Archives March 2026

Mar 10 | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu:  United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), with CSR support from Kotak Mahindra Bank and in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, has launched the Model Anganwadi Project to refurbish 10 Anganwadi centres across Coimbatore Corporation zones. The initiative aims to strengthen early childhood development for children aged 0–6 years by creating safe and child-friendly learning environment.

The refurbished Anganwadi centres will be equipped with age-appropriate learning materials, upgraded sanitation amenities, and improved access to nutrition for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. The project is expected to benefit approximately 1300 children and positively impact a community of nearly 15,000 people. 

One of the refurbished centres located in Sungam Gandhinagar was inaugurated by Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P, Member of Parliament; M. Sivaguru Prabakaran (I.A.S), Commissioner, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation; R. Ranganayaki, Mayor, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation; R. Vetriselvan, Deputy Mayor, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation; Dhevakumari, District Program Officer – ICDS; Sandhya, CDPO ICDS. Key representatives from Kotak Mahindra Bank included Mr. Karthick C, Regional Business Head, Branch Banking; Vengidasubramanian R – Circle Manager; Guruprasad- ABM, Branch Manager; Kesavraj, Branch Manager along with the UWBe team.

Commenting on this, Himanshu Nivsakar, Head – CSR & ESG said, “At Kotak Mahindra Bank, our CSR commitment focuses on creating sustainable, inclusive, and measurable impact. Early childhood development is a critical enabler of long-term social progress, and upgrading Anganwadi infrastructure directly contributes to this vision. This project with United Way Bengaluru is a testimony of our vision to strengthen education and community well‑being at the grassroot.”

“Under the Born Learning Campaign, our vision for early childhood care is to transform Anganwadis into vibrant, safe, and inclusive spaces that foster learning and growth. For many children, Anganwadis are their first step into education and through our partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank, we are building an ecosystem where every child has the opportunity to thrive. This initiative strongly reflects our commitment to education, health, and holistic community development,” said Rajesh Krishnan, CEO, United Way Bengaluru.

By- Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev, Founder and Director, Centre for Sight Group of Hospitals

Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight,” and for good reason. Unlike many other eye conditions, glaucoma progresses quietly, often without noticeable symptoms until significant vision damage has already occurred. It gradually damages the optic nerve—the crucial pathway that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. By the time a patient notices vision loss, the damage is usually irreversible. This makes glaucoma one of the most dangerous yet overlooked eye diseases worldwide.

Glaucoma Awareness Week, observed from March 8 to 14, serves as an important reminder that protecting vision begins with awareness. The most powerful weapon against glaucoma is not just treatment—it is early detection. A simple, regular eye check-up can mean the difference between preserving sight and losing it forever.

Globally, glaucoma is among the leading causes of irreversible blindness. It is estimated that more than 76 million people are living with glaucoma worldwide, and this number is projected to exceed 110 million by 2040 due to aging populations and increasing life expectancy. The challenge lies in the fact that nearly half of the people with glaucoma globally remain unaware that they have the disease because early stages rarely produce symptoms.

India carries a particularly heavy burden of glaucoma. Current estimates suggest that around 11–12 million Indians are living with the condition, making it one of the most common causes of irreversible blindness in the country. Alarmingly, nearly 70–90 percent of glaucoma cases in India remain undiagnosed, primarily because people do not undergo routine eye examinations. In fact, approximately 1.2 million Indians have already lost their vision due to glaucoma, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and early screening.

What makes glaucoma particularly concerning is its silent progression. In most cases, especially the common form known as primary open-angle glaucoma, the disease initially affects peripheral vision. Because central vision remains intact during the early stages, patients often do not realize that their field of vision is narrowing. By the time symptoms such as tunnel vision or blurred vision appear, a substantial portion of the optic nerve may already be damaged.

The good news is that blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented if the disease is detected early. While lost vision cannot be restored, timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow or even halt the progression of the disease. Regular comprehensive eye examinations—especially for individuals above the age of 40, those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, high myopia, or long-term steroid use—are crucial for early detection.

Proactive glaucoma screening and management rely on advanced diagnostic technologies and comprehensive eye evaluations. Early detection typically includes tests such as intraocular pressure measurement, optic nerve assessment, visual field analysis, and imaging techniques like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). These technologies enable ophthalmologists to detect even subtle structural changes in the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer, often before any noticeable symptoms develop, allowing timely intervention to slow the progression of the disease and protect vision.

Modern glaucoma management has evolved significantly in recent years. Treatment options now include highly effective medications in the form of eye drops, minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), advanced laser procedures such as selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), and precision microsurgical techniques. These interventions are designed to reduce intraocular pressure—the most important modifiable risk factor for glaucoma—thereby protecting the optic nerve from further damage.

Glaucoma management today increasingly follows a personalized, patient-centric approach. Patients typically undergo detailed evaluation and risk assessment to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy based on the stage and type of glaucoma. Many advanced eye care centres across India are now equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic systems and surgical technologies that enable early detection and comprehensive management of the disease, helping doctors monitor progression closely and initiate timely interventions to preserve vision.

Vision once lost cannot be regained, but with timely screening and expert care, it can certainly be protected. Let this week inspire us all to prioritize eye health and encourage our families and communities to undergo regular eye examinations. In the fight against glaucoma, awareness truly saves sight.

Delhi Ncr  Mar 10: Calcom Vision Limited  a leading Indian Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) and Original Design Manufacturer (ODM), has entered into a business association with Goldmedal Electricals, one of India’s leading Fast Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) companies to manufacture a range of LED lighting products. The engagement is expected to support an annual production, contributing an estimated ₹20-25 crore annual revenue to Calcom Vision at steady-state capacity.

 The engagement marks a strategic addition to Calcom Vision’s growing client portfolio and further strengthens its presence in India’s electricals and LED lighting manufacturing ecosystem.

Goldmedal has a strong presence across wiring devices, modular switches, LED lighting, and electrical accessories. The collaboration brings together Goldmedal’s brand strength and market reach with Calcom Vision’s manufacturing, engineering, and product execution capabilities.

Under the agreement, Calcom Vision will manufacture select LED lighting products for Goldmedal Electricals at its 15,000 sq. metre manufacturing facility in Greater Noida. The association will enhance manufacturing scale, operational efficiency, and time-to-market for LED lighting products catering to residential and commercial segments.

Manufacturing will be Goldmedal’s product specifications and quality standards. The LED lighting products manufactured by Calcom Vision will be marketed and distributed by Goldmedal Electricals across residential and commercial segments through its pan-India distribution network covering 21+ cities.

Commenting on the association, Mr. Abhishek Malik, Executive Director, Calcom Vision Limited, said,

“Goldmedal is a respected name in India’s electricals industry, and we are pleased to partner with them as part of our expanding customer portfolio. At Calcom Vision, our focus remains on building long-term, strategic relationships while continuously strengthening our engineering, R&D, and manufacturing capabilities to meet evolving market requirements.”

Calcom Vision has over 50 years of experience in electronics manufacturing and an overall annual manufacturing capacity of more than 100 million units across product categories. The company serves 20+ OEM and FMEG clients, providing end-to-end design, development, and manufacturing support.

Calcom Vision continues to expand its product offerings across indoor and outdoor LED lighting, solar lighting solutions, and BLDC fans. The company currently serves several leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including Panasonic, Bajaj, USHA, Great White, LEDvance, RR Kabel, Polycab, Opple Lighting, Amazon, and Anchor, providing end-to-end design, development, and manufacturing support.

– by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces

As the world gets increasingly torn by war and Indian retirees worriedly track the impact on their investments, one major area of concern should be housing – specifically, the costs involved, and whether the house is a good fit in the first place. If it is not, good money may be following bad in the worst possible times.

For decades, the Indian middle and upper-middle class have viewed the ‘big bungalow’ or the spacious 4 BHK apartment as the ultimate badge of success. In a culture where property is the primary symbol of wealth and social standing, the instinct has always been to upsize. However, there is a dawning realization among retirees and soon-to-be retirees that for the happiest homeowners, the most strategic move is not getting the biggest house possible.

Nor is it just right-sizing, which is just a fancy name for downsizing – which is depressing. It is ‘right-fitting’ – getting the right size AND type of home for the life they actually lead.

For senior Indian homebuyers and homeowners approaching or in retirement, the transition from ‘more is better’ to “what (not how much) do I really need?” is one of the most consequential financial and lifestyle decisions they will ever make.

The Illusion of the ‘Dream Home’

For younger Indians, a home typically has some very specific concept parameters. It is a hub for raising children, if necessary housing extended family, proudly socializing, and storing artifacts accumulated over the years. It is a container for a life lived and yet to be lived, so it has to be big. To reuse the term – the bigger the better.

When Indian homebuyers sell their homes in a tier-1 city like Mumbai to relocate to a tier-2 city like Pune, Kochi or Coimbatore, the temptation is to use the price differential to buy a bigger home than the previous one. Size is often the primary criterion, with not much thought given to how well the space and location will serve in later years.

In later years, as children often move abroad for education or migrate to different cities for work, the functions of the home change. It is not unusual to find elderly Indian homeowners living in outsized, badly-located storage spaces dedicated to a life that they once had – or hoped to have – and no longer have now.

For older people with an empty nest, an oversized home in the wrong area becomes a source of depression and regret. Depression because large empty spaces echo the past far more efficiently than smaller ones, and regret because the cost – both financially and in terms of effort – are no longer justified.

There may be a lingering hope that the flown birds, so to speak, may return to the nest. And indeed, that can happen, especially in these times of global socio-economic upheaval where many NRIs have to return to India and may need the space. But this assumes that the returning migratory birds will either have no option other than to live with their parents, or that they would prefer to.

This is a big assumption, and may even be vindicated in some cases. But the larger trend is that returning expatriate professionals are more interested in the nuclear family format, and will want to live separately.  Also, younger Indians value convenience and being able to entertain themselves and their family. A large flat can accommodate the body, but not the heart and soul.

Too often, managing a large home becomes the single focus of a retired Indian couple’s life. It feels ‘productive’, since they are working hard at tangible tasks, but it is actually just the life of a hamster in a wheel. They are running energetically to nowhere, spending their precious silver years and remaining bandwidth as perennial housekeepers.

The Township Advantage

The financial logic of a tool that fits the job — in this case, a home that actually serves its occupants — is particularly relevant in the Indian context. Inflation eats into everything, from the value of one’s savings to the cost of living. A large, isolated home consumes as many resources as a well-located one, without delivering a better life. This is where the integrated township emerges as the ultimate ‘right-fitting’ solution for ageing Indians.

In a regular residential tower or villa, you must manage the property but the world outside is often chaotic, inaccessible, or lonely. A township flips the script. It is not just about the square footage of your apartment but about the extended living room that starts the moment you step out of your front door.

From Maintenance Trap to Managed Lifestyle

In a township, the burden of maintaining the structure is professionalized and shared. Instead of haggling with individual contractors for plumbing or security, homeowners enjoy a seamless ecosystem. This shift allows retirees to stop being property managers and start being real residents.

The efficiency of a township means you can opt for a ‘right-fitted’ 2 or 3 BHK that is easier to clean, manage and navigate even as you enjoy the luxury of dedicated green open spaces, landscaped gardens, and fully-equipped clubhouses.

Social Touch Points

The greatest risk of the ‘big house’ is the ‘beautiful bubble’ effect. Yes, it is big, but the life that ageing inhabitants live inside becomes very small. There is no world to step into. Townships solve this because they are fundamentally ‘social architecture’.

When you live in a township, you don’t have to schedule a visit to see a friend. You are likely to meet them at the clubhouse or supermarket within the premises, on the walking track, or at the cafe. For the Indian senior, these small interactions are the literal heartbeat of a happy retirement.

Townships provide a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment where ‘going out’ does not need a car or driver. It offers the independence of a private home with the safety net of a village.

Future-Proofing for the ‘Returning Migratory Birds’

The concern that children might return from abroad and need space is valid, but the township model addresses this more realistically than a giant, empty villa. If children and their nuclear families do return, they are rarely looking for a spare bedroom in a silent house. They are often returning from a developed country, and want a real lifestyle.

A township offers amenities like swimming pools, gyms, play areas, and high-speed connectivity that every modern NRI professional takes for granted. It allows for ‘proximity without pressure.’ Many families find that ‘right-fitting’ involves owning two smaller units within the same township rather than one giant, awkward bungalow. This preserves the privacy of both generations while ensuring they are only a five-minute walk apart.

The Luxury of Optionality

Ultimately, ‘right-fitting’ into a township is a strategic allocation of resources. By not over-investing in dead square footage that only serves to store old furniture, homeowners unlock capital and time.

The real luxury in the silver years is optionality — the freedom to travel to see grandchildren, to join a hobby club, or to simply enjoy a sunset in a park that you do not have to mow yourself. A big house demands that you serve it, while a township serves you.

For the modern Indian homeowner, the dream is no longer just about the height of the gate or the size of the floor plan. It is about finding a fit that is snug enough for comfort, yet expansive enough for a community. If you are over 50, it is high time to stop thinking about wider-apart walls and ceilings, start optimizing the life you live within them.

About the author:

Akash Pharande is Managing Director of Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in Greater Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in the region.

Ramadan mornings are about reflection. Evenings are about people. The moment Iftaar wraps up, the energy shifts. Homes open up & invitations flow. Plans extend as one step out to meet friends, visit family, or host at home. The day slows down, but Shaam (the evening) comes alive. And that is where style quietly matters. Most of us plan the outfit. The kurta gets ironed. The dupatta is chosen carefully. The watch, the fragrance, the small details get attention. Footwear often gets picked in the last minute rush.

But it is one of the first things people notice. This Ramadan, we let our evenings feel intentional from head to toe. Here are four styles that help you become Har Shaam Stylish, without overthinking it.

1. The Cream Triple-Buckle Slide

The soft cream upper paired with gold buckles makes this slide feel upscale without trying too hard. It works beautifully with pastel kurtas, light salwar sets, or even a minimal co-ord. The structured straps give it a neat silhouette. The cushioned base supports long evenings where conversations stretch past dessert. Whether you are hosting or stepping out for Iftaar, this pair feels composed and refined. It is the kind of footwear that quietly pulls your entire look together.

2. The Olive Printed Double-Strap

The olive straps balance beautifully with the vibrant printed base. It adds colour without overpowering your outfit. Pair it with solid tones and let the footwear do the talking. The wide straps sit comfortably on the foot, and the base feels stable for extended wear. Ramadan evenings often mean moving between spaces, greeting guests, standing for long chats. Comfort becomes important. This pair blends playfulness with practicality. It feels festive without feeling loud.

3. The Tan Suede Double-Buckle

This tan suede-finish slide carries a soft, textured look that complements deeper colours like maroon, emerald, or navy. The metal buckles add detail, while the finish keeps it classic. It works especially well for slightly dressier gatherings. When your outfit leans traditional, this pair supports the mood without distracting from it. The footbed feels gentle, making it suitable for evenings that start at sunset and extend well into the night, thus making it simple alongside thoughtful & reliable.

4. The Deep Brown Multi-Strap Slide

The deep brown tone feels grounded and versatile. The layered strap design gives it definition, making it ideal for more tailored festive looks. It pairs well with darker ensembles and textured fabrics. The shape offers a secure feel, which helps when you are on your feet greeting guests or moving between homes. It is understated but confident. The kind of footwear that completes your presence without demanding attention.

Why Do Our Evenings Deserve More Attention?

Ramadan evenings are not rushed moments. They are shared moments. They are about stepping into someone’s home with warmth. About sitting together after a long day of fasting. About laughter, dua, and connection. When you dress for the evening with intention, the entire experience feels elevated. And footwear plays a bigger role than we often admit.

The right pair does three things:

• It complements your outfit without clashing.

• It supports your feet through long hours.

• It makes you feel put together without effort.

When footwear looks this considered, getting ready feels easier. The outfit feels complete. You move differently. You carry yourself differently.

That is the idea behind Har Shaam Stylish.