Category Archives: News

CM Prem Singh Tamang Highlights Yoga’s Role in Mental Health at Valedictory Ceremony

New Delhi, May 5: The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, graced the valedictory ceremony of the Yoga Teacher Training Course held at Manan Kendra. Addressing the gathering, he expressed his delight in being part of the significant occasion and extended warm greetings to all attendees.

In his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the relevance of yoga in the 21st century. He noted that while technological advancements have made life more convenient, they have also contributed to a rise in mental health challenges. Emphasising the theme “Yoga for Mental Health,” he stated that yoga serves as a powerful tool to restore balance, harmony, and overall well-being.

Congratulating the trainees, he commended all participants who successfully completed the course and wished them continued success in their future endeavors. He encouraged them to carry forward the knowledge and discipline of yoga in their professional and personal lives.

The Chief Minister elaborated on the essence of yoga, stating that the term is derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuj,” meaning union — symbolising the integration of body, mind, and spirit. He also acknowledged the global recognition of yoga through the observance of the International Day of Yoga, an initiative led by thePrime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for which he expressed his sincere gratitude.

Highlighting the scale of the achievement, he noted that 825 trained yoga teachers from various schools across Sikkim were being honored at the ceremony. He emphasised that the initiative goes beyond individual accomplishment and is ultimately aimed at enhancing the well-being of students. He urged educators to focus on empowering and guiding students effectively, thereby contributing positively to society.

In conclusion, the Chief Minister reiterated the shared responsibility of achieving 100% literacy in Sikkim by the year 2027. He called upon all stakeholders to work collectively towards establishing Sikkim as one of the leading centres of education in the country.

 

Vijay Scripts Historic Debut Victory, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Reshapes Tamil Nadu Politics

Chennai, May 5 (BNP): In a landmark political development, actor-turned-politician Vijay has secured a historic victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, to a sweeping mandate.

Making his electoral debut from the Perambur constituency, Vijay won decisively and formally received his victory certificate, underscoring a strong endorsement from the electorate. His emergence signals a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, traditionally dominated by established players such as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

The results point to a broader transformation in voter sentiment, with the TVK’s rise reflecting growing public appetite for alternative leadership. Vijay’s victory, often described by supporters as a “Jana Nayagan” moment, highlights a people-driven mandate that could redefine the state’s political trajectory in the years ahead.

If current trends consolidate, this win may mark the beginning of a new political era in Tamil Nadu, with the TVK poised to play a central role in shaping governance and policy in the state.

UAE Fully Restores Air Traffic Operations Following Temporary Disruptions

May 5 (BNP): The United Arab Emirates has lifted all air traffic restrictions, restoring normal flight operations across its airspace after nearly 10 weeks of disruption linked to regional conflict earlier this year.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (UAE) confirmed the full resumption of normal air navigation services, ending temporary measures that had been in place since late February 2026.

Following the announcement, Dubai International Airport stated that it is steadily scaling up operations and increasing flight movements in coordination with available regional air routes. Airlines are gradually reinstating suspended schedules as capacity across neighbouring air corridors improves.

While the recovery is underway, aviation operations remain dependent on regional coordination and airspace availability. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, especially after a recent security alert issued in the region, though no operational changes have been announced.

The UAE aviation sector is now focused on a phased return to full capacity, with global carriers expected to progressively expand services through Dubai as stability in regional routing improves.

Fidelity International unveils a Miyawaki forest with 15,000 native trees to boost Gurugram’s urban ecology

Gurugram, May 5: Fidelity International today announced the creation of a high‑density Miyawaki forest with the plantation of 15,000 indigenous saplings across 11,873 square metres at the Dhankot pond area in Gurugram.

Using 100% native species planted at a density of 2 to 4 saplings per square metre, the initiative will transform the land over the next three years into a dense, self‑sustaining urban forest designed to deliver long‑term climate, biodiversity and community benefits to the city.

This forest was inaugurated on 1 May by Rohit Jetly, Head of Records Keeping Platforms and India Site Head, and Stuart Warner, Head of FIL Platforms, marking a significant Earth Day commitment to urban ecological restoration.

Designed for measurable environmental impact

The Miyawaki method involves the high‑density plantation of native tree species to accelerate forest growth and enable self‑sustaining ecosystems, even in urban settings.

Developed with Creating Awareness To Change Habits (CATCH) Foundation as the implementation partner, this plantation located in Gurugram Sector 101 features over 30 native tree species and replicates natural multi-layer vegetation to accelerate growth and ecosystem revival.

Once mature, it is expected to deliver:

• 250 to 280 tonnes of Carbon dioxide (CO₂) absorption annually
• 2 to 3°C localized cooling
• 5 to 15% higher groundwater recharge
• Improved air quality through particulate absorption
• Enhanced biodiversity including the return of birds, bees and pollinators

During its establishment and growth phase, the forest is projected to sequester a cumulative 142 to 458 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) over the next ten years, with higher annual absorption expected as the forest reaches maturity.

Commenting on the initiative, Ameet Nayak, Head of India Legal & APAC Company Secretary, and India CSR Head, Fidelity International said,

“This Miyawaki forest reflects our belief that meaningful environmental action must be rooted in local communities and designed to deliver lasting value. By restoring green cover and strengthening ecosystems, the forest will enhance environmental resilience while improving wellbeing and quality of life. At Fidelity International, our CSR approach is centred on purposeful action and strong partnerships that translate intent into tangible, on‑ground impact. Through close collaboration with civic authorities, ecological partners, and our employees, we are helping build healthier ecosystems, stronger communities, and sustainable outcomes for the years ahead. The early return of birds, bees, and butterflies at the Dhankot pond underscores the powerful impact of thoughtfully designed ecological interventions, demonstrating how native ecosystems can thrive when supported by scientific methods and sustained care.”

Bharat Sisodia, Founder-Chairperson, CATCH Foundation added,

“Creating self-sustainable forests in close alignment with the 2070 Net Zero Carbon goal, which in turn become natural habitats for biodiversity to thrive in abundance, is the objective of CATCH Foundation. Urban spaces have become concrete jungles, and we have witnessed these vital green lungs being quietly wiped out of existence. Projects like the Dhankot Pond Area Forest Plantation represent a powerful restoration of such ecosystems, addressing some of the most pressing national challenges, including air pollution—especially in the NCR—biodiversity loss, and the broader climate crisis. Our collaboration with Fidelity International reflects a shared commitment to creating resilient urban spaces that we can responsibly pass on to future generations.”

Ensuring long‑term sustainability

Fidelity International and CATCH Foundation have committed to three years of structured maintenance—including watering, mulching, organic soil care and sapling replacement—to ensure over 95% survival. A precision drip irrigation system reduces water use by 40 to 60%, while geo‑tagging, monthly monitoring and third‑party audits will track impact and growth.

After the maintenance period, the forest is expected to become fully self-sustaining, with natural canopy cover, leaf litter and native root systems supporting long-term ecological health.

The programme also features employee and family‑led plantation drives, structured forest maintenance days, and an Adopt‑a‑Tree initiative that enables Fidelity International employee volunteers to track the growth of their saplings over time. These efforts are complemented by ecological awareness sessions and nature‑based learning activities for employees and their children.

The initiative demonstrates the strength of collaborative action, combining CATCH Foundation’s ecological know‑how and Fidelity International’s long‑term commitment to responsible corporate citizenship.

 

St. Charles to Host 31st Annual Mosaics Fine Art Festival

Family-friendly celebration to feature 100+ artists, live music, children’s activities, and more.

(St. Charles, Mo., May 5, 2026) The 31st annual Mosaics Fine Art Festival will take place Fri., Sept. 11 from 4 to 9 p.m., Sat., Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sun., Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free family-friendly event will be held along several blocks of North Main St. in Historic St. Charles, Mo., home to more than 30 restaurants and over 75 shops are located.

The three-day festival will feature over 100 juried artists from more than 15 states exhibiting and selling their original artwork. Media categories include clay, drawing, glass, leather, metal, pastel, oil/acrylic, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, and wood. A total of $5,000 will be presented to the top nine artists.

Children can enjoy hands-on art experiences in the popular Children’s Village where they can create their own make-and-take art masterpieces on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mary Hediger’s Memorial Art Shop for Kids allows children 14 and under the opportunity to purchase professional artwork. Designed to foster art appreciation at an early age, all pieces are donated by participating festival artists and can be purchased for a nominal fee. 

Festival entertainment will include live performances throughout the weekend on the H. Robert Pank Memorial Music Stage. Families interested in pet adoption can visit the Artists for Adoption Pet Pavilion, located at the north end of the festival, to meet animals from Stray Paws Adoptables.

The nonprofit Mosaics Fine Art Festival highlights local and regional artists while inspiring community engagement with the arts. The festival features a vibrant mix of emerging, mid-career, and established artists across all media. For more information, call (314) 406-2067 or visit http://www.stcharlesmosaics.org.

ten23 Health, West Partner for Synchrony™ S1 Syringe Manufacturing Readiness

ten23 health and West collaborate to ensure manufacturing readiness for West Synchrony™ S1 Prefillable Syringe System filling

Basel, Switzerland. May 4^th, 2026 — ten23 health®, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in sterile fill-finish and advanced drug delivery systems, today announced that it has already successfully tested and ran the newly launched West Synchrony™ S1 prefillable syringe (PFS) system on its manufacturing equipment. The announcement follows West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.’s global commercial availability of the West Synchrony S1 PFS system, an innovative platform that uniquely integrates the syringe barrel, plunger, and needle shield/tip cap into a fully harmonized, verified system from a single supplier.

 
By evaluating the container system early on its fill-finish lines, ten23 health enables biopharma customers to rapidly adopt the West Synchrony S1 PFS system for clinical and early commercial programs, reducing technical risk and accelerating development timelines.

“Having already implemented and tested the West Synchrony S1 prefillable syringe system on our equipment, we are well positioned to support our partners with operational readiness,” said Hanns-Christian Mahler, Chief Enablement Officer, ten23 health. “Early hands-on experience with new container systems is critical for de-risking development, particularly as combination products and home-based administration continue to grow.”

The West Synchrony S1 PFS system offers a broad portfolio of configurations for biologics and vaccines, including staked needle and Luer lock options, along with high-performance NovaPure® and FluroTec™ film laminated plunger components. ten23 health’s early evaluation focused on manufacturability, compatibility, and process robustness under representative fill-finish conditions.
As drug developers face increasing regulatory and technical complexity, early alignment between container systems and manufacturing processes has become essential. ten23 health’s proactive early adoption and testing approach allows clients to transition seamlessly from development into clinical supply using commercially available, validated delivery platforms and add to ten23’s toolbox for available container and delivery options for its customers.

ten23 health will co-host an event together with West today (May 4^th) at its Basel premises, showcasing the filling of the Synchrony syringes on its pilot filling line.

Dr. Bhargav Mallappa Celebrates Thalapathy Vijay’s Historic Breakthrough

Chennai, May 4, 2026

In the wake of a sweeping electoral victory by actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, social entrepreneur & National Chairman and Founder of Akhilia Sevak Samaj Council, Dr. Bhargav Mallappa, extended his congratulations, calling the mandate a reflection of “aspiration-led politics and a decisive public shift.”

Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, has emerged as the dominant force in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading in over 100 seats in the 234-member Assembly, marking a significant break from the long-standing DMK-AIADMK duopoly. The results indicate a strong voter endorsement of a new political narrative centred on governance reform and youth engagement.

Reacting to the outcome, Mallappa said the verdict goes beyond a routine change of government. “This is a mandate for accountability and forward-looking leadership. It shows that people are willing to place trust in new ideas when they are backed by credibility and connect,” he noted.

Known for his work at the intersection of social impact and grassroots innovation, Mallappa emphasised the opportunity ahead for inclusive growth. He highlighted that the incoming leadership would need to prioritise employment generation, digital access, and community-driven development to sustain public confidence.

He also underlined the importance of institutional continuity, adding that electoral success must translate into measurable governance outcomes. “The real test begins now, how effectively this mandate is converted into policy action that benefits the last mile,” he said.

The 2026 result is being viewed as a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu politics, with Vijay’s rise signalling the arrival of a new political axis. Stakeholders across sectors, including civil society voices like Mallappa, have expressed cautious optimism about the state’s next phase of governance.

Vijay Hailed as ‘Jana Nayagan’ as TVK Leads; Celebrities Applaud Historic Surge!

Chennai,May 4 (BNP): Actor-turned-politician Vijay is being hailed as ‘Jana Nayagan’ (People’s Leader) as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, takes a commanding lead in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading in over 100 of the state’s 234 seats as counting trends continue.

The strong electoral showing has triggered a wave of congratulatory messages from across the film industry. Prominent actors including Vikram, Vijay Deverakonda, Nani, Ravi Teja and Kajal Aggarwal took to social media to praise Vijay’s remarkable political debut.

Highlighting the underdog narrative behind Vijay’s rise, Nani lauded the development as a powerful moment in politics. In his message, he noted that Vijay’s journey—from being doubted to gaining widespread public support—resonates strongly with voters and reflects a clear mandate for change in the state.

The outpouring of support from the film fraternity underscores Vijay’s widespread appeal beyond cinema and his growing influence in the political arena. Analysts believe that such endorsements reflect a broader cultural shift, with new-age leadership gaining traction among younger and aspirational voters.

As trends continue to unfold, Vijay’s performance is being seen as a potential turning point in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, challenging long-standing power structures and redefining electoral dynamics in the state.

Further updates are awaited as counting progresses.

PM Modi to Address BJP Workers as NDA Gains Ground in Assam, West Bengal!

New Delhi, may 4 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address party workers at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in the national capital, as the National Democratic Alliance registers a strong surge in the Assembly election trends in Assam and West Bengal.

Early counting trends indicate a significant lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies, positioning the NDA for a robust performance in both states. The developments have sparked celebrations among party workers, with preparations underway at the BJP headquarters for the Prime Minister’s address.

Sources within the party said Modi is expected to thank voters and party workers for their support, while outlining the alliance’s vision for governance and development in the states.

The surge in Assam and West Bengal is being viewed as a major political gain for the NDA, potentially reshaping the regional political landscape and strengthening the BJP’s footprint in eastern India.

Further updates are awaited as counting progresses and results are officially declared.

End of an Era: CM M.K. Stalin Loses Kolathur Stronghold to TVK Newcomer V.S. Babu!

Chennai,May 4 (BNP): In a landmark political upset, M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has lost his long-held Kolathur seat to first-time candidate V.S. Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

The unexpected defeat marks a significant turning point in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, bringing an end to Stalin’s dominance in Kolathur, a constituency widely regarded as a DMK stronghold for years. The result underscores a shifting voter sentiment and the emergence of new political forces in the state.

V.S. Babu’s victory highlights the rapid rise of TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, which has made a strong impact in its electoral debut. The outcome is being viewed by political observers as a clear signal of evolving electoral dynamics and growing public appetite for change.

The development is likely to have far-reaching implications for the future of Dravidian politics, potentially reshaping traditional power structures in the state.

Further details are awaited as counting concludes and final results are officially declared.