Category Archives: News

Utkal Hospital Launches ‘Two Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection’

Bhubaneswar: In a timely and impactful initiative, Utkal Hospital, in association with Merck Specialities Private Limited has launched the “Two-Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection”2 campaign with the hashtag #ActAgainstOralCancer on the note of World No Tobacco Day.

 This nationwide effort aims to tackle the alarming rise in oral cancer cases by encouraging individuals to perform a quick self-check using mirrors that are almost always available to one and all. Experts are urging the public to look for warning signs such as white or red patches in the mouth, non-healing ulcers or unexplained bleeding, persistent swelling or voice changes. The message is clear: Feel, Look, and Act. Early detection through a quick mirror check can make all the difference between timely treatment and a missed opportunity. By turning mirrors into tools of awareness, the experts are empowering individuals to take charge of their health in just two minutes because early action can save lives. Through this initiative, patients who are visiting hospitals can also activate this self- check-up where mirrors will be strategically placed in the hospital waiting areas.

 During the launch of the campaign Dr. Sanjib Kumar Mishra, Director & Senior Consultant Radiation Oncology, Dr. Chinmaya Kumar Pani, Consultant – Medical Oncology & BMT, Dr. Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, Director & Senior Consultant – Radiation Oncology, and medical staff, were present.

 India is the world’s capital of Head and neck cancer3. Every year, around 2 lakhpatientsarenewlydiagnosedwithHeadandneckcancer,whichis thehighest compared to any other country. In 2022, simply the number of Lip and oral cavity cancer cases were more than a lakh (65%). Adding the rest of the head and neck cancer sub-sites, the numbers will be nothing less than 20-25% of the total male cancers in our country. Unfortunately, in India, around 60 to 70% of patients already have advanced disease (stage 3-4) at the time of diagnosis.4

“With increasing burden of oral cancer cases in the country, early diagnosis is paramount. Oral Visual Inspection (OVI), mouth self-examination, biopsy and histo-pathological examination enable detection at early stages, facilitating timely intervention. It is also important to integrate palliative care early in the treatment process. Palliative care for oral cancer includes pain management, nutritional support, emotional counseling, and assistance with speech and swallowing to improve the patient’s quality of life. Early palliative care not only alleviates pain but also enhances the overall quality of life for patients, aiding in informed decision-making throughout the disease trajectory. There should be awareness and accessibility of palliative services to ensure holistic support for patients and their families,” said Dr. Sanjib Kumar Mishra, Director & Senior Consultant Radiation Oncology, Utkal Hospital.

“This campaign encourages individuals to follow the simple 2-minute self- check every month as early detection is best prevention. LOOK at the entire mouth in mirror for white or red patches in the mouth, ulcers that don’t heal within 2 weeks and unusual bleeding or loose teeth. FEEL for changes, like lumps or swelling in the jaw or neck, hoarseness or voice change, persistent pain in ear or when swallowing. ACT with urgency if you notice signs, and don’t delay. Visit the doctor to rule them out as early check equals to better chances of cure,” said Dr. Chinmaya Kumar Pani, Consultant – Medical Oncology & BMT, Utkal Hospital.

“Radiation therapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of head and neck cancers by targeting tumors precisely while preserving surrounding healthy tissues. Early-stage detection combined with timely radiation treatment significantly improves outcomes. We are committed to delivering advanced, patient-centered cancer care,” said Dr. Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, Director & Senior Consultant – Radiation Oncology, Utkal Hospital.

IVPA Hails MSP Hike on Oilseeds for 2025–26, Urges Broader Support to Boost Self-Sufficiency and Farmer Income

By-Sudhakar Desai, President, Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA):

IVPA Welcomes CCEA’s Decision to Raise MSP on Oilseeds for Marketing Season 2025–26

The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA) welcomes the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)’s decision to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for oilseeds for the Marketing Season 2025–26. This is a timely and progressive step aligned with the national priority of enhancing oilseed production and reducing India’s dependency on imports.

To ensure the success of this dual objective, we urge the Government to consider extending procurement interventions beyond mustard to other major oilseeds. Such measures will provide price stability and support farmers across the oilseed spectrum.

In addition, IVPA recommends the implementation of the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), as envisaged under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). A robust execution of PDPS will not only secure remunerative prices for farmers but also facilitate steady supply of oilseeds to domestic oil mills. This will enhance domestic processing capacity, increase availability of edible oils to consumers, and ensure consistent supply of oil cakes to the livestock and poultry sectors.

Furthermore, we suggest that the Government to help stabilise the prices of oil meals (de-oiled cakes) in the context of competition from DDGS. Encouraging the oilseed cultivation and providing comprehensive support to uphold MSP in Oilseeds will contribute to greater edible oil self-sufficiency, reduce imports, and promote overall price stability in the edible oil ecosystem at the same time providing the feedstock to the related sectors like acqua, poultry and cattle feed Industry at the right prices.

IVPA remains committed to partnering with the Government in advancing sustainable growth of India’s oilseed economy and ensuring food and nutritional security for all.

Conference League Glory: How Chelsea FC Embodied Strategic Resilience and Leadership Transformation – Dr (HC) Prachetan Potadar

On May 29, 2025, Chelsea Football Club achieved a historic milestone by defeating Real Betis 4–1 in the UEFA Conference League final at Stadion Wrocław. This victory not only marked their first title in the competition but also completed their collection of all major UEFA trophies, a feat unmatched by any other club .

Trailing 0–1 at halftime, Chelsea’s resurgence in the second half exemplified strategic adaptability and the depth of their squad. Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moisés Caicedo, orchestrated by Cole Palmer’s pivotal assists, underscored the team’s resilience and tactical acumen .

The Context: From Turbulence to Triumph

The 2024–25 season presented Chelsea with numerous challenges, including managerial changes and inconsistent performances. Under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca, the team focused on rebuilding and fostering a culture of accountability and unity. The Conference League campaign became a platform for redemption, culminating in a performance that highlighted the club’s transformation .

1. Strategic Vision and Cultural Recalibration

Maresca’s emphasis on long-term development over immediate results allowed for a recalibration of the team’s culture. By instilling values of humility and collective responsibility, he laid the groundwork for sustained success.

Leadership Insight: Effective leaders prioritize cultural alignment and long-term vision, recognizing that foundational values drive performance.

2. Empowering Emerging Leaders

The appointment of Reece James as captain symbolized a commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and fostering leadership from within. His journey from the academy to leading the team in a European final exemplifies the potential of internal development.

Organizational Insight: Cultivating leadership internally can reinforce organizational identity and inspire collective commitment.

3. Tactical Flexibility and In-Game Adaptation

Chelsea’s second-half turnaround was a testament to tactical flexibility. Adjustments in formation and player roles disrupted Betis’s rhythm, allowing Chelsea to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Management Takeaway: Adaptability in strategy is crucial for navigating dynamic environments and seizing critical moments.

4. Depth and Distributed Responsibility

The contributions from various players, including substitutes, highlighted the depth of Chelsea’s squad. This distributed approach to responsibility ensured resilience and sustained performance under pressure.

Organizational Insight: Empowering individuals across all levels fosters a resilient and responsive organization capable of weathering challenges.

5. Leveraging Adversity as Motivation

Facing skepticism and setbacks throughout the season, Chelsea utilized these challenges as motivation to galvanize the team. The final’s comeback narrative epitomized their ability to transform adversity into opportunity.

Resilience Strategy: Reframing challenges as catalysts for growth can strengthen organizational resolve and cohesion.

6. Celebrating Milestones with a Forward-Looking Perspective

While the Conference League victory is a significant achievement, Chelsea’s leadership emphasizes continued growth and future aspirations, maintaining momentum beyond the immediate success.

Growth Mindset: Acknowledging achievements while maintaining focus on future goals sustains progress and innovation.

Cole Palmer: The Catalyst of Change

Cole Palmer’s performance in the final, providing two crucial assists, demonstrated the impact of individual excellence within a team framework. His ability to influence the game’s outcome highlights the importance of nurturing talent that aligns with organizational values and objectives.

Message to Emerging Professionals: Individual contributions, when aligned with collective goals, can drive significant impact and foster a culture of excellence.

Broader Implications for Organizational Leadership

Chelsea’s journey offers valuable insights for organizations navigating transformation:

Cultural Alignment: Establishing and nurturing a shared set of values is foundational for cohesive performance.

Leadership Development: Investing in internal talent cultivates leaders who embody the organization’s ethos.

Strategic Agility: Flexibility in approach enables responsiveness to evolving challenges and opportunities.

Empowerment: Distributing responsibility fosters engagement and resilience across the organization.

Resilience: Transforming adversity into motivation strengthens organizational fortitude.

Continuous Improvement: Balancing celebration with a focus on future objectives ensures sustained advancement.

Conference League Glory: How Chelsea FC Embodied Strategic Resilience and Leadership Transformation – Dr (HC) Prachetan Potadar

On May 29, 2025, Chelsea Football Club achieved a historic milestone by defeating Real Betis 4–1 in the UEFA Conference League final at Stadion Wrocław. This victory not only marked their first title in the competition but also completed their collection of all major UEFA trophies, a feat unmatched by any other club .

Trailing 0–1 at halftime, Chelsea’s resurgence in the second half exemplified strategic adaptability and the depth of their squad. Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moisés Caicedo, orchestrated by Cole Palmer’s pivotal assists, underscored the team’s resilience and tactical acumen .

The Context: From Turbulence to Triumph

The 2024–25 season presented Chelsea with numerous challenges, including managerial changes and inconsistent performances. Under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca, the team focused on rebuilding and fostering a culture of accountability and unity. The Conference League campaign became a platform for redemption, culminating in a performance that highlighted the club’s transformation .

1. Strategic Vision and Cultural Recalibration

Maresca’s emphasis on long-term development over immediate results allowed for a recalibration of the team’s culture. By instilling values of humility and collective responsibility, he laid the groundwork for sustained success.

Leadership Insight: Effective leaders prioritize cultural alignment and long-term vision, recognizing that foundational values drive performance.

2. Empowering Emerging Leaders

The appointment of Reece James as captain symbolized a commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and fostering leadership from within. His journey from the academy to leading the team in a European final exemplifies the potential of internal development.

Organizational Insight: Cultivating leadership internally can reinforce organizational identity and inspire collective commitment.

3. Tactical Flexibility and In-Game Adaptation

Chelsea’s second-half turnaround was a testament to tactical flexibility. Adjustments in formation and player roles disrupted Betis’s rhythm, allowing Chelsea to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Management Takeaway: Adaptability in strategy is crucial for navigating dynamic environments and seizing critical moments.

4. Depth and Distributed Responsibility

The contributions from various players, including substitutes, highlighted the depth of Chelsea’s squad. This distributed approach to responsibility ensured resilience and sustained performance under pressure.

Organizational Insight: Empowering individuals across all levels fosters a resilient and responsive organization capable of weathering challenges.

5. Leveraging Adversity as Motivation

Facing skepticism and setbacks throughout the season, Chelsea utilized these challenges as motivation to galvanize the team. The final’s comeback narrative epitomized their ability to transform adversity into opportunity.

Resilience Strategy: Reframing challenges as catalysts for growth can strengthen organizational resolve and cohesion.

6. Celebrating Milestones with a Forward-Looking Perspective

While the Conference League victory is a significant achievement, Chelsea’s leadership emphasizes continued growth and future aspirations, maintaining momentum beyond the immediate success.

Growth Mindset: Acknowledging achievements while maintaining focus on future goals sustains progress and innovation.

Cole Palmer: The Catalyst of Change

Cole Palmer’s performance in the final, providing two crucial assists, demonstrated the impact of individual excellence within a team framework. His ability to influence the game’s outcome highlights the importance of nurturing talent that aligns with organizational values and objectives.

Message to Emerging Professionals: Individual contributions, when aligned with collective goals, can drive significant impact and foster a culture of excellence.

Broader Implications for Organizational Leadership

Chelsea’s journey offers valuable insights for organizations navigating transformation:

Cultural Alignment: Establishing and nurturing a shared set of values is foundational for cohesive performance.

Leadership Development: Investing in internal talent cultivates leaders who embody the organization’s ethos.

Strategic Agility: Flexibility in approach enables responsiveness to evolving challenges and opportunities.

Empowerment: Distributing responsibility fosters engagement and resilience across the organization.

Resilience: Transforming adversity into motivation strengthens organizational fortitude.

Continuous Improvement: Balancing celebration with a focus on future objectives ensures sustained advancement.

A Spiritual Legacy Woven Anew, a Cultural Collaboration between Ramraj Cotton and Dushyanth Sridhar

India, 29th May 2025 – In a timely convergence of tradition and vision, Ramraj Cotton launches a significant initiative in association with venerated scholar and cultural exponent Dushyanth Sridhar to popularize the Acharya Panchakacham Veshti—a symbol of spiritual heritage and Indian identity.

This tie-up is not an endorsement of the conventional kind. It is a union of two powers united by a mutual admiration for Sanatana Dharma, cultural tradition, and the timelessness of classical dress. Ramraj Cotton, synonymous with the dignity of the veshtis for so long, finds in Dushyanth Sridhar not a spokesperson but a kindred spirit—a man who breathes and lives the values the company hopes to nurture and honour.

The Acharya Panchakacham Veshti is a garment made with a single-minded intention—to pay tribute to spiritual lineages and become a ceremonial garment for the wearer who follows the path of wisdom and dharma. Made with detail and purity, the veshti is no mere article of wearing apparel, but a declaration of purpose—a sign of one’s affiliation with ageless tradition.

With a profound knowledge and extensive command of Santayana Dharma and his gift for translating ancient wisdom into contemporary relevance, Dushyanth Sridhar inspires and engages audiences across generations through insightful discourses on Indian epics and scriptures, position him as a distinguished voice in the realm of cultural preservation. His involvement is not incidental. It reflects a shared commitment with Ramraj Cotton to uphold and celebrate India’s sacred traditions while thoughtfully bringing them into the contemporary consciousness.

The Acharya Panchakacham Veshti stands as a testament to this ethos. Meticulously designed for spiritual observances, religious ceremonies, and culturally significant gatherings, the veshti transcends its material form to become a symbol of devotion, discipline, and identity. For those who seek authenticity in ceremonial attire not just as an expression of custom, but as a continuation of dharma, this collection occupies a revered place. It is where heritage finds its voice through fabric, and faith is worn with pride.

Speaking about the association, Mr. K.R. Nagarajan, Founder & Culturepreneur, Ramraj Cotton, said, “Ramraj Cotton is synonymous with veshti. We manufacture and sell over 4,000 varieties of veshtis across India. Among these, the Panchakacham veshti is specially made for gurus and Acharyas. When we aimed to take this product beyond Andhra Pradesh and South India to the global stage, Dushyanth Sridhar was the natural choice. His dedication to spreading Indian tradition worldwide makes him an ideal brand ambassador for the prestigious Acharya Panchakacham Veshti. His commitment to preserving Indian culture and Dharma, combined with his ability to connect ancient wisdom with modern life, perfectly represents our brand.” He added, “The Acharya Panchakacham Veshti is more than just traditional wear; it is a symbol of our heritage, worn on sacred and festive occasions. I invite every Indian to honour their roots not only in spirit but also in their attire.”

Dushyanth Sridhar added, “When Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva about the essence of the thousand names, He simply replied that ‘Rama’ was the core. In that spirit, Ramraj Cotton is a brand uniquely blessed to carry the sacred name ‘Rama’. Over time, we have had many Acharyas who walked this land. Adi Shankara, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika, Madhvacharya, and more recently, the revered Kanchi Mahaperiyava have all walked this path and shown us the way. It is indeed a matter of pride that Ramraj Cotton honours such a lineage through their Acharya Veshtis. I believe that to nurture and encourage our culture, today’s youth must embrace such traditional attire and uphold the values our ancestors lived by.”

BigBears Advertising and Branding shines at Goafest 2025

Hyderabad, 28th May 2025: Hyderabad-based BigBears Advertising and Branding, a leading full-service agency known for its 360° branding and promotional expertise, made a powerful impression at Goafest 2025, attending with one of the largest delegations from the city.

The BigBears team featured department heads from Account Management, Digital Marketing, UI/UX & 3D, Art Direction, and Video Production, each fully immersed in curated sessions across their areas of expertise. From the latest in AI-powered performance marketing and Meta strategies to YouTube storytelling and avant-garde art direction, the learning experience was both rich and forward-looking.

“Goafest truly lived up to its promise — a vibrant confluence of creativity, insight, and inspiration under the sun,” shared Bankupalli Ganesh Shastry, Creative Head and Managing Director, BigBears.

A personal highlight for Mr. Shastry was reuniting with Mr. Senthil Kumar, Chief Creative Officer at VML, rekindling memories of his formative years at JWT along with him — a nostalgic moment that reminded him just how far the journey has come.

Mr. Shastry remarked, “Looking at the 2025 ABBY entries and winners, it’s clear that films and interactive print are setting new benchmarks. With visionary clients like Café Niloufer, whose brand identity and ongoing campaigns are crafted by BigBears, Monarch, MSR, NSL, and other esteemed partners, I’m confident we’ll soon be bringing ABBYs home to Hyderabad.”

Gujarat Govt Honours Woman Kho Kho Player with Rs10 Lakh

New Delhi, 28 May 2025: In a bid to promote indigenous games, the Gujarat government has given Rs 10 Lakh as a prize to Ms. Opina Bhilar, who was part of the Indian Women’s Kho Kho team that won a Gold Medal at the 1st ever Kho Kho World Cup 2025 held in New Delhi from January 13-19, in which both the Indian men’s and women’s teams emerged victorious. Twenty-three countries across six continents participated in the World Cup making it a truly historic event.

Bhilar hails from Biliamba village in Dang district of Gujarat, and her father Devjibhai is a farmer.

“I thank the Gujarat government for this support which is a great help. I am also thankful to KKFI which has been very supportive of the players and helped us at every stage. I would continue to play Kho Kho and contribute to the game to the best of my abilities,” said Opina Bhilar.

“Many Kho Kho players come from humble backgrounds, and support—whether financial or through government job opportunities—goes a long way in uplifting both the athletes and their families. Such assistance not only empowers these talented sportspersons to continue their journey in Kho Kho, but also strengthens the sport itself, as they contribute immensely through their dedication and performance,” said Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India.

Kho-Kho, a traditional Indian game with deep-rooted cultural and sporting significance, has witnessed a resurgence in recent years, both domestically and internationally.

Remedium Lifecare Emerges as a Resilient, High-Growth Opportunity amid Concerns Over Trump’s Pharma Tariffs

As speculation grows over potential pharmaceutical tariffs, global pharma stocks are experiencing renewed volatility. However, market experts suggest the concerns may be overstated, particularly for companies with limited direct exposure to the U.S. market.

Remedium Lifecare, a mid-cap BSE-listed pharma company, stands out as a safe haven amid the noise. The company’s business is strategically insulated from U.S.-centric policy risks, with a focus on API intermediates and a strong footprint across Europe and Asia. Most notably, Remedium recently secured a ₹182.7 crore export contract with a leading UK-based pharmaceutical player, demonstrating both market confidence and global relevance.

As global investors reassess their exposure to pharma stocks heavily reliant on U.S. trade, attention is shifting toward firms with diversified geographies, robust pipelines, and innovation-led growth. Remedium’s ongoing expansion into CNS, oncology, and metabolic research, coupled with its Singapore-based subsidiary Remlife Global focused on cutting-edge, animal-free API production, strengthens its long-term value proposition.

Adding to its innovation strategy, Remlife Global has partnered with JiyaYu Lifesciences, a green chemistry platform. The partnership focuses on replacing animal-origin raw materials in API manufacturing. JiyaYu will license its technologies to Remlife Global, which will scale and commercialize them using sustainable, regulatory-compliant bioprocesses at GMP-certified contract manufacturing facilities.

Remedium recently raised ₹182.7 crores through issue and these funds will be used towards strengthening of working capital, strategic investments in R&D and market expansion.

With limited U.S. dependency and a forward-looking innovation strategy, Remedium Lifecare offers geopolitical insulation and significant upside potential—positioning itself as a compelling choice in an uncertain global pharma landscape.

Market experts have expressed strong confidence in Remedium Lifecare’s growth prospects, recommending a BUY rating on the stock. The company’s strategic diversification, robust R&D pipeline in CNS, oncology, and metabolic therapies, and recent international contract wins as key drivers for future growth.

CSITM hosts book launch for Prof. Rahul De’s latest work ‘AI for Managers’

28 May, 2025, Bengaluru: The Centre for Software and IT Management (CSITM) at IIMB hosted the book launch of former Information Systems area faculty Prof. Rahul Dé’s ‘AI for Managers’, as part of an AI bootcamp for Business Managers on 24 May 2025. The unveiling brought together Dr. Rohini Srivathsa, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft India & South Asia; Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director, IIMB; and Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean, Alumni Relations & Development. Prof. Shankhadeep Banerjee, Chairperson, CSITM, delivered the opening remarks.

 Prof. Dé’s academic journey began in the AI lab at the Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, where he studied under Nobel Laureate Herbert Simon. His work, since his days as a doctoral researcher, has focused on the application of AI in information systems and management. AI for Managers has brought this experience together in a volume designed to help business professionals navigate AI capability without deep backgrounds in mathematics or coding.

 “What I set out to write,” Prof. Dé shared, “was a low-math, low-code book that explains AI in terms that managers can intuitively grasp. The goal is to empower readers to think critically about the technology and its implications for business and society”.

 The book spans 16 chapters covering topics such as digital transformation, machine learning, responsible AI, natural language processing, deep learning, Bayesian learning, reinforcement learning, swarm intelligence, and agent-based modeling.

 Rejecting both stances of unbridled optimism beating the AI drums and dystopian alarmism claiming breakdown of nation states, loss of jobs, mega control by corporations, and massive global poverty caused by the deluge of AI applications, Prof. Dé emphasized the importance of independent thinking. “We must understand the technology deeply enough to form our own judgments, not adopt ready-made positions”, he said.

 Dr. Rohini Srivathsa shared perspectives on the shifting enterprise landscape: “With AI becoming mainstream, we are moving beyond use-case adoption to deeper transformation”. She outlined four emerging archetypes: shaper conversational employee engagement through generative AI, workplace and workflow transformation, operational efficiency, and innovation-led product development.

 Prof. Sourav Mukherji, who moderated the panel, posed a question to Prof. RT Krishnan about the threat AI poses to knowledge building and delivery. “What we are now seeing is that AI, ML, and deep learning technologies have permeated business to the extent that when an MBA student goes to a job interview, there is an expectation of a fairly comprehensive understanding of AI capability. And the expectation might be higher depending on the industry”. He further added, “At IIMB, we were quick to realise that our curriculum needs to iteratively grow at an increasing pace so that our students are conversant with AI. The challenge for us now is to decipher to what extent we want AI to be part of the learning process itself”.

 Commenting on organizational readiness, Dr. Srivathsa added, “We are still in the early days of enterprise AI adoption. But the frontier is expanding. AI will soon be seen not as a tool for optimization, but rather a general-purpose technology capable of reshaping core business processes”.

Workshop on fundamentals, best practices, and emerging trends in Artificial Intelligence
The AI bootcamp for Business Managers was led by Sunil Mishra, Founder, The Product Way, who drew from over 25 years of technology experience with organizations such as Infosys, Accenture, McKinsey & Company, and Oracle, to map the ways in which AI capability has created differentiation not only at an organizational level, but also in terms of everyday reasoning and decision-making.

 The bootcamp brought together students from IIMB’s PGPEM programme for Working Professionals, PhD scholars, thinkers, developers, and professionals from diverse sectors, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, fintech, banking, blockchain, and cybersecurity, representing Boeing, OLA, Adobe, IBM, OPTiM, and more.

 Participants engaged with core AI developments, from early machine learning in the late 1990s, to deep learning as a form of predictive AI in 2006, the breakneck growth of generative AI in 2021, and the rapid emergence of agentic AI in 2025, which is poised to disrupt reasoning, automation and interoperability through autonomous decision-making.

The interactive session also raised critical questions around job redundancy in the face of accelerating AI adoption. The rapid proliferation of AI applications has brought us to a clear inflection point, the discussion pointed. “The disruptive impact is undeniable, but embracing AI tooling will only continue to serve as a source of competitive advantage, relevance, and agency”, said Sunil Mishra. Participants were encouraged to consider the nature of future work and to engage with this transformation as a necessary and constructive challenge.

 Throughout the day, participants indulged in workshops, discussions and presentations on Introduction to classical AI stack, Neural networks and transformers, Evolution of LLMs, Architecture, training process, capabilities and limitations, Exploring zero-shot, one-shot and few shot-learning, Use of GenAI tools, Exercise for creating customer support bot, product prototypes and an online survey application, Finetuning LLM for specific use cases, Overview of RAG architecture and use cases, Overview of Agentic AI and use-cases, Use of Agentic AI platforms, Creating your own autonomous agent, Creating an HR policy agent, Create personal AI stock analyst, Emerging trends in Gen AI, and its Ethical, Regulatory, and Strategic considerations.

CakeZone and Nomad Pizza Win Top Honours at Zomato’s Plastic-Free Future Packathon

Bengaluru, 28th May 2025 –CakeZone and Nomad Pizza, brands which are a part of Curefoods portfolio of food brands, have emerged as category winners at Zomato’s second edition of the Plastic-Free Future Packathon. CakeZone secured the award in the Cakes category, while Nomad Pizza was recognized in the Pizza category for their commitment to eco-friendly, plastic-free packaging.

As part of their sustainability journey, both brands have eliminated plastic completely from their packaging processes, especially in large cakes and single-serve formats. This shift reflects the brands’ broader mission of integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of food production and delivery. The company has replaced conventional plastic packaging with paper-based and recyclable raw materials across the entire product catalogue, ensuring that every order reflects its eco-conscious ethos.

Zomato’s Plastic-Free Future initiative, backed by Startup India and DPIIT, is aimed at driving a shift across the food industry by encouraging practical, scalable alternatives to plastic. With more than 200 food delivery brands participating in this year’s edition, the recognition of CakeZone and Nomad Pizza places Curefoods is at the forefront of this movement.

Ankit Nagori, Curefoods, said: “With CakeZone and Nomad Pizza, we’ve reimagined packaging as a statement of responsibility. Being recognized by Zomato’s Plastic-Free Future initiative supports our long-term vision of scaling food brands that care for both customers and the planet. We’re glad to be a part of this shift and hope it inspires more brands to adopt environmentally conscious practices.”

Anjalli Ravi Kumar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Eternal, commented, “We’re committed to supporting the restaurant industry’s transition to sustainable packaging for food delivery and their efforts to create a positive environmental impact at scale. Through the Zomato Plastic-Free Future Program, we’ve been celebrating over 200+ restaurant brands that are currently leading this change. The Plastic-Free Future Packaging Awards announced at the Zomato Packathon 2025 event marked a significant step forward, honoring 24 national and regional restaurant brands across cuisine categories that have adopted sustainable packaging alternatives without compromising on customer experience. These restaurants are paving the way for others to follow, inspiring an industry-wide shift for a more sustainable future, and we are proud to be a part of their journey.”

CakeZone and Nomad Pizza’s packaging for food delivery was assessed based on the impact each packaging SKU has on the environment, coupled with data on customer complaints on packaging used by them. Each packaging material’s sustainability impact was also evaluated based on the degree of plastic content, compostability, biodegradability and recyclability.