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  • Odisha Vigilance Raids Seven Locations Linked to Sambalpur CADA Executive Engineer in DA Case

    Bhubaneswar, June 23 (UDN): Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday launched simultaneous searches at seven locations associated with Padmalochan Nayak, Executive Engineer of the Command Area Development Authority (CADA), Sambalpur Division, over allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

    Odisha Vigilance Raids Seven Locations Linked to Sambalpur CADA Executive Engineer in DA Case

    Acting on allegations of amassing disproportionate assets, Vigilance officials conducted the raids on the strength of search warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Judge, Sambalpur.

    The search operation is being carried out by a team comprising four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 13 Inspectors, seven Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), and other supporting staff.

    The simultaneous raids are underway at Nayak’s rented residence at Dhanupali in Sambalpur, his triple-storeyed residential building at Bidyadharpur in Cuttack, and a double-storeyed house at Mukhalis under Basta police limits in Balasore district.

    In addition, Vigilance officials are also conducting searches at Nayak’s office chamber in Dhanupali, two premises linked to his associates in Cuttack city, and another property associated with one of his associates at Kalimela in Malkangiri district.

    During the searches, officials are verifying documents related to movable and immovable assets, bank deposits, investments and other financial transactions to ascertain whether the assets are disproportionate to Nayak’s known sources of income.

    Further details regarding the assets unearthed during the raids are awaited as the searches are still in progress.

  • Fatal Fire Breaks Out at Pharma City Chemical Plant Near Vizag

    Visakhapatnam, June 23: Two people were killed after a fire broke out at a chemical factory located in Pharma City near Visakhapatnam, officials said on Monday.

    The incident occurred at a manufacturing unit within the industrial zone, leading to an emergency response by fire services and other rescue teams. Efforts were made to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to nearby facilities.

    Authorities confirmed that two fatalities were reported in the incident, while further details regarding injuries or the exact cause of the fire are yet to be officially released. An investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.

    Emergency teams were deployed immediately, and safety measures were intensified in surrounding industrial units as a precautionary step.

    Officials said a detailed probe will be conducted to assess compliance with safety norms and prevent such incidents in the future.

    The situation is now under control, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

  • Northern Railways, Indus Towers Boost Women’s Hygiene Access

    New Delhi, June 23: Northern Railways, in collaboration with Indus Towers, has strengthened access to women’s hygiene facilities across 175 railway stations, marking a significant step towards improving sanitation and passenger comfort.

    The initiative focuses on enhancing hygiene infrastructure for women travellers by improving availability and accessibility of clean and safe sanitation facilities at key railway stations. The project aims to ensure better hygiene standards, especially for women passengers during long-distance and daily travel.

    Officials said the collaboration reflects a broader commitment to improving passenger amenities and promoting inclusive infrastructure across the railway network. By prioritising women’s hygiene needs, the initiative seeks to create a safer and more comfortable travel experience for female passengers.

    The partnership between Northern Railways and Indus Towers is part of ongoing efforts to modernise railway infrastructure and align it with improved public health and hygiene standards. It also supports the larger goal of making railway stations more inclusive and passenger-friendly.

    Authorities added that continued focus on sanitation and passenger welfare will remain a key priority in upcoming infrastructure upgrades across the railway system.

    The development underscores the growing emphasis on collaborative public-private efforts to enhance essential services and improve travel experiences across India’s railway network.

  • Digital Shift Accelerates in MSMEs with Rising AI Adoption

    New Delhi, June 23: Digital payment systems such as UPI and Aadhaar-enabled banking services now account for 61% of MSME transactions, highlighting the rapid shift towards digital financial ecosystems in India, according to a recent report.

    The findings underline the growing dependence of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on digital platforms for daily business operations, including payments, receipts, and financial management. The report notes that improved access to seamless and low-cost digital infrastructure has significantly boosted financial inclusion and operational efficiency across the sector.

    Alongside the rise in digital payments, the report also highlights a steady increase in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among MSMEs. Businesses are increasingly leveraging AI-powered tools for customer engagement, inventory management, fraud detection, and data-driven decision-making.

    Experts say the combined growth of digital payments and AI adoption is transforming the MSME landscape, enabling greater transparency, faster transactions, and improved productivity. This shift is also helping smaller enterprises integrate more effectively into formal financial systems.

    The report further suggests that continued expansion of digital infrastructure, coupled with supportive policy measures, will play a crucial role in strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem and driving long-term economic growth.

    Overall, the findings reflect a significant digital transformation within the MSME sector, positioning it as a key driver of India’s evolving digital economy.

  • Jay Shah Calls for Sports-Driven Well-Being on International Olympic Day

    New Delhi, June 23: On the occasion of International Olympic Day, ICC Chairman Jay Shah called for greater emphasis on sports as a catalyst for unity, inspiration, and empowerment, highlighting its role in shaping healthier and more inclusive societies.

    Marking the day, Shah said sport goes far beyond competition, acting as a powerful force that builds character, discipline, teamwork, and resilience. He stressed that regular participation in sports can significantly improve both physical and mental well-being, while also strengthening social bonds across communities.

    Reiterating the Olympic spirit, Shah underlined that sports have the unique ability to bring people together across backgrounds and borders, promoting values of friendship, respect, and fair play. He encouraged young people to actively engage in sports, noting that early participation helps build confidence and lays the foundation for long-term personal and professional growth.

    He also highlighted the importance of creating stronger sporting ecosystems at the grassroots level, adding that access to facilities, training, and encouragement is essential to nurturing future champions. According to him, sustained investment in sports development can play a key role in nation-building and in inspiring the next generation.

    International Olympic Day is observed globally to celebrate the founding of the modern Olympic movement and to promote the values of sport and physical activity. Shah’s message aligned with this global theme, reinforcing the idea of “unite, inspire and empower” through sport.

    The statement reflects the growing recognition of sports as a key pillar of holistic development, well-being, and social progress.

  • Fujitsu spotlights dynamic transformation for business in an AI era as the core theme for the Fujitsu Technology and Service Vision 2026

    This presents a dynamic new perspective on how organizations can embrace change and achieve continuous transformation in an era where unpredictable change has become the norm. By leveraging the power of people working in harmony with AI, together with harnessing technology advances and convergence, businesses can capitalize on taking concrete actions that put technology enablement at the heart of transformation.

    As we advance toward 2035, Fujitsu’s 100th anniversary, the company is advancing AI-driven transformation and strengthening cutting-edge technologies under its Management Vision 2035. By delivering value across consulting, technology, services, and modernization, Fujitsu aims to help customers drive transformation while contributing to both the resolution of societal challenges and sustainable economic growth. 

    The Fujitsu Technology and Service Vision 2026 chart the impact of a world in constant flux, as we face growing geopolitical tensions that are forcing governments and organizations to make rapid decisions on issues such as supply chain restructuring and responses to resource and energy constraints. At the same time, the rapid evolution of AI is fundamentally reshaping business models, changing the fundamentals of working practices, and even the nature of business structures across all industries. In this environment, conventional business models are breaking down.

    The challenge for organizations is no longer about simply reacting to specific changes. It now revolves around how to achieve end-to-end transformation, from leadership through to the front-line, in order to ensure the viable operation of an organization through periods of ongoing volatility. Future successful businesses will be the ones that thrive in times of uncertainty and evolve by embracing intelligent change.

    Fujitsu Technology and Service Vision 2026 outline

    1. Business success in an unpredictable eradynamic transformation

    In an era where change is the norm, an organization’s competitiveness depends on its ability to run cycles of hypothesis, testing and learning, embracing all outcomes. By sustaining this cycle of testing and learning, organizations can continuously disrupt and re-create their existing strategies, business models and processes. We call this dynamic transformation.

    Achieving dynamic transformation requires evolving technologies to play a central role. By combining AI with multiple transformation-driving technologies and balancing their individual roles into a seamless functional entity, organizations can adapt, evolve and thrive during constant change. 

    2. Technology vision: four dynamics driving transformation

    Emerging technologies underpin the four key dynamics that enable organizations to drive transformation.

    By interlinking these four dynamics and enabling them to function as a unified whole, organizations can adapt to global changes and constantly create new value.

    3. Key factors for achieving transformation: the key to dynamic transformation

    Fujitsu’s annual survey [2] targeting leading CxO opinions has identified common characteristics shared by leader organizations that achieve strong results. These include prioritizing a strategy that places AI at the core of the business, people that maximize the power of AI in all areas of business, a technology infrastructure that accelerates business evolution, as well as security measures requiring future attention as AI evolves. The ability to identify, integrate and advance these elements strategically is the key to realizing dynamic transformation and strengthening corporate competitiveness.

    As a partner that is committed to implementing transformation within its own organization, Fujitsu will work in partnership with customers to drive their transformation journeys, leveraging its own cutting-edge technologies and the insights gained through practical experience.

  • Team India Begins Overseas White-Ball Assignment in UK and Ireland

    New Delhi, June 23: Team India has departed for its upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England, marking the start of an important overseas assignment.

    The tour will see India compete in a series of limited-overs matches as part of preparations for upcoming international tournaments. The squad includes a mix of senior players and young talent, aimed at maintaining balance between experience and emerging prospects.

    Players and support staff left from New Delhi amid positive expectations, with the team focusing on adapting to English conditions and building momentum ahead of a packed international schedule.

    The coaching staff is expected to use the tour to assess squad depth, test combinations, and strengthen performance in challenging overseas conditions.

    Cricket experts view the series as a key opportunity for India to fine-tune its white-ball strategy and gain valuable match practice against strong international opposition.

    The tour is expected to play an important role in shaping team combinations and performance benchmarks for future global events.

  • India Leads APAC in Job Security Confidence, Ranks Third Globally: Report

    New Delhi, June 23: India has emerged as a strong performer in global job security confidence, securing the first position in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and ranking third worldwide, according to a recent report.

    The findings indicate high optimism among Indian employees regarding job stability and future employment prospects, reflecting resilience in the country’s labour market amid evolving global economic conditions.

    The report attributes this strong confidence to sustained economic growth, expanding employment opportunities, and robust hiring across key sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and services. It also highlights the growing formalisation of jobs and increasing demand for skilled professionals as key drivers.

    Experts said India’s position reflects its strengthening role as a global employment hub, supported by rapid digital transformation, rising entrepreneurship, and continued industrial expansion.

    Globally, the rankings show varying levels of workforce sentiment, with India standing out for its higher confidence in job security and career opportunities compared to many other economies.

    The development underscores a positive outlook for India’s labour market and reinforces its growing influence in shaping global employment trends.

  • India Strongly Advancing Sovereign AI Strategy, Says Report

    New Delhi, June 23: A large majority of Indian policymakers are actively advancing a sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, with 96% reportedly focused on strengthening national capabilities in the emerging technology space, according to a recent report.

    The findings highlight India’s growing emphasis on building independent AI infrastructure, enhancing data security, and reducing reliance on foreign technologies. Policymakers are increasingly prioritising the development of domestic AI systems to support economic growth, governance efficiency, and innovation across sectors.

    The report notes that India’s sovereign AI approach is being shaped by a combination of government initiatives, industry participation, and academic research, aimed at building a robust and self-reliant digital ecosystem.

    Experts suggest that this strategic focus could help India position itself as a key global player in artificial intelligence, while also ensuring greater control over data governance, ethical AI deployment, and technological resilience.

    The development reflects a broader global trend, where nations are increasingly investing in AI sovereignty to secure long-term technological and economic advantages.

    India’s strong policy momentum in this area underscores its ambition to harness AI as a core driver of future growth and digital transformation.

  • NSA Doval Welcomes US–Iran Understanding at BRICS Meet

    New Delhi, June 23: India has welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the United States and Iran, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval describing it as a positive step towards reducing tensions and encouraging dialogue in a sensitive region.

    Speaking at the BRICS meeting, Doval said India consistently supports diplomatic engagement as the most effective way to resolve disputes and build lasting regional stability. He noted that any development that promotes communication and de-escalation contributes to global peace and security.

    He further emphasised that sustained dialogue between nations is essential in addressing complex geopolitical challenges and preventing further escalation. According to him, constructive engagement helps create trust and opens pathways for long-term solutions.

    The discussions at the BRICS forum also focused on broader global and regional security concerns, with member countries exchanging views on evolving geopolitical developments and their impact on international stability.

    India reiterated its long-standing position in favour of peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, highlighting the importance of cooperation in maintaining global order.

    The statement underscores India’s balanced diplomatic approach, which encourages engagement among nations even in times of heightened geopolitical tension, with the aim of fostering stability and mutual understanding.