Category Archives: News

2026 Sony Photography COMPETITION LAUNCH

New Delhi, 2nd June 2025: The 19th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards is open for submissions and free for all to enter on worldphoto.org. The Sony World Photography Awards is a definitive platform for the celebration and discovery of contemporary photography. Since its first edition in 2007, the Awards has recognised the seminal images and stories that shape our visual language and is one of the most prestigious photographic awards programmes in the world, providing global exposure and new opportunities for photographers. Organised by Creo, the Awards form the core part of Creo’s photography programming strand, the World Photography Organisation. Sony supports the Awards to help the continued development of photographic culture by giving a global platform to today’s talent.

Photographers worldwide are invited to submit to the Awards’ four competitions:

● Professional, celebrating outstanding series of work between five to 10 images across 10 categories;

● Open, rewarding the best single images of the year across 10 categories;

● Youth, championing images by emerging talent aged 19 and under;

● and Student, highlighting the projects of photography students across the globe.

Additional initiatives include the National & Regional Awards, the Latin America Professional Award, the Japan National Award, and the Alpha Female Award, as well as the Sustainability Prize.

Entry to the Awards is free and photographers are judged anonymously by a panel of industry leading judges.

INSIGHTS

Introduced for the 2025 Professional competition and returning for a second year, Insights is an additional prize element that sees the 10 category winners joining a day of tailored sessions in London with leading industry figures. From a range of commercial and institutional backgrounds, these experts offer the photographers specialised guidance on ways to continue to widen their platform and to find new opportunities to showcase their work; from insights into private collectors of photography, to sessions on photobook publishing, and behind the scenes access to the acquisition process of public collections.

STUDENT COMPETITION BRIEF: TOGETHER

For this year’s Student competition, photographers are asked to respond to the brief Together. Togetherness can take many meanings, shapes and forms. It is a subject rich for exploration. Throughout history photographers have looked at life in communities in both the human and the natural world, considering the ways that individuals exist as members of a group.

For this year’s brief, students are invited to explore the theme of togetherness from any angle they choose, looking at the concept in its broadest sense. From intimate stories of camaraderie, to big and small communities working towards shared goals, to places and spaces that bring us together, and patterns of connection in the natural world – the brief invites students of photography to consider the innate need for sociality in all living beings.

Images can be taken on any device, shot in any style, and approached from any angle. While creative responses are encouraged, photographers must stick to the brief.

2026 PRIZES AND DEADLINES

The Sony World Photography Awards is open to submissions from 1 June 2025. Full competition and category descriptions can be found at worldphoto.org.

Deadlines for submission across the Awards’ four competitions are:

Professional: 13 January 2026, 13:00 GMT

Open: 6 January 2026, 13:00 GMT

Student: 28 November 2025, 13:00 GMT

Youth: 6 January 2026, 13:00 GMT

All category winners of the Professional, Open, Youth and Student competitions will receive digital imaging equipment from Sony. In addition, cash prizes of $25,000 (USD) will be presented to the Photographer of the Year, $5,000 (USD) to the Open Photographer of the Year and $5,000 (USD) to the winner of the Sustainability Prize. The winner of the Photographer of the Year title will also be rewarded with a solo presentation of their work as part of the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London the following year. All winning and shortlisted photographers’ works will be exhibited at the annual Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London and will then be toured internationally. The winning images will also be published in the annual Awards’ book.

HCG Aastha Cancer Centre & HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad Leads ‘Wheels of Change: Ride Against Tobacco Initiative’, on World No Tobacco Day

Ahmedabad, June 2,  2025 — In a spirited initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre and HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad, came together on World No Tobacco Day, organized ‘Wheels of Change: Ride Against Tobacco’. The event comprised a two-part community initiative that blended physical activity and creative expression; through a bike rally and a zombie-themed dance performance. It was flagged off by Doctors and promoted public health education, through placards carrying motivational anti-tobacco messages.

The bike rally that started from HCG Aastha Cancer Centre and concluded at Teapots Desi Café, drawing participation from bike-rider groups, families, healthcare professionals, and residents of the city. A brief awareness session followed, where HCG doctors and fitness experts shared insights on the impact of tobacco and the importance of timely lifestyle changes. Participants also received eco-conscious giveaways such as plant saplings and reusable straws, to promote healthier living habits.

As part of the World No Tobacco Day initiative, HCG organized a creative performance at a prominent residential complex, featuring dancers dressed as zombies to raise awareness about the long-term harm tobacco inflicts on the body. Through expressive storytelling and impactful visual themes, the show shed light on how addiction silently deteriorates health. The performance drew a strong response from the audience and successfully sparked meaningful conversation, excitingly and especially, among young viewers.

Dr. Purvi Dave Patel, Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad, on the occasion of “World No Tobacco Day”, said, “Tobacco remains one of the top preventable causes of cancer, especially oral and lung cancers. This initiative served as an opportunity to start early conversations within the community especially among the youth regarding the hazards of tobacco use. Raising awareness is vital in preventing the initiation and reducing the consumption of tobacco, and HCG remains committed to actively supporting and participating in such initiatives.”

The Department of Cardiac Sciences at HCG Hospitals, Mithakhali, Ahmedabad, emphasized:

 “Such events facilitate proactive interactions that educate people about the risks of heart disease, stroke, COPD, infertility, and weakened immune systems resulting from tobacco use, including smokeless forms. Fortunately, quitting—even later in life—offers immediate and long-term health benefits, making awareness and early prevention critical in the fight against preventable cancers.”

Through this initiative, HCG reaffirmed its commitment to preventive care and community outreach. By combining health messaging with creative formats, including the activity of bike-riding and the medium of performance arts, ‘Wheels of Change’ inspired many to reflect on their choices and move toward healthier, tobacco-free living. The visible and substantive response received by this effort reflects the positive potential for ongoing auto-correction and adoption of healthier lifestyles, especially by the youth.

HCG Cancer Centre Brings Zombies to Nagpur Streets in Striking Anti-Tobacco Campaign

Nagpur, June 2nd , 2025 — In a unique public awareness campaign, organized on account of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ at HCG Cancer Centre, Nagpur, brought the city to a standstill with an unprecedented on-ground initiative, that featured volunteers and HCG non-medical staff dressed as zombies. These differently dressed ones attracted the attention of passers-by in Nagpur’ Civil Lines, Samvidhan Chowk and many crowded areas. This unusual campaign aimed at delivering an impactful visual message about the harmful and life-draining effects
of tobacco use.

On “World No Tobacco Day”, a group of six enthusiastic NSS volunteers and two HCG non- medical staff, took to the streets of Nagpur, visiting traffic signals and high-footfall areas. Dressed as zombies, they held attractive placards, bearing anti-tobacco slogans, such as “ I died young, thanks tobacco”,”One puff at a time… I lost my life” “I’m gone. But you can still quit” and interacted with the passers-by to raise awareness about the long-term damage caused by tobacco consumption.

 The HCG Hospital initiated campaign was designed to symbolically represent how tobacco causes health to degenerate, turning vibrant lives into ghostly shadows. The effort successfully drew the attention of motorists, pedestrians, and commuters, many of whom stopped to engage and learn more about the cause.

 Alongside the street activity, HCG Cancer Centre, Nagpur, also conducted awareness drive
within the hospital premises. These sessions focused on educating patients, caregivers, and
visitors about the dangers of tobacco use, early signs of related diseases and the importance
of preventive screening.

 Dr. Bhaskar Singh, Consultant Surgical Oncology at HCG Cancer Centre Nagpur, said, “Tobacco drains the body from within, often without revealing obvious signs of a progressive condition. Through the HCG zombie campaign, our intention was to create lasting impact on people’s mind. Awareness is the first step towards prevention and our objective was to spark that awareness across the city.”

 Ms. Neeta Rajwar, COO, HCG Cancer Centre Nagpur, added, “The HCG campaign reflects our ongoing commitment to community health. At HCG Cancer Centre, we believe that cancer care begins with education. If we can motivate even a few people to quit tobacco or go for early screening, we would consider it as a successful campaign. We continue to prioritize public health initiatives that goes beyond hospital walls, using creative outreach to address critical health issues.”

 This World No Tobacco Day, the message was loud, clear, and impossible to ignore—tobacco steals life, but awareness can help prevent that.

IDEMITSU Honda Racing India Riders Push Limits with a Tough Fight in Round 2 of 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship

Mumbai / Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), June 2, 2025: The IDEMITSU Honda Racing India riders faced a challenging and intense Round 2 of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the iconic Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, closing out a weekend full of high-speed action and fierce competition.

The Indian duo, Kavin Quintal and Johann Reeves, completed today’s race with grit and consistency in the fiercely competitive Asia Production 250cc (AP250) class.

Kavin Quintal, the 19-year-old rider started the 8-lap race from the 19th grid position for race 1. He finished at 18th position with a total time of 19:43:239. In Race 2, Kavin mounted a strong comeback and, despite fierce competition, demonstrated resilience and tactical racing skills to hold his ground. He completed the race at 15th position after a tough battle, crossing the finish line with a total time of 19:44.506 and setting his fastest lap at 2:25.412.

Meanwhile, Johann Reeves started from 24th on the grid in Round 2 of ARRC. In Race 1, Johann delivered a strong performance, maintaining steady lap times and gaining valuable experience on the challenging circuit. He crossed the finish line in 19th place with a total time of 19:44.679. In Race 2, Reeves defended his position well, completing the race at 20th place with a total time of 20:07.715 and recording his fastest lap at 2:29.021.

Kavin earned 1 point in round 2 at Malaysia, bringing their cumulative team total to 5 points for this season in the Asia Production 250cc (AP250) class.

Sharing his thoughts, Kavin Quintal said “Today’s race at Sepang Circuit was challenging from start to finish. The technical track demanded complete focus and tested every move. It was a tough battle out there. I am taking away important lessons and remain determined to come back stronger in the upcoming races.”

Johann Reeves added, “Today’s race at Sepang Circuit pushed me on every level. The competition was intense and the track demanding. I have gained valuable experience for the team. There’s a lot to build on. With the completion of Round 2, I am focused on coming back stronger in the upcoming races.”

Air India Expands Codeshare with Air Mauritius to Enhance Southern Africa Connectivity

GURUGRAM, 02 June 2025: Air India, India’s leading global airline, and Air Mauritius, the national carrier of Mauritius, have expanded their existing codeshare partnership to offer travelers improved connectivity across the Indian Subcontinent and the African region.

The two airlines signed the expanded codeshare agreement on the sidelines of the 81st IATA AGM in New Delhi, in the presence of Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director, Air India, and Kishore Beegoo, Chairman, Air Mauritius.

As part of the strengthened bilateral codeshare agreement, Air India and Air Mauritius will place their designator codes on a total of 17 routes between India, Mauritius, Réunion, South Africa, and Madagascar.

With the enhanced codeshare partnership, Air India will place its ‘AI’ designator code on Air Mauritius flights to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Antananarivo in Madagascar, for Air India guests to seamlessly travel to these cities via Mauritius on a single ticket and baggage checked through to their final destination. Air India already codeshares on Air Mauritius flights between Mauritius and Mumbai, Delhi, and Réunion.

Air Mauritius currently places its ‘MK’ designator code on Air India flights between Mumbai and Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Goa, Delhi and Bengaluru, Chennai. As part of the enhanced codeshare, Air Mauritius will place its ‘MK’ designator code on Air India flights between Mauritius and Mumbai.

Thus, all flights operated by Air India and Air Mauritius between the two countries will have each other’s designator codes, thereby multiplying flight options for customers of either carrier.

Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director, Air India, said: “India is one of the largest tourism source markets for destinations in Southern Africa, including Mauritius and South Africa, as well as a strong trade partner to the region. This expanded codeshare partnership with Air Mauritius is another step toward widening our extended global network, which enables our customers to easily access these destinations.

“Air Mauritius is pleased to expand its collaboration with Air India, offering our passengers connections to numerous destinations across India via Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. Travellers from India to Mauritius will not only experience the warmth of our multi-cultural society and the richness of our diverse local cuisine, but also enjoy the convenience of connecting to Reunion, South Africa, and Madagascar beyond with Air Mauritius,” says Kishore Beegoo, Chairman of Air Mauritius.

The additional codeshare flights are available for booking from 01 July 2025 through Air India’s and Air Mauritius’ respective booking channels and through travel agents.

Centre launches four AI Missions, including, National UBI and Chatbot AI digital technologies for the disabled to ensure ease of services

Bangalore, June 2, 2025: The Government of India’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in collaboration with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) here at The National Conference on AI for Empowering Persons with Disabilities launched four major digital and technology missions to aid persons with disabilities in receiving government and societal services in the areas of education, healthcare, livelihood, and everyday life. The four missions, 1) Mission AI Accessibility, 2) Implementation of AI in Assistive Technology and Tools for Empowering People with Disabilities, 3) National Disability Support AI Chat Bot, and 4) Unified Benefits Interface (UBI), modelled on the widespread and popular UPI financial technological tool, were launched by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD in the presence of a government officials, technology experts from IITs and AIIMS, Technology Entrepreneurs and citizens.

Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, unveiling the National AI Missions for Persons with Disabilities said: “India now has one billion digital Aadhaar IDs, the digi-locker which can have all physical documents in digital form in just one device, and the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) which has made financial transactions easy. We are extending this digital footprint for persons with disabilities by digitalising and automating a series of government benefits, schemes and policies, to reach beneficiaries within 24 hours in the areas of education, health, livelihood and finance. Disabled students will receive scholarships in their accounts in 24 hours from now on and people with health problems can interact with a chatbot to clarify and seek medical and health advisory services from home itself and the UBI will ensure digital and technological interaction between disabled people and the government to ensure services are delivered without bureaucratic delays and hindrances. The interaction will be direct, easy and seamless, made possible by AI.”

Mr. Prateek Madhav, Member of the Steering Committee of NITI Aayog instituted to design the National Strategic Framework of Assistive Technology (AT) in India with the objective of making India a Global Hub of Assistive Technology, and Co-Founder and CEO of AssisTech Foundation (ATF), which has changed the lives of a million disabled people, said: “We are working with the Government to ensure that persons with disabilities, particularly learners, are equipped with the right Assistive Technologies (AT) – screen readers, Braille displays, sign language plugins, speech recognition tools, and adaptive input devices – to ensure an hindrance-free everyday life as well as seamless and easy interaction and practical working in the fields of education, health, and livelihood to enable persons with disabilities have a hurdle-free reception of benefits. We concur with Mr. Aggarwal’s UBI initiative modelled on UPI as this will ease implementation of benefits for persons with disabilities. India’s digital economy, with growing investments in Artificial Intelligence is also creating new career avenues. When paired with AI Assistive Technologies like voice commands, screen readers, and simplified interfaces, digital payments become even more inclusive.”

ATF has co-founded the Global Alliance on Assistive Technology Innovations and Investments, known as the Inclusive Innovation Network (+N), along with AT pioneers & partners from Australia, Canada, and Kenya to bring in their innovations into India to aid persons with disabilities. He is establishing the largest AT innovation ecosystem in India and under his leadership, ATF has developed a network of over 450+ AT startups, impacted the lives of 1 million individuals with disabilities.

 Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MEITY, and DG, NIC said: “We are working with state governments to adopt AI models and missions we will be taking all these technologies to tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India to help the underserved and disabled.” A highlight of the conference was the high-impact panel session on “Assistive Technology Leveraging AI”, moderated by Prateek, which featured a distinguished panel of experts. Prateek, who steered this insightful and thought-provoking discussion, stated that ATF’s hope and vision is to build the world’s first Unicorn (start-up) that would reach a billion disabled people by developing AI-enabled technologies that would help the disabled. “A Unicorn is a billion-dollar start-up, but for us, Unicorn is not about money, it’s about a billion people. There is hope because we have moved from 400 start-ups 10 years ago to 1.7 lakh start-ups in 2025. AI-enabled technologies is the focus of the start-ups we work with.”

Mr. Sandeep Alur, CTO, Microsoft Innovation Hub, said: AI can see, hear, speak, reason, memorize and think. This means that the future is AI adapting to individual requirements, especially for the disabled.” Mr. Shekar Naik, Padma Shri Awardee and Former Captain, Indian Blind Cricket Team, who is training hundreds of blind cricketers said: “AI on the laptop helps us now to place players on the cricket field in minutes. It would take hours or half a day earlier. I can now book my tickets, write on my own or type on my own. AI has ended dependency of the blind permanentl.”

Mr. Amitabh Nag, CEO, Bhashini Project, which is transforming the language translation scenario in India, said: “We are developing speech to text and text to speech, voice technologies, websites in Indian languages, addressing translation of dialects beyond the 22 official languages to help the disabled.”

Ms. Chandrika Jain, CMO, Lenovo India said: “Design of AI technologies should be undertaken with the disabled, not for them. The disabled have to be part of the tech design, not as an afterthought.” The panel collectively underscored the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and social innovation ecosystems to build an AI-powered accessible future. The conference served as a pivotal platform to explore the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Assistive Technology (AT), with the goal of harnessing cutting-edge innovations to enhance accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for persons.

Pankaj Tripathi reveals saying no to Mimi initially and doing the film on the advice of his wife in IMDb’s ‘The Essential Guide’

Criminal Justice, the highly anticipated courtroom drama, returned with its fourth season on OTT. Starring Pankaj Tripathi as Madhav Shukla, the series explores the complexities of the Indian judicial system while taking audiences through interesting cases. Tripathi recently appeared in IMDb’s exclusive segment ‘The Essential Guide’, sharing key moments that defined his career, behind-the-scenes anecdotes and what he considers to be the three pillars that cemented his position in the digital entertainment landscape .

Discussing the filming of Raavan, Tripathi said, “I enjoyed my feminine side while shooting for Raavan. During the filming, I wore a saree, with makeup, and sat on set for seven days. Even in my village, I had dressed up as a girl for the first play in my life. I haven’t had the opportunity to play a character like that on screen again, but if it comes, the opportunity would be interesting.”

Revealing the story behind a picture taken with his parents, Tripathi said, “In villages, there is no such culture of taking pictures. I had a mobile back then and requested a child nearby to click a picture of me with my parents. It was the first opportunity in my life when I got to place my hand on my father’s shoulder, as such acts weren’t followed in my village. In my house, no one knew what films were. No one used to read film magazines either and in fact there was no electricity there till 2016-17. I had told my family that I’m going to study theatre at NSD, post which I will become a professor. They thought I would get into teaching post my education there, so they agreed to let me go.”

Discussing his knack for playing different roles and how the industry acknowledged it, Tripathi shared, “Neeraj Ghaywan helped me change my image from an aggressive man which I had got through Gangs of Wasseypur. People were surprised through Masaan that I can play a soft character as well. Both films – Gangs of Wasseypur and Masaan helped the industry realise that I am a versatile actor. Then Nil Battey Sannata helped the industry understand that I can even play a comic role too. I played a sincere school principal who wanted to help students move ahead in life. The film is a serious comedy. It was Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s first film. She gave me the freedom to play the character the way I want and thus people got acquainted with the fact that I can do comedy as well.”

Speaking of filming Newton, Tripathi said, “I had a lot of fun filming Newton. Though I was fed up with lower back pain that I was dealing with at the time. Under the uniform I wore, I used to wear an orthopedic belt and kept it on during the entire filming. The film gave me my first National Award. I’ll always be thankful and cherish that. I was with Saurabh Shukla and Anubhav Sinha, we were shooting in Lucknow. Saurabh sir then checked his phone and pointed it towards me saying that I won a National Award. I thought he was joking initially as we weren’t aware that the announcement was that day. I went running to my room as I didn’t have my phone. When I reached, there were around 30-35 missed calls. Some media folks, some from the fraternity. It was an emotional moment and I shed a few tears. I called my wife and informed her. It was always my dream to win a National Award for cinema, I was emotional for a few days thereafter.”

Sharing memories from Bareilly Ki Barfi, Tripathi revealed, “I was quite fit then, so I had to wear a bodysuit under a sweater to look heavier. Many girls approached me after the film sharing that they made their fathers watch it and through the movie, their equation with them changed.”

Mentioning three pillars of OTT for him, Tripathi shared, “Guruji in Sacred Games, Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur and Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice. While acting, I feel that I should just keep thinking and it should transform into an expression that defines the character.”

Sharing the story behind the initial days of filming Mimi, Tripathi revealed, “I initially didn’t want to do Mimi. Dinesh Vijan and Laxman Utekar called my wife, asking her to convince me. I gave in and did the film. It was a great experience to be a part of this movie that is amongst the most viewed films on OTT. Kriti and I both received National Awards for the film. It wasn’t just a supporting role, it was something else altogether.”

Alakh Pandey Offers Free PW Courses to Martyrs’ Wards, Scholarships for CRPF Families

New Delhi, 31st May 2025: Education company PhysicsWallah (PW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CRPF Family Welfare Association (CWA) to provide educational support to the families of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. This collaboration will try to create learning pathways through scholarship-based online and offline education programs.

 The initiative outlines multiple tiers of scholarships, including full scholarships for the families of CRPF martyrs and personnel who passed away during service. Additionally, families of serving and retired CRPF members are eligible for a 35% scholarship on offline coaching and a 25% scholarship for online courses.

 Eligibility for the scholarship program requires applicants to apply and submit relevant identification and service documents. Verification of applications will be conducted jointly by the CRPF and PW. The initiative will try to open the door to a wide range of competitive exam preparation programs, including JEE, NEET, UPSC, SSC, Banking & other courses available both on PW’s online platform as well as its network of offline centres.

 Alakh Pandey, Educator, Founder and CEO of PhysicsWallah, said, “At PW, we deeply value the dedication and service of CRPF personnel. Through this partnership, we are trying to take a step forward in extending our support to their families by trying to provide access to quality education. We believe that investing in education is one of the meaningful ways to contribute to the welfare and growth of CRPF families.”

 Dr. Anamika Singh, President of the CRPF Family Welfare Association, said, “The CWA has always strived to support CRPF families beyond the line of duty. Through this partnership with PW, our children can gain access to the wide educational network and digital learning platform of PhysicsWallah, which the foundation is trying to facilitate for this initiative. We believe this will help provide consistent academic support and meaningful learning opportunities.”

 PW is trying to provide education through its various offerings that span various educational segments, including test preparation, a skilling vertical, higher education, and education abroad.

Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar Honoured with Times Icon Award by The Times of India for Excellence in Advanced Multispecialty Healthcare

Bhubaneswar, 31st May 2025: – Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar has been conferred with The Times Icon Award by The Times of India for Excellence in Advanced Multispecialty Healthcare at a prestigious ceremony held on 28th May 2025. The award was presented to Dr. Saktimaya Mohapatra, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneshwar by Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister of State for Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education, Government of Odisha, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

 This recognition sets Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar apart as the only hospital in the state to receive the award in this category, highlighting its leadership in delivering world-class healthcare services across a wide spectrum of specialties. The award acknowledges the hospital’s continuous efforts in embracing innovation, advanced technology, and a patient-first approach.

 During the award presentation, the anchor lauded the hospital, stating, “We now invite Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneswar, to the stage – a name synonymous with clinical excellence, cutting-edge technology, and compassionate care. As one of the most trusted multispecialty hospitals in the region, Manipal Hospital has redefined patient-centric healthcare in Odisha. We are proud to felicitate them with the Times Icon for Excellence in Advanced Multispecialty Healthcare.”

 Reacting to the honour, Dr. Saktimaya Mohapatra, Hospital Director said, “This award is a proud moment for all of us at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar. It is a recognition of the tireless dedication of our doctors, nurses, and support staff who work each day to uphold the highest standards of care. We remain committed to raising the bar in multispecialty healthcare and serving the people of Odisha with integrity, innovation, and compassion.”

 As one of the region’s most advanced tertiary care centres, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar continues to lead with excellence in specialties such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, nephrology, orthopaedics, and emergency care. The award further strengthens its position as a trusted healthcare partner for thousands of families across the state and beyond.

 The Times Icon Awards recognize trailblazing institutions and individuals across various sectors who have made a lasting impact. With this accolade, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar once again reaffirms its mission to deliver comprehensive, accessible, and quality healthcare to all.

Taking Over Is Not Optional: Why Legacy and Entrepreneurship Must Converge in India

By-Sumit Pathak CEO linus International FZCO

Entrepreneurship in India has become a national conversation—but it is incomplete without acknowledging a critical and often overlooked pillar: legacy businesses.

 In the rush to celebrate first-generation startups, pitch decks, and unicorns, we’ve quietly sidelined the significance of Indian enterprises that were built brick by brick over decades—often by fathers and grandfathers who never heard the word “startup” but understood scale, cash flow, and customer reputation in its most tangible form.

 As someone who inherited and expanded a family business that started with construction scaffolding in Dubai and now spans real estate, project exports, and cross-border manufacturing, I’ve learned this firsthand: in India, entrepreneurship is not always something you start—sometimes, it’s something you inherit. And taking it forward is non-negotiable.

 Legacy Is Not a Backward Idea—It’s a Backbone
For decades, Indian entrepreneurship was synonymous with family-run ventures—whether in textiles, exports, logistics, construction, or wholesale trading. These businesses may not make front-page headlines, but they employ millions, pay taxes reliably, and hold the keys to India’s middle-class wealth.

 The mistake we’ve made is assuming that legacy equals complacency. In truth, legacy businesses that don’t evolve die. But those that do—those that merge old-school reliability with new-age thinking—are among the most capital-efficient, resilient entities in India today.

 And increasingly, I see a pattern: many successors are coming back. After a stint in a global job or a business school, they’re returning to the family business with fresh eyes—some reluctantly, some curiously, but many realizing the immense potential waiting to be unlocked.

 Indian Entrepreneurship: It’s Not Either/Or—It’s “And”
Yes, the post-liberalization era catalyzed a new wave of startup activity. Yes, India’s tech ecosystem is maturing, with SaaS unicorns and venture-funded disruptors reshaping sectors from fintech to agritech. And yes, programs like Startup India and Digital India have helped democratize access to capital, knowledge, and mentorship.

 But this does not mean legacy is outdated.

 In fact, it means the next level of entrepreneurship in India must be hybrid: a blending of founder energy and family wisdom; of digital acceleration and asset discipline.

 If India is truly to become a $5 trillion economy, this convergence must be encouraged—not separated. The son or daughter returning to restructure the family’s garment factory or construction firm is just as entrepreneurial as someone launching a new AI-driven platform.

 The Real India Operates Offline
We often forget that beyond India’s tech parks and co-working spaces, there exists another India—the one that operates on truck routes, in mandi sheds, on factory floors, and at the back offices of ports and municipal sites.

 This is where true entrepreneurship is tested—not just in valuation, but in survival.

 In this version of India, your logistics vendor may not have a LinkedIn page, but he controls the reliability of your entire delivery system. Your supplier may not understand equity dilution, but he’ll extend ₹2 crore in rolling credit with a handshake and 20 years of trust.

 These are not legacy constraints—they’re legacy strengths. If modern Indian entrepreneurs learn to digitize without dehumanizing, and automate without forgetting accountability, we may unlock the most powerful version of enterprise this country has ever seen.

  The Successor’s Dilemma—and Opportunity
Today, tens of thousands of mid-sized businesses across India face a generational shift. The founders are ageing, the systems are outdated, and the next generation is unsure whether to step in or walk away.

 My message to them is clear: step in—but step in with clarity, not ego.

 Don’t dismiss what was built before you. Improve it. Systemize it. Digitize the accounts, upgrade the procurement flow, make the brand feel relevant—but keep the cash discipline, the asset prudence, and the vendor loyalty intact.

 Taking over isn’t about carrying a burden—it’s about taking the business to a place your predecessors couldn’t, simply because the tools didn’t exist back then.

 A Nation Built on Continuity
India’s future lies in continuity—not just disruption.
Our challenge is not a shortage of ideas, but a shortage of execution across generations. If we treat legacy businesses as museums, they’ll die. If we treat them as platforms, they’ll scale.

 The story of Indian entrepreneurship is not one of replacement—but of reinforcement. Let the young entrepreneur pitch to VCs, yes. But also let him walk through his grandfather’s warehouse and learn how margin is made in the real world.