Archives 2026

Gurugram, Mar 02: India, particularly the Delhi-NCR region, faces a severe, year-round air pollution crisis that peaks during winter months. Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs) are among the top two contributors to India’s non-communicable disease burden, which is further aggravated by smoking cigarettes and beedis, and vaping — all of which introduce harmful chemicals and ultrafine particles into the lungs.

 Addressing this escalating public health challenge, Medanta – The Medicity, one of India’s largest private multi-specialty tertiary care providers, has launched a comprehensive, year-round public awareness initiative aimed at shifting national focus from seasonal alarm about poor air quality to sustained vigilance against CRDs. As part of the campaign, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta, and Dr. Randeep Guleria, Chairman, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Medanta Gurugram, unveiled a landmark Giant Lungs exhibit — an immersive, inflatable walkthrough of the human respiratory system — designed to educate the public on lung health and early diagnosis.

Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta, stated,

 “Air pollution, coupled with newer concerns like vaping, and the widespread underdiagnosis of critical conditions like CRDs, represents a fundamental challenge to public health, silently stealing years from our lives. We must urgently shift our mindset from periodic alerts to continuous vigilance and action. This initiative reflects our dedication to empowering individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families every single day.”

India accounts for over 30% of global deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to CRDs. Recent data indicates particulate matter levels in India in 2023 were more than eight times higher than WHO guidelines, contributing to an average reduction of 3.5 years in life expectancy, with data indicating a potential loss of up to 8.2 years in life expectancy in the Delhi-NCR region due to prolonged exposure to high particulate matter levels. Compounding the crisis is significant underdiagnosis: an estimated 95-98% of COPD cases and nearly 70% of severe asthma cases remain undetected.

Dr. Randeep Guleria, Chairman, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine at Medanta Gurugram, emphasized,

 “Air quality discussions often focus on seasonal spikes, but the cumulative damage from chronic exposure is relentless. For Delhi-NCR residents, polluted air is not an occasional event but is a daily reality. The impact is particularly alarming because lung damage progresses silently, with symptoms often appearing only when disease is advanced. Sustained public awareness about CRDs, routine screening, and year-round preventive action are critical to protecting respiratory health in high-risk urban regions like ours.”

March 02: Liberty Shoes Limited, one of India’s leading footwear brands, has announced a partnership with neOwn, India’s first app-based book rental service for children. For a month, all 25 Liberty stores across Bangalore will provide customers with an exclusive ₹500 discount voucher, with every liberty purchase, redeemable on any neOwn subscription. Liberty‘s approach positions this offer as added value for customers. 

neOwn, founded by Kranti Gada (former COO of Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd.), appeared on IdeaBaaz and earned the attention and support of retail industry leader Anupam Bansal, Executive Director of Liberty Shoes, who was one of the Titans on the show. 

Discussions between the two companies led to this collaboration, positioning Liberty as a brand that invests not just in children’s footwear, but in their holistic development.

The collaboration represents a shift in how physical retail can add value beyond transactions. Rather than simply completing a sale, Liberty stores now offer parents an opportunity to invest in their children’s cognitive development alongside their physical growth. 

“I am deeply grateful to Mr. Bansal for seeing the potential in what we are building,” said Kranti Gada, Founder of neOwn. “Mr. Bansal offered valuable insights from being in the retail business for decades, along with access to Liberty‘s retail infrastructure. This partnership validates our mission in a way that goes beyond capital. It is a testament to the power of believing in a shared vision: that every child deserves to be introduced to books early to grow confident, both physically and mentally.” 

“Business today has evolved beyond commercial transactions. Today’s customers are looking for brands that add real value to their lives.” says Mr. Anupam Bansal, Executive Director, Liberty Shoes, “When I met Kranti on IdeaBaaz, I saw a founder who is building something that genuinely helps parents raise confident children. Liberty has the retail infrastructure to help scale that impact. Sometimes the best partnerships aren’t about funding, they are about finding aligned missions and acting on it together. Good shoes give children the physical confidence to explore the world. Good books give them the mental tools to understand it. This partnership makes both accessible to the families who trust Liberty. It’s a natural fit.” 

The partnership is supported by a co-branded social media campaign highlighting the connection between physical and mental development in children. Both brands are creating educational content for parents around building confidence through holistic growth. 

The Bangalore pilot represents the first phase of what could become a model for similar partnerships nationwide, demonstrating how established brands can support emerging startups while adding meaningful value for customers.

Mumbai, March 02:  Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. sales in the domestic & international market for February 2026 stood at 63,331 units, compared to 46,811 units during February 2025, up 35% YoY.

Includes sales of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, subsidiary of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd.

Mar 2: Rohde & Schwarz and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. have reached another pivotal milestone in 6G research and ecosystem readiness, successfully demonstrating carrier aggregation across FR1 and FR3 frequency ranges. The joint achievement is showcased live at MWC Barcelona 2026.
 

The CMX500 one box tester is ready for 6G research with the new modular RFU18 board.

At MWC Barcelona, Rohde & Schwarz and Qualcomm Technologies present a live demonstration at the Rohde & Schwarz booth (5A80) that aggregates a mid-band channel around 2.5 GHz (FR1) with an upper mid-band channel around 7 GHz (FR3), using 4×4 MIMO on both bands and higher-order modulation. With this setup, the two companies validate end-to-end device behavior across the aggregated spectrum.

At the heart of the test setup is the CMX500 one-box signaling tester from Rohde & Schwarz, extended with the new RFU18 board to provide coverage up to 18 GHz. RFU18 is a modular hardware upgrade for the CMX500 platform, giving customers a straightforward, cost-effective path to extend existing testers towards 6G. As device under test (DUT), Qualcomm Technologies provided a Mobile Test Platform (MTP) powered by the Qualcomm® Modem-RF System, enabling comprehensive validation of RF performance and protocol behavior across the aggregated FR1 and FR3 bands.

The FR3 frequency range (7.125 to 24.25 GHz) has been identified by industry and research as a “sweet spot” for combining wide-area coverage with high capacity. FR3 in terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) is expected to support demanding applications such as eXtended Reality (XR), connected and autonomous vehicles and industrial automation. By validating FR3 as an additional frequency range for future networks, the partners are helping accelerate 6G development and ecosystem readiness.

Goce Talaganov, Vice President Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “Through our ongoing collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, we continue to push the boundaries of wireless communications. As the ecosystem moves toward 6G, we’re showing how easy innovation can be with our test equipment. In response to customer demand, we are extending the CMX500 platform to 18 GHz – so that our customers gain headroom for FR3 evolution and higher-frequency emissions and harmonic testing.”
Tingfang Ji, Vice President of Engineering and Head of 6G Research at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. said: “Our collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz highlights the importance of aggregating existing spectrum bands with new 6G spectrum in FR3 to establish 6G as the high efficiency digital infrastructure for the 2030s. By validating new spectrum layers and advanced RF capabilities using our MTP powered by Qualcomm Modem-RF System, we are accelerating innovation across the ecosystem and helping prepare devices and networks for the next-generation of services.”

Future-ready CMX500 platform for 6G:
The CMX500 is a modular, powerful and future-proof one-box signaling tester enabling comprehensive multi-technology testing – from RF to protocol – across all relevant frequency ranges (FR1, FR2 and FR3). All existing CMX500 platforms can be enhanced with the new RFU18 board to extend frequency coverage and capabilities without replacing the entire system, offering users a simple upgrade path.

Engineered for data rates up to 20 Gbps, the CMX500 is one of the most versatile mobile device test platforms, supporting wide dynamic range, 4096QAM and up to 16 device antenna ports for advanced spatial multiplexing. With its multi-band capabilities, it covers LTE and NR in SA/NSA modes, NR-NTN, NB-NTN, Direct-to-Cell (D2C/DTC) testing, and WLAN including Wi‑Fi 7 and future Wi‑Fi 8.

Visitors to MWC Barcelona 2026 can experience the joint demo of FR1–FR3 carrier aggregation at the Rohde & Schwarz booth 5A80 in hall 5 from March 2 to 5, 2026, and can learn from the company’s experts how the CMX500 platform with RFU18 enables faster 6G device and network innovation.

Chennai, Mar 02: Kauvery Group of Hospitals has launched dedicated GI Bleed Centres across all its hospitals in Tamil Nadu to provide timely evaluation, coordinated care, and comprehensive management of Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, a common medical emergency marked by internal bleeding within the digestive tract.

 These centres will also be operational in the group’s hospitals in Karnataka. With 12 units across the two states, the initiative ensures patients have access to specialised, multidisciplinary care closer to home.

These centres bring together emergency physicians, gastroenterologists, intensivists, interventional radiologists, and surgeons under a coordinated care model. From arrival in the emergency department through risk assessment, ICU or ward admission, endoscopic or radiological intervention, and structured discharge planning, patients are managed along a clearly defined clinical pathway.

The centres are equipped with 24/7 emergency endoscopy services and advanced therapeutic endoscopic techniques, including injection therapy, band ligation, glue therapy, and coil embolisation. Interventional radiology support for angiographic embolisation, along with surgical expertise for complex cases, is available whenever required.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. P. Basumani, Director, Kauvery Institute of Digestive Sciences, said:

“GI bleeding can result from ulcers, gastric erosions, or variceal bleeds linked to liver disease. Effective management depends on early assessment, stabilisation, accurate diagnosis, and timely intervention, as delays can be life-threatening. It requires a systematic, well-coordinated approach. At the Kauvery GI Bleed Centre, we have streamlined evidence-based protocols to ensure timely care at every stage. What truly makes a difference is teamwork – with multiple departments working seamlessly to deliver coordinated, patient-centred care.”

Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said:

“Access to timely, specialised care is critical in managing medical emergencies. With Kauvery Hospitals across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, we are bringing advanced GI bleed management closer to the communities we serve. Our goal is to standardise protocols across all units to ensure consistent quality, safety, and patient outcomes, regardless of location. This initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to strengthening emergency and critical care services.”

Kolkata, March 02: IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) today announced the successful conclusion of the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme – Cohort 2, marked by a high-impact Demo Day and Valedictory Ceremony held at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta campus. A Government of West Bengal initiative implemented in collaboration with IIMCIP and supported under the World Bank-aided RAMP Scheme, the programme is designed to bridge the gap between Bengal’s early-stage ventures and investment readiness. The cohort concluded with 25 high-potential startups positioned for their next phase of growth

The Demo Day featured intensive pitch sessions with leading investors, bankers, and entrepreneurs, enabling startups to receive strategic feedback and initiate early investment discussions. At the Valedictory Ceremony, participating startups were awarded certificates of recognition by the Government of West Bengal and IIMCIP, in the presence of senior dignitaries and ecosystem stakeholders.

The Bengal Business Accelerator Programme is a structured acceleration initiative offering early-stage startups targeted mentoring, market validation support, and direct access to capital networks, helping founders move from concept validation to investor readiness within a defined timeframe.

“Our objective with the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme goes beyond teaching business fundamentals, it is about building a comprehensive support system that enables ventures to strengthen their business models, access new markets, and connect with the right investors,” said Dr. VK Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. “The significant strides made by Cohort 2 companies reflect both the founders’ dedication and Bengal’s maturing entrepreneurial environment, which continues to reinforce the state’s broader business ecosystem.”

Special Secretary, MSME & T Department, Government of West Bengal, said, “Bengal has always been a land of visionaries and pioneers. Through the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme, the Government is reaffirming its commitment to reclaim the state’s rich entrepreneurial legacy, empowering promising enterprises with the resources, networks, and guidance they need to drive sustainable socio-economic growth. Our partnership with IIMCIP reflects our belief that institutional collaboration is key to building an innovation-driven future.”

With 25 startups now positioned for investor engagement and scale, the conclusion of Cohort 2 reinforces IIMCIP’s role as a key institutional catalyst for entrepreneurship in India, while advancing West Bengal’s long term vision of a resilient, innovation-led economy.

Bengaluru, March 02: Airbnb today announced the latest recipients of Airbnb Community Fund donations, including eight nonprofit organizations across India that are driving meaningful change across communities.

Launched in 2020, the Airbnb Community Fund is a $100 million USD initiative designed to support local communities and the people who live there. This year, Airbnb donated nearly $10 million USD to nonprofits globally, supporting organizations working to strengthen communities around the world.

Airbnb hosts are deeply connected to their communities, and each year we proudly partner with the host community to identify important issues and many of the nonprofit organizations that will receive donations. Globally, Host Advisory Board members helped select economic empowerment, sustainable and rural tourism, environmental sustainability, and ending abuse and exploitation as focus areas for this year’s donations. They also reviewed nominations in their regions, bringing host perspective to every decision.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Head, Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, said, “Community is at the heart of everything we do at Airbnb. Through the Airbnb Community Fund, we are proud to support organizations across India that are creating sustainable opportunity and building resilience at the grassroots level. These nonprofits are addressing some of the most critical challenges facing local communities today from livelihoods and education to sustainability and protection for vulnerable groups, and we are honored to support their work alongside our host community.”

Airbnb Community Fund Recipients in India

The nonprofit organizations receiving donations in India are:-

• Goonj, supporting community-led development and empowering livelihoods with dignity across urban and rural India.
• Forum for Integrated Development and Research, empowering rural and marginalized communities in Goa through sustainable livelihood and youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Access Development Services, supporting female entrepreneurs’ incomes through community-based tourism programs including homestays and craft enterprises, as well as promoting support for women’s entrepreneurship.
• Keystone Foundation, working with Indigenous and marginalized communities to build sustainable livelihoods through eco-tourism and craft-based micro-enterprises .
• Stree Mukti Snaghatana, advancing gender justice for female waste pickers through education, promoting mental health, and supporting women facing violence.
• Aasman Foundation, enabling students from underserved communities to transition successfully into higher education and skill pathways.
• Protsahan India Foundation, supporting adolescent girls impacted by violence and exploitation through trauma-informed care, rehabilitation, and education.
• Navgurukul Foundation for Social Welfare, offering affordable, high-quality education and holistic support to at-risk youth. 

Vipin Sharma, CEO, ACCESS Development Services, said, “Airbnb’s support will help expand women’s entrepreneurship and community-based tourism initiatives, helping us mentor women from low-income households to strengthen decision-making, build sustainable livelihoods rooted in their local contexts, and expand their incomes.”

Siddhant Vernekar, Director, Forum for Integrated Development and Research, “With growing interest in Goa’s hinterlands as tourism destinations, we aim to nurture tourism-linked enterprises that can meaningfully contribute to local economic growth, while also protecting their natural surroundings. By acting early and investing in people, not just projects, we envision a new generation of rural leaders — especially women from Goa’s rural and tribal regions — who will lead the holistic development of their villages where livelihood and sustainability thrive together.”

Anshu Gupta, Founder, Goonj, shared, “This support recognises the power of communities to shape their own futures, with dignity and local wisdom at the center. It will go a long way to sustain and strengthen our work building deeper connections and respect between urban and rural communities across India.”

The Airbnb Community Fund in action : To date, more than 640 organizations in nearly 70 countries have benefited from the Airbnb Community Fund, with hosts providing input each year. To learn more about the Airbnb Community Fund and this year’s recipients, please visit the Airbnb Community Fund website.

The 2025-2026 Airbnb Community Fund donations will be distributed from November 2025 through March 2026. Airbnb works with grantmaking partners including Goodstack to support due diligence and facilitate payment to many non-profit recipients.