Archives December 2025

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts unveils ‘Mirrors of Hope’, a signature festive initiative that brings the traditional artistry of Lippan work into a contemporary expression of Indian luxury across select Palace hotels. Installed as handcrafted Lippan Art Christmas Trees, the initiative marks a meaningful convergence of festive celebration, cultural storytelling and purpose-driven design.

‘Mirrors of Hope’ reflects The Leela’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, mindful luxury, women and community empowerment, and the preservation of India’s art and cultural heritage. Rooted in the brand’s philosophy of elevating guest experiences through immersive, culturally anchored narratives, this initiative transforms festive décor into a purposeful expression of heritage, impact and beauty.

Handcrafted in collaboration with women artisans supported by the Karigar Foundation, the Lippan Art Christmas Trees are now installed at The Leela Palace New Delhi, The Leela Palace Jaipur, The Leela Palace Bengaluru and The Leela Palace Udaipur.

Lippan art, the symbolic mud and mirror craft historically practised by women in the Kutch region, is known for motifs that embody joy, prosperity and reflection. For The Leela, artisans have created striking modular tree structures using sustainable materials, adorned with hand moulded clay patterns, mirror inlays and traditional geometric forms that reimagine the visual language of Lippan art for the festive season. Designed for circularity, each installation has been crafted for reuse and will be upcycled after the season into gifting pieces, ornaments, coasters and other keepsakes. Together, these elements create a cohesive expression of heritage, craft and conscious design.

Anjali Mehra, Executive Vice President – Brand and Communications, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said, “Mirrors of Hope brings together everything we stand for as a brand. Lippan art has a quiet power that transforms simple materials into something luminous, and that spirit of transformation sits at the heart of this activation. It is not only about celebrating a beautiful craft but also about creating a moment of connection to heritage, to the women who shape this art and to the idea that joy can create impact. Through this initiative, we hope guests experience a festive season that is both meaningful and unmistakably The Leela.” 

Priyanka Rajgadkar, Associate Vice President -ESG, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, added: “This initiative is far more than festive decor. It is a purposeful expression of our commitment to mindful luxury where craft and impact coexist. By placing women artisans and circular craftsmanship at the centre of our celebrations, we are transforming a seasonal moment into one of meaning. True luxury is not only experienced. It uplifts, empowers and leaves a positive imprint.”

Guests are invited to participate by sharing photographs of the installations using #MirrorsOfHope and #LeelaEmpowersHer. These posts will translate into support for women artisans through Threads of Tradition, the brand’s CSR programme focused on craft-based upskilling, design innovation and livelihood enhancement, creating a direct link between celebration and impact.

In addition to Mirrors of Hope, several hotels across the portfolio are also showcasing sustainability led festive trees and décor that reinforce the brand’s commitment to conscious luxury.

– The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi has created an 11- foot tree crafted from repurposed wooden flooring and a dramatic façade installation built using reclaimed conduit pipes.

– The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel has unveiled a 15- foot tree made from repurposed coconut husk, celebrating coastal craft and sustainability.

– The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences has introduced ‘A Tree That Tells a Story’, a celebration shaped by sustainable materials, handcrafted ornaments by local artisans and a community centred tree lighting ceremony.

These installations broaden the festive canvas, highlighting how sustainability, craftsmanship and cultural expression continue to shape celebrations across The Leela.

The Lippan Art Christmas Trees are on display across select Palaces of The Leela, inviting guests to experience a festive season shaped by heritage, craft and purpose driven luxury.

• Assistant Manager (Legal), Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd
• Assistant General Manager (Legal), IDBI Ltd and the Stressed Assets Stabilisation Fund (Ministry of Finance)
• Chief Manager (Legal), Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Ltd (ARCIL)
• Deputy General Manager, ICICI Bank Ltd

• Evaluating and structuring more than 200 large transactions across infrastructure, real estate, and manufacturing
• Facilitating financing exceeding ₹100 billion
• Steering proposals through Board and Executive Committees
• Leading staff accountability assessments for NPA accounts
• Chairing or participating in key governance committees, including the Product and Process Approval Committee, the Accountability Review Committee, the Fraud Identification Committee, and the Disciplinary Committee

Bengaluru, Dec 09:  Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced a partnership with Instamart, India’s pioneering quick commerce platform, to make the Galaxy range of products available instantly across key cities.

Through this collaboration, Samsung will offer quick and convenient access to a wide portfolio of Galaxy smartphones, tablets, wearables and accessories. Customers can order select Galaxy devices on Instamart and have them delivered to their doorstep within minutes.

“At Samsung, we are driven by meaningful innovations that are accessible to everyone. Our partnership with Instamart is another step towards strengthening our omnichannel strategy and making Galaxy experience available to users in a matter of minutes. We are bringing our most loved devices closer to the users,” said Rahul Pahwa, Director, MX Business, Samsung India. 

“At Instamart, our goal has always been to anticipate and adapt to the changing lifestyles of our consumers. By partnering directly with Samsung, we’re ensuring that high-quality devices are now just a few taps and 10 minutes away, redefining what convenience in tech truly means,” said Manender Kaushik, AVP, Instamart.

The partnership aligns with Samsung’s commitment to extend its omnichannel presence and cater to the evolving needs of consumers who value speed, and accessibility. Samsung strengthens its retail ecosystem by partnering with Instamart and ensures that consumers across price segments can experience Galaxy technology with convenience.

Smart India Hackathon 2025—one of the world’s largest innovation hackathons—kicks off at 60 centres across India

Hyderabad, Dec 9: One of the world’s largest hackathons—the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025, organised by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MoE), Government of India and the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), commenced today at Vardhaman College of Engineering (VCE), one of the 60 nodal centres nationwide and one of five in Telangana.

The two-day Software edition and the five-day Hardware edition were launched nationally by Prof TG Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, in a virtual inaugural, participated by 8,160 finalists from 727 institutions across India. The physical event at VCE was inaugurated by Dr Nikhil Kant, Deputy Director, AICTE. The event at Vardhaman College of Engineering will conclude on Tuesday.

“SIH is not a competition, it is the innovation movement” – AICTE Chairman said.

Addressing students virtually across the country, Prof TG Sitharam said, “I am addressing you not as students, but as national builders. You are India’s changemakers and problem solvers.”

Sharing the scale of participation, he informed that SIH 2025 received 72,165 ideas this year from 68,766 student teams across India based on 271 problem statements, out of which 1,360 top teams (8,160 participants) were selected for the Grand Finale, including 2993 women participants and 53 all-girls teams, marking a 26% jump in idea submissions and a 75.4% rise in women participation.

He further announced AICTE’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, accelerating AI adoption across Higher and Technical Education.

Prof Sitharam highlighted APF—a national initiative supporting engineering students and recent graduates in converting innovative ideas into market-ready products through a fellowship of ₹37,000 per month and project funding up to two years—encouraging SIH participants to register immediately.

He also urged teams to enrol in: ULLAS – Lifelong Learning for All, Universal Human Values initiative and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

Dr Nikhil Kant, speaking at VCE, stated that Hyderabad is probably the largest city in India to host SIH across five nodal centres, describing it as a major national innovation hub.

VCE is hosting 151 finalists from 11 states, working on five problem statements sponsored by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

The 151 students, divided into 25 teams at VCE were given 1. AI-Based Timetable Generation aligned to NEP 2020; 2. Digital Mental Health and Psychological Support System; 3. Centralised Digital Platform for Student Activity Records; 4. One-Stop Personalised Career & Education Advisor and 5. Prashikshan – Academia–Industry Interface

A winning team will be selected for each challenge, receiving a cash prize of ₹1.5 lakh from the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

A JNTU-Hyderabad team, developing an AI-enabled stress monitoring system for students, includes participants from J&K, Telangana and other states is also participating.

Welcoming the participants, Prof JVR Ravindra, Principal & Nodal Centre Head, VCE, remarked, “Smart India Hackathon is not a competition; it is your contribution to your country. Innovation is not a fancy topic—it is our moral responsibility.”

The inauguration at VCE was also graced virtually and physically by: Dr Sandeep Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad; Dr Sachin Agarwal, Director – GenAI, PepsiCo; Mr Purnachander Goli, Delivery Head – Data Analytics, Tata Consultancy Services; Dr Rajender, Dean Academics, VCE and Prof Krishna Chaithanya Janapati, Nodal Centre SPOC

SIH is India’s largest open-innovation platform where students work directly on real problem statements submitted by Government Ministries, PSUs and State Governments—including Defence, Railways, Agriculture, Education and this year Jammu & Kashmir.

Solutions are often adopted immediately, incubated as start-ups, funded, and piloted across departments—making SIH India’s only platform linking academia with governance at a national scale.

A flagship initiative of MoE and AICTE, SIH has emerged as one of the world’s biggest innovation movements, mobilising lakhs of young technologists annually to build solutions for public-service and citizen-governance challenges.

The Bhopal branch of the prestigious UK institution is now part of a global network of 4,500 organisations and individuals across 50 countries

Dec 9: Bhopal-based Shrewsbury International School India, is set to broaden its global footprint by joining the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) as a full-fledged international member. For the institution, which opened in August this year and is grounded in the legacy of Shrewsbury School, UK, this membership opens the door to collaboration with established global institutions and facilitates access to best practices, training, and advisory support.

Through this association, Shrewsbury India will benefit from BSA’s comprehensive professional development programmes, which help educators uphold excellence in pastoral care, safeguarding pupils, mentoring and leadership strategies. The BSA’s partnership with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Association (SACPA) further ensures that member schools maintain the highest standards of student safety and welfare.

For Shrewsbury India, the recognition also serves as both an endorsement and an opportunity to align with world-class standards while fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for its boarders. By joining this community, Shrewsbury India adopts the UK’s National Minimum Standards for boarding, focusing on child-centred leadership, safeguarding, and outstanding accommodation. The school also aims to contribute innovative practices, setting a benchmark for boarding excellence in India.

“Shrewsbury India is now officially a part of one of the most respected international boarding associations, connecting with 4,500 organisations and individuals across more than 50 countries. Joining the BSA as a full international member is a significant endorsement of our commitment to providing a whole-person education through world-class boarding facilities that embody the best of global boarding traditions. This membership gives our team access to unparalleled opportunities for professional development through BSA’s programmes,” says Mr. Dominic Tomalin, Founding Headmaster at Shrewsbury International School India.

For families of students, it represents an assurance of trust, safety, and educational excellence – aligned with the highest international standards. BSA member schools can be easily found online by parents and students, thanks to the platform’s easy accessibility via search engines. The BSA Group itself comprises multiple specialised arms addressing related domains, including BAISIS (The British Association of Independent Schools with International Students), SACPA (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association), HIEDA (Health in Education Association), and TIOB (The Institute of Boarding).

Kolkata,  Dec 8: In a remarkable medical intervention at Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, led by Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, Director of Gastroenterology Manipal Hospital EM Bypass and Mukundapur Cluster, specialists successfully removed a sharp metal pin from the stomach of 4-year-old Krishanu Roy (name changed) from Barasat, Uttar 24 Parganas. Krishanu had accidentally swallowed the object while drinking water. While playing, he had put the metal pin into his water bottle, and it was accidentally ingested when he drank from it, prompting his family to rush him immediately to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening condition.

Following admission, Krishanu was promptly assessed and found to have a sharp metallic foreign body lodged in his stomach. The high risk of internal injury, including gastric wall perforation, necessitated urgent medical action.

Elaborating on the case, Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, said, “Ingestion of sharp objects among children is a serious emergency, and swift intervention is critical to prevent life-threatening complications. In Krishanu’s case, the metal pin posed a high risk of perforation or bleeding if it had moved further into the intestine. We immediately planned and performed an emergency endoscopy, carefully retrieving the pin without any surgical incision. Thanks to the coordination and expertise of our team, the procedure was successful, and Krishanu’s recovery has been smooth. This case highlights the importance of timely medical attention and parental vigilance when young children are involved.”

Using advanced endoscopic tools, Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy supported by his expert team comprising Dr. Prasanta Debnath, Consultant – Medical Gastroenterology, Dr Rahul Samanta, Consultant Medical Gastroenterology and Dr. Prashanta Kumar, Consultant Medical Gastroenterology carefully retrieved the object while ensuring no injury to Krishanu’s internal organs. Post-procedure, he was closely monitored by Dr. Nicola Judith Flynn, Head of Paediatrics and Neonatology, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, and her team. Krishanu responded well to treatment and was later discharged in stable condition.

Expressing his relief, Krishanu’s father said, “We are extremely grateful to Dr. Sethy and the entire team at Manipal Hospital EM Bypass. From the moment we arrived, they handled the situation with incredible professionalism and care. Seeing our son in pain was terrifying, and the thought of what could have happened if the pin had caused internal injury was unbearable. Thanks to their quick decision-making and expertise, Krishanu is safe and recovering well at home. We truly can’t thank them enough for their timely intervention and dedication.”

With this incident, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass once again demonstrated excellence in paediatric emergency care, advanced endoscopic interventions, and prompt multidisciplinary coordination ensuring safe and positive clinical outcomes for young patients.

By:-  Sudarshan Lodha, Co-founder & CEO, Strata

“Land is the foundation on which India’s next decade of infrastructure and urban growth will be built. Maharashtra’s decision to formalise digital land records is a strategic move that aligns with the country’s ambition to modernise its land economy. The clarity created at the documentation level will ripple across project timelines, capital planning, and ecosystem-wide accountability. For us, this reform significantly enhances the value we deliver to clients by enabling faster, safer, and more transparent transactions.”

The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC), Government of India, in collaboration with AICTE, announces the 8th Edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025, taking place from 8th December across 60 nodal centres nationwide. Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) is one of the key nodal centres hosting the Software Grand Finale on 8–9 December, reinforcing its role as a national hub for innovation.

Smart India Hackathon 2025 has received a record 72,165 idea submissions from 68,766 student teams addressing 271 problem statements from ministries, state departments, PSUs, and industries. From 2,587 institutes and 1,42,715 teams, 1,360 teams comprising 8,160 students and 1,365 mentors have qualified for the Grand Finale. With 42 Software and 18 Hardware nodal centres, SIH 2025 continues to empower youth, foster inclusivity, and strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

On the occasion, Chief Guest, Prateek Goswami, Additional General Manager, Central Railway said; “It is a privilege to be part of Smart India Hackathon 2025, one of the largest innovation initiatives in the country, for the eighth consecutive year. Initiatives like SIH showcase the potential of India’s youth to create practical, impactful solutions for real-world challenges. The Railway Ministry has already benefited from innovative ideas in areas like predictive maintenance and passenger services, demonstrating how student-led innovation can strengthen national infrastructure. My message to all participants is to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and use your creativity and technical skills responsibly to contribute to nation-building. You are shaping the future of India, and your innovations today will drive the progress of tomorrow.”

Shri. Sudhir Kalkar, Member Managing Council, S.P. Mandali, Pune; Member CDC, WeSchool, Mumbai said;

“Smart India Hackathon 2025 represents the power and potential of India’s youth to solve real national challenges. My best wishes to all the finalists who have the opportunity to create meaningful impact. The problems presented by the ministries demand practical, long-term solutions, and at WeSchool, we encourage our students to approach innovation through the ‘Five I’s’—Initiate, Inform, Involve, Integrate, and Inspire. As you innovate, look ahead to build solutions for the future, look back to your strengths, look around to leverage tools, look up with gratitude for the opportunity, and look down to stay grounded.”

Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) said;

“At WeSchool, innovation and collaboration are central to our philosophy, and we continue to support students through incubation, mentorship, and access to funding and technology resources. Smart India Hackathon aligns perfectly with our mission of nurturing professionals who can solve real-world challenges, offering students a unique opportunity to work with Government ministries and industry experts. It places young innovators on the national radar and reinforces our Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of youth-led nation building. Last year, when the Prime Minister’s Office selected five institutions from across 40,000, WeSchool was among them, and we continue to remain among the top institutions in the country. We are proud to host teams from across India and remain committed to providing an enriching and supportive environment”

Ms. Suryakala Banerjee, HR Lead, Academic Alliances Group CoE, Tata Consultancy Services, said;

“The Smart India Hackathon 2025 is not just a competition, it is a celebration of India’s future in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With over 75,000 ideas from 69,000 student teams this year alone, Smart India Hackathon demonstrates the power of youth-led innovation to solve real-world challenges and advance initiatives like Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. At TCS, we are honored to partner in nurturing this talent through mentorship, evaluation, and co-innovation, celebrating risk-taking, creativity, and the entrepreneurial mindset that will shape the nation’s future.”

Since 2017, Smart India Hackathon has transformed into the world’s largest open innovation platform, fostering a culture of creativity, design thinking, and real-world problem-solving within the student community. Conducted in Software and Hardware editions since 2018, SIH has encouraged patent filings, supported the creation of student-led startups, and enabled the adoption of innovative solutions by government bodies and industry partners. The 2025 edition focuses on critical sectors such as Space Technology, Renewable Energy, Cybersecurity, Defence Technology, MedTech, Robotics & Drones, Smart Education, AgriTech, and Smart Automation. More than 8,160 students will travel to their respective nodal centres, demonstrating national integration and collaborative spirit under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.

As thousands of students engage in solving real-world challenges at nodal centres across the country, SIH continues to propel India toward an innovation-led, knowledge-driven economy aligned with the aspirations of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Bangalore, Dec 8: Bandhan Bank, as part of its CSR initiatives, has donated 10 fully equipped ambulances across India, including two in Bangalore, to strengthen emergency medical access and improve healthcare delivery across diverse communities. Announced during the Bank’s 10th Foundation Day celebrations, the initiative has now been implemented with the donation of ambulances. The initiative reflects the Bank’s commitment to improving the reach and responsiveness of healthcare services, ensuring that patients receive timely medical attention during emergencies. The fully equipped ambulances were donated to the CBCI Society for Medical Education and the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Bangalore.

The ambulances have been donated to reputed medical institutions and healthcare organizations across the country, including those in Bengaluru, Ahmednagar, Vadodara, Delhi, Jaipur, Akbarpur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Secunderabad and Murshidabad. By enhancing healthcare infrastructure and supporting hospitals across multiple states, the Bank is contributing to building stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities. By enhancing healthcare infrastructure and supporting hospitals across multiple states, the Bank is contributing to building stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.

Mr. Partha Pratim Sengupta, MD & CEO, Bandhan Bank, said “At Bandhan Bank, we firmly believe that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen emergency medical response and support hospitals serving diverse communities. Our commitment to inclusive development goes beyond banking, it’s about enabling healthier, more resilient communities across India. With this initiative, we aim to make a difference in people’s lives, ensuring that timely medical assistance is accessible when it is needed the most.”

Bandhan Bank’s CSR programs have reached over 25 lakh families in 82 districts across 14 states, with a strong focus on women and rural communities in healthcare, education, livelihoods, and climate resilience. Through these initiatives, Bandhan Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility and community development.