12, May 2026
BULLET Microdrama App Onboards Saatvik Goel to Boost Growth
India, May 12 : BULLET Microdrama app has announced the onboarding of Saatvik Goel to its leadership team, as it strengthens its focus on scaling the platform and driving growth in India’s emerging microdrama ecosystem.
Saatvik has been appointed by ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. as Executive Vice President – Marketing, New Initiatives, and will work closely with the BULLET Microdrama app team as part of this mandate. With over a decade of experience in scaling startups and new-age platforms, he brings a strong focus on agile, insight-led, and outcome-driven marketing.
In his role, Saatvik will lead marketing and growth for BULLET, focusing on building a distinctive brand, driving user acquisition at scale, and strengthening its position as a destination for short-format, mobile-first storytelling.
Commenting on his new role, Saatvik Goel, said:
“BULLET Microdrama app is building in a space that is at an inflection point globally. The opportunity to shape consumer behaviour and establish a new storytelling format in India is incredibly exciting. I look forward to building a strong brand, driving growth, and making BULLET Microdrama app a daily habit for audiences.”
Welcoming him to the team, Azim Lalani, Co-founder, BULLET Microdrama app, said
“We are excited to have Saatvik join the BULLET Microdrama app leadership team. As a new and evolving format, microdrama demands speed, experimentation, and deep consumer understanding. Saatvik’s experience in scaling new-age platforms will be instrumental in accelerating growth, strengthening our market presence, and helping us build this category in India.”
With Saatvik’s addition, the BULLET Microdrama app is poised to accelerate its growth journey and deepen it connect with India’s digital-first audiences. Alongside his focus on BULLET Microdrama app, he will also oversee marketing for other new initiatives within ZEE’s portfolio, including Hipi, as part of his broader mandate.
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- By Neel Achary
12, May 2026
Hansa Research Group Appoints Pramod Pawar as National Head Quantitative Research
May, 12 : Hansa Research Group, India’s leading consumer insights provider, has elevated Pramod Pawar as National Head Quantitative Research. In his expanded role, he will lead the company’s quantitative research operations across India, with a focus on driving business expansion, strengthening client relationships, and advancing consultative research solutions for brands across industries.
The move comes amid increasing demand for consumer intelligence and analytics-driven business decision-making. Pramod will oversee large-scale quantitative research mandates across sectors including BFSI, FMCG, Retail, Healthcare, Automotive, Technology, and Telecom. His mandate includes leading customised research frameworks spanning brand tracking, segmentation, campaign evaluation, pricing, product testing, and consumer journey studies, while further enhancing delivery excellence and team development across the organisation.
Pramod brings over 20 years of experience in market research and consumer insights across organisations including Kantar, HDFC Life, and Nielsen. Over the past four years at Hansa Research Group, he has served as Quantitative Head West & South, where he played a key role in expanding regional operations, strengthening strategic client mandates, and leading complex multi-category research engagements. He has also been instrumental in building consultative research practices, enhancing operational efficiencies, and mentoring high-performing teams.
Commenting on his elevation, Pramod Pawar, National Head – Quantitative Research, Hansa Research Group, said,
“Hansa Research Group has built a strong legacy of enabling organisations with strategic consumer intelligence and actionable market insights. I am pleased to take on this expanded responsibility at a time when businesses are increasingly focused on leveraging analytics and deeper consumer understanding to drive growth. My focus will be on further strengthening our quantitative research capabilities, fostering long-term client partnerships, and delivering meaningful insights that support informed business decisions.”
Praveen Nijhara, CEO of Hansa Research Group, stated,
“Pramod’s elevation marks an important step in strengthening our quantitative research leadership as we continue to expand our integrated insights and analytics capabilities. His extensive experience in market research, deep understanding of consumer and market dynamics, and ability to lead strategic client engagements have contributed significantly to our growth journey over the years. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen our consultative capabilities and enhance the value we deliver to clients across sectors.”
This move further reinforces Hansa Research’s commitment to delivering high-impact consumer intelligence and strengthening its position as a trusted research and analytics partner for brands across India and global markets.
12, May 2026
NRP Day Celebrated Across Delhi to Boost Newborn Survival
In a landmark nationwide effort to improve newborn survival and strengthen neonatal emergency care, the National Neonatology Forum (NNF) India celebrated NRP Day, with large-scale hands-on skill training programs conducted simultaneously across the country. As part of this historic initiative, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital Model Town, New Delhi actively participated by organizing a Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training session for healthcare professionals.
The initiative marks one of the largest synchronized healthcare training efforts in India and is being led under the leadership of Dr. Lallan Kumar Bharti, with the vision of ensuring that every newborn receives timely and effective resuscitation support at birth.
Newborn mortality continues to remain a significant public health challenge in India. A large proportion of neonatal deaths occur because babies are unable to establish breathing immediately after birth. Medical experts emphasize that the first few minutes after delivery are extremely critical, and timely intervention by trained healthcare providers can prevent many avoidable newborn deaths. Simple, evidence-based resuscitation skills can make the difference between life and death for a newborn.
Recognizing this urgent need, NNF India conceptualized and executed this massive capacity-building initiative across the nation. A total of 998 training courses were conducted nationwide, with participation from nearly 20,000 healthcare providers. These trainings extended beyond metropolitan cities to rural and geographically challenging regions, ensuring wider access to essential newborn care skills.
In Delhi, multiple centres participated in this initiative, significantly contributing toward strengthening neonatal care services in the state. At Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, the training program was coordinated by Dr. Nidhi Gupta, where 21 healthcare professionals received hands-on neonatal resuscitation training.
The trainings were conducted completely free of cost and included healthcare workers from both government and private healthcare sectors. This inclusive approach ensured broader outreach and uniform strengthening of newborn care practices across India.
NNF India played a pivotal role in providing end-to-end support for the planning, coordination, standardization, and execution of the training sessions across all centres, ensuring consistency and quality in the program delivery.
This synchronized nationwide initiative is expected to set a record for conducting the highest number of neonatal resuscitation skill trainings in a single day, marking a historic milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to improve newborn survival rates and strengthen neonatal healthcare services.
12, May 2026
AAEON Adds Two New Embedded AI Systems to its BOXER-865xAI-PLUS Series Featuring NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX with Super Mode
The BOXER-8651AI-PLUS, BOXER-8652AI-PLUS, and BOXER-8653AI-PLUS offer distinct features to bring AI functionality to versatile vertical market segments.
Taipei, Taiwan – May 12: AAEON (Stock Code: 6579), a leading provider of edge AI platforms, today announced the release of the BOXER-8651AI-PLUS and BOXER-8652AI-PLUS, two embedded AI systems powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX module with Super Mode support. The two systems follow the release of the BOXER-8653AI-PLUS back in February 2026, and complete AAEON’s BOXER-865xAI-PLUS series.
Designed to provide users across market segments with the enhanced software stack, greater power consumption flexibility and performance optimization offered by Super Mode with NVIDIA JetPack 6.2 SDK, BOXER-865xAI-PLUS series PCs offer up to 157 TOPS of AI performance. The primary differences between the three systems are their form factors and the functions they offer, which in turn influence the types of deployment scenarios AAEON has positioned them for.
The smallest of the three at 125mm x 90mm x 56mm, the BOXER-8651AI-PLUS is geared towards applications that require high-performance AI inference in space-constrained setups, such as AIoT nodes within the smart building management and retail sectors. As such, the system’s I/O is relatively streamlined, with four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and Gigabit Ethernet joining a DB-9 port for CANBus/ RS-232 and a 10-pin physical DIO header. Despite its compact size, the system maintains a -25°C to 55°C operating temperature range alongside a 12V to 24V power input tolerance.
Also relatively compact at 190mm x 136mm x 75mm, the BOXER-8652AI-PLUS is positioned as a platform for industrial AI applications such as AMR. To host the cameras and sensors required for such solutions, the BOXER-8652AI-PLUS provides two DB-9 ports for CANBus and RS-232/422/485, four USB, and dual RJ-45 LAN. Moreover, the BOXER-8652AI-PLUS includes a box header for out-of-band management support, making it suitable for scaling industrial AMR fleets across factories.
The most advanced of the three, the BOXER-8653AI-PLUS includes four independent PoE LAN ports. As such, AAEON has indicated it is primarily positioned for smart city installations like roadside units and public safety systems. Lending further credence to this is the BOXER-8653AI-PLUS’s out-of-band management and TPM 2.0 support, which AAEON states have been included to enable secure remote device rebooting, diagnostics, and monitoring on the system when it is deployed as part of broader smart infrastructure setups.
The full BOXER-865xAI-PLUS series is now in mass production, with detailed specifications available on the product’s respective pages on the AAEON website. Meanwhile, pricing and ordering information can be obtained via the AAEON eShop or via the contact form on the AAEON website.
12, May 2026
Agoda Reveals the Most Popular Search Filters for 2026: Indian Travelers Favor Choice, Culinary Convenience and Comfort
May 12: Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled its ranking of what Asian travelers prioritize most when searching for accommodation in 2026. Looking at the most-used search filters on its website this year, Agoda reports that Indian travelers consistently prioritize accommodation type, included breakfasts and strong review scores when seeking holiday stays.
At 26% of all filter activity, choice of accommodation type ranked first for Indian traveler searches in 2026, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right stay over all other factors. This places India among the top markets, compared with the Asia-wide average of 19%.
‘Review scores of 7 and above’ rank among the top search criteria for Indian travelers in 2026 constituting 13% of all filter activity reflecting a strong preference for highly rated stays.
Dining and creature comforts drive Indian travel choices
The filter for breakfast-included stays is India’s second-most searched at 14%, reflecting a preference for convenience and value at the start of the day. Dinner-included stays also feature among India’s top 10 search filters, pointing to food as a consideration across the entire day, not just breakfast.
Indian travelers also seek specific creature comforts when choosing stays. Swimming pools and bathtubs both rank among the top 10 search filters for Indian travelers in 2026, reflecting a clear preference for amenities that support relaxation and enhance the overall stay experience.
Indian travelers want flexibility before, during and after the stay
Flexibility across booking, payment and stay options is a clear priority for Indian travelers in 2026. Free cancellation and pay-at-hotel options are featured among the top 10 search filters, highlighting the interest in refundable and on-site payment choices that reduce booking friction.
Other search options that offer flexibility, choice and convenience also feature among the top 10 searches for Indian travelers, including location score (of 9 and above) and car parking facilities. These indicate that travelers are increasingly keen on accommodation that can cater to their diverse preferences, whether this is traveling as a group, driving to their destination, or wanting to be close to public transport and other attractions.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said,
“In 2026, Indian travelers are becoming more intentional in how they choose their stays. Searches show a clear focus on accommodation type, breakfast-included options and highly rated properties, alongside flexible booking features such as pay-at-hotel and free cancellation. It is not just about availability, but about finding the right fit. Agoda’s easy-to-use search filters and wide range of accommodation choices, amenities, locations and more enable travelers to find the perfect stay based on individual needs and wants.”
With over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda enables travelers to plan and combine every part of their journey in one place. Running from 7 May to 21 May, Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with a special flash sale of up to 70% on 19 May and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 3 May to 6 May. Discover more on Agoda’s mobile app or at Agoda.com.
12, May 2026
“Samsung Introduces ‘Certified Re-Newed’ Programme in India to Expand Access to Premium Galaxy Devices”
Hyderabad, May 12: Samsung India today announced the launch of its ‘Certified Re-Newed’ programme in India, aimed at making premium Galaxy smartphones more accessible through a trusted, company-backed refurbished device offering.
The programme brings refurbished Galaxy devices, including flagship and mid-range models, to consumers at more affordable price points while maintaining Samsung’s standards for quality, reliability, security, and user experience.
The introduction of the Certified Re-Newed programme reflects Samsung’s continued focus on expanding access to premium technology, promoting more sustainable product lifecycles, and strengthening consumer trust in the refurbished smartphone category.
“At Samsung, we are focused on expanding access to our technology while maintaining the quality and reliability that consumers expect from Galaxy devices. The Certified Re-Newed programme reflects this approach by offering a trusted pathway to premium experiences at more accessible price points,” said Sumit Walia.
Under the Certified Re-Newed programme, all devices undergo a comprehensive in-house refurbishment process, including detailed inspection, functional testing, and software validation. Devices are restored using genuine Samsung parts and packaged in new boxes to ensure a premium experience for customers.
Each device is reset to ensure complete data removal and is updated with the latest software, supporting long-term usability and enhanced security. Certified Re-Newed devices will also come with a one-year manufacturer warranty, aligned with the coverage offered on new Galaxy smartphones.
With this initiative, Samsung aims to make premium Galaxy experiences more widely available while supporting responsible consumption and sustainability in the technology ecosystem.
12, May 2026
Epson named CitySwitch Champion for third consecutive year
Recognising ongoing commitment to sustainability and carbon management
SYDNEY, May 12– Epson Australia has been recognised as a CitySwitch Champion for the third consecutive year, affirming the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability leadership, carbon management and practical climate action across its Australian operations.
(l-r) Epson Australia’s environment and sustainability manager Fatida Un and North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker
The CitySwitch Awards celebrate businesses demonstrating genuine progress in areas such as emissions tracking, waste reduction, sustainable procurement and staff engagement.
Epson was formally honoured at the North Sydney Council Champion Lunch with the award presented by North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker.
This achievement reflects Epson’s sustained commitment to transparency, data-driven carbon reduction and continuous environmental improvement.
CitySwitch is Australia’s flagship decarbonisation program for businesses. Run by council partners and NABERS, the initiative supports office-based organisations to measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint on the path to net zero emissions.
Since joining CitySwitch as a signatory in 2023, Epson has reported annually on energy use, emissions and waste across its five Australian workplaces and built a robust foundation for long-term carbon management.
Key achievements to date include:
• Transitioning all Australia and New Zealand offices to 100% renewable electricity
• Reducing landfill waste at its primary warehouse facility by more than half compared with FY2023 levels
• Shifting inbound freight from road to rail, cutting logistics-related emissions
• Developing a full Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions framework, aligning local goals with Epson’s global science-based targets
• Enhancing energy efficiency at its Sydney head office, reducing overall electricity use
• Improving recycling processes across its Sydney offices and the recyclability of consumer product packaging
While continued emissions reduction remains a priority, Epson is equally focused on building robust systems, data quality and organisational capability to support meaningful, long-term progress.
Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director, Epson Australia and New Zealand said, “Being recognised for a third time as a CitySwitch Champion is a valued acknowledgement of the commitment and hard work of our teams across Australia. It reinforces our approach of connecting sustainability to everyday decisions from how we source electricity and manage waste, to how we design systems and ship products. Every improvement brings us closer to a low-carbon future.”
The annual CitySwitch Champions Forum also brings together participants to share practical insights into carbon management. This year, Epson presented on building a practical approach to carbon tracking, drawing from its own journey of “progress over perfection”. This includes:
• Starting with the data already available
• Focusing on key emissions hotspots
• Connecting reduction efforts directly to business priorities
• Maintaining steady momentum through collaboration and knowledge sharing
By applying this pragmatic approach, Epson continues to strengthen its operational sustainability while supporting the company’s broader global target of achieving carbon negativity and underground resource-free status by 2050.
Epson’s recognition as a three-time CitySwitch Champion demonstrates its leadership as an innovation-driven manufacturer that embeds sustainability into products and operations alike.
Through collaborations like CitySwitch, the company continues its commitment to act decisively on its decarbonisation journey.
Learn more about sustainability at Epson Australia here: https://www.epson.com.au/
Founded in 2005, CitySwitch initially focused on office energy efficiency before expanding to help businesses integrate broader sustainability practices — including waste reduction, green procurement and Scope 3 emissions management.
12, May 2026
Kafka Media Group Wins 2026 Communicator Award for Soft-Analytics®
The boutique marketing firm is recognized for its trademarked approach to interpreting marketing and communications impact through human-centered analysis
ORLANDO, FL (May 12) – Kafka Media Group, an integrated marketing firm, has been named a winner in the 32nd Annual Communicator Awards for its proprietary Soft-Analytics® methodology, recognizing the agency’s innovation in modern communications strategy and marketing intelligence.
Presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, the Communicator Awards honor excellence and innovation across the communications industry, with thousands of entries submitted annually by agencies, organizations, and brands worldwide.
Soft-Analytics® is Kafka Media Group’s trademarked methodology that combines traditional performance metrics with human insight, strategic interpretation, and contextual analysis to help clients better understand the true impact of their marketing and communications efforts.
“Soft-Analytics® was built around a simple idea: data alone cannot tell the full story,” said Pierce Kafka, CEO & Creative Director of Kafka Media Group. “In a communications landscape increasingly shaped by automation and AI-generated content, interpretation, strategy, and context matter more than ever. This recognition validates the importance of understanding not just what happened in a campaign, but why it mattered.”
Unlike traditional reporting that focuses solely on impressions or mentions, Soft-Analytics® evaluates the context, sentiment, momentum, and strategic value behind media coverage and audience engagement.
Kafka Media Group officially trademarked Soft-Analytics® in 2025 as part of its broader effort to redefine how communications impact is evaluated and interpreted. The methodology has been applied across its integrated marketing and publicity campaigns, helping clients translate visibility into actionable strategic growth.
“This recognition reinforces what we believe the industry is moving toward: smarter measurement, stronger storytelling, and more strategic interpretation of what drives real influence,” Kafka added.
12, May 2026
CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 Likely Today; Students Await Official Announcement !
New Delhi, May 12 (BNP): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to announce the Class 12 Board Examination Results 2026 today, creating huge anticipation among lakhs of students and parents across the country. Although the board has not officially confirmed the exact date and time, a recent post by DigiLocker indicating “CBSE Class XII Results 2026 Coming Soon on DigiLocker” has strengthened speculation about today’s declaration.
As per reports, CBSE will not hold any press conference for the result announcement this year. Instead, students will be able to access their results online through multiple official platforms including cbse.gov.in, results.cbse.nic.in, cbseresults.nic.in, DigiLocker, UMANG app, and SMS services.
The CBSE Class 12 examinations were conducted from February 17 to April 10, 2026, in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM across India and at overseas examination centres.
Students are advised to keep their admit cards ready to avoid last-minute inconvenience while checking scores. Candidates can log in using their roll number, school number, admit card ID, and date of birth.
Students who have not yet activated their DigiLocker accounts can do so by visiting the DigiLocker portal, selecting “Get Started,” entering the access code provided by their respective schools, and verifying their mobile number through OTP authentication.
With no official result tab activated yet on cbseresults.nic.in, students continue to refresh official websites eagerly as the expected announcement window approaches.
12, May 2026
Palomar Medical Center Poway Earns an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group
Spring 2026 Safety Grade is a national recognition for commitment to patient safety
ESCONDIDO, CA — May 12, 2026 — Palomar Medical Center Poway earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections.
“This recognition from The Leapfrog Group underscores the exceptional standard of care our team delivers and affirms our unwavering commitment to patient safety,” said Diane Hansen, President and CEO of Palomar Health. “As we continue to thoughtfully reimagine the healthcare experience, innovation and the well-being of our patients will always be at the heart of everything we do.”
“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that Palomar Medical Center Poway is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in this distinction.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
