Archives 2026

IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India, Jan 22: Reinforcing its commitment to innovation-driven growth and global collaboration, the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AccelESG India Private Limited, a leading platform focused on accelerating technology commercialization, start-ups, and industry-academia partnerships.

The MoU aims to foster collaborative engagement in areas such as deep-tech innovation, start-up mentoring, technology transfer, capacity building, and market-oriented research. Facilitated under the guidance of Prof. Abhyanand Singh Maurya, IIT Roorkee, the partnership will enable IIT Roorkee and AccelESG India Private Limited to support early-stage ventures, facilitate industry-linked research outcomes, and strengthen pathways for translating academic innovation into scalable solutions with societal and economic impact.

The collaboration aligns closely with national initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, Make in India, and Digital India, while also contributing to global priorities around sustainable innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge-based economic development.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said,

“This partnership with AccelESG reflects IIT Roorkee’s strategic focus on transforming cutting-edge research into real-world impact. By strengthening industry and start-up linkages, we aim to create an ecosystem where innovation seamlessly transitions from laboratories to society, contributing to national development and global technological progress.”

Mr. Sanjay Commera, Chief Executive Officer, AccelESG India Private Limited, said,

“The signing of this MoU with IIT Roorkee marks an important milestone in our mission to build strong, outcome-driven innovation ecosystems. Partnering with a premier academic institution enables us to accelerate the translation of research-led ideas into scalable technologies and startups. This collaboration will foster meaningful engagement between academia, industry, and entrepreneurs, aligned with India’s national priorities and the global innovation landscape.”

Under the agreement, joint activities may include start-up acceleration programs, innovation challenges, mentorship initiatives, collaborative research projects, and knowledge-exchange platforms. The partnership is also expected to provide IIT Roorkee students, researchers, and start-ups access to wider industry networks, global best practices, and commercialization support.

This strategic association further strengthens IIT Roorkee’s role as a leading institution driving innovation-led growth, supporting India’s transition towards a knowledge-based and globally integrated economy, and addressing complex societal challenges through technology and entrepreneurship.

New Delhi, Jan 22: Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL), India’s leading metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power, and technology conglomerate, has generated a cumulative financial impact of nearly ₹2,500 crores for employees through sustained Employee Stock Option (ESOP) grants over the past five years. The most recent ESOP 2025 cycle, worth over ₹500 crores, has empowered nearly 1,200 first-time recipients, including freshers, highlighting one of India’s most inclusive and broad-based wealth creation initiatives.

Vedanta’s ESOP program covers nearly 40% of its workforce across plants, functions, and career levels, making it one of the most inclusive schemes in the country. For more than 20 years, ESOPs have been a core part of Vedanta’s culture, extending grants even to freshers and early-career professionals—eligible for allocations worth up to 30% of fixed pay over a standard three-year vesting period. This makes Vedanta one of the few conglomerates in India offering equity ownership from the start of a career.

A key differentiator of Vedanta’s ESOP structure is that shares are allotted at a deeply discounted price of Re 1, reinforcing the company’s commitment to shared ownership and long-term value creation. With Vedanta’s shares reaching all-time highs, ESOPs have enabled employees to achieve significant milestones such as buying homes, funding higher education, purchasing vehicles, supporting family needs, and building long-term savings.

Employee Stories Highlight Impact

• Neeraj Kumar, Manager, Smelting Operations, Hindustan Zinc, shared,
  “When my family was registering our home in Patna, my ESOPs became our biggest support. Granted three years ago, they vested at the perfect time as Vedanta’s share price hit record highs. It allowed me to support my family and made my father immensely proud. Very few organisations offer such inclusive wealth-creation opportunities for middle management.”

• S M Rahaman Kasim, Associate GM, Quality Management, BALCO, Vedanta Aluminium, said,
  “Vedanta ESOPs gave me the confidence to fund my children’s education—one son pursuing MBBS in Russia, the other studying in Guwahati—without financial stress.”

• Nilesh Bhor, Associate Manager, Finance, Sterlite Copper, added,
  “When my father’s car met with an accident and insurance was rejected, my ESOP savings helped us manage the situation with dignity. It was truly a lifeline for my family.”

The recent ESOP 2022 vesting cycle delivered over 80% share value appreciation, generating more than ₹300 crores in wealth for employees, demonstrating the strong link between Vedanta’s performance and employee rewards.

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal’s vision underpins this approach—empowering employees, accelerating career progression, and creating equitable financial opportunities, particularly for young professionals and women. The program also rewards contributions in areas critical to Vedanta’s future, including automation, digitalisation, AI-driven innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability.

By placing equity ownership in the hands of engineers, young professionals, plant teams, and middle management, Vedanta is reshaping compensation norms in Indian manufacturing. This democratization of wealth creation ensures that employees directly benefit from the value they help generate, reinforcing Vedanta’s commitment to shared success and long-term growth.

New Delhi, Jan 22: As India gears up for the Union Budget 2026–27, healthcare experts and industry leaders have called on the government to significantly scale up public spending on healthcare, highlighting persistent gaps in infrastructure, workforce capacity, and access to affordable care across the country.

In FY 2025–26, the government allocated ₹99,858.56 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, an 11% increase over the revised ₹89,974.12 crore in FY 2024–25. While this rise was welcomed, the Association of Healthcare Providers – India (AHPI) noted that public health expenditure remains well below the National Health Policy target of 2.5% of GDP and lags behind benchmarks in comparable developing economies.

India’s healthcare system faces mounting pressure from a dual disease burden—communicable and non-communicable conditions—alongside growing demand for specialty, preventive, and long-term care services. AHPI emphasised that Budget 2026–27 should prioritise strengthening healthcare delivery in rural, semi-urban, and underserved regions, advancing the nation’s goal of universal health coverage.

According to National Health Accounts, households still bear nearly 48% of healthcare costs out-of-pocket, exposing families to financial vulnerability during medical emergencies. AHPI has urged higher public investment to expand medical and nursing education, establish training institutions, accelerate adult immunisation programmes, and scale up mental health, geriatric care, emergency services, and telemedicine networks. The association also highlighted the need to rationalise GST on healthcare services and reform insurance regulations to improve affordability and coverage.

Key Voices from the Healthcare Sector:

• Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General, AHPI, said,
  “To secure a healthier future for India, it is imperative to invest in robust health systems today. Budget 2026–27 must enhance funding to expand infrastructure, strengthen the workforce, and ensure equitable access to quality services, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.”

• Mr. Probal Ghosal, Founder & Managing Partner, GCV; Co-Founder and former Chairman, Ujala Cygnus, commented,
  “The upcoming budget is a pivotal moment for India’s healthcare. Sustainable public healthcare schemes, digital integration under Ayushman Bharat, rational package rates, and prompt reimbursements are critical to maintain quality care in the hinterlands and expand patient access nationwide.”

• Dr. Sunil K. Khetarpal, Deputy Director General, AHPI, added,
  “India’s healthcare demands are evolving faster than current systems can support. The budget must accelerate investments in technology-driven care, quality assurance, and hospital capacity-building to create a resilient, future-ready ecosystem.”

• Dr. V. K. Gupta, Founder-Director, Silverstreak Superspeciality Hospital, stated,
  “Budget 2026–27 offers a crucial opportunity to bridge regional healthcare disparities. Targeted fiscal incentives and easier access to long-term capital can encourage hospitals to expand into tier 2 and tier 3 cities, improving care access and easing pressure on metropolitan healthcare systems.”

AHPI further emphasised that private sector participation in healthcare infrastructure development will be key to complement public investment. With India’s doctor-to-patient ratio still below WHO norms, the association views Budget 2026–27 as a decisive moment to strengthen healthcare system resilience, improve preparedness for future public health challenges, and ensure equitable access to quality care nationwide.

New Delhi, Jan 22: Dylect, one of India’s fastest-growing lifestyle-tech brands and an emerging leader in premium automotive accessories and home utilities, today announced its January Art Sale on Amazon. Running tentatively from 16^th January to 22^nd January, the event makes Dylect’s innovative auto-care, home cleaning, and solar lighting solutions more accessible to digitally savvy Indian consumers through exclusive savings.

The product range will be available at discounts of up to 60% during the sale, featuring key categories such as high-performance dashcams, pressure washers, tyre inflators, automotive vacuum cleaners, and solar-powered outdoor lights. In addition to Amazon offers, the brand is extending an extra 5% discount on its website with the code DYLECT5, applicable across all products over and above the prevailing Amazon prices creating a compelling and highly competitive value proposition for customers.

Dylect products stand out for their seamless integration into modern lifestyles, blending high performance, minimalist industrial design, premium materials, advanced features, and rigorous quality standards. Backed by superior after-sales support and an extended 12-month warranty, the brand is scaling aggressively across Amazon, Flipkart and D2C while planning to expand into new categories like kitchen appliances.

“The Jan Art Sale is our way of rewarding loyal customers and introducing more Indians to Dylect’s game-changing products at unbeatable prices,”

said Anuj Bhatia, Founder of Dylect. “With the extra 5% off via DYLECT5 coupon code, on the website combined with Amazon’s live deals, we’re delivering exceptional value on tools that make everyday life easier, cleaner, and more efficient.”

Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has collaborated with Disney Publishing APAC to bring 36 iconic Marvel audio series in Hindi to listeners in India.

Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man, The Avengers, and Wolverine will be featured across 36 Hindi audio series, produced as high-quality audio content for on-the-go listening. These stories will unfold across multi-episode arcs, bringing the power of Disney’s storytelling to a new, mobile-first generation of listeners.

“We’ve always believed in the power of Disney storytelling, proving that stories can travel anywhere when they connect with audiences,” said Veronica Cabalinan, VP – Publishing and Experiences, APAC, Disney Publishing. “Pocket FM is turning listening into a deeply emotional and almost cinematic experience. We are excited to see how Marvel’s Super Heroes will inspire a new generation of fans in India by harnessing the power of audio.”

From mythology-inspired series to supernatural thrillers and dark fantasy sagas, listeners in India are embracing worlds that stretch the imagination. Pocket FM, a leading platform for fantasy audio series, sees fantasy as an emerging genre blending tradition, technology, and creativity.

“Our cultural DNA is built on imagination, and larger-than-life storytelling.” said Rohan Nayak, Co-Founder and CEO, Pocket FM. “Together with Disney, we’re turning the epic stories of Marvel Super Heroes into serialized audio journeys that feel native, emotional, and accessible. Fantasy and super-hero series have always been one of Pocket FM’s strongest genres and continues to grow exponentially. With this collaboration, we are ensuring that premium fantasy entertainment is inclusive and deeply relatable  so that anyone, anywhere in India, can feel like they are truly part of  the story.”

Bangalore, India, Jan 22: ASUS, the Taiwanese tech giant, today announced robust performance in South India, achieving sustained growth over the last three years and reinforcing its position as one of the fastest-growing PC brands in the region. Between 2023 and 2025, ASUS recorded ~40% cumulative growth, maintaining a strong upward trajectory despite a challenging and volatile market environment.

In 2025 alone, ASUS delivered 25% year-on-year growth across South India, significantly outperforming the broader PC market. According to GfK, even as the overall market declined post-pandemic, ASUS strengthened its market share, reflecting strong brand pull, channel execution, and category leadership.

“Each region in India requires a tailored go-to-market strategy, but our vision remains unified: to make state-of-the-art technology accessible to more consumers. From AI PCs to premium gaming and consumer notebooks, our focused efforts have driven consistent growth in southern India, even in a volatile market. As we move into 2026, our priority will be scaling further, with a sharper focus on AI PCs and the premium segment,” said Arnold Su, Vice President, Consumer & Gaming PC, System Business Group, ASUS India.

Among southern states, Tamil Nadu led the growth, contributing 35% of the region’s expansion, driven by strong offline presence and exclusive store performance. Kerala followed with 25% YoY growth, supported by festive demand and channel execution, while Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka delivered steady gains of 23% and 8% YoY, respectively.

From a category perspective, consumer notebooks (NB) remained the primary growth driver, contributing 57% of total volumes, followed by gaming PCs (NR) at 40%. Gaming notebooks, in particular, performed strongly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, reinforcing ASUS’ leadership in high-performance and enthusiast segments.

The quarter’s performance was further boosted by robust festive demand and ASUS’ extensive retail network, which helped capture higher share across regional markets. Recognizing the importance of experiential retail in India, ASUS also launched the ROG Labs gaming-first premium experience format in Bengaluru, enhancing brand engagement with consumers.

Despite a declining overall market, ASUS’ consistent outperformance demonstrates its ability to grow faster than the industry and strengthen market share, solidifying its position as one of South India’s fastest-growing PC brands.

India, Jan 22: Gully Labs, India’s leading narrative-driven sneaker brand, has partnered with iconic sportswear label Nivia Sports to present Maidaan a collaborative capsule that redefines contemporary Indian streetwear through culture, memory, and community.

The partnership debuted with the Gully Labs × Nivia MAIDAAN launch, an all-star 3v3 football tournament and high-energy preview event held at Claygrounds. Six creator-led teams competed on the pitch, while guests experienced live music, DJ sets, curated food zones, and an exclusive first look at the Maidaan capsule. Rooted in nostalgia, shared spaces, and street culture, Maidaan is more than a collection it is a cultural movement that reclaims everyday grounds through a modern lifestyle lens.

Maidaan draws inspiration from outdoor moments with friends long afternoons, open conversations, and the freedom of simply being present. These grounds were not just places to play, but social hubs where style, identity, and self-expression naturally evolved. This philosophy anchors the collection, positioning Maidaan as a tribute to lived experiences rather than spectacle.

For decades, Nivia has been a familiar presence in Indian homes and neighbourhoods. With Maidaan, that legacy evolves through Gully Labs’ design-first, street-driven aesthetic, transforming nostalgia into wearable fashion grounded in emotion and authenticity.

The Maidaan capsule blends urban streetwear sensibilities with functional design, prioritising movement, comfort, and everyday versatility. The collection features lightweight sneakers with durable rubber outsoles and breathable, relaxed jerseys designed for ease and daily wear each piece bridging past and present through thoughtful design.

At the heart of the collection are three sneaker silhouettes Sova White, Eleven Crest, and Barefoot Blue. Designed as lifestyle-first hybrids, the silhouettes emphasise comfort and adaptability while incorporating subtle cues inspired by heritage, identity, and the quiet beauty of time spent outdoors.

Extending beyond footwear, the collection introduces the Gully Labs × Nivia Jersey, reimagined as a statement streetwear piece rather than conventional athletic wear. Crafted from breathable, moisture-wicking fabric with a relaxed, oversized fit, the jersey features graphic storytelling inspired by Kolkata’s cultural legacy, iconic institutions such as Mohun Bagan AC, and Nivia’s roots in Jalandhar, Punjab bringing together regional narratives, historic influences, and generations of Indian craftsmanship.

An abstract, floral tapestry inspired graphic flows across the chest and sleeves, weaving layered stories of place, memory, and belonging. Finished with ergonomic side splits, antimicrobial treatment, and breathable construction, the jersey transitions seamlessly from casual daytime wear to elevated street styling.

Commenting on the collaboration, Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Co-Founders of Gully Labs, said,

“Maidaan reflects the spaces we grew up in, the friendships we formed, and the memories that stayed with us. Collaborating with Nivia allowed us to translate those emotions into a contemporary design language.”

A Nivia spokesperson added,

“Nivia has always been part of everyday Indian life. With Maidaan, that familiarity evolves into a modern expression one that connects legacy, community, and personal style.”

The Maidaan collection is now available in-store and online, with plans to expand across major marketplaces soon. Celebrated for its streetwear sensibility and culturally rooted design, the collection underscores a shared commitment to bold, expressive fashion that resonates with urban communities and culturally driven consumers.

New Delhi, Jan 22: Ergonomic furniture startup Vergo made its national television debut on Zee TV’s IdeaBaaz, the reality show featuring India’s most disruptive startups, by drawing attention to one of the most overlooked workplace health challenges—prolonged sitting and poor seating ergonomics.

During the episode, Vergo highlighted the hidden costs associated with traditional office seating. Studies cited revealed that over 56% of Indian office workers sit for more than eight hours daily, while musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) impact nearly 72% of IT professionals, leading to absenteeism rates almost three times higher than in ergonomically optimised workplaces. Research further indicates that Indian businesses lose over ₹8,500 crore annually due to productivity losses linked to poor seating, while poor sleep alone costs organisations ₹2.1 lakh per employee per year. For every 100 employees using suboptimal seating, losses can reach ₹28 lakh annually due to reduced productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare expenses.

The founder explained that most conventional chairs are designed around static postures, restricting natural spinal movement and causing back, neck, and shoulder discomfort within minutes. According to studies, 68% of office workers report lower back pain, 52% experience neck pain, and 45% suffer shoulder pain—largely attributed to rigid backrests and fixed lumbar support that prevent essential micro-movements.

Vergo’s approach centres on adaptive seating that responds to individual body movement rather than forcing the user to adapt to the chair. Active seating solutions that support dynamic posture have been shown to improve body engagement and reduce attention-task errors by 20%. However, 77% of Indian offices continue to rely on static seating. The brand showcased three key solutions: adjustable ergonomic chairs, active stools that encourage movement, and dynamic chairs using springs or elastomers to absorb and return force—making extended sitting healthier and more productive.

Harsh Wadhwani, Founder, Vergo, said, 

“People tend to normalise discomfort because the damage occurs gradually. Once individuals experience seating that supports natural movement, their expectations shift permanently. Our mission is to make ergonomics preventive rather than reactive. Chairs are not merely furniture—they are tools for health, productivity, and long-term well-being.”

The episode also addressed the broader challenge of ergonomic adoption in India. Despite 68% of employees reporting musculoskeletal pain and more than half sitting over eight hours daily, workplace seating remains underinvested due to cost sensitivity and limited awareness. Research shows that organisations save ₹289 in healthcare costs and ₹241 in absenteeism for every rupee invested in workplace wellness, demonstrating a strong return on investment.

Vergo challenged the misconception that ergonomics is a luxury, illustrating how poor seating contributes to stress, fatigue, and reduced efficiency. The founder explained how design innovations—such as a 120-degree anterior hip tilt, split-seat pans, elastomer lumbar ribs, and dynamic armrests and footrests—can reduce gluteal pressure by up to 30%, support natural spinal alignment, and promote healthy micro-movements.

Vergo’s appearance on IdeaBaaz resonate strongly with viewers, reflecting a growing shift among younger professionals who increasingly view ergonomic seating as a long-term investment in health, comfort, and productivity.

Gurugram, India, Jan 22:  MentorCloud, the world’s leading Human+AI mentoring and coaching platform, today celebrated the first anniversary of the Amritkaal Mentors Movement, a nationwide initiative aimed at democratizing access to career and life mentorship for students, professionals, and entrepreneurs across India.

Conceptualised by Dr. Ravishankar Gundlapalli, Founder & CEO, MentorCloud, the movement draws inspiration from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Amritkaal Mentors was formally launched on 12 January 2025, marking Swami Vivekananda’s 163rd birth anniversary, celebrated nationally as National Youth Day—a fitting tribute to youth empowerment and nation-building.

Over the past year, seasoned mentors from India and the United States, spanning disciplines such as Engineering, Technology, AI, Entrepreneurship, Consulting, Manufacturing, Public Policy, Finance, and Human Resources, have delivered impactful sessions to thousands of students from 1,340 degree and engineering colleges across the country. More than 85% of participating students rated the sessions as extremely relevant and valuable, with 1,482 students receiving certificates of attendance, strengthening their employability and interview readiness.

“Equipping students with the right vocabulary and confidence to articulate their skills during job interviews is one of the core objectives of this movement,” said Dr. Ravishankar Gundlapalli, Founder of the Amritkaal Mentors Movement and Founder & CEO of MentorCloud.

Distinguished Speakers and Topics

The first year of Amritkaal Mentors featured an impressive lineup of thought leaders and practitioners, including Sadhguru (Founder, Isha Foundation); Dr. Velumani Arokiaswamy (Founder, Thyrocare); Navi Radjou (Author and Frugal Innovation Expert); MR Rangaswami (Founder, Indiaspora); Ramesh Vaswani (Serial Entrepreneur, IIT Madras); Sanjeev Sharan (CHRO – Director HR, ZTE); Geetha Murthy (Ex-HR Head, Collins Aerospace); Geetha Kannan (Ex-HR Head, Infosys), among several others from industry, academia, and the startup ecosystem.

These mentors delivered engaging, hour-long sessions covering a wide range of topics, including Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Career Mapping, Interview Skills, Personal Finance, Mental Health, Smart Manufacturing, Robotics, Entrepreneurship, Skills for Employability, India as Vishwa Guru, and crafting a 100-year life journey.

“Amritkaal Mentors showcases the true democratization of mentoring and knowledge-sharing by ensuring every aspiring Indian youth has access to the wisdom of global experts,” Dr. Gundlapalli added. “By breaking jargon and sharing real-life experiences, the movement is helping ignite the potential of our youth to accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by or before 2047.”

Sharing their experience, Sanjeev Sharan, CHRO – Director HR, ZTE, said,

“Amritkaal Mentors is a powerful initiative democratizing knowledge by connecting learners with experienced mentors. I was honoured to be part of the movement as a launching mentor.”

Geetha Murthy, former HR Head at Collins Aerospace, added,

“I am honoured to contribute to the Amritkaal Mentors talk series by addressing mental health and hustle culture, in support of India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.”

Voices from the Student Community

Students across institutions highlighted the practical impact of the sessions. One participant shared,

“The session offered valuable perspectives on robotics, automation, and future career opportunities. It was both insightful and inspiring. I am grateful to the Amritkaal Mentors initiative for creating such meaningful learning experiences.”

Tilak M. K., a student from The National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru, added,

“It was an insightful webinar on wealth creation, long-term value thinking, and aligning skills with market needs. I’m grateful to Amritkaal Mentors and MentorCloud for enabling such impactful learning.”

Looking Ahead

As the movement enters its second year, MentorCloud, along with key partners Pod.ai, Become.Team, and Verbinden.ai, plans to significantly scale the initiative. The goal is to onboard 100+ experienced mentors from leading organizations and academic institutions and reach over 10,000 students across Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities and towns.

MentorCloud extends its sincere gratitude to all mentors, students, and partners who contributed to making the first year of the Amritkaal Mentors Movement a resounding success.

Mumbai, Jan 22 : In a powerful demonstration of student-led change, Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme marked the 20th version of its flagship forum Bal Parishad, that enables adolescents from resource-challenged communities directly engage with policymakers and authorities and help create change for the well-being of their communities.

Led entirely by students known as Health Monitors, the Bal Parishad brought together over 200 students from government and government-aided schools and was attended by senior policymakers and administrators. Dignitaries present included Hon. Minister Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, School Education, Maharashtra; Shri Ranjit Singh Deol (IAS), Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department; Hon. Mr. Vijayakant Sagar, Deputy Commissioner of Police;  Mrs. Sujata Khare, Education Officer, MCGM; and Dr. Umesh Shirodkar, Joint Director, Public Health Department, Maharashtra.

Trained under Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme, the Health Monitors used the platform to highlight real-world challenges within their communities, including tobacco use, hygiene and nutritional gaps. Through direct interactions with policymakers, students presented practical, evidence-based recommendations and shared community initiatives such as poster campaigns, door-to-door outreach and collaboration with local leaders. The Bal Parishad also recognised young changemakers whose efforts demonstrated how awareness, confidence and student-led action can drive meaningful and lasting change.

 Minister Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar  School Education, Maharashtra said,

 “Today, we witnessed how a committed social organisation can drive meaningful change in society. The confidence with which the students presented, and the joy on their faces reflect the true impact of such initiatives. This, to me, is real success. The work being undertaken by Salaam Bombay Foundation addresses a critical need of our times, and the government and the administration will continue to stand firmly in support of such efforts.”

Shri. Ranjit Singh Deol Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department said,

 “The Bal Parishad is truly a unique programme. We are seeing children step forward as agents of social awareness. Through the student success stories, we can see that when a child is determined, they can mobilise their community: whether it is addressing waste management or other public health concerns and bring about real, measurable change. I extend my best wishes to all the students for the meaningful impact they can create as Health Monitors.”

Speaking on the occasion, Tshering D. Bhutia, Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Vice President, Projects Salaam Bombay Foundation said,

“What we witnessed today was children speaking truth from lived realities. Bal Parishad reaffirmed that when we listen to young voices, we help break the cycle of fear and ignorance, and nurture confident voices and conscious choices.”

The Bal Parishad was conceptualised under Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme which began in 2002 as an initiative to steer students away from tobacco and break cycles of addiction and poor health. Since then, the programme has branched out to include every aspect of its students’ health: resistance to tobacco use, awareness about nutrition, looking out for their mental well-being with an overall focus on life skills. Through the Bal Parishad, the Preventive Health Education Programme has empowered thousands of students to work with relevant policymakers and stakeholders to bring about positive change in their communities. It goes beyond awareness of healthy practices, to opening up a portal to leadership and long-term community impact.

As Salaam Bombay Foundation celebrated two decades of Bal Parishad, the message remains clear when young people are equipped with knowledge, confidence and a platform, they don’t just speak up, they help break cycles and reshape the future of their communities.