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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: February 19, 2026

T20 World Cup: Afghanistan sign off in style; Zimbabwe stun Sri Lanka; West Indies stay unbeaten

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Chennai: The latest round of matches at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup produced contrasting storylines, with Afghanistan bowing out emphatically, Zimbabwe scripting a dramatic chase against Sri Lanka, and West Indies extending their unbeaten run.

Afghanistan ended their campaign on a high with a commanding 82-run victory over Canada at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with a superb unbeaten 95, powering Afghanistan to 200/4 — their highest total in T20 World Cup history. After early setbacks, Zadran steadied the innings through a crucial 95-run stand with Sediqullah Atal, who struck 44. Afghanistan accelerated sharply at the death, collecting 69 runs from the final five overs.

Canada’s reply never gathered momentum. Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck early, while Mohammad Nabi delivered a devastating spell of 4/7 that dismantled the middle order. Rashid Khan provided strong support with two wickets as Canada were restricted to 118/8. Despite the group-stage exit, Afghanistan finished with back-to-back wins, offering a measure of consolation.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 200/4 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 95*, Sediqullah Atal 44; Jaskaran Singh 3-52) beat Canada 118/8 in 20 overs (Harsh Thaker 30; Mohammad Nabi 4-7, Rashid Khan 2-19) by 82 runs.

In Colombo, Zimbabwe pulled off one of the most thrilling chases of the tournament, defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets. Chasing 179 on a sluggish surface, Zimbabwe appeared under pressure before Sikandar Raza’s explosive 45 off 26 balls transformed the contest. Raza launched a calculated assault on Sri Lanka’s spinners, smashing multiple sixes to swing the momentum decisively. Brian Bennett once again impressed, scoring an unbeaten 63 and becoming the first Zimbabwean to register back-to-back half-centuries in T20 World Cups.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 178/7, driven by Pathum Nissanka’s fluent 62 and a late flourish from Pavan Rathnayake, who struck 44 off 25 deliveries. Zimbabwe’s spin quartet kept Sri Lanka in check through the middle overs, but the hosts managed a strong finish. Sri Lanka’s bowlers started well in defence, yet Raza’s counterattack and Bennett’s composure ensured Zimbabwe sealed victory in the final over.

Brief Scores:Sri Lanka 178/7 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 62, Pavan Rathnayake 44; Graeme Cremer 2-27) lost to Zimbabwe 182/4 in 19.3 overs (Brian Bennett 63*, Sikandar Raza 45, Tony Muyonga 8*) by 6 wickets

At Eden Gardens in Kolkata, West Indies capped their group-stage fixtures with a comfortable 42-run win over Italy to top the Group C table. Shai Hope led the batting effort with a classy 75 off 46 balls, stabilising the innings after early wickets. A mid-innings wobble threatened to derail West Indies, but Sherfane Rutherford and Matthew Forde added late runs to lift the total to 165/6.

Italy’s chase faltered against disciplined bowling. Matthew Forde’s early breakthroughs set the tone before Shamar Joseph delivered a match-defining performance, claiming 4/30. Joseph also achieved a rare feat by taking four catches in the match, underlining his all-round impact. Italy were eventually bowled out for 123 in 18 overs, as West Indies maintained their unbeaten streak heading into the Super Eights.

Brief scores: West Indies 165/6 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 75; Crishan Kalugamage 2-25, Ben Manenti 2-37) beat Italy 123 all out in 18 overs (Ben Manenti 26, JJ Smuts 24; Shamar Joseph 4-30, Matthew Forde 3-19) by 42 runs

With the group stage nearing completion, teams are now shifting focus to the Super Eights, where stakes and competition intensity are set to rise sharply.

Global leaders spotlight ethics, trust and infra at AI Impact Summit

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New Delhi: Conversations on the future of artificial intelligence gathered momentum at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and global industry leaders outlined priorities spanning ethics, trust, sovereignty and large-scale deployment.

Addressing the Leaders’ Plenary Session at Bharat Mandapam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the summit would help shape a “human-centric and sensitive global AI ecosystem.” Drawing on Lord Buddha’s teaching that “Right Action comes from Right Understanding,” he emphasised the need for timely and well-intentioned decisions to maximise AI’s positive impact.

Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi highlighted how collaboration and digital platforms helped deliver solutions at scale. He noted that India’s digital public infrastructure — including UPI and the CoWIN vaccination platform — demonstrated how technology can serve society. Stressing that technology should empower rather than dominate, he said AI must remain accessible to all, with Global South priorities at the centre of governance.

Warning that AI expands the scope of unethical use, the Prime Minister said ethical norms “must also be unlimited,” urging companies to align profit with purpose. He proposed three principles for responsible AI: respecting data sovereignty within a trusted global data framework; adopting transparent “glass box” safety rules instead of opaque systems; and embedding human values in AI design. “AI is a shared resource for the welfare of humanity,” he said.

Modi also pointed to India’s capacity-building initiatives, stating that 38,000 GPUs are already available under the India AI Mission, with 24,000 more to be added in the next six months. He added that AIKosh, the national dataset platform, has made more than 7,500 datasets and 270 AI models available as national resources, while startups are being provided world-class computing power at affordable rates.

In parallel keynote sessions, global CEOs shared perspectives on AI’s next phase.

Arthur Mensch, CEO and Co-founder of Mistral AI, advocated decentralisation and open innovation. “AI should be a tool for empowerment, not for dominance,” he said, cautioning against concentration of power among a few corporations, according to an official release from the Ministry of Electronics & IT.

Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO of FedEx, described AI as “foundational infrastructure” for the next industrial era, particularly in global supply chains. He said intelligence would increasingly drive resilience, prediction and optimisation across modern commerce.

Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Digital Labs, underscored the link between energy and AI capability. “If a nation’s energy systems are fragile, its intelligence systems are fragile,” he remarked, outlining investments in green and sovereign AI infrastructure.

Vinod Khosla, Founder of Khosla Ventures, emphasised inclusion, stating that AI’s real impact would be visible only when it benefits the bottom half of India’s population through applications such as AI tutors, AI doctors and AI-driven agricultural services.

Technology leaders also highlighted trust, governance and scalable adoption.

Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, said AI innovation is advancing faster than institutional readiness. “The real question is whether we can build trust as fast as we build capability,” he noted, stressing that governance and security must be foundational.

Roshni Nadar, Chairperson of HCLTech, called for a shift from services to intellectual property. “India must move from being a services powerhouse to becoming an IP powerhouse,” she said.

Lars Reger, CTO of NXP Semiconductors, highlighted the importance of edge intelligence embedded in devices, vehicles and infrastructure, while Amit Zavery of ServiceNow stressed that governance, visibility and security must be built directly into enterprise AI platforms.

Alexander Wang, Chief AI Officer at Meta, spoke of “personal superintelligence,” saying trust, transparency and governance must evolve alongside AI models. Roy Jakobs, CEO of Philips, described healthcare as a domain where AI could transform lives by giving clinicians more time to care. Martin Schroeter, CEO of Kyndryl, emphasised readiness of infrastructure and operations, and Olivier Blum, CEO of Schneider Electric, pointed to AI’s dual role in driving energy demand while unlocking efficiency gains.

Across sessions, leaders converged on a shared theme: AI’s future will depend not only on technological breakthroughs, but on ethics, transparency, resilience and equitable deployment at scale.

Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute clears qualification test at DRDO facility

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New Delhi: The country’s human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan has reached a significant milestone with the successful qualification-level load test of its drogue parachute at a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) facility in Chandigarh.

The test was conducted on Wednesday at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL). The RTRS is a specialised high-speed testing platform used for aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations under simulated dynamic conditions.

According to officials, the trial simulated loads higher than the maximum expected during flight, validating the parachute’s structural strength and confirming additional safety margins in its design. The drogue parachute is a critical component of the Gaganyaan crew module recovery system, helping stabilise and decelerate the spacecraft during re-entry, according to an official statement.

The qualification test was carried out in coordination with teams from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment under DRDO, and technical teams from TBRL.

Officials said the successful test demonstrates India’s growing capability in designing and manufacturing high-strength ribbon parachutes required for complex space missions. It also underscores the role of DRDO’s advanced testing infrastructure in supporting both defence and space programmes.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, ISRO, and industry partners on the successful trial, stating that the achievement marks an important step in advancing India’s human spaceflight ambitions and strengthening indigenous technological capabilities.

Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also commended the teams involved in the qualification test.

Olive Hospitality shifts to multi-brand platform

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New Delhi: Olive Hospitality, the hospitality arm of the Embassy Group, has crossed the 100-hotel milestone across the country, marking a significant shift in its growth trajectory and transition into a multi-brand hospitality platform.

The company, earlier operating as Olive by Embassy, has formally rebranded as Olive Hospitality, reflecting its evolution from a single-brand operator into a diversified, asset-light hospitality platform. The move signals a broader strategy to scale through an integrated ecosystem combining operations, procurement, design, technology, and revenue management.

Commenting on the development, Co-founder and CEO Kahraman Yigit said the 100-hotel milestone validated the company’s belief that India’s hospitality sector requires both institutional scale and intuitive customer understanding. He added that the new platform structure enables disciplined expansion while maintaining agility across different markets and formats.

Olive Hospitality currently has 4,472 keys signed across 20 cities in 10 States, of which 2,178 keys are operational. Its presence spans major markets including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, and Shimla, among others, Olive Hospitality said in a release.

The company said its expansion has been driven by changing travel patterns in India, where travellers increasingly seek consistency, technology-enabled experiences, and value across business, leisure, and pilgrimage segments.

Instead of a uniform model, the platform has developed multiple brands catering to different market segments, including Olive Hotel for business and leisure stays, Spark by Hilton in partnership with Hilton for premium economy hospitality, and Open Hotels targeting value-led urban and emerging markets.

Industry observers note that Olive’s expansion gained momentum during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the company strengthened its asset-light model, accelerated technology adoption, and streamlined operations. This period also helped refine what it describes as a “high-tech, high-touch” operating framework, combining centralised revenue management and digital systems with on-ground operational flexibility.

The rebranding to Olive Hospitality is positioned as a structural step towards building a unified hospitality ecosystem as the company continues to expand its footprint across India.

Arunachal Pradesh, Japan hold talks to deepen ties

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New Delhi: Arunachal Pradesh is ready to partner with Japan in shaping a future driven by innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity, according to the State Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein. He, along with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, met a Japanese delegation in Itanagar and discussed a range of issues.

In a post on X, Mein said the talks focused on exploring strategic investments across key sectors, including sustainable urban development.

He said both sides also discussed deepening people-to-people ties and promoting vibrant exchange initiatives.

The Deputy chief minister further said the engagement represents a key step towards strengthening a resilient and mutually beneficial partnership.

Khandu said both sides are looking forward to building a strong and mutually beneficial partnership.

Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh MLA Oken Tayeng, Dr. Kiyohiko Toyama, former Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Bhattachan Sub Narsingh (CEO, Silverpeak Global, Nagasaki), and Isaku Mori (SPJ Japan, Japan & Korea Manager) visited the Apatani Valley.

The Apatani Cultural Landscape, on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list, is noted for its integration of nature, culture, and sustainable living, drawing comparisons with Japan.

India-Mongolia exchanges extend beyond religion: Shekhawat

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New Delhi: Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, said on Thursday that exchanges between India and Mongolia have extended beyond religion to fields including literature and philosophy, reflecting centuries of shared civilizational bonds.

He made the remarks at the two-day international conference “Cultural Interflow between India and Mongolia”, organized by the Department of Brihattar Bharat and Area Studies at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A special exhibition showcasing Mongolian culture was also inaugurated on the occasion and will remain open to the public at IGNCA’s Darshanam Gallery until February 25, according to an official statement.

Shekhawat highlighted the significance of the Mongolian Kangyur, describing it as an important record of linguistic and philosophical scholarship. He said its preservation and digitization strengthen civilizational dialogue and cultural diplomacy. The minister also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to Mongolia, noting India’s role as a “spiritual neighbor.”

Vivek Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, said India and Mongolia are building a partnership grounded in shared civilizational memory and cultural kinship. He noted cooperation in strategic sectors, including oil refinery projects, defense, education, and initiatives for manuscript preservation, such as the dissemination of the Mongolian Kangyur. Projects like Project Mausam and Project Brihattar Bharat are documenting shared intangible heritage for multinational recognition at UNESCO.

Ambassador Ganbold Dambajav of Mongolia called India a key regional partner and emphasized Buddhism as a central shared value. He appreciated India’s support in the translation and preservation of classical Buddhist texts, including the Kangyur and Tengyur, and highlighted the expanding partnership between the two nations.

The conference brought together 31 scholars from India, Mongolia, the USA, France, and other countries, with 75 research papers presented over two days.

Union minister highlights India’s critical minerals drive

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New Delhi: Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, said on Thursday that India is working in mission mode to achieve mineral security and reduce import dependence, supported by ₹Rs2,000 crore under the National Critical Mineral Mission.

Speaking at the 2nd edition of “Indian Critical Minerals Landscape: Foundation for a Sustainable Future” organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi, Reddy emphasized the strategic importance of critical minerals for the country’s green transition and key sectors such as defence, solar energy, medical technology, aerospace, and nuclear energy.

He highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is implementing reforms to make the country an attractive destination for critical minerals.

States are cooperating beyond political lines, and partnerships with countries including the US, France, and Canada are being strengthened to ensure that critical minerals serve global development rather than remain concentrated in a few nations.

Reddy, in a post on X, said the government is focused on building a robust value chain from exploration to processing and refining.

He added that over 4,000 exploration activities have been initiated, with 41 private agencies funded through the National Mineral Exploration Trust for the first time. Further, 24 critical minerals now enjoy 100% import duty exemption, while the Rs7,280 crore REPM scheme is expected to boost domestic manufacturing.

The minister also stressed the importance of recycling, research, AI-based solutions, innovation, and skill development. He pointed out key outcomes such as 612 mineral blocks auctioned and faster clearances enabling projects like Assam’s greenfield mining production within nine months.

At the event, FICCI also launched a portal on global critical mineral assets. The launch was attended by Ed Jager, High Commissioner of Canada in India, senior FICCI leadership, and industry representatives.

Reddy congratulated FICCI for successfully organizing the event and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening domestic mineral value chains for a #ViksitBharat.

Survey projects State’s Real Economic Growth at 7.9%

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Bhubaneswar: The Economic Survey, presented in the Assembly on Thursday, said the State’s real economic growth is estimated at 7.9% in 2025-26, higher than the preceding year’s growth of 7.2% in 2024-25.

According to the Planning and Convergence Department’s press note, the figure is also higher than the all-India average growth rate of 7.4%.

The Survey further said that Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product is estimated at Rs 9.9 lakh crore in 2025-26 — an increase of 9.5% from Rs 9 lakh crore in 2024-25.

All sectors have registered solid growth rates in 2025-26, and Odisha is poised for rapid expansion in the years ahead as private and public investments are improving in the state.

According to the Survey, the per capita income of the state has increased by 9.2% to reach Rs 1,86,761 in 2025-26 (AE), while per capita income at the national level rose by 6.9%. Odisha’s growth is translating into faster convergence of per capita income with the national level.

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and female LFPR are on the rise in the state. The overall LFPR (for age 15+) in Odisha increased from 58.1% in 2022 to 64.5% in 2024, compared to the all-India average of 59.6% in 2024.

Similarly, the female labour force participation rate (for age 15+) in Odisha rose from 37.6% in 2022 to 48.7$ in 2024, which is higher than the all-India average of 40.3% in 2024.

The agriculture and allied sector contributes 19.6% to the State economy in 2025-26, surpassing the all-India level of 16.8%.

The sector has recorded a robust growth rate of 5.3% in 2025-26, compared to 3.1% at the national level, indicating that Odisha’s agriculture is growing at a faster pace than the country’s average.

Foodgrains production in Odisha reached a record 150.5 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) in 2024-25, up from 143.04 lakh MT in 2023-24, reflecting a growth rate of 5.2%.

Rice production in 2024-25 stood at 118.6 lakh MT, marking a 2.8% increase over 2023-24. The rise in rice output was supported by programmes such as Samrudha Krushak Yojana, CM-Kisan, higher MSP and input subsidies, among others.

India positions AI as force for global good at landmark summit

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, framing artificial intelligence as a defining shift in human civilisation and calling for its responsible, inclusive, and human-centric deployment.

Addressing leaders, innovators, and delegates from more than 100 countries, the Prime Minister described the gathering as the “world’s largest and historic AI Impact Summit,” highlighting India’s demographic strength, deep tech talent pool, and rapid technology adoption. He welcomed global participants on behalf of 140 crore Indians and said hosting the summit was a matter of pride not only for India but also for the Global South.

Modi underlined the visible role of young people at the summit and exhibition, noting their confidence and swift acceptance of AI. He pointed to solutions showcased in agriculture, security, accessibility for divyangjan, and multilingual services as examples of India’s innovation capacity and the growing strength of “Made in India” AI.

Calling AI a transformation comparable to historic technological turning points, Modi said, “Artificial Intelligence represents a transformation of the same magnitude as historic turning points in human civilization.” He emphasised that while AI is making machines intelligent, its deeper impact lies in multiplying human capability at “unprecedented speed and scale.” The Prime Minister cautioned that the central question is not what AI can do in the future, but what humanity chooses to do with it now, according to an official release.

Stressing direction and responsibility, he remarked that AI, like nuclear power, can be disruptive if misused but transformative if guided correctly. The summit’s core purpose, he said, is to deliberate on making AI human-centric and ensuring it remains sensitive and accountable.

Referring to the summit’s theme, ‘Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya’ (Welfare for all, Happiness for all), Modi said this philosophy serves as India’s benchmark. “We must democratise AI; it must become a tool for inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South,” he asserted, adding that humans must not become “mere data points or raw material for AI.”

The Prime Minister outlined India’s M.A.N.A.V. vision for AI, presenting it as a framework for ethical and trusted AI ecosystems. He explained that M.A.N.A.V. stands for “Moral and Ethical Systems,” “Accountable Governance,” “National Sovereignty,” “Accessible and Inclusive,” and “Valid and Legitimate.” This approach, he said, will be a crucial link for humanity’s welfare in an AI-driven century.

On the future of employment, Modi said AI’s impact would mirror earlier digital revolutions whose job outcomes were initially unpredictable. “We are entering an era where humans and intelligent systems co-create, co-work and co-evolve,” he said. AI, he added, will make work “smarter, more efficient and more impactful,” while creating higher-value and creative roles. He called for skilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning to become a mass movement.

Highlighting transparency as a safeguard, Modi advocated open collaboration. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” he said, urging shared development and open code so that “millions of young minds” can help make AI safer and better. He called for a “collective resolve of AI for Global Common Good.”

The Prime Minister also flagged urgent risks from deepfakes and fabricated content, urging global standards for watermarking and authenticity labelling of digital material. Trust, he said, must be built into AI systems from the outset. He further stressed the need for child-safe AI environments guided by family-centric principles.

Expressing optimism, Modi said India sees “opportunity and the blueprint of tomorrow” in AI. He welcomed the launch of new AI models and apps by three Indian companies during the summit and highlighted India’s expanding ecosystem spanning semiconductors, data centres, quantum computing, and startups.

“Design and Develop in India. Deliver to the World. Deliver to Humanity,” Modi said, inviting global partners to collaborate in building scalable, secure, and affordable AI solutions.

Among those present were French President Emmanuel Macron, the UN Secretary-General, heads of state, ministers, and global AI industry leaders.

110+ AI startups spotlighted for population-scale impact across India

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New Delhi: India’s expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem received a significant boost with the release of India’s AI Impact Startups, a first-of-its-kind repository unveiled at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 that profiles more than 110 startups and non-profits applying AI to deliver large-scale social and economic outcomes across sectors ranging from healthcare and agriculture to education, climate, financial inclusion, urban mobility, and public service delivery.

The repository, researched and compiled by the Kalpa Impact team, offers a structured mapping of the country’s AI-for-impact landscape. It highlights how Indian founders are designing solutions tailored to local realities while maintaining global relevance. The analysis points to an ecosystem that is both experimental and increasingly consolidated, with voice AI and vernacular interfaces emerging as crucial tools for expanding access among underserved communities. The study also notes a growing focus on Made-in-India foundation models, signalling deeper investments in indigenous AI capabilities.

Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Director General of the National Informatics Centre, and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, described the repository as a practical reference for stakeholders. “For policymakers, it highlights capabilities ready for integration with existing digital public infrastructure. For industry and investors, it showcases ventures with technical maturity, scalability, and long-term potential. Together, it serves as a unified reference to support informed engagement and adoption,” Singh was quoted as saying in an official release.

Mohammed Y. Safirulla K, IAS, associated with the IndiaAI Mission, said the repository captures a pivotal phase in India’s AI journey, where startups are moving beyond pilot projects to deploy and scale solutions serving millions. He emphasised that the IndiaAI Mission remains committed to strengthening this ecosystem and supporting initiatives already delivering measurable impact.

Anshul Singhal, General Manager (Startups) at MeitY, said: “What stands out in this repository  is the diversity of problems being solved, from courtroom transcription to rural health screening to smallholder farm advisory. Indian AI startups are not just building applications; they are building infrastructure for inclusion.”

Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kalpa Impact, characterised India’s AI startup landscape as being driven by what he termed “super-utility.” He said Indian companies are increasingly deploying AI to solve practical, real-world problems tied to human needs and public service delivery. Kumar added that many growth-stage startups have already expanded internationally, positioning India as a potential AI export hub for emerging economies. He cited examples including Edge AI systems capable of functioning without continuous internet connectivity and voice bots designed to communicate in regional dialects.

With India continuing to emphasise responsible and inclusive AI adoption, the release of the repository is expected to enhance visibility for high-impact ventures and support evidence-based engagement between innovators, institutions, and policymakers.