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  • India, Australia Sign Agreement to Strengthen Protection of Traditional Knowledge

    India, Australia Sign Agreement to Strengthen Protection of Traditional Knowledge

     Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia

    July 10: India and Australia have signed an important agreement to improve the protection of traditional knowledge and strengthen the patent examination process.

    The agreement allows Australia’s patent authorities to access India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a specialised database that documents India’s centuries-old knowledge systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani and other traditional practices.

    The move will help patent examiners identify existing traditional knowledge while reviewing applications, reducing the chances of patents being granted for knowledge that is already part of India’s cultural and scientific heritage.

    The agreement marks a new step in India–Australia cooperation in the field of intellectual property rights. It reflects both countries’ shared efforts to promote fair recognition of traditional knowledge and ensure that valuable heritage is protected in the global innovation system.

    India’s TKDL has become an important tool in preserving traditional knowledge by making documented information available to patent authorities in a structured and accessible manner. Through this partnership, India and Australia aim to build a stronger and more transparent patent system while respecting the contributions of traditional communities.

  • New Initiative Seeks to Empower India’s Next Generation of Scientists

    New Delhi, July 10: RSI-India, supported by the Adani Group, has announced efforts to encourage scientific learning and nurture the next generation of Indian scientists through advanced educational opportunities and research exposure.

    The initiative aims to identify and support talented students by providing them with access to mentorship, innovation platforms, and opportunities to engage with scientific research.

    Through its programmes, RSI-India seeks to strengthen India’s science and technology ecosystem by encouraging curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving among young learners.

    The initiative highlights the importance of developing scientific talent and creating a strong foundation for future innovations in areas critical to the country’s growth.

    RSI-India’s efforts are expected to inspire more students to pursue careers in science, research, and technology while contributing to India’s vision of becoming a global hub for innovation.

  • Assam Budget 2026 Prioritises Youth, Infrastructure and Healthcare Expansion

    Guwahati, July 10: The Assam government has presented a budget focused on employment generation, infrastructure development, healthcare improvement, and overall economic growth, outlining 10 major initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s development agenda.

    The budget places strong emphasis on creating new job opportunities, supporting youth, and enhancing skill development programmes. It also prioritises infrastructure expansion, including improvements in connectivity and public facilities to support long-term growth.

    Healthcare remains another key focus area, with proposed measures aimed at improving medical services, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and making quality treatment more accessible to people across the state.

    The government said the initiatives are designed to promote inclusive growth, improve public services, and create better opportunities for citizens. The budget also reflects Assam’s focus on strengthening key sectors while addressing the needs of different communities.

    Officials highlighted that the planned measures will support economic development, improve living standards, and accelerate Assam’s progress in the coming years.

  • The UAE’s aviation sector showed its resilience and ability to effectively manage operational challenges and disruptions

    The UAE’s aviation sector showed its resilience and ability to effectively manage operational challenges and disruptions

     

     
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates| July 10: The  expansive Middle East region strategically connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia, and home to several of the world’s top international travel hubs, has been working on enhancing the use of future-defining biometrics to ensure a seamless airport experience for passengers whose numbers in the region will reach 240 million in 2026.
     
    The airports in the region are benefiting from strong long-haul demand, expanding hub capacity, and significant investments in airport infrastructure upgrades and expansion. The UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt have been enabling their airports to have fewer document checks, faster passenger facilitation, reduced queues, and heightened safety and security.
     
    Global airlines industry body IATA estimates that the airports, by replacing manual checks with biometric identity confirmation, can reduce processing times by up to 40 percent. This for high-volume hubs translates into high operational efficiency and higher capacity handling.   Passengers want shorter queues, faster clearances, and a smoother travel experience. 
     
    Dubai International (DXB), the world’s top airport for international travellers since 2014, has introduced new AI-powered “Red Carpet” Smart Tunnel capable of processing more than 10 passengers at a time.
     
    The UAE’s aviation sector has shown its resilience during the recent regional conflict and effectively managed innumerable operational challenges and disruptions. The work on the first phase of the AMIA development is moving ahead within the approved timelines to commence operations in 2032.
     
    The multi-billion-dollar project has achieved major milestones across multiple delivery streams, including runway infrastructure and the initial structural foundations for passenger terminals and gates. Earlier this month, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted the significant progress achieved in the development of Al Maktoum International Airport, noting that the project remains on track for operations in 2032, with contracts worth AED13 billion currently under execution and preparations underway to award strategic projects worth more than AED55 billion in the next phase.
     
    Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Dubai Airports, remarked: “Dubai Airports is focused on delivering consistent, measurable improvements in how guests move through our terminals. Through continued investment in biometric and digital solutions, we are strengthening the efficiency of our operations while handling sustained growth.”
    He added: “We remain committed to driving efficiency across every touchpoint through technology, collaboration, and operational discipline.”
     
    The massive AMIA will have a massive significance for the future growth of Dubai’s aviation sector. The airport of the future will have a hyper-connected and passenger-centric ecosystem.  AI-powered analytics will enable personalized services and better terminal flow management.
     
    In Abu Dhabi, Zayed International Airport has implemented a biometric solution based on face recognition in five out of the nine touchpoints. By 2026-end, the UAE will fully integrate the Emirates ID system with airport Smart Gates across all its international airports. Currently, almost all countries in the Middle East region use biometric information for immigration purposes at airports and borders.  
     
    Among the first carriers to utilized biometrics in 2017, Emirates, the world’s largest international carrier, has deployed 200+ biometric boarding cameras across DXB as part of a AED85 million investment in the facial-recognition system that allows registered passengers to pass through check-in, immigration, lounges and boarding gates simply by looking at a camera. Three UAE airports are now connected to a smartphone application that lets eligible passengers complete all immigration formalities before they even board the aircraft, after a one-time enrolment.
     
    Best-in-class biometrics to be showcased at the Airport Show
     
    The UAE’s carrier, Etihad, has been testing AI-powered facial verification for both boarding and lounge access. flydubai of Dubai and Saudi Arabia’s flynas have started integrating biometric options into their check-in and self-service kiosks. The Middle East region is working fast to implement standardised biometric systems efficiently.
     
    Best-in-class biometrics technologies and cutting-edge passenger-centric innovations will be showcased at the 25th edition of the Airport Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from October 12 to 14. More than 150 exhibitors from over 30 countries and 120 hosted buyers will participate in the show, which will have 7000+ visitors from over 30 countries during its three-day run.   It will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief
    Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.  
     
    The leading technology and knowledge-sharing platform will have co-located conferences – Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF), Airport Security Middle East, Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum, and Women in Aviation (WIA) Middle East Conference. The Airport Show connects the industry stakeholders to discover the newest innovations, and has been driving the wider adoption of advanced and emerging technologies that are redefining the passenger journey and facilities in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA).
     
    The participants can explore deal-making opportunities with the top decision-makers of the airports that are allocating massive investments to develop and modernize their facilities to become global air transport hubs. The hugely-popular platform offers exclusive meetings with decision-makers through its Hosted Buyers Program, with relevant officials representing the world’s major airports to explore deals to supply them with their requirements of technologies and products.
     
    May Ismail, Event Manager at RX Middle East, organizers of the Airport Show, remarked: “Biometric technology is undoubtedly transforming airport operations, offering heightened security and passenger convenience. For airport operators, biometrics are a strategic answer to effectively and satisfactorily handle ever-rising passenger volumes. Biometric technology is transforming the entire airport operations and offering heightened security and passenger convenience.”
     
    She added: “The Middle East countries, including the Arabian Gulf hubs, are competing to attract more connecting traffic and working to ensure faster passenger facilitation. Airports are seeing new travel innovations like biometrics as an opportunity to grow and expand rather than an obstacle and hindrance. Airports are rapidly and enthusiastically adopting biometrics to create a seamless, secure, and touchless passenger experience.”
     
    While the biometric technology market is growing with a US$150.58 billion revenue forecast for 2030, the Airport Biometrics Service Market is anticipated to reach US$276.56 billion by 2032.  Several countries are using highly accurate iris scans for immigration, overcoming facial recognition limits. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan now have integrated digital IDs for smoother passenger journeys.
     
    The Middle Eastern airports are global leaders in biometrics as passengers prefer the speed, convenience, and security offered by biometrics. Countries are moving quickly from less tech to advanced solutions for seamless travel.   According to global travel technology provider SITA, over 43 percent of airports currently use biometric-enabled boarding systems, and more than half expect to implement comprehensive identity solutions within three years.
     
    By 2027, three-quarters of airports will be using biometric technology at multiple points, including check-in, bag drop, boarding, and border control.  Overall, technology investment has reached record levels. Biometric travel identification in the very near future could replace traditional boarding passes. Soon, facial recognition will be standard at check-in, security, and boarding gates.
    Future trends in airport biometrics point towards a fully seamless, curb-to-gate experience using facial recognition, iris scans, and even voice/gait analysis for touchless identity verification. It will expand beyond boarding to lounges, retail, and remote processing, making digital identity the new passport.
     
    About 29 percent of airlines and airports work with technology providers to create new biometric solutions. Seven in 10 airlines are expected to adopt biometric identity management systems by this year. Facial Recognition is being widely used at kiosks, bag drops, lounges, and gates at several airports.
     
    Over 67 percent of Middle East passengers currently use biometrics, the highest figure of any region. IATA’s Seamless Passenger Journey in Smart Airports  study has found that 47.8 percent of touchpoints in the Middle East are biometrically enabled, more than 10 percent ahead of Europe.  The survey also revealed that 91 percent of Middle East passengers value efficiency and convenience. 

  • Small Businesses Set to Benefit from Faster Payment Mechanism Under TReDS

    New Delhi, July 10: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has said that the TReDS settlement mandate will help accelerate payments to small businesses and improve their access to working capital.

    The Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) enables MSMEs to convert their unpaid invoices into immediate funds by allowing them to receive payments from financiers before the actual due date. The new settlement mechanism is expected to make the process faster, smoother, and more efficient.

    The ministry said the move will address one of the biggest challenges faced by MSMEs — delayed payments — and provide businesses with better liquidity to manage operations, expand capacity, and invest in growth.

    Officials highlighted that improving cash flow for small enterprises will strengthen the MSME ecosystem and support entrepreneurship across the country.

    The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to create a more supportive business environment for MSMEs and ensure timely access to finance for small and emerging enterprises.

  • High-Alcohol Medicines Under New Regulatory Watch; Licensing Rules Proposed

    New Delhi, July 10: The government has announced that formulations containing high levels of alcohol will require appropriate licences and prescriptions to ensure regulated use and prevent misuse.

    High-Alcohol Medicines Under New Regulatory Watch; Licensing Rules Proposed

     Pic Credit: Pexel

    The move aims to strengthen oversight of alcohol-based medicinal and healthcare products by bringing stricter controls on their manufacturing, distribution, and sale.

    Under the proposed regulations, manufacturers and suppliers will need to follow specific compliance requirements, while consumers may be required to provide valid prescriptions for accessing certain high-alcohol formulations.

    Officials said the step is part of efforts to improve safety standards, ensure responsible usage, and maintain better monitoring of products containing significant alcohol content.

    The government is expected to issue further guidelines detailing the licensing process, regulatory requirements, and implementation framework for stakeholders.

  • lendingplate Unveils ‘Time Hi Time Hai’ Campaign, Turning India’s day-to-day Cash Crunch into Comedy

    lendingplate Unveils ‘Time Hi Time Hai’ Campaign, Turning India’s day-to-day Cash Crunch into Comedy

    New Delhi, July 10: lendingplate, a pioneering digital lending platform under Unifinz Capital India Limited (UCIL), has unveiled its latest brand campaign, ‘Time Hi Time Hai’, a humour-led digital film that transforms familiar short-term cash crunch situations into a relatable story. Through slice-of-life storytelling, the campaign highlights how quick and hassle-free access to digital personal loans can help individuals navigate temporary financial shortfalls without disrupting their everyday lives.

    Featuring actor Vijayant Kohli, widely recognised as Mama from the popular web series Sapne vs Everyone, the campaign moves away from conventional financial advertising by replacing product-led messaging with humour rooted in everyday experiences. The film captures a relatable moment that resonates with working professionals who often find themselves juggling monthly expenses until their next salary arrives, positioning lendingplate as a brand that understands their everyday financial realities.

    Speaking on the launch, Ankur Koul, Chief Marketing Officer, lendingplate, said, “With ‘Time Hi Time Hai’, we wanted to tell a story that millions of salaried Indians can relate to. Instead of focusing on product features, we chose humour to highlight everyday financial situations while reinforcing lendingplate’s promise of providing quick and seamless access to credit when it’s needed most.”

    The campaign film follows an ordinary man who has simply miscalculated his monthly budget and suddenly finds himself dealing with an unexpected expense. Instead of exaggerating the situation, the story draws humour from an experience that many individuals can relate to. Through its light-hearted narrative, ‘Time Hi Time Hai’ reinforces LendingPlate’s promise of providing a seamless digital borrowing experience exactly when customers need it most.

    Sharing his experience of being part of the campaign, Vijayant Kohli said, “What I loved about the film was its simplicity and relatability. It’s a story about an everyday situation that many people have experienced, and that made the character both authentic and enjoyable to portray.”

    The digital-first campaign is being rolled out across YouTube, Meta and Connected TV (CTV), supported by influencer-led content and performance marketing initiatives to engage digitally savvy salaried professionals across the country.

    With ‘Time Hi Time Hai’, lendingplate aims to strengthen its brand recall among young salaried professionals while making digital credit more approachable through relatable storytelling and a customer-first borrowing experience. The campaign reinforces the brand’s belief that financial support should be available when life throws unexpected expenses your way, without unnecessary complexity or long waiting periods.

  • WeR1 Consultants Approved for Two Programmes Under SGX’s S$30 Million Value Unlock Initiative

    SINGAPORE, July 10 – WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd (“WeR1”), a specialist in corporate strategy and investor relations, has been appointed by Singapore Exchange Limited (“SGX”) as a service provider for both programmes under the Value Unlock initiative designed to strengthen foundations and drive value creation among SGX-listed companies (“listcos”). 

    Founded in 1999, WeR1 has been approved for both the Equip and the Elevate programmes of the S$30 million MAS-SGX initiative under which Singapore listcos can avail themselves to grants to offset costs for professional services related to enhancing corporate strategies, sharpening investment narratives and deepening investor and media engagement, as well as costs for training programmes to strengthen capabilities. 

    WeR1 is launching three training programmes – Lining Your IR Calendar Effectively, Turning Crisis into Opportunity, and Specialist Writing for Financial Markets – under the Equip Grant, under which participating companies can claim 50% co-funding support of up to S$15,000 each. 

    For the Elevate Grant, WeR1 has been approved to offer investor relations (“IR”) services. Undervalued companies which intend to bridge the valuation gap can receive 50% co-funding support, capped at S$200,000 per listco, for this programme. 

    WeR1’s appointment reflects its 27-year proven track record of helping small- to mid-cap listcos, which often struggle with weak market visibility, in their financial communications. Led by former Reuters correspondent and Merrill Lynch equity analyst Lai Kwok Kin (“KK Lai”), the firm has supported dozens of listcos in the region for corporate strategy, IPO and crisis communications, and IR. 

    A core approach of WeR1 for the Elevate programme is its Corporate & Business Update (“CBU”) methodology, a disclosure-based narrative refresh designed for listcos with limited analyst coverage, uneven trading liquidity and low investor engagement. WeR1 has helped more than 30 companies articulate their corporate transformation, including Fu Yu Corporation and Zico Holdings. 

    KK Lai, WeR1’s Founder and Managing Director, said: “We are deeply honoured to have been approved for both programmes under the MAS-SGX Value Unlock Initiative. Many smaller listcos remain undervalued because they do not communicate with clarity and consistency. WeR1 intends to bring its experience and approaches to help these companies overcome the valuation gap and increase trading liquidity.” 

    WeR1 is inviting SGX-listed companies, particularly smaller Mainboard and Catalist issuers, to explore their eligibility under the Equip and Elevate programmes. 

  • University of Sydney awarded Australia-India grant for landmark music partnership

    University of Sydney awarded Australia-India grant for landmark music partnership

     Musicians from Sydney Conservatorium of Music with musicians from India’s Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts at the 2024 Australia-India Youth Dialogue: l-r, Lu Liu (Sydney Con), Vladimir Gorbach (Sydney Con), Bindu Subramaniam (CEO of SaPa), Ambi Subramaniam (CCO of SaPa), Pirashanna Thevarajah (Sydney Con), and SaPa Academy students Aditya Ravidas and Sakethram Phani Vedala. Photo: Tim Dwyer/University of Sydney. 

    July 10: The University of Sydney has been awarded a 2026 Maitri Grant to support a landmark music partnership between Australia and India, creating new opportunities for students, educators and communities in both countries.

    The $180,000 grant was awarded to the University’s Conservatorium of Music announced on Thursday as part of a broader package of Australia-India initiatives unveiled by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  
     
    Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott said the partnership would help strengthen the University’s connection with communities across Sydney.

    “One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is its potential to connect the University’s expertise in music and education with communities across Sydney,” said Professor Scott. 

    “By building relationships with Indian-Australian musicians and communities, we’re extending the cultural footprint of the Conservatorium beyond Macquarie Street and creating new opportunities for learning, performance and community engagement activities with Indian-Australian communities in Parramatta and across Western Sydney.” 

    India-Australia partnership 
     
    The Sydney Conservatorium project is one of 41 initiatives funded through the 2026 Maitri Grants Program, which supports projects that strengthen cultural, educational and research links between Australia and India.

    The partnership reflects the growing importance of education, research and cultural exchange in the Australia-India relationship, creating new opportunities for students, educators and communities in both countries.

    Minister for Education Jason Clare said education was one of the most important bridges between Australia and India. 
     
    He said of the Maitri Grants and the wider university projects around Australia: “This is bringing a world-class Australian education closer to home for more young Indians and creating new opportunities for our researchers to work together.”

    Student experience

    A key focus of the project is enriching the student experience.  
     
    Through the three-year partnership, Sydney Conservatorium of Music students will have opportunities to travel to India to learn alongside musicians, educators and students at Bengaluru’s Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts (SaPa), a leading centre for music education, performance and intercultural learning in India.  
     
    The project will also bring Indian musicians and educators to Sydney, creating new opportunities for students to engage with Indian musical traditions through workshops, performances and creative collaborations at the Conservatorium’s Macquarie Street campus and future teaching facilities in Parramatta.  

    Students in Sydney will also learn from artists and educators from Sydney’s Indian diaspora community through workshops, performances and collaborations bringing Indian musical traditions to the heart of Conservatorium life. The partnership is expected to support community engagement activities for many years to come, extending the Conservatorium’s cultural engagement into communities with deep and enduring connections to Indian music and culture.  

    “This project represents a wonderful opportunity to rethink what a conservatorium can be,” said Dr Alex Chilvers, one of the four grant recipients from Sydney Conservatorium of Music. “Australia’s musical culture is enriched by extraordinary traditions that have travelled here with migrant communities, yet those traditions are not always reflected in the core of higher music education. 

    “We’re looking forward to learning alongside our colleagues at SaPa and working closely with Indian-Australian musicians to explore new ways of teaching, creating and understanding music. We hope this is the beginning of a long-term relationship that benefits students, educators and communities in both countries.”

    University of Sydney awarded Australia-India grant for landmark music partnership

     

    Sydney Conservatorium grant recipients, left to right: Dr Anthony Chmiel, Dr Lu Liu,  Dr Alex Chilvers and Ms Kirsty McCahon. Photo: Grace Sui/University of Sydney

     The project, A Partnership for Indian-Australian Music, Diaspora Empowerment, and Cultural Exchange, is led by Sydney Conservatorium academics Dr Alex Chilvers, Dr Lu Liu, Dr Anthony Chmiel and Ms Kirsty McCahon (International Partnerships and Events).  
     
    The project will support staff exchanges, curriculum development and new approaches to teaching music across cultures. Through the collaboration, educators will develop new curriculum resources, teaching assets and learning materials designed for conservatorium and music programs in both countries, creating a lasting educational legacy for students in Australia and India. 
     
    Professor Anna Reid, Dean and Head of School at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, said the project builds on the Conservatorium’s commitment to international collaboration and intercultural learning. 
     
    “This partnership will open up extraordinary opportunities for our students to learn directly from musicians, educators and communities in both Australia and India,” Professor Reid said. “Music has always been a powerful way to build understanding across cultures, and we’re excited to create new opportunities for students to play together, learn from one another and engage deeply with Indian musical traditions. The experiences and relationships that grow from this partnership will enrich our Conservatorium community for years to come.” 

    Bindu Subramaniam, co-founder and CEO of the Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts, welcomed the partnership. 

    “Our partnership with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music has the potential to bring knowledge and understanding of Indian music into mainstream higher education in Australia. It will create opportunities for students, artists and educators in both countries to learn from one another and deepen cultural understanding through music.” 

    University of Sydney awarded Australia-India grant for landmark music partnership

     

    Left to right: Dr Lu Liu (Sydney Conservatorium of Music), Associate Professor Vladimir Gorbach (Sydney Conservatorium of Music), Bindu Subramaniam (CEO of SaPa), Ambi Subramaniam (CCO of SaPa), with musicians from SaPa Academy at Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2024. Photo: Tim Dwyer 

    SaPa, headquartered in Bengaluru, India, teaches music to students of all ages and works with over 40,000 children annually as part of its in-schools program. The organisation is recognised for its innovative approach to integrating Indian and Western music traditions and fostering intercultural understanding through music education. 
     
    The Maitri Grants Program – Sanskrit for “friendship” – supports projects strengthening the Australia-India relationship through cultural, educational, research and business collaboration. The program is administered by the Australian Government’s Centre for Australia-India Relations.

  • Beyond Fuel Prices: E20 Brings Energy and Agricultural Benefits, Says Govt

    New Delhi, July 10: The government has said that while E20 fuel may appear costlier at current crude oil prices, its long-term benefits include reducing India’s dependence on imported oil, saving foreign exchange, and increasing farmers’ income.

    Beyond Fuel Prices: E20 Brings Energy and Agricultural Benefits, Says Govt

    E20, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol with petrol, is part of India’s strategy to promote cleaner fuel alternatives and reduce reliance on crude oil imports. Officials highlighted that greater ethanol blending will help lower the country’s fuel import burden and improve energy security.

    The government said the ethanol programme is also creating new opportunities for farmers by providing an additional market for agricultural produce used in ethanol production, thereby supporting rural incomes.

    Although the price impact of E20 depends on global crude oil prices and market conditions, authorities emphasized that the broader economic benefits of the programme extend beyond fuel costs.

    The initiative is expected to support India’s transition towards cleaner energy, strengthen the agricultural economy, and contribute to the country’s goal of reducing fossil fuel dependence.