Hong Kong SAR
Today marks a significant milestone for the global shipping industry as The Caravel Group, celebrates the first anniversary of the International Maritime Institute (IMI) joining its family. This milestone marks a strategic move by The Caravel Group in addressing the critical talent shortage affecting the global shipping industry, while supporting India’s national goal to grow its share of seafarers to 20% of the global workforce by 2030. By combining IMI’s proud 35-year legacy as a premier maritime institute with sister company Fleet Management Limited’s operational excellence and depth, The Caravel Group has forged an integrated ecosystem that fosters the highest standard in training, broadens career opportunities for seafarers, and supports sustainable operations for the shipping industry.
 

The Caravel Group, International Maritime Institute (IMI), and Fleet Management Celebrate Significant Progress on the 1st Anniversary of Working Together as One to Train a New Generation of Future-Ready Seafarers

The Caravel Group has upgraded IMI’s facilities and invested in its curriculum, including adding advanced simulator training and specialised courses in alternative fuels, emissions reduction, and digital navigation. This year, IMI has also initiated 13 Pre-Sea batches and graduated 400 Pre-Sea cadets, sending many into professional placements with Fleet Management, one of the world’s largest shipping management companies.
 

Dr. Harry S. Banga, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Caravel Group, said, “With the International Maritime Institute and Fleet Management under The Caravel Group, we have strengthened the connection between education and enterprise. Fleet Management’s global operations provide real world exposure that anchors IMI’s training in practical experience and opens pathways into professional careers.”
 

To mark the strategic importance of IMI to The Caravel Group and long-term commitment to maritime excellence, IMI has unveiled a new logo that honours IMI’s 35-year legacy while bringing it visually closer to Fleet Management through shared colours and design elements. Its new tagline, “Anchored in Maritime Excellence, Broadening Horizons,” underscores IMI’s core mission of providing seafarers with exceptional training to unlock a world of opportunities.
 

Pioneering an Integrated Ecosystem that Benefits Seafarers and Shipowners 

For Fleet Management, the integration of IMI directly enhances its ability to secure a sustainable and high-quality talent pipeline. The partnership ensures aspiring talents receive unparalleled real-world exposure and mentorships from its senior officers, with training that is aligned with operational requirements. This results in robust career pathways, from classroom to vessel, providing direct access to highly competent seafarers, a significant advantage for its customers. In a sector facing crew shortages, it means a reliable supply of professionals who maintain the highest standards of safety and performance across its managed fleet.
 

This partnership also ensures that the next generation of seafarers is fully prepared to navigate modern fleets, comply with evolving regulations, and operate the advanced technologies that the industry will need onboard ships in the future.
 

Elevating Maritime Education through Innovation and Future-Readiness

With global seafarer talent shortages, The Caravel Group, IMI, and Fleet Management will continue to develop the next generation of global maritime professionals and ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability in the years to come.
 

The Caravel Group is committed to preserving IMI’s legacy in training excellence and ensuring that IMI’s world-class education remains at the forefront of industry changes and advancements, preparing seafarers for the challenges and opportunities of modern shipping. For Fleet’s customers, the quality of training means customers could continue to count on Fleet to deliver quality of manning, operational safety, and vessel performance.
 

Nurturing a Diverse and Resilient Global Seafaring Workforce

Building on IMI’s proud legacy, Fleet Management is investing in a workforce that embodies competence, character, and confidence. Its commitment extends to championing diversity and inclusion. IMI now offers a scholarship on tuition fees exclusively for women cadets, directly contributing to India’s goal of 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030 and employs over 20,000 Indian seafarers within its 27,000-strong force. Furthermore, Fleet Management implements market-leading initiatives for seafarer wellbeing, including the Fleet Care team for mental health support, Gender Awareness training, a Women’s Network, and women-centric PPE, underscoring its dedication to a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace for all its seafarers.
 

One year in, Fleet Management stands committed to this strengthened partnership. With a new look for IMI, robust training and professional development pathways, and an unwavering commitment to safety, ingenuity, responsibility, and excellence, Fleet Management continues to shape the future of maritime professionals for its fleet and the global industry.
 

About The Caravel Group
The Caravel Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, is a privately held and globally diversified group with operations across maritime services, dry bulk commodity trading, institutional investment management, and philanthropy. Its maritime division includes Fleet Management Limited, the world’s second-largest third-party ship manager with over 600 vessels under management, and strategic investments, including a major stake in Pacific Basin (HKEX: 2343). Caravel also owns the International Maritime Institute (IMI) in India, reinforcing its commitment to maritime talent development. Through Caravel Asset Management, the Group invests globally across public markets and private equity, while its philanthropic arm, The Caravel Foundation, supports the education and well-being of underprivileged youth across Hong Kong, China, and India.
 

Learn more: www.caravel-group.com.
 

About Fleet Management Limited

Fleet Management Limited, part of The Caravel Group, is the world’s second largest ship management company, managing more than 600 vessels. This rank bears testament to the resilience and commitment of 27,000+ seafarers and 1,200+ onshore maritime professionals, serving shipowners worldwide. Fleet manages a range of vessels, including bulk carriers, containers, car carriers, oil tankers, gas carriers and chemical tankers from 600 to 320,000 DWT in size – with many being young and energy-efficient with an age profile below the industry average. The company also has a dynamic newbuilding supervision department.
 

Learn more: www.fleetship.com.
 

About the International Maritime Institute (IMI), Noida

The International Maritime Institute (IMI) is a premier maritime training institution established in 1991. Located in Noida, North India, IMI addresses the global shipping industry’s workforce needs by providing high-quality training and education. The institute boasts state-of-the-art simulators, experienced faculty, and a curriculum designed to equip cadets with essential skills for a successful maritime career. IMI’s commitment to excellence has earned it a strong reputation, making it a sought- after institution for aspiring seafarers. With a focus on holistic development, IMI prepares students to become responsible leaders and outstanding seafarers.
 

Learn more: imi.edu.in.

Gold Winner, one of South India’s most trusted edible oil brands, is expanding its legacy of quality and reliability with the launch of four traditional oils — Gold Winner Groundnut Oil, Gold Winner Gingelly Oil, Gold Winner Coconut Oil, and Gold Winner Rice Bran Oil. With this expansion, the brand aims to position itself as the single trusted name for all cooking oil needs in Indian households.

Gold Winner Expands Legacy with Launch of New Edible Oil Range

Originating from a small setup in Chennai nearly 30 years ago, Gold Winner has grown into a strong FMCG brand, trusted by mothers across generations. Fondly associated with the sentiment “Ammakkalin Nambikkai”, the brand today reaches nearly 2 crore families every month, built on a foundation of consistent quality and reliability.

The introduction of the new range marks a significant step in the brand’s journey, allowing consumers to access a wider variety of oils under the trusted brand ‘Gold Winner’. The expanded portfolio aims to suit diverse cooking styles and traditional recipes, reflecting the evolving needs of modern kitchens and aspirational mothers.

Launched under the tagline “Gold Winner 5 – Quality la Vera Range-u”, the new lineup reinforces the brand’s commitment to delivering quality while simplifying the decision-making process for families. In a market where consumers often turn to multiple brands for different oils, Gold Winner aims to provide a single, dependable solution that mothers can trust across all, types of dishes.

The new range is guided by three core promises: The trust the ‘Gold Winner’ brand has built over decades, oils suited for all kinds of dishes and cuisines and uncompromising quality.

With this expansion, Gold Winner continues its mission to evolve alongside the needs of South Indian families, offering a complete portfolio of high-quality cooking oils while remaining rooted in the trust it has cultivated over 30 years.

For More Information, please visit: www.kaleesuwari.com

Kody Technolab Limited today announced the launch of Medigo Robot, a health screening robot developed to enable rapid preventive health assessments and expand access to routine screening across healthcare, public, and institutional environments. 

Medigo AI-powered health screening robot for preventive healthcare screening

Built and engineered in India, Medigo Robot introduces a scalable healthcare robotic solution designed to support early detection and routine health monitoring. The AI-powered system enables individuals to assess 65+ health parameters and receive a structured health report in approximately 3 minutes.

Preventive healthcare depends on early and reliable screening, yet access to screening infrastructure remains limited across many regions. Globally, 537 million adults live with diabetes and nearly 45% remain undiagnosed, while 1.28 billion people are affected by hypertension, much of it undetected in low- and middle-income countries. Medigo addresses this gap by enabling rapid health screening with up to 95% screening accuracy, delivering technology-enabled assessments that can be deployed across hospitals, transit hubs, corporate campuses, educational institutions, and community health programs.

 
Through an AI-guided interface and integrated medical sensors, the health screening robot captures key health indicators and generates reports that can be delivered digitally or printed on-site. Screenings can include blood glucose and HbA1c for diabetes, blood pressure and ECG monitoring, cholesterol and lung function tests, infectious disease screenings such as HIV and TB, and mental health assessments including ASD. Multilingual interaction and telemedicine connectivity also allow users to consult remote medical professionals when further evaluation is required.

By combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and connected healthcare technologies, Medigo introduces a practical model for robotic health screening infrastructure, enabling healthcare providers, governments, and institutions to conduct preventive health screening programs at scale.

“Medigo is the result of years spent building the artificial intelligence capability, engineering depth, and healthcare expertise required to make large-scale screening possible. It was developed with a clear understanding of the environments it will operate in, the populations it will serve, and the institutions it will work alongside. Its real impact lies in the millions of lives that can benefit from earlier detection and better access to care. With proprietary AI systems, centralized data infrastructure, and a growing installed base, each deployment strengthens the foundation we are building as we work toward creating one of the most important health screening infrastructures in the emerging world.” — Manav Patel, Managing Director, Kody Technolab Limited.  

As healthcare systems increasingly prioritize preventive care and early detection, Medigo Robot provides a scalable platform for rapid health screening and supports efforts to expand healthcare access across both urban and underserved regions. 

About Kody Technolab Limited 
Kody Technolab Limited is a deep-technology company specializing in intelligent software systems and robotics platforms. With expertise spanning artificial intelligence, software engineering, and advanced robotics, the company develops technology solutions designed for large-scale real-world deployment. Kody Technolab’s robots operate across enterprise, retail, healthcare, and public environments, supporting automation, digital interaction, and infrastructure-driven technology applications.

AdvantageClub.ai, a global AI-powered employee rewards, recognition and wellbeing platform, has unveiled the winners of the Most Admired Women Awards (MAW) 2026, honouring 100 outstanding women HR leaders who are driving transformation across the global workplace landscape.
 

100 Most Admired Women Awards by AdvantageClub.ai

The annual recognition celebrates women who are redefining the future of work through visionary leadership, innovative HR strategies, and a deep commitment to building inclusive, people-first organizations. These leaders have played a pivotal role in shaping modern workplaces by championing employee engagement, well-being, and progressive talent practices.
 

In its fourth edition this year, the Most Admired Women Awards (MAW) has emerged as a prominent global platform to spotlight women leaders who are making a lasting impact in the HR ecosystem. The initiative by AdvantageClub.ai continues to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women who are influencing how organizations approach culture, leadership, and workforce transformation.
 

This year, the jury received over 500 nominations from across the globe, including entries from the United States, India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe regions, reflecting the growing global influence of women in HR leadership roles.
 

The nominations underwent a rigorous evaluation process by an esteemed all-women jury panel, including industry leaders Liza Haskell – Former Chief Administrative Officer – Tide , Mahira Al Raisi – Chief People Officer – Sohar International, Nerissa (Carbonell) Berba – EVP/Chief People Officer – Security Bank Corporation , Vasumathi Parthasarathy – Global Head of Performance Management and Employee Recognition – Tata Consultancy Services, and Smiti Bhatt Deorah – COO and Co-Founder – AdvantageClub.ai.
 

Smiti Bhatt Deorah, Co-founder & COO, AdvantageClub.ai, said, “These inspiring women leaders are not just shaping HR strategies but are redefining how organizations build cultures of trust, recognition, and belonging. At AdvantageClub.ai, we believe that recognizing leaders who drive meaningful workplace transformation is critical to inspiring the next generation of HR professionals. The MAW Awards celebrate the resilience, innovation, and leadership that these women bring to the future of work.”
 

The MAW Awards 2026 recognized winners across four categories: Leaders, Pioneers, Achievers, and Champions, highlighting professionals at different stages of their leadership journeys who have made a significant impact within their organizations and the broader HR community.

Leaders: Anuradha Chaudhary, Arshiya Singh, Belle Cañafranca, Damini Thakur, Emilyn Doria, Iris Czarina G. Era, Jennifer Jude Mattos, Jyotsana Saxena, Loly Vadassery, Maninder Kapoor Puri, Margy Mommertz, Mary Margaret Tan, Meenu Gupta, Neetu Wadhawan, Preeti Kannan, Preeti Toshniwal, Rishu Sharma, Sangeeta Sagar, Sarah Samuel, Sharon B. Villalon, Shefali Tomar, Shweta Shetty, Sonam Solanki, Sumitra Krishnamurthy, Sunny Singh.

Pioneers: Akanksha Singh, Akona Makoboka, Ankita Anushree, Arpita Poojary, Charumathi V, Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, Divya Seth Sharma, Dr. Arushi Grover, Dr. Dina Elwan, Fikile Nyakale, Gunjan Saini, Lipika Verma, Loanette Boshoff, Manvi Singh, Merlin Sunitha Philip, Nidhi Chaudhary, Nisha Roslin Johny, Paridhi Raut, Rukmini Divakar, Shoma Bose Balkrishna Singh, Shreya Swamy, Smita Nagpal, Sneha Agarwal Marodia, Tanushri Nair, Wendi Ellis.

Achievers: Amanpreet Kaur, Anumeha Asthana, Anupama Pillai, Apoorva Agarwal, Ashwini Kanade, Bandaru Venkata Deepthi Yadav, Darlene Anne Bilicario, Dhara Shah, Divya Gupta, Foram Patel, Jayati Mahajan, Jessica Cicily James, Juveriya Khan, Maria Evangeline Veloso, Mariam Hamdan Alrayssi, Mary Jeraldine Kavitha, Mieke Janse van Rensburg, Priscilla Pereira, Ramona Roberts, Ramsy Shika, Resham Thakkar, Shraddha Singh, Sneha Gupta, Varnika Bansal, Yara Mohamed Amr.
 

Champions: Anagha Gaonkar, Anshu Sharma, Arati Kedia, Deepshikha Rajawat, Diana Marbun, Fernanda Herrera Roman, Geeta Mani, Ginalyn Amparado, Jinia Chanda, Kavita Chaturvedi, Kelly Campbell, Lorraine Bryant, Mais Mustafa Muhammad Qawasmeh, Mamta, Nalini Matavalam, Payal Chatterjee, Prerna S., Sint Sint Aung, Staci Dodson, Taghreed Ali Alotaibi, Tanaya Sen Verma, Tina Mahtani-Hanspal, Urmil Shekhawat, Valerie W. Naidoo, Yauwana Mezhiselvan.
 

The complete list of winners can be accessed here: maw.advantageclub.ai/maw_winners_2026

Through the Most Admired Women Awards, AdvantageClub.ai continues to recognize the women transforming workplaces through progressive policies, inclusive leadership, and a strong focus on employee experience. Their contributions are shaping how organizations globally approach talent management, employee well-being, and workplace culture.

About AdvantageClub.ai
AdvantageClub.ai is a global AI-powered employee engagement, rewards, and wellness platform with offerings like rewards & recognition, wellness solutions including OPD plans, Annual health checkup, wellness challenges, sales incentive automation, flexible benefits, surveys, moments that matter, and communities on a single platform. It provides end-to-end solutions to facilitate employee engagement by digitizing the company’s R&R policies, allowing them to drive better employee retention and happiness. AdvantageClub.ai has over 15 million users, with presence in over 100+ countries, 1200+ clients, and 10,000+ brand options. Established in 2016, AdvantageClub.ai is the brainchild of UCLA postgraduates, Sourabh Deorah and Smiti Bhatt Deorah, who identified employee engagement as a space to create disruption using AI, data mining, and analytics. Headquartered in San Francisco, AdvantageClub.ai has an impressive client portfolio featuring Air India, Biocon, Concentrix, HCL, Hexaware, L&T, Tech Mahindra, Tata Steel, Teleperformance, and many more.

• Narayana Health City Completes 100+ Robotic Cardiac Surgeries in a Single Month

• Advanced robotic technology is enabling surgeons to perform complex heart procedures with unprecedented precision and minimally invasive approaches.

Narayana Health City has successfully completed over 100 robotic cardiac surgeries in a single month, marking a significant milestone in advanced heart care. The achievement reflects not only exceptional surgical expertise and clinical precision, but also the seamless integration of cutting-edge robotic technology to deliver consistently strong patient outcomes across adult and paediatric cases.

At Narayana Health’s Robotic Cardiac Surgery Milestone Event (L to R): Dr. Rahul Rao; Dr. Praveen R Tambrallimath; Dr. Raghu MG; Dr. Thiruthani Kumaran M M; Dr. Kiran K

Among the complex procedures performed during the month was the case of a 45-year-old patient who had previously undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), commonly known as heart bypass surgery, and later presented with a tumour in the upper chamber of the heart that can obstruct blood flow if left untreated. In patients who have already undergone bypass surgery, reopening the chest through a conventional redo sternotomy can be particularly risky, as the existing grafts (blood vessels surgically connected to reroute blood around blocked arteries) may be damaged during the procedure. In this case, the patient’s earlier bypass grafts were still functioning well, making a traditional surgical approach potentially dangerous. To reduce this risk, the surgical team adopted a robotic assisted minimally invasive approach. The operation was performed through a small incision on the right side of the chest using robotic instruments and high-definition visualisation, allowing access to the heart without reopening the breastbone.

Doctors performing robotic-assisted heart surgery at Narayana Health City, showcasing precision technology and advanced cardiac care in action through minimally invasive surgery

Dr. Raghu M G, Senior Consultant – Cardiothoracic Surgery, said, “The patient was supported on a heart–lung machine through peripheral blood vessels, and the procedure was carried out using a specialised technique that allows the heart to temporarily quiver instead of being completely stopped using conventional clamping methods. Using robotic precision, the team accessed the left atrium and successfully removed the tumour while preserving the surrounding heart structures and valve function. The patient recovered well following the surgery and was discharged in stable condition.”

Another notable case involved a 46-year-old patient whose mitral valve had become severely narrowed due to rheumatic heart disease, affecting normal blood flow through the heart. Using a robotic approach, the surgical team replaced the diseased mitral valve with a mechanical mitral valve. The advanced system provided high-definition 3D visualisation and enhanced precision, allowing the team to operate with greater control inside the heart.

Dr. Thiruthani Kumaran M M, Senior Consultant – Adult Cardiac Surgery, explained, “The robotic platform provides exceptional surgical precision, allowing surgeons to operate with greater control while avoiding conventional sternotomy (traditional open-chest surgery through the breastbone). For patients, this approach can translate into less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, quicker recovery and improved cosmetic outcomes. The procedure was completed successfully, and the patient was discharged in stable condition.”

Another remarkable case involved a 69-year-old woman diagnosed with coronary artery disease along with a rare condition called dextrocardia with situs inversus, where the heart and other internal organs are positioned as a mirror image of the normal anatomy. Evaluation confirmed significant blockages in the heart’s blood vessels along with reduced heart function. Despite the anatomical complexity, the cardiac team performed a robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery. The robotic platform provided enhanced visualisation and surgical precision, which was particularly important in this case because the patient’s heart was positioned on the opposite side of the chest. 

Robotic cardiac surgery is transforming the way we treat coronary artery disease. In a recent case involving a 57-year-old gentleman with complex coronary artery disease, our team successfully performed three bypass grafts using robotic-assisted techniques.

With regards to this, Dr. Kiran K, Senior Consultant – Adult Cardiac Surgery, said, “This advanced approach enables us to treat critical blockages with high precision through very small incisions, avoiding the need for a large chest opening or cutting the breastbone. One of the major advantages of this technique is the minimalistic scar, as the surgery is performed through small keyhole incisions without cutting the bone (sternum).

For patients, this translates into less pain, minimal blood loss, faster recovery, and an earlier return to normal life. With advancements in robotic technology and growing surgical expertise, we are now able to offer minimally invasive solutions even for complex coronary artery disease, while replicating the same results as a conventional CABG.”

Dr. Gagan Khullar, Consultant – Adult Cardiac Surgery, shared, “Operating on a patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus presents unique challenges because the heart and surrounding structures are positioned differently from typical anatomy. The robotic platform provides excellent visualisation and precision, allowing us to adapt safely to these anatomical variations. The surgery was completed successfully, and the patient had a smooth recovery and was discharged in stable condition.”

These cases reflect the robust infrastructure and technological integration at Narayana Health’s Cardiology Centre of Excellence. Robotic cardiac surgery requires close coordination between surgical, anaesthesia and technology teams. From pre-operative planning to post-operative recovery, every step is carefully streamlined to ensure precision, safety and faster patient recovery, enabling the centre to scale advanced heart care without compromising on quality.

The milestone also highlights Narayana Health City’s growing reach beyond regional boundaries. Of the patients who underwent robotic cardiac surgery during the month.

• 35% were from Karnataka

• 15% from Tamil Nadu

• 10% from West Bengal

• 10% from Bangladesh

• 8% from Jharkhand 

• 8% from Assam

• 5% from Andhra Pradesh, followed by states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Tripura. This diverse geographical mix underscores the growing confidence patients across India and neighbouring Bangladesh place in the centre’s advanced robotic cardiac capabilities.

With continued advancements in robotic cardiac surgery, Narayana Health remains committed to making complex heart procedures less invasive and more accessible, while delivering precise, patient-centric care to individuals and families across India and neighbouring regions.

About Narayana Health
Narayana Health, founded by Dr. Devi Shetty and headquartered in Bengaluru, is a leading presence in the global healthcare landscape. As one of the largest healthcare providers in India, Narayana Health operates a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and super-speciality tertiary care facilities across India and the Caribbean. The group’s Centres of Excellence in various medical domains, a team of 18,822 dedicated professionals, including 3,868 skilled doctors and specialists, and a relentless focus on patient well-being and clinical excellence underscore its position as a beacon of hope and healing in the healthcare industry. Narayana One Health (NH Integrated Care) and Narayana Health Insurance are subsidiaries of Narayana Health.

For more information, visit www.narayanahealth.org

BPTP, a real estate developer operating in North India, has been honoured with the Iconic Project – Commercial award at the 5th Economic Times Real Estate Conclave & Awards 2026 (ETRECA 2026). The award ceremony was held at Taj Santa Cruz, Mumbai, with participation from industry stakeholders including developers, architects, and investors.

BPTP Receives ‘Iconic Project – Commercial’ Recognition at ET Real Estate Conclave & Awards 2026

BPTP’s commercial development, Capital City, Sector 94, Noida, recognised for its scale and integrated master planning, along with planned business infrastructure. Conceived as a mixed-use commercial development, Capital City reflects contemporary workspace design and urban commercial infrastructure, and incorporates elements aligned with sustainability considerations. The recognition reflects BPTP’s development approach focused on integrated commercial projects.

Commenting on the recognition, Manik Malik, CEO & President, BPTP Limited, said, “We are honoured to receive this recognition at the ET Real Estate Conclave & Awards 2026. This acknowledgement reflects the efforts of our team, partners and customers associated with the Capital City project. At BPTP, our focus remains on delivering commercial developments with integrated planning and functional design. This recognition encourages us to maintain our focus on execution, quality, and stakeholder engagement.”

The ET Real Estate Conclave & Awards is an industry forum that recognises real estate projects and stakeholders across multiple categories. The 2026 edition brought together developers, architects, and industry participants to discuss trends and developments in urban real estate.

About BPTP

BPTP Limited is a real estate developers with over two decades of operations in the Delhi-NCR region. The company has delivered numerous residential and commercial projects across multiple locations in NCR, including residential group housing, plotted developments, commercial developments and integrated townships.

In a significant boost to India’s power transmission and railway electrification sectors, COELME-EGIC (Italy & France) and Southern States (USA) have entered into a strategic joint venture with iSAT India.

Mr Sudhanshoo Agarwal; CEO iSAT with Mr Francesco Basso; Chairman Coelme S.p.A & Mr. Nicolo Basso ; Director iSAT

As part of the agreement, CoelmeEgic — part of Southern States Investment Holdings (SSIH, USA) — has acquired a minority equity stake in iSAT India and will join its Board, marking a long-term commitment to India’s rapidly expanding Transmission, Distribution, and Railway infrastructure markets.

The joint venture will localize the manufacturing of advanced high-voltage switching systems in India, with an initial focus on:

• Disconnectors up to 800 kV

• Railway Catenary OHE switches

• Specialized high-voltage switching devices

To support this initiative, iSAT is expanding its Haridwar facility with a new 30,000 sq. ft. manufacturing unit, scheduled to be operational in 2026. This expansion positions India not only as a domestic manufacturing base but as a strategic supply hub for global markets within the Southern States and CoelmeEgic group.

Founded in 1998, iSAT India has built a strong reputation in EPC services for Transmission & Distribution projects and in designing high-power testing laboratories, including 1500 MVA online short-circuit facilities for national institutions. The company also designs and manufactures specialized switching devices and holds multiple patents.

COELME (Italy) and EGIC (France), operating as a unified European industrial group, bring decades of expertise in high-voltage equipment ranging from 17 kV to 800 kV, with a strong installed base across European transmission grids, HVDC systems, and railway operators.

Southern States, founded in 1916 in Hampton, Georgia, is a global leader in high-voltage disconnect switches and grid resilience technologies, with advanced protection systems and a robust portfolio of patented solutions.

Sudhanshoo Agarwal, CEO & MD, iSAT India, said, “This collaboration aligns strongly with the Government of India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. By localising advanced 800 kV switching technologies, we aim to strengthen India’s grid resilience, support railway electrification, and contribute meaningfully to global supply chains.”

Francesco Basso, Chairman, CoelmeEgic, added, “India’s transmission and railway infrastructure are expanding at remarkable speed. In iSAT, we have found a capable and technology-driven partner. We are committed to bringing proven Italian and French engineering expertise to India through long-term industrial cooperation.”

Raj Anand, Chairman, Southern States, commented, “As an IIT Delhi graduate, contributing to India’s infrastructure development has always been close to my heart. This joint venture reflects our confidence in India’s growth trajectory and engineering talent.”

The partnership supports:

• Localization of ultra-high voltage equipment up to 800 kV

• Reduced dependency on imports

• Technology transfer and engineering skill development

• Strengthening of India’s transmission and railway electrification infrastructure

• Integration with global supply chains

With India investing heavily in grid expansion, renewable integration, and railway electrification, the joint venture is positioned to serve both domestic demand and international markets.

About iSAT India

iSAT designs and builds facilities for testing the performance and safety of electrical equipment under high power conditions, such as short-circuit and switching tests. It possesses a blend of electrical engineering expertise, hands-on lab experience, and specialized knowledge in high-power and high-voltage testing in compliance to IEC and ANSI standards. iSAT has delivered 1500MVA online short circuit labs successfully to CPRI – an autonomous society of Ministry of Power, Govt of India at RTL Nashik and sudden short circuit facilities to major turbo generator manufacturers in India and contributing to Indian aspiration of ‘self-reliance/ Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘.

About COELME-EGIC, Santa Maria de Sala, Italy, Villeurbanne, France

Coelme‑Egic is a major European manufacturer of high‑voltage electrical switching equipment, supplying critical components used in power transmission, substations, and railway electrification. They are known for disconnectors, switch‑disconnectors, earthing switches, and other high‑voltage devices used from 17 kV up to 800 kV. COELME (Italy) and EGIC (France) operate together as a single industrial group and has very strong installed base in European Grid, HVDC and Rail operators like SNCF. The group has recently commemorated it’s 50^th and 75^th year of establishment in Europe.

About Southern States, Hampton, Georgia USA

Southern States was founded in 1916, it is a global leader in high‑voltage disconnect switches and advanced technologies that help protect and strengthen the electric power grid. The company also offers specialized protection and switching equipment up to 550 kV, power electronic devices for sub‑cycle switching and reactive compensation, mobile grid‑resilience solutions, high‑voltage sensors, automation systems, and services that enhance physical asset protection. Backed by a robust portfolio of patented technologies, Southern States is recognized for its engineering expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and ability to deliver customized solutions for complex power‑system challenges. As part of Southern States Investment Holdings, the company contributes to the development of a modern, more resilient electric grid across North America and globally.