Category: National

A fresh wave of overnight strikes – reportedly carried out using Ukrainian long-range and sea-launched unmanned systems – has damaged or destroyed multiple Russian patrol vessels and naval support assets in Crimea. The attacks are believed to have occurred in and around Sevastopol, the strategic heart of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. While full verification remains limited, open-source intelligence, social media footage, and regional reporting all point to a coordinated night operation involving both aerial and maritime drones. This latest development is not an isolated event. Instead, it reflects a continuation of a pattern that has emerged since 2023, where Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian naval infrastructure in Crimea. These campaigns have focused on ships at berth, air defence systems, fuel depots, and port facilities – often during nighttime operations designed to exploit gaps in surveillance and response. Based on historical trends and current indicators, analysts assess that such strikes are likely to continue over the next 2 to 6 weeks. Rather than a one-off escalation, this appears to be part of a sustained harassment campaign aimed at degrading Russia’s Black Sea capabilities and limiting its operational freedom. A pattern of persistent maritime pressure Since 2023, Ukraine has demonstrated a growing ability to conduct precision strikes using unmanned systems – both aerial drones and sea-based platforms. These systems have been used to target high-value military assets in Crimea, including naval vessels, air defence installations, and logistics hubs. The recent strikes follow a familiar pattern: While Russia has improved its air defence capabilities and interception rates, these systems have not been fully effective. A consistent ‘leakage rate’ remains, allowing some drones to penetrate defences and inflict damage. This dynamic – improved defence but persistent vulnerability – is likely to define the operational environment in the coming weeks. Risk outlook: Sustained harassment, not strategic shift The current situation is best understood as a medium-term harassment campaign rather than a turning point in territorial control. The severity of the situation is rated at 4 out of 5, reflecting the operational significance of repeated strikes on naval assets and port infrastructure. Confidence in this assessment stands at approximately 70%, supported by multiple corroborated incidents and consistent open-source reporting patterns. Over the next 2 to 6 weeks, the following trends are expected: Despite these developments, there is no immediate indication of a strategic shift in control over Crimea. However, the cumulative impact of repeated strikes could gradually degrade Russia’s naval effectiveness in the region. Immediate developments and military response Initial reports indicate that multiple Russian vessels were either damaged or destroyed during the latest attack. Russian authorities have acknowledged air defence engagements and drone interceptions, suggesting an active response during the incident. Imagery circulating on social media appears to show explosions and damage in naval berthing areas, though independent verification of specific ship classes or casualty figures remains unavailable. In response, Russia is expected to: These measures are likely to create a more controlled and militarized maritime environment, with implications for both military and civilian. Some frequently asked questions: 1. What triggered the recent strikes in Crimea? The strikes were reportedly carried out by Ukrainian long-range and sea-launched drones targeting Russian naval vessels and support assets in and around Sevastopol. 2. How long is this phase of attacks expected to continue? Analysts assess a continued pattern of episodic strikes over the next 2–6 weeks, with intermittent high-intensity attack nights. Conclusion The recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian naval assets in Crimea signal a sustained phase of targeted pressure rather than a decisive strategic shift, with continued episodic attacks likely over the coming weeks. While primarily military in nature, these operations are already impacting port activity, naval movement, and regional risk levels in the Black Sea, creating spillover effects for commercial shipping and logistics. Businesses should anticipate ongoing volatility, including temporary disruptions, tighter security controls, and elevated operational risks, making proactive planning, flexible supply chain strategies, and strong crisis response capabilities essential for maintaining resilience in this evolving environment. About MitKat MitKat is a global provider of integrated Security and Risk Mitigation Solutions and Services. With a clientele that includes some of the world’s most respected organisations, MitKat takes great pride in working collaboratively to de-risk businesses and build resilient organisations. Read More

“Winning across all three categories at the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards 2026 is a strong validation of the direction we have been building towards enabling organizations to move from alert-driven security to outcome-driven operations. As cyber threats continue to grow in scale and complexity, enterprises need more than tools; they need actionable intelligence, faster response, and measurable outcomes. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering exactly that.”Sunil SapraCo-founder and Chief Growth Officer, Eventus Security Recognized as Best MSSP, Cybersecurity Service Provider of the Year, and SOC-as-a-Service Provider Eventus Security, a leading global provider of AI-driven managed security services, has been honoured across three categories at the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards 2026. The company secured wins across three nominated categories – Best Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), Cybersecurity Service Provider of the Year, and SOC-as-a-Service. These awards recognize organizations that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and effectiveness in addressing today’s evolving cyber threat landscape. This recognition reflects Eventus Security’s approach to helping organizations move beyond fragmented security tools and alert-heavy environments toward more integrated and responsive security operations. At the core of this approach is Eventus AI-driven SecOps platform, designed to unify detection, response, and threat intelligence – helping enterprises achieve faster threat visibility, improved incident response, and stronger cyber resilience. With global markets witnessing a significant rise in cyber threats, organizations across sectors such as BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure are increasingly prioritizing incident readiness, rapid response, and continuous threat monitoring. “We congratulate Eventus Security on this outstanding achievement of winning in three key categories,” said Holger Schulze, Founder of Cybersecurity Insiders and organizer of the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, “As we celebrate 10 years of recognizing excellence in cybersecurity, your innovation, commitment, and leadership set a powerful example for the entire industry.” Eventus Security continues to invest in AI-driven automation, detection engineering, and platform innovation to enhance its service portfolio, enabling organizations to stay ahead of sophisticated cyber adversaries while ensuring business continuity and operational resilience. With a growing presence across international markets, the recognition further strengthens Eventus Security’s position as a trusted partner for enterprises seeking end-to-end cybersecurity services, including managed detection and response, threat intelligence, and SOC-as-a-Service solutions. About the Company: Eventus Security is a global managed security services provider delivering AI-driven, intelligence-led cybersecurity operations. Through its proprietary SecOps platform and 24×7 Cyber Defense Centers, Eventus enables organizations to detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber threats with speed and precision. Its comprehensive portfolio includes SOC-as-a-Service, Managed XDR, Incident Readiness & Response, Threat Intelligence, and a suite of Cyber Resilience services. Read More

Aditya Khemka, Managing Director of Aditya Infotech Ltd, has received the Hurun Industry Achievement Award 2025-26 in the Electronics Surveillance & Security category at Hurun India’s Most Respected Entrepreneurs’ Awards. The recognition by Hurun India acknowledges industry leaders who have demonstrated vision, resilience and measurable impact in building businesses of national significance. The award highlights Aditya Khemka’s role in strengthening India’s electronic surveillance and security ecosystem and building CP PLUS into one of the country’s most trusted security technology brands. Under his leadership, Aditya Infotech Ltd has expanded its footprint across surveillance, smart security and integrated solutions, with a strong focus on domestic manufacturing, technology innovation and localization. The company has invested in scalable manufacturing capabilities, STQC-certified product lines and R&D-led product development aligned with India’s evolving security requirements. Commenting on the recognition, Aditya Khemka, Managing Director, Aditya Infotech Ltd, said, “This recognition reflects the collective effort of our teams, partners and stakeholders who have contributed to building technology solutions that address India’s growing security needs. We remain committed to advancing indigenous innovation, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and delivering future-ready security solutions.” Over the years, CP PLUS has played a key role in supporting public infrastructure, enterprises and smart city deployments with a diversified portfolio spanning CCTV cameras, smart Wi-Fi cameras, AI-powered surveillance systems and integrated security platforms. The award further underscores the company’s commitment to contributing to India’s self-reliance in electronics and security technologies, aligned with national priorities around domestic manufacturing and technology capability building. Aditya Infotech Limited (BSE: 544466 | NSE: CPPLUS) offers a comprehensive range of advanced video security and surveillance products, technologies and solutions for enterprise and consumer segments under the CP PLUS brand. In addition, we provide solutions and services including fully integrated security systems and Security-as-a-Service directly and through our distribution network to address the requirements of end-customers across a broad range of sectors. With India’s largest integrated manufacturing facility at Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh and the largest portfolio of STQC certified products, CP PLUS is leading the ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Read More

In a powerful testament to its unwavering commitment to technological advancement and indigenous innovation, CP PLUS has been conferred with the distinguished Award for Innovation in Electrical & Electronic Equipment. This prestigious recognition underscores the company’s continued leadership in designing and delivering world-class technologies rooted in Indian engineering excellence, further cementing its role as a pioneer in the nation’s rapidly evolving electronics and security ecosystem. At a time when India is accelerating toward technological self-reliance and global manufacturing prominence, this honor reflects CP PLUS’ relentless pursuit of innovation, quality, and technological sovereignty. The award celebrates the company’s exceptional contributions to advancing the electrical and electronics sector through cutting-edge research, indigenous product development, and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities. A Legacy Defined by Innovation and Engineering Excellence Innovation has long been the cornerstone of CP PLUS’ growth story. Over the years, the company has consistently invested in advanced research and development to create intelligent, scalable, and future-ready technologies that address the complex security and infrastructure needs of modern India. This recognition for innovation in electrical and electronic equipment highlights CP PLUS’ leadership in developing sophisticated surveillance systems, intelligent imaging solutions, advanced storage technologies, and integrated security platforms – all engineered with precision and designed to meet stringent performance and compliance standards. By combining artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductor integration, and intelligent video analytics, CP PLUS has transformed traditional surveillance into proactive, intelligent security ecosystems capable of enhancing safety, operational efficiency, and situational awareness across diverse sectors. From smart cities and transportation networks to banking institutions, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure, CP PLUS technologies are playing a pivotal role in safeguarding millions of lives and assets across the nation. Advancing India’s Vision of Technological Self-Reliance The Award for Innovation in Electrical & Electronic Equipment also reflects CP PLUS’ strong alignment with India’s national vision of technological self-reliance and indigenous manufacturing. As the country strengthens its domestic electronics ecosystem under initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, CP PLUS has emerged as a key enabler of this transformation. The company’s extensive focus on indigenous research, product engineering, and localized manufacturing ensures that its technologies are not only globally competitive but also tailored to address India’s unique operational and environmental requirements. By developing solutions within India, CP PLUS contributes to strengthening supply chain resilience, fostering local innovation, and reducing dependency on external technologies – while simultaneously positioning India as a global hub for advanced electronics manufacturing. This award serves as a validation of these efforts and highlights CP PLUS’ role as a driving force behind India’s emergence as a leader in advanced electronic and security technologies. Delivering Future-Ready Technologies for a Connected and Secure World CP PLUS’ innovation-driven approach has resulted in the development of a comprehensive portfolio of advanced technologies, including AI-powered surveillance cameras, intelligent video management systems, advanced video analytics platforms, and secure storage solutions. Our clients want releases they can trust, even as they adopt AI in development,” said Sanjay Salunkhe, President & Global Head – Digital and Software Services, Hexaware, “With RapidX® and Kiro, we aim to bring more structure, standards, and traceability into the SDLC so large programs can move faster without increasing delivery risk These technologies are engineered to deliver superior performance, reliability, and scalability – ensuring seamless integration across diverse environments ranging from urban infrastructure and enterprise facilities to residential and mobility applications. By leveraging intelligent algorithms, advanced imaging capabilities, and robust hardware architectures, CP PLUS solutions enable proactive monitoring, faster incident response, and enhanced operational efficiency – transforming security from a reactive necessity into a strategic enabler of safety and resilience. The company’s continuous focus on innovation ensures that its technologies remain aligned with the evolving demands of digital infrastructure, smart governance, and intelligent automation. Recognition That Reflects Vision, Commitment, and Impact Receiving the Award for Innovation in Electrical & Electronic Equipment represents more than a milestone – it is a powerful affirmation of CP PLUS’ enduring commitment to engineering excellence, technological leadership, and nation-building. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of CP PLUS’ engineers, researchers, and technology experts, whose dedication to innovation continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in electronic and security technologies. It also reinforces the trust placed in CP PLUS by governments, enterprises, and institutions across the country – organizations that rely on its technologies to secure critical infrastructure and enable safe, intelligent environments. Shaping the Future Through Relentless Innovation As CP PLUS continues to expand its technological capabilities and global footprint, the company remains focused on its core mission – delivering intelligent, reliable, and indigenously engineered technologies that empower safer, smarter, and more secure ecosystems. This prestigious award marks yet another milestone in CP PLUS’ journey of innovation and excellence – while also catalyzing future breakthroughs that will define the next generation of security and electronic technologies. With innovation embedded in its DNA and excellence guiding its vision, CP PLUS stands poised to continue leading India’s technological transformation – building solutions that not only protect today but also secure the future. Read More

Panel Discussion – Mr Naganand Doraswamy, Managing Partner & Founder, Ideaspring Capital, Ms Anusha Ram Mohan, Co-Convenor, CII Karnataka Emerging Technologies Panel and Chief Technology & Product Officer, Myelin Foundry, Mr Raghu Dharmaraju, CEO, Artpark, IISc, Mr Guruprasad Mudlapur, Vice Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council & President, Bosch Group IN India & Managing Director, Bosch Ltd, Mr N Venu, Immediate Past Chairman, CII Karnataka & Managing Director and CEO, India and South Asia, Member of Global Executive Team, Hitachi Energy & Managing Director, Hitachi India, Mr Sam Cherian, Convenor, CII Karnataka MSME Panel & Managing Director, Schevaran Laboratories Pvt Ltd, Mr Pankaj Vyas, CEO & Managing Director, Siemens Technology and Services Pvt Ltd The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Karnataka State Council hosted the CII Karnataka State Annual Meeting 2025-26 recently in Bengaluru under the theme ‘Industrial AI Transformation and Trust.’ Addressing the CII Karnataka Annual Meeting, MB Patil, Minister for Large & Medium Industries & Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka cited, “Karnataka is entering a new phase of industrial transformation where artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and trusted digital ecosystems will redefine global competitiveness. With over 800 R&D centres, 18,000+ start-ups, and nearly 35% of India’s Global Capability Centres, Karnataka is uniquely positioned to lead this transition. Our focus now is not only on ease of doing business, but on the speed of doing business supported by policy stability, digitalised compliance, and a strong innovation ecosystem that empowers industry to scale responsibly and sustainably.” Delivering the keynote address Kris Gopalakrishnan, Past President, CII and Co-founder, Infosys highlighted, “Artificial Intelligence is a transformative technology that will fundamentally redefine what is possible for economies, industries, and societies. The choices we make today as companies, as institutions and as a nation will shape India’s economic trajectory for decades to come. While AI offers extraordinary opportunities to expand productivity and democratize expertise, it is equally important that we invest in domestic capabilities, responsible governance, and large-scale reskilling to ensure that the benefits of this revolution are broad-based and inclusive.” Plenary Session – Guruprasad Mudlapur, Vice Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council 2025- 26 & President, Bosch Group in India & Managing Director Bosch Ltd; Ms Radhika Dhall, Senior Director & State Head, CII Karnataka; Rabindra Srikantan Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council 2025-26 & Managing Director, ASM Technologies Ltd; MB Patil, Minister for Large & Medium Industries & Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka; Thomas John, Muthoot Chairman, CII Southern Region & Chairman & Managing Director, Muthoot Fincorp Ltd; and Dev Jyoti, Regional Director, CII Southern Region Offering a special address, Thomas John Muthoot, Chairman, CII Southern Region and Chairman & Managing Director, Muthoot Fincorp, emphasized, “Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way industries operate, but its success will depend not only on technological capability but also on trust, governance, and responsible implementation. As businesses integrate AI into their operations, it is essential that organizations focus on inclusive adoption, continuous skilling, and transparent frameworks that balance innovation with ethical responsibility. At the same time, leadership and boards must strengthen governance structures to address emerging challenges such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and responsible use of digital systems.” Rabindra Srikantan, Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council 2025-26 and Managing Director, ASM Technologies said, “Today, industry is experiencing a profound shift in how humans, machines, and intelligent systems work together across manufacturing and industrial value chains. As AI moves beyond assisting human judgment to enabling autonomous decisions, trust becomes the critical link between advanced technology and human confidence. This trust must be built through strong ethical frameworks, transparent governance, and accountability – ensuring that AI not only drives efficiency and innovation, but also supports responsible and sustainable industrial transformation.” Guruprasad Mudlapur, Vice Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council 2025-26 and President, Bosch Group in India & Managing Director Bosch Ltd. Highlighted, “Industrial AI has evolved from experimentation to a core driver of productivity, quality, and resilience in manufacturing. Karnataka, with its engineering talent, innovation ecosystem, and industry-academia ties, is poised to lead, but success demands joint action across the ecosystem – SMEs, MSMEs, and MNCs collaborating on scaling AI for predictive maintenance, automation, and data-driven production. Equally critical are trusted digital ecosystems rooted in data security, transparency, and responsible AI to fuel this shared transformation.” The event also featured an industry panel discussion on ‘Industrial AI Transformation and Talent Integration,’ moderated by N Venu, Immediate Past Chairman, CII Karnataka and Managing Director & CEO – India and South Asia, Hitachi Energy & Managing Director, Hitachi India cited, “Industrial AI is reshaping manufacturing by enabling faster, data-driven decisions across operations and value chains. The real opportunity lies not just in deploying advanced technologies, but in integrating them seamlessly with legacy systems, skilled talent, and trusted digital frameworks. Organisations that successfully combine human expertise with intelligent systems will unlock higher productivity, resilience, and long-term industrial competitiveness.” Business Session – Ms Radhika Dhall, Senior Director & State Head, CII Karnataka; Rabindra Srikantan, Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council 2025-26 & Managing Director, ASM Technologies Ltd; Thomas John Muthoot Chairman, CII Southern Region & Chairman & Managing Director, Muthoot Fincorp Ltd; Dev Jyoti, Regional Director, CII Southern Region; Guruprasad Mudlapur Vice Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council 2025-26 & President, Bosch Group in India & Managing Director Bosch Ltd. At this meet, CII Karnataka also announced the election of New Office bearers for CII Karnataka State Council for the year 2026 -27. Guruprasad Mudlapur, President, Bosch Group in India & Managing Director, Bosch Ltd elected as the Chairman while Sam Cherian, Managing Director, Schevaran Laboratories Pvt Ltd will serve as the Vice Chairman. The event brought together leading industry voices, technology experts, and business leaders to deliberate on how artificial intelligence is transforming industrial ecosystems and the importance of building trust, governance, and talent capabilities in the AI-driven economy. The session highlighted Karnataka’s growing leadership in digital innovation and advanced technologies, reinforcing the state’s role as a key hub for technology-driven industrial transformation in India. Leading industries including ASM Technologies Ltd, Bosch Ltd, Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery…

Reinforcing Customer Confidence through Certified Quality and Regulatory Excellence Consistent Infosystems Pvt. Ltd., one of India’s leading brands in IT hardware, gaming, and surveillance solutions, has successfully achieved BIS-ER Certification (certified through an STQC-accredited lab) for its range of 4G and Wi-Fi CCTV Cameras. This milestone represents a major advancement in the company’s ongoing efforts to provide high-quality, safe, and regulation-compliant surveillance products designed specifically for the Indian market. The certification ensures that Consistent’s surveillance products meet the required safety, quality, and regulatory standards, strengthening customer trust and brand credibility. With the increasing demand for secure and reliable monitoring systems in residential, commercial, and enterprise sectors, this recognition further reinforces the brand’s position in the surveillance industry. Designed for seamless connectivity, the certified camera range is fully integrated with the CEYE (Consistent Eye) App. This ecosystem allows users to manage live monitoring, playback, and motion alerts directly from their smartphones. This Series also offers built-in YouTube live streaming option, enabling users to broadcast events in real time with ease. Supporting data sovereignty, the CEYE App utilizes Indian servers for secure cloud storage, ensuring enhanced privacy compliance and cybersecurity. “Both our surveillance products and the CEYE App are proudly ‘Made in Bharat,’ reflecting our commitment to national self-reliance and superior data protection, said Yogesh Agrawal, CMD and Co-Founder, Consistent Infosystems, “Achieving BIS-ER Certification through an STQC-accredited lab reflects our focus on quality and customer assurance as we address the growing security needs of Indian homes and businesses.” With this accomplishment, Consistent Infosystems continues to strengthen its position in the surveillance segment by delivering secure, high-quality, and compliant monitoring solutions designed for homes, businesses, and enterprises-reinforcing its commitment to ‘Surveillance That Never Sleeps.’ Read More

In an era driven by data, Hikstorage stands at the forefront of storage technology, offering a complete product lineup that spans consumer electronics to industrial applications. The portfolio includes SSDs, DDR memory, storage cards, external drives, NAS systems, accessories, and eMMC embedded solutions, providing seamless storage options for personal, professional, and enterprise use. Each product is engineered for high performance, reliability, and efficiency, empowering users to capture, store, and access data with ease. Backed by strong R&D commitment, Hikstorage has built a robust innovation ecosystem, holding over 150 granted patents in storage technologies as of 2025. With deep expertise in both hardware and software, including advanced algorithm clusters, firmware, and in-house controller design, the company delivers customized solutions tailored to diverse industries and specialized scenarios. Hikstorage’s smart manufacturing capability is demonstrated through its advanced facilities in Wuhan and Hangzhou. The Wuhan plant, operational since 2023, is equipped with packaging and testing lines supporting mass production of BGA, UFS, and TF products. The Hangzhou facility utilizes fully automated SMT lines integrated with MES, APS, PDM, and ERP systems, enabling flexible, large-scale production with rapid market response. A digital supply chain forms the operational backbone, incorporating ERP, PLM, SRM, and MES systems alongside a dedicated logistics team to ensure smooth material flow and on-time delivery. Through a unified supplier platform, Hikstorage optimizes inventory, shortens lead times, and strengthens end-to-end supply chain resilience. Quality is guaranteed via a 1,300-square-meter testing center equipped with over 100 precision instruments for thermal, salt spray, vibration, and reliability testing. End-to-end traceability under 6S and SAP systems ensures compliance with international standards including FCC, CE, CCC, RoHS, REACH, and WEEE. The company also maintains ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certifications, reflecting its unwavering commitment to quality and safety. Hikstorage’s solutions are tailored to evolving consumer and industrial needs. Products like the G4000 Series SSD and T300S Portable SSD deliver high-speed, reliable performance for gamers, creators, and professionals. Industrial offerings such as the V301 SSD for video surveillance come with advanced features including lifespan prediction and fault diagnosis, enhancing system reliability and earning widespread customer trust. Looking ahead, Hikstorage will continue to drive innovation in storage technology, developing efficient solutions for emerging applications. By advancing its capabilities in technology, manufacturing, and supply chain management, the company aims to empower users across all sectors, contributing to a more efficient, secure, and higher-quality digital life. With a comprehensive product portfolio and relentless pursuit of excellence, Hikstorage is poised to lead the future of storage solutions. Read More

Shunya Labs, a Nasscom GenAI Cohort 1 startup, has announced the launch of Vāķ, India’s largest open-weight voice AI release, unveiled in partnership with Nasscom at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. A real-time translation system spanning all 2,970 language pairs across India’s 55 mother tongues, Vāķ is accompanied by the world’s #1-ranked open-weight speech recognition model and a neural text-to-speech engine, all released simultaneously, all free to deploy. Open-weight translation model with voice preservation, <1.5s latency, and zero-shot cloning, enabling sovereign AI deployment across every Indian mother tongue In a country of 1.4 billion people with over a thousand language varieties including 61 languages spoken by more than a million people, speech AI systems that support only 5-10 Indian languages are simply inadequate. This limited coverage has compelled Indian developers, startups, and government institutions to rely on foreign APIs and overseas servers, placing citizen voice data under external terms while leaving vast linguistic communities underserved. Additionally, many Indian languages are not mutually intelligible, even within the same language family, making genuine linguistic inclusion far more complex than superficial multi-language support. As a result, major speech communities such as Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, Chhattisgarhi, and Magahi each spoken by tens of millions have remained largely excluded from mainstream AI systems. Vāķ is designed to close this structural gap by delivering comprehensive, real-time, and sovereign language coverage aligned with the full depth and diversity of India’s linguistic landscape. Shunya Labs, a Nasscom GenAI Cohort 1 startup, has announced the launch of Vāķ, India’s largest open-weight voice AI release, unveiled in partnership with Nasscom at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. A real-time translation system spanning all 2,970 language pairs across India’s 55 mother tongues, Vāķ is accompanied by the world’s #1-ranked open-weight speech recognition model and a neural text-to-speech engine, all released simultaneously, all free to deploy At its core, Vāķ is a real-time Any-to-Any Translation system that converts speech in any of India’s 55 languages into any of the other 54, instantly, with end-to-end latency under 1.5 seconds. But it does more than merely translate words; it preserves the speaker’s voice, their tone, and their emotions across languages. Additionally, its Zero-shot voice cloning means that no prior training data is needed. The name Vāķ itself carries deep resonance, representing the power of speech in ancient Vedic thought. It’s the force that transforms thought into expression and gives voice to knowledge itself, and one of the oldest and most revered concepts in Sanskrit tradition. Shunya Labs’ choice of the name reflects how Vāķ is a technology that is rooted in India’s own intellectual heritage. With complete model weights publicly available for download and local deployment, any organisation can run Vāķ on its own infrastructure with no data leaving its environment. The release comprises three simultaneously launched model families. It’s these first-of-its-kind features that give Vāķ its edge. Vāķ gives any organisation the freedom to deploy entirely on their own infrastructure without calls to foreign servers, or citizen voice data leaving the country, no recurring API costs, and no dependency. For government agencies, hospitals reaching rural patients, and courts delivering justice in local languages, sovereign deployment is the foundation. With Vāķ, the full set of 2,970 translation pairs is available out of the box, making cross-linguistic citizen services, healthcare outreach, judicial access, and educational delivery technically and economically viable for the first time at a national scale. Commenting on the launch, Sourav Bandyopadhyay, Founder & Chief Scientist, Shunya Labs, said, “India does not need to depend on foreign APIs to hear its own people. With Vāķ, we are releasing the world’s best-performing open-weight Voice AI across 55 distinct Indian tongues, that is, every language with over a million speakers. This is sovereign, self-funded innovation built within the Nasscom ecosystem. Our vision is simple – every developer can build, every government can deploy, and every Indian can be heard in their own language.” Adding to this, Ankit Bose, Head of AI, Nasscom, said, “Shunya Labs, as a Nasscom GenAI Cohort 1 startup, exemplifies the kind of globally competitive innovation emerging from India’s AI ecosystem. Building high-performance, open-weight models across Indian languages reflects both technical excellence and a commitment to sovereign, inclusive AI. The introduction of Vāķ reinforces the role of the Nasscom GenAI ecosystem in enabling startups to innovate at global standards while contributing meaningfully to India’s digital future.” Vāķ’s coverage spans India’s full linguistic landscape – 43 Indo-Aryan languages including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Urdu, Bhojpuri, and Rajasthani; seven Dravidian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam; three Sino-Tibetan languages including Meitei (Manipuri), Bodo, and Garo; one Austroasiatic language, Santali; and Indian English, reaching over 1.17 billion native speakers in aggregate. The launch of Vāķ also aligns with the IndiaAI Mission, Digital India, BHASHINI, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Shunya Labs is an advanced voice AI platform delivering real-time, on-premise solutions for speech, language, and reasoning. The company develops high-accuracy speech recognition models optimised for Indian and multilingual environments, enabling secure, privacy-first deployments across cloud, edge, and air-gapped systems for enterprises and public institutions. Read More

After an impressive IPL season last year where Punjab Kings reached the final, the franchise is set to enter IPL 2026 with renewed ambition and energy. Punjab Kings has formed a strategic partnership with CP PLUS, a renowned global security and surveillance brand. CP PLUS will assume the role of the Title Sponsor for IPL 2026, thereby enhancing the team’s ecosystem and elevating its brand visibility. In a world where trust, safety and technology are more important than ever, this partnership reflects the evolving expectations of Indian consumers and brings together two brands that strongly connect with today’s audience through performance, reliability and innovation. CP PLUS is a leading global security and surveillance brand, offering a wide range of advanced solutions across video surveillance, biometric access control, home automation, and enterprise security systems. Driven by a commitment to innovation and safety, CP PLUS continues to be a trusted name in building secure environments for homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. As part of the association, Punjab Kings and CP PLUS will roll out a season-long campaign built around digital-first storytelling, high-impact on-ground activations, and fan-focused experiences. The partnership will also explore technology-led integrations across stadium and digital platforms, aimed at making matchdays more immersive and engaging for fans. Commenting on the partnership, Aditya Khemka, Managing Director, CP PLUS, said, “Cricket unites millions across the country, and as the brand that has closely supported the game for years, this partnership with Punjab Kings is especially meaningful for us. At CP PLUS, we see clear parallels between high-performance sport and our own journey: discipline, precision and the ability to deliver consistently under pressure. “Punjab Kings stands out for its fearless approach and its strong connection with fans across India. That spirit of ambition and resilience resonates deeply with us. As Title Sponsor for IPL 2026, we view this association as a strategic platform to engage with a digitally connected, nationwide audience, while reinforcing our focus on delivering trusted, technology-led security solutions that help build safer and smarter environments across the country.” Commenting on the partnership, Satish Menon, CEO of Punjab Kings, said, “We are delighted to welcome CP PLUS into the Punjab Kings family. This partnership is built on a shared vision and we are confident it will create strong value for both brands. We look forward to an exciting season ahead together.” Saurabh Arora, Chief Commercial Officer of Punjab Kings, added, “CP PLUS is a trusted brand that fits naturally into everyday India, making this partnership highly relevant for the IPL audience. Together, we aim to build a season-long platform that delivers strong consumer impact and brings fans closer to the Punjab Kings experience.” Punjab Kings finalized their 25-member squad at the IPL 2026 Auction held on December 16, adding four new players to the roster. With a strong core and exciting new additions, the team now looks forward to another season of high-intensity cricket and passionate support from its fans. Read More

AI-driven platform designed to detect, track, and neutralize modern drone threats operating in radio silence OptiValue Tek, a global digital engineering and AI-led technology consulting firm, has announced its strategic entry into the defence technology sector with the launch of the Integrated Counter-UAV Defence System (ICUDS), a next-generation counter-drone platform engineered to detect, track, and neutralize advanced unmanned aerial threats. The anti-drone system marks OptiValue Tek’s formal entry into the defence sector, further strengthening its position within India’s defence innovation ecosystem. ICUDS addresses a critical gap in modern electronic warfare where autonomous, GPS-denied, and swarm-capable drones are increasingly able to evade traditional RF-based countermeasures. The system utilizes a layered, multi-sensor fusion architecture designed to identify and intercept ‘dark drones’ that operate without conventional radio transmissions. The platform integrates a Bayesian multi-sensor fusion framework combining RF intelligence, acoustic detection, electro-optical surveillance, and AI-powered targeting. This approach enables rapid and highly accurate threat detection, allowing the system to identify and engage aerial threats within three seconds while simultaneously tracking more than 30 targets in swarm scenarios. “The nature of aerial threats is evolving rapidly, and traditional countermeasures are no longer sufficient against autonomous and RF-silent drones. With ICUDS, we are introducing a sovereign, AI-powered defence platform that combines multi-modal sensing, edge AI, and precision engagement capabilities to help strengthen modern airspace security while supporting India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.” Ashish KumarFounder and Managing Director of OptiValue Tek The system architecture follows a ‘Five Senses Doctrine,’ integrating multiple sensing and response layers to enhance situational awareness and engagement precision. RF intelligence modules analyze drone communication signals using convolutional neural networks, while acoustic arrays detect motor harmonic signatures of RF-silent drones. A panoramic electro-optical system provides continuous 360-degree visual and thermal monitoring, followed by precision optical tracking capable of delivering fire-control quality targeting for kinetic engagement. Once a threat is identified, ICUDS can deploy a layered neutralization strategy that includes both soft-kill and hard-kill mechanisms. Soft-kill capabilities include protocol-level deception, GPS spoofing, and broadband jamming, while hard-kill responses incorporate precision anti-drone interceptors designed to neutralize high-speed aerial threats. ICUDS operates on edge AI architecture, ensuring that all detection, analysis, and engagement processes are performed locally without dependence on cloud infrastructure. The system delivers classification accuracy exceeding 93 percent while maintaining an extremely low false alarm rate, making it suitable for mission-critical environments. With more than 60 percent indigenous content aligned with India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, the system contributes to strengthening domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and supply chain sovereignty. The platform is designed for deployment across multiple operational environments including armed forces installations, border security zones, airports, strategic airbases, power plants, telecom infrastructure, and other high-value critical assets. OptiValue Tek’s entry into defence technology reflects the company’s broader vision of expanding beyond digital transformation to build intelligent, mission-critical systems that support national security, infrastructure protection, and next-generation technological sovereignty. Read More