VinFast has set a record by completing 3,520 electric vehicle orders on March 28, 2026. This milestone demonstrates the company’s operational capability while also reflecting strong consumer demand and signaling that Vietnam’s transition to green mobility is entering a new phase.

VinFast has created a stir in its home market after announcing that it completed 3,520 electric vehicle orders in a single day on March 28, marking a new record for daily order processing in Vietnam

Once again, VinFast has created a stir in its home market after announcing that it completed 3,520 electric vehicle orders in a single day on March 28, marking a new record for daily order processing in Vietnam. This figure is equivalent to the monthly sales of some automakers in the country and translates to an average of 146 orders per hour, or approximately 2.4 orders per minute.

According to the company, these vehicles have been fully processed and are ready to leave the factory. They will then be transported to dealerships before being delivered to customers.

Across online forums and user communities, many expressed surprise at the company’s speed. “Completing more than 3,500 orders in a single day, especially on a weekend, shows the very strong capabilities of VinFast’s production and business teams,” an online user, Pham Van Minh, shared.

Another user, Hong Lan, said the record reflects significant demand for switching to electric vehicles. With fuel prices fluctuating daily, she noted that it is understandable that many gasoline vehicle users are considering switching. “Electric vehicles are cleaner, environmentally friendly, and free from dependence on fuel prices, so the growing shift toward them is an inevitable trend,” she said.

Record after record

Observers believe that with its current advantages, VinFast is highly likely to set other sales records in 2026. Over the past two years, the company has consistently recorded strong sales milestones in the Vietnamese market.

Since 2024, VinFast has maintained the number one position in Vietnam’s automotive market. In 2025, the company delivered 175,099 vehicles. In December of 2025 alone, VinFast sold 27,649 vehicles, setting a record for monthly sales by a single automaker. Notably, this figure equals the annual sales volume that some brands take a full year to achieve.

Experts say the company’s continued achievements are the result of a long-term investment strategy in a comprehensive green ecosystem. Currently, 150,000 charging ports developed and operated by V-Green, VinFast’s global charging infrastructure partner, have been planned across Vietnam’s 34 provinces and cities. The company is also preparing to deploy 99 ultra fast charging hubs equipped with 150 kW chargers along major national and provincial highways, further strengthening its charging network advantage. At the same time, a network of more than 400 service workshops ensures a seamless and well-supported ownership experience for customers.

According to Dr. Lee Hoang Nam, a transportation planning expert, VinFast’s continued record-breaking performance is expected, alongside its proven product quality, as more Vietnamese consumers prioritize electric vehicles as their primary choice.

“When the entire ecosystem, from products to charging infrastructure and service workshops, is systematically developed as VinFast is doing, consumers will feel more confident about making the switch to electric vehicles. The green transition not only benefits individual households and users, but also helps accelerate transport electrification, reduce emissions, and importantly lessen dependence on fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel,” the expert explained.

Boston Financial Advisory Group (BFAG), a premier global provider of financial accounting, consulting, and outsourcing services, today announces continued strategic growth and enhanced service capabilities to support businesses worldwide. With a strong presence across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, BFAG reaffirms its commitment to empowering companies with best-in-class financial solutions that drive growth, compliance, and strategic decision-making.

Sameer Paddalwar, CEO of Boston Financial Advisory Group’s global operations

Founded in 2009, BFAG has emerged as a one-stop solution for organizations seeking integrated financial services and advisory support. Headquartered in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, and supported by offices and teams in key markets including India, BFAG has built a reputation for innovation, reliability, and deep industry expertise.

“At BFAG, our vision is centered on enabling organizations — from high-growth startups to established enterprises — to navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence,” said Sameer Paddalwar, CEO of Boston Financial Advisory Group’s global operations. “Our expansion reflects the growing demand for high-quality, technology-enabled financial outsourcing and strategic advisory services that help companies succeed in today’s competitive global markets.”

Comprehensive Financial Services Tailored for Global Markets

Boston Financial Advisory Group offers a broad suite of services designed to address the full spectrum of organizational financial needs, including:

• Managed Accounting & Bookkeeping: Full-cycle accounting support, including daily data management, reconciliation, and financial reporting.

• Financial Consulting & Advisory: Customized advisory services for corporate finance planning, fundraising support, mergers & acquisitions guidance, and business structuring.

• Taxation & Compliance: Comprehensive tax planning, preparation, and compliance services aligned with global regulatory frameworks.

• Outsourcing Solutions: End-to-end financial outsourcing offerings that streamline operations, reduce overheads, and improve accuracy.

• Technology-Driven Platforms: Personalized dashboards and automation tools that provide real-time insights for informed decision-making.

BFAG leverages a combination of seasoned finance professionals — including CPAs, CAs, CFOs, and legal consultants — alongside advanced technological tools to deliver solutions that are both efficient and strategic.

Global Footprint and Industry Expertise

With a multi-continental presence, Boston Financial Advisory Group serves clients across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, technology, trading, services, and startups. This global outreach allows BFAG to offer localized insights within international regulatory frameworks while helping clients manage financial operations at scale.

The firm’s holistic approach integrates strategic planning with operational excellence, enabling clients to focus on core business growth while BFAG manages complex financial functions with precision and reliability.

Innovation and Client-Centric Delivery

BFAG’s commitment to innovation has led to the development of advanced compliance and analytics solutions that drive deeper business insights. By combining domain expertise with digital efficiency, the firm ensures that clients benefit from accurate reporting, streamlined processes, and proactive financial guidance — all essential in the modern business environment.

“Our philosophy is to understand each client’s business at a fundamental level and then design tailored solutions that align with their strategic objectives,” added Paddalwar. “Whether a company seeks operational support, financial optimization, or advisory leadership, BFAG strives to be a trusted partner at every stage.”

Commitment to Talent and Organizational Excellence

BFAG also continues to invest in its diverse talent pool, fostering a collaborative culture that encourages learning and professional growth. With teams of experienced professionals working across finance, accounting, compliance, and advisory functions, the company ensures consistent delivery of high-quality services for its global clients.

About Boston Financial Advisory Group

Boston Financial Advisory Group (BFAG) is a global financial services firm providing comprehensive managed accounting, consulting, taxation, and advisory solutions to businesses worldwide. Founded in 2009, BFAG combines deep industry expertise, advanced technology, and strategic insight to support organizations in achieving financial clarity, operational efficiency, and long-term success. Headquartered in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, with teams across multiple continents, BFAG is a trusted partner for companies seeking best-in-class financial services.

For more information, visit www.bostonfagroup.com. 

In wake of the recent outrage surrounding the painting of an elephant named Chanchal in Jaipur for a photoshoot made by Julia Buruleva, World Animal Protection has taken a grim view of the entire sequence of events that has led to this most unfortunate display of animal cruelty in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Jaipur in Rajasthan. This incident, yet again highlights the rampant abuse of captive elephants in Jaipur in Amer Fort and Haathi Gaon to cater to tourist whims and fancies. There is no excuse to paint an elephant for a photoshoot because this denigrates the natural state of the animal. The incident also shows glaring loopholes in administrative abilities in caring for the captive elephants in Jaipur that are already under extreme stress and pain due to their totally unnatural incarceration and daily abuse due to rides and continual interaction with tourists, including foreign tourists like the one who has caused the cruelty that has justifiably enraged people from all walks of people who care for India’s National Heritage Animal.

Painted elephant in Amer Fort in Jaipur Photo credit Julia Buruleva/ Brut India

Although it appears that the shoot took place late last year in December, 2025, it bears questioning how this photo shoot was approved by the Rajasthan Forest Department for a Schedule I animal that is accorded the highest level of protection under India’s Wildlife Protection Act. This incident really brings to light the inadequacies in implementation of both moral and legal principles when it comes to protecting captive elephants in India. There is the cardinal issue of the stocking of captive elephant populations by dubious means and recently the arrest of an elephant trafficker in Jaipur who was attempting to smuggle an elephant from Assam clearly shows that the trade in live elephants is alive and well. The latest amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act with regard to transactions in captive elephants also leaves the law open to misuse. “It is of cardinal importance that the Ministry Of Environment and Forests, Project Elephant and the Rajasthan Forest Department regulate the nature of all tourist activities with captive elephants in Jaipur, including foreign tourists, to ensure that abusive activities toward captive elephants do not take place,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director of World Animal Protection in India.

Earlier this month, the Rajasthan government has informed the Rajasthan High Court that it was taking steps to ensure the welfare of captive elephants at Amer Fort. “Apart from interim welfare steps, it is necessary to take concrete steps, long overdue, to initiate the process of phasing out elephant rides in Amer Fort altogether, and retire the remaining elephants in a sanctuary,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India.

World Animal Protection in India is raising awareness among tour companies to not offer elephant rides in places like Jaipur. The latest companies that have taken the wildlife friendly pledge of World Animal Protection to not promote elephant rides and wild animals in entertainment include UnBound Expeditions, Going Wild Tours, Hetalbon Resort, Wild Paw Adventures and NorthEast Travels. These companies can encourage tourists not to undertake activities like Julia Buruleva has done to exploit captive animals.

It has been reported that the elephant who was coloured, named Chanchal, died in February, 2026. In the wake of this incident, there is every reason to reascertain the cause of her death.

World Animal Protection has also noted the capture of four allegedly wolf dog hybrid puppies in Kadbanwadi area of Indapur tehsil in Pune district. World Animal Protection strongly emphasises that these animals should be treated humanely regardless of their genetic makeup. There is very sophisticated scientific evidence with World Animal Protection that establishes the importance of scientific and respectful treatment of hybrid animals and it is emphasised that the Maharashtra Forest Department apply the precautionary principle and ensure humane treatment of these puppies.

World Animal Protection also advocates a cautionary approach to the Neelgai domestication project that has been reported in the media in Bihar Agricultural University (BAU)’s Veer Kunwar Singh College of Agriculture. The captive animals that are part of this initiative should be treated humanely and this project should not lead to commercialisation of wild animals for short term profits.

Today is Mahavir Jayanti. On this occasion, the message of ahimsa(non violence) as the ultimate virtue needs to be restated with respect to our relationship with all animals under the current circumstances.

Wild animals are not entertainment. Wild animals are not meant for captivity displays where they need to be coloured as props to fulfil vanity wishes. Elephants live in the wild, where they socialise with their kin and form family bonds like humans. Elephants belong in the wild. There is no pride in colouring or riding an elephant. Wildlife belongs in the wild.

For more information please contact : Gajender Kumar Sharma
Email : gajenderksharma@worldanimalprotection.org.in.
Phone : 93133332823

Vedica, Bisleri International’s premium beverage category, joins the India tour of legendary rock band Def Leppard, produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow. Spanning three cities including Shillong, Mumbai and Bengaluru, the tour will bring together thousands of fans for a high energy live music experience. 

Vedica Brings Premium Hydration to Def Leppard’s India Tour Across Three Cities

Vedica will lead the on-ground presence with branded water selling carts positioned across key venue zones, along with the brand’s signature balloon activation to add to the visual energy of the event. Complementing this, Bisleri will ensure uninterrupted access to safe drinking water through free hydration stations across the venues, enabling fans to stay refreshed throughout the performances.

Commenting on the association, Tushar Malhotra, Director of Sales and Marketing, Bisleri International, said, “The Def Leppard India tour represents a pinnacle of global entertainment, and Vedica is proud to be part of this cultural milestone. With Vedica, we are elevating the live music experience, ensuring our brand resonates with the sophisticated lifestyle and high-energy atmosphere that defines this iconic tour. With dedicated free hydration stations by Bisleri, we aim to enhance the overall experience for the concert goers. Our presence is designed to move beyond the traditional, seamlessly integrating our signature expression of purity and balance into the concert’s premium landscape.”

Commenting on the partnership, Samradha Tibrewala, Head – Partnerships and Revenue, BookMyShow, said, “At BookMyShow Live, every detail of the fan experience is intentionally designed, and hydration is a fundamental part of that. At the Def Leppard India tour, as with all our events, we’ve ensured free and easy access to drinking water so fans can focus on what truly matters – the music. With partners like Bisleri, we’re able to deliver this reliably and at scale, across every touchpoint.”

The Def Leppard India tour will take place in Shillong on 25 March, Mumbai on 27 March, and Bengaluru on 29 March, uniting music fans across cities for a high-energy live experience with easy access to hydration throughout.

About Bisleri International Pvt.
With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country’s largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and neighbouring countries. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri Mineral Water or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Pop, Rev, Limonata and Spyci Jeera. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform – Bisleri @Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation and sustainability. For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com. 

Aspiring medical students now have access to a truly international route to becoming doctors through the Thumbay International Pathway Program, a structured academic journey that combines world-class education in the UAE with global clinical exposure across leading universities worldwide.

Study in Dubai. Practice worldwide. Become the doctor the world needs

The program offers students the opportunity to complete the first three years of their medical education at Gulf Medical University in the UAE, followed by three years of advanced clinical training at a partner university of their choice across Europe and other international destinations. This dual-phase model allows students to build a strong academic foundation in Dubai before transitioning into immersive clinical environments aligned with their career goals.

According to the program outline, students can pursue the Doctor of Medicine pathway across multiple global destinations including Poland, Italy, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the Americas, Romania, Uzbekistan, Ghana, and other recognized medical education hubs. This flexibility gives students the freedom to select the country and clinical exposure that best fits their aspirations, licensing plans, and long-term practice location.

One of the most compelling aspects of the pathway is its affordability. With international pathway fees starting from approximately Rs. 15–16 lakhs per year, the program opens doors for students who seek a global medical qualification without the overwhelming financial burden typically associated with overseas education. The structured fee model, combined with the safety and academic quality of studying in the UAE, makes this a highly attractive option for families looking for both value and credibility.

Beyond academics, the initiative reflects the long-standing vision of the Founder, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, who has consistently championed the idea that quality medical education should not be restricted by geography or financial barriers. His mission has been to create pathways that make healthcare education accessible, inclusive, and globally relevant, ultimately contributing to the larger goal of improving healthcare access for communities around the world.

Students enrolling in the pathway benefit from a multicultural learning environment, advanced simulation facilities, early clinical exposure, and mentorship within an academic health system that integrates education, research, and patient care. The transition to international clinical training further enhances their adaptability, global competence, and readiness for medical licensing across different regions.

Admissions for the upcoming intake are now open, inviting students to take the first step toward an international medical career through a program that blends affordability, flexibility, and global recognition.

For more info please visit www.gmu.ac.ae.

Whatfix, the AI-native platform for enterprise technology adoption, today released the findings of a study it commissioned with Forrester Consulting. The study found that a mid-sized enterprise of approximately 1,000 employees could lose an estimated $10.9 million annually due to poor digital adoption, underscoring the need for Digital Adoption Platforms (DAPs) to translate enterprise applications and AI investments into measurable outcomes.

The findings are based on a global survey of 335 senior decision-makers (Director level and above) across North America, Europe, APAC, and India, with the majority (97%) reporting annual revenues exceeding $1 billion.

Key Findings Highlight Why Digital Adoption Is Critical to Digital Transformation Success

• $10.9M at risk: A mid-sized organization of 1,000 employees stands to lose an estimated $10.9 million annually due to ineffective digital adoption.

• 728 hours lost per employee: Workers spend hundreds of hours navigating poorly adopted or complex digital environments. 

• AI adoption gap: While 76% of leaders prioritize AI adoption, only 27% view digital adoption as a critical enabler.

• DAP maturity drives outcomes: Proficient organizations significantly outperform emergent peers on key metrics, including improved user experience (53% vs. 28%) and ROI maximization (56% vs. 28%).

As enterprises scale AI, digital adoption maturity becomes critical. Governance, workflow integration, and measurement determine impact. Modern DAPs are emerging as the orchestrator of AI execution, embedding governance, workflow intelligence and real-time contextual guidance directly into enterprise workflows to ensure measurable outcomes at scale.

Find the full insights from the Whatfix-commissioned Forrester Consulting study here. The study also includes a Forrester-defined framework for organizations to evaluate their digital adoption maturity.

“Enterprises are buying and building AI faster than ever, but adoption is not keeping pace,” said Khadim Batti, Co-founder and CEO of Whatfix. “The real challenge is operationalizing intelligence inside real workflows with governance and measurable outcomes. Digital adoption maturity is no longer optional, it has become the difference between AI ambition and AI outcomes.”

“We treat AI as driving intelligence into whatever we do. With frequent changes in content creators, consistency and speed of delivery are critical for us. This is where AI plays a powerful role,” said Satyen Shah, Vice President – IT & Digital Solutions, JSW Steel. “AI is helping us contextualize user queries across Salesforce modules and deliver highly relevant, in-the-flow support. AI without context is of no use, and Whatfix’s roadmap around contextual intelligence and automation is creating real impact for us.”

Whatfix Momentum in 2025
Financial and Market Momentum Reinforce Category Leadership
In 2025, Whatfix continued its strong growth trajectory, registering 31% year-over-year revenue growth alongside a consistent margin expansion. Built on a foundation of robust core SaaS economics and improving operating leverage, the company continues to drive its growth agenda. This momentum was further validated by the 2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™, where Whatfix is recognised as the top-ranked DAP for the fifth consecutive year and rising to #279 globally, a 24% jump in ranking, achieving a remarkable 275% growth rate. Whatfix’s evolution toward an agentic product suite and AI-first innovation was also reinforced by the inclusion of its multi-product offerings—Digital Adoption, Product Analytics, and Mirror—in the 2025 Gartner Market Guides for both DAP and Product Analytics.

As the only Digital Adoption Platform recognized as a “Customers’ Choice” vendor in the Gartner Voice of the Customer report for the third consecutive year, Whatfix continues to attract market leaders. New customers continue to drive growth, accounting for 44% of the new business, with a strong expansion and new wins across a portfolio of enterprise logos, including Shell, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Experian, Compass Group USA, Ceva Logistics, IDEXX Laboratories, Grant Thornton, and Sentry Insurance. This growth was achieved while maintaining a 99.9% CSAT score and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 53, reflecting deep product adoption and sustained customer value. Furthermore, Whatfix expanded its partner ecosystem to over 150 global partners, scaling AI-driven digital transformation across diverse industries and geographies.

Whatfix Product Suite: Accelerating AI Powered Digital Transformation
Artificial Intelligence
Screensense advanced as the core AI engine behind Whatfix, strengthening its ability to understand screen structure, workflow context, and user intent in real time.

Agentic Product-Suite 
Whatfix launched a unified suite of AI Agents—Authoring, Guidance, Insights, and specialized domain agents. These were designed as a native intelligence layer embedded across the Whatfix suite, transforming how enterprises create content, guide users, and generate insights across their digital ecosystems.

Early enterprise adopters are already seeing measurable impact, including:

• 30–40% reduction in content creation effort with the Authoring Agent

• 3–4x faster analysis cycles enabled by the Insights Agent

• 4–5x increase in information discovery and search usage through the Guidance Agent

More than 30% of new enterprise buyers in the second half of 2025 adopted AI Agents as part of their Whatfix rollout, signaling a clear shift toward AI-first digital adoption strategies.

Seek for Salesforce was also introduced in 2025 as the world’s first AI Agent to independently navigate workflows and complete Salesforce Trailhead Admin Challenges. This milestone marked a shift from AI that guides users to AI that executes tasks within enterprise systems—reinforcing Whatfix’s vision of governed, autonomous execution at scale.

Launched a Faster Way to Create Flows with Quick Capture Mode in DAP
Authors could now record all steps in one go, and Whatfix automatically generates the flow based on application context and user intent. Using the Authoring Agent, they can refine step titles and descriptions with AI prompts to match user needs. This reduces the number of clicks required to build guidance by 3X and cuts content creation time by up to 50%, significantly accelerating in-app guidance creation at scale.

Mirror Expands into a New Market with AI Roleplay
Mirror emerged as a major growth engine in 2025, with ARR tripling year-over-year following the launch of AI Roleplay. Mirror is now the world’s first GenAI-powered simulation and roleplay training solution that combines system simulation and AI-driven roleplay in a unified environment.

AI Roleplay addresses a critical enterprise gap of moving beyond system training to real-world readiness. By enabling teams to practice conversations, edge cases, and decision-making scenarios, organizations are reducing time-to-proficiency and improving customer experience outcomes at scale.

Product Analytics Advances from Insights to Action
Product Analytics evolved into a true Insights-to-Action platform, directly connecting behavioral data with in-app execution through the Digital Adoption Platform.

Key advancements included:

• Ask Whatfix AI maturing into an AI Analyst capable of contextual reasoning and automated action

• Real-Time Cohorts enabling instant user segmentation

• Session Replay for qualitative behavioral analysis

• Autocapture eliminating manual tagging and accelerating time-to-insight

Together, these capabilities enable enterprises to identify friction as it occurs and immediately trigger contextual flows or guidance.

2026 and beyond: 
Whatfix continues to advance the future of digital transformation by embedding AI into execution at scale. Through Whatfix University, the company has certified 6,500+ professionals, strengthening a growing global DAP community.

In early 2026, Whatfix strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Amit Sureka as Chief Financial Officer, alongside the return of Patrick Ashamalla as Head of Product Research & Design and the addition of Vasupradha S as Head of Analyst Relations & Market Intelligence, as it scales its AI-native platform globally.

The company continues to receive recognition for its growth, AI innovation, product leadership, and customer centricity including the 2025 AI Breakthrough Award for Product Analytics, InfoWorld’s Technology of the Year Award for Mirror, 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards finalist, G2 best software awards and ranking as a #1 DAP leader on the G2 Grid, Gold Stevie for Customer Service Department of the Year.

As enterprises scale AI, Whatfix will continue expanding its autonomous execution capabilities, positioning its platform as the orchestration layer for AI-driven digital transformation at scale. To support this next phase of AI led growth, the company will pursue disciplined expansion through sustained organic innovation and selective strategic acquisitions, further strengthening its platform capabilities and global enterprise footprint.

About Whatfix
Whatfix is an AI platform advancing  the “userization” of enterprise applications—empowering companies to maximize the ROI of their digital investments. Powered by a proprietary AI engine ScreenSense, Whatfix continuously interprets application workflow context and user intent to boost user productivity, ensure process compliance, and elevate user experience across applications and AI tools. The product portfolio includes a Digital Adoption Platform (DAP), Mirror for hands-on system simulation and AI Roleplay training, and Product and AI agent Analytics for no-code actionable insights. With seven offices across the US, India, UK, Germany, Singapore, and Australia, Whatfix supports 700+ enterprises, including 80+ Fortune 500s like Shell, Schneider Electric, and UPS Supply Chain Solutions. Backed by investors such as Warburg Pincus, Softbank Vision Fund 2, Dragoneer, Peak XV Partners, Eight Roads, and Cisco Investments, software clicks with Whatfix.

For more information, visit the Whatfix website.

Chandigarh University (CU) hosted Urban Symphony 2026, a two-day academic and professional conclave featuring “Global Summit: Future Ready India @2047” and the “Round Table Conference” bringing together eminent architects, urban planners, experts, policymakers, researchers, academicians and industry leaders to explore innovative strategies, interdisciplinary research, and progressive policy frameworks for building resilient, sustainable, and future-ready urban environments.

Chandigarh University Higher Management along with delegates from India and abroad inaugurating Urban Symphony 2026’ Showcasing Innovative Strategies for Future-Ready India @2047

Urban Symphony 2026, which kicked off with the inauguration of ‘Global Summit: Future Ready India @2047”, was graced by dignitaries including Chief Guest Dr Namrita Kalsi, Chief Architect, HMRTC (Delhi), Dr Karan Avtar Singh, former Chief Secretary, Punjab, Guest Of Honour Dr Shikha Jain Director DRONAH (Development and Research Organization for Nature, Arts, and Heritage), Vertica Dvivedi,  Entrepreneur & Founder, The Wade Asia, Prof (Dr) Dorota Kamrowska Zaluska, Department of Urban Design and Regional Planning, Gdansk University of Technology (Poland), Prof (Dr) Eliana Cangelli, Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) , Manmohan Khanna, Chairman- IIID & IIA Chandigarh, Prof (Dr) Valerio Font- Sapienza University of Rome, Prof (Dr) Michele Conteduca, Sapienza University of Rome, SD Sharma, Principal Architect in SD Sharma & Associates, Chandigarh University Vice Chancellor Raviraja N Seetharam, Pro Vice Chancellor VR Raghuveer and Dr Prabhjot Kaur, Director, IEE Lifts Pvt. Ltd.

Chandigarh University Vice Chancellor Raviraja N Seetharam said, “On inaugural day of the ‘Urban Symphony 2026’, the ‘Global Summit: Future Ready India @2047’ brought together global experts to deliberate on resilient urban systems, sustainable infrastructure, heritage-sensitive development and future-oriented planning frameworks. The ‘Round Table Conference’, a Think Tank initiative for managing  Peri urban growth and challenges bridged academia and professional practice, encouraged thematic deliberations, facilitated policy-practice dialogue and generated action-oriented outcomes on  deliberate on the future of cities,”.

“Under the studio-based research project conducted by students of the University Institute of Architecture at Chandigarh University, a discussion was held on the changing spatial dynamics along the NH-05 and Bharatmala Road (NH205A) corridor during the ‘Round Table Conference’. This round-table concluded with a resolution that a full impact assessment should be part and parcel of any development program to achieve sustainable, inclusive and coordinated urban development. The outcomes of discussions during the ‘Urban Symphony 2026’ would contribute to ongoing policy discussion and inform future planning frameworks for peri-urban development in India,” he added.

During  Urban Symphony 2026, a MoU was signed by Chandigarh University with the Network of People of Construction  (NPC) to bridge the industry academia gap by facilitating industry exposure, internship opportunities, skill development opportunities , mentorship opportunity  in form of expert lectures and workshops for CU students.

Earlier in her keynote address, Namrita Kalsi, Chief Architect, Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation Ltd (Gurugram Metro Rail Limited) gave a detailed presentation on the challenges faced by urban planners during projects like Metro Rail. “Metro is no longer a single infrastructure project. It actually becomes a city development project when you are working on the road.  The successful implementation of projects on the roads of the city requires coordination and cooperation with the different city authorities which is an extremely difficult task. So, if you are working on the road, there is a number of utilities like gas pipeline, sewerage line, water line ad most importantly the data cables passing through the road. You have to literally find out who is the owner of each utility, then settle it, make a provision for moving it which is again a very difficult task because they also have the statutory norms which have to be followed. It is outstanding to contribute to improving urban infrastructure for people.”

Dr Karan Avtar Singh, former Chief Secretary, Punjab said, “Since big projects in an area transform the economy in an area but such projects will become viable for the government if a taxation scheme is introduced who come to such an area after five to ten years later. Such people should pay a betterment charge. So this is common in many living systems across the globe. It’s called a betterment levy or a betterment charge where a highway or new expressway is built. Everybody along this expressway, especially at the exit points, make huge profits and that land which was Rs 10 lakhs per acre become Rs 10 crore per acre in the 10 years. Those people should pay something to the government and the government should then re-compensate the expenditure incurred in first two years of such a project with interest rate.”

Dr Eliana Cangelli, Professor of Architectural Technology and Environmental Design at Sapienza University of Rome, said, “Cities need to create more inclusive, accessible and resilient urban environment by responding to major challenges of our time like climate change, social and spatial inequalities, housing fragilities. For this reason, urban design cannot be limited to government. In this scenario, the role of architects becomes fundamental. We are called not only to design places, but also to interpret complexity, mediate between different scale and actors, and contribute to forms of transformation that are about spatial but also social. An architect must not act as only a designers of the built environment but also as critical thinkers and agents of change of the cities.”

Prof (Dr) Dorota Kamrowska Zaluska, Department of Urban Design and Regional Planning, Gdansk University of Technology (Poland) said, “AI-based tools are presenting new opportunities for architects by making available large volumes of data for shaping contemporary urban environment. The paradigm thing which we want to achieve is sustainability, resilience, equity. So this is only the tool which can help us to achieve. AI based tools can enable us to respond to the current challenges such as climate change and adaptation and natural disasters. So we can analyse the data really to see what is happening the whole year.”

Dr Shikha Jain Director DRONAH (Development and Research Organization for Nature, Arts, and Heritage) said, “Cities like Jaipur which was designed in the 18th century and Chandigarh which was designed in the in the 1960s as population in these cities has  increased in many times than they were planned for. And one of the most challenging aspect of this is that because of increasing urbanization, we are actually eating up the natural resources which were part of the planning in these historic cities. There is a huge potential of looking at our historic cities, integrating the planning back with the natural resources, some of them are which are being misused because of increasing urbanization, learning from our past and making these cities more sustainable.”

Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.

Website address: www.cuchd.in.