28, Jan 2025
Manav Chhabra and Sanket Mehta Take India’s Fashion to Milan Men’s Fashion Week
We are thrilled to announce that two of India’s leading digital creators, Sanket Mehta and Manav Chhabra, proudly represented Indian fashion at Milan Men’s Fashion Week. Their presence at this globally celebrated event marked a significant moment for India’s creator economy, highlighting the growing influence of Indian talent on international platforms.
Sanket Mehta, making his second appearance at Milan Men’s Fashion Week, attended an impressive lineup of showcases and presentations, including 1989 Studio, La Martina, Paul and Shark, Tod’s, Canali, and Dhruv Kapoor. Known for his ability to blend Indian styling with global trends, Sanket’s Milan experience offered his audience a closer look into the world of high fashion. Through his content, he provided an in-depth analysis of collections, shared his likes and dislikes, dissected key looks, and predicted upcoming trends, making his journey a treasure trove for fashion enthusiasts.
Manav Chhabra, on the other hand, made his highly anticipated debut at this prestigious event, attending showcases by Paul and Shark, Canali, and Tod’s. With his charismatic storytelling, Manav captured the lifestyle and behind-the-scenes hustle of Milan Fashion Week, bringing his audience a fresh perspective on styling and the vibrant energy of one of the world’s most iconic fashion events. His unique approach highlighted the creative chaos and glamour of the runway while infusing it with his personal style.
Both creators had the exclusive opportunity to meet and interact with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Mr. Stefano Canali, CEO and President of Canali, and Mr. Dini, Founder of Paul and Shark. These interactions not only reflected their growing recognition on the global stage but also reinforced the evolving role of Indian creators in international fashion conversations.
Their journey was supported by their management agency, NOFILTR, which continues to empower Indian talent to explore opportunities beyond borders. The presence of Sanket Mehta and Manav Chhabra at Milan Men’s Fashion Week stands as a proud milestone for India, celebrating the seamless blend of Indian sensibilities with global fashion narratives.
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28, Jan 2025
Over 40,000 kg of Plastic Waste Recycled by Akshayakalpa Organic Through Innovative ‘Give Back the Milk Pack’ Initiative
Bengaluru, 28th January, 2025: This Republic Day, Akshayakalpa Organic, India’s first certified organic dairy company and producer of the country’s most popular organic milk has announced about the success of its sustainability initiative, ‘Give Back the Milk Pack’. Reflecting the spirit of responsibility and nation-building that Republic Day embodies, this innovative initiative encourages consumers to bring back their used milk packets for responsible recycling, sparking a significant revolution in the battle against plastic pollution. After its resounding success in Bengaluru, the program has expanded to other major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Chennai, further underscoring the brand’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
Since the inception of this initiative in 2022, Akshayakalpa Organic has recycled more than 40000 kg of plastic in total across Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad highlighting that when people come together for a common cause, small actions can create a big impact. This recycling program introduced by the brand urges consumers to follow three easy steps — rinse the pack for 30 seconds, hang it to dry, and once it dries then return it by placing it in a delivery bag. The consumers thus also play a pivotal role in creating a sustainable future for their generations to come through this simple process.
Speaking on the completion of this milestone, Mr. Shashi Kumar, CEO and Co-Founder of Akshayakalpa Organic stated, “We are excited to share that through our ‘Give Back the Milk Pack’ program, we have recycled over 40,000 kg of plastic waste in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. This accomplishment shows the powerful change communities can create when they unite for a shared goal. It reminds us of our dedication to sustainability and how small efforts can lead to big environmental gains. We thank our consumers who have joined us in making this initiative a success and making this planet a better place to live. This is merely the start, and we look forward to continuing our journey toward bigger achievements towards sustainability.”
In addition to the ‘Give Back the Milk Pack’ initiative, Akshayakalpa Organic is deeply committed to fostering a culture of sustainability through various community engagement programs and educational initiatives. These include lake cleaning drives and neighborhood cleanliness drives across major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad, which empower consumers to make eco-friendly choices. By inviting communities to actively participate in these efforts, Akshayakalpa emphasizes that every small action contributes to a larger positive impact on the environment, driving meaningful change for a sustainable future. The brand is also pioneering eco-conscious packaging solutions, such as paperboard packaging for its dairy products and sustainable leaf-based packaging for vegetables. These measures significantly reduce plastic use and reflect Akshayakalpa’s broader mission of promoting self-sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through these initiatives, Akshayakalpa addresses the urgent issue of plastic pollution while inspiring collective action for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
28, Jan 2025
IIITH and Swecha.org Kickstart AI Hackday, Harnessing 2,000 Student Innovations for the Greater Good
Hyderabad, January 28, 2028…..: AI Hackday, a mega AI hackathon, was conducted this weekend as the first round towards kickstarting a series to build people-centric AI development. With participation from 20+ colleges, 60+ faculty members, 100+ industry mentors nurtured 600+ teams with 2000+ students working on projects. This is organised by viswam.ai, a center setup at IIIT Hyderabad by IIITH and swecha.org.
The AI Hackathon is a 3-stage series fostering innovation and creativity, culminating AI Days 2025′ Spark Camp, where 100 production-ready AI applications are developed to address India’s unique challenges. Inaugurating the hackathon, Bhavesh Mishra, IAS, highlighted the need to leverage the AI revolution early, citing the success of non-Western models like DeepSeek LLM, and emphasised on how India can also build its own context-driven AI models.
The hackathon emphasizes using AI to solve real-world problems, bridging societal gaps, and fostering a more inclusive, tech-driven future. AI based audio tools, story generation and image AI were among the many prototypes built.
Other speakers and super mentors included Prof Ramesh Loganathan (IIIT Hyderabad), Chaitanya Chokkareddy (Co-founder and CTO of Ozonetel), Kiran Chandra (Head of Viswam.AI), and Pradeep Kumar Jilagam from Micron Technology.
AI HackDay is part of a broader initiative including the one Lakh internship program to encourage students to engage with communities, compile culture-specific data sets, to train Indic language models in various dialects, emphasizing localized AI solutions that reflect cultural and linguistic nuances. This initiative in the process is working towards building deep AI skills, at scale.
28, Jan 2025
TEJAS2K25 Celebrates Student Innovation with 200+ Projects, Welcoming 1,600 Students from 30+ Govt Schools
Hyderabad, January 28, 2025……..TEJAS 2K25, the second edition of an Engineering Expo featuring 223 students’ inventions, innovative concepts, ideas, and social impact projects/products by Anurag University Engineering Students, was held on Monday at Anurag University in the city outskirts.
TEJAS 2K25 is a unique project that will be organised for the second time to kindle an innovation culture among engineering students at the University
It was inaugurated by Dr S. Glory Swarupa, Director General Ni MSME, Govt of India; Dr Shanta Toutam, Former Chief Innovation Officer of Govt of Telangana, Mr. Arjun Kumar Rumalla, Director and Manufacturing, Country Head of TechnipFMC in the presence of Ms Neelima, CEO, Dr Archana Mantri, Vice Chancellor, Dr Vijay Kumar, Dean of School of Engineering, Prof UB Desai, Chancellor of Anurag University; Balaji Utla, Vice Chairman, Neelima Institute and Neelima Hospitals.
Tejas 2K25 received overwhelming applications of 600 of which 223 inventions, innovations, and novel concepts were shortlisted and exhibited in the one-day Engineering Inventions Expo at Anurag University located in the city outskirts.
Giving opening remarks, Dr Vijay Kumar said the first edition held last year saw 160 inventions, of which 30 were applied for patents, and nine are likely to be awarded patents. A couple of Venture Capitalists have shown interest in scaling up of a couple of ideas into a startup.
About 1600 students from the 30-plus Government Schools such as Narapally Govt School 80 Korremula Govt School; Green Fields School; Sri Chaitanya; Shantiniketan; Ghatkesar Govt School Girls; Edulabad Govt School; Delhi Public School; Annojiguda Govt School and others visited the expo and inspected the innovations.
Highlights of some of the products on display include “Live Safe”, an automated power cut-off system for electrical hazards prevention during large public gatherings. Giving more details, Greshmi Ratna one of the team members of the four-member team that worked on the project said, that whenever a human being comes in contact with a live wire in social gatherings like Maha Kumbh mela, crowded places like Pushpa film like a stampede, the system they developed detects it automatically and disconnects the power supply and prevents electrical fires
Parking is the next big problem that most urban dwellers will encounter. The problem will be so much so that it is said whenever 3rd world war breaks it will be over water. Similarly, the biggest fight that takes place on city roads and in apartments in Hyderabad today is over Parking. A movie titled ‘Parking’, a family drama aired over the OTT platform revolves around the clash between a youngster and an elderly tenant regarding their parking space. Parking is going to be the next big urban problem that needs to be addressed. The smart parking system developed using Arduino Uno (a series of Open Source Microcontroller Boards) by the students will help locate free parking slots, and help people park properly, the students SK Syed Pasha, M. Nitesh Reddy, B. Sanjay Kumar, P. Akhil.
The other interesting innovation was the Solar Powered Smart Bin which automatically separates dry and wet waste. Prevents bad odour from coming out. Indicates when it is full. Get’s closed automatically. Another innovation was Smart Refrigerator which lets you know its contents on your mobile phone so that you know what to refill while shopping on your way back from work, added that students
Speaking on the occasion Dr Glory Swarupa, Director General of Ni-MSME, Govt of India said mere development of Apps and software doesn’t solve problems. India is a land of problems and opportunities. We need field-level problems to be identified and solved. I am happy to note that there is good enthusiasm in the hall.
Further, she added that the Ni-MSME Ministry has a scheme called “The MSME Innovative Scheme” MSME to promote innovation in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The scheme combines incubation, design, and intellectual property rights (IPR) to help MSMEs develop ideas into viable business opportunities. It offers a grant of 15 to 25 lakhs for a good idea or innovation. She urged students to utilise this opportunity.
The startup world is full of terminologies such as Unicorn, Minicorn etc. It is good to become a Unicorn, the valuation of which in Indian Rupees is one followed by nine zeroes. It takes 10 years to become a unicorn. So we must encourage startups to first become Babycorn companies with a valuation of about Rs ten lakhs and then they can go for Minicorn, Soonicorn and Unicorn.
Dr Balaji Utla, the brain behind Tejas 2K25 said we must make engineering MLJP which stands for “Meaning, Learning, Joy, and Pride”. Anurag University is committed to Problem-Based teaching. Prof UB Desai, Chancellor of the University said the culture of innovative thinking must be cultivated from the very first year of Engineering and he urged students to be lifetime learners.
28, Jan 2025
Khallal: An Unforgettable Journey Through Emotion and Silence Wows Delhi Viewers
New Delhi— Checkmate Production took the stage by storm with the debut of its deeply evocative drama Khallal, directed by Nikki Narulaa, at Akshara Theatre, New Delhi. This soul-stirring production explored the delicate intricacies of a 15-year marriage, weaving a compelling narrative of passion, betrayal, separation, and the haunting silence that emerges in relationships once full of love and connection. With its seamless blend of Urdu, Shayari, and Ghazals, Khallal struck an emotional chord with audiences, making it a powerful experience for anyone who has loved, lost, or grappled with the complexities of letting go.
At the core of Khallal is the poignant story of Amir and Amayra, a couple navigating the painful dissolution of their long-standing bond. Through masterful storytelling, the production delves into the fragility of love, the weight of regret, and the silence that replaces intimacy when relationships unravel.
Performed in two shows at 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM, Khallal left an indelible impact on a packed audience of over 200 attendees. Tickets sold out quickly, with many unable to secure seats, highlighting the production’s immense popularity and appeal.
A Stellar Cast Brings Khallal to Life
The success of Khallal lay in its deeply immersive performances by a talented cast, whose chemistry and intensity transported the audience into the lives of its characters:
- Amir, portrayed with remarkable depth by Tahsin Zahid, embodied a man torn between remorse and longing. Zahid’s powerful performance highlighted the vulnerability and complexity of a character grappling with the consequences of his actions.
- Amayra, played by the graceful Nikki Narulaa, served as the emotional anchor of the story. Her portrayal of a resilient woman confronting heartbreak resonated profoundly with audiences, showcasing the strength required to endure silence and loss.
- Ayaan, brought to life by Baskar Krishna, added intrigue and nuance to the narrative. As a subtle yet pivotal force in the unraveling of Amir and Amayra’s relationship, Ayaan enriched the story with complexity and depth.
The seamless chemistry between the actors heightened the emotional intensity of the production, making Khallal an unforgettable experience. Through their performances, the echoes of a love once vibrant but now lost took center stage, leaving the audience deeply moved.
A Remarkable Debut
As its inaugural production, Khallal established Checkmate Production as a significant new presence in the theater community. The drama was lauded for its impeccable direction, masterful performances, and an atmospheric interplay of sound and visuals that brought the story’s emotional essence to life.
28, Jan 2025
Listen to Your Gut
By-Dr. MP Madhu, Consultant – Medical Gastroenterology, Aster RV Hospital
Ever wondered how digestion happens in the body? The food we eat passes through four tubes: the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and finally through the large intestine which is also called the colon. A colonoscopy is a test to diagnose the problems of the large intestine.
When do you need a colonoscopy?
· If you have altered bowel habits.
· Loose stools not improving even after four weeks of treatment.
· If you find blood in stools.
· Recent onset of constipation.
· If you have low hemoglobin.
· If you have recurrent pain in the abdomen.
· If you notice significant weight loss and suspect colon cancer.
· Screening colonoscopy of normal individuals if a family member has colon cancer.
· Suspected intestinal diseases like tuberculosis, Crohn’s disease and IBS – irritable bowel syndrome).
At what level of hemoglobin is colonoscopy required?
Normally men should have hemoglobin of 13 gm and women, 11 gm. Any level below that needs to be evaluated. We do see patients just taking iron tablets or iron injections for low haemoglobin and not getting tested. They are found to have colon cancers at a later date. So it is always better to get a colonoscopy done before taking iron tablets.
How is a colonoscopy done?
Normally the intestine is filled with stool. So, bowels have to be cleansed before a colonoscopy.
Is admission required for a colonoscopy?
No, it’s done as a daycare procedure and needs three-four hours in the hospital.
Is colonoscopy painful?
Generally, people have the perception that it’s a painful procedure. But that’s not the case. With the availability of advanced colonoscopes, improving skills and the use of CO2 (carbon dioxide) instead of air during the procedure, it can be performed with minimal discomfort. Conscious sedation also makes the procedure more comfortable. General anaesthesia is usually not required for colonoscopy.
What is seen in a colonoscopy, and how long will it take?
We see the whole of the large intestine and a small portion of the small intestine called the terminal ileum during the procedure. Procedure time varies from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the complexity of the large intestine. We may see an ulcer, a polyp—small extra growth, a tumor—larger extra growth and a haemorrhoid (piles). Later, we take a biopsy from an ulcer or polyp. Small polyps are also removed during the procedure and sent for examination by a pathologist.
What is a biopsy and why is it done?
A biopsy is a medical procedure where a part of tissue is removed and sent for examination under a microscope. It is done to diagnose infection, inflammation, cancer and type of polyp.
What happens after colonoscopy?
We tell individuals to use restrooms to pass out the gas and stools. If a procedure is done under sedation – an individual is observed in the hospital for two hours. Then one can have normal food.
28, Jan 2025
HSNC University’s Fit Bharat Club Triumphs with ‘Centre to Coast’ Ride, Recognized on Republic Day
Mumbai: 28th January 2025: Fourteen volunteers from the Fit Bharat Club of HSNC University, including faculty members, students, doctors, and technicians, successfully completed an extraordinary 1,450 km “Centre to Coast” cycle ride today. The journey, which began on January 18, 2025, saw the team navigate 200 km of challenging terrains, demonstrating exceptional resilience and determination.
In line with their mission to promote environmental sustainability, the cyclists planted 1,400 seeds in tribal regions along their route, contributing to ecological restoration and community welfare. The ride concluded in Mumbai on the historic occasion of Republic Day, where they were received and felicitated by Honorable Provost Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Vice Chancellor Col. Prof . Hemlata K Bagla, along with the Deans and Registrar of HSNC University.
The achievement coincided with the university’s 76th Republic Day celebrations, highlighting the institution’s commitment to fostering health, environmental consciousness, and social responsibility. This remarkable feat by the Fit Bharat Club exemplifies the spirit of service and sustainability that HSNC University proudly upholds.
27, Jan 2025
Mosaics Fine Art Festival Seeks Artists for 30th Annual Event
Artists must apply for the juried outdoor festival by the April 1 deadline.
(St. Charles, Mo., Jan. 27, 2025) Mosaics Fine Art Festival recently opened the application process for its 30th annual event to be held Fri., Sept. 12 through Sun., Sept. 14. Only 100 artists will be invited to showcase and sell their wares at this exclusive juried event. The application deadline is April 1, and notification of acceptance will take place May 18.
The family-friendly event, which is free and open to the public, will be held along several blocks of North Main St. in Historic St. Charles, Mo. where more than 30 restaurants and over 75 shops are located.
A distinguished panel of jurors will select artists based upon their original work in a variety of media categories including clay, drawing, glass, leather, metal, pastel, oil/acrylic, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, and wood. A total of $5,000 will be awarded to the top nine artists.
Mosaics Fine Art Festival features live musical entertainment, a Children’s Village area for hands-on art experiences, the Mary Hediger Memorial Art Shop for Kids where children ages 14 and younger can buy professional artwork, and the Joyce Rosen Founder’s Scholarship art display where emerging high school artists showcase their work. The Artists for Adoption Pet Pavilion is open to families interested in adopting pets from Stray Paws Adoptables.
The Mosaics Fine Art Festival is a nonprofit organization that showcases local and regional artists while educating the community’s children and adults in how art can enhance their lives. The festival features a wide array of artwork produced by a mix of emerging, mid-career, and established artists in all media. Artists can apply before the April 1 deadline at https://www.zapplication.
For more information, call (314) 406-2067 or visit http://www.
27, Jan 2025
Ride-Hailing in 2025: Emerging Trends That Will Transform Urban Mobility
By-Pratip Mazumder, Country Manager-India, inDrive
Changing customer preferences towards convenience, comfort and reliability, thrust by the government through conducive policies, proliferation of digital technologies and ubiquitous Internet connectivity have significantly impacted the ride-hailing industry in the past decade. 2024 was a year of technological advancements and sustainability, reaffirming the dynamic nature of the industry. With the advent of new year businesses must stay ahead of the latest trends to maintain a competitive edge. Here are the key ride-hailing trends that will redefine urban mobility in 2025.
Customer centricity as the key differentiator: Today, customers are discerning and have ample options to choose from. Customer centricity will continue to be the key differentiator to stand out from the competition and maximise customer experience. Although technology is an enabler of customer satisfaction, it is a means to an end, i.e., enhancing customer experience. Hence, brands that prioritise greater autonomy to the customer in terms of choosing the vehicle, pricing and driver rather than solely leaving it to technology to determine these parameters will have an edge over their peers.
Safety critical for survival of ride-hailing: Safety is a foremost priority for the ride-hailing industry as it is the critical determinant of its survival. While brands go the extra mile to leverage cutting-edge technology to ensure safety, the latter’s implications go beyond the secured vehicle. Safety can be understood as the three-sided pact between the driver, passenger, and ride-hailing brand, with mutual responsibility and equal accountability for all parties in each ride.
Gig models for driver-partners gaining traction: With hybrid employment models and a preference for flexibility gaining traction, ride-hailing has become a preferred freelancing option. Many ride-hailing companies are now offering health and leave benefits as part of drivers’ contracts, emerging as a sought-after gig platform.
Tier 2 and 3 towns to drive growth: In 2025, companies will increasingly prioritise Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and underserved suburban markets by investing in infrastructure and partnerships in these areas for growth. Rapid infrastructural and technological advancements, a wide customer base and weak public transportation systems augur well for ride-hailing businesses to expand in these cities.
Ride hailing to integrate with micro-mobility and public transport: The shift beyond Tier 1 and metropolitan cities and subsequent scale-up of ride-hailing platforms will help bridge transportation gaps in underserved regions and integrate ride-hailing with multimodal platforms. 2025 will witness ride-hailing apps evolve into holistic mobility solutions, enabling commuters to plan seamless trips and integrate public transport, ride-hailing, and micro-mobility options within a single app.
Emergence of localised and decentralised platforms: Platforms allowing commuters to choose drivers, vehicles, and pricing will thrive, empowering users to have greater negotiation power over service quality. Hyperlocal platforms closely tailored to the cultural and economic needs of the region, with their ability to foster an emotional connect with potential users, will gain traction.
Ride hailing to evolve beyond transportation systems: Ride-hailing systems are more than just transportation systems; they are trusted partners in urban mobility. In 2025, ride-hailing systems will metamorphose into broad ecosystems, offering a suite of services such as shopping, digital payments, and logistics—all rolled into one.
In addition to the above, the push towards sustainability, the emergence of autonomous vehicles, and enhanced security in-app features will be the trends to watch out for in 2025.
27, Jan 2025
The Age-Related Risks of Lung Cancer: Why Early Screening Matters
By-Dr. Bhaskar Bhuvan, Consultant-Medical oncology, HCG Cancer Center – Vizag
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for over 1.7 million fatalities annually. In India, lung cancer is a significant public health concern ranking second among male cancers, with a substantial number of cases occurring among middle aged and older adults. The reported death rate due to lung cancer in India was 75,031 patients in year 2022 according to Globocon 2022.
The Age-Related Risks of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer predominantly affects older adults, with the risk of developing this disease increasing significantly with age. This upward trend in lung cancer risk is particularly pronounced after the age of 60, with most lung cancer cases being diagnosed among people aged 65 years and above. According to the American Cancer Society, the average age at diagnosis for lung cancer is around 70 years old. But, in India, the average age of lung cancer diagnosis is 59 years which is a decade earlier than western countries. This age-related risk is attributed to the cumulative effect of exposure to carcinogens (cancer causing agents) over time, as well as the natural decline in immune function and cellular repair mechanisms that occurs with aging. As a result, older adults are more susceptible to the damaging effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, air pollution and radiation exposure which can increase the risk of lung cancer. Furthermore, older adults may also be more likely to have underlying health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), that can increase the risk of lung cancer.
Why Age is a Significant Risk Factor for Lung Cancer
Age is a significant risk factor for lung cancer due to several reasons. As we age, our cells accumulate genetic mutations that can increase the risk of cancer. Our immune system also weakens with age, making it more challenging for our body to fight off cancer cells. Furthermore, older adults may have been exposed to carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke and air pollution, for a longer period
The Importance of Early Screening
Early screening is crucial in detecting lung cancer at an early stage, when it is more treatable. Screening tests for lung cancer include Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) and Chest X-Ray. These non-invasive tests use low-dose radiation to produce detailed images of the lungs.
Whom to get lung cancer screening
Age above 50 years up to 80 years.
Smoking history of one packet of cigarettes per day over and above 20 years
Who does not quit smoking in the last 15 years
Reducing the Risk of Lung Cancer
While age is a significant risk factor for lung cancer, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk. Quitting smoking is the most effective way to reduce the risk of lung cancer. Avoiding exposure to carcinogens, such as air pollution and asbestos, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, can also help reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Lung cancer is a significant public health concern in India, with most cases occurring among middle aged and older adults. While age is a significant risk factor for lung cancer, early screening and reducing the risk factors can help detect and treat this disease. By prioritizing our health and taking proactive steps, we can reduce our risk of lung cancer and improve our overall health and wellbeing.
