Archives February 2025

National, 07th February 2025: Orchestrating the reunion of familiar faces and the creation of new connections, IIHMR University hosted its much-awaited annual alumni meet “Ekatva 2025” at the Jaipur Campus. The meet was graced by the esteemed Chief Guest, Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, FRS, Reliance Innovation Leadership Centre & Former Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).

 As the time came, all the eyes were glued to the stage to listen to Padma Vibhushan Awardee Dr. R. A. Mashelkar’s, keynote address on “Game-Changing Disruptive Innovation for NextGen Diagnostics”. Captivating the audience with his eye-opening address he shared, ”We are looking at the second quarter of this century and are talking about Viksit Bharat 2047. And it is you all young people who will achieve it. So, what is important is making more from less for more people. This means making high technology for poor people. India needs affordable excellence paradigm to solve healthcare challenges. I do not support ‘Jugaad’, instead, I’m taking about game-changing disruptive innovation. We as a nation need to focus on moving from ‘Best Practise’ to the ‘Next Practise’.”

 Welcoming all the dignitaries and the former students, Dr. PR Sodani, President, IIHMR University proudly shared, “It’s a great day for me and IIHMR University that we are celebrating the success of 40 years of IIHMR. We are all very proud of our alumni since they have made significant contributions to the health sector. In addition, our alumni always guide us regarding the type of research that is pertinent to the industry and for nation-building. Our institute has grown remarkably and I can confirm that in the coming years, we will evolve more.”

 The highlight of the event was the eye-opening examples of disruptive healthcare innovations including AI-powered diagnostic tools for respiratory health, patient monitoring, metabolic screening, and maternal health. Witnessing the transformative impact of these technologies sparked a drive to push the boundaries of innovation, encouraging them to explore new frontiers in healthcare solutions. The session instilled a vision of leveraging technology to bridge critical gaps in healthcare delivery, motivating aspiring entrepreneurs to develop cost-effective, scalable, and impactful solutions.

 The rendezvous witnessed a heavy footfall of 150+ Alumni, providing an opportunity for them to reconnect, relive their cherished memories, and celebrate the institution’s legacy of excellence in healthcare management education and research. The event also featured a group photograph session, symbolizing the unity and continued association of the university’s alumni.

 As the night unfolded, musical vibes echoed through the air and the stage came alive with cultural expressions, filling the gathering with soulful tunes that resonated with the spirit of the event. Transitioning seamlessly into the later hours, the dinner encapsulated the essence of a lively celebration, giving the students and alumni to network further on an inter-personal level.

Hyderabad, 7th February 2025: Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, in association with ECMO Society of India and Society of Emergency Medicine, conducted a two-day conference and training on advanced critical service and ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) in Hotel Westin, Mind Space, Hyderabad.

More than 100 ECMO Expert doctors from different parts of the world and India joined in the training session. 300 trainee doctors from different parts of India joined and got the certificate in this event.

ECMO is a specialized medical device, which is being used in critically sick patients, who suffer from severe heart and lung problems. Apollo Hospital, Jubilee Hills is a high-volume ECMO center, certified by ELSO (Extracorporeal Life Support Organisation), an international body for recognition of ECMO centers.

Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Group; Mr V Tejesvi Rao, CEO, Apollo Hospital Telangana Region; Dr K Subba Reddy, HOD Critical Care Medicine, Associate Director Medical Services, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills; joined the meeting and addressed the gathering.

Dr. Sangita Ready mentioned the challenges of non-communicable diseases have outnumbered those of communicable diseases. Fortunately, many are preventable, if detected early. Pro-health service is a significant step from Apollo Hospital to detect these diseases early before they can be severe. Apollo Hospital is committed to Keeping pace with innovation and providing world-class treatment at the reach of everyone.

Dr Subba Reddy mentioned outcome of ECMO service at Apollo Hospitals is significant, and it was well appreciated by the recent JCI (Joint Commission international) assessment.

Hyderabad, February 7th, 2025: Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of the Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) Departments of the Telangana government presided over the inaugural MoveInSync GCC Conclave 2025 in Hyderabad, today. The event was co-hosted by Humanize AI. The objective of the GCC Conclave is to engage with stakeholders and explore areas of talent management, infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation in driving GCC growth in the State

Deepesh Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of global leaders in enterprise commute, MoveInSync, kicked off the conclave presenting key statistics that represent Hyderabad’s growth and state of commute. He said “The Indian GCC market is poised to grow to $100 B by 2030 and over 30% of GCCs chose Hyderabad over other cities. While Hyderabad’s GCC market size increased from 230 in FY19 to 355 in FY24, the workforce has also seen an increase from 200,000 to 250,000 during the period. Added to that the population in Hyderabad is likely to grow by 12.7% over the next 5 years. Deepesh further pointed out the challenges faced by daily commuters and pointed at the increasing distance and time taken to commute. Hyderabadis today travel 10% more compared to pre-pandemic distances with about 45% living between 15kms-25kms from their workplace and has witnessed a 13.7% increase in travel time compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of the Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) Departments of the Telangana Government delivered a speech to inaugurate the conclave and said “GCCs have become an important driver of our economy. We have seen in the budget that a national GCC policy is on the anvil. Hyderabad’s performance across all parameters of growth has been one of the best in the country and a large part of this growth has come from GCCs” He further stressed the need for ‘decentralization’, and the Government of Telangana’s Tier 2 City policy that has been framed to incentivize companies to set up offices outside of the city of Hyderabad. He mentioned Medchal in East Hyderabad and Mallampet in South Hyderabad and the Government’s initiative in the regions and further urged businesses to consider organizing their workforce in these regions.

The speech was followed by a fireside chat between Mr. Jagdish Mitra, Cofounder and CEO of Humanize, and Sirisha Voruganti, CEO and Managing Director, Lloyds Technology Centre India, on the greater role of AI in businesses in India and the possibilities that lie in artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the conclave, Mr. Jagdish Mitra, Founder & CEO of Humanize said, “India, the innovation hub for GCCs across industries, is poised to host nearly 2,400 captive units by 2030. Driven by key factors such as robust infrastructure, cutting-edge innovation, a thriving talent ecosystem, and business-friendly policies, the future holds immense promise.

Tier 1 cities will play a pivotal role in accelerating this momentum, with Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and NCR already home to 120,000+ AI/ML professionals. Notably, Hyderabad has emerged as a deep-tech powerhouse for Global Captive Centers, offering unparalleled technology and talent support. The growth trajectory of these units will be fascinating to witness, further shaped by progressive policies and a focus on niche technical expertise and enabling Tier 2 cities to attain scale.

I’m delighted to have been part of the insightful discussions at the GCC Conclave, mapping the remarkable journey of Global Captive Centers. Humanize with its focus on Agentic AI based services will undoubtedly remain at the forefront, driving excellence and empowering these units to scale with speed and sustainability.”

The chat was followed by a panel discussion that discussed how GenAI and Emerging Technologies Enhance Service Delivery in GCCs. Noted business leaders like Ashok Venkatachalam, Managing Director, Evernorth Health Services India, Rajesh Puneyani, VP and Managing Director, GCC Site Leader, Kenvue Solutions India GCC, Dr. Durga Prakash Devarakonda, Ex – Managing Director, Carelon, Hari Krishna Verma Nadimpalli, Vice President / Managing Director @ Global Innovation Center, Inspire, Raja Roy, Co-Founder & CTO, Humanize participated in the panel discussion

The conclave ended with a panel that focused on Hyderabad’s Growth Story, its Initiatives in Sustainability, CRE & Mobility Infrastructure. This panel featured Rakesh Singhania, Partner and CFO, Gloplax, Arvind Chittora, Managing Director, Sonoco India Performance Hub, Country Head, Conitex Sonoco India, Annapurna Alladi, Partner Digital Trust, KPMG and Ujjwal Trivedi, Vice President – Product & Growth, MoveInSync

Bengaluru, 06 February 2025: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan), one of the leading small finance banks has announced today the submission of the application for Universal Banking licence to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

This step aligns with the Bank’s long-term vision to strengthen its offerings and its position in the sector. The Bank has consistently demonstrated strong financial performance and a commitment to financial inclusion, serving a diverse aspiring customer base. Ujjivan is prepared to join the ranks of universal banks, considered a very significant milestone in its evolution, subject to RBI granting its approval to its application.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Sanjeev Nautiyal, MD & CEO, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank said, “Following the guidelines set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), we have submitted our application today and are seeking the regulator’s approval for the voluntary transition from a Small Finance Bank to a Universal Bank. The Bank has consistently demonstrated strong financial performance and a commitment to financial inclusion, serving a diverse customer base across the country. Securing the Universal Banking licence, if approved, will strengthen Ujjivan’s efforts to provide holistic financial services to its customers and empower all aspiring Indians with a wider range of banking solutions.”

The Bank recently announced its Q3 FY2025 results showcasing positive growth momentum across its business segments. The diversification of loan book has seen accelerated results, with the secured segment contributing to 39% to the overall loan book. With an inclusive approach to Micro Banking, the Bank recently reduced its interest rates for the Group and Individual Loan and now has one of the lowest interest rates among Small Finance Banks. This has been possible due to its performance and efficient management of microfinance stress through better asset quality.

Hyderabad, 7th February 2025: Department of Science and Technology’s MATH (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub) that is one of India’s leading AI and ML startup incubators, successfully hosted the AI Healthcare Summit 2025 in Hyderabad. India’s healthcare landscape is on the brink of an AI revolution, as a defining moment of the summit was the showcase of breakthrough AI-powered healthcare solutions. Seventeen cutting-edge technologies promise to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility in healthcare delivery, addressing critical gaps in diagnostics, patient engagement, and medical decision-making.

Themed “Redefining Healthcare with AI,” the summit brought together leading government officials, top healthcare corporates, and AI-driven startups to showcase innovations in preventive care, precision medicine, and remote healthcare solutions. A total of 17 AI-driven startups participated in VC Pitch Games 2.0, a high-stakes showdown where they pitched groundbreaking solutions in diagnostics, robotic-assisted surgeries, and AI-powered patient engagement tools to a panel of India’s leading investors and healthcare giants.

Startups featured:

1. CerboTech Education: Brain-computer interface (BrainHat) for real-time neurofeedback to boost focus and mental wellness
2. ONI: AI-driven prenatal care combining lifestyle guidance (nutrition, mental health) and automated workflows.
3. Velectron Labs: Wearable device to monitor addiction patterns and support recovery.
4. VaidhyaMegha: Cloud/AI tools for hospitals to streamline diagnostics and patient management.
5. Augsidius: AI assistant (AstraAI) for doctors, with 20,000+ disease profiles and guidelines.
6. SETV: AI layer for hospitals + app (Medona) for symptom checks and doctor referrals.
7. Donation: AI tools for at-home oral scans and dental clinic management.
8. Aarogya ID: AI platform to automate health insurance claims for hospitals.
9. ViviSTAR Biologics: AI tool for early brain tumor detection using spectral analysis.
10. Carewell360: Phygital platform offering discreet, on-demand gynecology consultations and wellness services for women in non-metro areas.
11. Kode Blue: Ambulance-to-hospital system for real-time patient data sharing.
12. Apex Cura: SaaS platform for hospital operations (queues, records, dialysis tracking).
13. Metaloga: VR therapy (RelVersiv) for chronic pain relief.
14. Salubrity Health: Nutrition platform for personalized dietary plans and wellness.
15. Cliniv Health Tech LLP – AI-powered remote patient monitoring for proactive healthcare.
16. Signel Biomedical – Wearable biosensors for real-time vital sign tracking.
17. EH Note – Blockchain-based medical data security and interoperability.

Investor panel: Hyderabad Angels, Venture Catalysts, Inflection Point Ventures, Speciale Invest, Guptaji Invests, Powerscale Ventures, Anthill Ventures, and Dr. Gowda’s Dental.

Corporate giants in attendance: Apollo Hospitals, Global Hospitals, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Capsico Health, Sanofi, Map My Genome, IIIT Hyderabad, IKP, and more.

Metaloga (Founder: Sunil Golla), Augsidius (Founder: Dr. Akhila), and SetV (Founder: Mr. Vaibhav Ram) emerged victorious, impressing the jury with their innovative approaches and potential to revolutionize healthcare decision making.

During the second half of summit two AI-powered healthcare solutions were showcased—Augsidius AI & Manage My Startup. These cutting-edge technologies promise to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility in healthcare delivery, addressing critical gaps in diagnostics, patient engagement, and medical decision-making.

• Augsidius AI’s is an AI clinician assistant designed to aid doctors in clinical decision making. Built on our proprietary knowledge base of 20000+ diseases, Astra offers clinical pathways & guidelines that are adaptive to the patient notes and actionable to ease out the process. It also has various tools like AI medical search, clinical calculators and medical library to become a handy pocket tool to doctors.
• Manage My Startup is an AI driven platform empowers Founders to succeed from Concept to IPO for their Entrepreneurial journey. The Platform empowers to build, sustain, and grow a vibrant startup innovation ecosystem ensuring long-term economic growth and global competitiveness. Meanwhile,

The summit also featured powerful discussions on AI adoption in healthcare, regulatory pathways, and the future of AI-driven medical breakthroughs. Sessions included:

• “The Path to AI Adoption in Healthcare” – Addressing challenges and opportunities for AI integration in mainstream healthcare.
• “Unveiling Diverse AI Applications in Healthcare” – Exploring AI’s potential in drug discovery, medical imaging, and remote patient monitoring.
• A fireside chat with Padma Shri awardee Dr. Gopala Krishna Gokhale, Mr. Sujit Jagirdar, CEO, T-HUB & Dr. Kancherla Ravindranath, Chairman & MD, Global Hospital who spoke about the future of healthcare.

Speaking about MATH’s mission, Rahul Paith, CEO of MATH, stated: “The AI Healthcare Summit 2025 has successfully created a platform that unites visionaries, startups, and industry leaders. We are committed to fostering an ecosystem where AI-driven healthcare innovations can scale and significantly improve patient outcomes. By bridging the gap between technology and medicine, we aim to accelerate AI adoption, enhance diagnostic precision, and make healthcare more accessible for all.”

Sri. Jayesh Ranjan, Spl. Chief Secretary, Dept. Of Information Technology Electronics and Communications (ITE&C); Dept. of Industries and Commerce stated: “Telangana has been at the forefront of AI adoption, particularly in the healthcare and life sciences sector. Since 2019, we have been focused on building a robust AI ecosystem, and in 2020, we became the first state to launch an AI framework. To advance AI-driven healthcare, we are developing a Health Data Exchange for secure medical data access and collaborating with CDAP to provide subsidized compute infrastructure for AI startups. As Hyderabad emerges as India’s data center hub, we are engaging hyperscalers to enhance AI-enabled healthcare solutions. The Telangana government remains committed to fostering a thriving AI ecosystem that empowers startups and enterprises alike in transforming healthcare through technology. AI Healthcare Summit 2025 is a key step in this journey, serving as a catalyst for meaningful collaborations that will shape the future of AI-driven healthcare.”

February 7, 2025, Mumbai: In response to the surge in courier scams across India, Federal Express Corporation (“FedEx”), the world’s largest express transportation company, has collaborated with local police, Cyber Security Cells, and United Way Mumbai, to launch a nationwide Cybersecurity Awareness and Training Program.

“In 2024, India reported losses over INR 1.7 billion in cyber frauds. As cybercrime continues to escalate, raising awareness is our best defense,” said Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president of Marketing, Customer Experience, and Air Network, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), FedEx. “With this initiative, we aim to empower communities with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves and to foster an informed and secure digital environment throughout the nation.”

This proactive initiative aims to educate and empower over 10,000 individuals, with a focus on senior citizens, women, and adolescents, by promoting safe online practices and equipping them with the skills to recognize and prevent cyber threats such as phishing, identity theft, digital payment scams, and social media fraud. As part of this comprehensive program, specialized training will also be provided to local law enforcement personnel, enabling them to better address and combat cybercrime, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure digital ecosystem for all.

“At United Way Mumbai, we believe that collaborative action is key to driving meaningful societal change. This partnership with FedEx, local police, Cyber Security Cells, NGOs, Colleges and communities reflects our shared commitment to equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely. Together, we aim to build a resilient and empowered community, fostering a safer digital ecosystem for all.” – George Aikara, CEO, United Way Mumbai.

New Delhi, 6 February 2025 – Exicom, one of India’s leading EV charging and critical power solutions providers has announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Driven by Tritium acquisition, consolidated revenues grew 28% QoQ to ~INR 197 crore but continued to trail on YoY basis. Gross margins experienced a slight dip of 2.8% compared to the previous quarter, primarily due to a shift in the Critical Power customer mix and the depreciation of the rupee against the USD.

Expanding Infrastructure and Sales Momentum in EVSE Business

Following a temporary industry slowdown in the first half of FY25, Exicom’s EVSE business bounced back strongly this quarter. The company’s YoY #units and sales in India grew by ~77% and ~38% respectively, significantly outpacing the industry’s ~23% growth in four-wheeler EV #unit sales. Exicom’s consolidated EVSE revenue grew by an impressive ~120% YoY on the back of sales momentum in the US and Europe.

The market outlook remains strong, as evidenced by the unveiling of 26 new EV models at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in Jan 2025. Additionally, the industry is shifting towards high-power, ultra-fast charging, an area where Exicom is well-positioned to lead with its newly launched Harmony Boost solution. This cutting-edge system integrates smart energy storage and management with high-power public charging, delivering a consistent 400kWh fast-charging experience per plug.

The company strengthened its market presence in the DC segment and secured two major deals with leading Charge Point Operators along with two strong partnerships with ChargeZone and Mufin Green Infra to accelerate the deployment of high-power charging stations across India.

Exicom also achieved record-breaking home (AC) charger sales, further strengthening its leadership in the sector. Exicom’s total installed EV charger base has now surpassed 1.73 lakh units worldwide.

Exicom’s global expansion strategy, bolstered by its recent acquisition of Tritium, started to show early momentum. While the acquisition’s fixed cost weighed on the company’s consolidated financials, strategic efforts on operations and customer centricity yielded promising results with ~INR 44 crore ($5.1 Mn) in revenues during Tritium’s first quarter post-acquisition. Exicom also established a regional hub in the UK to cater to the European market through the Tritium brand of fast EV chargers.

Critical Power Business Secures Major Wins

A cyclical slowdown driven by consolidation and deferred capex in the telecom infrastructure segment led to a short-term decline in the Critical Power business revenues and margins in the current quarter. With the telecom infrastructure segment CAGR pegged at 8-10% over the next 3 years, the company expressed confidence in the business’s growth trajectory. Early signs of recovery were visible in a recently secured landmark order worth ~INR 1680 crore, for supplying DC power and energy storage solutions for the BharatNet project over the next 3 years.

Scaling Up for the Future

Following its highly successful IPO in March 2024, Exicom is executing an ambitious growth strategy by expanding production capacity and enhancing distribution channels. Its upcoming state-of-the-art EVSE manufacturing and R&D facility in Hyderabad will enable the company to scale production to 3X of the current annual capacity and develop globally benchmarked EV charging solutions tailored for India.

Commenting on Exicom’s growth trajectory, Anant Nahata, Managing Director, Exicom, said: “The world today needs both fast build of digital communication infrastructure and radical energy transition towards green mobility. Both of our core businesses – Critical Power and EV Charging are addressing these key shifts with a strong focus on R&D and technology innovation. Our partnerships with leading infrastructure players for power management and energy storage solutions are providing the much-needed energy stability for digital networks which are core to India’s success on digital infrastructure. At the same time, our high quality and reliable charging solutions are helping accelerate EV adoption in India and across the world. As we move forward, we will be keenly focused on scaling our global ambitions for the EVSE business and work towards becoming one of the top 5 DC fast charging players in the key markets of North America and Europe.”

India, February 6, 2025 – The School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST) at UPES, a multi-disciplinary university in India, announced a strategic first-of-its-kind partnership with the Medical University of the Americas (MUA). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing medical education opportunities for aspiring doctors in India.

Under this partnership with MUA, UPES will offer an accelerated pathway into medical education with admissions to the prestigious 5-Year BSc/MD undergraduate program (1+2+2 years), with applications commencing in February 2025 for August 2025 intake. The program consists of one year at UPES, followed by two years of pre-clinical education at MUA’s campus on St. Kitts, Nevis Island, and two years of clinical rotations in affiliated hospitals in the U.S.

In the first year, students will be enrolled at the School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST) at UPES, in the Pre-Medical Certificate Program. Upon successful completion of the first year, they will earn around 47 credits which can be transferred for progression to the MUA. Contingent on clearing all assessments and meeting MUA’s eligibility criteria, students will receive a USD 50,000 scholarship, distributed over 13 semesters at MUA. This special inaugural scholarship is available exclusively to students who complete the Pre-Medical Certificate at UPES. This fully residential, highly rigorous program will uphold the highest global standards of academic excellence, which require students to maintain a minimum 3 on a scale of 4 GPA to progress to MUA in the second year. The next 2 years of the program will cover the foundations of medical school education. Delivered at the MUA academic campus on the island of Nevis, students will study Basic Sciences over 5 semesters. Students then travel to the U.S. to complete five semesters of clinical rotations at teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centres that are affiliated with MUA.

Founded over two-and-a-half decades ago, MUA is dedicated to providing high-quality medical education with a focus on small, interactive classes, individualised support, and a curriculum aligned with U.S. and Canadian medical schools. MUA is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) which is recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME). MUA also prepares its graduates to appear for USMLE®. The university has graduated over 1,800 doctors, many of whom are practicing medicine across the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world. MUA graduates secure positions across various medical specialties in the U.S. and Canada, with a 98% residency placement rate (2020-2024), which means that after completing medical school, graduates successfully obtain hands-on training in hospitals to specialise in their chosen field of medicine, an essential step towards becoming a licensed doctor.

This partnership and others like it are essential currently, as the global demand for qualified doctors continues to rise, with a projected shortage of over 10 million physicians by 2030. India currently has one doctor for every 1,511 people, falling short of the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:1000. Similarly, the United States faces an anticipated deficit of nearly 124,000 physicians by 2034 and Canada, a shortfall of nearly 78,000 physicians and general practitioners by 2031. The MUA-UPES partnership addresses this critical gap by offering students a structured, internationally recognized pathway to becoming global medical professional.

Speaking on the dire global need for doctors and medical professionals, Dr. Padma Venkat, Dean, School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST), UPES, stated: “The demand for medical education in India far exceeds the available seats, leaving many academically bright students without opportunities to pursue their dream of becoming doctors. More than 2.3 million students appear for NEET annually to compete for just 91,900 MBBS seats, with an overall acceptance rate of less than 4%. As a result, more than 50,000 Indian students seek medical education abroad each year. Through this partnership with the MUA, the School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES will create opportunities by offering a world-class alternative for talented students. This partnership will give them access to high-quality medical education, global exposure, and a structured pathway to practice internationally while addressing the critical need for doctors in India.”

Diana Mockute, Chief Partnerships Officer, MUA, added: “We are delighted to partner with UPES to extend MUA’s internationally acclaimed Pre-Medical program to Indian students. This initiative reflects our shared vision of empowering the next generation of doctors and enhancing medical education accessibility while preparing students for successful careers in the global healthcare industry.”

New Delhi, February 6: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC), a leading institution in cancer care and research organized a special vaccination camp in association with Children Unbound Foundation and Salcomp to mark World Cancer Day 2025. As part of the event, 150 girls aged 15–20 years were administered free doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, ensuring protection against high-risk HPV types that are known to cause cervical cancer.

The initiative aimed to promote HPV vaccination as a primary preventive measure against cervical cancer.

Speaking about the initiative, Indu Aggarwal, Head of Department, Preventive Oncology, RGCIRC, said, “While many cancers, including cervical cancer, are preventable, the challenge lies in raising awareness and improving access to care. Through the ongoing vaccination drive, we aim to reach the young population, offering hope and prevention to curb the rising cancer burden in India.”

The vaccination drive kicked off with a symbolic lamp-lighting ceremony marking the beginning of a day focused on raising awareness and promoting preventive health measures. Following the lamp-lighting ceremony, an awareness skit/play was performed, emphasizing the importance of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer and educating the audience about the significance of early prevention and health screenings.

Dr. Shashi Rakheja, Senior Consultant, Preventive Oncology, RGCIRC emphasized, ” Vaccinating at a young age is crucial as it provides immunity before exposure to high-risk HPV strains, significantly lowering the risk of cervical cancer. The WHO aims to have 90% of girls vaccinated by their 15th birthday by 2030. It’s crucial that we raise awareness, educate communities, and promote screening and vaccination to protect future generations from this preventable cancer.”

National, February 06th, 2025: Lava International Limited, the Indian smartphone manufacturer successfully concluded its #MyBharatWithLAVA campaign, garnering 57K engagement on Instagram. The two-day campaign started on the eve of Republic Day 2025 and marked an industry-first initiative, celebrating India’s rich cultural diversity, ethnicity, and creativity through a digital parade. By collaborating with popular content creators from across the country, the campaign brought to life the patriotic spirit and unique storytelling, while celebrating India’s secular ethos of Unity in Diversity.

The campaign, which took over social media, ignited patriotic pride and reached close to 4 million social natives, driving an impressive engagement of 57K and 632K impressions in collaboration with prominent creators in the likes of Satya Saggar, Narendra Raj and Priyansh.

Sharing his views on the campaign, Mr. Puravansh Maitreya, Head of Marketing, at Lava International Limited said “At Lava, we believe in the power of diversity and unity that makes India truly special. With #MyBharatWithLAVA, we set out to celebrate the vibrant cultural identities of each state while fostering a deep sense of national pride. Seeing the overwhelming response and the incredible engagement from across the country has been truly inspiring. This campaign became more than just a tribute to India’s rich heritage—it evolved into a movement where people proudly showcased their regional traditions. This 76th Republic Day, we invited everyone to unite in celebrating the essence of our great nation, because when we come together, Bharat shines brighter!”

The campaign, which kicked off with a high-impact Instagram grid post on January 26th, 2025, brought together eight regional influencers who represented different states, each sharing their unique cultural stories through 20-second short videos. The list included familiar names such as Satya Saggar from Mumbai, Narendra Raj from Delhi, Priyansh from Bhopal, Akshay from Lucknow, Mohammad Abbass from Kashmir, Ashwin K C from Kerala, Krishan Nagi from Assam, and Rinku Bisht from Gujarat.

In the second leg, Lava encouraged user participation by inviting people to share their cultural pride, with the best entries being featured as ‘State Stars’ on Lava’s social media platforms. The initiative successfully strengthened community bonds, with users actively contributing stories, photos, and videos that reflected their regional traditions.

With creative support from Social Panga, the campaign successfully delivered content that resonated deeply with audiences across digital platforms, driving exceptional engagement and connection.