Mumbai: Maharashtra govt has set up a state-level committee to strengthen the innovation and intellectual property ecosystem in the state. While the number of patents being filed across colleges and universities is on the rise, many are aimed to boost publication records for promotions and as means to augment ‘academic performance indicators’ (APIs). These innovations, therefore, rarely progress to the stage of commercialisation or industry application. The state committee, therefore, aims to address the gaps in the implementation.A govt resolution (GR) released on Tuesday announced the formation of the committee under the chairmanship of Prof Aniruddha Pandit, vice-chancellor of ICT, Matunga, and also enlisted its objectives. Pandit told TOI that very few patents filed by Indian institutions reach the commercialisation stage. “Patents are often viewed by academicians as means to secure promotions under career advancement schemes. Even in leading institutions, the rise in the number of patents filed is not proportionate to those that progress to the licensing stage. There is very little effort to take these innovations to the next level, either to recover research costs or to create meaningful industry impact. This initiative could be a positive step toward making research more impactful, at the same time helping institutions become more self-sustainable,” he said. The eight-member committee, headed by Pandit and Ravindra Kulkarni, the vice-chancellor of Mumbai University, is expected to submit its report in three months through the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE). The GR mentioned that IP cells, though, existed in most institutions, their work is limited to providing information only, and the patent cell lacks the necessary skills for evaluation, technology transfer, and collaboration with industry. The committee will suggest solutions for building capacity by training professors, and researchers in aspects such as patentability, drafting skills, filing procedures, etc. It has also recommended setting up a state-level facilitation centre. The GR also emphasises the need for evaluation and scoring of patents by an expert committee and also creating a patent bank by collecting information on patents by all institutions, classifying them (as filed, granted, commercialised), and publishing the database on DTE’s portal. The committee will also formulate policies to recognise patents as contributions of institutions or professors, determine criteria for considering patent subject matters in NAAC and institutional evaluation. The GR also asked the committee to devise ways to control misuse, and one of the misuses has been listed as the ‘tendency to apply for patents only for academic qualities’.

After Sunjay Kapur passed away last year in June, his widowed wife Priya Sachdev Kapur has been in a legal battle with his ex-wife Karisma Kapoor’s children, his mother Rani Kapur and his sister Mandhira Kapur Smith. This battle is regarding his inheritances of Rs 30,000 crore. Amidst that, Priya who serves as both a trustee and beneficiary of the RK Family Trust, has formally issued a notice removing Rani Kapur from her role as trustee, effective March 25, 2026. The notice, dated March 24, 2026, comes amid an ongoing dispute between the parties over the control and management of the trust, according to ANI. As per the communication, the RK Family Trust was established in 2017 as a private and irrevocable trust, with the late Sunjay Kapur as its sole beneficiary during his lifetime. Following his passing in June 2025, the beneficial interests are said to have passed on to his children—Master Azarias Suri Kapur, Ms. Samaira Kapur, and Master Kiaan Kapur.The notice highlights concerns regarding certain actions allegedly taken by Rani Kapur after the demise of the sole beneficiary, and also references a cease-and-desist notice issued earlier in January 2026. It further notes that Rani Kapur has moved the Delhi High Court, challenging the legitimacy of the trust and seeking relief concerning its assets.In her communication, Priya Sachdev Kapur has asserted that these actions are inconsistent with the trust deed and violate the provisions of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, stating they go against the interests of the beneficiaries. Citing Clause 8.11 of the trust deed, she has formally conveyed Rani Kapur’s removal as trustee.The notice makes it clear that, from March 25, 2026 onward, Rani Kapur will have no authority to represent the trust or deal with its assets, documents, or affairs. It also states that any actions undertaken in the name of the trust after this date would be deemed invalid, with legal remedies reserved in case of non-compliance.This development unfolds against the backdrop of a wider dispute between the parties. It is also understood that Rani Kapur has taken steps regarding the trusteeship, including actions affecting Priya Sachdev Kapur’s position, indicating competing claims over the administration of the trust.

SRINAGAR: PDP legislator Waheed Parra’s private member’s bill proposing the creation of 16 new districts in J&K and two additional divisions in Jammu, has come in for scathing criticism from governing NC as well as opposition BJP, who questioned the intent behind the proposed legislation.NC said the bill was a “deliberate attempt to arouse public opinion and sabotage the govt’s intent to empower sub-regions”. BJP called the proposal divisive, and alleged it was in line with the design of Pakistan and ISI to create a ‘Greater Kashmir’.Parra submitted the Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill to the Assembly secretariat, proposing new administrative divisions and districts across the Union Territory to “improve governance and administrative reach”.The bill seeks the creation of two new divisions in Jammu — Chenab and Pir Panjal. It also proposes carving out eight additional districts each in Kashmir and Jammu. At present, J&K has two divisions, Jammu and Kashmir, each having 10 districts.The bill has gained traction on social media, stirring a debate, forcing political parties to respond. NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said PDP’s move to bring in the proposals even as the govt is working towards empowerment of sub-regions reflected a different intent. It indicated a sabotage attempt, he alleged, questioning why the Mehbooba Mufti-led party was discussing new districts and divisions despite lacking the legislative strength to see the proposals through.During the tenure of PDP-BJP in 2016-17, a similar set of recommendations made by an expert committee was rejected by the govt. “Now when the NC govt is planning to empower sub-regions, the PDP is bringing in such bills to create distrust among people,” he said, terming it a “sabotage bill”.BJP alleged the proposals made in the bill aligned with ISI’s agenda. “The bill proposes two additional divisions for Jammu — one comprising Kishtwar and Doda, and another Rajouri and Poonch. They are referring to these as Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal regions. We do not accept these terms. This was part of ISI design in the 1990s to merge these Muslim majority areas with Kashmir and carve out a ‘Greater Kashmir.’ PDP is working on the same agenda. We will not allow it,” BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said.Pointing out that Kashmir has three regions traditionally referred to as Maraz (south Kashmir), Kamraz (north Kashmir), and central Kashmir, he asked: “Why don’t they create three divisions here as well? Why do they only want to break Jammu?”However, Thakur said there could be a case for creating three new districts in Kashmir, and if at all needed, three existing police districts in the Valley could be upgraded into full-fledged districts.

NEW DELHI: On a day Parliament put its stamp of approval on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2026 amid demands from opposition MPs that the bill be referred to a standing committee for wider consultation, two National Council for Transgender Persons members from the community sent their resignation to the social justice minister Virendra Kumar to register their strong protest against the bill and lack of consultation. The bill lays out a more precise definition of “transgender persons” making it clear that it will not include persons with “different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities”.“From NCTP, some of us tried to reach out to you as the voice of the community and we felt that we were not heard,” said Rituparna Neog, a member of the council from the northeast region stated in her letter of resignation addressed to Kumar who is the chairperson of the statutory body. The body is supposed to have around 10 members representing the transgender community.The other member to resign, Kalaki Subramaniam, who is the southern region representative, registered a strong protest over lack of consultation with the community that views the bill as “regressive” and as a “step backward for their fundamental rights to self identification and dignity”. “I cannot continue to hold a seat at a table where our collective voice has been silenced,” she added.Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, which was passed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday was passed by a voice vote in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Congress party’s Renuka Chowdhury opened the discussion putting forth a stirring question – “If no one asks us – men and women to prove our gender before a medical board, then who are we to question the identity of trans people?”At the end of the discussion, minister Virendra Kumar reiterated that the bill aims to provide protection to only those who face severe social discrimination due to their biological condition. He also tried to counter the opposition to the removal of the clause on self – perceived identity and introduction of a medical board by saying that this was aimed at securing the rights of TG persons by removing scope for any ambiguity and enabling benefits reach genuine persons through administrative clarity. BJP members joined the chorus in support.The amendments, which will now become law after the President of India gives her assent, marks a significant departure from the existing law as it omits the clause that allowed “self-perceived gender identity” to be the basis for self-determination and identification for approval for transgender certificate by the district magistrate.A medical board headed by chief medical officer has been introduced, and the district magistrate will going forward issue a certificate of transgender identity, after examining the recommendation of the medical board cited as “authority” to be constituted by the central or state govts.The bill proposes to create specific offences with graded punishments that reflect the gravity of the harm, the irreversibility of the injury, and the particular vulnerability of child victims.DMK’s Tiruchi Siva who had brought a private member bill “The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014” reflected on the struggles of the community to get their rights and demanded consultation from stakeholders, legal experts, civil society, transgender community as well as a review by the select committee. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD), Saket Gokhale (TMC), CPI (M) MP John Brittas, NCP-SCP’s leader Fauzia Khan, Jaya Bachchan (SP), Shiv Sena-UBT’s Priyanka Chaturvedi, Sanjay Singh and Sandeep Pathak form AAP, IUML’s Abdul Wahab among others strongly opposed the bill.Even Golla Babu Rao from YSR Congress Party and Subhasish Khuntia from BJD joined the chorus with other opposition members and demanded that the bill be sent to a parliamentary committee for stakeholders consultation.The first signs of a backlash from the community emerged soon after the Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha as the two NCTP members resigned. Also the community members who have been agitating through press conferences and outreach campaigns since the Bill was introduced, now plan to hit the streets through demonstrations across states. In her resignation letter addressed to the social justice and empowerment minister, Kalki Subramaniam said, “until February 2026, my experience working alongside the ministry officials was one of mutual respect and a shared vision for an inclusive India. However, the recent introduction and passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2026 has created an untenable position for me.”“As a statutory representative, my primary mandate is to advise the govt on legislation affecting our lives. The decision to move this Bill forward without any formal consultation with myself or other community representatives of the NCTP undermines the very purpose for which this Council was established,” she added. Registering her opposition to the Bill passed by Parliament, in her resignation, Rituparna Neog states, “while I understand my responsibility as an NCTP member to represent the voice of my community to the competent authority, however, looking at the current circumstances, I wish not to continue as a member.”On Saturday, four NCTP members Abhina Aher, Vidya Rajput, Raveena Bareeha and Subramaiam, in a meeting hurriedly called by senior officials of the ministry on Saturday, had strongly reiterated that “self-affirmation of transgender identity, as upheld in the NALSA judgment, must remain the foundation of transgender identification”.After the meeting the members had highlighted the absence of the social justice minister Virendra Kumar who they were told would be chairing the meeting. “We were told that the minister was unable to attend due to ill health and a reported family emergency,” Aher said.According to Aher, at the meeting led by joint secretary Yogita Swaroop, Senior Economic Advisor in the ministry, govt officials raised concerns about identifying “genuine” transgender persons and referred to biological markers such as chromosomal combinations (XX/XY). “NCTP members clarified the concept of gender incongruence/dysphoria, mental health aspects, and the impact of stigma, though they felt that a gap in understanding of transgender issues was observed among the officials,” she added.The TG Council members also emphasised at the meeting that the definition of transgender person in the Bill was not inclusive and must explicitly include transgender men and transgender women; use respectful terminology and recognise diverse regional identities like Nupi Manabi and Nupi Manba (Manipur).On the provision in the Bill introducing screening by a medical board, NCTP members initially called for the removal of the provision. “However, considering the govt’s position, members proposed that any assessment should be limited to mental health support, it must not involve invasive physical examinations, and it should uphold dignity and remain aligned with the NALSA judgment,” Aher said. The need for gender-neutral laws to address violence against transgender persons was also raised vociferously.Now with the Bill having been passed in Parliament without paying heed to any of the suggestions made by the NCTP member representatives, the community has announced protests and demonstrations starting from Thursday.

The Hagley Oval bore witness to a clinical display of T20 cricket as South Africa secured a decisive 33-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I. With the series on the line, the Proteas showcased their depth and temperament, silencing a partisan Kiwi crowd to lift the trophy. On a surface that offered decent carry, South Africa’s total of 187/4 proved too steep a mountain for the Black Caps, who eventually withered under the pressure of a disciplined South African bowling attack, finishing at 154/8.

Connor Esterhuizen’s blazing knock against New Zealand lights up Hagley Oval

The narrative of the first innings was dominated by one man, Connor Esterhuizen. Coming in at number four with the scoreboard reading 76/2, the wicketkeeper-batter played an innings of pure calculated aggression. While Wiaan Mulder (31 off 29) and Rubin Hermann (39 off 31) provided a steady foundation, it was Esterhuizen who shifted the gears into overdrive.

Esterhuizen’s strike rate of 227.27 told the story of his dominance. He reached his half-century in just 25 deliveries, dismantling the New Zealand pace attack with a mix of traditional power hitting and innovative scoops. By the time he was eventually caught by James Neesham off the bowling of Ben Sears in the final over, he had amassed 75 runs from just 33 balls, decorated with 4 fours and five towering sixes. His 61-run partnership with Dian Forrester (21 off 13) ensured South Africa plundered over 60 runs in the death overs, setting a formidable target of 188.

South African bowlers choke New Zealand chase to seal series win

New Zealand’s pursuit of 188 started on shaky ground and never truly found its rhythm. The Proteas’ bowling unit, led by the tactical acumen of captain Keshav Maharaj, squeezed the life out of the chase through consistent pressure and regular wickets. Katene Clarke fell early for just 2, and while Tim Robinson (25) and Dane Cleaver (22) attempted a recovery, the mounting required run rate forced errors.

The middle order offered a glimmer of hope when Bevon Jacobs played a spirited cameo of 36 from 19 balls, striking two sixes to bring the equation within reach. However, the South African pace duo of Ottneil Baartman and Gerald Coetzee proved too clinical. Baartman’s double strike, removing Cleaver and the dangerous Jacobs, broke the back of the New Zealand resistance.

The choke was personified by the final five overs, where New Zealand struggled to find the boundary. Wiaan Mulder capped off a brilliant all-round game by dismissing the set Neesham (24) via a successful DRS review in the 20th over, effectively ending any hopes of a miracle. Coetzee finished with figures of 2/21, while Baartman and Mulder also claimed two scalps apiece. New Zealand ended their 20 overs at 154/8, falling 33 runs short and handing South Africa a memorable series triumph on foreign soil.

Also READ: Lockie Ferguson, Tom Latham sizzle in New Zealand’s commanding win over South Africa in 3rd T20I

Here’s how fans reacted:

Why nobody is talking about Connor Esterhuizen? He is a great replacement prospect & with big potential.

Just today, he scored 75(33) on a pitch where other literally batted run a ball. He had 50 in last game also. He can be great replacement for Duckett! pic.twitter.com/G1Mzjl7Vma

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) March 25, 2026

Well-deserved Player of the Series award for Connor Esterhuizen pic.twitter.com/d8ZldTtpr4

— Werner (@Werries_) March 25, 2026

This series will be totally forgotten about by the end of the week but Connor Esterhuizen and, to a lesser extent, Dian Forrester and Mokoena have really shown they have what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

— Dale (@ncakos316) March 25, 2026

Most Runs by a South African in a Bilateral 5-Match T20I Series

255 – Quinton de Kock vs West Indies, 2021

200 – Connor Esterhuizen vs New Zealand, 2026*

No other South African has crossed the 100-run mark in such a series.#NZvSA #NZvsSA

— Vishwesh Gaur (@iumvishwesh) March 25, 2026

Connor Esterhuizen has now completely elevated himself ahead of Tony in the T20I space. When the next T20I series comes along he should make that squad. He’s also coming for that Test Wicketkeeping spot. the guy is on a serious mission.#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/jV0Kca9cIP

— Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) March 25, 2026

SA cricket are blessed with some serious talents.
Bro was called as test players by many crictics but he shut down all by his last 2 innings 🙌🙌.
Bro can open also, bro can play in middle order too.
Connor esterhuizen Remember the name. #NZvsSA pic.twitter.com/8P48B6rwUM

— markram bot (@greekgod2810) March 25, 2026

Proud of you Connor esterhuizen a lot 😍❤️🥰❤️ https://t.co/EX9rKCFKea

— Corbin Bosch (@corbinboschfan) March 25, 2026

Connor Esterhuizen has been SA’s shining light in this series 🌟#NZvSA pic.twitter.com/MDeO7K7Ce0

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 25, 2026

Back-to-back fifty for Connor Esterhuizen, this time in just 25 balls 🔥👏#NZvSA #SAvNZ #T20I #T20Iseries #finalmatch pic.twitter.com/90maWMnYB3

— Cric Updates (Bishwas🇳🇵) (@CricUpdate58494) March 25, 2026

South Africa complete a dominant turnaround 💪

From 2-1 down to a 3-2 series triumph — a comeback to remember 🔥🏏#NZvsSA #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/ABx6QcFCkK

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 25, 2026

Also READ: IPL 2026: Who is Aryaman Birla? Meet the new chairman of RCB