Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Names India’s Top 40 Young Innovators

Samsung India today announced the Top 40 semi-finalist teams of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, its flagship youth innovation programme that gives young people a platform to identify challenges around them and turn their ideas into solutions through mentorship, technology, prototyping and hands-on learning.

Now in its fifth edition in India in 2026, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is open to young people aged 14 to 22 and is designed to nurture problem-solving and innovation among the country’s next generation.

The Top 40 represent 15 states and 26 cities, with more than half of the teams coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3 India. Young innovators from Varanasi, Coimbatore, Guntur, Amritsar, Sundargarh and Rajkot have made it to the national semi-finals alongside teams from major technology and education hubs.

The shortlist comprises 10 teams each across the four themes of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 – AI Living for India, Health and Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport & Tech.

“What stands out in this year’s Top 40 is how closely young people are looking at the world around them. They are identifying problems in their communities, classrooms, farms, businesses and playing fields, and asking how technology can make a difference. The fact that more than half of these teams come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 India is particularly encouraging because it shows that the next generation of innovation can emerge from anywhere. Our role through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is to give these young innovators the mentorship, technology and opportunity to turn their ambition into impact. As Samsung completes 30 years in India, we want to continue investing in the ideas and talent that will shape the country’s next 30 years,” said SP Chun, Corporate Vice President, Samsung Southwest Asia.

The semi-finalists are working on ideas ranging from AI tools that could make financial and essential information more accessible to solutions for agricultural residue, assistive technologies for people with disabilities, affordable healthcare and education tools, and technologies designed to make sport more inclusive.

Among the Top 40 is AIRMED from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, which is exploring how AI could help built about India as a global healthcare destination. AIRMED wants to connect overseas patients with Indian hospitals.

Code Blooded from Sundargarh, Odisha uses specialised AI to identify sporting talent among para-athletes in smaller cities and rural areas.

AcoustiNode Systems from Thrissur, Kerala addresses dam management through better hydrological intelligence, with the aim of reducing poorly informed reservoir releases and improving flood, irrigation and power-management decisions.

QuantHunt from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh tackles the emerging cybersecurity threats, where encrypted data stolen today could potentially be decrypted as computing capabilities advance.

Other teams are developing technology to help visually-impaired swimmers train more independently, an AI companion aimed at improving access to education for visually impaired students, a solution that can turn existing classroom projectors into interactive learning platforms, and technology designed to convert biomass into clean energy and useful carbon resources.

“The transition from an interesting idea to a viable solution is often the most difficult part of the innovation journey. What is encouraging about this cohort is that 25 of the Top 40 teams have already started building prototypes. The next phase will challenge them to test their assumptions, learn from users, strengthen their technology and think more deeply about how their solutions can work at scale. That process of learning by building is fundamental to creating strong innovators,” said Dr Nikhil Agrawal, Managing Director, Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi.

From Ideas to Prototypes

The Top 40 will now enter an intensive phase of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow designed to help them develop and strengthen their ideas.

An Innovation Bootcamp, scheduled to begin in September, will give participants exposure to Samsung’s innovation ecosystem, including visits to Samsung R&D centres in Bengaluru, Delhi and Noida, as well as its Southwest Asia headquarters.

The teams will subsequently undergo intensive training and mentoring with FITT, IIT Delhi, receiving guidance on prototyping, problem-solving and developing their ideas for real-world application. Alumni from previous editions of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow will also participate in the mentoring journey, allowing participants to learn from young innovators who have previously gone through the programme.

The semi-final stage will culminate in a National Pitch Event, where the teams will present their solutions before a Samsung jury. Twenty finalist teams will advance to the last stage of the competition.

Awards and Support

Top 40 teams will receive a cumulative ₹8 lakh for prototype development, while each team member will receive a Samsung laptop.

The Top 20 teams will receive a cumulative ₹20 lakh for prototype enhancement, along with the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip smartphone for each team member.

At the culmination of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026, the Top 4 winning teams will receive a cumulative grant of ₹2 crore from Samsung for incubation at IIT Delhi, helping them further develop and scale their solutions.

The programme will also recognize participants through special awards at the Grand Finale, including the Digital Impact Award of ₹50,000 and 2 Community Choice Awards of ₹1 lakh each.

Five Years of Taking Innovation Across India

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow was launched in India in 2022 to give young people a platform to identify problems that matter to them and develop ideas into solutions through mentorship, technology and hands-on learning.

Several youth-led startups have been incorporated through the programme since 2022. Over the past four years, Samsung has invested in nurturing young innovation through ₹2 crore in incubation grants at IIT Delhi and over ₹3 crore in cash prizes and technology products, providing emerging innovators with the resources and support to turn ideas into solutions.

Now in its fifth edition, the programme has progressively expanded its reach beyond India’s largest cities. Ahead of the Top 100 selection this year, Samsung conducted 184 Design Thinking Workshops across 135 cities, taking innovation and problem-solving directly to young people across the country.

As Samsung celebrates 30 years in India, Solve for Tomorrow reflects the company’s long-term commitment to supporting young people and strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem.

Globally, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow was launched in the United States in 2010 and has since expanded to 68 countries, engaging more than 3 million young people worldwide. The programme is part of Samsung Electronics’ global CSR vision, “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People.” 

HDFC Bank Launches ‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’, A Campaign For Fraud Awareness

* India’s top stand-up comedians come together with Vigil Aunty on JioHotstar

Ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day, HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, today announced the launch of ‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’, a fraud awareness campaign designed to encourage customers to pause before making impulsive decisions while transacting digitally. The campaign brings together some of India's most noted stand-up comedians along with Vigil Aunty, the Bank’s social media influencer on digital frauds, to deliver an important message: “When it comes to fraud, taking a pause can actually save you”.

‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’, a seven-episode comedy special, will start streaming exclusively on JioHotstar starting 15th August, 2026. The campaign addresses a common phenomenon across all types of digital frauds: fraudsters thrive on urgency. Whether it is a fake OTP request, a phishing link, or a digital arrest fraud, they want people to react instantly. ‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’ aims to spread simple fraud prevention habits across the country and encourage people to pause before reacting in a hurry. It positions ‘doing nothing’ as the smartest move when faced with a suspicious request. The series features popular stand-up comedians Aakash Gupta, Gaurav Kapoor, Ramkumar Natarajan, Harsh Gujral, Sonu Venugopal, Munawar Faruqui, and Kenny Sebastian.

Mr. Ravi Santhanam, Chief Marketing Officer & Group Head, HDFC Bank said, "Fraudsters use panic and urgency to manipulate people into making quick mistakes. 'Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves' intends to talk to audiences in a language they love - comedy. Vigil Aunty, along with India's top stand-up comedians, will spread awareness on the modus operandi used by fraudsters. We are delighted to leverage the network of JioHotstar in this endevaour to reach a wide audience to share the message of staying alert while transacting on digital platforms.”

‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’, conceptulised by the Bank’s creative agency FCBKinnect, is a pan-India initiative aimed at anyone who uses digital banking or online payments. While designed with Gen Z and digital-first audiences in mind, its core message is relevant across all age groups. By bringing fraud awareness to platforms where people already consume entertainment, the campaign aims to reach a wide audience nationwide and promote safer digital habits through content that is easy to remember and even easier to share. By leveraging comedy, the campaign makes fraud awareness far more relatable, memorable, and shareable.

Vigil Aunty is a fictional character created by HDFC Bank to make cyber safety simple and relatable through a familiar and conversational character who explains fraud risks in everyday language. Vigil Aunty has over 2.2 million followers across all social media platforms.

To watch, click here.

About HDFC BANK

For more information, click here: www.hdfc.bank.in

Onam Utsavam At Bhartiya Mall Of Bengaluru: A Weekend Of Kerala’s Culture, Traditions & Celebrations

This Onam, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru will bring the vibrant traditions and festive spirit of Kerala to the city with the third edition of Onam Utsavam, a two-day celebration on 22nd and 23rd August. The festivities will bring together traditional art forms, music, dance, immersive experiences and community-led activities for visitors of all ages.

The celebrations on 22 August will feature an exciting line-up of Kerala’s traditional performances, including Chendamelam, Mega Thiruvathira, Theyyam and Pulikali. Visitors can also experience VR Vallamkali, a contemporary take on Kerala’s iconic snake boat races, offering an immersive glimpse into one of the state’s most celebrated traditions. A Community Pookkalam will invite visitors to come together and create one of the most recognisable symbols of Onam.

On 23 August, the festivities will shift into a day of contests and family-friendly activities, including a Payasam Making Competition, Pookkalam Challenge, Vadamvali Challenge and Sack Race, alongside several other activities designed to encourage participation and bring families and communities together.

With its blend of Kerala’s cultural heritage and contemporary experiences, Onam Utsavam at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru promises a vibrant weekend celebration that brings the colours, flavours and traditions of Kerala to Bengaluru.

Event Details

What: Onam Utsavam

Where: The Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru

Time: 1PM

Date: 22nd & 23rd August 2026

Registration: https://in.bookmyshow.com/activities/onam-utsavam-pookalam-competition/ET00510961   

Turkish Airlines Strengthens Its China Network With Chengdu

Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other, will launch scheduled flights to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, as of 11 November 2026. Following Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, Chengdu will become the fourth destination on the Mainland China served by the flag carrier.

Home to more than 21 million people, Chengdu is one of China's most prominent metropolitan centres. The city serves as a major hub for trade, logistics, and finance, hosting numerous multinational companies operating in strategic industries such as electronics, automotive, aviation, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.

Recognized by UNESCO as a “City of Gastronomy”, Chengdu attracts millions of visitors every year with its world-renowned Sichuan cuisine, as well as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a natural habitat and conversation center for giant pandas.

Commenting on the launch of the Chengdu route, Turkish Airlines CEO Ahmet Olmuştur said: “China holds a strategically important position among Turkish Airlines’ key markets. With the launch of our flights to Chengdu, one of China's foremost tourism, technology, and aviation centres, and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, we are further strengthening our flight network in the country. We believe this new route will contribute to the continued growth of commercial, cultural, and tourism ties between Türkiye and China.”

Turkish Airlines will operate three weekly flights on the Istanbul–Chengdu route on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while return flights from Chengdu to Istanbul will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The new route will provide a direct connection between Chengdu, Türkiye, and Turkish Airlines' extensive global network.

To mark the launch of the new route, Turkish Airlines is offering special fares starting from USD 540 in Economy Class and USD 1,991 in Business Class for travel between Istanbul and Chengdu. Fares are available on Turkish Airlines’ official website and may vary at sales offices and travel agencies.

Schedule details:

Turkish Airlines will operate its Istanbul–Chengdu flights to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport three times per week using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, configured with a total capacity of 300 seats, including 30 Business Class and 270 Economy Class seats.

 

FL. NO	START	DAYS	DEPARTURE		ARRIVAL
TK 226	11 November 2026	Wednesday, Friday, Sunday	Istanbul Airport	02:05	15.40	Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
TK 227	12 November 2026	Monday, Thursday, Saturday	Chengdu Tianfu International Airport	00.45	05.55	Istanbul Airport

*All times are local.

For more information on Turkish Airlines and its flight schedules, please visit www.turkishairlines.com, call 444 0 849, or contact any Turkish Airlines sales office.  

RONIN FC 3 Brings International MMA To Bengaluru, Fuses Global Competition With India’s Martial Heritage

* 146 athletes from five nations compete in third edition; 13 MMA bouts and a 45-minute Kalaripayattu showcase mark a landmark Independence Day fight night

Bengaluru witnessed a landmark evening for Indian combat sports as RONIN FC 3 – The Legacy Awakens brought international mixed martial arts to the city, with 146 athletes from India, Nepal, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan competing at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium on Saturday. Staged on Independence Day, the event brought together high-level international competition and a celebration of India’s rich martial arts heritage.

Organised by Sinhoi Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. in association with the All India Mixed Martial Arts Federation (AIMMAF), the third edition of RONIN FC featured 13 MMA bouts, comprising six preliminary contests and seven professional fights. The event drew a capacity audience, further reinforcing Bengaluru’s growing prominence as a destination for international combat sports.

Adding a distinct Indian identity to the fight night was a 45-minute Kalaripayattu showcase by Agastham Kalari. Integrated into the main programme, the performance brought the discipline, movement and heritage of the traditional martial art to an audience witnessing contemporary MMA competition. The showcase reflected the event’s central theme of connecting India’s martial legacy with the global evolution of combat sports.

The build-up to RONIN FC 3 began on August 14 with India’s first ever fight-week face-off at The Quad by BLR, Terminal 1, Kempegowda International Airport. The session featured official weigh-ins and head-to-head face-offs between the fighters, giving invited media and guests an early look at the matchups ahead of the main event.

The fight night on August 15 featured six preliminary bouts, followed by the Kalaripayattu showcase and seven professional contests. Fighters from across India competed alongside athletes from Nepal, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, reflecting RONIN FC’s ambition to create a platform where Indian talent can compete alongside fighters from established and emerging MMA markets.

The night also saw standout performances across the fight card, with Shusmita of Nepal defeating Shalu Sharma, Ashish Rawat defeating Manoj Ramjali, Dipanjali of Kolkata defeating Lija of Kerala, and Rohit of Mumbai defeating Pankaj Mehra of Delhi.

Reflecting on the significance of the third edition, Arun Kumar Krishnan, Co-Founder & Promoter, RONIN FC, said, “Hosting RONIN FC 3 on Independence Day is deeply meaningful for us. As we celebrate the spirit of a nation built on courage and resilience, we’re proud to provide a platform where Indian athletes compete alongside international talent. Our vision is to build a lasting legacy for mixed martial arts in India and inspire the next generation of champions.”

The event was broadcast in partnership with Locker Room, with campaign metrics indicating a reach of more than 5.7 million, surpassing the audience recorded for the previous edition. The event was supported by SCAR as apparel partner, Aster Hospitals for medical services, CSR Global for travel support, and The Quad by BLR as venue partner.

About RONIN FC

RONIN FC is an AIMMAF-sanctioned mixed martial arts promotion built by Sinhoi Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. Its second edition, RFC2, reached over 5.7 million people through its campaign and drew more than 70,000 live-stream viewers, with athletes competing from 18 Indian states. With RONIN FC 3, the promotion expands its scale further, bringing together 146+ athletes from five nations for a night that pairs professional MMA competition with a celebration of India's martial arts heritage.