New Delhi [India], February 19: The Cost of a Hashtag by  Author Archana Jain is not a narrative about choosing sides between men and women, nor is it an argument rooted in meninism or feminism. At its heart, it is a call to return to something deeper — humanism. In a world where social media has amplified voices, accelerated reactions, and blurred the space between truth and perception, this work questions what happens when justice becomes performative and empathy becomes selective. It reminds us that beyond every trend, accusation, defence, or public debate, there is always a human life carrying consequences that do not fade when the hashtag stops trending.

Archana Jain is an author and thinker focused on social consciousness, human dignity, and balanced justice. Through her writing, she explores human behaviour, power, and the emotional impact of modern digital and societal conflicts.

The book recognises the undeniable struggles women have faced historically and the importance of movements that created space for voices that were once silenced. At the same time, it acknowledges another uncomfortable reality — that pain, trauma, misuse of power, and emotional damage are not owned by one gender alone. When conversations become polarised, society begins to measure suffering through identity rather than truth. This is where justice risks turning into ideology instead of remaining a moral responsibility toward fairness. Humanism demands that we listen before we label, understand before we react, and seek truth before we choose sides.

The digital age has given society powerful tools to expose wrongdoing, but it has also created environments where speed often replaces verification. A single post can elevate someone toward justice or push someone toward irreversible damage. The book challenges readers to question how quickly we form opinions and how easily collective outrage can silence nuance. When judgment becomes instant, both the innocent and the guilty can disappear inside noise, leaving truth lost in emotional momentum. The real cost of a hashtag is not measured in views or virality, but in broken reputations, unheard truths, and emotional scars carried long after public attention moves on.

Ultimately, this work stands on one central belief — humanity must come before gender, before ideology, and before public validation. Humanism is not about weakening justice; it is about strengthening it through fairness, accountability, and compassion. It asks society to create systems where victims feel safe to speak and where accusations are handled with responsibility and due process. Because when humanity leads, justice heals. When identity leads without balance, justice divides. And the future of any progressive society depends not on who wins gender debates, but on whether we learn to protect dignity — for everyone.

The Cost of a Hashtag by Archana Jain explores the human consequences of digital outrage and social media justice. It moves beyond debates of meninism or feminism, focusing instead on humanism — fairness, empathy, and truth. The book highlights how real lives are affected when judgment becomes instant and humanity is forgotten.

Grab your copy from

Amazon:  (https://www.amazon.in/dp/9356791821)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247493521-the-cost-of-a-hashtag
Kindle: https://a.co/d/0hcjiuAP

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New Delhi [India], February 19: Policymakers, disaster risk leaders, technologists, and global experts came together on 16 February at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, for a high-level dialogue on AI for Disaster Management: Anticipatory, Hyperlocal, Scalable, hosted by SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

The session explored how artificial intelligence can help reframe disaster management from reactive response to continuous risk governance – integrating early warning, preparedness, response, and recovery into people-centred systems that strengthen decision-making and protect lives and livelihoods.

Moderator of the panel Dr. Anshu Sharma, brought together diverse perspectives from government, global institutions, and the technology ecosystem to examine how AI can move beyond pilots and dashboards toward solutions that governments can absorb, trust, and scale, while remaining inclusive and application-based.

Drawing on state-level experience, Prof. V.K. Sharma, Vice-Chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority, Sikkim, reflected on how the state rebuilt after the 2011 earthquake by embedding disaster resilience into every reconstructed asset – from homes and hospitals to public infrastructure. He highlighted the use of technology-enabled monitoring and vulnerability assessments to ensure accountability and resilience at scale, noting that the next step lies in moving from fragmented pilots to systematic application of AI across regions facing recurrent risk, particularly in the Himalayas and South Asia.

From a global governance perspective, Dr. Sujit Kumar Mohanty, Chief of Branch for Intergovernmental, Interagency Cooperation and Partnerships at UNDRR, underscored that while AI capabilities are advancing rapidly, their real value depends on institutional readiness. He emphasised that decision-makers – from district magistrates to national authorities – require legal frameworks, policies, and institutional capacity to act on AI-based insights. Without this enabling environment, even the most sophisticated tools risk remaining unused, he cautioned.

Representing the technology ecosystem, Akshay Zadgaonkar, Director at SavyCode, spoke about India’s distinct approach to AI – focused not on competing in large language model races, but on building context-specific, resource-efficient solutions.

He highlighted the potential of edge AI and lightweight “pocket models” that can function offline and on limited compute, enabling disaster risk applications in low-connectivity settings.

Focusing on equity and inclusion, Anand Rajan, Founder of Apurva.ai, emphasised that disaster risk and climate challenges cannot be addressed through averages alone. He argued for AI architectures that recognise long-tail vulnerabilities and treat communities as co-creators of solutions rather than passive beneficiaries, ensuring that the most vulnerable remain visible in decision-making systems.

Bringing in the perspective of nature-based and environmental intelligence, Snehal Verma, Co-founder of NatureDots, spoke about the role of foundational AI models in addressing disaster and climate risks in data-scarce regions. She articulated how hyperlocal, predictive insights – particularly in water and natural resource systems – can enable early action, reduce losses, and support both disaster preparedness and sustainable development.

Across the discussion, speakers stressed on the need to balance bottom-up community realities with top-down governance systems. AI, they noted, offers a bridge between contemporary scientific knowledge and community wisdom – supporting welfare for all and enabling resilient development pathways.

Building on these perspectives, Arijit Das, Regional Director – SEEDS, demonstrated how SEEDS is integrating AI into disaster resilience systems across India. Drawing from field experience, he showed how AI is driving a shift from reactive response to anticipatory, hyperlocal, and scalable risk management. The presentation outlined how combining weather data, satellite imagery, and vulnerability indicators can predict risk at the asset and community level, allowing early action. He added that AI must move beyond simply layering technology onto existing systems to fundamentally reshaping how risk is understood and acted upon. AI-supported assessments can also deliver near real-time damage insights, leading to faster recovery and response.

The session concluded with a shared call to move beyond isolated innovations toward integrated, people-centred risk governance systems, positioning India’s experience as globally relevant in an era of escalating climate and disaster – driving solutions that are both inclusive and application-based.

About SEEDS

SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) is a leading non-profit organization with over three decades of experience in building resilience among communities vulnerable to disasters and the impacts of climate change. Combining innovative technologies with traditional wisdom, SEEDS designs and implements solutions that strengthen disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. With a special focus on marginalized groups, the organization works closely with local governments and community networks to equip people with the knowledge and resources needed to face future risks with confidence.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Sushmita Malaviya

Associate Director, Strategic Communications and Marketing, SEEDS

sushmita@seedsindia.org

+91 9717243131

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The AI-powered platform, founded by CEO Pallav Tamaskar and Founder Prithvi Damera, automates 80 percent of marketing execution and is already used by customers in the US, India, and the Middle East.

New Delhi [India], February 19: Turgo.ai, an AI-powered marketing execution platform developed in India, today announced its official global launch and the close of a $1M pre-seed funding round from a select group of senior executives in tech, retail, and finance. This launch positions Turgo.ai as a leader in the new category of autonomous marketing execution, starting a movement to turn every marketer into a “super marketer.”

Founded by a team of seasoned marketing and technology leaders, Turgo.ai automates up to 80% of end-to-end marketing tasks that have traditionally required significant manual effort and a fragmented stack of tools. The platform operates through a coordinated network of AI agents that execute marketing activities across the full funnel without requiring human coordination between each step.

How Turgo.ai Works: A Coordinated Network of AI Agents

The platform’s core capabilities cover six areas of marketing execution:

1. Outbound Campaign Execution: Builds, sequences, and sends targeted outbound campaigns across email and LinkedIn, personalizing at scale.

2. AI Voice Calling: Deploys voice agents that engage, qualify, and route prospects through defined conversation flows.

3. Inbound Lead Qualification: Immediately scores, enriches, and qualifies leads from any source, routing high-value prospects to sales without delay.

4. Paid Media Optimization: Monitors and adjusts paid campaigns in real time, making bid and budget decisions based on performance signals.

5. RevOps Automation: Connects marketing activity to sales pipeline automatically, updating CRM records and managing deal stage progression.

6. Social Selling: Operates LinkedIn outreach and engagement programs at scale, nurturing relationships through automated sequences.

“We’re not just building a tool; we’re starting a movement that was born in India and is built for the world,” said Pallav Tamaskar, CEO and Co-Founder of Turgo.ai. “For too long, marketers have been bogged down by the manual, repetitive tasks that consume their time and budget. We’ve assembled a team of operators who have lived this pain to build the solution we wished we had. This funding from fellow industry leaders is a powerful validation of our approach.”

The founding team’s credibility is a key differentiator. Pallav Tamaskar, CEO, is a Fortune 500-trained CMO with nearly 20 years of experience, complemented by Founder Prithvi Damera, a B2B and tech expert with over 15 years of experience. The wider team of nearly 50 includes talent from some of the top companies in the B2B and B2C space.

Since its MVP launch in Q4 2025, Turgo.ai has already demonstrated strong product-market fit with over 30 pilot customers across the US, India, and the Middle East.

“The marketing landscape is more complex than ever,” said Prithvi Damera, Founder of Turgo.ai. “Our platform simplifies that complexity by automating the ‘how’ so marketers can focus on the ‘why.’ We’re giving them the power to execute campaigns at a scale and speed that was previously impossible, and we are proud to have engineered this capability right here in India.”

To celebrate the launch, Turgo.ai is offering exclusive access to the first 50 users who sign up. Others will be invited to join a waitlist.

About Turgo.ai

Turgo.ai is an AI-powered marketing execution platform that automates up to 80% of end-to-end marketing tasks. Headquartered in India, Turgo.ai serves customers globally and is on a mission to create a world of “super marketers.”

Media Contact:

Anudeep Devata
COO
anudeep@growstack.ai

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Surat (Gujarat) [India], February 18: The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has organised the grand “SITEX – Surat International Textile Expo 2026” in Surat from 21st to 23rd February 2026 at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC), Chamber of Commerce road, Sarsana, Surat.

SGCCI President Mr. Nikhil Madrasi stated that the three-day exhibition, held under the aegis of SGCCI and The Southern Gujarat Chamber Trade & Industries Development Centre, aims to provide a global platform to Surat’s textile industry. This is the 13th edition of the SITEX series and the second edition being organised within the same year.

World-class textile machinery and advanced technologies are being showcased at the expo, including several machines being launched and displayed in India and globally for the first time in Surat. The exhibition is expected to strengthen Surat’s identity as a major textile hub and attract buyers, manufacturers, and technology experts from across the country and abroad.

More than 110 exhibitors from various textile centres across India are participating, while over 20,000 visitors have already registered online. The event is expected to draw more than 30,000 textile industry stakeholders from over 150 cities nationwide.

Due to the large-scale display of textile machinery and ancillaries, entry for children below 16 years of age is strictly prohibited.

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], February 18: MUKTI, a non-profit organisation working across the Sundarbans and other vulnerable regions on issues of livelihood, education, health, environment, and social justice, successfully organised Run for Safe Food 2026, bringing together communities to advocate for safe, organic, and sustainable food systems alongside healthy living.

The event witnessed participation from more than 2,000 people across multiple categories, including the 5×5 Relay Run, 10K Run, 5K Run, and 3K Walkathon, reflecting a shared commitment towards responsible consumption and community well-being. Participants included runners, community groups, partners, and supporters from diverse backgrounds.

The programme commenced with an inaugural session and a cultural performance by the Mukti team, followed by a tribute to 25 farmers in recognition of their contributions to sustainable agricultural practices. The farmers were felicitated with traditional tokens and essential tools as a mark of respect and solidarity.

The event was graced by brand ambassador Mrs Rituparna Sengupta, whose presence added inspiration and encouragement to participants and strengthened the overall message of the initiative.

The races were flagged off in a phased sequence, starting with the Relay Run at 5:30 AM, followed by the 10K, 5K, and Walkathon events. Pre-run Zumba sessions and guided warm-ups created an engaging and energetic environment for all participants.

A diverse range of stalls showcased organic processed food, handicrafts, and soft toys, while a model of Mukti’s Bio-Village offered visitors insights into sustainable rural practices. Several other NGOs also participated, creating a vibrant platform for exchange, collaboration, and community engagement.

Fresh, hot organic food was served to participants and guests and was widely appreciated. The initiative played a key role in promoting healthy consumption while helping to break common myths and address unknowns surrounding organic and chemical-free food practices.

The event also included the felicitation of Run Ambassadors, Pacers, and Cycle Marshals, along with recognition of community partners and top-performing teams. Performances by children from Mukti’s programmes added to the spirit of the occasion, while sponsors and supporters were acknowledged for their contributions. Podium ceremonies celebrated winners across categories, highlighting both performance and participation.

The initiative received strong appreciation from the running community of Kolkata, reinforcing the need for more such awareness-driven programmes in the future.

Through this initiative, MUKTI continues to strengthen its efforts in raising awareness around food safety, sustainable agriculture, and community-led action.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks followed by the national anthem, marking the successful culmination of the event.

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The Crowned Canvas, Ultimate Poetry Showdown, India’s Dancing Jewel, and The Singing Saga celebrate India’s rising creative talent

New Delhi [India], February 18: Filter Crown has officially announced the national winners of its flagship multi-disciplinary competitions – The Crowned Canvas – Arts & Painting Challenge, Ultimate Poetry & Creative Writing Showdown, India’s Dancing Jewel, and The Singing Saga. The large-scale creative initiative brought together participants from across India, offering a unified platform for visual artists, writers, dancers, and singers to gain national recognition.

With thousands of entries spanning multiple artistic disciplines, the competitions were evaluated through a structured multi-stage process by expert juries. Participants were assessed on technical skill, originality, presentation, and emotional impact, making the final selection highly competitive.

Visual Artists Shine in The Crowned Canvas

The Crowned Canvas – Arts & Painting Challenge showcased exceptional talent across acrylic, watercolor, oil, mixed media, and digital art categories.

Winner: Meera Nair, Kerala, Watercolor
First Runner-Up: Aarav Kulkarni, Maharashtra, Acrylic
Second Runner-Up: Ishaan Gupta, Delhi, Digital Art

Top 10 Finalists

1. Meera Nair – Kerala – Watercolor
2. Aarav Kulkarni – Maharashtra – Acrylic
3. Ishaan Gupta – Delhi – Digital Art
4. Kavita Joshi – Uttarakhand – Oil Painting
5. Rohan Patel – Gujarat – Mixed Media
6. Snehal Deshpande – Maharashtra – Acrylic
7. Aniket Roy – West Bengal – Charcoal
8. Pooja Reddy – Telangana – Contemporary
9. Manav Bansal – Punjab – Abstract
10. Nidhi Saxena – Uttar Pradesh – Watercolor

Jury Special Mention

Tashi Dolma, Ladakh – Traditional Folk Art Revival

The winning artworks demonstrated strong conceptual narratives, refined techniques, and a compelling blend of traditional and contemporary visual language.

Literary Excellence in the Ultimate Poetry & Creative Writing Showdown

The Ultimate Poetry & Creative Writing Showdown highlighted powerful voices in poetry, short fiction, and creative prose.

Winner: Rahul Verma, Uttar Pradesh, Short Story
First Runner-Up: Ananya Sharma, Rajasthan, Poetry
Second Runner-Up: Ishita Banerjee, West Bengal, Creative Prose

Top 10 Finalists

1. Rahul Verma – Uttar Pradesh – Short Story
2. Ananya Sharma – Rajasthan – Poetry
3. Ishita Banerjee – West Bengal – Creative Prose
4. Aditya Nair – Kerala – Poetry
5. Simran Kaur – Punjab – Personal Essay
6. Vivek Tiwari – Madhya Pradesh – Flash Fiction
7. Neha Kulshrestha – Delhi – Poetry
8. Arjun Rao – Karnataka – Short Story
9. Pooja Sharma – Himachal Pradesh – Creative Prose
10. Farhan Ali – Bihar – Poetry

Jury Special Mention

Lobsang Angmo, Arunachal Pradesh – Indigenous Narrative Writing

Judges praised the winning entries for their linguistic depth, originality, and publication-ready quality, reflecting the strength of emerging Indian literature.

India’s Dancing Jewel Celebrates Movement and Tradition

India’s Dancing Jewel provided a national stage for performers across classical, contemporary, and freestyle dance forms.

Winner: Arjun Singh, Punjab, Contemporary
First Runner-Up: Kavya Iyer, Tamil Nadu, Bharatanatyam
Second Runner-Up: Sneha Patil, Maharashtra, Kathak

Top 10 Finalists

1. Arjun Singh – Punjab – Contemporary
2. Kavya Iyer – Tamil Nadu – Bharatanatyam
3. Sneha Patil – Maharashtra – Kathak
4. Riya Das – Assam – Sattriya
5. Manish Yadav – Haryana – Hip-Hop
6. Anjali Nair – Kerala – Mohiniyattam
7. Tsering Lhamo – Himachal Pradesh – Folk Fusion
8. Devansh Mehta – Gujarat – Garba Fusion
9. Priyanka Sen – West Bengal – Odissi
10. Rohit Kumar – Bihar – Freestyle

Jury Special Mention

Chanchal Oraon, Jharkhand – Tribal Folk Dance Preservation

The finalists impressed the jury with technical precision, expressive storytelling, and innovative choreography.

The Singing Saga Discovers New Musical Voices

The Singing Saga featured vocalists across classical, Bollywood, indie, and folk genres, evaluated on vocal control, tonal quality, and stage presence.

Winner: Priya Menon, Karnataka, Classical
First Runner-Up: Rohan Deshmukh, Maharashtra, Bollywood
Second Runner-Up: Aditya Das, Assam, Indie

Top 10 Finalists

1. Priya Menon – Karnataka – Classical
2. Rohan Deshmukh – Maharashtra – Bollywood
3. Aditya Das – Assam – Indie
4. Shreya Mukherjee – West Bengal – Rabindra Sangeet
5. Kunal Sharma – Delhi – Indie Pop
6. Aditi Mishra – Uttar Pradesh – Semi-Classical
7. Harpreet Kaur – Punjab – Sufi
8. Nikhil Jain – Rajasthan – Bollywood
9. Tania D’Souza – Goa – Western Vocal
10. Suraj Thakur – Himachal Pradesh – Folk

Jury Special Mention

Merenla Jamir, Nagaland – Tribal Folk Vocal

Music experts noted that several finalists demonstrated strong potential for professional recording and live performance opportunities.

State-wise Representation

This edition of Filter Crown competitions featured finalists from:

North: Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
South: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana
East: West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
West: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa
Central: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh (participants), Bihar
Union & Himalayan Regions: Ladakh

This diverse participation highlights the platform’s pan-India reach and cultural inclusivity.

A Unified National Platform for Creative Talent

By integrating visual art, literature, dance, and music into a single national framework, Filter Crown has created a holistic ecosystem for emerging creators. Participants not only competed for titles but also gained digital credentials, national exposure, and professional portfolio value.

Platform Vision and Future Programs

Filter Crown said the competitions were designed to provide structured recognition, digital credentials and national exposure to emerging creators. Winners will receive official titles and feature opportunities across the platform’s media and showcase initiatives.

“Our objective is to build a unified ecosystem where artists, writers, dancers and musicians receive equal recognition and credible pathways for growth,” a Filter Crown spokesperson said.

The organization plans to expand future editions with additional categories, curated showcases and collaborative programs aimed at supporting independent talent.

About Filter Crown

Filter Crown is a national creative talent platform dedicated to discovering and promoting emerging artists, writers, dancers and musicians through professionally structured competitions and digital showcases. The platform focuses on providing recognition, exposure and portfolio-building opportunities for independent creators across India.

Through its multi-disciplinary initiatives, Filter Crown aims to create a unified ecosystem that supports visual arts, literature, performing arts and music while encouraging cultural diversity and innovation.

Credits

Organized and Presented by Filter Crown
National Creative Competitions Division

Official Website: https://www.filtercrown.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filtercrown

Media Contact

Media Relations Team
Filter Crown
Email: hello.filtercrown@gmail.com

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New Delhi [India], February 18: The 12th edition of the Roman BIA Cricket Tournament concluded successfully, marking yet another milestone in the Bombay Industries Association’s efforts to promote sportsmanship, camaraderie, and industry networking. The much-anticipated tournament brought together 12 Elite Team representing 120 Players Founders of prominent organizations across diverse sectors, creating an energetic blend of healthy competition and collaboration.

The tournament witnessed thrilling matches throughout the day, with teams displaying exceptional skill, teamwork, and sporting spirit. Beyond the excitement on the field, the event served as a vibrant platform for professionals to engage in meaningful interactions in an informal and high-energy environment, strengthening bonds within the business community.

Tournament Results

•    Winners: Kapri Ninja, led by Mr. Rohan Dasadia of Kapri Corp

•    1st Runner-Up: Lords Super Warrior, led by Mr. Pushpendra Bansal of Lords Resorts & Hotels

•    2nd Runner-Up: Shamkris Super Kings, led by Mr. Shyam Sharma of Shamkris Global Group

The tournament was strongly supported by an impressive lineup of partners. Roman Group served as the Title Partner, with Insync – Shop Fitting as the Co-Title Partner. Additional support came from leading brands, including Warpp Engineers, Arco Group, Suru Chemicals, Healthy Hugs, JE Engineering, and Total Sports, whose collective contributions played a vital role in enhancing the scale, experience, and overall success of the event.

The 12th Roman BIA Cricket Tournament was organized under the leadership of BIA President Mr. Hitesh Shah by BIA Secretary Mr. Ritesh Choksi and the Sports Committee, chaired by Mr. Kumar Doshi & Mr. Mit Chheda, under the guidance of Past President Mr. Manan Doshi & Mr. Ashish Gandhi, along with the full support of the BIA Office Bearers. Their vision and meticulous planning ensured a seamless and memorable sporting experience for all participants.

With enthusiastic participation and strong competitive energy, the tournament once again reaffirmed its status as a flagship annual sporting event, fostering wellness, unity, and a shared sense of purpose within the industry.

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