MUMBAI: On a campus better known for case studies, midnight debates and restless ambition, an institution as old as independent India quietly reinvented itself for a generation that has grown up swiping screens rather than licking stamps. The Indian Institute of Management Lucknow on Thursday inaugurated Uttar Pradesh’s first Gen-Z post office, marking a symbolic and practical step in reimagining the country’s postal services for young, digitally fluent citizens.The inauguration, held on the IIM Lucknow campus, brought together academia and administration in an unusual but deliberate partnership. Prof. M. P. Gupta, Director of IIM Lucknow, presided over the event alongside Shri Pranav Kumar, Chief Postmaster General, U.P. Circle, and Shri Sunil Kumar Rai, Postmaster General, HQ Region, Lucknow. Together, they unveiled a space designed not merely to process mail, but to fit seamlessly into the rhythms of student life.Stripped of its traditional counters and queues, the Gen-Z post office speaks the language of convenience. It offers Indian Post Payment Bank services through QR code–based transactions, automated parcel packaging and booking units, and end-to-end tracking systems that provide real-time updates. Aadhaar enrolment and update services sit alongside a free high-speed Wi-Fi zone and cafeteria-style seating — a setting closer to a co-working lounge than a conventional post office.For many students, however, the most immediately tangible innovation may be a practical one. The post office offers a packers and movers facility that allows graduating students to ship their belongings directly from hostel rooms to their homes, at roughly half the cost charged by private operators. It is a small but thoughtful intervention in the logistics of campus life, addressing a recurring pain point for students at the end of their academic journey.Reflecting on the evolution of communication, Prof. M. P. Gupta said, “Prior to the internet era, letters were the primary means of communication, and India Post enabled this. Today, technology and tracking systems have the potential to make services more efficient. We are glad to have the first Gen-Z post office in the state, and I am confident it will benefit the IIM Lucknow community at large.”For India Post, the experiment is as much about relevance as it is about reach. Shri Pranav Kumar described the initiative as a conscious attempt to bring young people back into a system they rarely interact with. “Designed to attract and bring the youth into the postal system, this post office is the first-of-its-kind in Lucknow. Equipped with high-tech facilities, it caters to the needs of the new generation. We aim to engage with the young generation and make them experience the modern postal services. Under this initiative, we are also involving the youth to provide input in the design process at different locations, ensuring their perspectives shape the future of our post offices,” he said.Sunil Kumar Rai linked the project to a broader national vision for postal reform. “Under the guidance and support of Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, with the launch of this Gen-Z post office, we aim to make the postal system smarter and more approachable. Through innovations like trackable consignments and streamlined delivery processes, we are confident that the new facility will provide more transparent and youth-friendly services,” he noted.The IIM Lucknow launch is part of a wider push to create interactive, technology-driven postal spaces across the country, without discarding the legacy of a network that once stitched together a newly independent nation. Uttar Pradesh currently has 125 post offices, and alongside the IIM Lucknow unit, facilities at Lucknow University, Sainik School, Sarojini Nagar, and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University have also been designated as Gen-Z post offices.In a state where the post office has long been a symbol of routine and reliability, the new model suggests something more aspirational: a public service willing to listen, adapt, and meet the next generation where it already is.

MUMBAI: As artificial intelligence steadily embeds itself into the machinery of governance, from welfare delivery to regulatory oversight, the question confronting India’s public sector is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to do so responsibly. Responding to this inflection point, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras has announced a new national capacity-building programme aimed squarely at government officials — those who will be tasked with buying, deploying, and governing AI systems in the years ahead.The initiative is being led by IIT Madras’ Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at the Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, in partnership with Google and the Digital Futures Lab, an independent interdisciplinary research studio. It was formally announced on Thursday at the ‘Conclave on Strengthening Human Capital for the AI Era’, hosted on the IIT Madras campus.At its core, the programme seeks to bridge a widening capability gap within government — one that has emerged as AI tools outpace institutional understanding of their risks, limits, and governance requirements. Designed specifically for public officials, the training will focus on building technical literacy, procurement capacity, and policy awareness around AI systems that increasingly influence education, public service delivery, and digital governance.The curriculum is structured to move beyond abstract discussions of artificial intelligence. Participants will be introduced to foundational AI technologies and their real-world applications, while also learning how to evaluate AI solutions during procurement, assess scalability, and embed responsible AI practices aligned with India’s emerging policy frameworks. Identifying risks, understanding system limitations, and anticipating governance challenges in live deployments form a central part of the coursework.Speaking at the Conclave, Prof. B. Ravindran, Head of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI at IIT Madras, underlined the stakes involved. “As AI systems increasingly influence decision-making, it is important that their development and deployment are rooted in trust and inclusion. Through this Conclave, we hope to create a shared platform for open dialogue on the responsible use of AI, with a particular focus on strengthening human capital through AI for education and education about AI. By bringing diverse stakeholders under one roof, our goal is to co-create policy-relevant, context-aware frameworks that reflect the lived realities of the Global South,” he said.For Google, the partnership reflects a broader concern about trust and accountability in large-scale digital transformation. Preeti Lobana, Country Manager, Google India, noted that technological progress cannot be decoupled from institutional responsibility. “A thriving digital India can only be built on a foundation of trust. As AI becomes an intrinsic part of our daily lives, protecting India’s digital future becomes a collective responsibility. We are proud to partner with IIT Madras and the Digital Futures Lab to operationalize this vision. This program is about more than just technology adoption; it is about empowering professionals across the private and public sector with the knowledge to deploy AI responsibly, ensuring that safety and fairness are embedded at the core of India’s digital transformation,” she said.Dr. Urvashi Aneja, Founder and Director of Digital Futures Lab, framed the initiative as a strategic investment in state capacity. “We are delighted to be kicking off this capacity building program on AI with the India AI mission, along with CeRAI, and with support from Google. Strengthening capacity within government is perhaps the most important lever needed for effective and responsible use of AI in India. It will also provide the foundation for India’s leadership on responsible AI in the global south and we hope we can soon take this program to other countries in the Global South as well,” she said.Beyond classroom instruction, the programme will rely heavily on case studies, workshops and hands-on sessions. Officials will be encouraged to assess their departments’ current AI readiness and identify practical pathways to adopt or improve AI-enabled tools within their specific domains.The Conclave itself serves as a pre-summit event to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, convening researchers, policymakers, academics, industry leaders and civil society groups. Its broader aim is to align AI literacy and skilling with national digital transformation priorities — ensuring that as AI reshapes governance, it does so in ways that remain transparent, human-centred, and worthy of public trust.

File photo (Picture credit: PTI)

NEW DELHI: Isro’s upcoming LVM3-M6 mission will place the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit on December 24 as part of a commercial agreement with US-based AST SpaceMobile. The mission marks a significant step in global efforts to deliver high-speed mobile connectivity directly to smartphones using satellite technology.The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is a next-generation communications spacecraft designed to provide round-the-clock cellular broadband coverage across the world. AST SpaceMobile, formally known as AST & Science, LLC, is working to build what it describes as the first space-based cellular broadband network that can be accessed directly by standard smartphones, without the need for special devices. “We are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s nearly six billion mobile subscribers and bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected,” the company said on its website.AST SpaceMobile has already launched five satellites — BlueBird 1 to 5 — in September 2024, enabling continuous internet coverage across the United States and some other regions. The company plans to expand this network further and has partnered with more than 50 mobile operators worldwide.As per Isro, the LVM3-M6 mission will be a dedicated commercial launch under an agreement signed between NewSpace India Limited and AST SpaceMobile. NewSpace India Limited is the commercial arm of Isro.The BlueBird Block-2 satellite will be part of a Low Earth Orbit constellation aimed at enabling direct-to-mobile connectivity. According to news agency PTI, Isro said the network would support 4G and 5G voice and video calls, text messaging, streaming and data services for users anywhere, at any time.The satellite features a massive 223 square metre phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed in low Earth orbit. It will also be the heaviest payload launched into LEO by Isro’s LVM3 rocket.The LVM3 has previously launched major missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. Isro’s most recent LVM3 launch was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, which successfully placed a communication satellite into orbit on November 2, 2025.

Priyanka Chopra recently revealed that she celebrated her Karwa Chauth over the clouds. The global diva credited her husband, Nick Jonas, for the same. Here’s what the actress shared about her Karwa Chauth celebration during her recent appearance on a show.

Priyanka Chopra talks about her Karwa Chauth

Priyanka Chopra will be appearing as a guest on ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ S4. During the episode, host Kapil Sharma will be seen joking about flirting on the show and says, “Idhar subtitles aata hai… kahin Nick padh na le (subtitles come here; what if Nick reads it?).”

To which Priyanka Chopra responds, “Nick ko aadat hai… usko pata hai sab mujhse flirt karte hai, lekin main ghar toh wahi jaati hoon (Nick is used to it… he knows everyone flirts with me, but at the end of the day, I go home to him).”In the upcoming episode, Priyanka will also be seen speaking about receiving sargi from her mother-in-law. The actress will share just how romantic Nick Jonas truly is, revealing that to help her break her Karva Chauth fast, “Apne plane mein clouds ke upar leke gaye aur chaand dekh ke vrat toda (He took me above the clouds in a plane, and we broke our fast after seeing the moon).”

More about Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka is currently in Hyderabad for the shoot of her upcoming movie, ‘Varanasi’, starring South star Mahesh Babu, helmed by SS Rajamouli.In addition to this, she has also been roped in for the latest installment in the popular franchise ‘Krrish 4’, marking Hrithik Roshan’s debut as a director.The 42-year-old actress will also be seen as a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in the forthcoming swashbuckler action drama, ‘The Bluff’.She was last seen in ‘Heads of State’, directed by Ilya Naishuller. It stars Idris Elba and John Cena as the UK Prime Minister and US President, respectively.

MUMBAI: As workplaces become increasingly shaped by algorithms, dashboards and predictive models, the role of human resources is quietly undergoing a fundamental shift. No longer confined to administration and compliance, HR is being recast as a strategic, data-led function — one that sits at the intersection of people, technology and organisational foresight. It is against this backdrop that IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation has partnered with the Union Education Ministry’s SWAYAM Plus initiative to launch an AI-enabled HR Analytics Programme.The programme, announced on Tuesday, is designed to equip learners with data-driven and AI-enabled HR capabilities aligned with emerging workforce and organisational demands. The first cohort will commence in January 2026, with applications open until December 30, 2025. The course is open to both students and working professionals, with details available through IITM Pravartak’s official platform.At its core, the initiative seeks to respond to a growing skills gap in the people management ecosystem. As organisations evolve into digitally enabled environments, HR professionals are increasingly expected to interpret workforce data, deploy predictive analytics and leverage artificial intelligence to inform decisions on talent strategy, workforce planning and organisational design. The programme positions itself as a bridge between traditional HR knowledge and these new analytical imperatives.Participants will gain hands-on exposure to workforce data analysis, interpretation of HR metrics, and the use of AI-powered tools to generate actionable insights. The emphasis is firmly on application: strengthening evidence-based decision-making and enabling HR teams to move from intuition-driven judgments to data-backed strategies that can scale with organisational complexity.Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, Chief Executive Officer of IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said, “This programme marks an important step toward transforming HR into a truly data-driven and AI-empowered function. By combining academic rigor with practical industry insights, we aim to prepare future-ready HR leaders who can drive meaningful impact in organisations of tomorrow.”The programme curriculum reflects this dual focus on theory and practice. It integrates foundational HR concepts with advanced analytics, AI applications and machine learning–driven predictive models. Real-world, case-based learning forms a critical component, ensuring that participants are able to translate analytical insights into practical organisational interventions.Among its key highlights is a four-month course duration that includes two days of on-campus learning at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, offering participants direct exposure to an academic and innovation ecosystem. Sessions will be delivered by IIT Madras faculty alongside industry practitioners with hands-on experience in HR analytics and AI. A central element of the programme is an industry-focused HR Analytics Capstone Project, covering areas such as HR dashboards, AI applications in HR, predictive modelling, HR metrics and data-driven decision-making.The programme is positioned for a wide audience — from entry to mid-level HR practitioners and aspiring HR leaders to professionals from sectors such as aviation, technology and services who are looking to deepen their analytical and digital skill sets.IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation itself is a Section 8 company that houses the Technology Innovation Hub on Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, and is hosted by IIT Madras. Through this collaboration with SWAYAM Plus, it extends its mandate beyond core engineering and cyber-physical systems into the human dimension of digital transformation.As organisations grapple with rapid technological change and shifting workforce expectations, the launch of this AI-enabled HR Analytics Programme signals a broader recognition: that the future of work will depend as much on how intelligently people are managed as on the technologies that surround them.

England captain Ben Stokes has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of another Ashes setback in Australia, admitting that the team’s long-held ambition of winning the urn away from home has ended after the third Test in Adelaide. However, despite Australia’s commanding 3-0 lead, Stokes insists England will continue to fight hard in the final two matches of the series.

England captain reflects on pain of another Ashes defeat in Australia

Following Australia’s victory at the Adelaide Oval, which sealed Ashes retention with two Tests to spare, Stokes said the reality of defeat “hurts and sucks,” especially given the hopes England carried into the tour.

Speaking to Isa Guha after the loss, Stokes admitted England arrived in Australia with a clear objective – to become one of the few touring sides to conquer an Ashes series Down Under. That ambition, he acknowledged, has now slipped away.

“We came out here with a goal in mind,” Stokes said, adding that the dream of lifting the urn in Australia “is now over.” He described the dressing room atmosphere as “hurting and quite emotional,” reflecting the weight of another failed campaign on Australian soil.

Stokes was forthright in conceding that Australia have simply been better across the opening three Tests, executing their skills with greater consistency in all departments—batting, bowling and fielding.

Another grim milestone for England in Australia

The Adelaide defeat extended England’s winless streak in Australia to 18 Tests, dating back to their famous triumph in the 2010-11 Ashes series. Stokes admitted that statistic was difficult to digest, particularly given the manner of this year’s losses.

He noted that losing the series within just 11 days of cricket made the outcome even more painful, underlining how decisively Australia have seized control. According to the England skipper, his side repeatedly faltered at crucial moments, allowing pressure to overwhelm them while Australia remained ruthless.

Stokes revealed that he warned his team early in the series about the importance of handling pressure in Australia – a challenge England ultimately failed to meet.

Missed chances and pressure moments prove costly for England

Reflecting on the first three Tests, Stokes pointed to a pattern of England “folding” when the game was in the balance. Whether through batting collapses or missed opportunities with the ball, England were unable to sustain momentum, allowing Australia to capitalise decisively.

In contrast, Australia’s ability to strike at critical junctures proved the difference, turning competitive situations into match-defining passages.

Also READ: Fans go berserk as Australia retain the Ashes with a 3-0 lead at the Adelaide Oval

Stokes urges team to show resilience in final Tests

Despite the unassailable deficit, Stokes was adamant that England will not simply see out the series. He insisted the team would not “just fall over and let this series play out,” vowing that England would give “absolutely everything” in the remaining two Tests.

With memories of the 5-0 whitewash in past tours still fresh, Stokes stressed the importance of pride and resistance. He challenged his players to show “a bit of dog,” using the hurt of Adelaide as motivation to be tougher and more consistent.

As the 2025-26 Ashes series moves forward, England’s objective is no longer about reclaiming the urn but about restoring belief and competitiveness.

Also WATCH: Nathan Lyon’s deadly spin sends Harry Brook packing on Day 4 of Adelaide Test

India’s equity markets saw investors joining at a slower pace in November, just 13.2 lakh investors were added during the month during the month. This was a 11.6% dip from October, as the growth was dragged down by uncertainty in global markets continued to temper risk appetite, data released by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) showed.With these additions, the total number of registered investors reached 12.3 crore by the end of November 2025. The slowdown came after two months of steady improvement in registrations, signalling a pause in the recent rebound. The NSE noted, “The pace of additions moderated during the month, declining 11.6 per cent MoM after two consecutive months of sequential increases.” The report pointed out that investor sign-ups have remained uneven throughout calendar year 2025. While short phases of stronger growth were seen between May and July and again in September and October, the broader trend has been one of moderation. Global headwinds and persistent volatility have weighed on confidence, making many potential entrants wary of entering equity markets. Data from the exchange also showed that the rapid expansion seen in the previous year has lost momentum. Last year in February, the investor base crossed 9 crore. By August 2024, the number moved to 10 crore and touched 11 crore in January 2025, with each milestone achieved within five to six months. On the other hand, the next crore took significantly longer, with nine months required to move from 11 crore to 12 crore. Between January and November 2025, the NSE added an average of 12.8 lakh investors every month, taking total additions during the period to 1.4 crore, drastically lower than the same period in 2024, when average monthly additions were 19.3 lakh, translating into 2.1 crore new investors.On the regional front, north India continued to dominate with an investor participation of 4.5 crore investors as of November 2025. West India stood at the second position with 3.6 crore investors. South India and east India ALSO recorded 2.6 crore and 1.5 crore investors, respectively. Year-on-year growth remained positive across most regions. All parts of the country reported growth of over 15% in November, except West India, where investor growth lagged at 11.6%. Overall, the NSE data indicated that although India’s equity investor base is still expanding, the rate of new investor additions has slowed during 2025 as global uncertainty continues to influence participation.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-railways-fare-hike-train-ticket-cost-ac-class-fare-ordinary-class-fare-9859275” on this server.

Reference #18.adf856b8.1766308161.1690f06c

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.adf856b8.1766308161.1690f06c

Ishan Kishan’s road back to India’s T20 World Cup squad has been long and uncomfortable. Pushed out of the national setup in 2023 and left on the sidelines for months, Kishan has now forced his way back into contention with performances that were impossible to overlook. His return has been powered by a dominant Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign. Leading Jharkhand, Kishan guided the side to its first-ever title in the tournament. He finished as the leading run-scorer with 517 runs from 10 matches at a strike rate of 197, underlining his impact with a match-winning 101 off 49 balls in the final against Haryana.

The numbers alone made a strong case, but the bigger story was the path Kishan chose. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin framed the comeback as something earned, not gifted. “Cricket has given Ishan Kishan a gift,” Ashwin said. “People on the outside can guess whether it was fair or unfair, but life comes back in a circle. The reason Ishan was not in the side and why he is in the team now is because of one thing: he gave cricket the respect it deserves.” Ashwin explained that Kishan never viewed domestic cricket as a step down, but as the only way back. “In first class, he even came to play the Buchi Babu Invitational,” Ashwin said. “A player like Ishan Kishan came to play the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai for Jharkhand.” From there, Kishan stayed involved throughout Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy preparations and delivered when opportunities came. “He was there for Jharkhand, he was number one in preparation, and in first-class cricket he scored runs,” Ashwin said. “In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he led Jharkhand and performed. It is because of this.” Addressing the debate around Kishan’s removal from the team and contracts in 2023, Ashwin dismissed the idea that off-field factors played a role in his return. “It is not about Ishan Kishan the person,” Ashwin said. “It is about Ishan Kishan the cricketer who went through the yards of the game, respected the game, and hence succeeded.”