Treating the heart without open-heart surgery: Manipal Hospital Dhakuria performs MitraClip on an 80-year-old woman

KOLKATA, India, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — An 80-year-old woman from Kolkata, suffering from recurrent heart failure due to severe mitral regurgitation, successfully underwent MitraClip procedure under the expertise of Dr. Prakash Kumar Hazra and Dr. Soumya Kanti Dutta, Interventional Cardiologists at Manipal Hospital Dhakuria . She is the first female patient at the hospital to undergo this procedure that was completed in 30-minutes.

The patient had a history of recurrent hospitalisations for severe lung infections, bilateral pedal edema, and worsening heart failure, despite multiple medications and critical care support. On detailed evaluation, she was found to have severe mitral regurgitation (MR), allowing significant backflow of blood into the left atrium.

MitraClip is an advanced, minimally invasive procedure treatment for selected patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR) particularly those who may be at high risk for conventional open-heart surgery. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER), is performed using a catheter-based approach. The MitraClip device is guided to the heart through a vein and precisely brings together the mitral valve leaflets, thereby reducing the abnormal backward flow of blood. By reducing mitral regurgitation, the procedure can help lower pressure within the lungs, improve symptoms and reduce the burden of heart failure in appropriately selected patients.

Dr. Soumya Kanti Dutta, said, “In patients with multiple comorbidities such as hypothyroidism, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, COPD, renal dysfunction or those who are on multiple medications, it becomes quiet difficult to undergo Mitral Valve replacement with general anaesthesia that needs lots of blood transfusion and a longer hospital stay. MitraClip procedure is minimally invasive, thereby it is an easy and approachable procedure for people who cannot survive or may be at high risk for open-heart surgery.”

Dr. Prakash Kumar Hazra, said, “Following a multidisciplinary heart-team discussion, we decided to perform a minimally invasive transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using MitraClip. Unlike conventional valve replacement, MitraClip procedure is a repair method rather than a replacement, enhancing longevity and reducing complications. It eliminates the necessity for open-heart surgery and blood transfusions, decreases the likelihood of stroke, leaves no scar, and promotes quicker recovery. The procedure can be performed in just 30 to 45 minutes generally associated with a shorter hospital stay compared with conventional surgery.

Unlike mechanical mitral valve repair or replacement that usually requires lifelong anti coagulators, MitraClip procedure diminishes the risk of anti-coagulation since the procedure does not involve the requirement of blood thinner or anti-coagulation unless the patient has atrial fibrillation. Anti-platelets therapy can be stopped within 3 months of the process according to the patient’s clinical profile, thus reducing the bleeding risk in the patients. For people suffering from cancer, renal failure or advance diabetes, MitraClip is one such procedure that prevents recurrent hospitalisation.

The MitraClip procedure was successfully performed, resulting in a significant reduction in mitral regurgitation. The patient recovered well following the procedure and was discharged home within a few days. She is currently stable, comfortable and recovering well at home, following a successful minimally invasive intervention for a condition that had previously resulted in recurrent hospitalisations and worsening heart failure.

About Manipal Hospitals

Manipal Hospitals is one of India’s leading integrated healthcare providers, with a pan-India network of 50 multispecialty hospitals and over 13,000 licensed beds across 14 states and union territories. The network is the country’s largest multispecialty hospital network by bed capacity, supported by more than 11,000 doctors and 25,000 employees.

With a commitment to accessible, high-quality, patient-centric care, Manipal Hospitals combines clinical expertise with advanced technology, research and innovation to serve over 7 million patients annually, including patients from around the world. Its commitment to clinical and operational excellence is reflected in its NABH and AAHRPP accreditations, with several hospitals also accredited by NABL and recognised for excellence in nursing and emergency care.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/3009023/MANIPAL_HOSPITALS_Mitra_Clip.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987039/6031618/Manipal_Hospitals_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/treating-the-heart-without-open-heart-surgery-manipal-hospital-dhakuria-performs-mitraclip-on-an-80-year-old-woman-302881919.html

IIT Roorkee Convocation 2026 to Spotlight Excellence, Innovation and Research

Roorkee, Sep 17: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee is set to host its Convocation 2026 on 19 and 20 September 2026, celebrating the academic achievements and accomplishments of 2,701 graduating students. The two-day ceremony will bring together eminent leaders from national security, defence, technology and industry, reflecting IIT Roorkee’s enduring commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge research, innovation and national development.

At a press meet held today, Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, announced the details of the Convocation and highlighted the significance of the occasion, which will witness distinguished national and industry leaders addressing the graduating students and the Institute community.

The first day of the Convocation, dedicated to Undergraduate students, on 19 September 2026, will feature Shri Ajit Kumar Doval, KC, National Security Advisor of India, as the Chief Guest, who will deliver the Convocation Address. General N. S. Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff of India and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, will grace the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

The second day of the Convocation, dedicated to Postgraduate and Ph.D. students, on 20 September 2026, will feature Shri Harshavardhan Chitale, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hero MotoCorp, as the Chief Guest, who will deliver the Address. Dr. Kapil Garg, Founder & Managing Director, Oilmax Energy Pvt. Ltd., and Managing Director, Asian Energy Services Ltd., will be the Guest of Honour.

Adv. Harish Salve, Former Solicitor General of India and Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Roorkee, will preside over the Convocation Ceremony.

The distinguished line-up of guests underscores the broad spectrum of opportunities and responsibilities that await the graduating students, while highlighting the strong connection between education, research, innovation, national priorities and industry. 

During the press conference, Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said,

“Convocation is a significant milestone in the journey of our students and a moment of pride for the entire IIT Roorkee community. This year, as we confer degrees upon 2,701 students, we celebrate not only their academic accomplishments but also their spirit of innovation, research and service to society. The presence of distinguished leaders from the fields of national security, defence and industry further reflects the diverse impact and relevance of the Institute’s academic and research ecosystem. We look forward to welcoming the graduating students, their families, distinguished guests and the wider IIT Roorkee community to this special occasion.” 

The press conference was held at the Senate Hall, James Thomson Building, IIT Roorkee, where Prof. Praveen Kumar, Deputy Director, and Prof. N.K. Navani, Dean of Academic Affairs, also addressed the media. 

Inviting the stakeholders to be a part of the Convocation Ceremony Prof. Praveen Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT Roorkee, said,

“Convocation is a celebration of the hard work, perseverance and achievements of our graduating students. It is also an occasion that brings together the Institute’s students, faculty, alumni, parents and stakeholders. We warmly invite everyone to join us in celebrating this important milestone and to witness the accomplishments of the graduating batch. We are confident that our graduates will carry forward the values of excellence, integrity and innovation nurtured at IIT Roorkee and contribute meaningfully to the nation and society.” 

Speaking during the event, Prof. N.K. Navani, Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Roorkee, said,

 “The Convocation marks the culmination of years of learning, exploration and personal growth for our students. At IIT Roorkee, education goes beyond the classroom, encouraging students to think critically, pursue research and innovation, and address real-world challenges. As we confer degrees upon 2,701 students, we celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to seeing them create a positive impact in their chosen fields. I extend my warmest wishes to all the graduating students and their families on this proud occasion.”

During the press conference, Prof. K.K. Pant also launched a promotional video for the Convocation, highlighting the event’s details, the achievements of the institute, and the accomplishments of its students.

The Convocation will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. 

78% of HR and talent leaders warn AI poses a threat to leadership pipelines

New Talogy guide addresses the rising need for ‘intentional development’

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With AI visibly impacting the early careers market,¹ Global talent management solutions provider Talogy has identified a rapidly developing threat to the future workforce: a leadership pipeline that is shrinking.

Talogy surveyed 207 senior HR leaders, talent acquisition managers, and learning and development experts, finding that 78% are concerned about the long-term loss of critical leadership skills. With AI taking on tasks and responsibilities traditionally associated with entry-level roles, there is a growing risk that skills may not develop as naturally as they once did.

As organizations rethink development in response, Talogy has produced a new guide, ‘AI and the leadership pipeline: the rising need for intentional development.‘ Authored by Ali Shalfrooshan, Talogy’s Director of Science Strategy, the guide urges organizations to take a more purposeful approach to replacing natural on-the-job learning opportunities in order to avoid any future leadership skills gaps later in the career journey.

Cultivating the ‘RISE’ capabilities

Drawing on research involving more than 6,000 employees², managers, and talent professionals worldwide, Talogy’s new guide outlines a set of essential human capabilities required to build healthy, sustainable leadership pipelines in an AI-enabled workplace, referred to as RISE:

Responsiveness: developing the openness and agility to learn, engage with emerging technologies and adapt as work evolves.

Insight: harnessing human ability to think critically, make sense of information and generate new ideas and possibilities.

Sustainability: capturing the capacity to adapt to change, remain resilient through challenge and sustain performance over time.

Effectiveness: reflecting the ability to communicate and collaborate to turn ideas and effort into meaningful outcomes.

These four capabilities bring together essential human skills that will form the foundation for healthy, sustainable leadership pipelines in a world where technology is increasingly powerful, but human skills remain essential.

Grounding intentional development in science and emotional intelligence

The guide emphasizes that skills and training alone are insufficient. To protect the long-term pipeline, organizations must anchor talent development in deeper psychological foundations, including values and emotional intelligence.

Furthermore, HR leaders require objective, science-backed psychometric and behavioral assessments to identify leadership potential early, map hidden talent and guide intentional development strategies.

“As organizations rethink employee development, teaching employees how to work alongside AI tools simply isn’t enough,” said Ali Shalfrooshan, Director of Science Strategy. “We must be far more intentional about cultivating core human capabilities, such as critical thinking, adaptability and collaboration if we are to enable people to take on complex responsibilities over time. Leadership development needs to begin at the early career stage and evolve dynamically throughout the entire career journey.”

The full guide, AI and the Leadership Pipeline: The rising need for intentional development, is available to download from Talogy’s website.

Image: Ali Shalfrooshan

About Talogy:

Talogy is proud to be one of the world’s leading talent management solution providers. Crafting personalized solutions to help select, develop, and transform talent and organizations worldwide.

Partnering with organizations to truly understand their challenges inside out to help them make the best data-driven people decisions.

Combining 75+ years of expertise, an extensive content library, and innovative technology, Talogy helps clients find, build, and grow the best talent.

¹ https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/1/services/ai/ai-jobs-barometer.html

² Hiring future-ready early talent, Talogy 2024 https://info.talogy.com/en-us/hiring-future-ready-early-talent-summary

Leading the way in the future world of work, Talogy 2021 https://info.talogy.com/en-us/leading-in-future-world-of-work

High Potential, High Impact: Insights to Build Better Programs, Talogy 2025 https://info.talogy.com/en-us/hipo-executive-summary

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/78-of-hr-and-talent-leaders-warn-ai-poses-a-threat-to-leadership-pipelines-302881085.html

Vishwakarma Puja: When Workers Pause To Honour The Tools Of Their Craft

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 17 (UDN): Across Odisha, the rhythm of work changes on Vishwakarma Puja. Factories fall quiet, workshops close for the day, vehicles remain parked and machines that operate throughout the year are cleaned, decorated and worshipped.

Celebrated when the Sun enters Virgo, Vishwakarma Puja is more than a religious observance for workers and craftsmen. It is a day that places work, skill, tools and gratitude at the centre of the celebration.

The Divine Master Craftsman

In Hindu tradition, Lord Vishwakarma is revered as the divine architect and master craftsman. He represents the ability to design, create and transform an idea into something tangible.

Traditional accounts associate Vishwakarma with the creation of several divine weapons and objects, including Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra and Shiva’s Trishul.

In Odisha, the deity’s significance is closely linked with the Jagannath tradition. According to popular belief, Vishwakarma appeared in the guise of an aged sculptor to carve the sacred wooden forms of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

This association gives Vishwakarma Puja a distinctive cultural resonance in the state.

Tools Become Objects Of Reverence

One of the defining features of the festival is the worship of tools and machinery. Workers clean their workplaces, wash machines, polish equipment and arrange their tools before the puja.

Hammers, saws, wrenches, agricultural implements, vehicles and industrial machinery may all become part of the ritual. Flowers, sandalwood paste, incense and other offerings are placed on or around the equipment.

The practice reflects the belief that tools are an extension of human skill and effort. They help workers build, repair, produce, transport and create, making them an important part of everyday livelihood.

Prayers For Safety And Skill

The festival also brings the practical concerns of working life into its rituals. Workers seek blessings for safety, prosperity, skill and success.

For someone working with heavy machinery, safety may be the foremost concern. For an artisan, it may be precision and craftsmanship. For farmers, shopkeepers, mechanics and other workers, the prayers often reflect the particular demands of their professions.

In this sense, Vishwakarma Puja connects spirituality with the realities of work, recognising the effort and expertise required to earn a livelihood.

A Pause From Production

In many workplaces, machinery remains switched off after the puja. The temporary halt provides a break from the routine of production and offers workers an opportunity to step away from their daily responsibilities.

The pause also carries a broader message: productivity is not the only measure of work. Rest, reflection and appreciation have a place alongside labour.

Dignity In Every Form Of Work

At the heart of the festival is the idea that skill and honest labour deserve respect. Vishwakarma, as the divine craftsman, represents the value of creating something through knowledge, patience and practice.

A carpenter, mechanic, welder, farmer, driver, artisan or factory worker may use very different tools, but each depends on experience and skill to perform the job well.

Vishwakarma Puja therefore offers a cultural reminder that the dignity of work does not depend solely on status or profession. The act of creating, repairing, building or serving others through honest effort carries its own value.

A Festival Of Gratitude

When flowers are placed on a machine or a worker folds their hands before a set of tools, the ritual symbolises more than worship. It expresses gratitude for the means through which people earn their livelihoods and contribute to society.

For one day, machines stop and tools are set aside. Workers gather to acknowledge the skills they possess, the equipment they rely on and the labour that sustains everyday life.

That is the enduring message of Vishwakarma Puja: work can carry dignity, skill can command respect, and gratitude can transform ordinary tools into reminders of human creativity and effort.

HUAWEI eKit Launches Intelligent Office Solution 2.0, Making Intelligent Office Accessible to All

SHANGHAI, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sept 16, 2026, at the 2026 HUAWEI eKit Launch Event in Shanghai, Leon Wang, President of Huawei’s Data Communication Product Line, delivered a keynote unveiling the upgraded HUAWEI eKit Intelligent Office Solution 2.0, which targets digital transformation pain points for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“Digital and intelligent transformation is essential for the high-quality growth of SMEs,” said Leon Wang. “Featuring superior quality, simplicity, and full-scope security, the lightweight, highly adaptable, and secure solution lowers the barrier to intelligence for SMEs—bringing the intelligent world within reach and making intelligent office accessible to all.”

For startups, Huawei introduced a minimalist solution in 2025, which required only one device and one screen. This year, HUAWEI eKit has upgraded its aesthetics and performance.

• Aura10: Featuring three-color ambient lighting, four proprietary folding antennas, and an industry-first dual-polarization desktop design, the router doubles signal strength and boosts Wi-Fi speeds by 40%.
• IdeaHub B3 Base Smart Screen: Powered by a decoupled screen-compute architecture, it supports one-click switching between Android and Windows. Integrated with the DeepSeek LLM, its smart search and generation capabilities quickly organize fragmented information to enhance workplace productivity and decision-making efficiency.

For SMEs, Huawei introduced a Wi-Fi 7 + 2.5GE high-performance networking solution with comprehensive security protection in 2025. This year, HUAWEI eKit AR281 was launched to simplify networking and O&M. A single device does the work of five by integrating routing, NVR, WAC, private line access, and online behavior management. SuperCoding 3.0 achieves up to 85% video storage compression (one disk, six times the capacity), significantly cutting enterprise storage costs. In addition, the solution supports one-stop unified deployment and O&M, minimizing deployment cycles and costs.

In office security, HUAWEI eKit applies its full-scope security philosophy to protect business secrets from hidden recording. The new DF10 premium handheld spycam detector features a new meeting guard mode. Paired with the iGuard mobile app, it enables one-touch automated scanning with a 1.5-hour battery life for silent, continuous meeting protection. With the multi-dimensional AI identification model, false alarms are reduced to 5%.

Long committed to SME intelligence, HUAWEI eKit continues to address real enterprise pain points and lowers the barrier to digital transformation—making intelligent office accessible to all SMEs.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/huawei-ekit-launches-intelligent-office-solution-2-0–making-intelligent-office-accessible-to-all-302881802.html

STARPRIME Responds to Diverging Gold Market Demand with AM/PM Fixing and XAU24/7

New offerings address two distinct market needs: fixing-related exposure management and continuous quote-driven gold access.

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARPRIME is expanding its gold offering with AM/PM Fixing and XAU24/7, giving market participants two distinct ways to manage and access gold exposure. Both offerings will be available in time for Forex Expo Dubai 2026, where STARPRIME will showcase its expanded liquidity offering as a Platinum Sponsor.

The additions complement STARPRIME’s existing gold suite, including Spot XAUUSD, with contract variations for Top of Book and Order Depth, as well as XAU Futures. Together, they respond to increasingly different client requirements across physical and electronic gold markets.

AM/PM Fixing is designed for physical hedgers and other market participants managing exposure around fixing prices. Clients can trade fixing contracts directly with the STARPRIME Trading Desk, with orders subsequently converted into spot contracts. This enables exposure to be offset against other positions and may reduce margin requirements associated with maintaining separate exposures.

XAU24/7 addresses a different shift: growing demand for quote-driven products beyond conventional market hours. As continuous access becomes increasingly familiar across financial markets, the product provides around-the-clock gold trading while operating as a distinct instrument with its own pricing environment and contract specifications, including pricing generated outside traditional reference-market hours.

“Physical gold participants increasingly need efficient ways to value and hedge inventory, while another segment is seeking continuous, quote-driven access. These are very different requirements, and liquidity solutions need to evolve around both,” said Jay Mawji, CEO of STARPRIME.

STARPRIME will showcase its expanded liquidity offering as a Platinum Sponsor of Forex Expo Dubai 2026, taking place 22–23 September at Dubai World Trade Centre. Visitors can meet the team at Booth 152. STARPRIME will also contribute to the event programme through a Liquidity Panel and fireside chat, exploring how liquidity requirements are evolving across brokers, institutions and professional trading businesses.

About STARPRIME

STARPRIME is an institutional CFD liquidity provider and market maker, combining multi-asset liquidity with pricing technology, low-latency execution and dedicated client coverage. Its solutions are shaped around each client’s flow, scale, and market requirements, with a focus on transparency, consistent service, and long-term partnerships.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/starprime-responds-to-diverging-gold-market-demand-with-ampm-fixing-and-xau247-302881806.html