Kajal’s Dream Journey: How Sunstone Supported Her Rise from a Tier-3 City

New Delhi, 17th March 2025: KM Kajal, a student at GD Goenka University powered by Sunstone, has emerged as a symbol of resilience and determination. Hailing from a middle-class family in Firozabad district of UP, Kajal broke barriers to become the first in her family to pursue a postgraduate degree.

Growing up in a joint family, Kajal faced immense challenges in convincing her family to support her dream of pursuing an MBA. With her grandfather, father, and uncle engaged in the carton-making business, education had always taken a backseat. While her father stood by her side, seeking financial assistance led to unforeseen hardships, including his separation from the family. Sunstone’s easy loan process provided her the financial support she needed to continue her MBA without burdening her family.

Kajal enrolled at GD Goenka University, powered by Sunstone, where she initially struggled with confidence, communication, and core industry skills. However, Sunstone’s faculty, career guidance, and personality development programmes helped her transform. With Sunstone’s easy loan process through its network of national banks, she secured financial support, pursued her MBA without burdening her family, and is now confident, skilled, and career-ready. She became the first in her batch to secure an internship at Savemax during her first interview, earning INR 15,000 per month—far above the INR 5,000-6,000 that many students from other universities received. Sunstone also helped her land a job in the same company with an 80% higher salary 4LPA than many of her classmates.

Her proactive preparation, supported by Sunstone’s mock interviews and skill-building initiatives, played a crucial role in her success.

Speaking about her inspiring journey, Kajal said, “Sunstone has been more than an educational platform—it has been my biggest support system. From financial aid to career guidance, Sunstone has enabled me to turn my dreams into reality. Their goodwill and structured approach ensure that students like me from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities do not have to struggle for opportunities.”

Ankur Jain, Co-Founder & CBO, Sunstone said, “Kajal’s journey exemplifies our mission to provide quality education and career opportunities to aspiring students. We are committed to breaking barriers and ensuring that every student, irrespective of their background, gets the right support to achieve their professional goals.”

Every Kilometer Counts Challenge: Walk, Run, or Cycle to Create Positive Change

This innovative initiative aims to encourage people to combine fitness with compassion by challenging you walk, run, or cycle 100 kilometers for the welfare of strays. Each time you hit 100 kilometers, a sponsor will donate Rs. 10,000 towards animal welfare.

 Meghna Rai, the brains behind KToK says, “I’ve always been madly and totally in love with our four-legged fur babies. And the thought of doing something for the strays was in my mind for the longest time. And then viola ! as I was walking the treadmill one day, the idea occurred to me that we could combine the two. And thus KtoK was born’.

 The idea is simple yet powerful, as this project encourages not only an active and healthy lifestyle but also contributes to a cause that is so admirable.

 Individuals and Corporate sponsors can also get involved in this initiative by sponsoring their employees to participate in the challenge. They can leverage Kilometers to Kindness to promote wellness and fitness in the workplace.

 Participants will monitor their distance using any smartphone application or speedometer. Each day, they will report their mileage to the Kilometers to Kindness team for confirmation. After verifying that the 100 kilometers have been covered, the campaign will go ahead and request the sponsor to give the Rs. 10,000 for the welfare of animals.

 What makes Kilometers to Kindness even more unique is the ability for people to gift the challenge to a loved one. For instance, you might give this challenge to someone special, a parent or friend, to do the 100 kilometers, and once they complete their 100 Kms, make a donation on their behalf to an animal welfare organization.

Student Tribe’s MAA Tribe Meet-Up at T-Hub: A Celebration of Women and Community Bonds

17th March, India: In a powerful and inspiring celebration of International Women’s Day, Student Tribe, India’s largest student community platform hosted MAA Tribe Meet-Up at T-Hub . The event welcomed 800+ students accompanied by their mothers, creating a vibrant gathering to honor the phenomenal women who drive progress in society and are the first mentors for every student. The meet-up was a resounding success, fostering a spirit of appreciation, empowerment, and meaningful connections.

The MAA Tribe Meet-Up created a vibrant platform where attendees celebrated the achievements of women and strengthened community bonds. The event featured an engaging mix of insightful discussions, impactful recognitions, and inspiring moments, setting a new benchmark for student-led community initiatives in India

Adding to the significance of the occasion, distinguished guests such as Ramaa Raavi, a renowned life coach, spoke about the special bond between students and their mothers. Kishore Indukuri, Founder of Sid’s Farm, highlighted the parallels between a parent’s dedication to their child’s well-being and Sid’s Farm’s commitment to purity. Dr. Ramakrishna, Managing Director at Smiline Dental Hospital, emphasized the importance of dental hygiene and preventive care. Dr. Sainath Bhethanabhotla, Sr. Consultant & Head of Medical Oncology at Star Hospitals, discussed the necessity of regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle while underlining the unpredictability of life. The Show ended with a fun quiz and a giveaway by SRIRAMS IAS.

Speaking on the occasion, Sri Charan Lakkaraju, Founder & CEO of Student Tribe, stated “International Women’s Day is not just a day of celebration but a reminder of the immense contributions that women make in shaping our society, our families, and our future. The MAA Tribe Meet-Up was a testament to our deep commitment to fostering an inclusive space where appreciation, mentorship, and empowerment come together to drive meaningful change. By bringing together students, industry leaders, and inspiring personalities, we are creating a platform that uplifts voices, fuels aspirations, and nurtures future leaders. This is just the beginning of a larger movement to recognize, support, and create opportunities for the changemakers of tomorrow. We believe that by honoring women and fostering strong connections between students and professionals, we can collectively build a society where talent and potential know no barriers.”

With its growing influence in student communities across India, Student Tribe continues to lead meaningful initiatives, bridging the gap between students, industry leaders, and thought pioneers, ensuring that young minds are equipped with the inspiration and connections they need to thrive.

A key highlight of the celebration was the heartfelt gesture of gifting silver souvenirs to the mothers through fun giveaways, acknowledging their unwavering support and love. The event also focused on health and wellness, with Smiline Dental Hospital providing dental check-up vouchers and Star Hospitals offering cancer screening coupons worth over ₹3,000, reinforcing the importance of preventive healthcare. Students, an integral part of the celebration, were also recognized and rewarded, receiving smartwatches and other exciting gifts to enhance their experience and commemorate the occasion.

Educators’ Meet and Recognition Ceremony Held by Noida International University in Jewar

Jewar, March 17, 2025 — Noida International University (NIU), a NAAC A+ accredited institution, successfully organized an Educators Meet & Felicitation Ceremony in Jewar, highlighting the university’s academic excellence, global outreach, and student-centric environment. The event, attended by over 70 educators and dignitaries, highlighting NIU’s commitment to providing world-class education and a safe campus for students, especially girls.

The Chief Guest of the event, Mr. Akash Sharma, Director, Admission & Outreach, NIU, along with guest of honor Prof. Vinod Nagar, Professor, School of Education, NIU, who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour, shed light on the university’s achievements and its growing global presence. They were joined by distinguished guests Bhanu Pratap Singh, Ankur Sharma, Tarun Pratap Singh, and Mukesh Bhardwaj, who also addressed the gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Akash Sharma highlighted that NIU is home to students from over 60 nations, offering a multicultural environment with cutting-edge courses in Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and other global disciplines. He further stressed the university’s focus on ensuring a safe and inclusive space for female students, making it one of the preferred destinations for higher education. He also emphasized the role of educators in shaping future generations and applauded the collective effort in making NIU a center of academic and research excellence.

Tamil Nadu State Budget 2025-26

By-Raveendra Bhat Area Sales Director, Water Utility INDO Region

14 March 2025: “The measures outlined in the Tamil Nadu State Budget 2025-26 reflect the government’s commitment to sustainability, inclusive growth and water security. The budgetary allocation of Rs 675 crore for the modernization of drinking water projects in the state is noteworthy as water is at the heart of the way communities, businesses and governments function. It is also a move that reflects that the government is in tune with the current needs of stakeholders in the water technologies space. The launch of drinking water projects in Erode, Mayilatudhurai, Thiruvallur and other districts of Tamil Nadu is equally commendable. These projects will significantly enhance the quality of life of people and take them closer to a water-positive future. The state government’s thrust on drinking water projects is thus welcome. The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for advanced pump motor technologies in Coimbatore is also a step in the right direction. As a leading provider of pumps for the Indian and international markets, we at Grundfos believe it will serve as a veritable ground for Research and Development and also encourage collaboration towards building products that match world-class standards.”

Hassan’s Brigade PU College Welcomes 2nd PUC Students with Orientation and Felicitation

Hassan, March 17, 2025: Brigade PU College, Hassan kicked off it’s pursuit to new academic heights with orientation & felicitation program for 2nd PUC parents & students.

Hareesh PK, CEO & Founder of Arjunaa Academy for Achievers (AAA) motivated the students by citing several case studies of people who have reaped massive returns by investing their time & energy in education.

He also spoke about several challenges that a student commonly encounters during the preparation & equipped students with right solutions to overcome these challenges.

“The heart of an institution is a highly qualified & dedicated faculty team” said Mr. Vijay Shankar, Principal and Trustee of Brigade PU college and introduced the entire teaching & non-teaching staff to the students & parents..

A brief outline of the academic plan for entire year was presented & competitive training for 2nd PUC was inaugurated with a book launch ceremony, unveiling the competitive books that students would be solving during the academic year.

Mr. Sreekanth PK, Director of Arjunaa Academy encouraged the Olympiad toppers of 1st PUC by felicitating them.

Crack Academy Brings World-Class Learning to Underserved Students in Tier 3 and 4 Areas

Students in Tier 3 and 4 cities often face limited access to quality education, making it difficult for them to compete in national-level competitive exams. To address this gap, the Himachal Pradesh Government has joined hands with Crack Academy to offer students expert mentorship, personalized coaching, and financial assistance, ensuring that they have the same opportunities as their urban counterparts.

Through this collaboration, the academy, under its initiative “Mere Shehar ke 100 Ratan” will provide free coaching to 6,800 meritorious students. Additionally, significant concessions will be offered to thousands more, making exam preparation more affordable. The initiative aims to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to excel in competitive exams and secure promising career opportunities. The academy also ensures that students receive well-researched, structured study materials designed to align with the latest exam patterns.

Beyond financial support, Crack Academy is also expanding its infrastructure, setting up 90+ coaching centers further enhancing learning resources for students. By empowering students with competitive exam readiness, Crack Academy is breaking barriers and transforming the future of education in smaller cities, ensuring that talent and ambition are no longer limited by location or financial constraints.

MTaI Statement on Parliamentary Standing Committee report

While the Parliamentary Standing Committee has perceptively identified the opportunities for improvement—such as ongoing training of CDSCO officials, the implementation of a fully digitized, time-bound, and trackable licensing system, minimizing frequent and delayed queries, lateral entry from the industry and the establishment of an industry advisory board to streamline operations—certain aspects must also be considered:

 1. The centralization of intricate matters within CDSCO is largely due to the concentration of expertise at the organization.

 2. The preference of some companies for Vietnam and Malaysia as manufacturing destinations stems from a variety of factors beyond just CDSCO’s regulatory processes, such as policies, tax regimes, etc.

 3. In one of its earlier comments the committee had spoken of understaffing in CDSCO. This is correct and this understaffing is more acutely felt since all classes of devices have recently come under a mandatory licensing regime.

The honourable committee’s proposal to create a dedicated support team to assist applicants with queries—akin to a chaperone service—would be particularly beneficial, especially for startups, and should be taken up.

In its role as a regulator, CDSCO should continue to champion industry quality and ethical standards thus contributing to the sector’s enduring growth and global positioning.

Immerse Yourself in the Classical Charm of Holi Sittings in Almora

Almora: The spirit of Holi in Almora was elevated to new artistic heights this year with the soulful renditions of classical ragas in special baithaki (sitting) sessions held across the town. These gatherings brought together renowned artists who mesmerized audiences with traditional bandis (compositions) in Raag Pilu, Kafi, Jangla, Desh, and Bhairavi, making the festival an unforgettable experience.

Almora, known for its deep-rooted cultural heritage, witnessed an overwhelming response to these classical Holi sittings. Various locations hosted these events, where the blend of classical music and Holi festivities created a mesmerizing atmosphere. The audience, comprising locals and visitors alike, was spellbound by the melodic beauty of bandis that have been passed down through generations.

Eminent classical musicians took center stage, bringing alive the true essence of Holi through Dhrupad, Khayal, and Thumri compositions. The performances, enriched with traditional taans and sargams, captured the festive mood while upholding the sanctity of India’s classical music traditions.

Speaking about the same Dr. Anil Sanwal renowned artist, said, “These baithaki sittings are a testament to Almora’s commitment to preserving and promoting its rich musical heritage. Classical music has always been an integral part of Holi celebrations in this region, and we are proud to carry forward this tradition.”

Another artist Deep Joshi said , “As colors filled the air, so did the deep and evocative notes of these ragas, creating a surreal experience for all present. With such initiatives, Almora continues to be a beacon of India’s rich cultural tapestry, ensuring that future generations remain connected to the timeless beauty of classical music.”