Curefit Healthcare Pvt Ltd Appoints Four Independent Directors to Strengthen Board Governance

Mumbai, Apr 7: Fitness and wellness platform Curefit Healthcare Pvt Ltd has appointed four independent directors, Kalpana Morparia, Arun M. Kumar, Dr. Indu Bhushan and Pragya Misra as independent directors on its board.

Kalpana Morparia, former Chairman of JPMorgan South and Southeast Asia, is a veteran in banking and financial services. She has held leadership roles at ICICI Bank and currently serves on the boards of several global organisations, bringing strong governance and financial oversight capabilities. In January 2024, she was conferred the Padma Shri award in the category of Trade & Industry.

Arun M. Kumar brings extensive global leadership experience spanning consulting, venture capital and public service. He is currently Managing Partner at Celesta Capital. Previously, he served as Chairman and CEO of KPMG India and as a member of KPMG’s global board of directors. He held a senior role in former US President Barack Obama’s administration as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, where he led international trade and investment efforts.

Dr. Indu Bhushan, the founding CEO of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and a former IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, brings deep expertise in healthcare policy and public systems. With over three decades of experience across the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the Government of India, he has played a key role in shaping large-scale health programmes in the country.

Pragya Misra, Head of Strategy & Global Affairs, India at OpenAI, leads the company’s strategic agenda in one of the world’s most critical AI markets. Her role spans product, policy, partnerships, and go-to-market, driving a unified OpenAI strategy. As OpenAI’s first India hire, she has been instrumental in building and scaling its presence. Previously, she held leadership roles at Truecaller and WhatsApp.

Mukesh Bansal, chairman and founder, Curefit Healthcare Pvt Ltd, said.

“As organisations grow in scale and complexity, strong governance and clarity of thought become increasingly important. We have been thoughtful about on-boarding independent voices who bring rigour, accountability and a wider institutional perspective to the board. Kalpana, Arun, Indu and Pragya each bring that depth, and I look forward to their contributions in helping us build a more resilient and responsible organisation,”

“As we aim to build Curefit for the long term, bringing in diverse, global perspectives to our board is a natural step in our journey. All four leaders bring a unique depth of experience across global business, public systems and technology along with a strong track record of building enduring institutions. Their guidance will be invaluable to us,” Naresh Krishnaswamy, the company’s CEO said.

Sei Whales Take Their Spring Break in Waters Off New York and New Jersey

New York  April  07: A new study led by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) reveals that endangered sei whales regularly use the New York Bight as a key spring habitat, underscoring the importance of this heavily trafficked region for one of the world’s fastest and most elusive baleen whales.

Using acoustic monitoring data collected with WHOI-developed technology from 2017 to 2020, researchers documented strong seasonal and daily patterns in sei whale presence and vocal activity. The findings suggest that the waters off New York and New Jersey may serve as an important migratory corridor—and potentially a feeding area—during early spring.

The study, Seasonal and Diel Acoustic Activity of Sei Whales (Balaenoptera borealis) in the New York Bight, was conducted by researchers from WCS’s New York Bight Program and  WHOI.

“This is the first detailed analysis of daily and seasonal acoustic patterns for sei whales in the New York Bight,” explained Maria Papadopoulos, lead author of the study with WCS and graduate researcher at Columbia University. “We found that 95 percent of sei whale vocalizations were detected between March and May, with activity peaking in the late spring, when temperatures are between 41 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit. This highlights a narrow environmental window when the whales are most likely to be present, potentially linked to prey availability.”

Sei whales are listed as Endangered under U.S. and international laws, yet they remain one of the least-studied large whales in the North Atlantic. Adult sei whales, with a dark gray to black body, a white colored belly, and irregular light gray to white markings, are on average 47 feet long, weighing 44,000 pounds (a similar weight to four African elephants). They are the third largest whale species after blue and fin whales. They produce loud, low-frequency sounds that go down in pitch and are generally produced in doublets (pairs) or triplets.

The study found that sei whales vocalize more frequently during daylight hours, a pattern consistent with reduced calling at night when whales are thought to be feeding. This daily rhythm allows us a better understanding of times when sei whales may be more sensitive to disruption by human activities. For example, elevated noise levels during the daytime when sei whales are more vocal may make vital communication between sei whales challenging.

“These results suggest that sei whales may not just transit through the New York Bight but may also use these waters more seasonally in certain years,” said Papadopoulos. “Continuing to document trends in sei whale presence will help inform policies and practices to improve protections for this endangered species.”

The New York Bight encompasses the busiest port complex in the United States. By establishing a clear baseline for when sei whales are present and how they may use the area, the study provides critical information for managing human activities in ways that reduce risks to whales.

The authors note that sei whales are already being detected in near-real time by the same acoustic systems (deployed and managed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) used to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

“Acoustic monitoring provides us with an amazing opportunity 24/7/365 to learn about whales and dolphins in the waters off New York and New Jersey,” said Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, co-author and Executive Director of the WCS New York Bight Program. “That capability is especially important for species like sei whales that are rarely seen but clearly present. Understanding when and where whales occur is essential for effective conservation. This study gives us that knowledge about sei whales—and an opportunity to act on it.”

WCS has conducted research in the New York Bight for more than a decade, informing policy recommendations to protect sei whales and several other species of whales, including fin, North Atlantic right, humpback, and minke.

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO Redefines Wellness Travel with Personalised Archetype-Led Journeys at ELE|NA Elements of Nature

Personalised Wellness Archetypes, Elemental Healing, and Conscious Luxury at ELE|NA Elements of Nature

Apr 07: Wellness travel today is no longer about one-size-fits-all spa rituals. It is about intention, individuality, and experiences that respond intuitively to who you are. At OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, this philosophy comes to life through a deeply personalised approach to well-being, one that recognises that every guest’s journey is distinct.

At the heart of this evolution lies ELE|NA Elements of Nature, where bespoke experiences are thoughtfully crafted around defined wellness archetypes. Rather than offering standardised treatments, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO exemplifies its dedication to personalised wellbeing by tailoring each journey to individual needs, whether guests seek restoration, vitality, balance, or transformation.

Wellbeing at ELE | NA Elements of Nature extends far beyond the spa. Guests are invited to explore a range of restorative healing modalities including sound healing sessions using a combination of handpans and Tibetan bowls, energy healing therapies, breathwork, meditation, and mindful movement practices designed to restore balance between body and mind.

Education is also a central part of the experience. Through engaging wellness and sustainability workshops, guests gain practical knowledge they can integrate into everyday life, from conscious living practices to holistic self-care rituals. These sessions empower individuals to deepen their understanding of wellbeing while reconnecting with simple, meaningful habits that support long-term health.

In collaboration with the resort’s culinary team, a dedicated wellness menu blends Ayurvedic wisdom with expert culinary craftsmanship. Emphasising nourishment, sustainability, and conscious sourcing, each dish is thoughtfully designed to support the guest’s healing journey, ensuring that restoration continues well beyond the treatment room.

Guests experience these offerings within serene overwater treatment rooms where skilled therapists deliver deeply personalised care using carefully selected products aligned with holistic wellbeing principles.

“Today’s discerning traveller seeks more than relaxation; they seek alignment,” said Mei P. Pun, General Manager of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. “At OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, wellness is deeply personal. Through ELE|NA Elements of Nature’s archetype-led journeys, elemental therapies, and mindful culinary collaborations, we offer a destination where luxury and well-being exist in complete harmony—allowing our guests to reconnect with themselves in a truly meaningful way.”

Complementing this immersive philosophy is the resort’s signature INDULGENCE™ Plan an all-encompassing holiday plan, which seamlessly integrates wellness experiences, curated dining, and island discoveries into one effortless journey. Designed to remove logistical distractions, it allows guests to fully surrender to restoration where every detail is considered and every moment intentional.

In this serene enclave of the Maldives, wellness is not a programme, it is a way of being. OZEN LIFE MAADHOO invites travellers to experience a sanctuary where personalised care, elemental balance, and refined island luxury redefine what it means to truly travel for well-being.