2, Jun 2025
Ignition 4.0: Reigniting Purpose, Driving Performance – PBPartners Celebrates Its Sales Force Across India
PBPartners, the PoSP arm of Policybazaar, launches Ignition 4.0, a powerful, pan-India initiative designed to energise, motivate, and reward its internal sales teams for their relentless contribution to the organisation’s growth in FY24–25, and is now gearing up for an ambitious FY25–26.
Ignition 4.0 spans 8 cities, bringing together all PBPartners sales employees through on-ground events, workshops, and training modules, providing them with practical insights and direction for the road ahead.
Central to this initiative is ‘The PBP Way’– seven core principles that define the company’s culture and performance ethos: Discipline, Ownership, Execution, Innovation, Agility, Collaboration, and Customer Obsession.
These values are being reinforced in everyday decision-making and performance goals. Through focused discussions and workshops:
● Discipline is being strengthened by setting clear targets and tracking results
● Ownership is being encouraged by assigning personal accountability to regional managers and leaders
● Execution is being driven through a relentless focus on action, outcomes, and consistency
“Ignition 4.0 is more than an internal program and is a movement to reiterate our values, celebrate our people, and set the tone for the new fiscal year. Through this platform, we aim to empower every member of our sales team to take ownership, stay focused, and execute with purpose,” said Neeraj Adhana, National Sales Head at PBPartners.
Ignition 4.0 also marks PBPartners’ intent to amplify its impact across geographies. It reflects the organisation’s commitment to building a resilient workforce across Bharat that can navigate the evolving insurance landscape with agility and purpose.
As PBPartners continues to push boundaries in the PoSP space, Ignition 4.0 stands as a powerful symbol of appreciation, alignment, and ambition, fueling a culture where every employee feels connected, valued, and ready to take on the future.
Launched under the visionary leadership of Neeraj Adhana, National Sales Head at PBPartners, Ignition has evolved into a cornerstone initiative for the organization, anchored in driving motivation, celebrating excellence, and reinforcing the company’s long-term strategic direction.
While Ignition 3.0 focused on agent partners, aiming to deepen engagement, promote collaboration, and provide tools and strategies for their growth, Ignition 4.0 is dedicated exclusively to PBPartners’ internal sales teams. Its core objective is to appreciate their hard work in FY 24-25 while energizing and preparing them for success in FY 25-26.
“Ignition 4.0 is more than an internal program and is a movement to reiterate our values, celebrate our people, and set the tone for the new fiscal year,” said Neeraj Adhana, National Sales Head, PBPartners. “Through this platform, we aim to empower every member of our sales team to take ownership, stay focused, and execute with purpose.”
Spanning 8 cities across India, Ignition 4.0 adopts a Pan-India approach, moving beyond its earlier North India focus. The program will bring together all PBPartners sales employees through on-ground events, workshops, and training modules, providing them with practical insights and direction for the road ahead.
At the heart of this edition lies the “PBP Way”—a framework of 7 guiding principles that shape the organization’s work ethic and culture. This year’s Ignition reinforces three core principles:
● Discipline: Through clearly defined targets and continuous progress tracking
● Ownership: By assigning personal accountability to Regional Managers and leaders
● Execution: With a strong emphasis on action-oriented goals
The program is being led by Neeraj Adhana along with PBPartners’ Regional Managers, ensuring strong leadership direction throughout the initiative. As PBPartners continues to scale new heights in the PoSP ecosystem, Ignition 4.0 plays a crucial role in aligning teams with the company’s vision, growth strategy, and culture of high performance.
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- By Neel Achary
2, Jun 2025
Centre launches four AI Missions, including, National UBI and Chatbot AI digital technologies for the disabled to ensure ease of services
Bangalore, June 2, 2025: The Government of India’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in collaboration with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) here at The National Conference on AI for Empowering Persons with Disabilities launched four major digital and technology missions to aid persons with disabilities in receiving government and societal services in the areas of education, healthcare, livelihood, and everyday life. The four missions, 1) Mission AI Accessibility, 2) Implementation of AI in Assistive Technology and Tools for Empowering People with Disabilities, 3) National Disability Support AI Chat Bot, and 4) Unified Benefits Interface (UBI), modelled on the widespread and popular UPI financial technological tool, were launched by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD in the presence of a government officials, technology experts from IITs and AIIMS, Technology Entrepreneurs and citizens.
Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, unveiling the National AI Missions for Persons with Disabilities said: “India now has one billion digital Aadhaar IDs, the digi-locker which can have all physical documents in digital form in just one device, and the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) which has made financial transactions easy. We are extending this digital footprint for persons with disabilities by digitalising and automating a series of government benefits, schemes and policies, to reach beneficiaries within 24 hours in the areas of education, health, livelihood and finance. Disabled students will receive scholarships in their accounts in 24 hours from now on and people with health problems can interact with a chatbot to clarify and seek medical and health advisory services from home itself and the UBI will ensure digital and technological interaction between disabled people and the government to ensure services are delivered without bureaucratic delays and hindrances. The interaction will be direct, easy and seamless, made possible by AI.”
Mr. Prateek Madhav, Member of the Steering Committee of NITI Aayog instituted to design the National Strategic Framework of Assistive Technology (AT) in India with the objective of making India a Global Hub of Assistive Technology, and Co-Founder and CEO of AssisTech Foundation (ATF), which has changed the lives of a million disabled people, said: “We are working with the Government to ensure that persons with disabilities, particularly learners, are equipped with the right Assistive Technologies (AT) – screen readers, Braille displays, sign language plugins, speech recognition tools, and adaptive input devices – to ensure an hindrance-free everyday life as well as seamless and easy interaction and practical working in the fields of education, health, and livelihood to enable persons with disabilities have a hurdle-free reception of benefits. We concur with Mr. Aggarwal’s UBI initiative modelled on UPI as this will ease implementation of benefits for persons with disabilities. India’s digital economy, with growing investments in Artificial Intelligence is also creating new career avenues. When paired with AI Assistive Technologies like voice commands, screen readers, and simplified interfaces, digital payments become even more inclusive.”
ATF has co-founded the Global Alliance on Assistive Technology Innovations and Investments, known as the Inclusive Innovation Network (+N), along with AT pioneers & partners from Australia, Canada, and Kenya to bring in their innovations into India to aid persons with disabilities. He is establishing the largest AT innovation ecosystem in India and under his leadership, ATF has developed a network of over 450+ AT startups, impacted the lives of 1 million individuals with disabilities.
Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MEITY, and DG, NIC said: “We are working with state governments to adopt AI models and missions we will be taking all these technologies to tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India to help the underserved and disabled.” A highlight of the conference was the high-impact panel session on “Assistive Technology Leveraging AI”, moderated by Prateek, which featured a distinguished panel of experts. Prateek, who steered this insightful and thought-provoking discussion, stated that ATF’s hope and vision is to build the world’s first Unicorn (start-up) that would reach a billion disabled people by developing AI-enabled technologies that would help the disabled. “A Unicorn is a billion-dollar start-up, but for us, Unicorn is not about money, it’s about a billion people. There is hope because we have moved from 400 start-ups 10 years ago to 1.7 lakh start-ups in 2025. AI-enabled technologies is the focus of the start-ups we work with.”
Mr. Sandeep Alur, CTO, Microsoft Innovation Hub, said: AI can see, hear, speak, reason, memorize and think. This means that the future is AI adapting to individual requirements, especially for the disabled.” Mr. Shekar Naik, Padma Shri Awardee and Former Captain, Indian Blind Cricket Team, who is training hundreds of blind cricketers said: “AI on the laptop helps us now to place players on the cricket field in minutes. It would take hours or half a day earlier. I can now book my tickets, write on my own or type on my own. AI has ended dependency of the blind permanentl.”
Mr. Amitabh Nag, CEO, Bhashini Project, which is transforming the language translation scenario in India, said: “We are developing speech to text and text to speech, voice technologies, websites in Indian languages, addressing translation of dialects beyond the 22 official languages to help the disabled.”
Ms. Chandrika Jain, CMO, Lenovo India said: “Design of AI technologies should be undertaken with the disabled, not for them. The disabled have to be part of the tech design, not as an afterthought.” The panel collectively underscored the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and social innovation ecosystems to build an AI-powered accessible future. The conference served as a pivotal platform to explore the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Assistive Technology (AT), with the goal of harnessing cutting-edge innovations to enhance accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for persons.
2, Jun 2025
Sudha Reddy Puts Hyderabad on Global Stage as Miss World’s First-Ever Global Ambassador
Hyderabad: June 02, 2025: Making history for Hyderabad once again, billionaire heiress and global humanitarian Sudha Reddy illuminated the 72nd Miss World Festival finale with her regal presence, marking a momentous occasion as she was formally appointed the first-ever Global Ambassador for the Miss World Organization. The appointment heralds a new era for the renowned pageant and underscores Reddy’s unwavering dedication to philanthropy and global betterment.
MEIL Director Sudha Reddy’s appointment follows the felicitation of Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani who was bestowed with the Miss World Humanitarian Award last year, setting a precedent for Indian women leaders to engage in global humanitarian efforts.
Sudha Reddy, embodying sophisticated grace, captivated attention at the event in a custom Tarun Tahiliani saree, a true testament to artistry and craftsmanship. Her saree featured a delicate blush Kanjeevaram base in authentic zari, woven with a William Morris-inspired pattern of flowers and vines in subtle shades of jade, Mughal mango, and coral, creating a fresh, summery effect. The design cleverly blurred the lines between saree and gown, featuring an extra-long, trailing pallu and lace wings adorned with raffia, resham, crystals, and French knots, cascading in a romantic and sensual array of elements. Sudha Reddy presented herself as a powerful symbol of feminine strength. The ensemble, much like Sudha herself, was both deeply rooted and forward-looking. It was not designed for mere spectacle, but shaped by profound meaning, crafted to honor heritage while embracing the future with clarity and purpose. Completing the regal aura, a breathtaking 250-carat neckpiece, meticulously set in white gold with lush emeralds, fiery rubies, serene sapphires and brilliant diamonds, adorned her neckline.
In her new role as the Global Ambassador for Beauty With A Purpose, the Miss World Organization’s charitable arm, Reddy will champion global outreach, promote crucial humanitarian efforts and share inspiring stories from around the world.
In anticipation of the final competition, Reddy orchestrated the opulent Beauty With A Purpose Gala, held at her private residence, Mon Amour Palais and featuring the participation of 108 contestants. The event was showcased in Times Square, New York, representing a signal moment for the state of Telangana.
In her acceptance speech, Sudha Reddy, a passionate advocate for Indian craftsmanship and heritage, expressed deep emotion upon receiving the award. She emphasized the personal significance of being recognized in her home state, surrounded by her community, and conveyed her enthusiasm for the responsibilities of her new role, whilst thanking the Telangana government and tourism board for their support towards impeccably hosting the pageant in the state.
Julia Morley, Chairperson and Founder of the Miss World Organization, presented the award to Sudha Reddy, expressing sincere gratitude for her support and congratulating her on her significant new role. Following the recognition, Reddy presented the Beauty With A Purpose Award to Miss Indonesia.
In addition to this prestigious ambassadorship, Reddy served on the jury for the Miss World 2025 Grand Finale, contributing her expertise and unique global perspective to the selection of the titleholder.
The Miss World event’s return to India after nearly 30 years marks a historic occasion. Hyderabad welcomed delegates from over 100 nations to celebrate beauty, culture, and purpose. Beauty With A Purpose, established in 1972, remains the core of the Miss World Organization, dedicated to funding and supporting humanitarian projects addressing critical issues such as child health, women’s rights, education, and disaster relief.
Sudha Reddy is a distinguished philanthropist, businesswoman, and cultural ambassador. As Director of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), she has demonstrated a commitment to corporate social responsibility, commaunity development, and wellness programs. She chairs the Sudha Reddy Foundation, focusing on education and empowerment, with partnerships including UNICEF and the Global Gift Foundation. Reddy is also known for her appearances at high-profile events like the Met Gala, Paris Olympics, and Cannes Film Festival, using these platforms to further her philanthropic endeavours.
2, Jun 2025
Pankaj Tripathi reveals saying no to Mimi initially and doing the film on the advice of his wife in IMDb’s ‘The Essential Guide’
Criminal Justice, the highly anticipated courtroom drama, returned with its fourth season on OTT. Starring Pankaj Tripathi as Madhav Shukla, the series explores the complexities of the Indian judicial system while taking audiences through interesting cases. Tripathi recently appeared in IMDb’s exclusive segment ‘The Essential Guide’, sharing key moments that defined his career, behind-the-scenes anecdotes and what he considers to be the three pillars that cemented his position in the digital entertainment landscape .
Discussing the filming of Raavan, Tripathi said, “I enjoyed my feminine side while shooting for Raavan. During the filming, I wore a saree, with makeup, and sat on set for seven days. Even in my village, I had dressed up as a girl for the first play in my life. I haven’t had the opportunity to play a character like that on screen again, but if it comes, the opportunity would be interesting.”
Revealing the story behind a picture taken with his parents, Tripathi said, “In villages, there is no such culture of taking pictures. I had a mobile back then and requested a child nearby to click a picture of me with my parents. It was the first opportunity in my life when I got to place my hand on my father’s shoulder, as such acts weren’t followed in my village. In my house, no one knew what films were. No one used to read film magazines either and in fact there was no electricity there till 2016-17. I had told my family that I’m going to study theatre at NSD, post which I will become a professor. They thought I would get into teaching post my education there, so they agreed to let me go.”
Discussing his knack for playing different roles and how the industry acknowledged it, Tripathi shared, “Neeraj Ghaywan helped me change my image from an aggressive man which I had got through Gangs of Wasseypur. People were surprised through Masaan that I can play a soft character as well. Both films – Gangs of Wasseypur and Masaan helped the industry realise that I am a versatile actor. Then Nil Battey Sannata helped the industry understand that I can even play a comic role too. I played a sincere school principal who wanted to help students move ahead in life. The film is a serious comedy. It was Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s first film. She gave me the freedom to play the character the way I want and thus people got acquainted with the fact that I can do comedy as well.”
Speaking of filming Newton, Tripathi said, “I had a lot of fun filming Newton. Though I was fed up with lower back pain that I was dealing with at the time. Under the uniform I wore, I used to wear an orthopedic belt and kept it on during the entire filming. The film gave me my first National Award. I’ll always be thankful and cherish that. I was with Saurabh Shukla and Anubhav Sinha, we were shooting in Lucknow. Saurabh sir then checked his phone and pointed it towards me saying that I won a National Award. I thought he was joking initially as we weren’t aware that the announcement was that day. I went running to my room as I didn’t have my phone. When I reached, there were around 30-35 missed calls. Some media folks, some from the fraternity. It was an emotional moment and I shed a few tears. I called my wife and informed her. It was always my dream to win a National Award for cinema, I was emotional for a few days thereafter.”
Sharing memories from Bareilly Ki Barfi, Tripathi revealed, “I was quite fit then, so I had to wear a bodysuit under a sweater to look heavier. Many girls approached me after the film sharing that they made their fathers watch it and through the movie, their equation with them changed.”
Mentioning three pillars of OTT for him, Tripathi shared, “Guruji in Sacred Games, Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur and Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice. While acting, I feel that I should just keep thinking and it should transform into an expression that defines the character.”
Sharing the story behind the initial days of filming Mimi, Tripathi revealed, “I initially didn’t want to do Mimi. Dinesh Vijan and Laxman Utekar called my wife, asking her to convince me. I gave in and did the film. It was a great experience to be a part of this movie that is amongst the most viewed films on OTT. Kriti and I both received National Awards for the film. It wasn’t just a supporting role, it was something else altogether.”
1, Jun 2025
Warwick University Commemorates 60-Year Journey with Special Event in Delhi
New Delhi, 1 June 2025
The University of Warwick marked its 60th anniversary on 1 June 2025 with an exclusive media event at The Shangri-La, New Delhi, celebrating six decades of academic and research excellence, innovation and global influence.
The high-profile event brought together Warwick’s senior leadership, including the Global Chief Communications, Marketing and Content Officer Ajay Teli, and Director of Communications – Corporate Brand, Satnam Rana-Grindley, who travelled from the UK to engage with Indian media and reaffirm the university’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering impactful international collaborations.
The milestone celebration of the university’s growing legacy of excellence and influence, both in the UK and India, highlighted pioneering research, world-class education and longstanding industrial partnerships, including a 25-year collaboration with Tata Group. The event also paid tribute to the university’s vibrant alumni community whose achievements continue to bridge continents and industries, creating meaningful change across borders and giving back to India in powerful, entrepreneurial ways.
Mamta Marasini exemplifies the global reach and creative spirit of Warwick alumni. A graduate of Warwick Business School with an MSc in Business with Marketing, Mamta has channelled her education, entrepreneurial drive, and creative acumen into founding Roar Corp, a boundary-pushing creative agency headquartered in both New Delhi and Kathmandu.
Launched in November 2023, Roar Corp specialises in strategic brand consulting, event production, social media marketing, and influencer campaigns. In less than a year, Mamta as CEO has led Roar Corp to deliver bold, high-impact campaigns for global brands that blend technology, data, and storytelling to create lasting audience connections.
Known to her clients and team as the ‘Chief Lioness’, Mamta’s vision for Roar was born not from convenience but from conviction. “Roar was built on pure passion and relentless hard work—no shortcuts, ever,” she says. “Every project we take on is rooted in a deep commitment to curating experiences that are bold, thoughtful, and strategically aligned with our clients’ goals. Whether it’s designing a high-energy launch, building a content engine, or orchestrating influencer-led storytelling, our focus remains the same: to move people and build brands that matter.”
Her campaigns are data-informed, human-led, and creatively daring. By combining cutting-edge tools like AI with human insight, Roar delivers results that are measurable and memorable. Mamta has also successfully delivered events and activations for renowned lifestyle brands including Superdry, G Star Raw, Yamaha, and Mothercare. Her approach is holistic, blending research, media coordination, and creative design into marketing strategies that resonate.
Mamta’s Warwick journey was the catalyst that gave her the confidence to lead. “I stepped into Warwick unsure of how to begin, but I walked out a changemaker,” she reflects. “It was Warwick that gave me the clarity to pursue the service side of marketing and eventually take the leap to build my own agency.”
Warwick’s impact remains close to Mamta’s heart. “Warwick truly cleared the fog for me,” she says. “The education, the peers, the challenges: all of it helped me understand what I wanted to do, and more importantly, why I wanted to do it.
“I feel super proud to be a part of the Warwick community. I have great stories to tell to my friends and family: what a stellar institution I got my knowledge from!”
At the helm of Roar Corp, Mamta’s just getting started. With a team of passionate creatives, a cross-border footprint, and a belief that marketing should move people, Mamta is building a brand that helps others do the same.
Roar’s mission is clear: to be your brand’s BFF—and to make some serious noise doing it.
31, May 2025
Techflow Launches High-Capacity Smartphone Refurbishment Hub in India, Boosts Sustainability and Retail Growth
India, 31st May, 2025: Techflow, India’s emerging leader in smartphone recommerce and refurbishment, today announced the official launch of its flagship refurbishment facility in India. With an impressive annual processing capacity of over 400,000 devices, the company is set to redefine India’s engagement with pre-owned electronics by offering a unique blend of quality, scale, sustainability, and retail empowerment.
Founded by Shivam Gupta and Anshul Gupta, Techflow has established an integrated ecosystem for smartphone refurbishment. This initiative is designed to empower retailers, significantly reduce e-waste, and make high-quality smartphones more accessible across the country.
The new 16,000 sq. ft. facility is equipped with cleanroom-standard workstations and boasts a monthly throughput of over 35,000 smartphones. Each device undergoes rigorous 50-point diagnostic and grading protocols, ensuring high quality. All refurbished smartphones come with tamper-proof packaging and a warranty ranging from 6 to 12 months. The facility also features an integrated backend system connected with retailers, marketplaces, and enterprise partners, streamlining the entire process.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Anshul Gupta, Co-Founder of Techflow, said, “Our mission is to build the backbone of India’s circular electronics economy. We’re not just refurbishing devices; we’re reimagining how India perceives and purchases refurbished technology, instilling trust, scaling operations, and serving a clear purpose. The company is also dedicated to strengthening India’s retail sector. We are building India’s largest trusted retail network for refurbished smartphones. This segment has historically been fragmented and lacking transparency; we are changing that through transparency, traceability, and technology.”
On this Occasion, Mr. Shivam Gupta, Co-Founder of Techflow, said, “Techflow is deeply committed to environmental sustainability. Refurbishing a single smartphone can save up to 60kg of carbon emissions and over 100 liters of water. At scale, our operations will become a significant sustainability engine for the industry. The company aims to prevent over 1,000 tons of e-waste annually.”
Looking ahead, Techflow plans to scale its operations to process 1 million smartphones annually. The company also intends to launch India’s most transparent trade-in platform and expand its sales presence to over 250 cities nationwide.
31, May 2025
Alakh Pandey Offers Free PW Courses to Martyrs’ Wards, Scholarships for CRPF Families
New Delhi, 31st May 2025: Education company PhysicsWallah (PW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CRPF Family Welfare Association (CWA) to provide educational support to the families of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. This collaboration will try to create learning pathways through scholarship-based online and offline education programs.
The initiative outlines multiple tiers of scholarships, including full scholarships for the families of CRPF martyrs and personnel who passed away during service. Additionally, families of serving and retired CRPF members are eligible for a 35% scholarship on offline coaching and a 25% scholarship for online courses.
Eligibility for the scholarship program requires applicants to apply and submit relevant identification and service documents. Verification of applications will be conducted jointly by the CRPF and PW. The initiative will try to open the door to a wide range of competitive exam preparation programs, including JEE, NEET, UPSC, SSC, Banking & other courses available both on PW’s online platform as well as its network of offline centres.
Alakh Pandey, Educator, Founder and CEO of PhysicsWallah, said, “At PW, we deeply value the dedication and service of CRPF personnel. Through this partnership, we are trying to take a step forward in extending our support to their families by trying to provide access to quality education. We believe that investing in education is one of the meaningful ways to contribute to the welfare and growth of CRPF families.”
Dr. Anamika Singh, President of the CRPF Family Welfare Association, said, “The CWA has always strived to support CRPF families beyond the line of duty. Through this partnership with PW, our children can gain access to the wide educational network and digital learning platform of PhysicsWallah, which the foundation is trying to facilitate for this initiative. We believe this will help provide consistent academic support and meaningful learning opportunities.”
PW is trying to provide education through its various offerings that span various educational segments, including test preparation, a skilling vertical, higher education, and education abroad.
31, May 2025
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar Honoured with Times Icon Award by The Times of India for Excellence in Advanced Multispecialty Healthcare
Bhubaneswar, 31st May 2025: – Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar has been conferred with The Times Icon Award by The Times of India for Excellence in Advanced Multispecialty Healthcare at a prestigious ceremony held on 28th May 2025. The award was presented to Dr. Saktimaya Mohapatra, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneshwar by Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister of State for Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education, Government of Odisha, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
This recognition sets Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar apart as the only hospital in the state to receive the award in this category, highlighting its leadership in delivering world-class healthcare services across a wide spectrum of specialties. The award acknowledges the hospital’s continuous efforts in embracing innovation, advanced technology, and a patient-first approach.
During the award presentation, the anchor lauded the hospital, stating, “We now invite Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneswar, to the stage – a name synonymous with clinical excellence, cutting-edge technology, and compassionate care. As one of the most trusted multispecialty hospitals in the region, Manipal Hospital has redefined patient-centric healthcare in Odisha. We are proud to felicitate them with the Times Icon for Excellence in Advanced Multispecialty Healthcare.”
Reacting to the honour, Dr. Saktimaya Mohapatra, Hospital Director said, “This award is a proud moment for all of us at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar. It is a recognition of the tireless dedication of our doctors, nurses, and support staff who work each day to uphold the highest standards of care. We remain committed to raising the bar in multispecialty healthcare and serving the people of Odisha with integrity, innovation, and compassion.”
As one of the region’s most advanced tertiary care centres, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar continues to lead with excellence in specialties such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, nephrology, orthopaedics, and emergency care. The award further strengthens its position as a trusted healthcare partner for thousands of families across the state and beyond.
The Times Icon Awards recognize trailblazing institutions and individuals across various sectors who have made a lasting impact. With this accolade, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar once again reaffirms its mission to deliver comprehensive, accessible, and quality healthcare to all.
31, May 2025
Why Managing Thyroid Matters When You Have Diabetes
In India, about 1 in 10 adults have a thyroid disorder, and around 1 in 11 adults live with diabetes.But what many people don’t know is how often these two conditions are connected. In fact, approximately 1 in 4 people with Type 2 diabetes also have hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive. This overlap is not coincidental as both conditions affect how the body uses energy.
Understanding the linkage between thyroid & diabetes
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. It regulates the body’s metabolism, which affects how the body uses and stores energy. Thyroid hormones and insulin are like the body’s energy managers. Thyroid hormones help control how fast your body uses energy, while insulin helps manage your blood sugar levels. Together, they play a big role in keeping your metabolism running smoothly. So, when the thyroid function is disrupted, it can affect blood sugar control, and vice versa.
Dr Rohita Shetty, Medical Affairs Head, Abbott India said, “People living with diabetes are usually aware of their blood sugar levels and know how to manage the fluctuations. But many symptoms of thyroid disorders might go unnoticed, even though they can impact blood sugar levels. Thyroid health and blood sugar levels are more linked than you might think. That’s why it’s important to get regular thyroid check-ups. With the right care, thyroid disorders can be managed effectively, allowing people to live healthy and active lives.”
Dr. Mahesh DM, Endocrinologist, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, “Thyroid conditions are often neglected, with a large percentage of the population living with undetected issues and, as a result, not seeking the necessary care. Many people with diabetes may have thyroid problems without noticeable symptoms, which can range from fatigue, memory lapses, sleeping difficulties and excessive weight gain to constipation, dry skin, cold intolerance, muscle cramps, and puffy eyelids. An underactive thyroid can also result in fluctuations in energy levels, weight, mood, and heart rate, as the gland plays an important role in regulating these functions and supporting the body’s healthy development. This is why regular check-ups for thyroid function are important, especially for people with type 2 diabetes.”
Research shows that diabetes combined with thyroid disorders can increase the risk of kidney issues, poor heart function, and issues with blood circulation., These can lead to complications like diabetic retinopathy (happens when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina), nerve damage, and heart disease.
Types of thyroid disorders that influence blood sugar control:
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Hypothyroidism slows down how the body processes insulin. This means insulin stays in the bloodstream longer, which can cause unexpected dips in blood sugar. It slows down metabolism, leading to weight gain and increased insulin resistance. This can make it harder to keep blood sugar levels under control. Among people with diabetes, the most common type of thyroid disorder is subclinical hypothyroidism, a condition where your thyroid gland isn’t functioning normally, but there aren’t any visible symptoms. Type 2 diabetes can also increase the risk of developing hypothyroidism due to changes in how the immune system functions.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Hyperthyroidism speeds up metabolism. This causes the body to absorb glucose from food more quickly. However, cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). This makes it challenging for people with diabetes to maintain stable glucose levels.
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism affect blood sugar levels, requiring regular monitoring and management.
Managing the Dual Diagnosis
Addressing thyroid dysfunction can help with diabetes control. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and timely medication as advised by your doctor, can help keep both thyroid and blood sugar levels in check. Regular screening for thyroid function and blood sugar testing, as advised by your doctor, can ensure that any changes are diagnosed early.
Taking care of yourself by staying active, eating well, and getting enough sleep can really help. If you have both thyroid disorders and diabetes, you might need to pay extra attention to your health, by doing so can make you feel better and give you more energy to enjoy your favorite activities.
31, May 2025
Vardhman Amrante Announces Land Acquisition at Prime Strategic South City Canal Road, Ludhiana
Vardhman Amrante, a venture of the Oswal Group, announces the acquisition of a prime 7-acre land parcel in South City, Ludhiana. Strategically located on main Canal Road, the upcoming mixed-use project—featuring upscale commercial and retail spaces, a landmark presence in the hospitality sector, Largest entertainment centre, F&B and a multiplex is set to redefine urban luxury and lifestyle of the region.
South City is a thriving urban region beautifully surrounded around by Sidhwan Canal rated highly by residents for connectivity and safety. The area boasts renowned residential townships and developments, excellent healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and is well-served by prominent retail and entertainment destinations
“This acquisition is more than a real estate transaction—it’s a vision for Ludhiana’s future. South City Canal Road holds immense promise, and we are committed to transforming this region into a vibrant urban landmark for generations to come. We are known for crafting spaces that reflect global sensibilities while staying deeply rooted in Punjab’s aspirational spirit,” says Mr. Adish Oswal, Chairman of Oswal Group and the third-generation entrepreneur.
With over 75 years of trust and excellence in textiles and real estate, the Oswal Group continues to lead the transformation of Ludhiana’s skyline. The Group has already delivered four landmark projects, over 12 lakh square feet of built-up space, and the trust of more than 1,500 investors and associates — all standing as a testament to group’s unwavering commitment to quality and excellence.
