Category Archives: News

British Council Reveals Grantees for 2025 ‘Climate Futures: South Asia’

Kolkata, 24 April 2025:  The British Council, UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, has announced the 11 recipients of the Climate Futures: South Asia programme for 2025. This pioneering initiative supports innovative, artist-led solutions to the climate crisis, empowering cultural organisations, artists, and communities in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to create sustainable change.

Through grants, mentorship, and collaboration, these grantees will spearhead creative responses to climate challenges, focusing on cultural preservation, community engagement, and environmental resilience. The programme aims to amplify the role of the arts in addressing climate change, strengthening local responses, and fostering cross-border collaboration between the UK and South Asia.

Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council, said, “These projects are more than just creative expressions; they are essential responses to the urgent need for climate action. By supporting these visionary initiatives, we are helping to safeguard cultural heritage, promote sustainability, and empower communities across India and the region to take meaningful action on climate change. We believe the ripple effects of these projects will inspire others to join the movement. In India, such initiatives help bring together the country’s deep-rooted cultural traditions with bold and innovative climate solutions, driving meaningful, community-led change for a more resilient future.”

 Jill Richens, British Council Regional Arts Director, South Asia, shared, “The grantees of Climate Futures: South Asia are leading the charge in using the power of art to confront the climate emergency. These projects demonstrate the ability of culture to spark action and inspire communities to adapt, preserve, and innovate. We are thrilled to support these projects and look forward to seeing the lasting impact they will have, both locally and globally. This is just the beginning – we hope to see more groundbreaking projects emerge from the region in the future.”

 The 2025 Climate Futures: South Asia grantees and their impactful projects include:

India:

• Emerging Ecologies (Krishnapriya C P, Forest Way Trust)

Emerging Ecologies is an artistic collaboration with the Forest Way Trust, documenting Arunachala Hill’s reforestation, featuring a permanent exhibition and interactive website. The project promotes community-driven rewilding efforts, ecological justice, and sustainability through educational resources and engagement.

• Mapping Nature’s Palette for Climate-Responsive Artisanal Practices (Tri-Impact Global)

 Mapping Nature’s Palette for Climate-Responsive Artisanal Practices empowers tribal communities in the Garhwal Himalayas to produce sustainable natural dyes from local flora, enhancing livelihoods, preserving biodiversity, and revitalising traditional skills. The project fosters eco-friendly practices, inclusivity, and cultural identity while reducing chemical dye use.

Bangladesh:

• Crafting Togetherness (Samdani Art Foundation) – Preserving traditional crafts and promoting sustainable cultural exchange.
• Discovering Matarbari Folk Tales (Mahenaz Chowdhury, Broqué) – Creating a living archive to preserve disappearing cultural and ecological heritage.
• Shak Pitari (Wild Leaves) (Salma Jamal Moushum, Gidree Bawlee) – Capturing the vital knowledge of women in rural Bangladesh about wild edible plants and ecological change.

Nepal:

• Carbon Footprint Mapping and Tracking for the Craft Sector (Story Cycle) – Helping Nepal’s artisans reduce emissions and adopt eco-friendly production methods.
• Enhancing The Climate Change Resilience Of Women (Human Rights Film Center) – Empowering marginalised women in Nepal to address climate change through art-based storytelling.

Pakistan:

• The Eco Block Tower (The Dawood Foundation’s MagnifiScience Center) – Raising awareness about ecosystems and climate change through an interactive art installation.
• Weaving Together: Local Art for Social Cohesion and Climate Resilience (Sarah Ather Khan, NED University) – Promoting climate resilience in coastal communities through traditional arts and mangrove conservation.

Sri Lanka:

• Circular Creative Companions (Fold Media Collective) – Promoting environmentally conscious exhibition practices and sustainable design in South Asian arts festivals.
• Regenerating South Asian Climate Futures (Good Life x Lagori Collective) – Collaborating across sectors to develop climate-resilient solutions in biodiversity hotspots.

These projects represent the diverse and innovative approaches artists and cultural organisations in South Asia are taking to confront the climate crisis.

By providing funding, mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration, the British Council is helping these grantees develop their ideas, amplify their voices, and create lasting impact in their communities. Through Climate Futures: South Asia, we aim to support the role of the arts in shaping a sustainable and resilient future.

CM Vishnu Deo Sai Meets Daaji at Heartfulness Yoga Ashram in Amleshwar

Raipur, 24 April 2025: Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, visited the Heartfulness Yoga Ashram at Amleshwar in Durg district on 22nd April, where he had a heartfelt interaction with the Global Guide of Heartfulness, Pujya Daaji (Shri Kamlesh D Patel).

The Chief Minister was warmly received at the ashram and further engaged in a meaningful conversation with Pujya Daaji at the Master Cottage. The two dignitaries, known for their simplicity and humility, discussed the deeper nuances of Heartfulness meditation and its role in promoting personal well-being and collective development.

Following the meeting, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the Mano Yoga program and observed a 30-minute silent meditation session alongside citizens and practitioners in the ashram’s Meditation Hall – a gesture that reflected both mindfulness and solidarity with the people of the state.

Speaking about the meeting, Pujya Daaji, Global Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “It was a joy to welcome Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai to the Heartfulness Centre. His openness to experience silent meditation and understand its role in fostering inner balance reflects his deep care for the well-being of the people of Chhattisgarh. We believe that when leaders embrace inner stillness, they guide their communities with even greater compassion and clarity.”

Hon’ble CM Shri Vishnu Dev Sai shared his experience, stating, “My experience at the Heartfulness Ashram was truly peaceful and enriching. I thank Pujya Daaji for his gracious hospitality and for sharing his wisdom on meditation and inner well-being. Meditation can play a meaningful role in our personal lives and even in the collective progress of our state. I encourage citizens of Chhattisgarh to explore such practices that promote mental peace and social harmony.”

Notable contributions have been made by Surguja Zone Preceptor Brother Akhilesh Parihar, Brother Mukesh Singha, and political personalities of the region, who facilitated this significant moment of spiritual connection.

Flipkart Ventures, DPIIT Launch Tourism Challenge to Boost Travel Innovation

Bengaluru, India – April 24, 2025: Flipkart Ventures, the investment arm of Flipkart, has launched the Flipkart Tourism Challenge in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The initiative is part of the Government of India’s Startup India program under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge. As part of Flipkart’s continued efforts to foster innovation and support the growth of startups, this challenge focuses on enabling technology-led solutions that enhance the experience for travelers and tourists and contribute to the development of the country’s tourism ecosystem.

The Flipkart Tourism Challenge invites DPIIT-recognized startups and Indian companies to build innovative travel-tech solutions. With rising demand for unique and accessible travel options, the challenge seeks ideas in areas such as enhanced discovery, personalized recommendations, immersive destination previews, AI-powered affordability tools, and tech-enabled on-ground experiences.

Applications are now open and will close on May 5, 2025.

The winning startup will receive a ₹2.5 lakh cash prize, mentorship from Flipkart leaders, and potential entry into Flipkart Leap Ahead, the company’s early-stage accelerator investing up to $500K in seed capital. The selected startup will also have the opportunity for pilot engagements with Flipkart Group companies, undergo founder’s training curated by Bain & Company, and gain access to Flipkart’s VC network. The runner-up will receive a ₹1 lakh cash prize, along with strategic mentorship and capability-building support.

Lubna Ahmed, Vice President & Head of Flipkart Ventures , said, “At Flipkart Ventures, we see startups as key drivers of innovation and economic growth. Through the Flipkart Tourism Challenge, we aim to empower emerging entrepreneurs building scalable, tech-first solutions to real-world challenges by providing them with the capital, mentorship, and industry access they need to succeed. Our collaboration with DPIIT reflects a shared vision to accelerate digital innovation and nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs driving India’s startup and digital economy.”

A Startup India representative said, “India’s startup ecosystem continues to be a beacon of innovation, solving challenges across sectors with scale and agility. The Flipkart Tourism Challenge is an exciting step in that direction, bringing together innovation, industry support, and real-world impact. Through this collaboration with Flipkart, we aim to empower homegrown startups to solve for India’s unique travel needs and accelerate their journey from idea to scale.”

This challenge is part of Flipkart Ventures’ broader commitment to strengthening India’s startup ecosystem through its early-stage accelerator program, Flipkart Leap Ahead (FLA). Designed to identify and support high-potential digital startups, FLA is the cornerstone of Flipkart Ventures’ $100 million seed-stage fund launched in 2022. The program offers investments of up to $500K, along with strategic mentorship and ecosystem access. To date, Flipkart Ventures has backed over 20 startups and continues to actively support ventures with strong growth potential.

Dharma Media Consultants Partners with TiE Delhi-NCR for India Internet Day 2025

National, 24th April 2025: The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Delhi-NCR has roped in Dharma Media Consultants as its strategic communications partner for the 14th edition of India Internet Day—the nation’s premier summit for tech entrepreneurs. This collaboration will amplify the narrative for India Internet Day 2025, drive audience engagement, and shine a light on the innovators shaping India’s digital future.
Scheduled for 2nd May 2025 at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram, the summit will tap into the possibilities for India’s growth story against the backdrop of its digital and entrepreneurial revolution. India’s digital economy is booming—projected to contribute nearly one fifth of the national income by 2029-30. In 2022-23 alone, it accounted for 11.74% of the GDP and is expected to grow almost twice as fast as the overall economy.

Building on this momentum, India Internet Day has emerged as a leading platform for the visionaries, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers shaping the digital economy. From sharing unicorn stories to showcasing AI-powered futures, each edition has reflected the pulse of India’s internet and innovation landscape. This year’s theme, “Celebrating a Legacy, Investing in a Future”, marks 25 years of TiE Delhi-NCR’s impact and will spotlight the top 25 startups, investors, and changemakers leading India’s next innovation wave. The partnership with Dharma Media Consultants will play a key role in framing the conversation around India’s digital transformation and positioning the summit as a cornerstone of this unfolding story.

Shutapa Paul, Founder, Dharma Media Consultants, emphasised how strategic communications can elevate the summit’s presence, saying, “At Dharma, we don’t just communicate events—we build legacies. We are proud to partner with TiE Delhi-NCR on its landmark 14th edition of India Internet Day. From spotlighting the ‘Super 25’ to shaping bold conversations around India’s tech trajectory, our focus is to ensure the world sits up and takes notice of what’s unfolding at India Internet Day 2025.”

India Internet Day 2025 will be co-chaired by Akshay Chaturvedi, Founder and CEO, Leverage Edu; Apurva Chamaria, Global Head, VC and PE Startup Partnerships, Google; and Upasana Taku, Co-Founder, MobiKwik. An engaging line-up of speakers and sessions will include a keynote by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder, One97 and Paytm; power panels featuring Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO, Startup Policy Forum; and a deep-dive investor discussion with Arpit Agarwal, Partner, Blume Ventures, and Sumit Sinha, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Filter Capital India.

Upasana Sharma, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR, said, “We are delighted to welcome Dharma Media as our PR partner for India Internet Day 2025. Their deep understanding of the media landscape and ability to craft compelling narratives will be instrumental in driving the visibility and impact of this year’s event. We’re excited to have their expertise amplify the energy and ambition that India Internet Day stands for.”

Dharma Media Consultants, with its expertise in strategic communications and deep understanding of the startup space, is well-placed to enhance the visibility of the event, draw in key voices from the ecosystem, and highlight India’s growing influence as a global hub for technology and entrepreneurship.

Technogym Launches ‘Healthness’ After 40 Years of Wellness Excellence

At the 25th Wellness Congress, in the presence of 2,000 people from 100 countries, Nerio Alessandri launched Healthness, the new vision that will revolutionize the future of wellness and prevention

Forty years ago, in an industry characterized first by bodybuilding, then by fitness, Technogym launched a new concept: Wellness, which, capitalizing on the experience of fitness, generated a social opportunity, involving all stakeholders – governments, companies and citizens – in building a healthier and more active society. Since then, Technogym has continued to innovate relentlessly: from biomechanics, to digital, to artificial intelligence. Today Technogym is a Life Science company, able to offer Precision Training programs for every individual and need.

Over the years, Technogym has built an ecosystem that, as of today, connects 25 million users (out of a global community of 70 million people training with Technogym), industry operators, doctors, and trainers worldwide. Leveraging the company’s years of investments in cutting-edge technologies and AI, Nerio Alessandri introduced the new vision of Healthness.

The ability to predict disease before it occurs will be the greatest revolution of our time. Healthness leverages Wellness and takes this vision even further by making health prevention programs tangible thanks to data and AI.

Scientific studies confirm that health is influenced by only 20-30% by genetics, while the remaining 70-80% depends on epigenetics (lifestyle). There are therefore no magic formulas to achieve Healthness: it requires training that targets muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance, flexibility, and cognitive quality. Physical exercise is a true medicine (Exercise Is Medicine) and Healthness represents a preventative medicine to improve physical performance in the short term and guarantee healthy longevity in the long term.

Thanks to the trillions of data collected in 30 years on the Mywellness Open Platform, today with AI, Technogym is able to offer Healthness as products and services: Technogym Checkup, the new assessment station based on AI is able to analyze psycho-physical and cognitive parameters and automatically calculate Precision Training programs. The new AI-based Biostrength and Biocardio product ranges, connected to the Technogym Ecosystem, allow you to deliver Precision Training Programs automatically thanks to the Technogym App, to track data and adapt the program to progresses.

In practice, Healthness means Precision Wellness and thanks to data-driven customized programs it allows you to obtain results superior by approx. 30% in the same amount of time.

Healthness, in addition to helping people live longer in good health, represents a great business opportunity for fitness, sports, hospitality, corporate and medical operators and personal trainers to evolve their offering and create value through hyper-personalization.

At the 25th Wellness Congress, in the presence of 2,000 people from 100 countries, Nerio Alessandri launched Healthness, the new vision that will revolutionize the future of wellness and prevention

Forty years ago, in an industry characterized first by bodybuilding, then by fitness, Technogym launched a new concept: Wellness, which, capitalizing on the experience of fitness, generated a social opportunity, involving all stakeholders – governments, companies and citizens – in building a healthier and more active society. Since then, Technogym has continued to innovate relentlessly: from biomechanics, to digital, to artificial intelligence. Today Technogym is a Life Science company, able to offer Precision Training programs for every individual and need.

Over the years, Technogym has built an ecosystem that, as of today, connects 25 million users (out of a global community of 70 million people training with Technogym), industry operators, doctors, and trainers worldwide. Leveraging the company’s years of investments in cutting-edge technologies and AI, Nerio Alessandri introduced the new vision of Healthness.

The ability to predict disease before it occurs will be the greatest revolution of our time. Healthness leverages Wellness and takes this vision even further by making health prevention programs tangible thanks to data and AI.

Scientific studies confirm that health is influenced by only 20-30% by genetics, while the remaining 70-80% depends on epigenetics (lifestyle). There are therefore no magic formulas to achieve Healthness: it requires training that targets muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance, flexibility, and cognitive quality. Physical exercise is a true medicine (Exercise Is Medicine) and Healthness represents a preventative medicine to improve physical performance in the short term and guarantee healthy longevity in the long term.

Thanks to the trillions of data collected in 30 years on the Mywellness Open Platform, today with AI, Technogym is able to offer Healthness as products and services: Technogym Checkup, the new assessment station based on AI is able to analyze psycho-physical and cognitive parameters and automatically calculate Precision Training programs. The new AI-based Biostrength and Biocardio product ranges, connected to the Technogym Ecosystem, allow you to deliver Precision Training Programs automatically thanks to the Technogym App, to track data and adapt the program to progresses.

In practice, Healthness means Precision Wellness and thanks to data-driven customized programs it allows you to obtain results superior by approx. 30% in the same amount of time.

Healthness, in addition to helping people live longer in good health, represents a great business opportunity for fitness, sports, hospitality, corporate and medical operators and personal trainers to evolve their offering and create value through hyper-personalization.

Letting Go: Mastering the Spiritual Art of Surrender

By AiR Atman in Ravi – Happiness Ambassador and Spiritual Leader

Many of us experience unhappiness due to our inability to accept things as they are, especially when it comes to letting go of people, events or situations we can’t change. We often believe we are entirely in control of our lives. While we have free will and can choose our actions, we also carry our past Karma from previous lives, which influences the circumstances we face. The Law of Karma ensures that we must settle our Karmic debts, and no one can escape this process. Challenges and events beyond our control are a part of this unfolding. Although we can continue to do good deeds for a happier destiny, the ultimate goal is to transcend Karma and attain Moksha or liberation.

To truly let go and surrender, we must free ourselves from personal expectations. While it’s important to do our best in any situation, we must not fixate on a specific outcome, the fruits of our actions. The Divine Will, expressed through the Law of Karma, governs our lives, and everything that happens is part of this Divine unfolding. When we face unavoidable circumstances like the loss of a loved one or other inexplicable hardships, we must gracefully accept them as part of our Karma and not protest. The ABCD Mantra — Accept, do your Best, in Consciousness, surrender the rest, living as a Divine Instrument holds the key to a peaceful and blissful life. Ultimately, we must realize that this world is a cosmic drama, a show and we are but actors who come and go. When we understand this, we will sit back, be detached and dispassionate, and as spectators, enjoy the Leela of the Divine.

On a daily basis, we must consciously let go of past hurts, grudges, regrets, painful relationships and toxic emotions. These are often the sources of our suffering and clinging to them only aggravates our suffering. We must also let go of the fear of the future, as worrying about what’s to come only robs us of peace and of the joy of the moment. Letting go of material desires and choosing positive emotions is essential for happiness. Faith, Hope, and Trust are crucial in this process—Faith, Full Assurance In the Heart; HOPE, Having Only Positive Expectations, and TRUST, Total Reliance Unconditional Surrender To the Almighty. Trust, and surrender to the Divine must be 100%. If it is 99%, it is not complete trust and surrender.

When we recognize that we are not the body, mind, ego, but the immortal Divine Soul, a Spark Of Unique Life, a part of the Supreme Immortal Power we call God, we achieve complete surrender. We let go of our false identity — of the body, mind and ego and embrace the reality of our inherent Divinity. This realization of non-duality, where God is everything and we are one with the Divine, leads us to a life of eternal peace, love and bliss.