Category Archives: News

India’s First Family Mediation Training held

Hyderabad, July 16, 2025 — A landmark initiative in conflict resolution was held successfully recently. It was India’s first-of-its-kind Family Mediation Training Program. The 7-day, 70-hour intensive workshop, held at the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC), Gachibowli, was jointly organised by Invisible Scars Foundation and IAMC Hyderabad.

The program was specifically designed for non-legal professionals working in the social or development sector. It was fully funded under the CSR mandate of Centific, a global digital solutions company.

“This marks the beginning of a new era—where family mediators are trained to support survivors of family and domestic violence and restore peace with dignity,” said the organisers.

“Disputes between spouses often arise over trivial matters. If they sit and talk, many issues can be resolved without court intervention, but that is not happening. We need more mediators to prevent the pile-up of family cases in courts.”

Mediation has deep cultural roots in India, where resolving disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding has long been a preferred approach, especially in matters related to family. Across generations, Indian society has placed a strong emphasis on amicable settlement, reflecting a tradition of prioritizing harmony over conflict.

The workshop brought together 32 participants from across India—Ajmer, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Hazaribagh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nalgonda, Pune, and Warangal. The cohort included social workers, psychologists, and law enforcement officers, now certified as Family Mediators.

Upon certification, they are empanelled with IAMC and support conflict resolution across programs in GBV, WASH, education, and health, directly within their communities.

The training was conducted by a nationalreceiving numerous requests for training. According to Ekta Viiveck Verma, she plans to organise more such training programs. The NGO is also looking for philanthropic organisations to join hands with them to train more people in ly respected panel of experts. They include Susheela Sarathi – Senior Trainer, MCPC (Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee) of the Supreme Court of India. She has trained many advocates, Judges of the Lower and Higher Judiciary, and Professionals from various walks of life in Mediation.

Tanu Mehta – Mediator and Trainer, Mumbai; K.S. Sarma, the Founder and Director of HAMPS (Hamps Bio Ltd), with a background in the broadcasting industry, having served as CEO of Prasar Bharati and Director General of Doordarshan; Dr. Varudhini Kankipati – Co-Founder, Inner Connect Psychological Counselling Centre, a professional counselling service provider

The program was inaugurated by Ms. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director General, Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, who also shared her personal experience as a trained mediator and urged more professionals to embrace this transformative tool.

Ekta Viiveck Verma, Founder of Invisible Scars Foundation, noted: “Family mediation is not just a legal tool—it’s a healing process. This program equips grassroots professionals with skills to resolve conflicts with empathy and dignity. It is a major step toward building a survivor-first support system.”

AJ Jawad, Lead Faculty and Registrar, IAMC, added: “This program was a national first. For the first time, we are empowering non-legal professionals with real-world mediation tools to address family and domestic disputes.”

The curriculum covered critical modules on trauma, communication, family law, negotiation, and ethics, with both theoretical and practical assessments.

As domestic conflict and abuse rise across India, there is an urgent need for faster, sensitive, and trauma-informed dispute resolution. Family mediation ensures privacy, dignity, and timely outcomes, providing a real alternative to prolonged and painful court cases.

This initiative sets the foundation for an India-wide network of certified family mediators—a vital need in today’s emotionally fractured world.

Invisible Scars has been getting a lot of requests for training. According to Ekta Viiveck Verma, she plans to organise more such training programs. The NGO is also looking for philanthropic organisations to join hands with them to train more people in family mediation.

Zulu Club Raises USD 250K to Scale 100-Minute Fashion Delivery

July 16, Gurgaon/Bengaluru: Fashion quick commerce platform Zulu Club has raised $250,000 in pre-seed funding from early-stage venture capital firm TDV Partners. The Gurgaon-based startup is reinventing the fashion shopping journey by blending the ease of online ordering with the confidence of offline exploration.

Unlike traditional e-commerce that relies on guesswork, static images, and high return rates, Zulu Club enables shopping from trusted malls and outlets. Users can order pre-curated Try-at-Home kits in just 100 minutes and try 4–5 items before committing to a purchase. The goal is to offer a confident, tactile shopping experience—without the doom scroll and without stepping out. This model addresses key structural issues in fashion e-commerce such as high returns and poor profitability by enabling cross-sell and up-sell, thereby boosting AOV.

Zulu Club surfaces the hidden gems of local fashion by transforming nearby collections into seamless digital experiences, offering delivery within 100 minutes for instant gratification to fashion-conscious urban shoppers.

“Most online fashion platforms are built for speed and variety—but that often comes at the cost of experience and confidence. We’re building Zulu Club to reintroduce trust and experience into fashion shopping, especially for millennial consumers who crave convenience and personalization,” said Adarsh Bhatia, Founder of Zulu Club. Adarsh previously led business at Fashinza, a tech-enabled apparel manufacturing startup, and brings deep domain expertise to this new venture.

Zulu Club’s core audience is urban millennials and Gen Z—style-savvy, time-constrained shoppers who seek a smoother, smarter way to shop. Unlike traditional e-commerce, which relies on static images and high return rates,

Zulu Club follows an experience-first model. Shoppers can:

● Shop from nearby malls through Zulu’s app

● Book live assistance for product exploration

● Receive curated Try-at-Home kits

● Place orders post-trial or during a call

● Get 100-minute delivery through Zulu’s own network

The latest app update enhances the end-to-end user journey with improvements in flow, customer coordination, and logistics for a faster and smoother experience.

“Zulu Club is tackling a fundamental friction in fashion e-commerce—shoppers want to try before they buy. Their Try-at-Home kits and instant delivery are built for today’s mobile-first, experience-led consumer,” said Ujwal Sutaria, General Partner at TDV Partners.“We’re excited to back a team that blends deep fashion expertise with grassroots execution. Zulu isn’t building another marketplace—it’s reimagining fashion retail for the next generation.”

Currently Live in Gurgaon, Zulu Club, which was founded in 2024, plans to leverage the fresh funding to expand across key neighborhoods in Delhi NCR, enhancing its reach among urban shoppers. The company will also focus on improving its Try-at-Home flows and personalization features and deepen partnerships with outlet stores and mall retailers, while investing strategically in logistics, operations, and customer engagement.

Cairn Oil and Gas Empowers 25,000 Youth With Skill Development, Promotes Entrepreneurship and Self-Reliance at the Grassroot Level

• Cairn introduced e-kaksha initiative in 2020 to provide digital education to students in Rajasthan, with access to digital resources and library. The company aimed to reach 9 million students by 2030 but has already surpassed the target touching over 23 million students since the inception of its program.
• To promote digital literacy, Cairn Oil & Gas has installed a digital classroom in Sarupathar College in the Golaghat district of Assam. The classroom is serving the ~4,000 enrolled students, offering them digital exposure and an opportunity to experience modern technology for the first time. The digital classroom has evolved into a comprehensive skill development centre, paving the way towards a brighter future for the students.

Cairn Spokesperson: “Youth are the future of the nation, and it is our responsibility to provide them with an opportunity to build a meaningful life. Cairn Oil & Gas is committed to contributing to nation-building by empowering the youth in the areas it operates in, through skill development initiatives and training programs to meet the talent demands of the growing nation. It makes us proud to see these young individuals, trained in our centres, succeed in their lives independently and with confidence.”

Dalmia Bharat Foundation with Vishwa Yuvak Kendra Marks World Youth Skills Day with Seminar on AI and Digital Empowerment

New Delhi, July 16, 2025: On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Dalmia Bharat Ltd., in collaboration with Vishwa Yuvak Kendra (VYK), organised a seminar on ‘Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills’ in New Delhi. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, civil society representatives and young entrepreneurs to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges in digital skilling, employability, and innovation-driven growth for India’s youth. The Chief Guest for the event was Dr. Vinita Aggarwal, IES (Retd.), Executive Member, National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). Other notable dignitaries included Dr. Rishikesh Patankar, Vice President, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC); Mr. Uday Shankar Singh, CEO, Vishwa Yuvak Kendra and Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta, IAS (Retd.), CEO, Dalmia Bharat Foundation.

The day-long seminar hosted two focused panel discussions on “From Innovation to Impact-AI, CSR, and Collaboration for Next-Gen Skills”. The session explored how CSR initiatives, government programs, and digital platforms can enable inclusive skilling models and income generation pathways. A dedicated segment titled ‘Talk with Inspiring Entrepreneurs’ Maj. Sankripti Chaudhary (Retd), Client Relationship Manager, BVG, Mr. Gurpreet Singh and Ms. Poonam Devi, provided real-life stories of resilience and enterprise among young professionals who built their careers through skill-based training.

Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta, CEO, Dalmia Bharat Foundation, said, “At Dalmia Bharat, our aim is to build an inclusive, digitally empowered workforce for India. As AI and emerging technologies redefine the skill landscape, we must ensure our youth, especially at the grassroots, are not left behind. Through partnerships with corporates, government, and institutions, we aim to scale our capacity, deepen our focus on women-centric skilling, and align curricula with sectors like AI, EVs, green tech, and rural enterprise.”

He further added, “This seminar reflects our commitment to industry-relevant, future-ready skill development. We are grateful to VYK for their valuable partnership for this event.”

 Mr. Uday Shankar Singh, CEO, Vishwa Yuvak Kendra said, “As a youth-focused institution, we value partnerships that help create meaningful opportunities for young people. This seminar allowed us to explore how digital disruption impacts skilling and how we can better support our underserved youth. It brought together experts, practitioners, and change-makers to share insights and innovative approaches. Through such dialogues, we aim to co-create inclusive and future-ready solutions that empower every young individual to thrive in the digital age. We believe that bridging the digital divide is not just a necessity but a responsibility. Together, we can unlock the potential of youth and drive sustainable, equitable development.”

Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF) drives grassroots skilling across India through a robust network of 23 DIKSHa centres, 4 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and 7 HP World on Wheels (WOW) digital buses and 2 CSL labs. These initiatives have collectively trained over 27,000 rural youth in trades ranging from healthcare and digital literacy to technical and entrepreneurial skills. By linking rural talent to industry-relevant opportunities, DBF continues to strengthen India’s youth and skill development ecosystem in meaningful and measurable ways.

People Forum of India Announces Key Appointments to National and State Committees Amid Nationwide Restructuring

New Delhi, 15 July 2025

The People Forum of India, a civic unit functioning under the National Bharat Sevak Samaj (a public service institution established by the Government of India in 1952), formally announced new appointments to its national and state leadership during a press conference held at the Press Club of India, New Delhi.

The development comes days after the dissolution of the Forum’s previous national and state committees as part of an all-India reorganization aimed at streamlining operations and deepening grassroots engagement.

As part of the restructuring, the following office bearers have been appointed with immediate effect:

Newly Appointed Officials

1. Dr. Selvaganesh – National Vice President, In-charge of the National Advisory Committee
2. Dr. Mylaraswamy – National Vice President, In-charge of South India
3. Mr. B.P. Suresh – National Treasurer
4. Mr. Jasbir Singh – International Ambassador
5. Mr. B.K. Paranthaman – Tamil Nadu State Chairman & National Executive Committee Member
6. Mr. Kiran – Karnataka State Chairman
7. Mr. P.J. Athul – Kerala State Youth Wing President
8. Mr. Himanshu Pal – Bihar State Labour Wing Secretary

Further appointments across other states and departments are currently under review and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Speaking at the press conference, Dr. S. Manimozhiyaan, National Chairman of the People Forum of India, said:

“These appointments reflect our renewed commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and grassroots action. We expect each office bearer to serve with integrity and to represent the ideals of the Forum in their regions.”

Dr. Bhargav Mallappa, National Deputy Chairman (Administration & Organization), added:

“This restructuring is a forward-looking step to energize our national network. Through our focus areas—including employment generation, computer literacy, women’s empowerment, eradication of child labour, and social awareness—we aim to build a people-driven platform of progress. Our motto is simple: social work is our work.”

All newly appointed functionaries have been directed to take charge immediately and operate in alignment with the constitutional values and legacy of the Forum.

Empower Youths: Mohit Kamboj feels start-up system, entrepreneurship make them future ready

Mohit Kamboj is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist dedicated to progress, unity, and transformative change across India

India stands on the cusp of a transformative era, an economic and social renaissance driven by the unmatched energy of its youth. With over 65% of the population under the age of 35, India is not just a young nation, but a pulsating powerhouse of ambition, innovation and aspiration. In this context, entrepreneurship must be seen not merely as a means of economic development, but as a national mission, an instrument of empowerment, self-reliance and inclusive growth.

The Rise of India’s Start-Up Ecosystem

India’s journey from the periphery to the forefront of the global innovation map has been nothing short of extraordinary. Today, we are the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, and cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune have emerged as vibrant centres of innovation. What’s more encouraging is the entrepreneurial spark igniting in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, from Indore to Guwahati, where young Indians are daring to think big and build local solutions for local and global challenges.

But the real opportunity lies beyond the urban bubble. To truly unlock the potential of India’s demographic dividend, we must democratize entrepreneurship ensuring it is accessible not just to the urban educated elite, but also to youth in rural and underserved communities. The goal must be to make innovation a grassroots movement.

Entrepreneurship: The New Freedom Struggle

Today’s young entrepreneurs are not just building businesses; they are redefining what freedom means. This is a new-age freedom movement, one that seeks economic independence, self-expression, and societal impact. Much like our forebears who fought for political liberty, India’s youth are carving pathways to economic sovereignty by creating jobs, not just seeking them, and by developing indigenous solutions to uniquely Indian problems.

What makes entrepreneurship truly powerful is that it does not require a family legacy or elite education. It requires vision, resilience and an enabling ecosystem. That’s where government, industry, academia, and civil society must work in unison.

Building the Foundation: Education and Policy Reforms

For entrepreneurship to thrive, it must be deeply embedded into the educational framework. We need to move beyond rote learning to foster critical thinking, creativity and financial literacy. Schools and colleges should nurture risk-taking and entrepreneurial problem-solving as core life skills.

Government initiatives like Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission, and Skill India have laid a robust foundation. The next frontier is to extend these programs into rural India and marginalized communities to discover the next unicorn founder in a village, not just in a metro.

On the policy front, simplifying tax norms, streamlining business approvals, and expanding access to seed funding and incubators will be crucial. Entrepreneurs need a springboard, not a quagmire of red tape.

Celebrating the Risk-Takers

India must shift its cultural mindset, from applauding only academic rank-holders to celebrating those who take risks and solve real-world problems. Innovation demands courage. Failure is not a stigma, it is a stepping stone. We must normalise setbacks and nurture resilience in our youth.

What excites me most is how youth-led start-ups are addressing India’s most pressing challenges, be it in affordable healthcare, agriculture technology, digital skilling, financial inclusion or waste management. These ventures are not just commercial endeavours, they are social revolutions in motion.

A National Imperative

If India’s demographic dividend is to become its greatest asset, we must empower our young people with the right tools, opportunities, and mindset to lead from the front. Entrepreneurship is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity for sustainable, inclusive growth.

As someone who has built from the ground up, I can say with conviction that our real investment must be in people. In their potential, their dreams and their ability to transform India from within. Let us imagine and build an India where every young individual, from Nagpur to Nandurbar, from Varanasi to Visakhapatnam, has not just the aspiration, but also the access to dream, create and lead.

NMIMS Chandigarh welcomes new batch with Inspiring Orientation Ceremony

Chandigarh, July 15, 2025: SVKM’s NMIMS Chandigarh marked a significant milestone with the successful inauguration of its new cohort at the School of Technology Management & Engineering (STME) through a vibrant and insightful Orientation Ceremony held on 12th July at the campus. The event brought together distinguished dignitaries, faculty, parents, and enthusiastic first-year students to celebrate the beginning of a promising academic journey.

The ceremony commenced on an auspicious note with the NMIMS Anthem and a lamp-lighting ritual, symbolizing the light of knowledge and new beginnings.

Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Director I/C, NMIMS Chandigarh Campus and Associate Dean, STME, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the university’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic student development. She proudly shared that NMIMS has recently been re-accredited with a NAAC A++ grade, attaining an impressive CGPA of 3.59 out of 4.0.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Mr. Nishant Kumar Yadav (IAS), Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh, and Guest of Honor Dr. Ashok Sangwan, Head of IT Security at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Yadav delivered an inspirational keynote, sharing insights from his journey to the Indian Administrative Services, his training at the IAS Academy in Mussoorie, and the broader relevance of education, discipline, and physical wellness in shaping effective public service leaders. He also spoke about Chandigarh’s unique heritage, encouraging students to pursue their goals with dedication and purpose.

Dr. Sangwan followed with a dynamic session focused on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the importance of strong foundational skills in engineering. He engaged students through interactive activities and emphasized the importance of staying present in the learning process, fostering both technical expertise and soft skills for sustained success in the industry.

A special highlight of the program was the “Wellness First” awareness session led by Dr. Inderdeep Kaur Sawhney, Health Officer at the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. The session addressed critical topics related to mental health and drug awareness, offering students practical strategies to manage stress, recognize early signs of substance misuse, and maintain emotional well-being during their academic journey.

The event concluded with faculty briefings by Dr. Jagpreet and Dr. Yugal, who outlined the academic framework, support systems, and institutional care mechanisms in place for students.

With courses set to begin on Monday, July 14, 2025, the orientation ceremony successfully laid a strong foundation for the incoming batch, fostering a sense of purpose, community, and enthusiasm. NMIMS Chandigarh continues its mission to nurture future leaders through a blend of academic rigor, innovation, and personal development.

Aviva India Launches Child Future Plan for Semi-Urban Families

New Delhi , 14th July 2025: Aviva India, a leading private life insurance company, announced the launch of its latest life insurance offering – Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana, a Non-Linked Non-Participating life insurance savings plan aimed at helping families in rural and semi-urban India build a secure future for their children. With premiums starting at just ₹1,000 per month, the plan combines guaranteed maturity benefits and life cover, helping families confidently plan for milestones like higher education, skill development or even starting a small business.

The plan offers a minimum entry age is 3 years, and the maximum entry age is 50 years, with policy terms ranging from 12 to 30 years and a maturity age of up to 80 years, making it suitable for a wide range of life stages and financial goals. Its flexible premium payment options—monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annually—make it easier to fit into diverse household budgets.

In the unfortunate event of the life insured’s demise during the policy term, the nominee will receive the highest of:

• Death Sum Assured, or
• Surrender Value as on date of death (higher of Guaranteed Surrender Value or Special Surrender Value), or
• X%** (minimum 105%) of the total premiums paid

Commenting on the launch, Vinit Kapahi, Chief Marketing Officer, Aviva India, said, “Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana is built around real, everyday aspirations of families beyond metro cities. It’s a simple, goal-oriented plan for parents who wish to protect and nurture their children’s dreams, without the complexities often associated with financial products.”

The plan offers maturity benefits in the form of a guaranteed sum assured at the end of the policy term, ensuring financial support for the child’s future. It also provides tax benefits as per prevailing laws, making it a practical choice for families looking for both financial security and future-focused savings.

This launch reflects Aviva’s deepening commitment to financial inclusion – reaching not just metros, but real Bharat, where protection is needed most.

World Youth Skills Day 2025: Building Future-Ready Youth

By – Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, Project Management Institute.

“As we mark World Youth Skills Day 2025, it is vital to recognize that empowering today’s youth with future-ready skills is synonymous with equipping them to master the projects of tomorrow. In a world increasingly shaped by rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence, building digital fluency and cultivating adaptive competencies are essential to developing future-ready mindsets and meaningful career pathways.

We see clearly that skills in project success, data-informed decision-making, and collaborative agility are not just valuable, but are actively redefining the future of work across all sectors. These are the core competencies that enable individuals to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close complex undertakings, turning challenges into opportunities.

To enable inclusive growth and long-term economic resilience, preparing youth must become a shared priority. Institutions must evolve beyond conventional training paradigms and invest in scalable, experiential learning frameworks that integrate mentorship and real-world application. By fostering a culture of continuous development and ethical innovation, we empower youth to lead transformative change, manage complex initiatives, and deliver tangible value through AI and digital skills across industries, communities, and borders. At PMI, we believe every person has the potential to be a successful project leader, driving progress for a better future.”

Tata Technologies CEO: Empowering Youth for a Sustainable EV Future Through Upskilling

By- Mr. Warren Harris, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Technologies.

“At Tata Technologies, our vision of ‘Engineering a Better World’ is centered around empowering young minds with the skills and capabilities they need to excel in their careers and lives. Recognising the significant amount of the skill gap in the EV space, in terms of R&D, maintenance, service, etc., it is our constant endeavour to support upskilling of both students and working professionals. Our in-house skilling and partnership programs like the ‘Ready Engineer Program’, teacher training with iRISE, government partnerships to form ITIs and the InnoVent hackathon challenge, are the results of our commitment towards upskilling the youth. We understand the critical role of the youth in driving the future of electric mobility. Today, courses in areas like AI and machine learning for EVs are becoming increasingly vital. Thus, by focusing on these emerging areas, we aspire to empower the youth to adapt to the evolving culture and contribute to shaping a sustainable future.”