Tag: India

TechPulse

Lenskart Set to Launch AI-Powered Smart Glasses in December, Built on Gemini 2.5

Tanisha Cardozo

Eyewear major Lenskart is preparing to enter the smart wearables market with the launch of its first AI-powered smart glasses by the end of December 2025. According to sources familiar with the development, the device, internally referred to as “B by Lenskart Smartglasses”, will integrate advanced AI-based interactions, health and wellness insights, and even UPI payment functionality. This move represents Lenskart’s most ambitious step yet in repositioning itself as a technology-led lifestyle brand.

The upcoming smart glasses are reportedly built on the Gemini 2.5 platform and are likely powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset, a processor designed for lightweight augmented reality and AI-driven camera applications. The product launch could follow shortly after Lenskart’s stock market debut on November 10, signaling a strong synergy between its financial expansion and technological ambitions.

A person familiar with the company’s strategy said that the smart glasses aim to integrate AI and commerce seamlessly into everyday eyewear, making them more than just a vision aid — transforming them into an interactive, connected accessory. Lenskart’s partnership with Qualcomm, announced earlier this year at the Snapdragon for India XR Day, further solidifies its commitment to building AR and AI solutions tailored to Indian consumers.

Over the past year, Lenskart has been actively investing in AI, XR, and computer vision startups to strengthen its in-house technological capabilities. The company’s public issue, launched on October 31 to raise ₹7,278 crore at an estimated valuation of ₹70,000 crore (USD 8 billion), was fully subscribed on the first day.

If the launch proves successful, Lenskart could become one of the first Indian consumer technology brands to commercialize AI-driven eyewear, entering a market currently led by products such as Meta-Ray-Ban Smart Glasses and Amazon Echo Frames. With a focus on affordability, functionality, and design tailored for Indian consumers, Lenskart’s smart glasses could mark a defining moment in the evolution of India’s wearable technology landscape.

National

PM Modi Launches ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme at ESTIC 2025 to Power India’s Innovation Revolution

Tanisha Cardozo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Emerging Science & Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking a historic moment for India’s scientific and innovation landscape. Addressing the gathering of over 3,000 participants, including Nobel Laureates, leading scientists, researchers, academics, policymakers, and industry representatives, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for collaboration in the twenty-first century’s fast-changing world of science and technology. “Today is a big day in the world of science and technology,” he said. “There was a great need for experts from around the world to come together to brainstorm on emerging science, technology, and innovation, and to show direction together. This need gave birth to the vision of this conclave.”

As part of the inaugural ceremony, Prime Minister Modi launched the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund, a ₹1 lakh crore corpus designed to encourage private sector investment in research and development. The fund aims to create capital availability for projects that involve higher risk but carry the potential for large-scale impact. “This ₹1 lakh crore is for you. It is to increase your capabilities. It is to open new opportunities for you,” PM Modi declared, stressing the government’s commitment to promoting research and development within the private sector. He explained that for the first time, India is extending capital support to high-risk, high-impact ventures to accelerate technological breakthroughs.

He also announced the establishment of the *Anusandhan Research Foundation, a new institution that will strengthen research and innovation across universities, creating new pathways for academic and technological advancement. Reflecting on India’s recent scientific milestones, the Prime Minister pointed to the successful launch of *GSAT-7R, India’s heaviest communication satellite, congratulating ISRO scientists for their dedication and vision. He further cited India’s pandemic response, noting how the country developed an indigenous COVID-19 vaccine in record time and executed the world’s largest vaccination drive, enabled by its robust digital public infrastructure.

Alongside the fund launch, PM Modi released a coffee table book showcasing India’s scientific achievements and unveiled a vision document outlining the strategic direction for science and technology in the years ahead. ESTIC 2025 will run as a three-day conclave, featuring discussions across 11 thematic areas including advanced materials and manufacturing, artificial intelligence, bio-manufacturing, digital communications, quantum technologies, energy and climate solutions, and space sciences.

The event embodies India’s resolve to transform from a technology consumer into a global innovation powerhouse. With bold initiatives such as the RDI Fund and the Anusandhan Research Foundation, India is positioning itself to lead the world in deep-tech, research, and innovation — paving the way for a self-reliant, technologically advanced Bharat.

National

Kerala Declares Victory Over Extreme Poverty: 64,006 Families Lifted Out of Poverty

Tanisha Cardozo

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally announced in the state assembly on November 1, coinciding with Kerala Formation Day, that the state has eradicated extreme poverty. The LDF government claims Kerala is the first state in India to achieve this milestone, a feat accomplished through the four-year-long Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project launched in 2021.

The program identified 64,006 families, comprising 1,03,099 individuals, as extremely poor through extensive ground-level surveys. Indicators such as access to food, health, housing, and livelihood were used to determine eligibility, ensuring assistance reached those in greatest need.

MB Rajesh, minister for local self-governments, explained that the project’s success stems from targeted support and a clear understanding of the needs of even the smallest population segment. A NITI Aayog study previously highlighted that Kerala already had the lowest poverty rate in India at 0.7%, making the eradication of extreme poverty a feasible, focused objective.

However, the announcement was met with protest from the Congress-led UDF opposition, who staged a walkout from the assembly and called the government’s claim “pure fraud.” Opposition leader V D Satheesan stated that the announcement was in contempt of House rules.

Responding to the protest, CM Vijayan remarked that the government only claims what it can implement, and this milestone reflects tangible results of the dedicated program. The Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project has now officially marked a historic achievement for Kerala, highlighting the state’s commitment to social welfare and inclusive development.

Sports

Diana Pundole to Make History as the First Indian Woman to Race a Ferrari Internationally

Tanisha Cardozo

Indian motorsport is set to witness a historic moment as Diana Pundole, a 32-year-old racer from Pune, becomes the first Indian woman to race a Ferrari internationally. Beginning November 2025, she will take part in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East, driving the powerful Ferrari 296 Challenge — a track-only, high-performance machine from the legendary Italian marque.

The championship will run from November 2025 to April 2026, featuring races across some of the most iconic Formula One circuits in the Middle East — including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

“It’s truly an incredible honour,” said Pundole. “Being part of the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East as the first Indian woman is a proud moment not just for me but for women in Indian motorsport. I hope it encourages more women to pursue their passion for racing.”

Pundole began her racing journey in 2018 through the JK Tyre Women in Motorsport program, where she quickly stood out for her competitive spirit and multiple podium finishes. Since then, she has continued to make her mark in Indian motorsport, earning respect for her discipline and technical skill behind the wheel.

Now, her participation in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East represents a major milestone for Indian women in racing — and a proud moment for the country’s growing motorsport community.

With her signature blend of determination and talent, Diana Pundole is not only racing a Ferrari — she’s racing into history.

Sports

FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 Returns to India After 23 Years, to Be Held in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The global spotlight returns to India as the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 is set to unfold in the scenic coastal state of Goa, marking a monumental return of the tournament to Indian soil after over two decades. Scheduled from October 31 to November 27, the event will be hosted at the plush Resort Rio in Bardez, Arpora — a venue that blends luxury with Goa’s laid-back coastal charm.

A total of 206 elite players from 82 countries will vie for a share of the impressive $2 million prize fund in a nail-biting knockout format. But the stakes go beyond the prize money — the top three finishers will earn a golden ticket to the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the gateway to the World Chess Championship.

Among the notable contenders are household names in world chess: Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa R, Anish Giri, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Vincent Keymer, Hans Niemann, Wesley So, Richard Rapport, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Vidit Gujrathi, and Nihal Sarin. A special highlight will be 12-year-old Argentinian prodigy Faustino Oro, who is set to become the youngest participant in the tournament’s history.

Indian chess fans have another reason to celebrate with the inclusion of Divya Deshmukh in the Open Section through a wildcard entry, marking a significant step for Indian women in elite chess.

The tournament’s return to India underlines the country’s rapid rise in the global chess hierarchy — not just as a breeding ground for prodigies, but as a serious stage for international events. With recent triumphs from Indian grandmasters and increasing national interest, India is poised to redefine its place on the global chess map.

Adding to the excitement is a culturally immersive logo that blends Goa’s signature symbols — a palm tree swaying over a blue wave, a red checkered chessboard, and a yellow sun radiating warmth — creating a visual identity that is as vibrant as the host state itself.

Further elevating the spirit is the official anthem, sung by iconic Indian artist Daler Mehendi. The song celebrates India not only as a host but as a protagonist in global chess. Through the lens of key players — Tania Sachdev, Gukesh, Humpy Koneru, and Vidit — the anthem embodies the pillars of Indian chess: talent, tradition, intellect, and inspiration.

With the perfect blend of tradition, talent, and tropical beauty, the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa is set to be more than a tournament — it will be a celebration of chess, culture, and India’s enduring rise on the global stage.