MSDE, ABCF And BITS Pilani Launch Innovation And Start-Up Challenge For NSTI Students

Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has joined hands with Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF) & Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), the incubator of BITS Pilani, to promote Innovation & Entrepreneurship among students in all National Skills Training Institutes (NSTI) across the country.  NSTIs, under the aegis of DGT, provide vocational training to create a pool of Instructor trainees and skilled manpower for industries. At present, there are 33 NSTIs operational in the country, where more than 10,000 students pursuing skill training under the Craft Instructor Training Schemes (CITS) and Craftsmen Training Scheme(CTS).There are designated NSTI(W) as well, that specifically focus on women's vocational training.

 

Even though there is ample support for innovations to become ventures at School and Higher Education levels, minimal support exists for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, that includes more than 13 lacs students enrolled in ITIs and NSTIs. Majority of the TVET graduates get absorbed in the industry, work as trainers or educators, or get into traditional self-employment trades.

 

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, Government of India said, “At the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, we believe that every skilled individual carry within them the potential to become a job creator. Through this partnership with the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, we are enabling NSTI students to channel their technical skills into innovation and enterprise. The Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha will empower our young innovators to transform ideas into sustainable ventures, strengthening India’s vision of becoming an Aatmanirbhar and innovation-driven nation.”

 

The innovation challenge has been launched under the title Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha: Kaushalta se Udyamita, with the objective to nurture skill-based innovation in NSTI students. Being a first of its kind innovation challenge, it will cater to 10,000+ NSTI students and will include mentoring, prizes, access to resources, and further incubation, for launching the ideas of students in the market. The focus of the program will be students with innovative ideas in IT/ITeS, Automotive, Apparel, Electronics & Hardware and Power, and Capital Goods & Manufacturing sectors. Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), the incubator of BITS Pilani, would be managing this program, and is being supported under the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation.

 

About Directorate General of Training, MSDE (DGT):

The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), is the apex body responsible for formulating national policies, standards, and coordination of vocational training in India, including women’s training. While Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) function under State Governments/UT Administrations, DGT oversees overall policy, quality, instructor training, and trade testing. Through key schemes such as the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS), and Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS), DGT ensures large-scale skill development through more than 14,500 ITIs, 33 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Institutes for Training of Trainers (IToTs), training over 23 lakh trainees nationwide. It is also driving modernization of ITIs with new-age trades in AI, IoT, Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, 3D Printing, and Drone Technology. To strengthen the industry connect, DGT promotes the Dual System of Training (DST) and Flexi-MoU model, while embedding Employability Skills as a mandatory component to enhance industry readiness and digital capability among trainees.

 

About Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF): The Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (“ABCF”) is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, its subsidiaries and associate companies for undertaking its developmental projects. A robust team comprises of Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of The Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, is the mentor; Mrs. Vishakha Mulye (Managing Director & CEO, Aditya Birla Capital Limited), Mr. Subhro Bhaduri (CHRO, Aditya Birla Capital Limited), and Dr. Pragnya Ram (Group Executive President, Group Head – CSR, Legacy, Documentation & Archives), serve as Directors. ABCF is committed to drive programs for inclusive growth and development of the underserved section of society. Its engagement is primarily fixated on women centric program in the areas of healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods.

 

About Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS): PIEDS is not-for-profit incubator of Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani establish with a grant from Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. A robust team comprises of Prof. Valipe Ramgopal Rao, President, Prof. Sudhirkumar Barai, Vice President, and other members. It supports early-stage startups with deeptech solutions across sectors, women entrepreneurs, and startups working for / from Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations of Bharat.

Tata Power-Led Southern Odisha Discom Ensures Swift Power And Infrastructure Restoration Post Cyclone Montha

-          100% restoration completed for critical infrastructure

 

Cyclone Montha brought intermittent rain and gusty winds across southern Odisha, impacting power infrastructure in TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited’s (TPSODL) operational area. Through rapid mobilization, pre-storm preparedness, and coordinated restoration efforts, TPSODL achieved swift restoration of electricity and essential public services across all affected regions, with 5925 employees deployed on ground.

Restoration of critical infrastructure remained TPSODL’s highest priority during and after the cyclone. All critical facilities including drinking water infrastructure, health institutions such as major hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Primary Health Centres (PHCs), as well as power supply and other essential networks have been restored 100% across southern Odisha.

Through close coordination with district authorities, TPSODL ensured the rapid re-energization of power supply to these key installations, enabling uninterrupted operation of water supply and healthcare services. This comprehensive restoration underscores TPSODL’s commitment to resilience, swift recovery, and ensuring continuity of essential services for the community in the aftermath of the cyclone. At the distribution level, 94% restoration work is complete.

Backup power systems have been positioned in vulnerable areas to prevent disruptions caused by feeder tripping or flooding. Coordination with Public Health Engineering and Health Department officials continues to ensure immediate response in case of any fresh outages due to ongoing rainfall and wind alerts. With forecasts indicating continuing heavy rainfall and gusty winds across southern Odisha, TPSODL remains on high alert, maintaining 24x7 control room monitoring, full manpower mobilization, and close coordination with district and state authorities to ensure early restoration and public safety.

Bengaluru To Host 30th European Union Film Festival Celebrating Hope, Courage, And Creativity

~Opening with the Austrian film Happy by diaspora filmmaker Sandeep Kumar, EUFF 2025 brings the finest and most acclaimed contemporary European titles from Nov 7–15~

The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) returns with its milestone 30th edition, celebrating three decades of cinematic, cultural, and artistic exchange between Europe and India. The festival which starts in Delhi (October 31st) will travel to Bengaluru with its biggest and finest curation yet - 24 contemporary European films in 25 languages to be screened from November 7–15, before moving on to Hyderabad. Through this vibrant showcase of European cinema, the festival continues to foster Indo-European cultural collaboration, offering audiences a window into Europe - its people, its stories, and its spirit.

Bengaluru audiences can enjoy the festival across three iconic venues: Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Bangalore, Alliance française de Bangalore and Suchitra Film Society. Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to India, in collaboration with the Embassies of EU Member States and regional partners, EUFF 2025 Bengaluru edition offers Indian audiences a rare opportunity to experience Europe’s most celebrated films on the big screen. The festival’s curated selection highlights stories of resilience, hope, identity, and creativity, reflecting the shared human experiences that unite audiences across cultures.

Talking about bringing the 30th European Union Film Festival to Bengaluru, Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India, said, “Bengaluru has this wonderful energy, a city that is curious, creative, and deeply connected to art and culture as I personally experienced it during my past visit. It also has a young crowd that is open to new stories and new ways of seeing the world, which makes it a great place for a festival like this. We are genuinely excited to bring EUFF here because it is more than just films; it is about fostering conversations and cultural exchange between Europe and India. Opening the Bengaluru chapter with Happy by Sandeep Kumar feels especially meaningful, as it is a tender story that explores the immigrant experience, resilience and hope, resonating with audiences everywhere. Through cultural festivals like EUFF, we bridge peoples through personal emotions and exposure to both our differences and our similarities, one story at a time.”

The Bengaluru edition opens with the Austrian film Happy, directed by Sandeep Kumar, an acclaimed filmmaker from the Indian diaspora. Happy tells the moving story of an undocumented Indian father striving to build a better life for his daughter in Vienna. Poignant and deeply human, the film captures EUFF’s spirit of shared stories, cross-cultural journeys, and empathy that transcend borders.

Speaking about Happy opening EUFF 2025 Bengaluru chapter, filmmaker Sandeep Kumar said, “It’s exciting to have HAPPY open the Bengaluru chapter of the 30th European Union Film Festival. As a filmmaker of Indian origin living in Europe, this story is very close to my heart - it reflects the struggles, hopes, and quiet resilience of those who live between worlds, carrying dreams across borders. I’m grateful that EUFF provides a platform for such stories, where cultures meet, and cinema becomes a bridge of empathy and understanding. I am looking forward to the Bengaluru audience’s reaction to our film, which explores themes that are relevant to the modern world.”

Festival curator Artur Zaborski added, “Bengaluru’s audiences have a great appetite for world cinema, and EUFF 2025 is our way of bringing Europe to their doorstep. This year’s curation celebrates courage, tenderness, and discovery, showing that despite different languages or landscapes, our stories often echo the same universal emotions. Happy is the perfect film to open the Bengaluru chapter, as it explores the immigrant experience through the eyes of an Indian protagonist, touching on a theme that resonates globally. EUFF 2025 is a celebration of storytelling in its truest form — we look forward to seeing everyone at the festival.”

Dr. Michael Heinst, Director, Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Bangalore: “European Cinema has always received a lot of love from Bengaluru's discerning audience. Driven by curiosity and experimentation, the city has a great history of welcoming new ideas and perspectives. We are delighted for the European Film Festival to be back at Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Bangalore."

 

Jean-Marc Dépierre, Director, Alliance française de Bangalore: “Cinema is not only about making people dream. It's about changing things and making people think” film director Nadine Labaki once said. This is exactly what EUFF is trying to achieve and the Alliance française de Bangalore is thrilled to be part of this endeavour.”

 

H N Narahari Rao, President, Suchitra Film Society: “Suchitra Film Society has been proud to partner with the European Union Film Festival for over a decade, bringing the finest European cinema to Bangalore’s discerning audiences. The 30th edition holds special significance as we witness three decades of cultural bridge-building through cinema, fostering deeper understanding between European and Indian sensibilities. Our collaboration with EUFF continues to enrich Bangalore’s cultural landscape, offering our members and the public access to award-winning films that might otherwise remain beyond commercial distribution. Apart from screening the films, We look forward to hosting the workshop with filmmaker Sandeep Kumar and celebrating this milestone edition that perfectly embodies cinema’s power to unite diverse cultures and stories.”

Renowned Indian-origin filmmaker Sandeep Kumar will also host a special workshop titled “Shah Rukh Khan to Michael Haneke: My Journey from Indian Theatre to European Cinema” - an engaging conversation tracing his remarkable creative journey. In this interactive session, Sandeep will share insights from his evolution as an artist, from performing alongside Shah Rukh Khan on the Delhi stage to attending workshops with acclaimed filmmaker Michael Haneke in Austria. Drawing from his cross-cultural filmmaking experiences in Europe, he will discuss the nuances of creating cinema that bridges European and South Asian narratives. The event will take place on Sunday, 8 November 2025 at Suchitra Film Society, Bangalore.

Festival trailer 2025 - EUFF India 2025 | 30th European Union Film Festival | Trailer 

Festival Line-Up

The EUFF 2025 line-up brings together a diverse range of acclaimed films from across Europe, each offering a distinct cultural and emotional perspective. Matters of the Heart (Denmark) tells an intimate portrayal of family trauma and reconciliation while Julie Keeps Quiet (Belgium) explores silence and systemic abuse within the world of sports, and The Trap (Bulgaria) presents a rural morality tale. From Croatia comes Pelican, a comic yet heartfelt story of self-discovery, and from Finland’s The Missile offers a darkly comic portrait of small-town life. France’s Holy Cow tells a powerful story of courage and independence in the Alps, while Greece’s Behind the Haystacks examines faith, debt, and generational conflict through a poignant family drama. 

 

All films will screen with English subtitles, and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Some titles carry an 18+ rating.

 

The entire line-up includes: 

Austria / Happy; Belgium / Julie Keeps Quiet; Bulgaria / The Trap; Croatia / Pelican; Cyprus / Smaragda – I Got Thick Skin and I Can't Jump; Denmark / Matters of the Heart; Finland / The Missile; France / Holy Cow; Germany / Dying; Greece / Behind the Haystacks; Hungary / Three Thousand Numbered Pieces; Ireland / That They May Face the Rising Sun; Latvia / Soviet Milk; Lithuania / Tasty; Luxembourg / Breathing Underwater; Malta / Castillo; Netherlands / Memory Lane; Poland / It’s Not My Film; Portugal / Bad Living; Romania / Three Kilometres to the End of the World; Slovakia / The Hungarian Dressmaker; Slovenia / Family Therapy; Spain / Ei 47; Sweden / The Swedish Torpedo.

 

More Information on EUFF: www.euffindia.com |IG: @euffindia| X: @euffindia I FB: European Union Film Festival 

About the European Union (EU): The EU, which consists of 27 countries, has the world's largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'Member States') are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. They have set up common institutions so that decisions on matters of joint interest can be made democratically at the European level. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro) which has been adopted by 20 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment. It is also at the forefront of policies on sustainability. 

 

EU-India relations: For over 60 years, the European Union and India have collaborated to reduce poverty, prevent disasters, protect human rights, expand trade, and promote joint research in areas such as energy, health, agriculture, and many other fields of mutual interest. More information at: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india 

Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru Turns Spotlight On Emerging Talent With Phoenix Festival 2025

The city’s premier lifestyle destination blends fashion, art, and inclusivity in a celebration of confidence and community

 

The 9th edition of the Phoenix Festival at Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru lit up Bengaluru’s fashion and cultural calendar with an experience that celebrated creativity, connection, and community. The festival brought together the best of fashion, art, and festive energy, transforming the mall into a dynamic stage for emerging models, designers, and creators to shine.

At the heart of this year’s celebration was the Phoenix Mega Model Hunt 2025 – “Where Talent Meets Brand Vision”, conceptualized by fashion impresario Prasad Bidapa. The initiative served as a defining moment in the city’s fashion landscape, offering young models a platform to be discovered, celebrated, and elevated. This year, Phoenix Mall of Asia took the concept further, turning the runway into a real-world opportunity. Winners of the Phoenix Mega Model Hunt 2025 became the faces of the mall’s festive campaign for Phoenix Festival 2025, appearing across print and digital media platforms. The initiative extended their runway journey into real-world visibility, blending festive storytelling with fashion and artistry.

Rooted in the vision of transforming emerging talent into brand storytelling, the campaign brought together elements of glamour, inclusivity, and creative expression. Featuring winners from the Phoenix Mega Model Hunt 2025, it was conceptualized and executed within the mall’s premises, capturing the spirit of celebration, craftsmanship, and confidence that defines the festive season. The campaign emerged as a noteworthy example of strategic retail storytelling and experiential brand engagement, featured across print and digital platforms to further enhance its visibility and impact.

Ritu Mehta, Centre Director – Phoenix Mall of Asia and Director Marketing – South, The Phoenix Mills Ltd, said: “The Phoenix Festival 2025 brought together the city’s creative energy in an authentic and inspiring manner. By featuring winners of the Phoenix Mega Model Hunt 2025 in our festive brand campaigns, we turned a talent platform into a space for real visibility and celebration. These young models didn’t just walk the runway, they became the faces of stories that reflect confidence, craftsmanship, and community. Each edition of the Phoenix Festival continues to evolve the way fashion and culture come together, and this year beautifully reflected that purpose and creativity.”

The Phoenix Festival 2025 underscored Phoenix Mall of Asia’s commitment to nurturing creative talent and crafting experiences that go beyond retail. By integrating real stories, artistry, and brand collaboration, the mall is setting a new benchmark for experiential and strategic marketing within India’s retail industry, turning moments of discovery into movements of inspiration.

About Phoenix Mall of Asia: Phoenix Mall of Asia, located in North Bengaluru, is the epitome of luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment. Renowned as India’s premier ultra-luxury retail destination, the mall offers an unparalleled experience in the city’s heart. It sets new standards in design and amenities, creating a sophisticated and immersive environment for visitors. The mall's grand entrance welcomes guests into a world of elegance and style, with popular zones like Luxe Atria and Eden, which are prime photo spots due to their stunning aesthetics. The Fanpark area is the hub of activities and events, enhancing the overall experience. Phoenix Mall of Asia boasts over 440 brands, including 150+ international luxury labels and 50+ debut brands like Golden Goose, Rolex, IWC, ZARA, YSL cosmetics, D&G cosmetics and many more making it a haven for discerning shoppers. The mall also features exceptional dining destinations with renowned chefs and diverse culinary offerings. Restaurants such as Ishaara, Dobaraa, EIGHT, Andreas, and Kylin Experience cater to every palate, while the nature-themed central atrium, Oasis, is surrounded by international cafes like Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Perch, Andreas Brasserie, and Magnolia Bakery. Foodthopia, a 38,000 sq. ft area dedicated to dining, offers a cosmopolitan experience with a variety of eateries, including game day restaurants, cafes, and fine dining options. Beyond shopping and dining, the mall provides a wide range of sports, entertainment, and leisure activities for all ages. The introduction of Bengaluru’s largest cinema, the PVR INOX 14-screen multiplex, adds a unique touch to the entertainment lineup. With a state-of-the-art infrastructure spanning over 13 acres and 1.25 million square feet of retail space, Phoenix Mall of Asia seamlessly blends luxury and leisure, ensuring every visit is a memorable experience.

Samsung Helps People Connect And Communicate Effortlessly Across Borders

• Two new languages: Galaxy AI adds Gujarati and Filipino, supporting 22 languages.

• Smarter communication and productivity: Features such as Live Translate, Interpreter, Chat Assist and Note Assist help users communicate and stay productive wherever they are.

• Reaching more users: Galaxy AI continues to grow rapidly and is on track to surpass 400 million devices by the end of 2025.

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the upcoming expansion of two new languages for Galaxy AI[1]: Filipino and Gujarati. This expanded language support began rolling out from October 29.

With this new update, Galaxy AI will support a total of 22[2] languages, strengthening Samsung’s ongoing commitment to lowering language barriers and bringing meaningful mobile AI experiences to more people.

As Galaxy AI continues to evolve, users in even more regions can now access its suite of intelligent features designed to make communication and productivity easier and more intuitive in everyday life.

• With Live Translate[3]’s real-time, two-way voice and text translations, calls become seamless across borders, ensuring conversations feel natural wherever users are.

• Interpreter[4] translates in-person conversations instantly through a split-screen view, perfect for ordering at restaurants or asking for directions when traveling abroad.

• Chat Assist[5] fine-tunes messages for any situation, offering tailored suggestions that strike the right tone – professional, friendly or playful – and match users’ intent.

• Note Assist[6] can generate summaries and pre-formatted templates that help users stay organized and streamline daily tasks, from quick notes to project outlines.

• Transcript Assist[7] helps transcribe, summarize and translate voice recordings of everything from meetings and lectures to creative sessions with ease.

• Browsing Assist[8] keeps users up to date on what matters most, summarizing news articles and webpages into quick, easy reads.

 

These features were created with deep linguistic understanding and regional insight to ensure Galaxy AI adapts naturally to the ways people communicate. The Gujarati and Filipino languages were developed in close collaboration with Samsung Research centers in India and Indonesia, respectively. Their ongoing work advancing localized language models continues to shape Galaxy AI’s global rollout.

"The addition of Gujarati to Galaxy AI is a significant milestone in our mission to democratize Al in India, which has a diverse linguistic landscape. By adding Gujarati to our spectrum, we are enabling the native speakers to seamlessly use popular Galaxy AI features such as Call Assist and Interpreter - all powered by our advanced on-device Al technology. As we continue expanding Galaxy Al's linguistic reach, we remain committed to creating technology that serves India's multilingual heritage while empowering communities to thrive in an interconnected world," said Giridhar Jakki, Senior Director and Head of Language Al Team at Samsung R&D Institute India, Bengaluru.

Galaxy AI has quickly become part of daily routines for millions of users around the world. At the Galaxy AI Forum earlier this year, Samsung shared that more than 70 percent of Galaxy S25 users regularly engage with Galaxy AI and Google Gemini features, with nearly half (47%) of consumers today relying heavily on AI in their day-to-day lives.

The percentage of Galaxy S25 users engaging with Galaxy AI is a staggering 91 percent in India.

Samsung’s ongoing commitment to democratize the power of mobile AI continues to drive this rapid global adoption, as more consumers integrate Galaxy AI into how they communicate, learn and stay productive every day. Since its debut with the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy AI has been expanding at an unprecedented pace. After reaching 200 million devices in 2024, Samsung is now on track to bring Galaxy AI to over 400 million devices by the end of 2025.

The newly supported Galaxy AI languages is available for download as language packs from the Settings app starting in October 29.

For more information about Galaxy AI, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsungmobilepress.com and Samsung.com.

[1] Galaxy AI basic features provided by Samsung are free. Future releases may include enhanced features or new services that are offered on a paid basis. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties. Galaxy AI basic features are those services listed under "Advanced intelligence" in the current Samsung Services Terms and Conditions. [[For details, visit (LOCAL T&C link)]]

[2] Supported languages include Arabic, Chinese (China mainland, Hong Kong), Dutch, English (Australia, India, United Kingdom, United States), Filipino, French (Canada, France), German, Gujarati, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Spanish (Mexico, Spain, United States), Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.

[3] Some features require active service or an internet connection. Samsung Account login required. Live Translate is only available on pre-installed Samsung Phone apps and some third-party apps. Service availability may vary by language or region. Certain languages may require language pack download. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[4] Interpreter requires Samsung Account login. Certain languages may require language pack download. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Availability and supported features may vary by country, region or carrier. Availability of supported languages may vary.

[5] Tone suggesting feature in Chat Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Must meet length requirements to activate feature. Suggested Replies feature for Chat Assist requires network connection to receive messages. It can suggest replies with or without network connection once the messages are received by the device. Samsung Account login required. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[6] Note Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Character limit applies. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[7] Transcript Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Transcript Assist is only available on the pre-installed Samsung Voice Recorder app or files recorded using the pre-installed Samsung Phone app. Voice recording feature in the pre-installed Samsung Phone app may not be supported in some countries. Audio files must be under 3 hours in duration to be processed. Summarizing feature in Transcript Assist can be activated when a certain number of characters is met. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[8] Only available within Samsung Internet application.