Geopolitical shifts, technology disruptions reshaping risk landscape for organisations – IIA Calcutta Chapter

 Kolkata, March 14: Geopolitical developments, economic volatility, rapid digitalisation, cyber threats, evolving regulatory expectations and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are reshaping the global risk landscape for organisations, posing new challenges for traditional governance and control systems.

Against this backdrop, internal auditors are playing an increasingly strategic role in helping organisations anticipate risks and strengthen governance frameworks, a theme that was highlighted at the Annual Conference 2026 of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) India – Calcutta Chapter held on March 14. The event brought together internal audit professionals, risk practitioners and industry leaders to deliberate on the expanding role of internal audit in strengthening corporate governance.

The conference was formally inaugurated by Mr. Krishnan Venugopal, President, IIA India. The inaugural session was graced by Mr. Neeraj Bansal, Head – India Global, KPMG, as the Chief Guest, who shared perspectives on evolving global risks, board expectations, and the importance of resilient control frameworks.

“India is no longer an isolated economy. Businesses today operate across multiple geographies and are influenced by global geopolitical developments, cyber risks and rapidly evolving technologies. In such an environment, internal auditors are expected to continuously monitor these risks and help organisations strengthen their governance and control frameworks,” said Abin Mukhopadhyay, President, IIA India – Calcutta chapter.

The conference was centred on the theme “Internal Audit: Control – Risk – Governance and Beyond,” reflecting the rapidly expanding scope and strategic relevance of internal audit in today’s complex and interconnected global environment.

Mukhopadhyay noted that the internal audit function has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. While internal auditors were traditionally focused on verifying transactions and ensuring compliance, they are expected to assess emerging risks, strengthen governance systems, and play a broader role in the holistic growth of an organisation now adopting a risk-based approach.

“At the same time, technology itself is emerging as a major risk area. Fraudsters are increasingly using sophisticated tools to generate fake documentation or launch phishing attacks. Organisations therefore need stronger controls and continuous monitoring mechanisms to protect themselves,” Mukhopadhyay said.

He also emphasised the need for specialised professionals and sustained reskilling as the risk environment evolves rapidly.

“The pace of change has accelerated dramatically. Earlier technology cycles evolved over a decade, today they can shift within months. This makes continuous learning and professional training essential for internal auditors to remain effective,” he observed.

The conference brought together experts from all over India who spoke on the paradigm shift of internal audit from compliance assurance to a strategic advisory role.

The technical sessions explored how internal audit must evolve beyond traditional assurance roles to become forward-looking, insight-driven partners to management and Boards. There were two panel discussions which were chaired by Industry and Professional firm experts, and was hugely appreciated by participants.

A souvenir is also published on this occasion with articles from eminent professional experts, under the editorship of Mr. Suman Chaudhuri , Past President and BOG Member . 

Technology shouldn’t control us; instead, we should control technology – Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad

Hyderabad, March 14: The 25th edition of the annual R&D Showcase of the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad began on Saturday at the institute’s Gachibowli campus. The two-day flagship event, which concludes on Sunday, has grown into one of the most anticipated research exhibitions, bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and students to explore advances in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, algorithms, robotics and digital public infrastructure.

The R&D Showcase is the institute’s major annual exhibition where faculty and students present their latest research projects, prototypes and innovations to academia, industry and the public.

Themed “Trust in Technology – Security, Privacy and Transparency,” the event features over 400 research posters, demos and prototypes from 29 research centres, enabling visitors to interact directly with researchers and witness how fundamental research is translated into real-world applications.

The programme included spotlight sessions by the Centre for Security, Theory and Algorithmic Research (CSTAR) and the Cyber Manthan Centre (CMC), an inaugural keynote by Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and a panel discussion on “Building Trust in the Indian Cyberspace: Privacy, Security and Transparency in the Era of Emerging Technologies.”

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Kalyanaraman said the ANRF serves as India’s primary organisation for funding and supporting research, similar to the National Science Foundation in the United States. Established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, it replaces the earlier Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).

He highlighted several funding opportunities for universities and colleges, noting that ANRF aims to strengthen India’s research ecosystem by supporting scientific and technological research across institutions. The foundation promotes collaboration between academia, industry and government, strengthens research culture in universities—particularly state universities—and supports high-impact research in fields such as artificial intelligence, space, healthcare, climate science and engineering.

Dr Kalyanaraman also shared plans for several upcoming mission-mode programmes under the MAHA (Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas) framework, including MAHA Drones, MAHA G, MAHA Water, and MAHA Leapfrog Demonstrators for Social Innovation. These initiatives aim to address national challenges through collaborative research involving universities, industry and government laboratories, focusing on areas such as drone technologies, next-generation communication systems including 6G, sustainable water management and socially impactful innovations in healthcare, energy and education.

Prof. Sandeep K. Shukla, Director of IIIT Hyderabad, said: “The R&D Showcase reflects the spirit of inquiry and innovation that drives IIIT Hyderabad. It is encouraging to see our researchers engaging with industry, policymakers and the wider public to translate research into meaningful societal impact.”

Emphasising the theme of the event, he added: “Technology shouldn’t control us; instead, we should control technology.”

A panel discussion on “Building Trust in the Indian Cyberspace: Privacy, Security and Transparency in the Era of Emerging Technologies” was moderated by Girish Varma of IIIT Hyderabad.

The panellists included: P. R. Lakshmi Eswari, Centre Head, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad; Krishna Sastry Pendyala, Partner – Cybersecurity, Ernst & Young; Deepak Kumar, Director, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology; M. V. Panduranga Rao, Centre for Cryptography and Cybersecurity, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

The discussion highlighted critical concerns around cybersecurity and digital trust. Dr Lakshmi Eswari noted that security is often treated as a secondary priority during product design, rather than being integrated from the outset. Prof. Panduranga Rao pointed to a significant shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and emphasised the gap between academic curricula and industry requirements.

Krishna Sastry Pendyala highlighted the scale of cybercrime in India, noting that financial losses from cyber threats run into tens of thousands of crores annually and that major breaches—such as the theft of hundreds of millions of medical records—raise serious concerns about data security and digital trust. The panel stressed the need for greater awareness, stronger cybersecurity frameworks, skilled manpower and a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy.

Alongside exhibits in AI, robotics, data science and cybersecurity, the showcase hosted industry–research confluence sessions on themes such as Cybersecurity and Privacy in the AI Era and AI for Theory and Theory for AI, a startup showcase and an industry roundtable on Agentic AI.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is an autonomous self-driving wheelchair, designed to enhance mobility for persons with disabilities. Equipped with 3D LiDAR for environmental perception and powered by Jetson Orin running ROS2, the wheelchair enables intelligent navigation with minimal user input. Advanced path planning and obstacle-avoidance systems allow safe and efficient movement in diverse environments.

Visitors also saw innovative robotics projects such as flapping-wing robots and spin drones, alongside architectural models demonstrating traditional earthquake-resilient housing systems such as Kath Kuni houses of Himachal Pradesh, Adobe houses of Rajasthan, and Ikra houses of Assam.

These models illustrate how traditional Indian architecture used local materials and ingenious construction techniques to build earthquake-resilient homes long before modern engineering technologies existed. Kath Kuni houses, for example, use alternating layers of wood and stone that absorb seismic shocks; Adobe structures rely on thick mud-brick walls that distribute stress; and Ikra houses use flexible bamboo frameworks that sway during earthquakes rather than collapse.

Sunday’s programme will feature Excitement of Research (ExOR), introducing visiting undergraduate students to research pathways, and a Faculty Futures Roundtable on research funding. The event will conclude with a patent felicitation ceremony at Research Street, recognising IIIT Hyderabad researchers for their innovation and intellectual property contributions. The institute has received over 70 patents.

Now in its 25th year, the R&D Showcase has evolved into one of the institute’s flagship platforms for presenting cutting-edge research and fostering collaboration between academia, industry and government

300 plus industries and students of several colleges are expected to visit and interact with students behind those research projects. 

BCCI to Honour Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid, and Mithali Raj at Naman Awards 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will celebrate cricketing excellence at the Naman Awards 2026, scheduled for Sunday, 15 March 2026, in New Delhi. The annual ceremony recognises outstanding contributions across international, domestic, and age-group cricket while honouring individuals who have shaped the growth of the sport in India.

This year, Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid will be conferred with the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the BCCI’s highest honour for outstanding service to Indian cricket. Mithali Raj will receive the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women, recognising her extraordinary impact on the growth and global stature of women’s cricket in India.

A key member of India’s historic 1983 World Cup-winning team, Roger Binny played a pivotal role as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker and later contributed as coach, national selector, and BCCI President from 2022 to 2025. His decades-long dedication to Indian cricket across playing, mentoring, and administrative roles makes him a fitting recipient of this top honour.

Rahul Dravid, celebrated for his technical mastery, resilience, and leadership, accumulated over 24,000 international runs and played a central role in India’s batting line-up for more than a decade. Post-retirement, he has shaped India’s cricketing future as Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and through mentoring youth teams, including guiding the Under-19 squad to ICC tournament victories.

Mithali Raj, one of the greatest women cricketers in history, has inspired generations with her skill, leadership, and contribution to India’s success on the global stage. The award recognises her transformative impact on women’s cricket in the country.

The Naman Awards 2026 will honour these legends for their enduring contributions to Indian cricket, celebrating careers marked by excellence, leadership, and lasting influence.

India Ensures Safe Transit for Key LPG Tankers Through Strategic Strait of Hormuz

Pic Credit: Pexel

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following the US-Israel conflict, Indian-flagged LPG tankers have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz with the support of the Indian Navy. The LPG tanker Shivalik has crossed the strait safely, while the second vessel, Nanda Devi, has also exited the strategically important shipping route without incident.

Government sources confirmed that Shivalik is currently being escorted by Indian naval ships and is expected to reach an Indian port, likely Mumbai or Kandla, within the next two days. The tanker has reached open waters and is sailing securely under naval guidance.

The Nanda Devi, carrying over 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a critical component of India’s energy supply chain. Both vessels are being closely monitored by Indian naval assets to ensure safe passage through the sensitive waters of the Strait of Hormuz.

This development follows high-level discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding the uninterrupted flow of goods and energy in the region.

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, confirmed that Indian ships could expect safe passage through the strait, emphasizing the longstanding regional ties between India and Iran. “India is our friend. We believe that Iran and India share common interests in the region,” Fathali said, highlighting Iran’s willingness to facilitate transit for Indian vessels amid the crisis.

The statements come after Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi noted that Tehran had allowed ships from certain countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait remains one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, handling around 20 percent of global oil and gas exports.

India’s Ministry of Ports and Shipping confirmed that the number of Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf remains at 28, with all ships and crew being actively monitored for safety and security.

The safe transit of Shivalik and Nanda Devi underscores India’s commitment to maintaining energy supply lines and safeguarding its maritime assets amid regional instability.

Air India and Air India Express Maintain Extensive Services to Jeddah and Muscat

Air India and Air India Express will operate a combined 80 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the West Asia region on 14 March, the airline group announced.

The airlines will continue their regular services to Jeddah and Muscat. On this day, a total of 10 flights are scheduled to Jeddah, while Air India Express will operate 8 flights to Muscat.

As part of the schedule, Air India will fly one round-trip from Delhi and two round-trips from Mumbai to Jeddah. Air India Express will operate one round-trip each from Kozhikode and Mangaluru to Jeddah.

These operations aim to maintain seamless connectivity between India and key West Asian destinations, serving both regular travelers and those on additional non-scheduled flights.