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Geospatial World Forum 2022 commences in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM, May 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Geospatial World Forum 2022 (GWF 2022), one of the most prestigious geospatial conferences and annual gatherings of geospatial professionals from across the globe, kicked off in Amsterdam on May 10, at the Taets Art and Event Park Amsterdam – Zaanstad. The three-day conference, which runs till 12 May, is produced by Geospatial World and co-hosted by Dutch Kadaster.
With the theme “Geography & Humanity”, GWF 2022 aims to trace the historical relevance of the geospatial profession, depicting its current value and setting the tone for the future. Discussions will revolve around the interaction between geography and humanity concerning the sustainability of not only the ecosystems but also the interdependent society and economy.
Year 2022 also marks Geospatial World’s 25 years of service.
Sanjay Kumar, Founder & CEO, Geospatial World opened the conference with his talk on the importance of geography and humanity. “There can’t be a better time than this to discuss ‘Connecting Geography and Humanity’ as the world talks about sustainability, and we are going through transformative challenges beyond COVID, such as climate change or geopolitics.” He said geospatial technology adds a crucial spatial dimension to knowledge infrastructure, and is a key to achieve sustainability.
The occasion also saw a congratulatory message from Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, which was read out by Kumar. In the message, Modi said, “In today’s technology-driven age, geospatial knowledge plays a crucial role towards socio-economic development. It is imperative for nations and societies to invest in making geospatial knowledge infrastructure vibrant.”
He also underlined that in the past eight years, the Indian government has undertaken wide-ranging measures to deepen the reach of geospatial services for all-around development. “We have liberalized policies related to geospatial data to bring a positive transformation in the lives of common man with the help of technology and facilitate the development of Indian geospatial innovations to empower small businesses. India’s efforts emphasize on unlocking immense opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs by promoting research in creation of digital public goods. It will open new avenues for location-based services and create huge employment opportunities for our youth,” he said. 
In his introductory remark Frank Tierolff, Chair Executive Board, Kadaster, The Netherlands said, “SDGs (sustainable development goals) embody a better world that we want to create for ourselves and future generations. SDGs require sound, reliable and actual information.” He shared an interesting journey of Kadaster. “At a time of mega transformations and disruptions, navigating uncertainty and precarity for the shore of certainty is what concrete planning is all about in an ever-changing world, certainty is as important as freedom,” he said.
As part of his ministerial address, Malaysia’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham bin Baba, said, “I am confident that the sharing and takeaways from this intellectual discourse would provide an important impetus for the global communities to collectively address common challenges and take affirmative actions that are science and evidence-based in order to achieve sustainable development.”
The adoption of geospatial technologies has great potential to strengthen Malaysia’s competitiveness in critical areas, such as food security, forest management, physical development planning, as well as national defence and security. “The Malaysia Space-X 2030 Blueprint aims to create a comprehensive national space ecosystem. To support the blueprint, the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) has developed 40 centralized and integrated space-based remote sensing and geospatial application systems and databases that have managed to improve public service delivery through the increased use of space technology,” the Minister highlighted.
Congratulating the Forum, Reenat Sandhu Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of the Netherlands said, “Technology has reshaped and continues to reshape the world around us. In today’s technology driven age, geospatial knowledge plays a crucial role. India’s geospatial economy was valued at about USD 5 billion in 2021 and employs approximately 470,000 people across the country. By 2025, the geospatial economy has the potential to grow to more than USD 8 billion with employment in the sector rising to over 950,000 people. There is therefore a huge potential that is yet to be realized. The Government of India has been creating an enabling environment to facilitate private participation in the geospatial services.”
In her address YB Chong Eng, Executive Councillor for Social Development & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, Penang State Government, Malaysia said, “The theme of this forum, ‘Geography and Humanity’, highlights the link between geography and social connectivity. As we have discovered during the pandemic, it is particularly important to maintain this link in times of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital technologies has been instrumental in bridging the geographic divide to keep individuals and communities connected to the governments and civil society organizations mandated to serve them.”
Value of geospatial technologies Geospatial and location technologies have been foundational to the digital revolution, and have taken a centerstage since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. With climate change-induced extreme weather impacts and geopolitical tensions in Europe and other parts of the world now adding to the problems, the role of geospatial data and technologies is expected to become more crucial.
The Global Geospatial Market Size is estimated to be USD 452 billion in 2022. It is forecasted to grow at 14.61 percent CAGR reaching USD 681 billion by 2025. However, after 2025, the industry is expected to grow at a much faster rate of 16.1 percent, touching USD 1.44 trillion by 2030, according to the GeoBuiz-22: Global Geospatial Industry Outlook Report that came out last month.
According to the annual report produced by GW Consulting, Geospatial World’s consulting division, the current growth rate is driven by technology innovation, integration of workflows, and augmentation of spatial analytics in business processes. The spurt in growth post 2025 will be due to the current public policy reforms and increasing investments in geospatial infrastructure (both public and private) and industry acceleration programs worldwide. The growth impact of public policies and industrial acceleration is estimated to be USD 373 billion between 2025 to 2030 as compared to USD 38 billion in the year 2025, carving out a greater role for national geospatial agencies and governments.
About Geospatial World ForumGeospatial World Forum is one of the most prestigious global geospatial conferences and annual gatherings of geospatial professionals across the world. This year’s edition GWF 2022 runs from May 10 to May 12 at the Taets Art and Event Park, Zaanstad, Amsterdam. The three-day conference is produced by Geospatial World and co-hosted by Dutch Kadaster.
Visit website for more information: https://geospatialworldforum.org/index.html
About Geospatial WorldGeospatial World is a global think tank working towards raising awareness around the use of geospatial data and technologies among governments and policymakers, businesses, and the public at large. Its mission is ‘Making a Difference through Geospatial Knowledge in World Economy and Society’. Primarily a knowledge organization, Geospatial World pursues thought leadership, policy advocacy and technology evangelism through various activities and platforms.
Visit website for more information: https://www.geospatialworld.net/
Media ContactsAnusuya Datta Vice President, Marketing and Communications anusuya@geospatialworld.net   
Meenal Dhande Associate Editor & Product Manager – Europe meenal@geospatialworld.net

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IIT Delhi Spinout DeepLase Raises ₹6 Crore Seed Round co-led by Kavachh and Yali Capital

NEW DELHI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DeepLase Technologies, an IIT Delhi–incubated deep-tech photonics startup developing advanced optical fiber platforms, high-performance fiber lasers, and integrated photonics systems, has raised ₹6 crore in seed funding in a round co-led by Mounttech Growth Fund – Kavachh and Yali Capital.

The company will use the capital to expand its engineering and manufacturing capabilities, accelerate product commercialization, and scale deployments across high-impact sectors including precision industrial automation, optical communications, advanced sensing, quantum technologies, and healthcare instrumentation.DeepLase was founded by Dr. Deepak Jain, a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, whose research focuses on advanced optical fiber technologies and laser systems. The company is focused on designing next-generation specialty optical fibers and fiber-laser platforms engineered for applications requiring exceptional stability, energy efficiency, spectral precision, and long-term operational reliability.As global data consumption accelerates and artificial intelligence infrastructure expands, optical technologies have become the backbone of modern digital systems. Data centers, telecommunications networks, and emerging AI hardware platforms increasingly depend on advanced photonic components capable of delivering higher bandwidth, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency. DeepLase is developing specialty optical fiber platforms designed to address these rapidly evolving performance requirements.Lasers today are foundational tools across precision manufacturing, sensing, optical communications, semiconductor fabrication, medical diagnostics, and emerging quantum systems. However, many existing laser platforms remain complex to integrate and are optimized primarily for laboratory environments. DeepLase aims to bridge the gap between scientific-grade optical performance and scalable, deployable industrial systems by developing robust laser architectures engineered for real-world applications. “Our goal is to build laser platforms that combine advanced optical fiber design, novel materials engineering, and robust system-level reliability,” said Dr. Jain, Founder and Director of DeepLase. “As industries and research domains become increasingly dependent on controlled light sources, the demand for stable, scalable, and application-ready laser systems is growing rapidly. We are developing technologies that deliver high performance while remaining practical for deployment in demanding industrial environments.”Investors believe DeepLase reflects a broader shift toward deep-technology innovation emerging from India’s academic research ecosystem, particularly in critical areas such as photonics and advanced manufacturing. “Photonics technologies are becoming foundational infrastructure for modern industry, powering everything from advanced manufacturing and telecommunications to sensing and next-generation computing systems,” said Raj Sethia, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Mounttech Growth Fund – Kavachh. “DeepLase is building core intellectual property in a strategic technology domain where global demand continues to grow rapidly. We are excited to support Dr. Deepak Jain and his team as they work to build globally competitive photonics technologies from India.””Photonic technologies hold enormous potential, and many of their most transformative applications are still emerging,” said Ganapathy Subramaniam, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Yali Capital. “DeepLase approaches photonics design from first principles, combining deep scientific expertise with a clear pathway toward commercialization. The team brings together strong research capability with an understanding of real-world deployment challenges, positioning them well to translate advanced photonics into scalable industrial platforms. We believe Dr. Deepak Jain and his team have the potential to deliver photonics technologies at a global scale.”Prior to this round, DeepLase received support through multiple government innovation and deep-tech commercialization programs, reinforcing its mission to develop indigenous, high-value photonics technologies with global relevance. The company’s long-term vision is to build globally competitive photonics infrastructure from India, enabling next-generation optical systems that power advanced computing, communications, industrial manufacturing, and scientific discovery.About DeepLaseDeepLase Technologies is a photonics startup incubated at the FITT, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi focused on developing next-generation specialty optical fibers and high-performance fiber-laser systems. Its technologies target applications in industrial manufacturing, optical communications, sensing, healthcare instrumentation, and emerging quantum technologies. DeepLase aims to translate cutting-edge photonics research into scalable industrial platforms that can power the next generation of optical systems worldwide.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937859/DeepLase_Founders.jpg 

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Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia’s book ‘The Power of Doing Good’ coming out this Vaisakhi, from HarperCollins India

The book talks about seva, rooted in Sikhism and relevant for all, which can lead everyone to a life of happiness and purpose.GURUGRAM, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Right ahead of Vaisakhi this year, HarperCollins India is delighted to announce the upcoming publication of Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia’s debut book, The Power of Doing Good: How Seva Can Change Your Life. Taking the reader through the inspiring journey of Hemkunt Foundation and foregrounding seva as a universal life philosophy — rooted in Sikh tradition but relevant to every reader seeking purpose — this book is one for these times where amidst all the chaos, people need something like this to anchor themselves in meaning and connect to shared humanity.

Talking about the book, Harteerath says, “Writing The Power of Doing Good has been a deeply transformative journey — one shaped not just by events, but by years of observing, participating in, and reflecting upon what it truly means to serve. Through the story of Hemkunt Foundation, I have attempted to capture something more enduring than action alone: the quiet discipline of seva, rooted in Sikh principles and guided by the timeless wisdom of our Gurus — ‘Sarbat da Bhala’, well-being for all, and ‘Chardi Kala’, to remain in a state of rising spirit. This book is not merely a record of what has been done; it is an offering, an archive of goodwill shaped with intention and care. It invites the reader to look inward, and to reconsider the nature of purpose — not as something to be found in grand gestures, but in consistent, conscious acts of compassion. I have come to believe, through lived experience, that doing good is a way of being that quietly reshapes both the giver, and simultaneously the world around them. This book serves as a reminder that even the smallest act, when done with sincerity, carries within it the power to transform lives — often beginning with our own.”Trisha Bora, Executive Editor – HarperCollins India, says, “There are very few people/organizations who are as inspiring as Harteerath Singh and Hemkunt Foundation. This is a story about how impactful selfless community service can be, especially in our troubled times. Anyone who reads this book will find their lives changed for the better.”About the book –In April 2020, as a sudden nationwide lockdown left thousands of migrant workers stranded and desperate, the Singhs, a Sikh family in Gurgaon, rose to the crisis. They began preparing rotis at home and distributing them along highways to those making the arduous journey back to their villages. Their compassion sparked a movement, and through the Hemkunt Foundation, thousands across Delhi-NCR and Haryana joined in.In The Power of Doing Good, Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia shares the inspiring story of why Sikhs are born to serve — through the legacy of their eleven Gurus, and the remarkable journey of Hemkunt Foundation. This book is a timely reminder of how practicing seva can lead all to a life of deeper happiness and purpose.About the author –Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia is one of India’s most influential young humanitarians and the driving force behind Hemkunt Foundation’s modern seva movement. Recognized across the country for his fearless on-ground work — from COVID relief to the Punjab floods as well as in farmer support, animal welfare, women’s dignity initiatives and nationwide emergency responses — he embodies the rare blend of leadership, service and storytelling.A founding team member of Hemkunt Foundation, Harteerath helped scale the organization into one of India’s fastest-growing grassroots NGOs. His work includes designing high-impact relief missions, building long-term rehabilitation models, crafting donor-ready MIS systems and mobilizing lakhs of people online and offline to participate in seva. Over the years, he has led some of the largest relief efforts in India: oxygen cylinder drives during COVID, twenty-one Mobile Medical Vans serving multiple states, large-scale flood rehabilitation in Punjab, and Gurukul-based education and livelihood programs in Khandwa.Beyond humanitarian operations, Harteerath is a widely followed content creator with over 500,000 supporters across platforms. Known for his raw honesty, clarity and emotional depth, he uses his voice to champion Sikh values, inspire youth to serve, and highlight real stories from the ground.His work and impact have earned him a place in the Forbes 30 Under 30, HT City 30 Under 30, World Economic Forum’s Top 50 Social Entrepreneurs of India, Femina’s Men We Love, and MensXP’s High Impact Men lists as well as recognition as Grazia’s Social Activist of the Year.About Harpercollins Publishers IndiaHarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian Subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live! Award, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Harvard University Press, Gallup Press, Oneworld, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet. HarperCollins India has won the Publisher of the Year Award four times at Tata Literature Live! in 2022, 2021, 2018 and 2016, and at Publishing Next in 2021 & 2015. HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.For more information, please write to – shabnam.srivastava@harpercollins.co.in Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937802/The_Power_of_Doing_Good_HarperCollins.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105077/5820633/HarperCollins_Logo.jpg 

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Casio India launches music education CSR initiative in partnership with Manzil Mystics to empower young musicians and students from underserved communities

PATNA, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Japan, has announced the launch of a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on music education and livelihood creation. In partnership with Delhi-based non-profit organisation Manzil Mystics, the initiative aims to promote skill-based musical training and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for children and musicians from underserved communities.

As a company deeply rooted in the music industry through its Electronic Musical Instruments portfolio, Casio India has consistently championed the role of music in education and creativity. Building on this legacy, the newly launched initiative seeks to integrate structured music learning into community spaces and schools while enabling aspiring musicians to develop professional skills in the performing arts and media ecosystem.Under this collaboration, the program will focus on providing structured musical training through Casio electronic keyboards, alongside curriculum-based modules designed to develop practical skills that can translate into future music education. The initiative will particularly target underprivileged students studying in government schools and young musicians from low-income communities, enabling them to access high-quality music education and professional development opportunities.Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Takuto Kimura, Managing Director, Casio India, said, “At Casio, we believe that music has the power to inspire creativity, build confidence, and transform lives. Through this CSR initiative, we aim to make music education more accessible to children and young artists from underserved communities. By partnering with Manzil Mystics, we hope to nurture musical talent while creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to build sustainable careers in the creative industry.”The event commenced with a welcome address for the Casio India leadership team and representatives from Manzil Mystics, followed by a felicitation ceremony recognising key contributors and educators associated with the initiative. The program highlighted the role of music as a powerful tool for learning and creative development among young students. As part of the event, Casio India also facilitated the students with instruments from its range of electronic musical keyboards, enabling them to begin their training and supporting the broader objective of promoting skill-based music education among children from underserved communities.Through this initiative, Casio India aims to equip young learners with vocational skills in music, encourage creative expression, and support aspiring artists in pursuing sustainable careers as educators, performers, and creative professionals. The program also seeks to foster an inclusive ecosystem that celebrates India’s diverse musical traditions while preparing artists for opportunities in the country’s rapidly expanding media and entertainment industry.About Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd:Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd. (CIC) is the Indian subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Casio India has established a dynamic presence in the Indian market since 1996, emerging as a leading and cherished consumer goods manufacturer. Casio India’s range of products include sales and marketing of Timepieces, Electronic Musical Instruments, Desktop Calculators and Scientific Calculators.Setting the benchmark for excellence, Casio India is dedicated to embodying the spirit of innovation and quality that defines the Casio legacy. With a strong commitment to its corporate creed of ‘creativity and contribution,’ Casio has consistently translated this ethos into the creation of innovative products making a positive impact on society.For more information, visit https://www.casio.com/in/Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937791/CSR_Event_Casio_India.jpg 

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