Sunil Jakhar Criticizes CM Bhagwant Manns Actions
Chandigarh, June 29: BJP leader Sunil Jakhar has responded to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns statement regarding Aam Aadmi Party ministers and MLAs respectfully accepting the decisions of the Akal Takht. In a conversation with a news agency, Jakhar expressed his views on social media platform X, stating that the theatrics being performed by Mann ... Read more Sunil Jakhar Criticizes CM Bhagwant Manns Actions
Sunil Jakhar Criticizes Punjab CM Bhagwant Manns Actions
Chandigarh, June 29: BJP leader Sunil Jakhar has responded to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns statement regarding Aam Aadmi Party ministers and legislators respectfully accepting the decisions of the Akal Takht. In an interview with a news agency, Jakhar stated that he had posted on social media platform X, asserting that the drama being staged ... Read more Sunil Jakhar Criticizes Punjab CM Bhagwant Manns Actions
Bisleri International, Indias leading packaged drinking water brand, has announced its limited-edition bottles inspired by Carry On Jatta 4. The limited-edition packs celebrate the much-loved Punjabi comedy franchise and are available across Punjab, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Delhi in 250 ml, 500 ml, 1-litre packs and Soda. Bisleri Launches Limited-Edition Carry On Jatta 4 Bottles Celebrating Punjabs Favourite Comedy Franchise The collaboration celebrates one of Punjabi cinemas most loved and successful film franchises, featuring popular stars Gippy Grewal, Binnu Dhillon, Sargun Mehta, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Karamjit Anmol. As excitement for the film continues to grow, Bisleri brings the celebration closer to fans through limited-edition packs that capture the spirit of regional entertainment, cultural pride, humour and warmth shared with family and friends. Commenting on the association, Tushar Malhotra, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Bisleri International, said Regional cinema has been a powerful cultural force with deep audience connect and influence. At Bisleri, we understand the significance of connecting with consumers through platforms and experiences that builds local brand love. Our association with Carry On Jatta 4 connects us with audiences through a beloved Punjabi entertainment franchise while reinforcing our presence during moments that shape culture. The limited-edition Carry On Jatta 4 bottles will be available across general and modern trade outlets in Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi NCR. The campaign aims to bring the excitement of the film beyond cinema halls and closer to consumers across the region. About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd . 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 UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking 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 Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. 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 .
37 World's top 2% Scientists participate in Chandigarh University's 10th International Faculty Development Program 2026
Akal Takht directs Punjab govt to address objections on anti-sacrilege law within one month
CHANDIGARH: Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj on Monday directed the Punjab government to address objections concerning the anti-sacrilege law within a month. He passed this direction at a gathering of all Sikh MLAs and Cabinet ministers of Punjab after being summoned by Akal Takht in Amritsar. Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, on June []
Scuffle breaks out between 2 Nihang Sikh groups at Punjab's Sohana gurdwara
A minor scuffle briefly disrupted a felicitation ceremony for four Nihang Sikhs released on bail in the Karnaprayag clash case. The event, attended by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, saw a brief altercation between two Nihang groups, quickly resolved by gurdwara management. No injuries were reported. The four were honored after securing bail following a June 16 clash in Uttarakhand.
Bhakra Beas Management Board Announces Recruitment for Apprenticeship Positions
Chandigarh, June 29: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has announced the recruitment of 10 apprenticeship positions for various trades under the 220 kV substation in Kurukshetra for the year 2026-27. The board has released a notification on its official website regarding this recruitment. Among the vacancies announced by BBMB, there is one position for ... Read more Bhakra Beas Management Board Announces Recruitment for Apprenticeship Positions
Punjabs Power Crisis: Akali Leader Criticizes CM Bhagwant Manns Governance
Chandigarh, June 29: Vikram Singh Majithia, General Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, has criticized the Punjab government over the ongoing electricity crisis and its impact on farmers and paddy cultivation. He also commented on the recent video controversy involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Majithia stated, The Aam Aadmi Party government has failed on all ... Read more Punjabs Power Crisis: Akali Leader Criticizes CM Bhagwant Manns Governance
Doctors turn to jugaad QR codes, reels to manage OPD crowds at PGI
Chandigarh sizzles at 41C; 5-day rain spell may bring relief
Checking, combing ops held at Chandigarh railway station
Kataria launches Pulse Polio drive in Sector 22 MIC
Over 2,000 candidates take PU LLB entrance test
2 lose over Rs 2 lakh to cyber cons
Complete voter verification before July 14: Panchkula DC
Kashmir Sankalp Yatra: The longest expedition in-exile on Kashmir & Kashmiri Hindus
FRAGRANCE OF IDEAS When around two decades of exile of the Hindu minorities of Kashmir were coming to a near close in 2007, Panun Kashmir, in its annual general meeting at Jammu in January 2007, decided to raise the issue of Kashmir and Kashmiri Hindus in an unusual but effective manner throughout the country. It was, in the context of the Kashmiri Pandit struggle, surely an unconventional way of pushing the agenda on a public platform actively and consistently. Accordingly, it was decided to organise a two-month expedition to bring to light the coveted issue at the national level. The security situation in the entire Jammu and Kashmir state was, as usual, nearly out of gear, and the Kashmiri Pandit community continued to face apathy and neglect at the hands of both the governments, the central government and the state government, after experiencing the worst scenario of living as refugees in their own country due to their genocide and ethnic cleansing. Terrorism was active, and people were getting killed almost every day. There was a Congress-PDP government in the state under the chief ministership of Gulam Nabi Azad, and the Central government was governed by the Congress-UPA under the leadership of Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of India. It was expected that the expedition would be led by this author in the capacity of his being the President, Panun Kashmir. However, I was working in the State Bank of India, and it would have been almost impossible to snatch months together to plan, execute and lead the expedition that was named as 'Kashmir Sankalp Yatra' (KSY). In the month of March 2007, I was inspired to go for voluntary retirement from my service in SBI and devote full time to the community service, paving the way for joining the proposed KSY. It was surely an unprecedented act that could have brought disaster to the entire family in the future course of time. There was definitely some spiritual inspiration that drove me to take such a tough step in my life. My family didn't take any serious objection to it and backed me fully, thereby becoming a part of the whole thinking process. I hence applied for the same and was relieved by the bank on 30 June, 2007. With this, I ended my 25-year career with the SBI, which could have ordinarily lasted for ten years more. I was now having 24x7x365 days' availability for socio-political activity in the name of Kashmir & Kashmiri Hindus under the banner of Panun Kashmir. Immediate future plans included: to raise enough finances for the Yatra, inspiring activists to join the KSY as per their time availability, counseling with key KP organizations in Jammu and other places and also with the RSS and other nationalist organisations, making friends with the local and national media, publishing the desired literature in at least two languages -English and Hindi and making foolproof travel plans spanning near two months covering 9 states and 2 union territories. It took nearly four months to make all preparations regarding the KSY. It was finally decided to begin the Yatra on 11 November 2007 from the Kashmir valley. An elaborate press conference was organised in the first week of November 2007 at Jammu in which the dates for the Yatra were officially announced. A nine-member team was finalised to go to the valley. The advance party comprised Upinder Kaul, Vinod Mattoo, Shiban Krishen Raina, Nanaji Dembi, Ashwani Bhat and Bittoo ji. This team reached Srinagar on 10 November 2007 and started making all arrangements needed for the Yatra. On the same day, a 'press conference on road' was organised in the Old Secretariat complex, Jammu, where a demonstration was also held on certain pressing issues pertaining to the displaced community. In the early morning of 11 November, 2007, a three-member team led by this author left Jammu for Srinagar by air. The other members included Prof. H.L.Jalali and S.N.Dulloo. Adequate arrangements were made by the government to provide the necessary security cover to the KSY team in the trouble-torn valley; thanks to Kuldeep Khuda, the then DGP of the J&K state, for doing so. As we came out of the airport at Srinagar, we kissed the land of Kashmir and were joined by the security personnel and the advance party of the KSY outside the airport. It was for the first time in exile that a group of the displaced activists was visiting Kashmir on such a mission. From the airport, we straightaway drove to historic Sheetalnath-Sathu and paid our obeisances to the presiding deity - Sheetalnath Bhairav there. We also paid our tributes to the martyrs of the 1967 agitation at their 'samadhi' in the complex. At the end, we took an oath to keep the flame of our struggle alive till we achieve our Homeland in Kashmir. Upinder Kaul collected some sacred earth from the temple-steps to take it along with to Jammu. We later sent a part of it to the Shri Ramjanambhumi Nyas at Ayodhya when the foundation of the grand Shri Ram temple was laid there after the court verdict to enable its mingling with the sacred earth of the thousands of Tirthas of the country. The local Muslim neighbourhood at Sheetalnath gathered in the complex on noticing our arrival, but kept watching our activities keenly. The whole Sheetalnath complex, including the temple, was in shambles. The Hindu High School board was changed to 'H. High School. But there was a silver lining also to be observed, and it was the concrete wall all around the complex. The administration had taken that step some time ago and deserved kudos for that. From Sheetalnath, we went to Hanuman Mandir, Amirakadal and then to the ancient Pandrethan temple in the Badami Bagh cantonment area. Ultimately, we reached the Zeethyar temple in the Dal lake area under heavy security escort and stayed there for the night. It was a sight to be seen; the whole complex was so developed that it fascinated all of us. It was a grand achievement under the circumstances. We also had the sacred darshan of the presiding deity there and stayed in the complex for the night. It was surely a very hard and fearful night in the deep woods of the Zabarwan hills. That night before going to bed, we had an aarti in the temple of goddess Jeshtha Mata. The next day, in the morning, as per schedule, we organised things for the press conference to be held at Hotel Welcome near Nehru Park. The hotel complex was surrounded by the security forces. At exactly 11 am, the press conference started and lasted for an hour. After having an informal chat with the media after the press conference, the three-member team again went to the Srinagar airport and boarded the aircraft bound for Jammu. The advance party of six members stayed for the night at Zeethyar and returned to Jammu via Nagrota camp on 13 November, 2007. On the next day, ASKPC held a reception for the whole team of KSY at Geeta Bhawan, Jammu, under the leadership of its General Secretary, H.L.Chatta. With this came to an end the first phase of the KSY. On 15 November 2007, a press conference was held at Jammu in which the details of the first phase were shared with the media. Simultaneously, the schedule and other details about the next three phases were also placed before them. On 16 November, the second phase of the yatra began with the visit of the entire team of Panun Kashmir to all camps of the displaced persons at Muthi, Purkhoo, Mishriwala and Nagrota. The team in the next two days paid visits to Bavey Wali Mata, Raghunath Mandir and Pashupatinath Mandir in Jammu. The second phase of the yatra from Jammu to Ahmedabad was initially joined by one hundred activists comprising men, women and the youth. The first stop was at Amritsar, where we visited Darbar Sahib and were specially felicitated by the Head Granthi there. Thereafter, the yatra also visited Jallianwallan Bagh and Durgiyana Mandir, followed by a press conference the next day. The Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Amritsar, made all arrangements for the stay and meals of the yatris. Hereafter, the KSY moved on towards Delhi via H.P., Chandigarh, Chandigah and Haryana in a Sumo jeep with a select group. Programmes and press conferences were held at all the main places where the yatra stopped for a halt throughout. It included Chandigarh and Ambala. A number of programmes were held in Delhi, Faridabad and Ghaziabad (UP). All India Kashmiri Samaj and Kashmiri Sahayak Sabha, Faridabad, under the leadership of M.K.Kaw and J.N. Kaul, respectively, organised special reception programmes for the KSY at their offices. A press conference was held in the Press Club of India. Here in Delhi, Utpal Kaul, a senior activist of the community and Panun Kashmir, joined the yatra team up to Jodhpur. The next destinations included Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, where impressive gatherings and media conferences were organised. Thereafter, the yatra reached Ahmedabad and stayed there for four days. The programmes there included visits to Aksher-Dham, Sabarmati Ashram, Kashmiri Pandit Milchar association and a press conference. Here, the second phase was concluded, and the third phase began, for which we reached Nagpur (Maharashtra) by train. The other members of the team changed here, and a new team reached Nagpur directly from Jammu. The team was welcomed in Nagpur, Nanded Sahib and Pune, where big programmes and press conferences were organised. Thousands of people attended those programmes. The Yatris were specially felicitated in the Nanded Sahib Gurudwara; the Rotary Club also invited the yatra team, especially over a programme followed by dinner. In Nagpur, the team went to the RSS headquarters and paid tributes at the Smriti Mandir. In all the programmes throughout, the issue of Kashmir and the Kashmiri Hindus was discussed and debated at length, giving out the full perspective of Islamic terrorism and its effects on the Kashmiri Pandit minorities. The causes of displacement and the neglect thereafter were also put in detail in the RSS-organised programme in the RSS office at Pune. From Pune, the yatra reached Pathankot (Punjab), where it was joined by hundreds of yatries who came from Jammu and organised a grand programme on the banks of the river Ravi. Amarnath Vaishnavi, the President of ASKPC, joined the yatra here and was the Chief guest in the programme. From the banks of the river Ravi, the yatra reached the Lakhanpur bridge. It was here that the third phase of the yatra got concluded, and the fourth and the last phase began, which was to be completed on foot up to Jammu. Vimla Chrungoo, Secretary-DOPK, volunteered to accompany this author for 'pad-yatra' from Lakhanpur to Jammu, which consumed seven days with night halts at Kathua, Hiranagar, Chichi-Mata Samba, Vijaypur, Greater Kailash and Vaishnavi Dham, Railway Station, Jammu. On 28 December 2007 (Margdarshan Day), the Kashmir Sankalp Yatra reached the banks of the Ranbir Canal at Rajinder Park, Jammu, where a grand reception was held by the leaders and the activists of various organisations led by veteran H.N.Jattu. For the next three days, the yatra team had a round of all the displaced camps and the Har-ki-Pauri on the banks of the river Tawi near Bahu fort. On 31st December 2007, the Yatra concluding programme was held on the foundation day of Panun Kashmir at TRC-Hall, Jammu, which was attended by the major organisations of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community and the Sikh community. With this came to an end the 'Kashmir Sankalp Yatra' of 2007, which was the longest expedition of the displaced activists during their exile on the issue of Kashmir and the Kashmir Hindus. The details of the KSY during the years ahead will need another day to come to light....! (The author is a senior BJP and KP leader, Human Rights Defender and a columnist and can be reached at: ashwanikc2012@gmail.com )
Mann should be ostracised socially as well as politically: Bajwa
CM jokes about a bachelor welfare scheme after unusual plea in Faridkot
All Sikh MLAs, ministers to appear before Akal Takht today: Mann
Nehru-Tara Singh Pact back in focus amid Akal Takht row
Warring hits out at Mann over power crisis, questions flood preparedness
Jakhar wants assurances from MLAs on Akal Takht edict against CM
DTF flags reservation concerns in lecturer recruitment
Sukhu announces Rs 10cr road fund, promises ST status push for Bara Bhangal
Haryana plans Rs 10,000cr push to emerge as pharma device manufacturing hub
Shrikhand Mahadev, Kinnaur Kailash yatras suspended
Sonipat murder: Police probe multiple angles in brutal killing of youth
4 killed in Chamba car accident
'Pain Has No Religion': Kashmiri Pandit Filmmaker's Message of Unity
Romaish Pandita's Dugh Chei Kunie highlights shared suffering of Pandits ,Muslims Srinagar: Kashmiri Pandit filmmaker Romaish Pandita, originally from Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, has produced a film titled Dugh Chei Kunie (Pain is the Same), portraying the shared suffering of Kashmiris during the decades-long conflict. Pandita's family migrated from the Kashmir Valley during the peak of militancy in the 1990s and is now settled in Chandigarh. Despite living away from his homeland for decades, he says his connection with Kashmir remains deeply rooted, inspiring him to tell a story of pain, hope, and reconciliation. Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Pandita said the film was shot in different parts of the Kashmir Valley and focuses on the emotional trauma experienced by both Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims. The central message of the film is that pain has no religion. The suffering of a Kashmiri Pandit is the same as that of a Kashmiri Muslim, whether they live on this side of the Banihal Tunnel or the other. Kashmiri Pandits are incomplete without Kashmiri Muslims, and Kashmiri Muslims are incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits, he said. Explaining another important dialogue from the film, Pandita said the Valley cannot truly reclaim its centuries-old Rishi-Sufi tradition until the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community returns to its homeland. Kashmir is incomplete without the return of Kashmiri Pandits. Only when they return can the true spirit of Kashmiriyat and the Rishi tradition be restored, he said. Pandita also expressed optimism over the increasing number of Kashmiri Pandits visiting the Valley in recent years. He said that large numbers of devotees have visited the historic temple at Mattan in Anantnag, participated in the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela in Ganderbal, and recently visited the Abhinavagupta Cave at Beerwah in Budgam district. This was the first time in decades that such a large number of Kashmiri Pandits visited the Abhinavagupta Cave at Beerwah. It gives hope that those who left the Valley nearly 36 years ago are gradually reconnecting with their roots, he said. Pandita also thanked the residents of Beerwah for warmly welcoming the visiting Kashmiri Pandits. I am grateful to the people of Beerwah for their hospitality and support. Their warm welcome reflects the spirit of brotherhood and strengthens hope for lasting peace and reconciliation in Kashmir, he added. Through this movie, Pandita seeks to promote a message of communal harmony, shared suffering, and the hope of rebuilding bonds between communities that once lived together in the Valley.
Villagers block Barwala road over erratic power supply in Hansi
Freed Nihangs felicitated, Akal Takht says legal fight to continue
HAU student to participate in Japan summit
Justice Mahavir Singh Sindhu cremated with state honours
HC issues notices on plea against tender for 75cr plastic hologram labels
Over 1k unclaimed bodies found in Bathinda in 16 years: RTI query
Vikram Singh Majithia Criticizes Punjab Government Amidst Power Crisis
Chandigarh, June 28: Vikram Singh Majithia, a leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, has launched a strong attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. In a post on the social media platform X, he stated, The Punjab government has gone back on all its promises. Farmers are not receiving electricity for farming. Currently, ... Read more Vikram Singh Majithia Criticizes Punjab Government Amidst Power Crisis
Ladakh fines Rs 2 lakh penalty on four tourists for illegal off-roading in protected areas
Ladakh authorities have levied a Rs 2 lakh fine on four tourists for illegal off-roading in protected wildlife areas, including Pangong Lake. This marks the first stringent action against such violations, aimed at preserving the region's fragile ecosystem. The offenders, from Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, were caught driving through sensitive zones, leading to vehicle impoundment until penalties were paid. The administration vows continued strict enforcement.
Kargil, June 28: The Ladakh Administration has launched a strict crackdown on illegal off-roading in ecologically sensitive areas, imposing a total penalty of 2 lakh on four tourists for violating the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Acting on the directions of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, the Wildlife Department fined four vehicle owners 50,000 each for illegally driving into Pangong Lake and other protected wildlife areas in Changthang and Nubra. The offenders hailed from Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Officials said the action marks the first time such stringent penalties have been imposed in Ladakh against tourists damaging fragile ecosystems through illegal off-roading. The vehicles were impounded during the investigation and released only after the penalties were paid. Lieutenant Governor Saxena urged tourists to act responsibly and avoid venturing into protected wildlife habitats, warning that off-road driving in or around such areas is a punishable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. He said the administration will continue to take strict action against violators to safeguard Ladakhs fragile ecosystem and endangered wildlife.
Chandigarh Allows Bed & Breakfasts in Residential Areas
Residents Fear Policy Will Erode Citys Planned Character
Gang luring youth with lift offer busted; couple held
Leisure Valley set for universal accessibility upgrade
Four Chandigarh judokas set to grapple for glory in Jordan
Chandigarh duo row their way to national gold in Pune
Chandigarhs 89-lot smart parking plan awaits MC nod
98 fined for illegal parking in Panchkula
Rs 98 lakh upgrade to quench Sohanas thirst
1.3 Million Litres To Be Supplied Daily
Kataria orders ward-level anti-drug crackdown in Chandigarh
Inside the U.S. Sports-Tech Ecosystem Turning Innovation into Opportunity
Discover how the U.S. sports-tech ecosystem turns start-up innovation into commercial opportunities, strategic partnerships, and business growth The U.S. sports-tech ecosystem creates opportunities for companies to develop products for athletes at different levels of participation and competition. (Photograph courtesy David Steele) Behind every faster sprint, safer recovery, and smarter game-day decision is a growing network of technologies that is reshaping the sports industry. Yet technology alone does not explain why the United States has become a leading market for sports innovation. According to David Steele, director of Plug and Play Tech Centre sSportstechvertical in Frisco, Texas, the countrys advantage lies in the connections it has built among teams, start-ups, healthcare providers, investors, and global brands. Those relationships helpnew ideasmove from testing and pilot programs to commercial products and businesses. Under the U.S. State Departments Speaker Program , Steele recently visited Delhi, Chandigarh, and Mumbai to discuss how sports-tech ecosystems create opportunities for innovation, investment, and growth. His message was that the strength of the U.S. model comes not from any single technology, but from the scale of its market and the partnerships that help innovations reach users. Market scale as a catalyst for sports innovation For Steele, one of the biggest strengths of the U.S. sports-tech ecosystem is the sheer size of the market. When you look at the U.S. market as a whole, the size and the scope of it is massive, he notes. When you look at everything from youth sports, which we consider grassroots sports involving 30 to 40 million kids, all the way up to our professional, high-level elite athletes, that is a tremendous span. That breadth creates opportunities for companies to develop products for athletes atdifferent levelsof participation and competition. Some companies begin with elite athletes and adapt technologies for broader markets. Others start at the grassroots level and scale upward. The result is a large testing environment where technologies can be refined across multiple sports and levels of competition. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are helping sports organisations take advantage of that scale. Teams, coaches, and governing bodies increasingly use AI-enabled systems toidentifytalent, analyse performance, and support athlete development. Steele also points to efforts by organisations such as U.S. Soccer toidentifyand develop athletes earlier in their careers through tools such as field cameras and performance data collected during practices, games, and post-game analysis. These systems allow organizations to evaluate athletes at a much larger scale than traditional scouting methods. David Steele is the director of Plug and Play Tech Centers Sportstech vertical in Frisco, Texas, which helps connect sports organizations with start-ups to test, validate, and commercialize new sports technologies. (Photograph courtesy David Steele) Corporate partnerships and commercialization strategies While scale creates opportunities, Steele says partnerships are what help technologies move into the marketplace. At Plug and Play, that process begins by identifying challenges faced by teams, brands, and other organizations. Drawing on its network of 70 offices worldwide, Plug and Play connects organizations with start-ups working on relevant solutions. Steele says the process involvesidentifyingspecific challenges, evaluating potential solutions through a structured review process, and connecting selected companies with organizations for pilot projects. Successful pilots canvalidatetechnologies, opening the door to commercialization, investment, and broader market adoption. For sports organizations, many of the technologies attracting investment focus on athlete health, performance, and recovery. These include innovations in playing surfaces, protective equipment, hydration systems, wearable monitoring devices, and tools that track performance during training and competition. Validating athlete health and performance technologies Partnerships with organizations such as Gatorade Sports Science and healthcare providers also help companies develop and validate new technologies. Working with brands like Gatorade Sports Science to understand how hydration and recovery matter for athletes and then working with healthcare systems like Baylor Scott & White Health in Texas allows us to understand if there is an injury, what is the return-to-play process, and what start-up technologies are available to help increase the likelihood of a favorable return at a faster timeline, Steele explains. For emerging companies, validation can be as important as innovation. Steele notes that partnerships with major sports organizations and global brands help demonstrate that technologies can perform in demanding, real-world environments. That credibility can accelerate adoption, attract investment, and help companies scale far more quickly than they might through grassroots growth alone. Once you break that barrier of those Fortune 1000 or Fortune 500 companies, the scalability of a start-up technology grows tremendously, he says. David Steele interacts with the audience during a presentation on U.S.-India SportsTech Exchange at the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai. (Photograph courtesy U.S. Consulate General Mumbai) Scaling opportunities for Indias sports market Steele believes the same factor that has helped drive the U.S. sports-tech marketscalealso creates significant opportunities for India. Like the United States, India offers a large potential user base for new technologies, creating opportunities for companies to test, refine, and expand solutions across different levels of sport. The biggest trends that Im seeing right now are going to be AI generation, anything that drives fan engagement or player performance, he says. In India, Steele sees those opportunities intersecting with the countrys large and highly engaged sports audience. He identifies cricket as a uniquely important opportunity for sports innovation in India because of its scale, audience engagement, and commercial reach. Athlete health is another area with growing potential, particularly in regions with extreme heat. Technologies and tools that address heat-related challenges, including dietary ingestibles, wearable devices, cooling materials, and heat-illness monitoring systems, are areas Steele predicts will see significant traction. As sports organizations, start-ups, and investors look for new ways to improve performance, engage fans, and support athlete health, Steele believes the greatest opportunities will come from building stronger connections between innovators and the organizations that can help them scale. The lesson from the U.S. sports-tech ecosystem is not simply about adoptingnew technologies. It is about creating networks that connect innovators with teams, healthcare providers, brands, and investors. Those partnerships help ideas move from pilot projects to widespread adoption, turning innovation into commercial opportunities. (The Author is Associate Editor (English) SPAN Magazine, U.S. Embassy New Delhi)
Harpreet Singh flays SGPC leadership, highlights 2024 edict against SAD
Cross-border arms racket busted; 4 held with 10 pistols
SGPC calls July 5 gathering to back Akal Takhts boycott call on Mann
Conjoined twins receive SIR forms as separate voters in Amritsar
Akal Takht asks Uttarakhand govt to act against man over 1984 threat
SKM warns of nationwide protests if India-US FTA is signed
AAP huddles in Amritsar ahead of Akal Takht summons
Congress slams Punjab govts U-turn on VB-G RAM G rollout
Punjab moves to give free UPSC, PCS coaching to students from rural areas, financially weak families
Rising debt in Punjab a serious concern: Dhillon
Majithia slams AAP govts U-turn on VB-G RAM G
Barinder Goyal lays foundation stone for Rs 18cr water purification plant in Khanauri
HC orders transfer of Kullu DC, SP over Kasol rave parties
CM visits Bara Bhangal, announces Rs 1,500/month assistance for women
Himachal flags off first cherry and plum export consignment to Oman
Rain, thunderstorm predicted across HP till July 3
HP announces one-time interest relief scheme to support farmers
273 International Students from 24 countries get degrees during annual convocation at Chandigarh University
Chandigarh University researchers use Artificial Intelligence to develop Model for predicting Accurate Crop Yield; Innovation to benefit Indian Farmers
DSR coverage up 16% to 3.41 lakh acres: Minister
Mastermind behind petrol bomb attack on BJP functionarys clinic arrested
Consultations still on, delay in Punjab Congress revamp sparks anxiety
ASI shoots himself dead in Tarn Taran
Mann getting entangled in his web of lies: SAD
Dal Khalsa asks Sikh MLAs to appear before Akal Takht
Punjabs first bio-fertiliser quality control lab opens at Bathinda
Punjab govt to raise fresh Rs 1,500cr loan, draws oppn ire
Woman loses Rs 45,000 to 2 snatchers in Chandigarh
No compromise acceptable on religious dignity of Hazur Sahib Board: Randhawa
Khaira seeks CFSL probe into mask video
After Mohali, Zirakpur; AAP sweeps top posts in Lalru MC
Rs 17cr bridge to replace Manimajra-Sector 26 causeway
Work Likely To Finish In One Year
Lower fees, raise FAR: Industry bodies demand changes in Master Plan
Retain autonomous character of Takht Hazur Sahib board: Harsimrat to Maharashtra CM
AAP govt trying to sell Punjabs panchayat land to tackle bankruptcy: Bajwa
PGs, eateries under scanner as Mohali launches fire safety blitz
Comprehensive inspections ordered in villages under MC limits; focus on fire exits, hydrants, parking and emergency access
Rs 593-cr fraud probe: IAS officer moves court for anticipatory bail
Saini orders joint task forces across Haryana to crack down on drug trade
IAS Pankaj Aggarwal sent to judicial custody in bank fraud case
Haryana govt not procuring moong, maize at MSP: Surjewala
