Category education

Mumbai, June 3: The Adani Foundation and Anushkaa Foundation have announced a joint initiative aimed at providing comprehensive treatment support to 10,000 children affected by clubfoot across India.

The programme is designed to ensure early detection, timely medical intervention, and sustained rehabilitation for children born with clubfoot, a congenital condition that, if untreated, can lead to lifelong mobility challenges. The initiative will focus on expanding access to corrective treatment, including the widely used Ponseti method, along with physiotherapy and follow-up care.

Through this collaboration, both foundations aim to strengthen outreach in underserved and rural communities, where access to specialised orthopaedic care is often limited. The programme will also work with hospitals, healthcare professionals, and local health workers to identify affected children at an early stage and ensure proper treatment pathways.

Representatives from both organisations stated that the initiative reflects a shared commitment to improving child health outcomes and enabling children to lead active, independent lives. They emphasised that early intervention can significantly improve recovery rates and prevent long-term disability.

The project is expected to create a large-scale impact by combining medical support, awareness campaigns, and community-level engagement, ultimately helping thousands of children regain mobility and improve their quality of life.

Scrum.org Launches New Self-Paced Professional Scrum Master™ Advanced Fundamentals Training Course. The new course helps Scrum Masters enhance their capabilities and includes an attempt at the PSM II certification

BOSTON – June 3 – Scrum.org, the Home of Scrum, announced that it has added a new self-paced course, Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals, to its online learning platform. This course for new and experienced Scrum Masters goes beyond the basics, where students explore the unique blend of skills and practices needed to support the Scrum Team and organization. By the end of the course, students will understand what it takes to be a successful Scrum Master and their importance to the entire product delivery process. This course is highly recommended for people preparing to take the globally recognized Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) certification test and includes an attempt at the test upon completion of the course.

Throughout this course, students will develop the ability to act and grow as a Scrum Master who enables Scrum Teams to deliver value effectively, demonstrates leadership to enact positive change, and fosters a culture of Professional Scrum, self-management and continuous improvement across the organization. Students will work through real-world scenarios, case studies, and interactive exercises that challenge them to assess and respond to complex situations that Scrum Masters face daily. 

“We are very excited to announce our newest self-paced training course – Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals,” said Dave West, CEO, Scrum.org. “There are many facets to being a Scrum Master, often facing the balance of leadership, enabling the Product Owner to maximize value, fostering continuous improvement and more. This course enables Scrum Master to learn how to grow these skills and more at their own pace and at a time that suits them. We understand that people learn in many different ways and look forward to building out our online learning platform.”

Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals is optimized for interactive learning including activities where students take action and make choices, reading, watching videos and quizzes.This course helps students prepare for the Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) certification test. Students taking the Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals course will receive a password to take the certification test upon completion of the course.

This course can be purchased together with the Professional Scrum Fundamentals course as part of a bundle. The bundle is ideal for those who want foundational Scrum training prior to taking the Professional Scrum Master Advanced Fundamentals course. The bundle includes attempts at both the PSM I and PSM II certification tests. The bundle is available at the discounted price of $490.

Students can purchase the new course or bundle on the Scrum.org website.

The research group led by Prof. Sungjune Park from the Department of Chemical Engineering has developed an ultra-stretchable, anti-freezing hydrogel electrolyte using liquid metal particles. The material can stretch up to nine times its original length while maintaining stable electrochemical performance, even at −20 °C. This work provides a promising platform for energy storage devices that must operate reliably under extreme environmental conditions.

With the rapid growth of wearable electronics, there is increasing demand for energy storage systems that combine mechanical flexibility with environmental stability. However, conventional hydrogel electrolytes typically suffer from low mechanical strength and freezing at low temperatures, leading to significant performance degradation.

The research group used liquid metal particles as an initiator for polymerization. Under ultrasonication, the bulk liquid metal was broken into fine particles, which then initiated the polymerization of acrylamide and acrylic acid to form the hydrogel. This process eliminates the need for external stimuli such as heat or ultraviolet irradiation, simplifying fabrication and improving scalability.

The group added stearyl methacrylate (SMA), a hydrophobic material that does not mix well with water, to create physical crosslinking between polymer chains. These physical crosslinks act as reversible connections within the network. When an external force is applied, the bonds can break to dissipate energy and then easily reform once the stress is released, thereby imparting exceptional stretchability and mechanical robustness to the material. As a result, the elongation at break (defined as the maximum stretch before the material fails) reached up to 900% of its original length.

After soaking the hydrogel in a lithium chloride (LiCl) solution, it exhibited anti-freezing properties by suppressing hydrogen bonding between water molecules. It maintains both ionic conductivity and mechanical flexibility even at −20 °C, where conventional hydrogel systems typically fail. Energy storage devices fabricated with this electrolyte retained 98% of their performance after 45,000 charge-discharge cycles.

The research group noted, “For practical applications, it is essential to ensure long-term stability and reproducibility in large-area manufacturing processes.”

Prof. Park stated,

“This work introduces a new design strategy for hydrogel electrolytes based on liquid metal and provides a viable platform for next-generation wearable electronics and flexible energy storage systems operating under extreme conditions.”

The research results were published on March 13 in Nano-Micro Letters.

New Delhi, June 2 (BNP): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially launched the online portal for Class 12 students to apply for answer sheet verification and re-evaluation, following delays linked to technical upgrades and system improvements.

The portal became operational on June 2, 2026, allowing eligible students who have already accessed scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets to report discrepancies, seek clarification on marking issues, or request re-evaluation of specific answers. The application process will remain open until midnight on June 6, 2026.

The move comes after concerns were raised over the rollout of CBSE’s new On-Screen Marking system, which reportedly faced technical glitches and delayed the reopening of post-result activities. CBSE is understood to have worked with technical experts to strengthen the system and address operational issues before reopening the portal.

According to board guidelines, students can apply for verification of answer book-related concerns, including issues such as blurred or incomplete scanned pages, by paying a fee of ₹100 per answer book. Re-evaluation of individual questions can be requested at ₹25 per question.

To access the facility, students must log in through the CBSE portal using their Roll Number, School Number, and Admit Card ID. Aadhaar-based verification has been made mandatory for authentication. In cases where a student does not possess an Aadhaar number, details of a parent or guardian may be used, subject to identity matching requirements.

CBSE has clarified that only students who have already downloaded and reviewed their scanned answer sheets are eligible to apply. No offline applications or requests submitted after the deadline will be entertained.

Education experts have advised students to carefully review answer sheets and act within the limited application window to avoid missing the opportunity for corrections or reassessment.

New Delhi, June 1 (BNP): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that the online portal for Class 12 post-result verification of marks and re-evaluation will be activated soon, bringing clarity to students awaiting the application process following board examination results.

Representational image

The update comes amid growing concerns among students over delays in the activation of post-result services, which allow candidates to seek verification of marks and request re-evaluation of answer sheets.

Responding to queries raised by students on social media platform X, CBSE confirmed that the verification and re-evaluation portal would go live shortly and stated that a detailed official announcement would follow.

The board had earlier indicated that the portal was expected to open during the final week of May. However, activation was reportedly deferred to ensure a secure, transparent and error-free process for handling post-result applications.

Once operational, the portal will enable eligible students to apply for various post-result services, including verification of marks, access to photocopies of evaluated answer sheets and re-evaluation of specific responses as per prescribed guidelines.

Under the verification process, CBSE examines whether all answers have been evaluated, marks correctly totalled and final scores accurately uploaded. Students dissatisfied with their performance may subsequently apply for re-evaluation, subject to eligibility norms and procedural requirements.

Officials are expected to release detailed instructions regarding application dates, service fees, timelines and submission procedures shortly after the portal is activated.

Meanwhile, students have been advised to regularly monitor official CBSE websites and notifications for updates and keep important credentials, including roll numbers and admit card details, readily available to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

CBSE officials reiterated that students are not required to take any immediate action and should wait for the formal notification before initiating post-result applications.

The 4th Edition of the Programme Will Be Hosted at the MAHE Campus in Manipal from 22–24 July 2026

Manipal, May 25: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, will be the Host Institution for the prestigious UK–India HealthTech Accelerator Programme for the 2026–2028 cycle, in partnership with the UK Government. In a significant milestone for India–UK collaboration in healthcare technology, the 4th Edition of this programme will be hosted at the MAHE campus in Manipal from 22–24 July 2026.

The three-day accelerator programme will bring together HealthTech startups, innovators, policymakers, healthcare experts, investors, and industry leaders from India and the United Kingdom to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation in healthcare technology.

The programme will select 25 HealthTech companies from across India to participate in the fully funded accelerator. Among them, six companies will receive an opportunity to participate in a fully funded immersion visit to the United Kingdom, enabling direct engagement with the UK healthcare ecosystem and industry stakeholders.

The initiative aims to support Indian HealthTech companies developing innovative solutions that can address global health concerns, to get access to experts in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS). While enabling founders and businesses to have a global impact, the programme strengthens India–UK collaboration in healthcare technology and digital health transformation. The accelerator will focus on critical thematic areas, including workforce productivity, preventive care, patient pathway management, urgent care optimisation, healthy ageing, FemTech, artificial intelligence, and healthcare data technologies.Speaking about the initiative, Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, “Hosting the UK-India HealthTech Accelerator reflects MAHE’s commitment to not just engage with global healthcare conversations, but to shape them. Our partnership with the British High Commission is rooted in a shared belief in purposeful innovation and the power of collaboration. We are pleased to welcome India’s leading HealthTech startups to Manipal and look forward to ideas from this programme creating a meaningful impact for patients in the UK and beyond.”Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka added “India’s HealthTech ecosystem, one of the largest in the world, is developing rapidly, underpinned by innovation and affordability. And the UK is keen to work with Indian health-tech companies that are developing pioneering solutions. Through the Accelerator, a select cohort of companies would receive tailored guidance to align their propositions in line with the UK’s health priorities, connect with experts and decision-makers, and build partnerships propelling them to scale. We are delighted to partner with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), taking forward our joint vision to enable innovators to build solutions for patients worldwide.”

Through this collaboration, MAHE reaffirms its commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and translational research at a global scale. The university’s role as Host Institution positions Manipal as a nodal point for some of the most consequential conversations in healthcare technology today, effectively connecting Indian ingenuity with the needs of one of the world’s largest and most complex public health systems. HealthTech startups and innovators interested in participating in the 4th Edition of the UK–India Health Tech Accelerator Programme can register through the official programme portal.

Please use the link below to complete your registration

https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/19743/home/

ew Delhi, May 22: Stationery brand Neelgagan has announced the launch of Neelgagan Art Fest 2026, a 7-week nationwide summer art competition designed to celebrate imagination, creativity, and self-expression among school students across India. Running from May 6 to June 30, 2026, the competition is open to children from Grade 1 to Grade 12, with participation completely free of cost.

With the theme “Draw Your World. Win Your Summer”, the initiative aims to encourage young minds to express their stories, ideas, and creativity through art and storytelling. Every Monday, a brand-new theme will be announced, giving students fresh inspiration throughout the competition.

The weekly themes include My Hero — Mom, My Favourite Superhero, My Dream Vacation, A Rainy Day, Save Our Earth, My Favourite Game / Sport and My Sweet Home

Participants can engage in the competition through three creative formats:

• Drawing Submission — Create and upload artwork
• Reel Submission — Make a creative Instagram reel showcasing the drawing process
• Story Card Submission — Write a short story or message linked to the artwork on a Neelgagan notepad

Students will earn points for every activity completed:

• Drawing Submission: 100 points
• Reel Bonus: +50 points
• Story Card Submission: 80 points

Additionally, extra jury bonus points will be awarded for creativity and originality. The competition has been designed to encourage continued participation, with students collecting more points as they participate across multiple weeks.

The festival will recognise winners across several categories, including Grade Band Winners, Mother’s Day Special Award, Save Our Earth Award, Most Active Reel Creator, and the Grand Winner title.

The Grand Winner will receive an Amazon Gift Voucher worth Rs.2,000, a Neelgagan Art Hamper, and a framed certificate. Every participant will also receive an official Neelgagan Art Fest 2026 E-Certificate, downloadable instantly after submission.

Through the initiative, Neelgagan aims to create an engaging platform where children can explore their artistic abilities while participating in a nationwide celebration of creativity during the summer holidays.

Whether it is sketching superheroes, painting rainy-day adventures, or imagining magical dream worlds, the competition invites children to showcase their imagination and artistic talent to audiences across the country.

Contest Dates: May 6 – June 30, 2026

Eligibility: Students from Grade 1 to 12

Participation Fee: FREE

Register & Participate: www.neelgaganartfest.com

Yemen-set political thriller draws on author’s years of US Navy service in the Middle East; publication scheduled for spring 2027 under the Histria Fiction imprint.

NEW YORK — Histria Books, an independent US publisher distributed by Simon & Schuster, has signed former US Navy Commander Ron Terrell for his debut novel, The Last Cocktail in Yemen. The book is the first installment in a planned trilogy and will publish in spring 2027 under the Histria Fiction imprint.

Set in Yemen during the rise of the Houthi movement, the novel follows Jack Marshall, a US Navy officer stationed in Sana’a, and Nur al-Sayed, an Egyptian journalist, whose relationship unfolds amid political turmoil and personal danger. Terrell draws on years of firsthand experience in Yemen and the Middle East region.

 “Ron Terrell brings to the thriller shelf what most novelists have to research from a distance: actual experience on the ground in the country the book is set in. That shows on every page.” — Dr. Kurt Brackob, Director, Histria Books

A Foreign Area Officer specializing in the Middle East and Arabic language, Terrell retired from the Navy at the rank of commander. Originally trained as a civil engineer at Purdue University, he later earned a master’s degree in security studies from the US Naval War College, pursued advanced Middle East regional studies at the US Naval Postgraduate School, and studied Arabic at the Defense Language Institute.

He served across the Middle East, including an assignment with US Naval Forces Central Command, where he led maritime engagement with Yemeni and Omani naval forces. He lived in Bahrain during the Arab Spring and traveled frequently to Yemen during the rise of the Houthi movement, working alongside local naval forces and, at times, US special forces.

“I wanted to write the Yemen I knew, not the Yemen of the headlines. Everything Jack and Nur live through was inspired by something I saw or someone I met.”

— Ron Terrell

Now living in Puerto Rico, Terrell spends his time writing, diving, and enjoying family and coastal life. He is currently writing the second volume of the trilogy.

Firehouse Communications & Partners is the originating agency and publicist for Ron Terrell and The Last Cocktail in Yemen.

About Histria Books

Histria Books is an independent US publisher with twelve imprints spanning literary and commercial fiction, children’s, academic, romance, science fiction and fantasy, young adult, Christian, classics, and nonfiction, including the Center for Romanian Studies. Histria Books is distributed by Simon & Schuster. Learn more at histriabooks.com.

About Firehouse Communications & Partners

Firehouse is a leading independent reputation management and publicity firm with a track record of bringing first time authors to market.

Its principal, Simon Fowler is also a leading adviser to governments and global corporates.

Author website: ronterrell.com

MEDIA CONTACTS

Histria Books

Diana Livesay

Publicity

diana@histriabooks.com

Firehouse Communications & Partners

Simon Fowler

Publicist

simonbf@firehousecomms.com

+44 7717 393772
 

Histria Books

7181 N. Hualapai Way, Suite 130-86, Las Vegas, NV 89166 USA

HistriaBooks.com

(561) 299-0802

The Golem’s Holocaust by Scott Eveloff now available from Histria Books

Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of The Golem’s Holocaust by Scott Eveloff. This novel is published by Histria Fiction, an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding original works of fiction.

In The Golem’s Holocaust, Scott Eveloff merges the brutal reality of Nazi-occupied Europe with ancient Jewish mysticism. The novel follows Shayna, a young Jewish girl, and Emet, a mythical Golem summoned to protect his people from destruction.

What makes this approach stand out is how it reimagines history not just as a record of endurance, but as a site of supernatural defiance. Instead of focusing purely on tragedy, Eveloff gives physical form to cultural resilience and the desire for vengeance. Bringing folklore to life against the backdrop of the Holocaust shifts the lens away from victimhood and toward raw, mythical agency. The book asks difficult questions about survival, justice, and the moral weight of fighting back against absolute evil. Readers looking for historical fiction that takes bold risks will find a fresh, visceral exploration of collective trauma and the enduring power of myth.

Scott Eveloff MD is a retired pulmonary physician with thirty years of clinical experience and past appearances on The Dr. Oz Show, ABC’s 20/20, and Inside Edition. His writing is fueled by a fascination with historical mysteries, the supernatural, and a lifelong dedication to uplifting the disadvantaged. Now spending his retirement “resuscitating plot lines instead of patients,” Dr. Eveloff enjoys traveling with his wife and writes in enduring memory of his late son, Andrew, whose boundless enthusiasm continues to inspire his characters.

The Golem’s Holocaust by Scott Eveloff, 264 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-722-2, is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. This title is also available as an ebook. Titles published under the imprints of Histria Books are distributed in the United States and Canada by Simon & Schuster and in the rest of the world through Unified Book Distribution. For information on publishing with Histria Books, please visit HistriaBooks.com or contact us at info@histriabooks.com.

Histria Books

7181 N. Hualapai Way, Suite 130-86, Las Vegas, NV 89166 USA

HistriaBooks.com

(561) 299-0802