Category Archives: News

The Silent Struggle and Strength Behind Thalassemia’s Smallest Warriors”

By-Dr Nadipalli Sravani, Consultant Oncologist and Haematologist, Ankura Hospital for Women and Children

A routine evening took a serious turn for a young couple in their 20s when their three-month-old baby was noticed to have mild abdominal distension and persistent crying—initially assumed to be a case of infantile colic. However, upon further evaluation, the child was diagnosed with Thalassemia Major, a severe inherited blood disorder that requires lifelong monthly blood transfusions to sustain life.

The family was informed that although the time commitment involved in transfusions may seem limited—approximately four hours once a month—the implications of the disease are far-reaching. Terms such as genetic disorder, lifelong transfusions, and iron chelation therapy were introduced, leaving the parents overwhelmed. When the father inquired about a permanent solution, bone marrow transplantation was presented as the only potential cure—albeit one associated with complex procedures, significant costs, and a prolonged recovery timeline.

World Thalassemia Day, observed annually on May 8, is marked to raise awareness about this chronic hematological condition and to express solidarity with patients and families affected by it. In Thalassemia Major, the production of healthy hemoglobin is impaired, resulting in severe anemia. Without regular treatment, life-threatening complications are inevitable. Thousands of children in India are diagnosed with this condition each year, making early detection and consistent management essential.

It is often asked by parents whether any action of theirs contributed to the diagnosis. It must be emphasized that no fault lies with the parents, as Thalassemia is a genetic disorder inherited through carrier status from both parents. Unfortunately, due to low awareness and insufficient screening, the diagnosis is frequently made only after symptoms develop.

In such cases, pediatric hematologists play a critical role. Comprehensive counselling is provided, followed by the formulation of a tailored treatment plan based on clinical guidelines. While blood transfusion forms the cornerstone of initial management, the introduction of iron chelation therapy is vital to prevent secondary complications such as cardiac failure, liver dysfunction, and delayed growth. The long-term objective remains to facilitate a healthy transition into adolescence and adulthood.

It must be stressed that, with optimal management, children with Thalassemia can experience a normal and fulfilling childhood. Regular monitoring, adherence to medical protocols, and a supportive environment are essential components of this process.

This year’s theme, “Uniting Communities,” serves as a reminder that comprehensive care must extend beyond hospitals. The role of communities, support groups, educational institutions, and policymakers is critical in ensuring that patients have access to safe and affordable transfusions, psychosocial support, and inclusive opportunities. Awareness and early screening, particularly premarital and antenatal, should be promoted as essential public health measures to prevent the birth of affected children.

On this World Thalassemia Day, a renewed call is being made for collaborative action—so that no family is left to navigate this journey alone and every child with Thalassemia is empowered to lead a life free of limitations.

Indian Pickleball Association Convenes Special Meeting in Delhi to Mark National Sports Federation Status

New Delhi: The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) on Thursday convened a meeting in New Delhi to commemorate its official recognition as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for pickleball by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Government of India. This milestone achievement signifies a pivotal moment for the sport in India, positioning pickleball on par with other major sports and to unlock new avenues for structured development, funding, and nationwide promotion. The event, with an objective to outline IPA’s strategic roadmap for the development and promotion of pickleball across India, brought together board members, key stakeholders, and representatives from multiple states and union territories, with Presidents and General Secretaries from 25+ states.

IPA announced plans to hold 100+ events this year in different states across all age groups in Men’s and Women’s, alongside launching the Indian Pickleball Ranking structure. Along with its state bodies, the IPA plans to revolutionize the sport in India by establishing a structured, inclusive, and professionally managed ecosystem, aiming to ensure nationwide participation and grassroots growth. One of the key announcements included the launch of India’s first official Pickleball Nationals under MYAS, expected to draw over 1,000 players from across 25 states in both individual and team formats. Additionally, IPA will be collaborating with the Times Group to launch a flagship league featuring Indian and international athletes, along with a year-end Masters tournament, crowning the top-ranked players.

Mr. Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President, IPA said, “The official recognition as a National Sports Federation is a historic milestone, but it is also a call to action. We all are committed to establishing a world-class sporting structure for pickleball in India, focusing on talent identification, equitable access, professional training, and global competitiveness. Our mission is to win medals for India at the junior and pro levels on the international stage. With the expertise of our leadership and the passion of our community, we aim to make pickleball a household name and position India as a global powerhouse in the sport.”

The IPA also plans to engage with global organizations to position India as a significant player on the international stage, including efforts to host the first Official Asia Cup and pursue Olympic recognition through the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). Through academy accreditation, technical training for coaches and referees, and institutional integration via Khelo India and school networks, the IPA is committed to creating a robust and sustainable pickleball ecosystem in India. IPA is aligned with the international vision for Olympic inclusion and is actively working to prepare Indian athletes for elite global competition. In addition to its immediate plans, IPA is also working on several long-term initiatives, including infrastructure development projects in collaboration with local governments, the launch of coaching certification programs, and the establishment of pickleball academies in major cities. A structured league system is also in the works to foster competitive play and provide a pathway for players to transition from amateur to professional ranks.

Highlighting the vision for Pickleball in India, Aalap Sharma, Treasurer, IPA said, “The landmark decision by MYAS to recognize IPA as National Sports Federation is the beginning of a revolution in Pickleball. Our goal is to make India a Pickleball hub of the world. By fostering partnerships and encouraging inclusive participation, we will elevate pickleball to new heights, making it accessible, competitive, and thriving for generations to come.”

Cohance Lifesciences, the new identity of Suven Pharmaceuticals

Hyderabad/Mumbai, May 8th, 2025: Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited, an integrated CDMO serving customers across the globe, has rebranded as Cohance Lifesciences Limited.

This event represents more than just a name change—it marks a bold step forward in the company’s evolution into a specialized, technology-driven global CDMO platform, purpose-built for the future of therapeutics.

The Cohance name captures the organization’s commitment to Collaborate with global innovators to Enhance their molecules and products to deliver transformative solutions to patients and consumers worldwide.

“The transition to Cohance Lifesciences marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to better serve our customers and their end market. We are building a global CDMO that aims to enable innovation across a broad range of modalities, chemistries, and technologies, to advance solutions for a healthier world “ said Cohance Executive Chairman, Mr. Vivek Sharma.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India (“MCA”), has approved change of name of the Company from “Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited” to “Cohance Lifesciences Limited”, with effect from May 7, 2025. The change of name has been carried on pursuant to the Scheme of Amalgamation.

The Company would make necessary application to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited for effecting change of name of the Company in due course. We further inform that the Name Clause of the Memorandum of Association of the Company stands altered accordingly, and the name “Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited” wherever it appears in the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association, gets replaced with the new name “Cohance Lifesciences Limited”.

NDTV Network Shines at Inaugural WAVES Summit 2025

Mumbai, 8 May 2025 – NDTV, one of India’s most trusted news networks, made a commanding impression at the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, held in Mumbai from 1st to 4th May. Demonstrating its thought leadership and deep industry connect, NDTV hosted four high-impact panel sessions featuring global voices and industry leaders. Simultaneously, the NDTV Pavilion attracted thousands of attendees with its tech-forward, immersive experiences that brought the brand’s legacy and innovation to life.

A Pavilion That Engaged, Informed, and Inspired.

Thousands visited the NDTV Pavilion, drawn in by interactive zones that merged storytelling, journalism, and public engagement:

● NDTV Anchor Play: A standout attraction where visitors took the spotlight in a studio-style setup, stepping into the anchor role and reporting live from WAVES. The experience went viral as attendees shared their on-camera moments across social media platforms, significantly amplifying NDTV’s digital footprint.

● NDTV Archive Corner: A walk through NDTV’s storied history, showcasing landmark moments in Indian journalism and offering a nostalgic glimpse into the network’s pioneering coverage.

● Busting Fake News: Reinforcing NDTV’s commitment to credible news, this gamified experience empowered visitors to spot misinformation—encouraging media literacy and critical thinking.

● Interview Corner: A dynamic content hub where NDTV anchors engaged with celebrities, influencers, and industry leaders for exclusive conversation streamed live and shared on NDTV platforms.

Panel Sessions That Sparked Dialogue and Insight

NDTV also curated four high-powered panel discussions that drew packed audiences and fostered vital conversations around the media and entertainment industry’s future. Hosted by NDTV’s Sanjay Pugalia, Tamanna Inamdar, and Marya Shakil – the sessions featured icons such as Aamir Khan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Zahaan Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Nikkhil Advani, Vikramaditya Motwane, Peter Ho-Sun Chan, Stanley Tong, Prasad Shetty, Gaurav Gandhi, Monica Shergill, Viraf Sarkari, Nikhil Madhok, Ashish Hemrajani, Salona Bains Joshi, Shubh Shivdasani, Sudip Sharma, Prerna Singh, Sameer Nair and Vivien Lewit. These conversations explored the future of storytelling, platform evolution, the business of entertainment, and the impact of AI and authenticity in media – underlining NDTV’s role as a catalyst for meaningful industry dialogue.

Throughout WAVES 2025, NDTV’s reporters delivered dynamic, real-time updates across its platforms. Exclusive interviews, ground reports and fun updates ensured that audiences nationwide could stay connected to the event’s biggest moments as they unfolded. On NDTV’s presence at WAVES, Sanjay Pugalia, Director & Editor-in-Chief, NDTV stated “NDTV’s active participation at WAVES 2025 reflects our commitment to shaping the future of media as industry leaders driving global conversations. From curating high-impact sessions to creating one of the most engaging pavilions at the summit, our goal was to contribute meaningfully to WAVES’ success and to firmly position the NDTV Network at the forefront of India’s dynamic and evolving media ecosystem

Panther Drops “Dhoom V”: A New Chapter In Desi Hip-Hop Revolution

National, 08th May 2025: The Indian Hip Hop landscape has received a high octane project with the arrival of Panther’s latest offering, “Dhoom V,” a vibrant collection of tracks that showcase his signature dynamic style—the unstoppable force in the Indian hip hop industry. Panther, aka Anubhav Shukla, has dropped his latest album, Dhoom V, a five-track exclusive EP featuring compelling narratives and exciting collaborations. The tracks include the hard-hitting “Vyapari,” the powerful “Dharna” featuring the incredible “Spectra”, the energetic tribute “Milkha Singh” alongside the renowned “Fotty Seven”, the lyrical gem “Fikar” with Bella and J Trix, and the motivational anthem “Pahiye.”

Panther is turning up the heat once more, solidifying his dominance in the Indian Hip-Hop scene with his razor-sharp lyrics and unstoppable flow. Dhoom V is a high-energy album packed with five infectious beats and seamless raps that have captivated audiences with its raw energy and lyrical depth, which will have listeners immersed in Panther’s world.

While sharing his inspiration behind ‘Dhoom V’, Panther shares, ‘Dhoom V’ is a bold, high-octane EP that aims to shake up the Desi hip-hop scene with five explosive tracks packed with energy, raw emotion, and unforgettable hooks. Featuring powerhouse collaborations with Spectra, Fotty Seven, J Trix, and Bella, this project blends hard-hitting bars with electrifying production to deliver songs that aren’t just bangers — they’re anthems. Produced by myself, Retro Blxxd, Nikhil-Swapnil, Akshay The One, and Vision, and engineered by Basspeak, each track has been crafted to leave a lasting impact. The striking album artwork, designed by Tuhin Chandra and Tushar Chandra, ties the vision together. ‘Dhoom V’ is here to make noise — these are the songs you’ll blast on repeat and rap along with the gang.

Dhoom V is a bold statement of Panther’s fearless artistry, seamlessly blending raw emotions, street wisdom, and unstoppable energy that aims to reshape the Desi Hip-Hop landscape by breaking barriers and introducing music that is game-changing and groundbreaking as it carves its own legacy path in the Indian hip-hop revolution—fresh, powerful, and unapologetically real.

Swachha Andhra Corporation and Re Sustainability Reldan Join Forces for Sustainable E-Waste Management in Andhra Pradesh

Mumbai, May 8, 2025 — Swachha Andhra Corporation (SAC), under the Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Re Sustainability Reldan Refining Private Limited (ReSRRPL), a leading entity in sustainable waste management and E-waste recycling, to build a robust E-waste collection and processing ecosystem in the state.

The initiative aims to enable scientific collection, segregation, and environmentally sound disposal of electronic waste while building awareness among citizens and empowering local communities. It aligns with the state’s vision of making Andhra Pradesh a model state in responsible E-waste management.

Under this partnership, SAC will provide key infrastructure support, including a dedicated 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse, facilitate coordination with the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), and engage Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for collection drives. ReSRRPL will deploy its technical expertise to ensure compliant, transparent, and efficient E-waste handling through high-efficiency resource recovery technologies.

The initiative will also be scaled to other districts of Andhra Pradesh in a phased manner, ensuring statewide impact. The program includes outreach to municipalities and government agencies for sourcing E-waste through a structured phase-wise plan.

This MoU was signed in the presence of senior leadership from SAC:

• Shri Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram, Chairman of Swachh Andhra Corporation Limited (SACL)

• Dr. P. Sampath Kumar, I.A.S., Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration

• Shri B. Anil Kumar Reddy, I.A.S., Managing Director of Swachha Andhra Corporation Limited (SACL)

The signing ceremony was also graced by all District Commissioners of Andhra Pradesh, underscoring the administrative will and unified commitment to the cause.

Shri Pattabhi Ram, Hon’ble Chairman of Swachh Andhra Corporation, Government of Andhra Pradesh, said “This MoU is a significant step toward transforming Andhra Pradesh into a national leader in circular economy and sustainable waste management. By fostering public-private collaboration, we are building not just infrastructure, but a culture of environmental responsibility and innovation.”

Mr. Masood Mallick, Managing Director and Group CEO, Re Sustainability, added “This collaboration represents a critical move toward a more sustainable future—one where discarded electronics are not seen as waste, but as a resource. Through responsible E-waste recycling and high-efficiency resource recovery, we can close the loop, reduce pressure on virgin material extraction, and support a regenerative, low-carbon economy. We’re proud to work alongside SAC in enabling this model of environmental stewardship and circularity.”

NearZero FPSO Design from SBM Offshore Gets Approval from ABS

The NearZero FPSO design incorporates low carbon technologies that collectively create a “near zero” Scope 3 carbon emissions profile, achieving up to 80% reduction in GHG emissions. The introduction of the NearZero FPSO is an important step in SBM’s strategic path to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements.

Low carbon technologies featured in the FPSO concept at a systems level include all electric topsides, closed flare, carbon capture and seawater intake riser/deep intake sea hose – technologies that SBM says not only reduce carbon emissions but also power demands.

“We are proud to continue to support SBM Offshore and their comprehensive strategy to address carbon emissions. The NearZero FPSO concept integrates low carbon technologies with a high degree of technical readiness and can be implemented on FPSO projects today,” said Miguel Hernandez, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore.

“The introduction of SBM Offshore’s NearZero FPSO design marks an important milestone in our decarbonization strategy. The NearZero FPSO design is fully integrated with our proven Fast4Ward® design and standardized delivery model. As such, we are ready to offer this to the market in close collaboration with our technology partners. This approval by ABS is evidencing SBM Offshore’s pioneering development efforts in this field over the last years. We are proud to collaborate with our partners and to make a significant contribution to low carbon offshore energy production,” said Jaap-Harm Westhuis, SBM Offshore Technology and Product Development Director.

SUMEET SSG BVG MAHARASHTRA EMS PVT LTD sign 10 year concessionaire agreement with Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra

Mumbai, 8th May 2025: SUMEET SSG BVG MAHARASHTRA EMS PVT LTD sign 10 year concessionaire agreement with Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra to revolutionize emergency medical services in India. The initiative will begin in Maharashtra with a total investment of nearly INR 1,600 crore. The project aims to implement the new ‘Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services’ (MEMS) 108 Ambulance Program across the state. Under the agreement, the partners will deploy a fleet of 1756 state-of-the-art ambulances equipped with advanced medical technology to provide critical care during the vital “golden hour” of emergencies. The rollout of the new MEMS 108 Project will take place across Maharashtra in five phases beginning in November 2025.

The new fleet of advanced ambulances will be fitted with cutting-edge technologies such as Mobile Data Terminals (MDT), tablet PCs, RFID, GPS, caller location tracking, CCTV, and TRIAGE systems. These vehicles will also integrate inbuilt systems for Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Vehicle Tracking and Management (VTMS), and patient arrival notifications.

The fleet will include Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, neonatal care units, first responder bikes, as well as sea and river boat ambulances. From a long-term perspective, the MEMS 108 program aims to feature medical application drones and helicopter-based emergency medical services.

This initiative will set a new benchmark for emergency medical services in India. It will offer cutting-edge technology and enhanced operational efficiency as well as establish a sustainable model for future public-private partnerships in high-quality service delivery.

NXP Unveils Third-Generation Imaging Radar Processors for Level 2+ to 4 Autonomous Driving

New Delhi, May 8, 2025 – NXP Semiconductors N.V. today unveiled its new S32R47 imaging radar processors in 16 nm FinFET technology, building on NXP’s proven expertise in the imaging radar space. The third generation of imaging radar processors delivers up to twice the processing power versus the previous generation, alongside improved system cost and power efficiency. In combination with NXP’s mmWave radar transceivers, power management and in-vehicle networking solutions, the S32R47 family meets functional safety ASIL ISO 26262 ASIL B(D) requirements and prepares the automotive industry for new levels of autonomous driving.

According to Yole Intelligence’s Status of the Radar Industry 2024 report, by 2029, approximately 40% of vehicles entering the road will be passenger cars with driving automation Level 2+(L2+)/ Level 3 (L3) as well as an increasing number of vehicles with Level 4 (L4). To serve the fast-growing autonomous driving market for SDVs, automotive OEMs and tier 1 suppliers need to improve radar performance as it is essential for safe, advanced autonomy features such as piloted driving or fully automated parking.

“The S32R47 can efficiently process three times, or more, antenna channels in real time than today’s production solutions. It enables improved imaging radar resolution, sensitivity and dynamic range – required by demanding autonomous driving use cases – while still meeting the stringent power and system cost targets set by OEMs for volume production”, said Meindert van den Beld, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Radar & ADAS.

Imaging radar leverages richer point cloud data for more detailed modeling of the environment. This is a key enabler for AI based perception systems which allow for assisted and autonomous driving in the most challenging environmental conditions, such as complex urban scenarios.

The S32R47 integrates a high-performance multi-core radar processing system, allowing denser point cloud output and enhanced algorithms that enable next- generation ADAS systems. This results in better separability of objects, improved detection reliability and more accurate classification of objects such as vulnerable road users or lost cargo.

NXP’s 3rd generation imaging radar solutions

· Built on know-how and the proven technology of two previous generations, the new solution delivers up to 2x processing performance in the radar MPU in a 38% smaller IC footprint. It also includes AI/ML support for features like enhanced Direction of Arrival (DoA) processing and object classification

· NXP’s next generation imaging radar solutions enable new imaging radars with optimized bill of material and increased scalability in terms of antenna channels and processing capability

· NXP’s solution achieves comparable or better performance with up to 89% less antenna channels than alternative solutions, solving integration challenges with reduced system cost, size and power consumption

Pure Storage and Nutanix Partner to Deliver Greater Customer Choice with New Integrated Solution for Mission-Critical Workloads

.NEXT Conference, Washington, D.C. and Bengaluru, India – May 8, 2025 — Pure Storage® , the IT pioneer that delivers the world’s most advanced data storage platform and services, and Nutanix, a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced a partnership aimed at providing a deeply integrated solution that will allow customers to seamlessly deploy and manage virtual workloads on a scalable modern infrastructure.

This integrated solution comes at a pivotal time for customers as the virtualization of market evolution is top of mind. IT leaders are focused on helping their organizations maintain pace with the rapidly changing technology landscape while simultaneously implementing greater operational effectiveness. Gartner predicts that “by 2028, cost concerns will drive 70% of enterprise-scale VMware customers to migrate 50% of their virtual workloads.”[1]

With this collaboration, the Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure solution, powered by the Nutanix AHV hypervisor along with Nutanix Flow virtual networking and security, will integrate with Pure Storage FlashArray over NVMe/TCP to deliver customer experience uniquely designed for high-demand data workloads, including AI.

Key Benefits:

• Scalable, modern infrastructure – This partnership will provide customers with access to high-performance, flexible, and efficient full-stack infrastructure to power their most business-critical workloads through the simplicity and agility of Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure for virtual compute, and the consistency, scalability and performance density of Pure Storage all-flash systems.
• Built-in cyber resilience – Customers will be able to strengthen their end-to-end cyber-resilience posture by leveraging native Nutanix capabilities, such as Flow micro-segmentation and disaster recovery orchestration alongside Pure Storage FlashArray capabilities, such as data-at-rest encryption and SafeMode.
• Freedom of choice – Customers want agility and control of their mission-critical environments. The combination of Nutanix and Pure Storage offers a resilient and easy-to-use alternative to existing market options.

“We’re thrilled to see Nutanix and Pure Storage joining forces. Their collective expertise, innovative technologies, and shared commitment to reliability and performance will deliver a compelling solution that directly addresses critical needs in the market,” said Anthony Jackman, Chief Innovation Officer at Expedient. “Expedient is proud to be an early design partner, collaborating closely with both companies to ensure this solution elevates the quality of service we deliver, ultimately enhancing the value and experience for our clients nationwide.”

“This new solution will help Nutanix and Pure reach more customers together and help them better manage and modernize their mission-critical applications,” said Tarkan Maner, Chief Commercial Officer at Nutanix. “Our integrated solution will be ideally suited for companies with storage-rich environments looking for choices in modernization.”

“With more than 13,500 global customers, I’m hearing more than ever that organizations of all shapes and sizes have a growing need for efficient, flexible, and high-performance solutions that can also scale to support their most critical, data-intensive applications,” said Maciej Kranz, General Manager, Enterprise at Pure Storage. “Nutanix and Pure Storage are both known for pushing the boundaries of traditional infrastructure, driving innovation, and enabling unmatched agility. With this easy-to-manage solution, our joint customers will have the power of a virtual infrastructure that’s truly built for change.”

This solution will be supported on major server hardware partners that currently support Pure Storage FlashArray, including Cisco, Dell, HPE, Lenovo, and Supermicro for both existing and new deployments.

Additionally, Cisco and Pure Storage are expanding their partnership of more than 60 FlashStack® validated designs to include Nutanix in the portfolio – further simplifying full-stack delivery.

“The future of infrastructure is defined by flexibility,” said Jeremy Foster, SVP and General Manager, Cisco Compute. “That’s exactly what this next evolution of FlashStack delivers. With nearly a decade of joint innovation with Pure Storage, and an expanded partnership and co-development roadmap with Nutanix, we’re offering a proven platform backed by Cisco validated designs, a world-class joint support model, and deep integration with Cisco Intersight – providing unified visibility across both Pure Storage and Nutanix clusters for a more complete view of the operating environment. This level of integration, insight, and support is what will set FlashStack with Nutanix apart in the market.”