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  • How Thermal Cameras help in resolving the critical building maintenance issues

    July 9: Hikmicro Thermal Cameras help identify critical issues in buildings for residential and commercial purposes. Thermal cameras don’t see walls. They see problems hiding inside them. In India’s climate and construction conditions, it is a special power that can be harnessed to identify and address the critical issues faced by building maintenance staff. Here’s where Hikmicro Thermal Cameras add value to building maintenance through its Thermal technology, products, and solutions.

    How Thermal Cameras help in resolving the critical building maintenance issues

    India Specific Challenges

    The India-specific problems are unique to Indian states and regions; they are markedly different from those in the US, the UK, and other European regions in terms of building maintenance. Let’s understand why thermal cameras matter in India-specific conditions and what kinds of building risks they detect. India has different climate scenarios in the North, East, West and South regions. There are places where extreme heat exceeds 45°C. There are wet regions where monsoon and humidity rule. 

    There is a consistent challenge of electrical overload, AC strain, water ingress and mould. The other building maintenance challenges include mixed construction quality, poor insulation, hidden leakage, and uneven load distribution. The constant power fluctuations and old wiring create new issues related to Hotspots, fire risk, and energy waste. All these issues add up, leading to high energy costs. The AC leakage through windows and walls causes a 30% increase in the electricity bill. Most issues are invisible until the bill spikes, the wall peels, or the fire starts. Thermal makes them visible in seconds.

    Using Hikmicro thermal cameras, facility managers can instantly pinpoint unseen building faults—such as electrical hotspots, roof leaks, and more. These non-invasive, predictive cameras measure surface temperature differences to identify underlying defects long before they cause costly downtime or structural damage.

    The most critical building maintenance issues easily identified by these thermal devices include:

    Electrical Faults & Safety Hazards

    Excessive heat is the primary early warning sign for electrical issues. Cameras immediately detect unbalanced loads, loose connections, and overloaded circuits. Catching hot breaker switches at an elevated 65°C, rather than the normal 35°C, prevents full power outages and serious fire risks.

    Damaged wires, electrical components, and connections would cause a variety of problems. Faulty wiring or components ageing may result in electronic damage due to overload. Electric sparks can cause large-scale fires, leading to property damage and even injuries to civilians. By diagnosing the issue early, technicians can make repairs before a total failure occurs.

    Moisture Intrusion & Hidden Water Leaks: Water has a higher thermal capacity than surrounding materials. Leaks from roofs, pipes, or stucco show up as distinct temperature anomalies. Wet insulation, framing, and drywall appear as colder spots, helping you address mould before it spreads.

    Air Infiltration & HVAC Leaks: Thermal cameras map airflow patterns, allowing technicians to spot unsealed windows, faulty door seals, and HVAC duct leaks. This visual data helps operators optimise HVAC systems, reduce energy costs, and improve indoor air quality.

    Mechanical Overheating: Thermal imaging detects heat signatures from mechanical equipment (e.g., pumps, belts, and motors). Finding bearings or motors running 10°C above normal operating temperatures helps prevent unexpected equipment failures and expensive component replacements.

    Residential Buildings

    Electrical Safety — Stop Fires Before They Start

    In India, 70% of residential fires are caused by electrical faults and short circuits. Thermal scan during society audits prevents them.  Hikmicro Thermal Cameras can detect overloaded MCBs, loose connections, overheating geysers, ACs and inverter faults. It can be done by scanning the DB box, switchboards, and junction boxes. If anything in the electrical meter room is >60°C or 15°C hotter than similar components, then it is considered a red flag.  

    Energy Loss & AC Efficiency: Hikmicro Thermal Cameras can find heat ingress from windows, doors, roof, AC duct leaks and missing insulation.  

    Commercial Buildings

    Predictive Maintenance 

    Hikmicro Thermal Cameras can detect hot breakers in LT panels, overheating motors, HVAC chiller faults, and UPS overheating. They can also help data centre racks, malls, IT parks, and factories avoid downtime risks. 

    Building Envelope & Solar Audit

    Hikmicro Thermal Cameras can detect glass-façade leaks, roof-insulation gaps, and solar-panel hotspots and dirty cells.  Sunrise/sunset scans show heat gain/loss.  In India, LEED/GRIHA compliance helps reduce HVAC load 20%+. This solution can validate solar ROI.  

    Fire Safety Compliance

    Hikmicro Thermal Cameras can find overheating cable trays, diesel generator exhaust leaks, and kitchen duct grease hotspots.  

    Hikmicro Thermal Cameras Help Myriad End-users

    These Hikmicro Thermal Cameras can be highly useful tools for Housing Societies, Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs), Facility Managers and MEP Contractors, Energy Auditors, and Green Consultants.

    This way, Hikmicro Thermal Cameras can help with the maintenance and upkeep of residential and commercial buildings by timely detection of electrical faults and other issues.  

  • Indian shares open higher as investors buy on dips despite geopolitical concerns

    Indian shares open higher as investors buy on dips despite geopolitical concerns

    July 9: Indian equity markets opened on a positive note on Thursday, with benchmark indices recovering from the previous session’s decline as investors returned to buy stocks at attractive valuations. The gains reflected improved risk appetite in early trading, although caution persisted amid renewed geopolitical tensions.

    Most sectoral indices traded in positive territory, led by gains in pharma and healthcare stocks, while IT shares remained subdued ahead of the quarterly earnings season. Investors continued to monitor developments in global crude oil prices and broader macroeconomic trends, which are expected to influence market sentiment in the coming sessions.

    Market participants are also focusing on the upcoming corporate earnings announcements for further cues on the strength of the economic recovery and the outlook for Indian equities.

  • Infrastructure Corridors Drive India’s Housing Market: Magicbricks PropIndex Report

    New Delhi, July 9: India’s residential market is entering a new phase where infrastructure, affordability and connectivity – not simply metro status – are determining where residential demand is growing. According to Magicbricks PropIndex Report between April and June 2026, the residential demand dropped 1.2% quarter-on-quarter . However, Kolkata, Noida, Greater Noida and Pune continued to attract stronger homebuyer interest, signalling an increasingly selective housing market. 

    Among 13 cities mentioned in the report, Kolkata recorded the strongest demand growth at 7.5% QoQ, followed by Noida , Greater Noida  and Pune . In contrast, demand moderated across several established metropolitan markets, including Hyderabad , Chennai, New Delhi and Bengaluru , while Mumbai  remained broadly stable. The trend indicates that homebuyers are increasingly gravitating towards markets offering a stronger balance of affordability, connectivity, housing choice and long-term value.

    The supply side also reflected this emerging divide. National residential supply increased by 1.2% QoQ, led by Bengaluru , Gurugram , Hyderabad and Kolkata. However, Noida  and Pune witnessed comparatively lower supply additions despite recording some of the country’s strongest demand growth, suggesting healthy inventory absorption and improving market fundamentals.

    Residential prices remained resilient across India, rising 1% QoQ nationally. Greater Noida emerged as India’s fastest-appreciating major residential market, recording 1.9% QoQ price growth, highlighting how infrastructure investments are translating into stronger residential demand and capital appreciation. Kolkata recorded a healthy 1% QoQ increase, while Noida and Pune maintained stable pricing despite rising buyer demand, reinforcing their affordability advantage. Meanwhile, Hyderabad (+2.4%), Bengaluru (+1.9%) and Gurugram  continued to witness price appreciation even as demand softened, reflecting sustained long-term developer confidence in these markets.

    Prasun Kumar, CMO, Magicbricks, said,

     “India’s residential market is becoming increasingly selective rather than cyclical. Homebuyers today are choosing infrastructure ecosystems as much as cities. Markets with stronger connectivity, employment opportunities and affordable housing are attracting greater buyer interest, even as overall market activity moderates. Greater Noida exemplifies this shift. With the upcoming Noida International Airport and expanding expressway network, the region is evolving into a self-sustaining economic corridor rather than just an extension of Delhi NCR. As this trend strengthens, residential growth will become increasingly concentrated in markets where infrastructure translates into everyday livability and long-term economic opportunity.”

    Further, the report also highlighted, 2 BHK homes accounted for 42% of demand, followed by 3 BHK homes at 37%, together making up close to 79% of buyer interest. On the supply side, developers continued to prioritise larger homes, with 3 BHK units accounting for 46% of available inventory.

    Magicbricks is India’s No.1 property site

    As the largest platform for buyers and sellers of property to connect in a transparent manner, Magicbricks has monthly traffic exceeding 2 crores and an active base of over 15 lakh property listings. Magicbricks has metamorphosed into a full stack service provider for all real estate needs, with services including home loans, interiors, and expert advice.

    With 17+ years of experience and deep research-based knowledge, Magicbricks also presents a repertoire of insight-driven platforms like MBTV – India’s leading online real estate YouTube channel – and other proprietary tools so that home buyers can access all information related to price trends, forecasts, and locality reviews.

  • XECH Introduces SteamX Fold to Simplify Everyday Garment Care at Home & On the Go

    XECH Introduces SteamX Fold to Simplify Everyday Garment Care at Home & On the Go

    Mumbai, July 9: XECH Technologies, a leading manufacturer of innovative portable home appliances and consumer electronics, has announced the launch of the SteamX Fold. The hybrid portable garment steamer is designed to make everyday clothing care faster, easier, and more convenient. Combining powerful steam performance with a compact, foldable design, SteamX Fold delivers wrinkle-free garments without the hassle of traditional ironing, making it ideal for modern homes and life on the move.

    Featuring a sleek retro-inspired design with a premium beige glossy finish. The SteamX Fold is equipped with a 180-degree foldable handle that makes it compact, lightweight, and easy to store or carry. Whether at home, in the office, on business trips, vacations, or special occasions, the handheld steamer allows users to quickly refresh garments in just minutes.

    Powered by a 1200W heating system that delivers 13–23g/min of continuous steam. SteamX Fold supports both vertical steaming for hanging garments and horizontal steaming for clothes laid flat, offering the versatility of a hybrid garment care solution. The integrated base plate ensures smoother steaming and better fabric contact, delivering consistent results across a wide range of clothing types.

    The steamer offers six dedicated fabric presets, enabling users to safely steam cotton, linen, silk, wool, denim, plush fabrics, and other everyday materials. From shirts, trousers, sarees, dresses, suits, jackets, uniforms, and delicate garments to everyday office wear, SteamX Fold adapts effortlessly to a wide range of wardrobe needs.

    Designed for uninterrupted convenience, SteamX Fold comes with a 200ml water tank that can comfortably steam 7-8 garments in a single refill. It reduces the need for frequent refilling during everyday use.

    To further enhance the user experience, the device includes one-button operation, self-cleaning functionality, leak-resistant construction, and boil-dry protection. This makes it suitable for both first-time users and frequent travellers alike.

    Commenting on the launch, Pranay Punjabi, Founder & CEO, XECH, said: “Today’s consumers expect products that simplify everyday routines without compromising on design or performance. SteamX Fold reflects our philosophy of creating smart lifestyle solutions that are practical, portable, and beautifully designed. As a hybrid garment steamer with thoughtful features, multiple fabric presets, and a large-capacity water tank, it delivers fast, safe, and effortless garment care wherever life takes you.”

    SteamX Fold further strengthens XECH‘s expanding portfolio of innovative home and lifestyle products designed around convenience, portability, and thoughtful functionality.

    The launch reinforces the company’s commitment to developing products that seamlessly integrate into modern lifestyles while offering premium experiences at accessible prices. SteamX Fold is available on the company’s official website, other leading e-commerce platforms and retail partners across India.

  • Spring House Workspaces Adopts Sustainable Hygiene Solutions as ESG-Led Workplace Practices Gain Momentum

    Gurugram, July 09: As companies increasingly rethink workplace operations through the lens of employee well-being and sustainability, managed workspace provider Spring House Workspaces has introduced bio-enzyme-based hygiene solutions across its centres through a partnership with BioPure EnzyClean, a sustainable hygiene solutions company reflecting the growing adoption of environmentally responsible facility management practices.

    The move comes at a time when organisations are placing greater emphasis on workplace health, operational sustainability, and ESG commitments. While conversations around future workplaces have largely focused on flexibility and design, operators are now paying closer attention to the role of everyday operational practices, including cleaning and hygiene, in creating healthier work environments. The bio-enzyme-based cleaning solutions will be deployed across Spring House centres with the objective of reducing the environmental footprint of conventional cleaning practices while maintaining high standards of workplace hygiene.

    Commenting on the initiative, Saurabh Kalra, COO, Spring House Workspaces, said, “The definition of a quality workplace is evolving. Today, members expect spaces that are not only productive and collaborative but also healthier and more environmentally responsible. Sustainable operational practices are becoming an important part of that expectation, and this initiative is one step in that direction.”

    Industry experts note that hygiene is increasingly being viewed as a strategic aspect of workplace management rather than simply a facilities function. Businesses are looking for solutions that contribute to employee well-being while aligning with long-term sustainability objectives.

    Harit Sharma, Founder, BioPure EnzyClean, added, “There is growing awareness that sustainability extends beyond infrastructure to everyday operations. We’re seeing more organisations explore cleaning solutions that minimise environmental impact without compromising effectiveness, and it’s encouraging to see workplace operators taking this approach.”

    For Spring House, the initiative aligns with its broader focus on building workspaces that integrate wellness, operational efficiency, and sustainability as businesses continue to redefine what employees expect from modern offices. The task-specific range includes separate solutions for desks, glass and mirrors, washrooms, and pantry areas. This simplifies operations for facility managers, requiring minimal staff training while reducing errors and improving daily maintenance efficiency.

  • Railway Engineers Raise Career Stagnation and Pay Scale Concerns Ahead of 8th Pay Commission

    New Delhi, July 9 (UDN): Railway engineers have urged the Central Government and the forthcoming 8th Central Pay Commission to address long-standing concerns over career stagnation, pay disparities and limited promotional opportunities within the Indian Railways.

    Railway Engineers Raise Career Stagnation and Pay Scale Concerns Ahead of 8th Pay Commission

    Representatives of railway engineers’ associations have submitted their demands, highlighting that prolonged delays in career progression and anomalies in the existing pay structure have adversely affected employee morale and professional growth. They argued that despite shouldering critical responsibilities in the planning, execution and maintenance of railway infrastructure, engineers continue to face slower promotions compared to several other organised services.

    Among the key demands are the introduction of a more time-bound promotion mechanism, rationalisation of pay scales, removal of pay anomalies arising from previous pay commission recommendations and greater parity with other Central Government engineering services.

    The associations have also sought a comprehensive review of the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) framework to ensure that employees who remain in the same grade for extended periods receive adequate financial and career advancement.

    Railway engineers expressed hope that the 8th Pay Commission would recommend structural reforms to improve career prospects, enhance job satisfaction and ensure equitable compensation for technical personnel across the Indian Railways.

    The government is expected to examine representations from various employee organisations as part of the consultation process before the 8th Pay Commission finalises its recommendations.

  • Three Trekkers Go Missing on Malyagiri Hill in Odisha’s Angul; Search and Rescue Operation Underway

    Angul, July 9 (UDN): A major search and rescue operation is underway after three trekkers reportedly went missing while trekking on Malyagiri Hill, the highest peak in Odisha, located in Angul district.

    Three Trekkers Go Missing on Malyagiri Hill in Odisha's Angul; Search and Rescue Operation Underway

    According to official sources, the group had ventured into the hilly terrain for a trekking expedition when three members lost contact with the rest of the team. Following information from fellow trekkers and local residents, district authorities, police, forest personnel, and trained rescue teams were immediately mobilised to trace the missing individuals.

    Rescue teams are combing the dense forest and rugged hill slopes despite challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. Officials said every effort is being made to locate the trekkers safely, with search operations continuing on multiple routes leading to the hilltop.

    Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information and urged trekkers and tourists to exercise caution while venturing into forested and mountainous areas, particularly during the monsoon season when trails become slippery and visibility is reduced.

    The identities of the missing trekkers have not yet been officially disclosed. Further details are awaited as the rescue operation continues.

  • Security Alert at Puri Srimandir Ahead of Rath Yatra; Kolkata Man Detained for Allegedly Flying Drone Over Temple

    Puri, July 9 (UDN): Security agencies swung into action after a drone was allegedly flown over the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Thursday morning, triggering fresh concerns over the security of the 12th-century shrine just days ahead of the annual Rath Yatra.

    Security Alert at Puri Srimandir Ahead of Rath Yatra; Kolkata Man Detained for Allegedly Flying Drone Over Temple

     Representational Image

    According to officials, the unmanned aerial vehicle was seen hovering over the temple complex for several minutes, including around the sacred Neelachakra, reportedly capturing aerial photographs and videos. The sighting drew the attention of security personnel deployed around the temple, where stringent surveillance measures are in place due to the upcoming festival.

    Following a swift search operation, a special security team traced the suspected drone operator near Mangu Math in Mati Mandap Sahi, close to the temple. The individual, identified as Jayakrishna Mondal, a resident of Kolkata, was detained for questioning. The drone was seized and handed over to Singhadwar Police Station along with the operator.

    Police have launched an investigation to examine the drone’s stored footage and determine the nature of the images and videos captured during the flight. Authorities are also verifying whether the operator had obtained the mandatory permissions required for drone operations in the area and whether any provisions of aviation or security regulations were violated.

    The incident has renewed concerns over the enforcement of the no-fly zone around the Shree Jagannath Temple, particularly as Puri prepares to host lakhs of devotees during Rath Yatra. Security agencies are expected to review existing surveillance and anti-drone measures to prevent similar incidents during the festival.

    Further investigation is in progress.

  • FL Technics Indonesia Opens Aircraft Painting Facility in Bali and Welcomes First Customer

    FL Technics Indonesia Opens Aircraft Painting Facility in Bali and Welcomes First Customer

     

    FL Technics Indonesia, the FAA Part-145 certified MRO provider, has opened a new aircraft painting facility at its Denpasar, Bali facility. The painting booth marks a significant expansion of the company’s full-service maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Southeast Asia. 

    On 30 June 2026, just days after the painting facility launched, FL Technics Indonesia welcomed its first customer, Skyway Airlines, a Philippine air cargo carrier operating Boeing 737-400F freighter aircraft. The project involved repainting the airline’s third aircraft, which was later ferried to Clark International Airport in the Philippines for its inaugural ceremony on 3 July 2026. 

    “The addition of a dedicated painting booth in Bali is part of our commitment to building a truly full-service MRO capability in the region,” said Martynas Grigas, Chairman of FL Technics Indonesia. “We are pleased to welcome our valued customers, Skyway Airlines, as the first to utilize this facility. Several more painting projects have been secured over the next couple of months, and we also received significant further demand as more operators across Southeast Asia are looking for this capability.” 

    The new painting facility adds to FL Technics Indonesia’s existing MRO capabilities across its dual-station network. Currently, the company’s two facilities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali hold more than 20 approvals from the civil aviation authority, supported by a team of more than 700 aviation experts. Built to the highest industry standards, the Bali painting booth is equipped to handle complex livery projects with precision, efficiency, and full regulatory compliance. The Bali facility’s location is particularly well-suited to serve carriers operating across Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asian region, reducing the need for extended ferry flights or overseas maintenance programs. 

    The launch of the painting booth comes at a time of growing demand for MRO services across Southeast Asia. Extended aircraft delivery backlogs have increased the strategic importance of lifecycle extension and fleet maintenance services, including livery repaints to support rebranding, wet-lease transitions, and return-to-service programs. For cargo operators, maintaining aircraft closer to base reduces operational downtime and associated ferry flight costs. 

  • Genespire and SR-TIGET Show Durable Preclinical Efficacy of Liver-Directed Gene Therapy for Methylmalonic Acidemia

    Milan, Italy, July 08  Genespire, in collaboration with researchers at the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), has today announced the publication of preclinical data supporting the potential of its liver-directed immune-shielded lentiviral gene therapy approach to treat methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), a severe inherited metabolic disorder.

    The findings, published in the Journal of Hepatology, show that a single systemic administration of a lentiviral vector encoding the MMUT gene led to sustained improvements in disease features in a validated mouse model of MMA, with effects lasting for the average lifespan of laboratory mice. Since the mice were treated when young, the study supports the durability of the gene therapy through postnatal growth and maturation of the liver.

    MMA is caused by a deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, an enzyme that plays a critical role in the body’s metabolism of food. Its absence results in the accumulation of toxic metabolites that lead to recurrent metabolic crises, growth failure, neurological impairment, and multi-organ damage.

    In the study, researchers also treated mice with a dose containing an optimized MMUT transgene, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy. In the same mouse model of MMA, this version exhibited a dose-dependent improvement of metabolomic biomarkers, with gene transfer efficiency exceeding 80% of the liver.

    The study also highlights that genetically corrected cells in the liver may, over time, replace the diseased ones, suggesting that therapeutic efficacy may progressively improve even when starting at lower initial doses.

    “Together, these findings indicate that Genespire is on a clear path towards the long-term correction of metabolic diseases which impact the liver and other organs,” said Lucia Faccio, CEO of Genespire. “We believe our approach has the potential to translate into human health in the form of a single-administration treatment for patients with MMA, and are committed to continuing our efforts in bringing our lead asset for MMA, GENE202, to the clinic. We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the research project, especially those at the SR-TIGET.”

    “We are confident that this study, together with other previous studies from our group at SR-TIGET, provides a comprehensive pre-clinical data package enabling the initiation of clinical testing in pediatric patients affected by MMA” concludes Dr Alessio Cantore, group leader at SR-TIGET and Associate Professor at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, who supervised and coordinated the study and signed it as senior author.