In his Thursday speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described a holistic and human-centric approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) known as MANAV, urging the international community to strike a balance between innovation and responsibility as it works to define the future of AI.

In his address to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, the Prime Minister stated that the globe has a “big vision and an equally big responsibility” in the age of artificial intelligence.

“In addition to the current generation, we must also consider what type of AI we will be passing on to future generations. The genuine issue now is, then, not what AI will be able to accomplish in the future. The issue is, what should we do with artificial intelligence right now? Humanity has faced such questions in the past. Nuclear energy is the best illustration. Its destruction has been witnessed, as well as its beneficial impact,” he stated.

Modi warned against the abuse of AI, calling it a revolutionary technology.

“AI has the capacity to change things as well. If it lacks direction, it will cause havoc; He emphasized the importance of using the technology ethically and responsibly, stating that “it will become a solution if it goes in the right direction. ”

As India’s human-centric framework for the 21st century, the Prime Minister unveiled what he termed the ‘MANAV’ vision for AI.

“We must provide AI an open sky, but also maintain control over the command. The ultimate decision on which direction to go is still ours, even though GPS proposes the route. Our future will depend on the path we choose for AI right now. I am introducing the ‘MANAV’ vision for AI at the New Delhi AI Impact Summit today; it stands for a human-centric Indian perspective on AI, as the term suggests,” he stated.

He broke down the acronym as follows: “M stands for Moral & Ethical Systems, which means AI must be guided by ethics and respect human values; A for Accountable Governance, transparent rules, robust oversight, and national sovereignty, Whoever owns the data must own the rights; N for Accessible and Inclusive, AI must not become a monopoly, but a multiplier of opportunities; A for Valued and Legitimate, AI must be lawful, trustworthy, and socially accepted; V for Vision for Humanity, the ultimate goal of AI must be the welfare of humanity. ”

“India’s MANAV Vision will offer meaningful direction for human welfare in an AI-driven 21st Century world. ” Human values will determine the future of technology, not machines, he said.

In emphasizing the value of openness, Prime Minister Modi emphasized transparency as a protection against the advancement of artificial intelligence.

‘Sunlight is the best disinfectant’ is a common saying, implying that transparency provides the best protection. AI is considered a strategic asset by certain nations and businesses, and its development should be kept under wraps. According to him, “India thinks differently. ”

“We think AI will only benefit global interests if it is shared, if codes are open, and if innovation is collective. ” Only then will millions of young brains be able to improve it and make it safer. Let us pledge to create AI as a global public benefit,” he said.

The Prime Minister cautioned about new dangers like deepfakes and tampered digital material, urging the creation of worldwide standards.

“There is also an urgent necessity to develop global standards. Open societies can be made unstable by fake news and deepfakes. We can see nutrition labels on food in the real world to tell us what we are eating. In the same vein, in the digital realm, content should be labeled with authenticity marks, he added.

“People need to be able to distinguish between what is real and what is created by AI. ” The requirement for watermarking and transparent source standards will increase as AI produces text, images, and videos. Technology needs to have trust built in from the start,” he said.

Addressing worries about the safety of children, Modi stated that measures in the AI environment must be improved.

“We have to be even more cautious about the welfare of children. The AI environment should be family-led and child-safe, much like school curricula are curated,” he stated.

The Prime Minister stated, “There are two kinds of people in the world today,” when considering the larger perspective on AI. In AI, one may observe dread. The other views AI as a source of fortune. With a sense of pride and responsibility, I declare that India sees prospects in artificial intelligence, not dread. India sees its future in AI.

“We have talent, energy, capacity, and policy clarity,” he said.

“I am delighted to inform you that at this Summit, three Indian firms have introduced their AI models and apps. ” These models demonstrate the breadth and variety of India’s young talent and the solutions India provides to the globe, he said.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his team’s all-around performance and expressed satisfaction with the choice to bat first.

India defended 193/6 after India’s hard-fought 17-run victory over the Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

“We wanted to bat first, and then went on to score 190. The bowlers found it a little tough because of the dew, but generally speaking, they were quite pleased, Suryakumar said in his post-game interview.

The beginning of India’s innings was full of challenges. Aryan Dutt twice took out both Abhishek and Ishan Kishan (18) during the Power-play, while Abhishek Sharma was out for his third straight duck in the competition. Before the middle order made a dramatic change, Tilak Varma (31) maintained the inning.

Shivam Dube stood out among the players, hitting an amazing 66 off just 31 balls, scoring a half-century in 25 balls, and launching attacks against both spin and speed. Rinku Singh put the finishing touches on India’s total of 193/6 after they stole 15 runs in the 16th over and 20 runs in the following to surpass 150. “Dube suffered another blow when he played against New Zealand at Vizag. “It was amazing that he was able to reach 190 (tonight), and he also wanted to win the POTM prize that day,” Suryakumar said in appreciation of the all-arounder.

“We might be in a similar situation (losing early wickets), but it is important for the batters to understand what the responsibility is,” he said, when considering the team’s overall performance. Later, we will have firepower. We have checked off a number of boxes. You learn a lot, even when you win, which is what happened today.

The depth of India’s bowling attack was also emphasized by Suryakumar. “A headache can be beneficial on occasion. There are many possibilities available. They may contribute in any way the wicket requires on a particular day. Pleased with the direction of events. Every batter contributed. Some of them might have a lovely day, but we need everyone’s help.

The Netherlands got off to a strong start in their pursuit, scoring 35 for the first stand before India responded. Taking advantage of a few missed opportunities, Colin Ackermann and Bas de Leede put together a quick 43-run partnership to keep the game going.

Dutch captain Scott Edwards recognized his team’s strengths but conceded that important moments were missed. We got off to a great start. Many thanks to Aryan. For several years, he has been great for us. For a while, we felt like we were in the thick of things. We know that they possess firepower all the way down. It was amazing to maintain them under control for 14–15 overs.

He admitted, though, that errors were expensive. “These guys will make you pay for a few missed opportunities and missed executions. They took down a few overs at the end, with wickets in hand.

Edwards considered the learning curve from a broader perspective. “You gain a great deal of knowledge every time you visit. The crowds are larger, the pitches are flatter, the grounds are smaller, and there is so much hype. We take pride in our ability to perform well in the most important situations as a team. We played well, but we must seize those opportunities.

“It was a bit challenging, but this is the kind of circumstance I like to bat. Despite the pressure, I was having a good time. It was rolling and staying low. As well as one of the balls, one of the others also rotated. I was sure I could hit, but the circumstances called for a change. I enjoy hitting sixes and strive to break barriers. I prepared myself knowing that every bowler will try to deceive me by throwing slower balls.

“The captain and coach have instructed me to maintain a high strike rate. However, it also depends on the circumstances. I was unable to maintain a high strike rate right away today. I thought it was time for me to leave because something was up. Toiling away at bowling. The results are rolling in. You will occasionally be struck, but you will also take wickets, he said.

Brief scores:
India 193/6 in 20 Overs (Shivam Dube 66, Suryakumar Yadav 34; Logan van Beek 3-56, Aryan Dutt 2-19)
Netherlands 176/7 in 20 overs (Bas de Leede 33, Noah Croes 25; Varun Chakravarthy 3-14, Shivam Dube 2-25).

One of the biggest worldwide conferences on artificial intelligence, the India AI Impact Summit 2026, will officially begin on Thursday at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam with its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister will open the India AI Summit at about 9:40 a. m. , and he will speak to the audience at about 10:25 a. m. , according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The first session is also anticipated to include speeches by French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and a number of notable people from the world’s technology and industrial communities.

Before the event, Prime Minister Modi will greet the participating world leaders at Bharat Mandapam, and a family picture of the officials is planned for about 9:15 a. m.

The Prime Minister, along with other foreign dignitaries, will visit the India AI Impact Expo around 11 a. m. after the formal inauguration.

At the expo, national pavilions will showcase cutting-edge, AI-driven innovations and up-and-coming technological solutions from all over the world.

The Prime Minister will attend the Leaders’ Plenary session at about midday, which will bring together Heads of State, ministers, and high-ranking officials from international organizations.

The discussions are anticipated to center on defining national and international priorities for artificial intelligence, such as governance structures, infrastructure development, and frameworks for international collaboration.

The prime minister will later attend a CEO roundtable that will bring together top executives from the world’s largest technology and industrial firms, as well as senior government officials, starting at 5:30 p. m.

The discussion is anticipated to concentrate on the widespread use of AI technologies in various industries, research collaborations, resilient supply networks, and investment prospects.

The goal of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 is to create cooperative approaches to utilize the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence while promoting innovation, ethical governance, and international collaborations.

It has brought together technology experts, policymakers, and global leaders to discuss the revolutionary possibilities of artificial intelligence in fostering economic progress, enhancing governance, and advancing social advancement.

While supporting the larger concept of AI for Humanity, the event aims to harmonize worldwide AI efforts with India’s civilizational ethos of ‘Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya (welfare for all, happiness for all). ‘

The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is the fourth iteration in the series, after prior events in the United Kingdom (2023), South Korea (2024), and France (2025).

By fostering collaborations in digital technology, commerce, culture, tourism, and maritime cooperation, the platform gives leaders the ability to assess the ethical, economic, and social consequences of artificial intelligence.

Priya Prakash Varrier, the Malayalam actress who co-starred with Tamil actor Ajith Kumar in his film “Good Bad Ugly,” has since written a letter of gratitude in which she praised Ajith’s dedication to excellence in both his life and racing career, calling it an inspiration!

The actress shared photos and videos of her encounter with him last week on the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on her Instagram page, describing it as “Pure passion, discipline and fearless dedication in motion. ” His pursuit of excellence in both life and racing is really inspiring. A reminder that genuine greatness is achieved by breaking barriers, maintaining humility, and never giving up on what ignites your spirit. I appreciate you having me, Ajith sir! Being with you and your amazing crew was such a rewarding experience. We are cheering for you!

Ajith Kumar and his racing squad have been competing in a number of international car races, and Priya Prakash Varrier was the most recent person to come and support them.

Before Priya Prakash Varrier, Tamil celebrity Sivakarthikeyan had encountered actor Ajith at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Sivakarthikeyan posted images of his meeting with Ajith Kumar on his Instagram page, writing, Pure passion, commitment, dedication, and resilience – experienced it live, felt the adrenaline rush.

With an inspiring individual, I had an uplifting day. I will always look up to you, my dear AK sir.

Yuvan Shankar Raja, a well-known music director, had previously met Ajith Kumar at the Dubai Autodrome before Sivakarthikeyan.

At the time of Yuvan Shankar Raja‘s encounter, actor Ajith’s smash movie ‘Mankatha‘, which had just been re-released, was dominating the box office.

Madhavan, an actor, spoke with Ajith at the Dubai Autodrome only a few days before Yuvan Shankar Raja had called on Ajith.

To support actor Ajith, who participated in the well-known Dubai 24H Series competition, actress Nayanthara and her director husband, Vignesh Shivan, had also traveled to the Dubai Autodrome.

Before Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, actor Sibi Sathyaraj shared a video on his X feed showing Ajith giving him and his family members a warm welcome at the circuit.

“It was a real pleasure to meet Ajithkumar sir at the 24HDubai racing event today,” Sibi Sathyaraj said while sharing the video clip. The commitment and labor he has made in following his passion have really inspired me. It was always a pleasure, dear sir, to talk and spend valuable time with you. I appreciate the chance!

Prior to Sibi, Anirudh, one of India’s best music directors, had visited actor Ajith Kumar at the Marina Race Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

On the other hand, Ajith Kumar’s endeavors on the racetrack are being made into a documentary that, according to sources, will be released in cinemas on May 1 of this year to mark his birthday.

At the Qatar Open, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6(5) in his first match since becoming the youngest man ever to win the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

The 22-year-old saved two set points on serve in a tense second set before winning the tie-break to earn his 150th tour-level hard-court victory and extend his perfect start to the 2026 season to 8-0, according to ATP.

It was quite challenging. Arthur is a very hazardous player. In the first round, no one wants to compete against him. The level makes me pleased. The fact that I was able to get through the match’s challenging times makes me glad. I’m glad I maintained a good attitude and composure and performed well on the court, Alcaraz said.

In Doha, where he lost to Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals of his debut last year, Alcaraz is hoping to do better. The world’s top player in the ATP rankings will next face French Valentin Royer.

The only way Alcaraz can face second seed Sinner in the title match is in the 17th episode of their thrilling competition.

Prior to that, the Spaniard might have a quarterfinal match against Karen Khachanov.

In the 2024 championship, Khachanov defeated lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki by a score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. In the second round, the seventh-seeded Khachanov will face Marton Fucsovics.

Later, in his first game as the defending champion, Andrey Rublev recovered from a sluggish start to defeat Jesper de Jong 6-4, 6-3. Fabian Marozsan, who defeated Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-1, will be the next opponent for the fifth seed, who also won the Doha title in 2020 when it was an ATP 250.

Stefanos Tsitsipas kicked off his Doha bid with a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui, setting up a popcorn second-round match against Daniil Medvedev, the reigning 2023 champion and his longtime rival.

Although the two haven’t faced each other since Shanghai in 2024, Tsitsipas is behind in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 4–10.

The World Bank Group’s guarantee arm gave a $197. 67 million guarantee on Tuesday for India’s ambitious rooftop solar expansion plan.

The World Bank’s $500 million loan to the State Bank of India for grid-connected solar systems that serve commercial and industrial clients is supported by the five-year funding.

According to a press statement, the guarantee to Citibank N. A. for its non-shareholder loan to SBI was provided by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which is home to the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform. By replacing more expensive and carbon-intensive thermal production, the rooftop solar installations provide clean energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The loan supports a national initiative that provides grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GRPV) systems to commercial and industrial clients throughout India. Tsutomu Yamamoto, MIGA Managing Director, stated that MIGA’s guarantee will support SBI’s expanding portfolio of renewable energy in India and help India achieve its climate targets.

The rooftop solar installations provide clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing more expensive and carbon-intensive thermal generation.The loan funds a national program delivering grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GRPV) systems to commercial and industrial customers across India.​

MIGA’s guarantee will support SBI’s growing portfolio of renewable energy in India and contribute to India’s climate goals, said Tsutomu Yamamoto, MIGA Managing Director.

Additionally, the partnership between MIGA and the IBRD on the initiative is further evidence of how the One World Bank Group is working together to promote private capital mobilization. India has set out ambitious goals for a shift to clean energy.

To get net zero by 2070, annual investment requirements are predicted to be between $160 and $300 billion. As one of the biggest banks and financial services companies in the nation, SBI is required to use at least 7. 5% of its domestic gross advances for “green” finance.

By using World Bank funding and technological help to demonstrate the commercial viability of rooftop solar for the commercial and industrial sectors, SBI launched the rooftop solar project in 2016. SBI was able to get foreign commercial lenders and private funding via the World Bank program.

According to the most recent IBRD Implementation Report, the program resulted in 1,004 MW of GRPV installations.

Citibank served as the only lender, facility agent, mandated lead arranger, and MIGA coordinator for the loan. The latest IBRD Implementation Report confirms that 1,004 MW of GRPV installations were achieved under the program.

​Citibank acted as sole lender, mandated lead arranger, facility agent, and MIGA coordinator for the financing.The transaction is based on a similar rooftop solar refinancing initiative that Citi, MIGA, and SBI worked together on in 2024.

“This historic transaction demonstrates Citi’s dedication to promoting sustainable development and aiding India’s shift toward a greener economy,” said Stephanie von Friedeburg, Global Head of Citi’s Public Sector Group.

This initiative, our second collaboration with MIGA and SBI in the past two years, continues to promote India’s ambitious rooftop solar program, showcasing the potential of public-private partnerships to provide effective clean energy solutions and advance global climate goals. According to SBI Managing Director Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, the refinancing was a “pioneering transaction. ”

“This unique alliance between Citi, MIGA, and SBI will make a significant contribution to lowering the carbon footprint of the country, in line with India’s Net Zero targets and highlighting SBI’s unwavering dedication to sustainable development. ”

The finance will assist SBI in lowering borrowing costs and diversifying its sources of capital.

By transferring the loan to the balance sheets of commercial lenders, the guarantee, according to MIGA, also makes room for more World Bank lending to the Indian government. SBI serves more than 480 million clients through its 22,405+ retail locations throughout India and has 235 branches in 29 nations.

It was founded as the Imperial Bank of India in 1921 and established by an Act of Parliament in 1951 as the State Bank of India. It was established in 1921 as the Imperial Bank of India and, in 1951, was constituted as the State Bank of India by an Act of Parliament.

MIGA is a member of the World Bank Group that works to attract private investment into emerging nations by offering credit support and political risk insurance.

The World Bank Group reorganized its guarantee offerings in 2024 under MIGA with the goal of increasing yearly guarantee issuance to $20 billion by 2030.

The globe is facing several difficulties in many industries, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke on Tuesday.

“Indian businesses have the capacity to meet these obstacles. At the India-France Startup Forum, which was also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Modi declared that India has now become the third-largest startup environment in the world.

Under the ‘Bharat Innovates 2026‘ initiative, India and France will reunite in France in June, according to Prime Minister Modi.

Some of India’s top companies that are developing solutions in the fields of climate change, security, and healthcare will be on display to the world during the event. The Atal Innovation Mission will be ten years old on February 24, he said.

Over 10,000 tinkering labs have been created as part of this initiative, involving over 10 million students in entrepreneurship endeavors. This project is also linked to a number of edtech firms and over 100 incubators.

Entrepreneurs attending the event were encouraged by the Prime Minister to join the Atal Innovation Mission.

The Prime Minister urged entrepreneurs present at the event to participate in the Atal Innovation Mission.He stressed that India’s path to becoming a developed nation is powered by its startups. As a result, the emphasis of this year’s budget has been on enhancing the startup environment.

To foster content development, “Content Creator Labs” will be established in 15,000 schools and 500 institutions of higher learning. In the fields of clean energy, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence, mission-mode projects are being carried out.

Entrepreneurship is also being promoted in infrastructure, electronics, sports goods, textiles, and chemicals. Additionally, PM Modi stressed that India is establishing itself as a worldwide role model in women-led research and entrepreneurship.

In reference to Indo-French ties, he stated that the partnership is founded on trust and shared principles, not just on startups.

For this reason, he and President Emmanuel Macron have designated 2026 as the ‘India-France Startup Year. ‘ He went on to say that France and India have collaborated in a number of strategic technology areas, fostering confidence in one another.

He added that India and France have cooperated in several strategic technology domains, strengthening mutual trust.The connection between the two nations has now been upgraded to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership. ”

President Emmanuel Macron said in his speech that Indian CEOs are at the helm of several major international corporations. India is at the forefront of the worldwide startup revolution rather than just taking part in it. For the development of startups, investing in education and training is critical.

The France-India Aeronautics Campus, according to him, provides possibilities for skill specialization. The question is no longer whether India is capable of invention; The genuine issue is which country will innovate alongside India, and France is the answer. France is dedicated to collaborating with India in order to create a better future.

He also expressed his hope for the enduring strength of the connection between France and India. In addition, President Macron stated that an “Innovation Day” will be held on the eve of the G7 Summit, as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Many students and researchers will be brought together by the joint France-India initiatives. France continues to be a solid and dependable ally in the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defense industry.

Next-generation engines, multi-role helicopters, sophisticated fighter planes, and submarines are all being created in collaboration with France. He expressed gratitude to India for the trust they placed in this alliance.

This is not simply a set of military contracts, but rather a sovereign strategic partnership, as President Macron emphasized. Two major nations choose one another across the land, sea, and sky, not because they are forced to, but because of unwavering faith.

He emphasized collaboration in the space industry by stating that the creation of the “TRISHNA” satellite is a great illustration of the integration of scientific brilliance and manufacturing prowess.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Tuesday that the goal of the five-day India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam is to investigate how AI may be used for the good of everybody as the second day of the summit begins.

“Science and technology are useful to the public because of intelligence, rationality, and decision-making,” Prime Minister Modi stated on X. Examining how AI may be applied for everyone’s benefit is another goal of the India AI Impact Summit.

In the first time that a global gathering of this magnitude on the subject is being organized in the Global South, the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which got underway Monday, brought together heads of state and government, ministers, leaders in global technology, distinguished researchers, multilateral institutions, and industry stakeholders to discuss how AI can promote inclusive growth, fortify public systems, and facilitate sustainable development.

In addition to more than 500 global AI leaders, including CEOs, founders, academicians, researchers, CTOs, and philanthropic organizations, more than 100 government representatives, including more than 20 heads of state, 60 ministers, and 60 vice ministers, will attend the five-day summit, which concludes on February 20.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give the inaugural speech on February 19, laying the groundwork for international collaboration and outlining India’s vision for responsible and inclusive AI.

The Grand Finale demonstration and the announcement of the finalists for the three flagship Global Impact Challenges—AI for ALL, AI by HER, and YUVAi—will be the summit’s main highlights.

These challenges were started to speed up scalable, high-impact AI solutions that are in line with national priorities and international development goals. They are intended to promote inclusive, responsible, and development-oriented artificial intelligence.

Collectively, they received more than 4,650 submissions from more than 60 nations, demonstrating robust international involvement and bolstering India’s rise to prominence as a reliable worldwide center for ethical and expandable AI development.

The top 70 teams from each of the three categories were chosen as finalists after a thorough multi-stage review overseen by legislators, industry leaders, and subject matter experts.

The finalists will interact with academics, investors, industry experts, and legislators while receiving acknowledgement and ecosystem support to expand their inventions both domestically and internationally.

The main academic platform of the Summit is the Research Symposium on AI and Its Impact, which is being held on February 18 in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, and Alar Karis, the President of Estonia, are attending the Symposium, which has received almost 250 research papers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

In order to discuss AI-driven scientific discovery, safety and governance frameworks, fair access to computing infrastructure, and research collaboration throughout the Global South, it brings together internationally recognized AI pioneers and top research institutions.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India earlier today with the intention of strengthening the strategic alliance between France and India. Acharya Devvrat, the governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat, and Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister of Maharashtra, gave him a hearty greeting at the Mumbai airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron will have bilateral discussions and jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

With the message, “The visit will impart further momentum to the vibrant India-France strategic partnership,” the MEA welcomed the French President on X.

Prior to this, Macron wrote on his social media account, X: “On my way to India! To further advance our strategic cooperation, it will take three days to go from Mumbai to New Delhi.

Business executives and the economic, industrial, cultural, and digital actors who give the relations between France and India a real, palpable life are on board with me.

Anna Roy, Mission Director of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and Program Director at NITI Aayog, stated the “AI Impact Summit 2026” should serve as a platform for securing India’s place as a major player in the AI space on a worldwide scale.

She emphasized that comprehensive support across all pillars is necessary for entrepreneurial success by announcing at the event a specific capacity-building program for 150 shortlisted women-led AI startups. This program will include structured mentorship and networking support in partnership with ecosystem partners.

According to her, “we received over 800 applications for this challenge.”

We conducted an internal review first. We then completed 63 virtual panels. “We employed a very transparent approach, and EY handled the entire evaluation process from start to finish.” Online marking was all over the place. She said, “They were totally anonymous.”

Roy described WEP’s function in creating a comprehensive ecosystem that supports women entrepreneurs from aspiration to scale in a presentation titled “Access to Acceleration: How WEP Supports Women Founders.”

“Our vision at WEP is empowerment — Shakti — where we facilitate behavior change, give access to pertinent information at the appropriate moment, and assist female entrepreneurs from the point of aspiration to the expansion of their businesses,” Roy stated.

She commended them on their outstanding performance throughout the evaluation phases and named the top ten winners: Able Credit, Aso AI, Power Lifeline, Veryfi Technologies, Project Drives, Prosigo Language, Videos HR, That Creating, Water Ultra AR, and Zico AR.

NITI Aayog Distinguished Fellow Debjani Ghosh expressed her enthusiasm for the “India AI Impact Summit 2026,” which aims to realize AI’s full potential for global influence. She emphasizes why this is India’s time to contribute to the development of AI in her remarks on the fringes of the “India AI Impact Expo 2026.”

An entire day of talks and startup displays centered on creating impact-first, inclusive, and responsible AI brought together women innovators, founders, researchers, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders for the India AI Impact Summit 2026’s flagship program, the “AI By HER Global Impact Challenge.”

At the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on Monday, the co-hosts defeated Australia by eight wickets in the 30th match to chase their best T20 total. Opener Pathum Nissanka made history by becoming just the second Sri Lankan batter to get a century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pavan Rathnayake made the game-winning run for the co-hosts to guarantee a position in the Super 8s, while Nissanka stayed undefeated at 100 off 52 deliveries. After Marcus Stoinis removed Kusal Perera in the second over, the co-hosts’ chase of 182 got off to a bad start.

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis came out well, striking boundaries with ease and putting Australia on the defensive despite losing Perera early. The co-hosts rapidly amassed 61 runs for the first wicket by the end of the Power-play, which was their third-highest Power-play total against Australia in Twenty20 Internationals.

As Sri Lanka maintained constant pressure on Australia, runs kept coming in for the co-hosts. This followed a historic Power-play session that saw Australia and Sri Lanka reach the highest-ever total of 131 in the history of the T20 World Cup.

As the chase accelerated, their deft play and poise enabled the hosts keep the lead. Earlier, captain Mitchell Marsh, who had recovered from injury, was picked to bat first. He and opener Travis Head smashed the ball all over the ground and stitched an opening partnership of 104 runs off 52 deliveries. Australia scored 70/0 in the first six overs, their fourth-highest Powerplay total in T20 World Cup history.

With their powerful hitting, Marsh (54) and Head (56) put pressure on the co-hosts by bringing all the bowlers to task, including a 20-run sixth over. In addition to lighting up Pallekele, this aggressive play caused Sri Lanka to struggle, forcing Matheesha Pathirana to exit the game because of a left leg injury.

As the hosts applied pressure with consistent spin bowling, the momentum swiftly shifted. Australia lost the final eight wickets for 72 runs, completely losing the match in the last overs. With statistics of 3/37, his best in T20Is, Dushan Hemantha concluded his spell.

Both batters reached their fifties in quick succession as Mendis and Nissanka kept adding runs. In the T20 World Cups, Nissanka tied Tillakaratne Dilshan with his sixth score of over 50, only surpassed by Mahela Jayawardene’s seven. With his fifth over-50 score in the tournament’s history, Mendis was not far behind.

Nissanka became just the second Sri Lankan opener to achieve a century in the T20 World Cup after achieving an incredible century under extreme duress. The stadium erupted in applause for a genuinely remarkable innings as he reached his century in just fifty-two balls, sending the audience into raptures.

“The wicket played really well today, which allowed me to play my natural game,” Nissanka stated. Getting a hundred and taking my squad home makes me very happy. We required an effective power play. Kusal Mendis and I had a great middle-field relationship. After that, I just needed to wait for the balls to enter my zone in order to finish my innings and lead my team across the finish line. I was pleased that I was able to put a number of balls away to the fence and that they played to my strengths.

Australia Skipper Mitchell Marsh said, “I thought it was a competitive total at the halfway mark. We probably left ourselves a few short after the start we had. It is disappointing. Well played to Sri Lanka. They outplayed us tonight, We know that at our best, we can make big scores. We just lost our way towards the back-end. Couldn’t get the partnership going. Sri Lanka bowled really well towards the back-end.”

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, praised it as one of his team’s best recent efforts. “You could say that it’s among our best performances in a long time. We knew how the wicket would play, so I’m really pleased with how the innings went. Today, everyone’s body language was extremely elevated. For us, that is a huge plus. Everyone wanted to help the squad in some way. Hemantha, Theekshana, and Chameera all performed admirably. Very pleased with everyone’s contributions.”

Brief scores:
Australia 181 all out in 20 overs (Travis Head 56, Mitchell Marsh 54; Dushan Hemantha 3-37, Dushmantha Chameera 2-33)
Sri Lanka 164/2 in 18 overs (Pathum Nissanka 100 not out, Kusal Mendis 51; Marcus Stoinis 2-46) by eight wickets.