All posts by Neel Achary

Expressing his excitement Deepak Chhabra, Managing Director, Timex Group India Ltd. said “We are proud to introduce GUESS’s automatic timepieces to India for the very first time a perfect fusion of global design, fine craftsmanship, and individual expression. This iconic launch reinforces our commitment to offering dynamic and stylish timepieces to Indian consumers.”

“This is an exciting new chapter for GUESS Watches we’re launching elevated 21-jewel automatic movements into the spotlight, combining visible mechanics with bold fashion statements. From skeleton dials to open-heart details, these self-winding, battery-free timepieces elevate our standing with authentic watchmaking substance, powered by motion and wrapped in unmistakable GUESS style. A watch is a cultural signal—now more than ever—and our Automatics show we’re leading the fashion conversation with substance and style.” Brett Gibson, President & Chief Commercial Officer, GUESS Watches

Mumbai, 08 Oct 2025: Managing your credit just got easier. CRIF High Mark, one of the country’s leading credit bureaus, today launched its Consumer Credit Management Platform along with the CRIF Grameen Credit Score a first-of-its-kind credit score designed especially for rural India. Developed as part of the Union Budget 2025–26 vision and backed by the RBI’s directive to improve rural credit access, this platform is aimed at enabling Indians to take control of their credit health, plan their financial future, and access loans more easily.

The Consumer Credit Management Platform acts as a personal financial companion, helping users track, monitor, and improve their credit profile all in one place. Whether planning to buy a home, upgrade a lifestyle, or start a business, the platform provides the tools to achieve financial goals faster. Users can track their credit score history, simulate upcoming score changes, receive alerts for any credit activity, monitor late payments, benchmark their credit score with their peers, and raise disputes if there are discrepancies. By giving consumers actionable insights, the platform helps avoid delays in loan approvals and supports smarter financial decisions.

The CRIF Grameen Credit Score brings the benefits of credit visibility to rural India. Tailored to suit the behavioural pattern of the rural population, it allows lenders to make more informed decisions while helping rural consumers establish a strong credit identity. This opens up opportunities for securing loans, growing businesses, achieving personal goals, driving financial inclusion, and empowerment across the country.

CRIF High Mark is an RBI-regulated credit information company that has data privacy and protection at its core, ensuring that consumer data is safe, accurate, and unbiased. With tools like score simulation, social comparison, and real-time alerts, CRIF empowers users to actively manage their credit profile and take steps to improve it over time, turning numbers into meaningful actions.

Ramkumar Gunasekaran, Wholetime Director, CRIF High Park, said: “Financial empowerment starts with knowing where you stand. Our new Consumer Credit Management Platform and Grameen Credit Score make it simple for Indians  whether in cities or villages to track, understand, and improve their credit health. It’s about helping people access opportunities, achieve dreams, and achieve financial growth responsibly”.

Cais, Joona and Tempestini secure a decisive team effort in the last round of the season, sealing the third crown for MRF Tyres after 2022 and 2023.

October 8th, 2025: Team MRF Tyres secured the prestigious FIA European Rally Championship team title during the Croatia Rally. This victory marked a remarkable milestone for the team, which is from India’s No 1 tyre manufacturer, MRF Tyres. The season was highly competitive and intense, culminating in a dramatic finale that was decided only in the final round, underscoring the team’s resilience and skill throughout the championship.

Following victories in 2022 and 2023, the ERC championship has been reclaimed by Team MRF Tyres, a testament to the collective effort and dedication of their drivers and co-drivers. Throughout this period, the team demonstrated exceptional teamwork and resilience, successfully representing their colors across various European events. The team’s success is attributed to a diverse roster of talented individuals from multiple countries, each contributing their skills and determination to achieve outstanding results.

The Team MRF Tyres lineup included Erik Cais and Igor Bagigal from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, respectively. Miklós Csomós, alongside Attila Nagy and Krisztián Kertészfrom Hungary; Callum Devinewith Niall Burns from Ireland. Chris Ingram from Great Britain paired with Alexander Kihurani from USA, Lauri Joona and Kristian Temonen from Finland, along with Roope Korhonenand Anssii Viinikka, also from Finland. Benjamin Korholafrom Finland, and the Norwegian duo Frank-Tore Larsen and Lars-Håkon Lundgreen, Stéphane Lefebvre with Andy Malfoy from France, Max McRae paired with Cameron Fair from Great Britain, and Mārtiņš Sesks with Renārs Francis from Latvia, and Jan Solans and Rodrigo Sanjuan from Spain, along with Simone Tempestini and Sergiu Itu from Romania, completed the diverse and talented roster.

Their collective effort underscores the importance of teamwork, strategic planning, and international collaboration in achieving success in competitive motorsport. The team’s ability to unify drivers from different backgrounds and harness their collective talent has been instrumental in reclaiming the crown and setting a high standard for future competitions.

The season was marked by strong performances, with team victories in Hungary and Poland and a one-two finish in Sweden, supported by consistent results on both tarmac and gravel. At the Croatia Rally, the final round of the series, the crews gave everything they had to secure the decisive points.

The event itself was a demanding challenge. The route was already tough and technical, and heavy rain on the final day made conditions even more complicated. Still, all three Team MRF Tyres crews finished inside the overall top ten, showing determination, resilience and strength from the technical package.

The best result came from Lauri Joona and Kristian Temonen (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), who finished sixth overall. Making their debut on MRF Tyres, the Finnish crew drove a clean rally without mistakes, focusing on rhythm and consistency. They completed all ten special stages without issues, a strategy that paid off.

“It’s a big thanks to Team MRF Tyres. We had the chance to take on a really tricky rally, and we experienced everything you can face on a tarmac event. It was a big learning weekend and I’m happy to have contributed to earning the points that secured the Teams’ Title. Thanks to everyone involved,” Joona said.

Erik Cais and Igor Bacigál, also debuting on MRF Tyres with the Hyundai i20 N Rally2, finished seventh overall. The driver from Zlín showed the pace to fight for the podium, but setbacks on both legs cost him time. Despite this, Cais kept pushing to the end and played a key role in the final outcome.

“I am really happy with the Team title. Thanks to MRF Tyres we did a great job with strong support, and I am proud to be part of this. This was a really tough rally that brought many ups and downs. What matters most is the final result – a real team success,” Cais said.

Simone Tempestini and Sergiu Itu (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) also placed in the top ten with tenth overall. The Romanian had to cope with issues that limited his ambitions but recovered positions in the heavy rain of the final day. He also came close to winning the Power Stage, missing the podium by only six tenths.

“For sure it was not our year. Sometimes we made mistakes, sometimes we were really fast, but we missed a bit of luck. A big thank you to our partners, MRF Tyres, the team and all the people who follow us every rally. Even if this was not our best event, I am happy to have contributed to the success. Let’s move on to the next one” Tempestini said.

2025 FIA European Rally Championship – Teams Championship

1. Team MRF Tyres pt. 208;

2. M-Sport Ford World Rally Team pt. 206;

3. TRT Rally Team pt. 133;

4. Kowax DST Racing pt. 120;

5. J2X Rally Team pt. 82;

6. Proformance Service KFT – Team Staff House pt. 66;

7. Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy pt. 55;

8. MRF Tyres Dealer Team pt. 37;

9. ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team im ADAC e.V. pt. 34;

10. F.P.F. Sport pt. 30

2025 FIA European Rally Championship – Drivers Championship

1. Miko Marczyk (Škoda) pt. 154;

2. Jon Armstrong (Ford) pt. 148;

3. Andrea Mabellini (Škoda) pt. 131;

4. Mads Østberg (Citroën) pt. 104;

5. Roope Korhonen (Toyota) pt. 60;

6. Isak Reiersen (Škoda) pt. 60;

7. Romet Jürgenson (Ford) pt. 50;

8. Mille Johansson (Škoda) pt. 49;

9. Simone Tempestini (Škoda) pt. 36;

10. Mārtiņš Sesks (Škoda) pt. 35

Pic Credit: Pexel

Introduction to the PM-KUSUM Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme was initiated by the Government of India in 2019 with the primary objective of promoting the adoption of solar energy within the agricultural sector. Recognizing the increasing energy demands of farmers, the initiative aims to enhance the resilience of rural economies while reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.

Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, the government has set an ambitious target to install 30,800 MW of solar capacity across various agricultural applications. This includes the installation of solar power plants on barren or uncultivable land, grid-connected solar power projects, and solar pumps for irrigation. By providing access to solar energy, the initiative endeavors to alleviate the energy costs incurred by farmers, thereby enabling them to utilize electric pumps for irrigation at a fraction of their current expenditure.

The scheme is bolstered by a significant financial investment from both the central and state governments, aimed at facilitating the deployment of solar technologies across rural landscapes. By focusing on promoting renewable energy, the PM-KUSUM scheme not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also supports the protection of farmers’ interests. The reduced reliance on diesel and other fossil fuels for irrigation can lead to financial savings, while simultaneously fostering a greener planet.

In essence, the PM-KUSUM scheme serves as a vital step towards integrating renewable energy solutions into India’s agricultural framework. It is designed to empower farmers, enhance energy independence, and promote sustainable agricultural practices that align with the country’s broader climate goals. As the scheme progresses, challenges and setbacks must be addressed to ensure its successful implementation and to realize its full potential for the agricultural community.

Current Challenges and Setbacks

The PM-KUSUM scheme, aimed at promoting renewable energy through solar energy generation, has encountered a series of challenges that have significantly impeded its progress. Each of the scheme’s three components—setting up solar pumps, decentralised solar power generation, and grid-connected solar projects—has reported inadequate achievements relative to the established targets. For instance, as of the latest data, only about 35% of the allocated solar pumps have been installed, falling short of the anticipated objectives. Similarly, grid-connected solar projects across various states have shown sluggish development, with numerous regions failing to meet their specified timelines.

This lack of progress is exacerbated by the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted supply chains and delayed crucial installation processes. The pandemic led to a significant dip in workforce availability and has stymied project execution on multiple fronts. Additionally, the procedural delays often seen in state and central approvals have further stalled activities, culminating in missed deadlines and increasing frustration among stakeholders. Particularly in regions where implementation was already weak, such as certain rural and remote areas, the pandemic has amplified existing challenges, including limited access to resources and uncertainty in project funding.

Moreover, financial constraints and budget reallocations have surfaced as pivotal barriers. The limited availability of funds to support infrastructure development has deterred many potential beneficiaries from participating in the scheme. The increasing bureaucratic red tape has only added to the contention, creating a climate of uncertainty for investors and applicants alike. These systemic issues underscore the pressing need for an urgent reassessment of strategies and a more flexible adaptation to current circumstances. Without such adjustments, the PM-KUSUM scheme risks falling significantly short of its potential impact in the renewable energy sector.

Government Response and Future Plans

The central government has been actively addressing the challenges that have arisen within the PM-KUSUM scheme, particularly as it faces the pressures of achieving set targets within the existing timeline. Recent discussions suggest that an extension of the scheme’s deadline may be on the horizon, allowing for necessary adjustments to enhance its efficacy and reach. This proposed extension aims to mitigate the issues confronting stakeholders and ensure that intended benefits are realized, primarily for the agricultural sector.

In addition to a possible timeline extension, the government is contemplating revisions to the original targets of the PM-KUSUM initiative. These potential changes are critical, as they could significantly influence the pace at which farmers adopt solar energy solutions. By adapting the goals of the scheme to reflect current realities, the government acknowledges the need to foster an environment conducive to solar energy deployment. This adaptability could not only improve participation but also enhance the overall impact of the scheme on India’s solar energy landscape.

The implications of these adjustments are manifold. For farmers, an extension and revised targets could translate into enhanced access to solar technology and financial support, enabling them to diversify their energy sources and reduce reliance on traditional methods. Such changes could also bolster the confidence of stakeholders, encouraging further investment in solar infrastructure that aligns with the broader objectives of sustainability and energy transition.

As the government navigates these challenges, the future of the PM-KUSUM scheme remains contingent upon its ability to remain flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of the agricultural community. Ultimately, the success of this initiative will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of renewable energy adoption in India, particularly within the agricultural sector.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for PM-KUSUM

The PM-KUSUM scheme, aimed at promoting solar energy usage in agriculture, has encountered various setbacks that have raised concerns about its efficiency and effectiveness. As the government contemplates a deadline extension, it becomes crucial to analyze both the current challenges and the measures being taken to address them. These challenges include procedural delays, financial constraints, and the need for stakeholder engagement. The scheme’s potential to positively impact farmers and enhance the agricultural landscape in India cannot be overstated. By integrating solar energy solutions, farmers can reduce dependency on traditional energy sources, lower costs, and increase productivity.

The prospect of a deadline extension allows for reevaluation of the existing obstacles, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to better align their objectives with the overarching goals of the PM-KUSUM scheme. However, prolonged timelines may also risk diluting the urgency of implementation. The government’s responses to these issues will play a fundamental role in shaping the scheme’s success. A collaborative approach, involving farmers, local authorities, and private sector actors, is essential to tackle these hurdles effectively.

Moreover, the long-term vision of the PM-KUSUM scheme extends beyond immediate benefits; it aims to instill a sustainable framework for agricultural practices powered by renewable energy. The drive towards solar energy can contribute significantly to India’s overall goal of sustainable development. Engagement of all stakeholders will ensure that the challenges are surmounted, facilitating smoother progress towards the revised targets of the scheme. By fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency, the PM-KUSUM initiative can be positioned not just as a short-term scheme, but as a cornerstone for a resilient agricultural future.

Fortinet Report: Rise in Data Loss Despite Smarter Data Security Practices and More Cybersecurity Spending

Bangalore, India, October 8, 2025: The 2025 Data Security Report from Fortinet and Cybersecurity Insiders shows despite adopting smarter strategies and allocating stronger budgets, data loss continues to rise. While most organizations rely on some form of data loss prevention (DLP), many  lack visibility into how employees actually interact with data, especially in SaaS and generative AI tools, and miss the context that separates accidents from actual risk.  

The findings suggest that many existing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools may now be limiting organizations’ ability to adapt to today’s data security challenges. Insider-driven risk has become one of the most urgent and complex challenges in enterprise security. As data flows increasingly through users, cloud applications, AI tools, and hybrid work environments, traditional perimeter-based, content-only DLP tools can no longer keep up. Key findings from the report include:

• Sensitive data exposure is persistent: 77% of organizations experienced insider-related data loss in the past 18 months, and 58% reported six or more incidents – many stemming from routine user activity rather than malicious intent.
• Most incidents are unintentional, not malicious: 49% of organizations experienced a data loss incident caused by negligent employees versus only 16% involved confirmed malicious intent. Another 12% could not determine the cause, and 20% did not experience a data loss incident.
• The business impact is material: 45% reported financial or revenue loss, and 41% estimated damages between $1 million and $10 million for their most significant incident over the past 18 months. Only 8% said the impact was negligible.
• Visibility into data use remains a major blind spot: 72% of organizations say they can’t see how users interact with sensitive data across endpoints, cloud services, or SaaS platforms.
• Security leaders are prioritizing behavioral context and real-time visibility: The top capabilities sought in next-gen solutions are real-time behavioral analytics (66%), day one data visibility (61%), and control over shadow AI and SaaS tools (52%).

Best Practices for Modern Data Loss Prevention

To meet today’s data protection challenges, organizations must move beyond static, policy-heavy DLP and adopt a modern approach, one built on real-time visibility, behavioral context, and unified control across endpoints, cloud, SaaS, and AI tools. The following best practices reflect that shift and provide a practical blueprint for implementing next-generation DLP:

• Start with Day-One Visibility: 75% of organizations wait weeks or months to gain insight from DLP tools. That delay creates a critical blind spot during rollout. Modern solutions must provide immediate telemetry across cloud apps, endpoints, and AI tools – without requiring complex policy setup first.
• Monitor Behaviour, Not Just Violations: 66% of leaders prioritize behavioral analytics, yet few can identify which users are putting data at risk. DLP must move beyond rule-breaking to detect deviations from normal usage patterns, including frequency, timing, and method of access.
• Correlate Identity, Access, and Activity: Static rules can’t assess intent. By linking user identity, data access patterns, and contextual risk signals, organizations can distinguish between routine activity and high-risk behavior, enabling a more precise response and fewer false positives.
• Protect The Entire Data Journey Across Channels: Email is no longer the primary data exit path. Only 12% feel prepared for AI exposure and many lack coverage for personal cloud, SaaS apps, or unmanaged endpoints. Modern DLP must follow the data wherever it flows—not stop at the perimeter.
• Use AI to Cut Through the Noise: AI shouldn’t just generate more alerts but enhance prioritization, triage, and root-cause investigation. The most effective platforms use AI to sequence user behavior, detect anomalies, and spotlight what actually matters.

“Data security is no longer just about deploying tools to identify and prevent the outflow of sensitive information. It now requires a deep understanding of how sensitive data is created, stored, accessed, used, and how users may, intentionally or unintentionally, put it at risk. This is why next-generation data protection strategies are moving beyond static controls towards a platform that unifies DLP with insider risk management, delivering real-time, behavior-aware visibility across endpoints, SaaS, cloud, and AI. Fortinet integrates identity, access, and activity data through FortiDLP and the Fortinet Security Fabric to give teams the clarity they need to stop small mistakes from becoming costly breaches.” Vivek Srivastava, Country Manager, India & SAARC, at Fortinet

Bengaluru, October 8th, 2025: ICICI Bank and Visa announced the launch of the Corporate Sapphiro Forex Card, a prepaid forex card designed to empower India’s entrepreneurs and corporate leaders travelling abroad for work. This first-of-its-kind card for business travellers integrates the flexibility of a prepaid forex card powered by Visa Infinite offerings, curated lifestyle benefits, unmatched convenience and value for frequent travellers.

The Corporate Sapphiro Forex Card offers premium travel and lifestyle benefits, a first-time offering on a corporate prepaid forex card linked to the Bank’s current account.  The exclusive benefits valued at over INR15,000 includes two complimentary visits to international airport lounges, ‘Meet and Assist’ services that enable business travellers to have a seamless airport experience and exclusive travel and lifestyle discounts. The card offers the freedom and convenience of loading and transacting in 15 currencies. It also offers zero cross-currency mark-up charge, allowing customers to conveniently travel across the globe, even if they load only one currency on the card. The welcome kit comes with two cards a primary and a replacement card. The replacement card acts as a back-up just in case the primary card is misplaced.

Entrepreneurs and sole proprietors having current account with the Bank can now apply, activate and load the card digitally and instantly through InstaBIZ, the Bank’s business banking app. It will shortly be available for employees of large corporates. This makes ICICI Bank the only bank in India to offer an end-to-end digital journey for business banking customers in the forex card space. The feature to apply, activate and load the card will shortly be available on Corporate Internet Banking.

Speaking about the new card, Mr. Vipul Agarwal, Head – Cards & Payment Solutions, ICICI Bank, said, “We are delighted to partner with Visa to expand our range of forex cards into a new category of premium forex card for business travellers. As the Indian businesses and corporates expand internationally, we envisage the need for a premium forex card linked to the business account with exclusive features. The digital journeys on InstaBIZ and Corporate Internet Banking will enable business travellers to apply, load and manage their cards on the go. Accordingly, this India-first innovation of the Corporate Sapphiro Forex Card is tailored for business owners and brings attractive benefits from Visa Infinite platform to a prepaid forex card, for the first time in Asia.”

Speaking at the launch, Shruti Gupta, Head of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, Visa India and South Asia, said, “We are delighted to partner with ICICI Bank to launch the Corporate Sapphiro Forex Card. This partnership reiterates the commitment of Visa and ICICI Bank towards innovation in business payments and curated customer experiences. This prepaid forex card offers a unique blend of flexibility, control, and Visa’s infinite benefits, backed by the reliability, security, and worldwide acceptance of Visa.”

Key benefits for business travellers:

• Travel redefined:
  • Two complimentary international airport lounge visits
  • Meet & Assist services for smooth airport experiences
  • Complimentary international eSIM card offered by Visa
• Three ATM fee waiver every month on cash withdrawals
• Unmatched value: zero cross-currency markup for transparent and cost-effective global transactions
• Digital experience:
  • Instant application and activation via InstaBIZ
  • Real-time loads for uninterrupted usage
• Exclusive privileges: Preferential rates and offers with top global hotel chains and airlines

India, October 08th, 2025: PhonePe, today unveiled its next-gen SmartSpeaker – the PhonePe SmartPOD at the Global Fintech Fest 2025. The new hybrid device is designed to meet the evolving payment needs of both merchants and the customers. Its launch at the industry event, highlights PhonePe’s commitment to developing practical solutions for Indian merchants. Manufactured in India, the SmartPOD is the first PhonePe solution that combines the best features of the SmartSpeaker and traditional Point of Sale (POS) devices into a single, cost-effective device.

This new model is an upgrade from earlier smartspeakers that supported audio alerts for UPI payments. The SmartPOD is designed to facilitate merchants who primarily accept UPI payments but are losing out on sales opportunities because they lack a cost-effective way to accept payment through cards. This device is the suitable solution, helping them capture those missed sales and cater to a wider range of customers with a single, all-in-one, cost-effective payment solution. The seamless integration of these payment methods such as cards and QR codes, ensures a smoother, more convenient experience for both the users and merchants. 

Speaking on the launch, Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat, Chief Business Officer Merchant Business at PhonePe, stated, “We are excited to be launching the SmartPOD at the Global Fintech Fest. While our earlier smartspeakers made QR code-based payment acceptance reliable and seamless for our merchant partners, the SmartPOD goes a step further by enabling card acceptance through these cost-effective devices. It’s an ideal upgrade especially for smaller merchants who have a growing need to accept all forms of digital payments in an affordable manner and allows consumers across the country to be able to use their cards even at the smallest of merchants in their vicinity. We are elated to partner with our smaller merchant partners and equip them with solutions which may help in putting their business at par with their larger counterparts and helps them to tap opportunities to expand and grow their business.” 

The SmartPOD includes all the popular features from SmartSpeaker 2.0, including celebrity voice confirmation, 4G network, fast charging, etc. The device accepts card payments from all major networks, including Mastercard, Visa, RuPay, and American Express, with support for both Near Field Communication (NFC) tap and Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) chip transactions (dip & pay). To further improve the customer experience, the SmartPOD features a customer-facing display to show the transaction amount and a merchant-facing display for an easy amount entry. It also comes with a keypad for PIN entry and supports e-charge slips for all card transactions, ensuring a secure and efficient payment process. 

All PhonePe’s device solutions will be available across markets offering merchants the flexibility to choose a device that best suits their specific needs. This multi-tiered approach ensures that businesses of all sizes can find a cost-effective solution to manage their in-store digital payments. 

India October 8, 2025: Dharav High School is all set to host ‘Rangmanch Karva Chauth Special’, a vibrant community celebration curated exclusively for the residents of Orchid Island. The event will take place on Thursday, October 9, from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM at the Sector 51 campus.

The celebration aims to bring the community together in the spirit of festivity, featuring a range of cultural and lifestyle experiences. Guests can enjoy mehendi sessions conducted by trained women from ‘Pravaah’, the school’s Skill Development Centre for Women, alongside stalls offering traditional attire, jewellery, accessories, and festive delicacies.

Speaking about the initiative, Ms. Ritu Jawa, Principal of Dharav High School, said: “At Dharav, we believe schools are not just centres of learning but also spaces that foster community bonding and cultural appreciation. ‘Rangmanch Karva Chauth Special’ is our way of celebrating tradition, supporting women’s empowerment through Pravaah, and creating shared festive experiences for our extended neighbourhood community.”

With a perfect blend of celebration, community engagement, and empowerment, Rangmanch Karva Chauth Special promises an afternoon filled with joy, colour, and togetherness

Manipal, October 08th, 2025: The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, inaugurated the ICMR–MAHE Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) at the Manipal Hospice and Respite Centre (MHRC), following the award of a INR 12.84 crore grant from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The Centre is led by Dr. Naveen Salins, Professor and Head of the Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, as Principal Investigator, with Dr. Arun Ghoshal, Assistant Professor, serving as Co-Principal Investigator.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. Ashoo Grover, Scientist G and Head, Division of Delivery Research, ICMR, as Chief Guest, and Dr. Roopa Shivashankar, Scientist E (Medical), Division of Delivery Research, ICMR, as Guest of Honour. The event was presided over by Dr. H. S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, MAHE, and organised by Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE. Distinguished participants included Dr. Anil K. Bhat, Dean, KMC Manipal, and Dr. Cherian Varghese, Director, Prasanna School of Public Health.

In his address, Dr. Ballal noted that the collaboration between ICMR and MAHE represents “the highest level of national recognition for MAHE’s research culture,” underscoring the University’s commitment to science that heals and research that transforms. Dr. Sharath K. Rao further outlined MAHE’s strategic roadmap for advancing health research and innovation.

The Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) seeks to address a critical gap in India’s healthcare system the need for ethical, compassionate, and evidence-based care for patients with advanced and terminal illnesses in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The Centre will design and evaluate a Multifaceted Comprehensive Appropriate Care Package (MCACP) integrating palliative care principles into critical care settings.

Building upon MAHE’s pioneering BLUE MAPLE framework, developed and implemented at Kasturba Hospital and KMC Manipal, which has already influenced national end-of-life care standards, the CAR will now expand this initiative nationwide. The project will establish a multi-centre collaborative network of ten clinical centres and seven technical partners, advancing the reach and impact of this transformative model.

Encompassing multiple disciplines medicine, nursing, bioethics, health economics, law, and public health the Centre embodies MAHE’s One Health–One Humanity philosophy. By co-developing and testing a scalable model of appropriate ICU care for advanced illness, CAR aims to inform policy, enhance health-system responsiveness, and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With a strong legacy in research, innovation, and translational excellence, MAHE continues to strengthen its role as a leader in India’s health-research ecosystem. The establishment of the ICMR–MAHE Centre for Advanced Research reaffirms the university’s mission to integrate science, ethics, and empathy in healthcare delivery, setting new national and global benchmarks in ICU and palliative-care research through interdisciplinary and implementation science.

For the first time in Gujarat, the unique presentation “Mera Desh Pahle” embodying Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Nation First’ will be held at GIFT City on October 10

Gandhinagar, 08 October 2025: The unique presentation, “Mera Desh Pahle,” depicting the inspiring story of New India’s transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, will be showcased for the first time in Gujarat at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, on Friday, 10 October 2025.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently prioritised the nation’s interests above all else, dedicating his life to serving the country. The remarkable events and milestones from his life continue to inspire citizens across India with a spirit of patriotism, selfless dedication, and the ethos of “Nation First.” The mega show “Mera Desh Pahle” vividly brings to life this extraordinary journey of Shri Narendra Modi through a powerful and inspiring presentation.

Following its successful and widely acclaimed presentations in other states of India, the show “Mera Desh Pahle” will be staged for the first time in Gujarat at GIFT City, with free entry for all.

The show will take place at GIFT City on Friday, October 10, at 6:00 PM, and free entry is available exclusively through online registration at www.giftgujarat.in.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, state ministers, and prominent personalities from various sectors of society have also been invited to witness the staging of “Mera Desh Pahle”, produced by the renowned writer Shri Manoj Muntashir.