Author: Team

TPAG Applauds Lady Hardinge Medical College for Advancing Blood Safety with NAT Lab Inauguration

New Delhi, April 24, 2025: Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) extends its heartfelt appreciation to Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) and the Department of Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion for their progressive step towards enhancing blood safety through the inauguration of a Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) Laboratory.

The NAT Lab was iugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in the esteemed presence of Dr. Sunita Sharma, Additional DGHS. This state-of-the-art facility marks a critical step forward in safeguarding patients against transfusion-transmitted infections.

Anubha Taneja Mukherjee, Member Secretary, TPAG, who attended the inauguration, lauded LHMC for setting a benchmark in ensuring safer blood transfusion practices. “This is a commendable initiative. We urge all hospitals and blood banks across the country to take a cue from LHMC and mandate Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) to ensure the highest level of blood safety, especially for patients who are dependent on regular transfusions,” she stated.

This milestone follows TPAG’s recent endorsement of the Maharashtra Government’s bold move towards a ‘Thalassemia Mukt Maharashtra’, a pioneering step in the direction of prevention and early identification. TPAG strongly advocates for a national mandate on safe blood practices and urges the Government to:

• Mandate NAT-based testing in all blood banks nationwide to eliminate the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections.
• Integrate thalassemia screening into national and state-level health programs, including premarital health check-ups, to identify carriers early and prevent disease transmission.
• Include thalassemia management under Ayushman Bharat and PM-JAY to ensure accessible, cost-effective, and lifelong care for all thalassemia patients in India.

With over 10,000 children born with thalassemia every year, TPAG reiterates that urgent, sustained policy action on safe blood, early screening, and comprehensive care is essential to realize the vision of a ‘Thalassemia-Free India’.

British Council Reveals Grantees for 2025 ‘Climate Futures: South Asia’

Kolkata, 24 April 2025:  The British Council, UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, has announced the 11 recipients of the Climate Futures: South Asia programme for 2025. This pioneering initiative supports innovative, artist-led solutions to the climate crisis, empowering cultural organisations, artists, and communities in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to create sustainable change.

Through grants, mentorship, and collaboration, these grantees will spearhead creative responses to climate challenges, focusing on cultural preservation, community engagement, and environmental resilience. The programme aims to amplify the role of the arts in addressing climate change, strengthening local responses, and fostering cross-border collaboration between the UK and South Asia.

Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council, said, “These projects are more than just creative expressions; they are essential responses to the urgent need for climate action. By supporting these visionary initiatives, we are helping to safeguard cultural heritage, promote sustainability, and empower communities across India and the region to take meaningful action on climate change. We believe the ripple effects of these projects will inspire others to join the movement. In India, such initiatives help bring together the country’s deep-rooted cultural traditions with bold and innovative climate solutions, driving meaningful, community-led change for a more resilient future.”

 Jill Richens, British Council Regional Arts Director, South Asia, shared, “The grantees of Climate Futures: South Asia are leading the charge in using the power of art to confront the climate emergency. These projects demonstrate the ability of culture to spark action and inspire communities to adapt, preserve, and innovate. We are thrilled to support these projects and look forward to seeing the lasting impact they will have, both locally and globally. This is just the beginning – we hope to see more groundbreaking projects emerge from the region in the future.”

 The 2025 Climate Futures: South Asia grantees and their impactful projects include:

India:

• Emerging Ecologies (Krishnapriya C P, Forest Way Trust)

Emerging Ecologies is an artistic collaboration with the Forest Way Trust, documenting Arunachala Hill’s reforestation, featuring a permanent exhibition and interactive website. The project promotes community-driven rewilding efforts, ecological justice, and sustainability through educational resources and engagement.

• Mapping Nature’s Palette for Climate-Responsive Artisanal Practices (Tri-Impact Global)

 Mapping Nature’s Palette for Climate-Responsive Artisanal Practices empowers tribal communities in the Garhwal Himalayas to produce sustainable natural dyes from local flora, enhancing livelihoods, preserving biodiversity, and revitalising traditional skills. The project fosters eco-friendly practices, inclusivity, and cultural identity while reducing chemical dye use.

Bangladesh:

• Crafting Togetherness (Samdani Art Foundation) – Preserving traditional crafts and promoting sustainable cultural exchange.
• Discovering Matarbari Folk Tales (Mahenaz Chowdhury, Broqué) – Creating a living archive to preserve disappearing cultural and ecological heritage.
• Shak Pitari (Wild Leaves) (Salma Jamal Moushum, Gidree Bawlee) – Capturing the vital knowledge of women in rural Bangladesh about wild edible plants and ecological change.

Nepal:

• Carbon Footprint Mapping and Tracking for the Craft Sector (Story Cycle) – Helping Nepal’s artisans reduce emissions and adopt eco-friendly production methods.
• Enhancing The Climate Change Resilience Of Women (Human Rights Film Center) – Empowering marginalised women in Nepal to address climate change through art-based storytelling.

Pakistan:

• The Eco Block Tower (The Dawood Foundation’s MagnifiScience Center) – Raising awareness about ecosystems and climate change through an interactive art installation.
• Weaving Together: Local Art for Social Cohesion and Climate Resilience (Sarah Ather Khan, NED University) – Promoting climate resilience in coastal communities through traditional arts and mangrove conservation.

Sri Lanka:

• Circular Creative Companions (Fold Media Collective) – Promoting environmentally conscious exhibition practices and sustainable design in South Asian arts festivals.
• Regenerating South Asian Climate Futures (Good Life x Lagori Collective) – Collaborating across sectors to develop climate-resilient solutions in biodiversity hotspots.

These projects represent the diverse and innovative approaches artists and cultural organisations in South Asia are taking to confront the climate crisis.

By providing funding, mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration, the British Council is helping these grantees develop their ideas, amplify their voices, and create lasting impact in their communities. Through Climate Futures: South Asia, we aim to support the role of the arts in shaping a sustainable and resilient future.

CM Vishnu Deo Sai Meets Daaji at Heartfulness Yoga Ashram in Amleshwar

Raipur, 24 April 2025: Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, visited the Heartfulness Yoga Ashram at Amleshwar in Durg district on 22nd April, where he had a heartfelt interaction with the Global Guide of Heartfulness, Pujya Daaji (Shri Kamlesh D Patel).

The Chief Minister was warmly received at the ashram and further engaged in a meaningful conversation with Pujya Daaji at the Master Cottage. The two dignitaries, known for their simplicity and humility, discussed the deeper nuances of Heartfulness meditation and its role in promoting personal well-being and collective development.

Following the meeting, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the Mano Yoga program and observed a 30-minute silent meditation session alongside citizens and practitioners in the ashram’s Meditation Hall – a gesture that reflected both mindfulness and solidarity with the people of the state.

Speaking about the meeting, Pujya Daaji, Global Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “It was a joy to welcome Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai to the Heartfulness Centre. His openness to experience silent meditation and understand its role in fostering inner balance reflects his deep care for the well-being of the people of Chhattisgarh. We believe that when leaders embrace inner stillness, they guide their communities with even greater compassion and clarity.”

Hon’ble CM Shri Vishnu Dev Sai shared his experience, stating, “My experience at the Heartfulness Ashram was truly peaceful and enriching. I thank Pujya Daaji for his gracious hospitality and for sharing his wisdom on meditation and inner well-being. Meditation can play a meaningful role in our personal lives and even in the collective progress of our state. I encourage citizens of Chhattisgarh to explore such practices that promote mental peace and social harmony.”

Notable contributions have been made by Surguja Zone Preceptor Brother Akhilesh Parihar, Brother Mukesh Singha, and political personalities of the region, who facilitated this significant moment of spiritual connection.

Flipkart Ventures, DPIIT Launch Tourism Challenge to Boost Travel Innovation

Bengaluru, India – April 24, 2025: Flipkart Ventures, the investment arm of Flipkart, has launched the Flipkart Tourism Challenge in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The initiative is part of the Government of India’s Startup India program under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge. As part of Flipkart’s continued efforts to foster innovation and support the growth of startups, this challenge focuses on enabling technology-led solutions that enhance the experience for travelers and tourists and contribute to the development of the country’s tourism ecosystem.

The Flipkart Tourism Challenge invites DPIIT-recognized startups and Indian companies to build innovative travel-tech solutions. With rising demand for unique and accessible travel options, the challenge seeks ideas in areas such as enhanced discovery, personalized recommendations, immersive destination previews, AI-powered affordability tools, and tech-enabled on-ground experiences.

Applications are now open and will close on May 5, 2025.

The winning startup will receive a ₹2.5 lakh cash prize, mentorship from Flipkart leaders, and potential entry into Flipkart Leap Ahead, the company’s early-stage accelerator investing up to $500K in seed capital. The selected startup will also have the opportunity for pilot engagements with Flipkart Group companies, undergo founder’s training curated by Bain & Company, and gain access to Flipkart’s VC network. The runner-up will receive a ₹1 lakh cash prize, along with strategic mentorship and capability-building support.

Lubna Ahmed, Vice President & Head of Flipkart Ventures , said, “At Flipkart Ventures, we see startups as key drivers of innovation and economic growth. Through the Flipkart Tourism Challenge, we aim to empower emerging entrepreneurs building scalable, tech-first solutions to real-world challenges by providing them with the capital, mentorship, and industry access they need to succeed. Our collaboration with DPIIT reflects a shared vision to accelerate digital innovation and nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs driving India’s startup and digital economy.”

A Startup India representative said, “India’s startup ecosystem continues to be a beacon of innovation, solving challenges across sectors with scale and agility. The Flipkart Tourism Challenge is an exciting step in that direction, bringing together innovation, industry support, and real-world impact. Through this collaboration with Flipkart, we aim to empower homegrown startups to solve for India’s unique travel needs and accelerate their journey from idea to scale.”

This challenge is part of Flipkart Ventures’ broader commitment to strengthening India’s startup ecosystem through its early-stage accelerator program, Flipkart Leap Ahead (FLA). Designed to identify and support high-potential digital startups, FLA is the cornerstone of Flipkart Ventures’ $100 million seed-stage fund launched in 2022. The program offers investments of up to $500K, along with strategic mentorship and ecosystem access. To date, Flipkart Ventures has backed over 20 startups and continues to actively support ventures with strong growth potential.