. Shri Ruhail Ranjan, MLA, Bihar, a technocrat and social worker, said that the Government of Bihar would like to host a similar event in the future to showcase the state’s development and opportunities.
Mr Prabhat Kumar, Chairman (IRS), Pan IIT Alumni Association, said, “The future global economy will be shaped by nations that control AI capability, compute infrastructure, and deep–tech ecosystems. India cannot remain only a consumer of global technology. It must become a producer of globally influential innovation.”
General Secretary Mr. Ashok Kumar said, “The countries that will lead the next global economic cycle will be those that convert research into execution. India has the demographic advantage, entrepreneurial energy, and technological capability. What we need now is stronger collaboration between industry, research, startups, and policy.”
Summit Chair Neeraj Kumar said, “Bengaluru showed the world that Indian talent can build globally respected technology enterprises. This summit aims to deepen that momentum by creating partnerships that move beyond discussion into investment, deployment, and long-term innovation.”
Pan IIT Alumni India is the national federation representing over 500,000 IIT graduates across 23 IITs, with a global presence in 27 countries. Established in 2002, it has evolved into a nation‑building institution, linking talent with government, industry, and academia. Through the Pan Pre-eventIIT Alumni Foundation, it has built one of India’s largest vocational and livelihood education networks in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development and KVIC. Aligned with the Viksit Bharat Abhiyan, PanIIT drives initiatives in AI, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and skill development, positioning IIT alumni as a strategic resource for India’s innovation decade.
14, May 2026
Jammu Border Village Families Switch to Traditional Stoves to Save Fuel !
Jammu, May 14 (BNP): Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel amid rising global crude oil prices and the ongoing West Asia conflict, nearly 40 families in Gajansu village near the International Border in Jammu have switched to traditional stoves for cooking.
Women in the village were seen preparing chapattis and vegetables on mud stoves using firewood and cow dung cakes, reviving an age-old cooking practice to reduce dependence on LPG and other fuels.
Residents said the initiative was aimed at supporting the country during challenging times and promoting fuel conservation. Villagers also urged people across the nation to adopt similar practices and use resources responsibly.
Many women in the village said food cooked on traditional stoves is healthier and more natural compared to gas-cooked food. They also pointed out that the ash produced from the stoves can be reused for household purposes such as cleaning utensils.
Locals recalled how the village had collectively followed government guidelines during the Covid-19 lockdown and said they were once again united in responding to the Prime Minister’s appeal.
Some residents also encouraged people to adopt carpooling and other fuel-saving measures, stressing the importance of public cooperation during periods of economic and global uncertainty.
14, May 2026
Trump Holds Summit Talks With Xi Jinping During China Visit
Beijing, May 14 (BNP): US President Donald Trump held high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday as both leaders began a series of meetings and diplomatic engagements scheduled over two days.
Trump received a grand ceremonial welcome in the Chinese capital, including a gun salute, performances by cheering schoolchildren and a visit to the historic 15th-century Temple of Heaven.
The US President is accompanied by several prominent business leaders and officials during the visit, including Elon Musk, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and Trump’s son Eric Trump.
The summit discussions are expected to focus on trade relations, technology cooperation, global security issues and economic partnerships amid evolving geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
14, May 2026
Tamil Nadu Govt Hikes DA by 2 pc for Employees and Teachers
Chennai, May 14 (BNP): The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday announced a 2 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees and teachers with retrospective effect from January 1, 2026.
According to an official statement, the DA has been revised from 58 per cent to 60 per cent, benefiting nearly 16 lakh government employees, teachers, pensioners and family pensioners across the state.
The government said the decision would place an additional financial burden of around ₹1,230 crore on the state exchequer. The administration stated that government employees and teachers play a crucial role in implementing welfare-oriented programmes and ensuring effective public service delivery.
The move is expected to provide financial relief to employees and pensioners amid rising living costs and inflation.
14, May 2026
HDFC Life collaborates with the Kolkata Knight Riders to spread the message of financial preparedness
Mumbai, May 14: HDFC Life, one of India’s most trusted and leading life insurers, has launched the campaign ‘Kal Ka Plan’. The campaign is aimed at highlighting the importance of being financially prepared with life insurance solutions offered by HDFC Life, and will be propagated through digital avenues. It has been launched across India leveraging the on-going cricket season and HDFC Life’s association with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Speaking on the campaign, Pritika Shah – Head – Marketing, HDFC Life – commented, “Driving deeper connect and affinity amongst audiences at a mass scale has been a core focus area for us. The digital campaign leverages on our association with the Kolkata Knight Riders and presents relatable cricket-based scenarios to explain the benefits of being financially prepared. We trust that this will resonate with audiences and encourage them to take their first step towards financial security, thereby ensuring a life of pride for their families.”
14, May 2026
CyberPower expands rack power portfolio with PDU models for modern IT infrastructure
SYDNEY, May 14 – Global power protection specialist CyberPower Systems has enhanced its Power Distribution Units (PDUs) range in Australia with new models designed to meet growing demand for reliable, high‑density rack power distribution in today’s data‑driven environments.
The new PDU41004, PDU41005,
CyberPower PDUs are designed for today’s high‑density, high‑demand environments. As server racks become more densely populated and edge computing deployments expand, modern IT environments need dependable, space‑efficient power delivery that minimises complexity. The new PDU models address this directly, offering reliable rack power for comms rooms, network cabinets and data‑centre racks.
CyberPower Systems Oceania GM ANZ Robert Hartvigsen said, “Our new PDU models deliver dependable, consistent rack power that just works. They are engineered for simplicity, reliability and seamless integration with UPS systems, giving IT teams confidence in their rack infrastructure.”
The four new PDU models provide a trusted solution for growing equipment density, pairing compact design with single‑phase input support and durable metal construction.
For scalable operations, new 32‑amp variants offer higher load capacities across wider network deployments.
Key features and advantages
The PDU41004, PDU41005,
Core specifications include:
• Rack‑mountable design optimised for space efficiency
• Multiple IEC output sockets for server and network hardware
• Robust metal housing for durability
• Reliable single‑phase power distribution
• Compatibility with the CyberPower UPS ecosystem
• Support for higher‑capacity 32‑amp configurations for scaling environments
Product features and highlights include:
• Seamless pairing with CyberPower UPS solutions
• Reliable distribution for business‑critical equipment
• Compact and rugged rack design
• Strong value without compromising quality
• Ideal for comms cabinets, data centres and edge sites
Customers across professional IT, MSP and enterprise environments are facing increasing rack equipment density and tighter turnaround expectations. These PDUs provide simple, dependable power distribution which is ideal when intelligent switching is unnecessary but quality and operational reliability are critical. Also, by aligning with CyberPower’s UPS range, the new models enable standardised, end‑to‑end rack power infrastructure, simplifying procurement and long‑term maintenance.
For systems integrators and resellers, the family also broadens the ability to offer complete rack power packages under a single, trusted brand, strengthening CyberPower’s position in the power ecosystem.
For CyberPower, the new models strengthen its reputation as a complete rack power infrastructure provider, not just a UPS vendor.
In short, for customers, the new PDUs mean more consistent, reliable rack power distribution, simplified sourcing and deployment, scalable 32‑amp options for higher‑load environments and confidence in globally recognised power protection technology.
Robert Hartvigsen concluded, “By combining trusted reliability with scalable design, our PDUs help partners and customers build better‑performing, more consistent infrastructure.”
The new CyberPower PDU41004, PDU41005, PDU44004, and PDU44005 are available now through authorised CyberPower distributors and resellers.
