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May 8: Samsung has announced the launch of the fifth edition of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, its flagship innovation and education programme designed to empower India’s next generation of young innovators to build technology-driven solutions for real-world challenges.

As Samsung marks 30 years in India, the company is significantly expanding the scale and ambition of the programme, reinforcing its long-term commitment to India’s innovation ecosystem and the vision of #DigitalIndia.

In line with this ambition, the 2026 edition will provide incubation grants worth INR 2 crore to the top four winning teams, enabling them to further develop and scale their ideas through incubation support at IIT Delhi. In addition, the top 20 teams will receive INR 20 lakh, while the top 40 teams will be awarded INR 8 lakh along with Samsung devices and mentorship support.

“We are proud to have been a trusted partner in the country’s digital and innovation journey over the last 30 years, contributing to a growing culture of innovation led by its youth. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has evolved into a strong platform for nurturing young innovators and enabling a pipeline of emerging startups addressing real-world challenges. With the 2026 edition, we are taking innovation deeper into Bharat—more than doubling our outreach to schools and expanding access for young changemakers. In its fifth year, the programme reflects our sustained commitment to India’s innovation journey, while strengthening the ecosystem through design thinking, skilling, industry exposure, and start-up support, in alignment with the vision of #DigitalIndia,” said JB Park, President & CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

This year’s programme invites students aged 14–22 to submit ideas across four themes — AI Living for India, Health & Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport & Tech — reflecting the growing role of technology in building a smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready India.

The six-month programme will provide thousands of participants access to hands-on prototyping support, investor connects, expert mentorship, immersive workshops, and extensive training designed to help transform ideas into scalable solutions.

Industry, Academia, and Government Come Together

“Bharat is being shaped by a new generation of young innovators who are solving for the world as well. Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, we see early-stage ideas being nurtured into viable solutions with the potential to scale. Such initiatives strengthen the pipeline of future entrepreneurs and innovators,” said Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. 

“We believe that young students can find innovative solutions to local, regional and global problems. Our continuing collaboration with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow enables students to access deep-tech mentorship, interdisciplinary research and prototyping support. This initiative reflects how academia and industry together can accelerate innovation that addresses both national priorities and global challenges,” said Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi. 

“India’s journey towards a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy depends on how effectively we nurture scientific temper and problem-solving skills among our youth. Platforms like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow play an important role in encouraging young people to apply science and technology to solve real-world challenges aligned with national priorities,” said Dr. Sapna Poti, Director, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Programme Journey: From Ideas to Impact

Applications for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 will remain open from May 7 to July 3, 2026. During this phase, Samsung will conduct 100 design-thinking workshops across schools and colleges nationwide to equip participants with foundational problem-solving and ideation skills.

Following the application phase, the top 100 teams 25 from each theme will be shortlisted for expert-led online training and mentorship. After a video pitch round, 40 teams will advance to the next stage, with 10 teams selected from each theme.

Exposure to World-Class Innovation Ecosystems

Semi-finalists will participate in intensive mentoring sessions with Samsung leaders and industry experts, alongside curated visits to Samsung’s R&D centres in Bengaluru, Noida, and Delhi and Head Office offering first-hand exposure to world-class innovation ecosystems.

Participants will also undergo an immersive prototyping programme and residential bootcamp designed to refine ideas and prepare teams for the final stage of the competition.

The top 20 teams — five from each theme — will advance to the grand finale and participate in investor meets, pitch presentations, and mentoring sessions with Samsung experts.

Awards, Grants, and Incubation Support

• Top 100 teams: Certificates of achievement
• Top 40 teams: INR 8 lakh and Samsung laptops for every member
• Top 20 teams: INR 20 lakh and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip smartphones for every member
• Special Awards: Digital Impact Award and Community Choice Award with a combined prize pool of INR 2.5 lakh
• Top 4 winning teams: Incubation grants worth INR 2 crore at IIT Delhi 

A Global Platform for Young Changemakers

First launched in the US in 2010, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is now operational in 68 countries and has engaged more than 3 million young people.

May 8 (BNP): India and the European Union have moved closer to a landmark economic partnership with the conclusion of a wide-ranging Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that officials describe as one of the most comprehensive trade deals ever negotiated.

Speaking at an industry event in New Delhi, senior Commerce Ministry officials highlighted the scale of the agreement, calling it the “Mother of All Deals” because of its global economic reach and strategic importance. The proposed pact connects nearly two billion people and covers close to one-third of global trade, making it a major milestone for both economies.

The agreement is expected to deepen trade ties between India and the EU across goods, services, technology, manufacturing, and investment. Together, the two economies account for nearly one-fourth of global GDP, creating significant opportunities for businesses and consumers on both sides.

Officials noted that the partnership reflects the complementary strengths of the two regions. While Europe offers advanced technology, capital goods, and high-value manufacturing, India brings a rapidly growing consumer market, strong digital capabilities, and expanding industrial capacity.

Trade between India and the EU has already been growing steadily. Bilateral trade in goods and services has crossed major milestones in recent years, with sectors such as petroleum products, telecom equipment, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, and digital services playing a key role.

One of the biggest highlights of the agreement is the proposed reduction or elimination of tariffs across a wide range of products. Indian exporters are expected to benefit significantly in sectors including textiles, apparel, leather, gems and jewellery, chemicals, engineering goods, and marine products, where duties in the European market are likely to fall sharply.

European companies, meanwhile, are expected to gain improved access to India’s fast-growing market in areas such as machinery, medical equipment, aviation, chemicals, and advanced technologies.

The agreement also places strong emphasis on services and digital trade. India is expected to receive improved market access in sectors such as IT services, professional services, education, and business consulting. Industry experts believe this could further strengthen India’s position as a global hub for digitally delivered services and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

Another important aspect of the deal is the easier movement of professionals. The EU has reportedly agreed to a more predictable framework for temporary business visas and professional mobility, a long-standing priority for India.

The agreement additionally addresses emerging global trade concerns, including sustainability regulations and carbon-related trade measures. Both sides are expected to establish dedicated mechanisms for dialogue and dispute resolution to ensure smoother implementation and reduce future trade disruptions.

Officials described the FTA as a forward-looking and flexible framework designed to evolve with changing global economic conditions, technological developments, and regulatory standards.

For India, the agreement represents a major strategic and economic step as the country seeks deeper integration with global markets while expanding export opportunities and attracting investment. Analysts believe the India-EU FTA could reshape trade relations between the two regions and open a new chapter in long-term economic cooperation.

May 8 (BNP): Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector continues to gain momentum, with the country emerging as one of the fastest-growing travel destinations globally. Fresh insights from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) highlight the Kingdom’s rising influence in the global tourism industry, supported by a sharp increase in domestic travel and ongoing investments in hospitality and infrastructure.

The sector’s growth reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues. Over the past few years, the Kingdom has introduced major tourism initiatives, eased travel regulations, and expanded entertainment and cultural offerings to attract both international and local visitors.

Domestic tourism has played a key role in this expansion. More Saudi residents are choosing to explore destinations within the country, boosting demand for hotels, resorts, heritage sites, and leisure experiences. Popular cities and tourism hubs have witnessed higher visitor activity, contributing to stronger spending across the travel and hospitality sectors.

Industry experts believe the WTTC’s recognition reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a major emerging tourism market. Large-scale projects, improved connectivity, and investments in world-class attractions are helping the country compete with established global destinations.

The government continues to focus on enhancing visitor experiences through digital transformation, infrastructure upgrades, and new tourism partnerships. Events, cultural festivals, and sports tourism are also contributing to increased footfall and international attention.

With tourism becoming a central pillar of economic development, Saudi Arabia is expected to maintain strong growth momentum in the coming years, supported by rising domestic demand and expanding global interest in the Kingdom’s evolving travel landscape.

New Delhi, May 8: Yoginii, India’s women-first wellness marketplace, recently hosted an intimate Mother’s Day wellness morning at Life Pilates Studio, bringing together mothers and daughters for a thoughtfully curated experience centred around movement, mindfulness, and meaningful connection.

Conceptualised as a space for mothers and daughters to slow down and reconnect, the morning brought together wellness, movement, and community in a warm and calming setting. The experience featured an energising Pilates session followed by mindful conversations over matcha and coffee, creating an atmosphere centred around presence, reflection, and meaningful connection.

The Mother’s Day campaign aimed to celebrate motherhood in a simple yet intentional way, moving beyond conventional celebrations to create experiences rooted in mindfulness and genuine connection.

Adding to the experience, a curated selection of wellness and lifestyle brands available on Yoginii, including Wilson, On, The Better Beings, Snaaqz, The Recipe Tailor, and Ish Beauty, came together to elevate the morning and create a memorable experience for attendees.

Speaking about the initiative, Kashika Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Yoginii, said,

“Mother’s Day is ultimately about presence, connection, and appreciation. Through this campaign, we wanted to create a mindful space where mothers and daughters could truly pause, spend quality time together, and celebrate the bond they share.”

Through initiatives like these, Yoginii continues to build wellness-led community experiences centred around balance, mindfulness, and meaningful connection.

• [beyondthemap.online]Beyond the Map — Overall winner, recognized for combining augmented reality, AI agents and text‑to‑speech technology to offer travelers immersive experiences at historical landmarks and cultural heritage sites.
• Mossika — Winner of the Gaming for Leisure category, an online music education platform that connects learners with musicians and their cultures through a deeply human‑centered approach.
• [medina-mirage.com]Medina Mirage — Winner of the Moroccan Gastronomy category, recognized for its effective use of technology to craft immersive dining experiences for tourists.

“We are living through an extraordinary moment for tourism. Technology is opening possibilities that were unthinkable just a few years ago. At Les Roches, we want to be at the heart of this transformation — not only by educating future leaders, but also by supporting those who are reinventing the rules of the industry,” said Carlos Díez de la Lastra, Chief Executive Officer of Les Roches and jury member.