Highlighting the growing impact of geopolitical disruptions, climate variability, and global supply chain uncertainties on agriculture, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) called for stronger national focus on preserving and strengthening India’s agricultural biodiversity, describing seed diversity and resilient crop genetics as critical strategic assets for ensuring long-term food security, farmer resilience, and supply chain stability.
 

Ajai Rana, Chairman, Federation of Seed Industry of India & MD & CEO, Savannah Seeds (left) and Dr Paresh Verma, Director General, Federation of Seed Industry of India
 

Ajai Rana, Chairman, FSII and CEO & MD, Savannah Seeds, said, “The world is increasingly realising that biodiversity is no longer only an environmental discussion. It is fundamentally linked to economic resilience, food security, and national preparedness. In agriculture, seed diversity acts as an insurance mechanism during periods of disruption, whether arising from climate events, geopolitical tensions, or supply chain shocks.”

He further added, “India’s vast agrobiodiversity is one of our greatest strategic strengths. Our thousands of indigenous crop varieties, region-specific seed systems, and strong scientific ecosystem provide resilience that many countries do not possess. Preserving and strengthening this diversity through innovation, breeding, and science-led agriculture must remain a national priority.”

FSII noted that India remains one of the world’s richest agrobiodiversity regions, with thousands of traditional rice landraces, diverse millet varieties, pulses, oilseeds, and regionally adapted crops that have evolved over generations to withstand varying climatic and ecological conditions. The industry body emphasized that diverse and locally adaptive seed systems become especially important during periods of global uncertainty, helping stabilize productivity and reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions.

Rana also highlighted the increasing role of modern breeding technologies, biotechnology, and genome editing in enhancing agricultural resilience. Recent advancements in climate-resilient, drought-tolerant, flood-tolerant, and nutrient-efficient crop varieties are helping farmers cope with changing climatic conditions while improving productivity and resource-use efficiency. “Between 2014 and 2025, nearly 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties were developed under national breeding programmes, including drought-tolerant, flood-tolerant, heat-resilient, and nutrient-efficient varieties aimed at improving productivity under stress conditions,” he said.

Dr Paresh Verma, Director General, FSII, said, “The future of agricultural resilience will depend on our ability to combine traditional biodiversity with modern science. Biotechnology, precision breeding, and genome editing are enabling the development of crop varieties that are more resilient to heat, drought, pests, and changing climatic conditions without compromising productivity.”

He emphasized India’s growing seed ecosystem can transform agrobiodiversity into a major strategic and economic advantage. The Federation noted that India currently has over 30,000 registered seed varieties and an estimated domestic seed market of nearly Rs 30,000 crore. With supportive policy reforms, stronger R&D incentives, and regulatory ease, FSII estimates that India could increase its share in global seed exports from nearly 1% currently to 10% by 2035, positioning the country as a major global seed hub.

FSII noted that biodiversity in agriculture should be viewed not only from a conservation perspective, but also as a strategic pillar of economic stability, farmer welfare, and national food resilience. The Federation called for continued support towards seed research, crop improvement, conservation of indigenous germplasm, and policy frameworks that encourage innovation-led and science-based agricultural development.

Two student-led innovation teams from Galgotias University will represent India at the Global EDVentures Startup Competition 2026 at The Education University of Hong Kong, where university founders from across Asia will present technology-driven ideas attempting to rethink how learning is experienced, accessed, and delivered under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education.

Two student-led teams from Galgotias University will represent India at the Global EDVentures Startup Competition 2026 in Hong Kong with education-tech innovations

The two teams are working on different but equally relevant problems within education technology, one exploring how Virtual Reality can make complex concepts easier to experience and understand, and the other attempting to make coding education more accessible for visually impaired learners through tactile interaction systems. Their selection also comes at a relevant juncture when the global education technology market is seeing growing interest in immersive learning and accessibility-focused innovation.

Startup Tekurious Pvt. Limited includes Akash Kumar, a third-year B.Tech Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) student from the Class of 2027, Yash Vardhan, a third-year B.Sc. (Hons.) Microbiology student from the Class of 2026 at the School of Biosciences and Technology, and Anoop Maurya, a fourth-year B.Tech Artificial Intelligence & Data Science student from the Batch of 2022–2026 at Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology. The startup is building a Virtual Reality-enabled immersive learning platform designed to help students understand complex academic concepts through interactive simulations rather than passive textbook instruction.

Speaking about the journey behind the idea, Akash Kumar shared that the startup began with a simple belief that students understand concepts far better when they can experience them rather than memorise them. He added that representing their work at EDVentures in Hong Kong gives the team an opportunity to showcase how immersive learning technologies can improve engagement and accessibility across classrooms.

Project TACTO comprises Gaurang Pant, a third-year B.Tech Computer Science Engineering student from the Class of 2027, Shristi Mandoliya, a second-year B.Tech Computer Science Engineering (Data Science) student from the Class of 2028, and Kavya Singh, a third-year BBA Financial Investment Analysis student from the Batch of 2023–2026 at the School of Finance & Commerce, Galgotias University. The team is developing a tactile hardware-based coding system for visually impaired learners, translating abstract programming logic into physical interaction through modular blocks supported by sensing technologies and real-time audio feedback.

Sharing the experience behind building Project TACTO, Gaurang Pant said the idea emerged from conversations around how visually impaired learners often face barriers in coding education because of screen-dependent interfaces. He noted that presenting the project at EDVentures would allow the team to engage with educators and innovators working toward more inclusive models of programming education.

The EDVentures Competition will bring together student innovation teams from leading institutions including Nanyang Technological University, National Institute of Education Singapore, King Saud University, East China Normal University, Universitas Indonesia, and Ajman University, placing the Galgotias teams alongside a wider Asian network of young founders building technology-led responses to how people learn, access knowledge, and experience education.

Speaking on the opportunity, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, said, “As internationalisation becomes an increasing area of focus for the University, opportunities such as EDVentures allow our students to engage with global educators, researchers, and student founders working on similar challenges. When students begin building solutions for real learning problems and present them on international platforms, it reflects the confidence they are developing as innovators and problem-solvers with relevance beyond their immediate surroundings.”

Highlighting the importance of global exposure for emerging founders, Rachit Mathur, entrepreneur and mentor to students at the Galgotias Incubation Centre, said “Exposure to a global platform like EDVentures allows student founders to test their ideas in diverse academic environments and learn from different perspectives. This year’s SDG-4 theme has encouraged teams to connect inclusive education goals with emerging technologies such as AI and immersive learning systems. Experiences like this help young founders refine solutions into scalable innovations.”

Galgotias has been steadily expanding its startup and innovation ecosystem through industry-linked Centres of Excellence, advanced technology labs, and structured incubation support for student founders. The university has incubated more than 135 startups so far and has established the INR 10 crore Galgotias Innovation Fund to support emerging student-led ventures.

Galgotias University has also developed specialised labs and Centres of Excellence in collaboration with organisations including Intel, Cisco, Apple, Salesforce, Tata Technologies, and Capgemini, alongside a high-performance computing ecosystem powered by the NVIDIA DGX H200, giving students access to industry-grade infrastructure and emerging technology platforms. Reflecting the expanding culture of applied innovation on campus, 34 student-developed applications are currently live on the Apple App Store, while 18 Galgotias students were selected among the global winners of the Apple Swift Student Challenge.

Both teams are currently undergoing structured mentoring support as part of their preparation for participation in the global competition. The participation of both teams reflects how student-led innovation at Galgotias University is increasingly moving beyond classroom projects into globally relevant problem-solving around accessibility, immersive learning, and the future of education technology.

A brand new 30,000-acre city. Three bullet trains. A trillion-dollar economy by 2034. That is the kind of Hyderabad, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is building and he laid it all out, in plain words, at the Way2News Conclave this week.

Ajitesh Korupolu, CEO and founder of ASBL with CM Revanth Reddy at Way2News conclave

Top political leaders, policy makers, and creators gathered to map out the state’s future. Right at the centre of the conversation was ASBL, a key part of the conclave from start to finish, joining the panel discussions, backing the event’s vision, and standing out as one of the strongest voices on Hyderabad’s growth story. By the close of the evening, ASBL was also awarded with ‘Most Innovative Builder of the Decade.’ But the spotlight, fittingly, stayed on the CM, who used the stage to lay out exactly where Telangana is heading.

On Hyderabad’s real estate, the CM spoke with absolute confidence. He made it clear that while the market has shown a lot of progress, it has barely scratched the surface of its true potential. The city is ready to move at a much faster pace. While global shifts like changing economies or the rise of AI are altering how people work and live, Hyderabad is built to handle it. Over the last seven years, the city’s real estate has only moved upward, a fact strongly backed by official reports from the CAG, NITI Aayog, and the GST department. For the CM, this past growth is just a small preview; the real story is the massive, untapped future that Hyderabad is now ready to unlock.

When asked about the apparent slowdown in the current real estate market and investments, the CM addressed the online noise directly. He stated simply “people putting investment into propaganda, writing lies themselves and believing them.”

Pointing to the Financial District, he said, the area has become a major global hub because the government focused on providing top-tier infrastructure, allowing private builders to do what they do best and creating a space where top global companies want to invest. Today, nearly 10 lakh people work there. Highlighting the incredible demand in the micro-market, he noted that land in nearby Raidurg’s Knowledge Park recently sold for a record INR 184 crore per acre. The lesson, he said, is simple: the government’s core job is to deliver excellent foundational infrastructure like the metro, high-speed highways, and seamless airport connectivity, which gives investors and builders the confidence to develop the city.

Bharat Future City, his boldest move, the CM spoke about a brand new 30,000-acre city coming up near Hyderabad. No Indian state, he said, has tried building a full new city at this scale. Earlier projects like the Financial District were just 400 to 500 acres. Future City, he believes, can stand alongside New York, Tokyo, and Singapore.

On connectivity, the plans are big. A 12-lane expressway and rail line will link Future City to Machilipatnam port, located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. And of the seven new bullet trains being rolled out by the Centre, three are coming to Telangana with Hyderabad as the hub, linking Hyderabad to Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai.

The bigger picture stayed with him throughout. Telangana has just 3% of India’s population but already contributes 5% of GDP. He wants that to double to 10%, and push the state’s economy past USD 1 trillion by 2034. Hyderabad and the real estate ecosystem around it sits right at the centre of that push.

ASBL strongly shares this forward-thinking vision for Hyderabad and has been actively contributing to the city’s development. While the government builds the master infrastructure, ASBL focuses on building the actual spaces that match this high-growth future. Today, ASBL operates 10 million square feet of space with another 10 million in the pipeline, ensuring that as Hyderabad grows toward its trillion-dollar future, ASBL is right there building it.

By bringing both new-age construction and sharp thought leadership to the table, ASBL’s presence at the conclave showed exactly why it is leading the way in shaping how the city lives and grows.

For more information, please log on to www.asbl.in.

What will Telangana look like ten years from now? This was the big question at the Way2News Conclave 2026, held on May 15 at the JRC Convention & Trade Fairs in Jubilee Hills. Top political leaders, policy makers, and creators gathered to map out the state’s future. ASBL, a real estate developer was awarded with “Most Innovative Builder of the Decade”. The landmark conclave featured visionary future insights from Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, and several other key leaders. 

Ajitesh Korupolu, CEO and founder of ASBL in a panel discussion at Way2News conclave

During a panel discussion on economy and business strategies, ASBL Founder and CEO, Ajitesh Korupolu, shared a highly optimistic vision for the city, praising the Way2News team for hosting the event and highlighting why Hyderabad is uniquely positioned for greatness. Korupolu further emphasized the immense multiplier effect of the sector, noting that real estate drives the entire economy forward through its linkages with over 250 ancillary industries including cement, steel, logistics, and retail, while acting as India’s second-largest employer. “Hyderabad is one of the rarest cities in India because we don’t depend on just one industry,” Korupolu noted during the panel. “We have IT, pharma, aerospace, defense tech, and data centers. In fact, 47% of all new Global Capability Centers (GCCs) coming to India are choosing Hyderabad. With the government’s excellent model of building infrastructure first and allowing development to follow, Hyderabad is well on its way to becoming the deep tech capital of India.”

He highlighted that the growth in Hyderabad’s suburban and outer areas is a great example of smart planning. The government builds consistent infrastructure first, and there is plenty of land and water available. By introducing policies gradually instead of all at once, the state avoids sudden market shocks, creating a stable, long-term environment where both builders and home buyers can thrive.

This forward-thinking perspective aligns perfectly with why ASBL, a prominent real estate developer in Hyderabad, received the decade’s top innovation title. The company was recognized for its work in changing how homes are designed, built, and managed. In a traditional real estate landscape, developers often operate in a blind spot, severely lacking the data and consumer insights needed to actually improve the living experience. Recognizing this critical gap, ASBL shifted the paradigm by operating less like a conventional builder and more like a technology company that happens to do real estate. By embedding technology into every single stage of the process, the company captures vital data that allows them to address current pain points and proactively design spaces so that future residents don’t face these everyday problems. This customer-first mindset, backed by heavy use of data and artificial intelligence (AI), is precisely what earned them the decade’s top innovation title.

ASBL collects and analyzes data to understand the real daily challenges people face and use those insights to design layouts that genuinely make life easier. To tackle the construction problems, they created a “Digital Twin” system where every building is mapped out digitally first, allowing teams to assign tasks clearly and upload proof of work in real-time to keep construction fast, on time, and high quality. Finally, they ensure a smooth buying and living experience by completely digitizing the paperwork process, making it incredibly simple for anyone, including NRIs living abroad, to buy a home without endless physical visits. Once residents move in, they use the Homes by ASBL app to effortlessly manage daily chores, book amenities, and raise service requests.

This tech-forward strategy is already working at a massive scale. ASBL is currently operating 10 million square feet of space, with another 10 million square feet already in the pipeline, deeply focusing on the growth of Hyderabad. By bringing both cutting-edge technology to construction and thought leadership to the state’s economic conversations, ASBL’s prominent presence at the conclave proved exactly why they are leading the way in shaping how the city lives and grows.

For more information, please visit: asbl.in.

Bharat Exhibitions hosted the 4^th edition of Bharat 6G 2026, a premier industry conference and exhibition bringing together key stakeholders from the telecom, technology, and policy ecosystem to shape the future of next-generation connectivity in India. The one-day conference and exhibition convened policymakers, telecom operators, global technology providers, academia, and startups to discuss the roadmap, innovations, and collaborative strategies needed to drive India’s leadership in 6G development. Bharat 6G 2026 featured insightful keynote sessions, panel discussions, and industry presentations focusing on emerging technologies, use cases, and the transformative potential of 6G across sectors such as smart cities, healthcare, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure.The conference aims to foster dialogue, encourage partnerships, and accelerate the development of a robust 6G ecosystem aligned with India’s vision for a digitally empowered future.

Left to Right: Jitendra Singh, Qualcomm, Anil Tandan, BIF, Rahul Vatts, Bharti Airtel, A Robert J Ravi, BSNL, AK Tiwari, Reliance Jio, Abhinav Puri, 6D Technologies, Shashi Dharan, BE

Speaking at the event, Mr. Shashi Dharan, Managing Director, Bharat Exhibitions, said, “Bharat 6G 2026 is a strategic platform to bring together industry leaders and innovators to collectively define the next phase of connectivity. India has a unique opportunity to play a leading role in the global 6G landscape, and this conference will help drive that vision forward.”The Conference began with a plenary session which explored how 6G research, standards, and policy frameworks are evolving in alignment with the circular economy. The discussion focuses on building sustainable, energy-efficient, and resource-optimized network ecosystems, while accelerating global standardization, industry collaboration, and innovation roadmaps to make 6G future-ready and environmentally responsible. Moderated by Mr. Debashish Chakraborty, the panel brought together industry leaders including Mr. R.K. Pathak, Mr. Bharat Bhatia, Mr. Dinesh Chand Sharma, Dr. Sandip Chatterjee, Mr. Jitendra Singh and Dr. Sonali Garg, representing key organizations across the 6G and standards ecosystem.

The inaugural session of Bharat 6G 2026 set the tone for India’s leadership in the global 6G era, highlighting the nation’s strategic vision, transition towards AI-native networks, and the role of 6G in driving connectivity, sustainability, and inclusive digital transformation. Industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and standardization in shaping next-generation networks. Guest of Honour, Shri A. Robert J. Ravi, ITS, Chairman & Managing Director, BSNL said, “6G will play a transformative role in expanding connectivity, bridging digital divides, and enabling inclusive growth across India.India is not just preparing for 6G—we are shaping its global direction. Bharat’s 6G vision reflects our ambition to lead the next digital revolution globally”. Mr. AK Tiwari, President (Regulatory), Reliance Jio noted, “India’s 6G vision is centered on innovation, sustainability, and global standardization leadership, positioning the country at the forefront of the next telecom revolution.” Mr. Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel, stated his speech, “The transition to 6G is about innovation, collaboration, and delivering future-ready digital experiences at scale.” While another speaker, Mr. Gulshan Khurana, EVP (Technology), Vodafone Idea, was heard quoting, “India has the opportunity to lead the global 6G landscape through innovation, collaboration, and strong policy alignment. The future of networks lies in intelligence, sustainability, and seamless connectivity—and 6G will bring it all together.” Brig. Anil Tandan, Director General, Broadband India Forum, Mr. Abhinav Puri, Director, 6D Technologies, also joined during the session as keynote speakers. They all reiterated on India’s Bharat 6G Vision that aims to position the country as a global leader in 6G by 2030, focusing on indigenous innovation, affordability, sustainability, and universal connectivity.

As India positions itself as a global leader in 6G innovation, the conference underscores the nation’s commitment to developing ultra-high-speed, AI-driven, and sustainable communication networks that will power the next wave of digital transformation. The day saw several impactful sessions led by eminent speakers from industry and policy domains.The Conference is supported by an ecosystem of leading partners including Broadband India Forum (Knowledge Partner), TSDSI (Standards Partner), 6D Technologies (Presenting Partner), Qualcomm (Powered By), BSNL (Host Operator), Altius (Digital Infra Partner), Syniverse (Roaming Monetization Partner), Rohde & Schwarz (Gold Partner), STPI (Supporting Partner), Techspire(Conference Partner), Commscope and SAARTEK (Associate Partners), with industry bodies such as Bharat 6G Alliance, DIPA, ETSI, GSMA, and IAFI, and media partner Communications Today.The event aims to strengthen India’s position in the global 6G landscape.