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Experts at India's First and Only Elevator & Escalator Symposium Call for Nationwide Unified Codes and Safety Standards

India’s first-ever Elevator & Escalator Symposium & Quiz 2026, held on 13th & 14th February 2026 in Chennai and dedicated exclusively to vertical transportation professionals, brought together leading experts who strongly emphasised the urgent need for uniform codes, safety standards, and regulatory compliance across the country. The two-day landmark event was organised by ISEEVENTUS Pvt Ltd , India’s leading Elevator and Escalator exhibition organisation, and witnessed extensive technical discussions on emerging technologies, safety innovations, and best practices for the elevator and escalator ecosystem. The gala event concluded with announcement and felicitation of the winners of National Industry Quiz 2026.   Dignitaries at E&E Symposium & Industry Quiz 2026 Held in Chennai    The Symposium was inaugurated by Mr. V. Ramakrishnan, Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government of Tamil Nadu, and was graced by the presence of distinguished industry leaders including Mr. R. Balakrishnan, Vice President and Head – MEP Design, L&T Construction; Mr U Viswanathan, KONE Elevator India Pvt Ltd, Mr. Suraj Thodimarath, President, EECMAI and President, Asia Pacific, Wittur Group; Mr. Ravishanker Thandavan, FOCUS (VP), REVROY Pvt Ltd.   Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. V. Ramakrishnan appreciated the initiative and stressed the need for greater awareness of safety standards and strict adherence to the respective state Lift Acts across the country. He underlined that consistent implementation and compliance remain vital to improving public safety in vertical transportation.   Mr. R. Balakrishnan said such symposiums should be organised regularly across the nation to ensure the adoption of best manufacturing and engineering practices. He added that strengthening quality and safety in the industry will significantly contribute towards India’s long-term vision of becoming a developed nation.   Highlighting the motivation behind the initiative, Mr. TAK Mathews , Principal Consultant, TAK Consulting and organiser of the Symposium, said, “ Tamil Nadu has one of the highest concentrations of elevator manufacturing companies in the country, and the enthusiasm of the industry here encouraged us to choose Chennai as the maiden city for this symposium. I am delighted to witness professionals coming together to exchange knowledge, innovations, and insights, while staying updated on evolving technologies, best practices, and regulatory requirements .”   Winners of National Industry Quiz (Who Will Be MAHAGURU?) Announced Running parallel to the symposium, the grand finale of the ISEE Elevator Industry Quiz 2026 conducted over the past two months—was held at the conclusion of the event. The winners were announced and felicitated in the presence of eminent industry leaders and delegates. The winners of the National Industry Quiz “Who Will Be MAHAGURU?” are: Mahaguru: Mr. Akshay Mahadik and Mr. Vaibhav Baravkar (Schindler India) – Prize Money: Rs. 5 lakh. 1st Runner-Up: Mr. V. Sreekanth (Fujitec India Pvt. Ltd.) – Prize Money: Rs. 3 lakh. 2nd Runner-Up: Mr. Boopathi and Mr. Ramkumar Seeralan (Fujitec India) – Prize Money: Rs. 1 lakh. All finalists and semi-finalists were also awarded a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 each in recognition of their outstanding performance.   The pioneering initiative aimed to create a high-impact knowledge-sharing platform focused on the most critical challenges and opportunities facing the industry today ranging from safety and compliance to innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation.   The structure and flow of the sessions were carefully designed to address the most pressing challenges faced by the elevator and component manufacturing industry today. Ultimately, the objective of this collective learning is to elevate industry-wide standards of quality, safety, and compliance. The sessions were designed to strengthen technical knowledge, improve operational efficiency, and enhance future readiness across the elevator and escalator industry.   The two-day Symposium was supported by leading industry partners including Fermator, Fujitec, Johnson Lifts & Escalators, KONE, Mitsubishi Elevator India, OTIS India, Schindler India, TAK Consulting and Tectronics Techworld.   www.isee-expo.com .

News Voir 17 Feb 2026 4:26 pm

In loss and survival

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 4:23 pm

51 Kuki students evacuated from school in Manipurs Ukhrul

Exam centres for 18 of these students appearing for Class 10 and Class 12 board exams also shifted to the Kangpokpi JNV, according to officials

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 4:22 pm

Political leaders, high constitutional functionaries must foster fraternity, live up to constitutional values, ethos: Supreme Court

Justice B.V. Nagarathna advocated the need to restrain discriminatory and communally divisive public speeches from all sides

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 4:21 pm

Machattu Mamangam: when the parched fields come alive with motif horses, drums and uncontainable human spirit

Raw energy, rhythmic beats and towering motif horses turn Thiruvanikkavu into a living canvas of tradition

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 4:21 pm

Tamil Nadu Agri Budget | State has arrested decline in cultivable land: M.R.K. Panneerselvam

He presents Interim Agriculture Budget with an outlay of 47,248 crore

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 4:16 pm

Nothing announces Phone 4a series for March 5

If things go as expected, the upcoming Nothing Phone 4a series will succeed the Phone 3a and 3a Pro, probably catering to mid and premium segment buyers in India

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 4:12 pm

Drugs worth 21.5 crore seized in Bengaluru, 15 persons arrested

Three of the arrested persons are foreigners

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 4:04 pm

Transatlantic strains: On Europe and the U.S. | The Hindu Editorial

At the Munich Security Conference, European and U.S. leaders exposed widening transatlantic rifts as Europe grapples with war, U.S. unpredictability, and internal political turmoil.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 4:04 pm

Photographer held for 55 lakh house burglary at Whitefield in Bengaluru, 348 grams of gold valuables recovered

Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh advised residents not to leave house keys in shoe racks or window ledges, warning that such practices render homes vulnerable to theft

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:55 pm

Six Gujarat courts get bomb threat mails; nothing suspicious found so far

As per the officials, the courts in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Valsad, Rajkot, Gandhinagar and Mehsana received the threat emails

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:55 pm

Polls Schedule Announcement for 4 States, 1 UT Likely in Mid-March; Polls in April: Sources

While the five-year term of Puducherry ends on June 15, the terms of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal end on May 20, 23, 10 and seven respectively.

Deccan Chronicle 17 Feb 2026 3:48 pm

Seven more Chairperson posts take Congress tally to 93, indirect elections to 3 Telangana Municipalities postponed

Model Code of Conduct is lifted, Telangana State Election Commission announced on February 17, 2026 afternoon

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:48 pm

Tensions rise as Iran holds military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz

Irans Revolutionary Guard has launched military drills in the Strait of Hormuz ahead of renewed talks with the United States, amid a major U.S. naval buildup in the region.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:46 pm

Tirupati researcher shows AI can detect cervical cancer, suicidal tendency

Ms. Lalasas system teaches a computer to read the images, which uses colposcope to analyse images collected periodically from a patient to track changes in tissue colour, texture and vascular patterns to enable early detection of cervical precancerous lesionss

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:46 pm

TDB appoints task force to rectify anomalies in Global Ayyappa Sangamam audit report

TDB president K. Jayakumar says board had erred in not answering auditors queries in entirety, thus inadvertently creating room for scepticism

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:45 pm

Anganwadi workers continue protest for 15th day in Chennai demanding regularisation

Anganwadi teachers note that they are severely overworked and have neither received a pay increase nor been regularised

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:43 pm

No anti-incumbency, LDF will return to power for third term in Kerala: Minister Sivankutty

The Minister claimed that even agencies engaged by the Congress had reportedly found no anti-government mood among the public.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:38 pm

An ensemble that revisits Pt. Ravi Shankars iconic repertoire

Conceived by wife Sukanya, daughter Anoushka Shankar and disciple Shubhendra Rao, the ensembles performance was the highlight of the three-day tribute festival, held at the maestros house in New Delhi.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:35 pm

Date night: How India dined on Valentines Day

From spending 1,30,155 on a single bill to making last minute reservations, here are the trend reports from online platforms

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:25 pm

What is snowball earth?

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:25 pm

North feels fear, South instils hope: Farooq Abdullah makes emotional appeal for unity against fascist forces

This is supposed to be a federal country where States have their powers, and the Centre has its powers. But today the Centre controls everything, even stepping into areas meant for States, he said

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:22 pm

Gold futures drop nearly 2% to 1.52 lakh/10g on strong dollar

This is due to easing safe-haven demand amid improving geopolitical sentiment and a strong U.S. dollar

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:20 pm

At Chennai Comic Con 2026, nostalgic comics and homegrown narratives came together in a vibrant celebration of fandom

Over 500 fans transformed the venue into a living, breathing multiverse, showcasing how Chennais fandom culture has evolved, placing the city on Indias pop culture map

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:19 pm

Fresh, clean, local: Chennais cattle sheds become the new milk hotspots

Chennais mornings are changing, as more residents line up at Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) cattle shelters for fresh, unadulterated milk straight from the source. With 17 shelters across the city, the initiative is drawing steady demand not only for the quality of milk but also for the safer, cleaner environment its helping create on city streets.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:18 pm

Setback to Kerala govt as HC quashes LDFs Nava Kerala Citizen Response Programme

PIL had alleged Kerala govt was misusing public funds to conduct the door-to-door survey ahead of Assembly elections. High Court says it finds sufficient cause to direct government to keep in abeyance all steps and proceedings initiated

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:11 pm

Aequs to invest 1,900 crore in Tamil Nadu aerospace hub; engine manufacturing to drive long-term margin expansion: CEO

Aerospace firm Aequs is investing 1,900 crore in Tamil Nadu over ten years. This move focuses on advanced engine manufacturing, a high-margin segment. The project aims to build a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem in India. Initial investment will be 200-300 crore. Commercial production is expected by FY28. This initiative strengthens India's aerospace capabilities.

The Economic Times 17 Feb 2026 3:11 pm

Anirudh Ravichander launches Albuquerque Records, announces 15-year anniversary concert tour

Music composer and performer Anirudh Ravichander has unveiled a new artist-owned music label, while also announcing a nationwide live tour to celebrate 15 years of his career, beginning with his first-ever Hyderabad concert in March 2026

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:09 pm

DU bans protests for a month after clashes during UGC protests

Protests banned temporarily include holding public meetings, rallies, dharna, protests or agitations, assemblies of five or more people, engaging in any activity that may affect general tranquillity of the public or the smooth flow of traffic, shouting slogans and making speeches, and carrying hazardous materials

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 3:07 pm

How Ishara Puppet Theatre has turned puppetry into a fine art of modern storytelling

At its forthcoming festival on February 22 in New Delhi, Ishara Puppet Theatre will premiere its new production based on iconic artist Amrita Sher-Gils life.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 2:47 pm

Tamil Nadu Interim Budget: 16th Finance Commission report a disappointment, says Thangam Thennarasu

It is disappointing to see that our serious concern toward the increasing levy of cesses and surcharges has not found place in the Commissions recommendations, he said in the Assembly

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 2:47 pm

Plea in Madras High Court insists I-T dept probe into Ramanathapuram MP Navas Kanis assets

Chief Justices Bench orders notice, returnable by a week, to the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation)

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 2:40 pm

Mattancherrys Armaan Collective blends art, music, culture and coffee

A former warehouse, this space will be open through the year for those looking for a dose of culture and fun

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 2:22 pm

Salim Khan admitted to Lilavati hospital in Mumbai, Salman Khan visits

Khan, who co-wrote the many Hindi cinema classics with Javed Akhtar in the 70s, celebrated his 90th birthday in November last year

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 2:15 pm

Kochi designer draws inspiration from indigenous theatre form Chavittunadakam for her Biennale pop-up

Diya John interprets the colours and silhouettes of the theatre form on coastal Kochi for her pop-up in connection with the Kochi Muziris Biennale

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 2:11 pm

'I'm Just A Sexual Object For Him': Congress MP Jothimani Hits Back At BJP Leader's Derogatory Remark

The police have registered a case against Nathan, the BJP president of Tamil Nadu's Karur unit, for his remark allegedly made during a protest on February 10.

News18 17 Feb 2026 1:50 pm

Karnataka High Court quashes BJPs defamation case against Rahul Gandhi

The case was filed for allegedly issuing defamatory advertisements in mainstream newspapers against the then BJP government during the campaign for the State Legislative Assembly elections in 2023

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:38 pm

24 of 44 public sector undertakings in J&K loss-making, four non-functional: govt to Assembly

Strengthening and revival of sick or loss-making PSUs, including measures related to infrastructure and manpower, are being examined by the respective administrative departments to improve their operational and financial performance, the deputy Chief Minister said.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:33 pm

Kerala on the cusp of new development chapter under Vision 2031, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan

CM says Kerala govt will initiate follow-up action on the three-day Vision 2031 conference recommendations, including legislative measures where necessary

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:29 pm

Imran Khan deserves to be treated with dignity and basic human consideration: former captains

Sunil Gavaskar, Greg Chappell, Kapil Dev, Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh, Michael Atherton, Belinda Clark, were among the greats who signed the statement

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:28 pm

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Tables Interim Budget

Making Budgetary allocations and explaining the flagship schemes of the government and its impact, the Minister said in a federal polity, there were several instances in the past where states had been unfairly treated by the union government

Deccan Chronicle 17 Feb 2026 1:28 pm

Tamil Nadu Interim Budget: Governments outstanding debt expected to increase to 10.71 lakh crore

Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, while presenting the Interim Budget 2026-27, pointed to a lack of cooperation from the Union government toward the State

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:25 pm

Power meets poise: The new BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro

BMWs X3 has long been the understated all-rounder in the luxury SUV space, but the new 30 xDrive M Sport Pro adds a noticeably sharper edge. We recently put it through its paces on a dedicated off-road track, where it revealed a depth of character that extends well beyond the typical urban luxury brief.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:23 pm

Redmi Note 15 Pro+ Review | Rugged build, balanced performance in place of future-ready specs

Redmi Note 15 Pro+ that aims to push the boundaries with better durability, camera clarity and battery innovation

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:15 pm

Adani to invest $100 billion in AI data centres by 2035

The company said this investment will also catalyse an additional $150 billion across server manufacturing, cloud platforms, and supporting industries, creating a projected $250 billion AI infrastructure ecosystem

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:07 pm

Maragadha Naanayam 2: Aadhi, Nikkii Galrani and Priya Bhavani Shankars sequel film launched

Maragadha Naanayam 2 also features Sathyaraj, Munishkanth, Anandaraj, Danie, Arunraja Kamaraj, and Muruganandam in pivotal roles.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 1:01 pm

How prenatal infections shape newborn health

About 6062% of pregnant women are estimated to experience some form of infection during their prenatal period. If not detected early, such infections can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, preterm births, or congenital disabilities

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:59 pm

Aaj Kuch Toofani Karte Hain: Hanumankind and Thums Up Amp Up India Vs Pakistan ICC Mens T20 World Cup

Indias billion-dollar brand, Thums Up brought the Taste the Thunder anthem to the stadium

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:53 pm

Baramati plane crash: AAIB seeks specialised support to retrieve data from cockpit voice recorder

Requesting all stakeholders to avoid speculation, AAIB said it was diligently following all prescribed technical and procedural protocols to ensure a comprehensive, objective and evidence-based investigation.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:51 pm

Pocket Novel: Thiagarajan Kumararaja reunites with Vijay Sethupathi for his next; film goes on floors

With music scored by Ilaiyaraaja, the upcoming film also stars Raj B Shetty, Kishore and Malavika Mohanan

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:48 pm

Repatriate 'gangster' Kumar Pillai to Hong Kong: Court; cites acquittal in extradition cases

A Supreme Court ruling has made it clear that in the absence of permission from the extraditing country, the applicant cannot be tried in India for any other pending cases.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:47 pm

T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka captain Shanaka lauds win over Australia as one of the best performances

Opener Pathum Nissanka struck a belligerent 52-ball 100 to power Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:44 pm

State targets sharper fiscal consolidation; deficit to fall to 3% of GSDP in 2026-27

In the forthcoming years, Fiscal Deficit to GSDP ratio is projected to be 2.89% in 2027-28 and 2.80% in 2028-29, which are within the targets fixed under Tamil Nadu Fiscal Responsibility Act 2003

The Hindu Businessline 17 Feb 2026 12:43 pm

Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport shipped 60 million rose stems in 2026 Valentines season, 38% year-on-year increase in volume and 64% rise in tonnage

International shipments remained steady at 305 MT with Singapore emerging as the top overseas destination, followed by Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Abu Dhabi (UAE), New York (US), and Kuwait

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:24 pm

HRD Minister Nara Lokesh congratulates JEE Mains toppers from Andhra Pradesh

It is a matter of great pride that students from Andhra Pradesh have showcased their talent at the national level in the JEE Mains results, Nara Lokesh posted on X

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:22 pm

Supreme Court rules out murder by strangulation in 2002 Telugu actor death case

A Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Manmohan said there was overwhelming ocular and medical evidence of poisoning

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:22 pm

Actor Jayaram appears before ED for questioning in Sabarimala gold case

Jayaram has been asked to appear for questioning in the wake of his association and reported financial transactions with Unnikrishnan Potti, prime accused in the case

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:20 pm

Seyon teaser: Sivakarthikeyan is Virumaandi in the Kamal Haasan-produced film

Directed by Sivakumar Murugesan, the upcoming film is set to release in theatres in October 2026

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:11 pm

The bookmaker and her dream: Tulikas founder on building a publishing house rooted in a love for children

As Chennai-based childrens publishing house Tulika turned 30 earlier this month, its founder Radhika Menon talks about her journey bringing out over 3,000 books in nine languages, and counting

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 12:10 pm

T20 World Cup | Canada elects to bat against New Zealand

Daryl Mitchell is leading the Kiwis in absence of Mitchell Santner who's indisposed

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:56 am

School bus carrying 23 children falls into canal in Kerala capital; all escape unhurt

Local residents rushed to carry out rescue operations, ensuring that all children were safe

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:52 am

SpaceX to compete in Pentagon contest for autonomous drone tech: Report

SpaceX recently acquired xAI in a deal that combined Musks major space and defence contractor with the billionaire entrepreneurs artificial intelligence startup

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:49 am

HYDRAA receives complaints on fire hazards and encroachments during Prajavani

HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath reviewed all 59 petitions and assigned them to the respective officials for redressal

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:48 am

Unemployed youths line up in Kolkata to avail States 1,500 Aid

West Bengals Banglar Yuva Sathi scheme, offering Rs 1,500 monthly allowance to unemployed youths aged 2140, has drawn massive response. Enrollment camps are underway from February 1526, 10 am to 5 pm

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:43 am

Several fall ill after consuming 'kuttu' flour on Mahashivratri in Noida; FIR against shop owner

The police have detained four persons, including the warehouse owner

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:28 am

Anthropic's revenue run-rate doubled in India in 4 months, says CEO Amodei

Anthropics revenue run-rate in India has doubled in four months, chief executive officer Dario Amodei said on Monday

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:24 am

India AI Impact Summit: a package

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:24 am

BNP sweeps Bangladesh elections, Andhra Pradesh Budget 2026, and more: The week in 5 charts

Here are graphics explaining these and other top stories from last week.

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:12 am

Stock markets erase early losses on buying in Infosys, ITC

Sensex dropped to 82,987.43 and Nifty declined to 25,570.30

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 11:11 am

Two die of suspected food poisoning after eating at restaurant in Keralas Vizhinjam

Family of six had dinner late on Monday night from the restaurant that specialises in seafood dishes. Four later developed uneasiness and were hospitalised

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 10:57 am

Work on three rural health facilities in Belagavi district launched by Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao

Karnataka is in forefront of healthcare, says Minister

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 10:52 am

Guthrie family not suspects in Arizona kidnapping, sheriff says

Nancy Guthrie, presumably kidnapped, was last seen on January 31 when family dropped her off at her home near Tucson

The Hindu 17 Feb 2026 10:40 am