News Broadcasting
Milagrow founder Rajeev Karwal loses battle against Covid
MUMBAI: Milagrow Robots founder & chairman Rajeev Karwal died of Covid-19 on Wednesday morning after he was on ventilator support for almost a week. He was known for his contribution to the Indian electronics and technology space.
Karwal-founded Milagrow Human tech has installed humanoid robots at dedicated Covid-19 wards. Designed the hospitality industry, the robot had been modified to suit the requirements of the healthcare sector. At a time when doctors and other health care staff at hospitals are at risk of contracting the lethal pathogen, Milagrow’s humanoid robots deployed at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and other hospitals in the country mitigated the hazard by performing contactless monitoring of the admitted Covid-positive patients and disinfecting and sanitising the Covid wards without human help.
It is truly tragic that while his robots are helping doctors win the battle against Covid-19, Karwal himself succumbed to the disease.
The man behind Made in India robots set up Milagrow in 2007 for management consultancy and by 2012 the company transitioned to making robots for residential and industrial use. Prior to this, he was known for his brand-building efforts at LG, ONIDA, Philips and Electrolux, where he became part of the senior management. He was known transforming LG Corp as their VP of sales and marketing. He also worked as the president and CEO of Reliance Digital for a year before he founded Milagrow.
As the novel coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across India, the demand for automated solutions across sectors is high. Milagrow had introduced four humanoid robots to cater to increased demand in the healthcare, hospitality and office management industry. The robots also perform the function of disinfecting and cleaning the Covid wards.
“This humanoid is specifically for the hospitality industry but when Covid-19 broke out and the reports started to come from Italy that almost 28 per cent to 30 per cent people in the healthcare sector were infected because of the proximity with the patients, then immediately our mind started to work, that how this robot can be used in actual infectious wards where distancing between the doctor and the patient is very important,” Rajeev Karwal had told ANI in April 2020.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
