News Broadcasting
Palki Sharma leaves Firstpost: Reports
NEW DELHI: According to media reports, senior journalist Palki Sharma has stepped down from her role as managing editor of Firstpost and is set to launch her own independent venture.
During her impactful tenure at Network18, Sharma was the primary architect behind Firstpost’s transformation into a global video news powerhouse. Her most notable achievement was the launch of the flagship show, Vantage with Palki Sharma, which became a digital phenomenon, driving the platform to reach 9.2 million YouTube subscribers by early 2026.
Under her leadership, the platform achieved a historic milestone of over 2 billion views in 2025, successfully repositioning the brand to offer a “uniquely Indian lens” on international affairs for a massive global audience.
According to the same reports, Firstpost has also appointed Binoy Prabhakar as its chief content officer. Prabhakar brings over 25 years of editorial experience, having previously worked with media organisations such as Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, Moneycontrol, and CNBCTV18.com. He will be responsible for guiding Firstpost’s editorial direction as the brand moves into its next phase of growth.
As Firstpost turns the page, the moves signal transition, not disruption. While Palki Sharma charts an independent path after reshaping the platform’s global voice, Binoy Prabhakar steps in to steer its next chapter with seasoned editorial leadership.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
