Author: Team

Aaditi Pohankar’s ‘The Prayer’ Weaves a Soulful Narrative of Faith, Fear, and Destiny

Faith is not something that fluctuates, it either exists or it doesn’t. In the absence of faith, fear takes root, shaping our reality and actions. But what happens when faith overcomes fear?! That’s the question at the heart of “The Prayer”, a short film that delves into the transformative power of unwavering faith.

Marking the debut of celebrated actor Makarand Deshpande as a producer, “The Prayer” is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film. Written and directed by Nivedita Pohankar, the film stars Aaditi Pohankar, Makarand Deshpande, and Smita Jayakar. It tells the story of a woman fighting for her brother’s life, caught between the desperation of an uncertain fate and the power of prayer.

Nivedita Pohankar reflects on the essence of the film, stating, “Faith is something deeply personal. It isn’t bound by religion, it’s the silent cry of the heart when everything else seems out of control. This film is an exploration of that raw, human emotion.” She adds, “Directing “The Prayer” was a profound experience. It gave me an opportunity to work with a brilliant team and tell a story that resonates deeply in the world we live in today, one filled with uncertainty, but also immense hope.”

The movie’s breathtaking cinematography is skillfully crafted by Amit Roy, capturing every frame with stunning visual storytelling. The seamless editing by Deepa Bhatia ensures a gripping and smooth narrative flow. The immersive sound design and meticulous re-recording mix by Kunal Mehta and Parikshit Lalvani enhance the film’s atmosphere, drawing the audience deeper into its world. Complementing these elements is the evocative music by Tubby, which adds emotional depth and elevates the cinematic experience.

Unlike films that offer clear resolutions, “The Prayer” intentionally leaves its message open-ended. It doesn’t claim that prayer changes circumstances, but rather suggests that it transforms the mind, replacing fear with strength.

Hyderabad Roadshow: Odisha Tourism Pushes Niche and Eco-Tourism to Expand Regional Footprint

Hyderabad, 4th February 2025: Odisha Tourism’s campaign to boost inbound and domestic tourism began today with a roadshow in Hyderabad. The event, organised in association with FICCI, witnessed 40+ travel operators and other tourism stakeholders from Hyderabad engaged in a series of B2B interactions.

Odisha is actively promoting its tourism sector within domestic markets by showcasing its diverse attractions, including cultural heritage monuments, waterfalls, wildlife, local cuisine, hills, and Buddhist circuits. This effort is further enhanced by the popular Eco Retreat Odisha, a three-month glamping festival that has gained widespread recognition. The roadshow, held at Taj Krishna, Hyderabad, was marked by a series of informative sessions and interactive engagements with travel operators and tourism stakeholders from Hyderabad.

Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida graced the roadshow and said, “Our unwavering commitment fosters a pro-investment environment, providing robust support for businesses. Backed by unmatched destinations and serene landscapes, opportunities across diverse tourism sub sectors, Odisha presents a golden opportunity for investors to build, grow, and thrive in one of India’s most promising tourism markets.”

She emphasized Odisha’s growing importance on the tourism map of India. Her address underscored the state government’s commitment to enhancing the tourism sector and creating an inviting environment for tourists and investors alike.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism Shri Balwant Singh highlighted the State’s extensive tourism potential and efforts to make Odisha a key destination for domestic travellers. Deliberating on the excellent road network Odisha has that connects with neighbouring States, he highlighted Odisha’s diverse tourist destinations emphasizing on the state’s potential as a premier destination for both domestic and international travellers. His presentation focused on opportunities for investors and tourism stakeholders, outlining the state’s commitment to creating a seamless environment for collaboration and growth in the sector, with a special focus on strategic investments and infrastructure development.

Shri Lokesh Kumar, Head, PMU Odisha Tourism, delivered the welcome address, inviting everyone to explore Odisha first-hand. He emphasised that the government is aiming to make the experience as smooth as possible, so that all involved parties like DTOs, DMCs and investors can maximize their potential and contribute to the growth of the sector.

The event also included a series of Interactive Q&A sessions with the stakeholders, where travel operators, tour agencies, and other tourism-related businesses from Hyderabad engaged in meaningful discussions with the Odisha Tourism delegation. These sessions facilitated valuable Business-to-Business (B2B) interactions, which are expected to strengthen ties between Odisha and Hyderabad’s travel industry. One of the major highlights of the session was the proposal for Odisha’s inclusion in prominent Tourism Plazas, which would enhance the visibility and accessibility of the state’s rich tourism offerings. Another important discussion centred around the promotion of wellness tourism in Odisha. With the increasing global interest in wellness and holistic travel experiences, the stakeholders suggested several ideas for leveraging Odisha’s natural beauty, serene landscapes, and traditional wellness practices to establish the state as a top wellness destination.

Later in the day, the Odisha Tourism delegation held a meeting with 12+ potential investors (B2G meetings) from the travel and tourism fraternity to discuss opportunities for investment in the state’s burgeoning tourism infrastructure.

Odisha Tourism delegation, led by Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Odisha also met Mr. Rohit Matta, Director Sensation Infracom Pvt. Ltd, Chairman & MD (Formula 4) Mr Akhilesh Reddy N. During the discussion, talks were initiated to explore the development of hotels, resorts, concert-led infrastructure in Odisha in collaboration with the Department of Tourism. The proposed partnerships shall aim to enhance the state’s hospitality infrastructure, offering a broader range of accommodation options for both domestic and international tourists.

Students Lead the Way for a Healthier Future at 19th Bal Parishad Event

Mumbai, February 4, 2025: The 19th edition of Bal Parishad, Salaam Bombay Foundation’s pioneering children’s health convention, took place at Shri Gauridutt Mittal Vidyalaya & Junior College, Sion, bringing together young health advocates from government schools to voice their concerns and solutions for a healthier future. This year’s event marked a historic first with the launch of the Young Changemakers Award, honouring exceptional student leaders who have actively contributed to creating tobacco-free schools and healthier communities.

Unlike conventional student councils or mock parliaments, often seen in private schools, Bal Parishad is one of the few platforms in the country where students from under-resourced government schools take the lead in addressing pressing public health challenges. Through a series of interactive discussions and presentations, these young changemakers showcased their year-long efforts in tobacco control, mental health advocacy, nutrition awareness, and sustainability initiatives.

The event was graced by an esteemed panel, including Dr. Krishna Methekar, Joint Director, FSSAI, Govt. of India, Dr. Duryodhan Chavan, Deputy Director, Health Department, Govt. of Maharashtra, and Mrs. Manisha Pawar, Deputy Director, Regional Academic Authority, Education Department, Mumbai. The panellists engaged in Q&A sessions with students, offering valuable insights, encouragement, and support for their initiatives.

The Young Changemakers Award 2025, introduced this year, recognised outstanding student-led initiatives in four key areas—tobacco control, mental well-being, nutrition, and community health awareness. The winners were lauded for their grassroots efforts in sensitising peers, engaging local shopkeepers to stop tobacco sales to minors, setting up kitchen gardens for better nutrition, and organising health camps to spread awareness of non-communicable diseases.

Tshering Bhutia, Senior Vice President, Preventive Health, Salaam Bombay Foundation, emphasised the long-term vision of Bal Parishad, stating, “This initiative is more than an event—it is a platform for students who inspire change. By empowering students with knowledge to create a dialogue for change, we are fostering a generation of young leaders who are shaping healthier communities from within.”

Researchers Utilize Kombucha SCOBY Nanocellulose to Develop Bioink for Tailored Tissue Repair

In a new breakthrough, researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SEOULTECH) have developed a novel bioink made from Kombucha SCOBY-derived nanocellulose, which provides a scaffold that supports cell growth for tissue repair. The bioink can be directly applied to the damaged areas through a handheld biopen, making it ideal for direct in vivo tissue engineering of wounds and complex defects, particularly in emergency and first-aid settings.

Tissue engineering utilizes 3D printing and bioink to grow human cells on scaffolds, creating replacements for damaged tissues like skin, cartilage, and even organs. A team of researchers led by Professor Insup Noh from Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea, has developed a bioink using nanocellulose derived from Kombucha SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) as the scaffold material. The biomaterial offers a sustainable alternative to conventional options, and it can be loaded onto a hand-held ‘Biowork’ biopen, also developed by the same team. The digital biopen allows the precise application of bioink to damaged defected areas, such as irregular cartilage and large skin wounds, paving the way for more personalized and effective in vivo tissue repair, eliminating the need for in vitro tissue engineering processes.

This paper was made available online on 28 October 2024 and subsequently published in Volume 282, Part 3, of the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules on 1 December 2024.

“Our prefabricated nanocellulose hydrogel network from symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast has the potential to be used as a platform bioink for in vivo tissue engineering by loading all types of biomolecules and drugs and direct bioprinting,” says Prof. Noh.

Kombucha SCOBY is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast used to ferment green tea. The microorganisms produce cellulose, which is biodegradable and compatible with cells. However, the nanocellulose derived from Kombucha SCOBY has an entangled structure, which requires modification for 3D bioprinting. This involves adjusting its rheological properties (how it flows) and mechanical properties to improve extrusion and maintain structural integrity after printing.

The researchers accomplished this by partially hydrolyzing nanocellulose with acetic acid, breaking glucose bonds and disentangling the network for its bioprintablity. However, this treatment lacked control of its properties, leading to a reduction of its structural strength. The team reinforced the nanocellulose with chitosan (positively charged) and kaolin (negatively charged) nanoparticles. These chitosan and kaolin particles interact with cellulose through electrostatic forces, forming a stable hydrogel suitable for 3D bioprinting.

The bioink was prepared by mixing the ingredients, including live cells, within a biopen. Digitally controlled, two counter-rotating screws within the biopen uniformly mixed the ingredients, creating a homogeneous bioink that could be directly applied through a needle onto damaged tissue. When attached to a 3D bioprinter, the biopen enabled the creation of multilayer, self-standing structures with high resolution, such as bifurcated tubes and pyramids exceeding 1 cm in height. The biopen was also used for direct in situ layer-by-layer printing of irregularly shaped defects. Using it, the researchers accurately filled 3D-printed cranium and femoral head molds with designed defects.

The bioink and digital biopen combination offers a cost-effective solution for treating large areas and irregularly shaped wounds without any in vitro tissue regeneration process, particularly in emergency and first-aid situations. “This technology allows for a quick and easy one-step process where the drug and hydrogel are mixed and immediately applied on-site to injured areas of different shapes,” says Prof. Noh.

4 Years of Progress: NURA AI Health Screening Centre Bengaluru Leads in Early Detection and Life Transformation

Bengaluru, February 04, 2025 – NURA AI Health Screening, a collaboration between Fujifilm Healthcare and Dr. Kutty’s Healthcare, proudly celebrates the 4th anniversary of its Bengaluru facility. Since its inception, the centre has screened over 20,000 individuals, identifying critical health risks and saving more than 1,500 lives through the early detection of cancer and other lifestyle-driven diseases.

NURA’s Bengaluru centre has been at the forefront of fostering a culture of preventive healthcare by providing quick, comprehensive health screenings powered by advanced AI technology. With its mission to make early detection accessible and effective, NURA continues to transform lives and promote a healthier future for the community.

“At NURA, we are proud to serve the people of Bengaluru and contribute to their health and well-being. Early detection is the cornerstone of our mission to reduce the burden of lifestyle-driven diseases and cancer. By leveraging advanced AI technology, we can help individuals take proactive steps toward better health,” said Dr. Bilal Thangal T M, Medical Lead, NURA.

NURA’s Bengaluru centre utilizes REILI AI technology and Pixel Shine imaging with ultra-low-dose radiation to screen multiple organs, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, and bones, ensuring a comprehensive health assessment. Starting with 5 cancer parameters, the centre has now expanded its screening capabilities to include 10 cancer parameters, with plans for further advancements in the near future.

Looking ahead, NURA aims to increase its capacity by 50%, enabling it to serve even more people every day. To further encourage the adoption of health screenings, NURA continues to run educational campaigns, social media initiatives, and on-ground activities, spreading awareness about the critical role of early diagnosis in saving lives.

Vantage Knowledge Academy Joins Marwadi University to Redefine Global Finance Education

Mumbai, February 4, 2025 – Vantage Knowledge Academy, a BSE listed recognized leader in global modern finance education is proud to announce its association with Marwadi University, one of the top universities in Gujarat, to offer university programs to students in Mumbai. Together, they will offer MBA Finance with CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and MBA Finance with CMT (Chartered Market technician) courses. This collaboration will witness the introduction of specialized finance and accounts aimed at nurturing the next generation of global finance leaders.

Aiming to disrupt the financial education space, this collaborative partnership with internationally recognized curriculum, will benefit students to meet the demands of an evolving global finance landscape. By integrating real-world applications, globally recognized and expert faculty, and advanced resources, this association will ensure students are well-equipped to take on leadership roles in finance sectors not just in India but worldwide.

Vantage Knowledge Academy has expanded its network by partnering with over 7 colleges in the last one year, offering a diverse range of 30 courses. The academy’s extensive reach has helped foster a rich online and offline student base of over 5000+ till date. With a team of over 20 proficient faculty members, the academy continues to grow as a trusted learning institute for accounting and finance education, shaping professionals who thrive in the competitive finance industry.

Delighted on this potential partnership, Rajesh Dedhia, Founder and CFO of Vantage Knowledge Academy said, “At Vantage Knowledge Academy, we have always focused on bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring our students are equipped with the necessary skills to excel in the global finance sector. Our collaboration with Marwadi University reflects our commitment to nurturing skilled professionals and elevating banking and finance curriculum to meet the demands of an ever-evolving world. We need to constantly adapt to the modern education system, and this partnership underscores the importance of staying updated with changing policies and trends”.

Dr. Rajeshkumar Patel, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education, Marwadi University, stated, “Empowering the next generation of finance leaders is at the heart of Marwadi University’s mission. Our partnership with Vantage Knowledge Academy marks a major breakthrough in providing students with world-class knowledge, skills, and practical experience, in full compliance with UGC regulations. Together, we’re committed to shaping the future of finance education and preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.”