At its new India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus, IBM, a leading IT company, unveiled its first Infrastructure Innovation Center on Thursday.

As a center for cutting-edge infrastructure engineering and AI innovation, serving both domestic and international markets, the Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Centre strengthens IBM’s strategic investment in India.

The center is intended to be a cooperative engineering center that will bring together IBM’s systems architects and infrastructure professionals from ISDL to work with customers, independent software vendors, global system integrators, global capability centers, and ecosystem partners to co-create AI solutions, according to the firm.

The center seeks to hasten the creation and implementation of safe, scalable enterprise AI systems by bringing together hybrid cloud capabilities, cutting-edge infrastructure technologies, and AI solutions under one roof.

India is at a crucial point in its AI development, and the speed and extent to which businesses can innovate will depend on infrastructure, according to Sandip Patel, Managing Director of IBM India and South Asia.

Additionally, he said that Indian companies are upgrading their mission-critical systems to be AI-ready in a variety of sectors.

According to Patel, this facility demonstrates IBM’s enduring dedication to India and enhances our capacity to create, construct, and expand infrastructure solutions locally, all while fostering global innovation.

According to Vice President of the IBM India Systems Development Lab Subhathra Srinivasaraghavan, AI is only as good as the infrastructure that underpins it.

According to Srinivasaraghavan, the center integrates ecosystem collaboration with profound systems engineering skills to assist customers in scaling up AI operations while maintaining performance, security, governance, and dependability throughout mission-critical contexts.

In response to the growing demand for AI, 58% of Indian businesses boosted infrastructure investments last year, according to an IBM Institute for Business Value survey.

With 43 percent of firms creating or planning AI Centers of Excellence, the research predicted a 19% increase in infrastructure expenditures in 2025.

New Zealand went to the championship game with a resounding nine-wicket victory against South Africa at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, thanks to Finn Allen’s blistering unbroken century off 33 balls, which was among the most explosive innings in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

With ten boundaries and eight massive sixes, Allen tore apart the in-form South African assault as he chased 170, rewriting history by becoming the first player in a knockout match to score the quickest century in the men’s T20 World Cup. In addition to demonstrating his status as one of the most devastating openers in the shortest format, it was also his third century in T20Is and the joint-fastest hundred by a full member batsman.

Tim Seifert supported Allen’s fireworks, which included just four dot balls, by hitting a quick 58 off 33 balls. South Africa’s chances of defending their score of 169/8 were all but crushed by the duo’s 117-run opening stand. New Zealand’s dominant chase also marked their first victory against South Africa in the T20 World Cup and sent a clear warning ahead of Sunday’s championship game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

In yet another painful defeat during a significant ICC knockout game, South Africa lost. They were widely expected to win the championship after going undefeated throughout the competition, but they were outclassed in every aspect. New Zealand entered their second Men’s T20 World Cup final as a result of Allen’s onslaught, which made Marco Jansen’s valiant 55 from earlier in the game seem less sufficient.

In pursuit of 170, Seifert started by hitting Marco Jansen for boundaries with edges off before Kagiso Rabada was dismissed by Quinton de Kock. Allen started his fireworks by guiding Rabada for four before confidently clearing the straight boundary off Jansen. As the couple sped past fifty in four overs, Seifert hit and drove Rabada and Jansen for boundaries.

In the last over of power play, Allen pillaged 22 runs, which included a six and four boundaries, as New Zealand rose to 91/0, which was their best six-over period total in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup. Seifert quickly reached his half-century off only 22 balls by hitting Lungi Ngidi for four, while Allen scored his fifty off 19 deliveries.

Rabada bowled Seifert in the 10th over, bringing the 117-run opening stand to an end. Ravindra joined Allen, who was in his 70s, and made sure the pace never slowed. With bold strikes, Allen continued his relentless attack by sending Bosch, Maharaj, and Jansen out of bounds.

Allen hit his hundred in only 33 balls, and he ended the chase with a thunderous roar after hitting a flat six over mid-off. With one of the most impressive chases in the tournament’s history, New Zealand secured its spot in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad, and its teammates in the dugout rejoiced.

The nine-wicket victory in the Men’s T20 World Cup semifinal against South Africa was described by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner as a “pretty pleasing” performance in a high-pressure match.

“Obviously, we gave a bit more spin at the beginning, which we didn’t do in Ahmedabad. However, it seems obvious to me that it’s difficult to continue with the bat if you’re consistently taking wickets. Without question, the opening partnership you get through a power play places you in a very advantageous position. Then obviously, Finny (Allen) just carried on and, I mean, 33 balls for 100, it’s not bad at all,” Santner said during the post-match presentation event.

In their nine-wicket defeat in the Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final, South Africa captain Aiden Markram attributed his team’s loss to New Zealand’s powerful hitting and praised Finn Allen and Tim Seifert for their game-winning performances.

“It’s hard to tell right now. We’ll think together. The wicket was expected to perform exceptionally well, in my opinion. It looked pretty good to the eye, so maybe just adjust a bit quicker with the bats and go back to a bit more old school approach, set it up, and try to scrape your way to 190, and maybe you’ll be in the game from there. Therefore, let us reflect together. In a post-match interview, Markram said, “Clearly unhappy with the outcome, but extremely proud of this team of men who have played some really great cricket throughout this competition, and it’s simply a terrible evening, really.”

Brief Scores:
South Africa 169/8 in 20 overs (Jansen 55 not out, Dewald Brevis 34;  McConchie 2-9, Rachin Ravindra 2-29)
New Zealand 173/1 in 12.5 overs (Finn Allen 100 not out, Tim Seifert 58; Kagiso Rabada 1-28) by nine wickets.

Vice President, C. P. Radhakrishnan, PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah wished the country a happy Holi, emphasizing the festival’s message of reconciliation, harmony, and renewal.

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan in an X messaged, “Happy Holi!. This magnificent celebration represents rebirth, hope, the vibrant spirit of our culture, and the victory of good over evil as well as the coming of spring. Reflecting brotherhood, mutual respect, and shared joy, Holi is deeply rooted in our rich traditions and helps to strengthen the fabric of our community.”

“May the colors of Holi infuse every heart with joy and renewed vitality. May the celebration encourage us to foster kindness and collaborate in order to create a more inclusive, peaceful, and Viksit Bharat,” he said.

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, wished the populace a joyous spring and gave them Holi greetings on Wednesday. The best thing about Holi, he claimed, is how it energizes the environment.

On this happy occasion of Holi, I extend my warmest wishes to all my fellow countrymen. I hope that this vibrant and energetic festival will bring a springtime of joy to all. The festival of Holi imbues the whole environment with fresh vitality. This is the best aspect of this celebration. The joy colors are distributed all over the place, leaving everyone immersed in delight and ecstasy,” Prime Minister‘s greetings on social media.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted his sincere greetings for the festival of Holi, which is full of happiness, excitement, and fresh energy. May this colorful celebration bring advancement, prosperity, and good fortune into everyone’s life.

Many other leaders also sent their greetings, honoring the spirit of the festival of colors.

“May this holy festival of Holi, which is full of love, harmony, and colors, burn away negativity and hatred and bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into everyone’s lives,” Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said in a tweet. This is my sincere prayer. To all my fellow citizens, a heartfelt hello from the holy holiday of Holi.

“Heartfelt greetings to the people of the state on the holy festival of Holi, the festival of colors, excitement, and social harmony,” said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. May this holy festival of colors infuse everyone’s lives with joy, wealth, tranquility, new vitality, and renewed passion, I pray to Lord Shri Ram.

One of the most anticipated Hindu holidays, Holi, the festival of colors, is observed with great fervor and delight. This colorful celebration, sometimes known as Rangwali Holi, Badi Holi, or Dhulandi, signals the end of winter and the start of spring.

In order to ensure the safe, seamless, on-time, and comfortable transportation of passengers during the ongoing Holi holiday rush throughout the nation, the Indian Railways will continue to maintain heightened operational readiness this week by operating special trains, according to an official statement released on Tuesday.

Over 5. 5 million passengers traveled from stations under the jurisdiction of North Western Railway during this time. It’s worth noting that during the 21 trips of new special trains that ran on March 1 and 2 alone, over 1. 1 million passengers traveled.

Moreover, the operating time of 30 specialized trains, which made 216 journeys, was increased. According to the statement, 141 additional coaches of different types were added to 53 regular trains in March to help meet the increased demand.

New special trains were introduced with a total of 295 trips to locations such as Amritsar, Mysuru, Kakinada, Gomti Nagar, Bhavnagar Terminus, Howrah, Tirupati, Mau, Sabarmati, Danapur, Asansol, Chennai Egmore, Vadodara, and Kolkata, as well as Gorakhpur, Samastipur, and Yog Nagari Rishikesh.

According to the statement, 54 special trains traveled to key locations such as Gorakhpur, Mysuru, Kakinada, Bhavnagar Terminus, Howrah, Tirupati, Danapur, Kolkata, Sabarmati, and Asarva in the week before Holi.

To improve passenger assistance and crowd management in busy stations, civil defense volunteers are also being deployed.

To manage passenger flow, formal crowd control methods were put into place at key locations. To facilitate entry, barricades and holding areas were constructed, and sufficient Railway Protection Force (RPF) troops and ticket inspection workers were deployed to ensure security and order.

Passengers were given assistance by help desks, and electronic display boards and ongoing announcements made sure that train updates were delivered in a timely manner. RailOne App and ATVMs were used in awareness campaigns to encourage ticket sales. Employees who were on duty stayed vigilant for quick action anywhere it was needed.

Continuous monitoring, together with frequent oversight from top officials at the headquarters and divisional levels, ensured that specialized trains operated on schedule. Furthermore, the statement stated that round-the-clock war rooms operated through coordinated inter-departmental actions to ensure efficient management and oversight during the holiday rush.

At key stations, systematic line management, phased boarding, and efficient crowd control methods are being used, while special trains are running throughout several zones to make the trip home easier.

The statement continued that railway staff, such as Rail Karmayogis and RPF squads, keep a close eye on the ground at all times, monitor passenger traffic, help women, the elderly, and disabled travelers, and offer vital assistance throughout the trip.

India has enough supplies of crude oil and essential petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to weather any short-term disruptions caused by the current conflict in the Middle East, the government stated on Tuesday.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri informed the press that the nation is completely equipped to handle the changing global energy scenario. As India maintains a strong inventory and keeps a close eye on events, he reassured that there is no need to be concerned right now.

He said that India is now the third-largest crude oil importer, the fourth-largest refiner, and the fifth-largest petroleum product exporter in the world.

The nation has accumulated adequate reserves to cope with short-term supply shortages due to its commanding position in the world energy market.

According to the minister, India has made tremendous strides in recent years to diversify its crude oil supply in order to guarantee that consumers have access to affordable options.

Now, according to the minister, Indian energy firms have access to supplies that don’t travel via the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for the world’s oil industry that may be vulnerable to geopolitical unrest in the Middle East.

According to him, these alternative routes will help mitigate any immediate supply concerns.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has established a 24×7 control center to track the supply and stock status of petroleum products throughout the nation in order to maintain a close eye on the situation.

To guarantee availability is not interrupted, authorities are constantly monitoring the situation.

The government stated that it is moderately happy with the existing inventory levels and is still dedicated to protecting the interests of Indian consumers. The statement went on to say that, based on continuous assessments, it is cautiously hopeful that staged actions may be implemented, if required, to enhance the situation.

The government revealed a 30 kW Wide Band Gap (WBG)-based Integrated Drive System (IDS) for electric vehicles (EVs) at IIT Madras on Monday, marking a significant step toward bolstering domestic capabilities in advanced power electronics.

According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the system was created by the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Thiruvananthapuram, in cooperation with Lucas TVS and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras under the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET).

For India’s rapidly expanding electric passenger vehicle market, which includes fleet mobility platforms and tiny vehicles, the 30-kW power class is especially pertinent.

Currently, a significant amount of crucial semiconductor-based drive components and high-performance EV powertrain systems are imported.

According to the ministry, indigenous development of such integrated systems is anticipated to lessen reliance on imports, lower system costs through localization, and boost scalable manufacturing in line with national programs like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.

IT Secretary S. Krishnan stated during the technology’s debut that the domestic development of cutting-edge power electronics technologies is realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.”

Krishnan continued, “Collaborative innovation among R&D institutes, academia, and business is strengthening India’s shift from a technology-importing nation to a technology-developing and exporting nation.”

In terms of strategic electronics and electric mobility, the creation of the 30 kW Integrated Drive System is a significant turning point in India’s progress toward “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

It replaces the traditional separate motor-drive design by combining the electric motor and inverter into a single, small, high power-density unit. Krishnan added, “Design-led innovation in India will assist enhance high-value manufacturing in the EV industry, accelerate the start-up ecosystem, and build strong domestic intellectual property.”

The government claims that the effective implementation of this integrated drive technology can boost India’s global competitiveness in semiconductor-based electric mobility solutions, greatly strengthen the country’s EV supply chain, and open doors for MSMEs in the production of power electronics, thermal systems, and control hardware.

Domestic airlines will run special relief flights from the Middle East to let travelers who are stuck there because of the escalating tension between the United States, Israel, and Iran return.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, IndiGo would run ten special relief flights from Jeddah to India on Tuesday.

On March 3, SpiceJet said that it will run four special flights from the United Arab Emirates to help Indian people who were trapped there due to the abrupt shutdown of airspace return.

To guarantee that travelers may return home as soon as possible, the airline will run these special services from Fujairah to three Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi. There will be two flights to Mumbai.

To further normalize connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and India, SpiceJet will also resume its regular flights between Fujairah and Delhi and between Fujairah and Mumbai on March 4.

On Monday, some 357 flights were canceled; however, by the evening, operations started to gradually resume, with stranded Indian planes returning home.

In order to guarantee safe operations, the orderly restoration of services, and the assistance of impacted passengers, the government maintains constant cooperation with airlines, airport operators, regulatory bodies, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) amid the changing Middle East scenario.

Long-haul and ultra-long-haul operations are gradually being resumed by Indian carriers through alternate routes that bypass restricted airspace, as part of calibrated schedule changes. The Civil Aviation Ministry stated that steps are being taken to redeploy aircraft and crew in order to restore operational stability as soon as possible.

Additionally, specific measures are being made to make it easier for stuck people to move. To guarantee safe and orderly passenger movement, airlines are working closely with foreign aviation authorities and Indian delegations overseas, deploying additional capacity where needed.

Subject to operational and airspace constraints, foreign carriers are also conducting limited operations between India and the Gulf region. According to the government, passenger safety is still of utmost importance.

The February 28 airstrikes in Iran, the ensuing Middle East escalation, and the safety of Indian nationals in the area were all discussed with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

The CCS, which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, examined the changing circumstances in West Asia on Sunday.

The meeting of the Cabinet committee, India’s highest decision-making body on security and strategic issues, took place in the midst of a rapidly worsening geopolitical situation in the Middle East as a result of coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which have escalated regional conflict and raised concerns about international security.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, NSA Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Committee was informed of the airstrikes in Iran on February 28 and the ensuing escalation, which included attacks in numerous Gulf nations, according to the official statement.The statement went on to say, “It voiced severe worry over the safety and security of the huge Indian expatriate community in the region.”

Along with the wider ramifications for regional security, economic, and commercial activity, the CCS also evaluated the difficulties encountered by Indian tourists passing through the area and students sitting scheduled exams.

“To help Indian nationals impacted by the developments, the CCS instructed the relevant ministries to take the required and practical actions. It emphasized how crucial it is that hostilities end quickly and that communication and diplomacy resume,” the official statement continued.

India has defended its residents and economic connections while promoting de-escalation in the Middle East conflict, maintaining a balanced position.

As tensions rise around the world, this is the most recent in a string of critical security reviews.

“India’s stance on the numerous current conflicts across the world is firm,” Prime Minister Modi stated during a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. We have always advocated for stability and peace, and the voice for peace is amplified when two democracies unite.”

“The current situation in West Asia is a topic of grave concern for us,” he said, addressing the security worries in the Gulf countries. India is in favor of using diplomacy and communication to settle all conflicts. We shall keep collaborating closely with every nation in the area to guarantee the security of all Indian nations.”

These comments coincide with a growing Middle East crisis that erupted when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran with the goal of weakening Tehran’s missile capability and other military installations.

Tehran launched a massive counterattack in the form of drone and missile attacks against US assets, regional cities, and coalition forces around the Gulf after the operation’s initial wave purportedly killed top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran’s counterattacks have affected a number of nations, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, where missiles and drones were intercepted. This led to the temporary closure of airspace and the deaths of both military personnel and civilians.

US forces have launched counterattacks, including naval operations, in response to the escalating conflict, which has become one of the most intense and protracted standoffs between Washington and Tehran in decades.

In their virtual quarter-final Super Eights match at Eden Gardens on Sunday, India defeated the West Indies by an exciting five wickets, and Sanju Samson gave his best performance under duress to secure a semi-final berth. At this location, the chase currently holds the record for most successful chases in T20Is.

Samson’s undefeated 97 stabilized India’s chase and made sure they reached the finish line with four balls remaining, securing a semi-final matchup with England as they chased a difficult 196 in a high-stakes match.

Following openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan’s falls inside the powerplay, India’s chase got off to a tense start. Both batters failed to convert their starts despite early boundaries, and after six overs, India was at 53/2.

In a match that was a must-win, wicketkeeper-batter Samson took charge of the chase as the pressure mounted. Before changing gears, he gradually evaluated the situation, penalizing anything slack and controlling the necessary rate.

Suryakumar Yadav provided Samson with support, and the two of them aggressively and strategically rebuilt the innings. Samson combined grace and power to score a vital half-century off just 27 balls, keeping India firmly in the running.

Samson remained unmoved even after Suryakumar left for 18. With Tilak Varma, who scored a quick 27 off 15 balls to keep India ahead of the needed rate, he formed another crucial alliance.

The two successfully counterattacked the West Indies’ spinners, taking advantage of the dew and sluggish conditions to maintain India’s advantage.

To keep the match going into the final overs, the West Indies retaliated with Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph, removing Tilak and then Hardik Pandya.

While Shivam Dube gave invaluable support with vital boundaries, Samson maintained composure and skillfully managed the chase with 17 needed off the final two overs.

Samson made sure there would not be any last-minute drama even though the equation got down to seven off the last over. Before concluding the match with a lofted boundary over mid-on, he initially flipped Romario Shepherd for a majestic six to tie the score.

Samson acknowledged the moment and the significance of his game-winning performance by falling to his knees in an emotional celebration as the winning runs were scored.

Samson surpassed earlier records set by Virat Kohli with an undefeated 97 off 50 balls, the best individual score by an Indian in a successful run chase in T20 World Cup history. His innings served as a master class in awareness, pace, and poise under extreme duress.

Despite frequent wickets at the other end, India never lost control thanks to his ability to accelerate at crucial times, withstand pressure, and lead the lower order.

After defeating a formidable opponent in a knockout match, India moves on to the semi-finals with newfound assurance. In addition to ensuring victory, Samson’s knock demonstrated India’s batting depth and ability to bounce back under duress.

India will be encouraged by this hard-fought victory, knowing they have match-winners who can perform on the greatest stage, especially with England waiting in the semi-finals.

For me, it truly meant the world. I believe that this is the day I have been waiting for from the day I began playing and began to dream of playing for my nation. And I am incredibly appreciative. And even though I have always had a unique road with many ups and downs, I have never stopped questioning myself and wondering if I will succeed. However, I persisted in my faith, and I am grateful to the Lord Almighty for today’s true blessing. After winning Player of the Match, Sanju Samson declared, “I am extremely thrilled,” during the post-match ceremony.

“Obviously, it is a tremendous feeling, and the way the players shown character and the way we played, I believe it was a do-or-die game, similar to a quarter-final, as everyone stated. As I always say, wonderful things come to good people who are patient and wait. When I first met him, I also said that. However, it is all his effort, the work he is been doing behind the scenes when he was not performing, and the results are at the ideal moment. After the game, Suryakumar remarked, “And the manner he batted, led the side entirely to the victory.”

“The boys did a fantastic job managing the semi-final spot that was on the line! We had the advantage since we managed the last overs in both innings. It was lovely to observe Sanju Samson’s composed demeanor at the crease. A side is lifted by such kind of presence. Outstanding work from all of you. On X, Tendulkar wrote, “On to the semi-finals.”

In his post, “@IamSanjuSamson stepped up when it counted most,” former opener Shikhar Dhawan also emphasized Samson’s pivotal role during the chase. Highest total by an Indian in a T20 World Cup run chase; outstanding batting effort, bolstered by a cameo from @IamShivamDube, and early hard work from the bowlers, led by @Jaspritbumrah93. The semi-finals are approaching.

Irfan Pathan, a former all-rounder, wrote, “The best innings of his career considering the match situation.” Throughout, he shown remarkable maturity. Sanju Samson delivered a superb, game-winning knock.

The veteran bowler Harbhajan Singh went on to say, “We are all proud of @IamSanjuSamson today. Team India also benefited from important discoveries made by @Jaspritbumrah93. Congratulations on your fantastic victory, #MenInBlue.

Michael Vaughan, the former captain of England, wrote, “India v England semi final in #Mumbai.. Does not get any better.. #ICCMensT20WorldCup.. India very impressive with the Bat against the West Indies.. they are still the team to beat in this tournament..” as he anticipated the thrilling semifinal.

Brief Scores:
West Indies 195/4 in 20 overs (Roston Chase 40, Jason Holder 37*, Rovman Powell 34*; Jasprit Bumrah 2-36)
India 199/5 in 19.2 overs (Sanju Samson 97, Tilak Varma 27; Jason Holder 2-38, Shamar Joseph 2-42)