Category education

New Delhi, May 5, 2025: Microfinance Industry Network (MFIN) today launched “ASCEND – The Education and Advancement program in microfinance” Programme, an online initiative to build professional capability, promote responsible lending, and enhance customer protection in India’s microfinance sector. Designed for field officers, branch managers, and aspiring professionals, the programme aims to equip participants with essential knowledge in financial inclusion, regulatory compliance, credit appraisal, customer engagement, ethics, and digital transformation.

The Certification Programme was launched by Dr Alok Misra, CEO & Director, MFIN along with Dr Nirupam Mehrotra, Director, Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) & Mr Ramamurthy Krishnan, President & CEO, NSEIT. Mr Manoj Kumar Nambiar, Chairman, MFIN, Managing Director, Arohan Financial Services Limited and Mr Vineet Chattree, Vice-Chairman, MFIN & Managing Director, Svatantra Microfin Pvt Ltd and Mr Gyan Mohan, Director and CEO, Adi Chitragupta Finance Ltd were also present at the launch.

In collaboration with the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) and supported by NSEIT’s secure digital infrastructure, the Certification Programme provides comprehensive, industry-relevant training for frontline officers and managers, preparing them to champion financial inclusion and client protection across the microfinance sector.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Alok Misra, CEO & Director, MFIN said: “Field officers are the backbone of the microfinance industry, connecting underserved communities to formal financial services. This certification program is a step towards recognizing their pivotal role, while providing them with guidance, knowledge, and ethical frameworks to serve clients better and foster responsible finance.”

The programme combines self-paced online modules with recorded expert sessions and live doubt-clearing interactions, offering a flexible and engaging learning experience. Participants engage with carefully curated content that includes case studies, regulatory updates, and practical insights tailored to the evolving landscape of rural development and banking. A robust assessment framework, featuring a comprehensive multiple-choice question bank aligned with key learning modules, ensures thorough evaluation. Certification is awarded upon successful completion of the assessments, with options for and extended learning support to help candidates achieve proficiency.

Key highlights of the program:

• Online, self-paced learning format with access to downloadable content, recorded and live doubt clearing sessions
• Content covering microfinance operations, regulations, technology integration, and client protection
• Proctored online assessments with industry-recognized certification jointly issued by MFIN and BIRD
• Designed to build conceptual clarity, operational excellence, and ethical standards

This certification is part of MFIN’s broader capacity-building mandate to promote professionalism, enhance operational effectiveness, and drive a culture of client-centric, inclusive financial services across India’s microfinance ecosystem.

For more information on the Loan Officers Certification Program and enrollment details, visit MFIN’s website.

New Delhi, May 05, 2025: Fateh Education hosted the second edition of its flagship inter-school quiz, Quest to Conquer 2025, on Wednesday at Kamani Auditorium, Delhi, drawing participation from over 1100 students, 275 teams, and 100+ schools across the region. Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, which welcomed 78 schools and 218 teams, this year’s event has significantly scaled up, establishing itself as the largest school quiz competition in Delhi NCR in the past ten years.

Designed to be both intellectually stimulating and engaging, Quest to Conquer 2025 brought together some of the brightest young minds for a day filled with learning, interaction, and camaraderie.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Suneet Singh Kochar, CEO, Fateh Education said, “Quest to Conquer is not just about winning; it’s about sparking curiosity and confidence among young minds. The scale and energy at this year’s event were a clear reflection of students’ growing enthusiasm for learning beyond classrooms.”

“Born from the belief that education should inspire curiosity and confidence, Quest to Conquer is more than just a quiz for us. It aims to encourage students to go beyond textbooks, challenge norms, and embrace learning with enthusiasm. It is a platform designed to nurture critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. ” said Ms. Binti Kochar, Director & Co-Founder at Fateh Education.

Delhi Public School, Sector 45, Gurugram emerged as the winner, with DPS Mathura Road and Sunbeam School, Mughalsarai taking the first and second runner-up spots, respectively.

Endorsing the quiz and its impact on the development of young minds, one of the leading educators, Ms. Aditi Misra, Director, Delhi Public School, Sector 45, Gurugram, said, “ It is important for schools to encourage quizzing and general knowledge activities because, for me as an educator, quizzing brings together all the four essential 21st-century skills. The message I want to give students is—enter the real world. It’s not just about competition; it’s also about coming together and learning together.”

With plans to further expand the initiative, Fateh Education continues to reinforce its commitment to nurturing holistic, globally aware learners through innovative educational experiences.

Bengaluru 5-5-2025: Arjunaa Academy for Achievers, one of the major institutes known for their excellent training for the Competitive Exams like KCET, JEE Mains & Advanced and NEET has proved its brilliance in the Board Level Training also.

The Academy believes that being thorough with the Board level learning becomes crucial for the students to excel at the Competitive level. It also believes Conceptual Learning becomes the core to appear confidently in all exams which would test the student’s ability at different levels and hence the Study Material is planned with a lot of precision accordingly. The Plan of Work ensures preparation for all the exams are comprehensively incorporated in the class.

The Academy was delighted to share the results of the top scorers in 2nd PUC Board exams

1. Lakshmi 97.17% (Centum in Chemistry, Maths and Sanskrit)
2. Prateek 95.5% (Centum in CS)
3. Shreesha. 94.83%
4. Thanmayi 93.83% (Centum in Sanskrit)
5. Mithil 92.84%
6. Hemanth (Centum in Maths)

“I always had a strong inclination towards Science and Math. I first heard of JEE in 10thstandard and it appeared like the next step to get closer to learning the subjects that I wanted to pursue. The transition from 10th to 11th actually felt quite difficult due to the competitive environment. Due to the guidance provided by the teachers at Arjunaa Academy and their comprehensive explanation of important concepts, the learning process accelerated.” Said Lakshmi who scored 97.17% at the Boards.

“I really admire the dedication and passion that the teachers at Arjunaa Academy have as it is inspirational. The teacher’s availability to clarify my doubts re-explaining things that I couldn’t grasp the first time aided my preparation. The modules provided here contained questions that really challenged me.”

“Lakshmi was organised, followed our instructions meticulously. She would prioritise right things at the right time. She was able to strike a healthy balance between Boards and Competitive Exams and ace both. Whenever a Competitive exam like JEE would come up she would focus absolutely on that. And never neglected her Board exams when needed.” Said Hareesh P K, CEO and Founder of Arjunaa Academy for Achievers. Further he spoke about all the Toppers and said “We congratulate these GEMS who remained Steadfast despite being carved rigorously by stringent Taskmasters. Results accomplished by Arjunaa Academy for Achievers stands as a Testimonial for the Painstaking trials we went through as a team of dedicated Students and Teachers.”

Thousands of students had appeared for The Karnataka 2nd PUC exams which were conducted across the state in the month of March 2025. The significance of this test is that it determines the field of study which an individual student should further take up to ensure their own secure future.

The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) declared the results for the Karnataka 2nd PUC exams on 9th April 2025 Wednesday. A total of 6,37,805 students appeared this year resulting in a pass percentage of 73.45%. The Board has announced the 2nd PUC Exam 2 to be held between April 24th to 8th May 2025.

Chandigarh, May 03, 2025: The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, has announced the admission schedule for the Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) enrolment for the academic session 2025-26.

Aspirants, who possess an NTC (National Trade Certificate), NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate), Diploma, or Degree qualification, or are appearing for the final year qualifying examinations (NTC/NAC/Diploma/Degree) can apply online at the official website— www.nimionlineadmission.in — between 8th May 2025 and 28th May 2025. Admissions will be based on the All-India Common Entrance Test (AICET), which will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across multiple centers nationwide. The examination is scheduled for 15th June 2025.

The selected candidates will be offered training across 41 trades — comprising 28 engineering trades and 13 non-engineering trades — at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Institutes for Training of Trainers (IToTs) across India. Under CITS, 45,025 trainers have been trained in the last five years, between 2019 and 2024.

The Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) is designed to train instructor trainees comprehensively, covering both technical skills and training methodologies. The program ensures that instructors are well-versed in techniques for effectively transferring hands-on skills, with the aim of producing skilled manpower for the industry. The National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET), as an imperative, deems it suitable that all trainers in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are CITS-certified.

New Delhi, May 3, 2025: The Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP) at Ashoka University inaugurated its first Annual Growth Conference 2025 today at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi. Centered on India’s medium-term growth and development trajectory, the conference convened eminent policymakers, economists, regulators, and thought leaders to engage in substantive policy dialogues on key issues critical to the nation’s economic development.

The first day of the conference was graced by leading government stakeholders, economists and regulators including Shri N.K. Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Shri Ajay Seth, Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, amongst others.

Setting the context with the first session focused on Macro-Public Finance, Prachi Mishra, Professor of Economics, Director and Head of the Isaac Centre for Public Policy, Ashoka University, highlighted that the world is witnessing a shift towards a new global trading order with significantly higher tariffs, particularly in the United States. “We are in a new global order, and tariffs in the United States are perhaps the highest in a century. We are talking about an additional 20 percentage points more of effective tariffs on goods imported into the United States. Of course, other countries have retaliated and probably are going to do so in the future. So global tariffs are going to be much higher in this new world trading order as well,” she added. She further emphasized the possible impacts of high tariffs on the global economy, calling it a time of heightened uncertainty.

Speaking about the Indian economy, Prachi Mishra highlighted that while significant structural reforms have been undertaken over the past decade, the economy is currently experiencing a cyclical slowdown, with challenges persisting in areas such as manufacturing growth, private investment, and fiscal consolidation.

The first panel discussion on Macro-Public Finance featured esteemed dignitaries including Shri N.K. Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission and former Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha as the moderator, and Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Shri Ajay Seth, Finance Secretary and Dr. Prachi Mishra, Head and Director of ICPP as the panelists.  

Discussing in detail about India’s current economic scenario and the global uncertainty, Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission reiterated, “Macroeconomists are often seen as pessimists, but I’m optimistic. Looking at the short run, we experienced a sharp dip during the COVID crisis with a negative GDP growth of about -5.6%. However, we came out of it remarkably well, with strong recoveries in subsequent years, growing 9.7% in 2021-22 and 7.6% in 2022-23. 23-24, we grew 9.2 percent, in 2023-24, we grew by 9.2%, and the latest advance estimate for 2024-25 stands at 6.4%. All things considered; that’s indeed a remarkable recovery.”

Discussing the long-term vision, Dr. Panagariya emphasized India’s ambition to achieve “Viksit Bharat,” or a developed India, by 2047, marking the 100th year of independence. He stated, “The Prime Minister has set an ambitious goal for India to achieve developed country status by 2047. This will require us to grow per capita income by about 7.3% annually. While it’s a challenging target, the growth trajectory over the past few decades, despite multiple shocks, provides a strong foundation for optimism.”

 Highlighting Bihar’s economic challenges, Dr. Arvind Panagariya provided insights into the state’s growth trajectory and the role of fiscal transfers in bridging disparities among states. He explained the history of Bihar’s economic performance, highlighting that, despite some growth in recent years, the state’s progress has been slower compared to other states like Karnataka. Dr. Panagariya emphasized the role of private sector development and urbanization as key factors in addressing these challenges.

The second panel discussion on regulations included eminent speakers and experts including Justice V. Ramasubramanian, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India; Dr. K.P. Krishnan, Distinguished Fellow at ICPP and former Secretary to the Government of India; Smt. Anuradha Thakur, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Corporate Affairs; and Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India.

Justice V. Ramasubramanian reflected on the role of judicial interpretation in shaping regulatory frameworks and said, “I was delighted to be invited for this inaugural annual conference. In an age where information overload has diminished independent thought, it’s crucial that we stop reading mindlessly and start thinking critically.”

 Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India, provided perspectives from the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, emphasizing the critical need for balancing innovation with public safety.

The discussions on Day 1 laid a strong foundation for identifying actionable pathways to drive India’s growth and regulatory modernization over the coming decade. It also reflected the commitment with which ICPP was established – to create a research environment where experts across domains will help find scalable solutions to pressing and complex policy challenges in areas such as economic development, labour and employment, healthcare, gender and fiscal policy etc.

Established through a grant from the Ajit Isaac Foundation (AIF), a philanthropic organisation created by the Founder & Chairman of Quess Corp Ltd., Ajit Isaac and his wife, Sarah Isaac, the ICPP also works and collaborates with leading public, private and non-profit sector stakeholders to identify research gaps linked with policy making and implementation.

This Annual Growth Conference will continue till Saturday, 3rd May 2025, with sessions dedicated on employment and labour, agriculture and the rural economy, and the role of developed states in India’s broader development journey.

Mumbai, 3 May 2025: In a pioneering development that places India at the forefront of global discourse on the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Mr. Cyril Shroff and O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) today announced the establishment of the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation at Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), India’s top-ranked and globally reputed law school.

The Centre is established with the generous support of Mr. Cyril Shroff, Founder & Managing Partner of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM), India’s leading law firm, through a landmark endowment. This Centre will be India’s first dedicated Centre of Excellence with a focus on the complex intersection of AI, law, policy and regulation.

India, as a growing digital economy, faces urgent challenges in addressing the ethical, legal, and policy dimensions of AI deployment. The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation aims to respond to this pressing need by producing rigorous research, facilitating knowledge creation, shaping public policy, and driving capacity-building initiatives. The Centre will engage with legal institutions, think-tanks, government agencies, intergovernmental organisations, corporations, and academia and build responsive AI governance frameworks in India and beyond. The Centre aims to become a centre of excellence to support and co-create ethical frameworks for AI and technology with policy makers and regulators.

The Centre has outlined 10 major objectives that will guide its work. These include:

• Research and Knowledge Creation: Produce cutting-edge research on AI regulation, ethics, governance, and liability.
• Policy Formulation and Advisory: Offer expert policy recommendations to Indian and global regulatory bodies.
• AI and Law Curriculum Development: Develop new courses on AI and law, and offer executive education programmes for legal professionals, policymakers, and corporate leaders.
• Multistakeholder Engagement: Collaborate and establish partnerships with industry, government, academia, and civil society on AI governance.
• Global AI Governance and Ethics: Actively contribute to international discussions on AI law and collaborate with organisations like the OECD, UN, WTO, EU, and G20 AI initiatives.
• AI and Human Rights: Investigate the impact of AI on fundamental rights, privacy, discrimination, and bias, and propose ethical AI regulatory frameworks.
• Legal Tech and AI Regulation: Study AI’s role in transforming legal practice, dispute resolution, and justice delivery, and explore AI-powered legal research, automation, and contract management tools.
• Litigation, Liability, and AI-driven Risks: Address emerging legal questions around AI accountability, product liability, autonomous system, and AI accidents.
• AI and Financial Regulation: Assess AI’s implications for banking, fintech, algorithmic trading and risk management, and develop policy solutions for AI regulation in finance and securities markets.
• Capacity Building and Public Awareness: Organise lectures, conferences and training programmes, and develop educational resources for broader public engagement.

Mr. Cyril Shroff is a third-generation lawyer, who has had an illustrious career spanning over four decades. Mr. Shroff has developed a style and art—deeply entrenched in values—of legal dealings which have inspired and which continue to inspire many young lawyers in the country. Mr. Shroff has aligned the priorities of CAM with national growth, a remarkable sign of his devotion to the country by being at its service. Mr. Shroff believes in the possibilities of technology and that its use and application must be ethical and value-based. He has brought in many technological aids in his firm, not just by way of optimising resources and time, but by attaining precision, accuracy, and perfection to the systems, processes, and products.

CAM commemorates 10 years of its existence in 2025, which builds on a 108-year legacy of Amarchand Mangaldas. These ten years have been marked by consistent growth—evincing respect and credibility—with a clear-eyed focus on the future, championing and adopting technology. His contributions to CAM have been characterised by an “ahead of the curve”, and an innovative, creative and intellectually curious culture. This is being realised through a range of initiatives, the chief among them is the establishment of the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation at JGLS.

Affirming his commitment to technology-based growth of the country and society, Mr. Cyril Shroff stated, “Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea—it is here, deeply embedded in the way we live, work, and govern. India has an opportunity to take a leadership role in the development of ethical frameworks for policy and regulation of AI and digital technologies.  I am delighted to support the establishment of the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation at Jindal Global Law School. This Centre will be a platform for thought leadership, rigorous research, and policy engagement, helping India craft a balanced, ethical, and forward-looking regulatory framework for AI. This commemorates ten years of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, which builds on the legacy of 108 years of Amarchand Mangaldas. The values and legacy of this Firm has been about foresight and vision, and an ‘ahead of the curve’ mindset along with character and a commitment of ethical values. Both these ideas will be at play at the Centre, creating a future ready framework for AI, but grounded in ethical frameworks.”

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), remarked, “This is a historic moment for JGU and legal education in India. The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation will lead national and international efforts to understand and regulate AI’s transformative impact on our societies. We are deeply grateful to Mr. Cyril Shroff for his visionary support. This Centre will not only strengthen India’s capacity for thought leadership in AI governance but will also set new global standards for research, scholarship, and policy engagement in this critical field.”

Objectives and Vision of The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation

As India’s top-ranked law school and among the world’s top 100, JGLS offers global excellence, multidisciplinary depth, and robust research infrastructure, providing a strong foundation for the Centre.

To fulfil its vision and mission, the Centre will build strong partnerships with Indian agencies such as NITI Aayog, Ministry of Electronics & IT, RBI, SEBI, and TRAI; global regulators like OECD, EU AI Act institutions, US FTC, and UK AI Safety Institute; leading universities including Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, MIT, and other AI ethics and law centres; and technology leaders like Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, Meta, and firms in India’s vibrant tech ecosystem.

The five-year strategic vision of the Centre includes inter alia launching interdisciplinary research projects, AI integrated law courses, and executive training programmes. It will develop an AI ethics framework for India and policy whitepapers, providing impactful inputs to government and regulatory bodies. In its pursuit to establish a global AI law network, it will host an international AI law summit, and foster stakeholder collaborations and industry partnerships. It will also establish chair professorships and research grants, and publish scholarly works on AI law and governance.

With a clear mandate and significant investment, the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation is poised to become a global hub for research, education, and policy development. It will shape India’s leadership in the governance of AI and emerging technologies, influencing global conversations on ethics, law, and regulation.

Recounting his days at IIM as he addressed the graduating students, their guardians and the faculty, Shri Alok Agrawal said, “Coming back to an IIM convocation brings back memories – telex machines at Bank of America, the early days of computer science and the signature Vadilal icecreams. In just one generation, we’ve moved from punch cards to AI, from waiting days for a reply to being surrounded by satellites. Most things remain the same, except for the advancements in technology and its rapid growth.”

“This incredible pace of innovation is both humbling and empowering. But as graduates of an IIM, part of the most privileged 0.01%, the real measure of success lies not just in what you achieve, but in the impact you make. Use your education not only to build careers, but to shape a more inclusive and equitable society.”, he urged on.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Somnath Chakrabarti, Director (I/C) and  Dean of Academics, IIM Kashipur, said, “At IIM Kashipur, we believe management education must stay rooted in the realities of the world it seeks to lead. We are aligning academic practice with global shifts—from AI-driven analytics and sustainable development to India’s rise as a skill-building and manufacturing hub. Our students are being prepared to navigate not only business complexity but also societal change. As educators, we believe that fostering ethical, empathetic, and responsible leadership is as important as building strategic and analytical capability.

Staying true to its distinctive academic philosophy, IIM Kashipur continues to redefine management education by seamlessly blending academic excellence with real-world immersion. Embodying the spirit of “Bharat meets B-School,” the institute’s pioneering Experiential Learning (EL) Program places students at the heart of rural and semi-urban India. Through field-based consulting projects with over 90 grassroots organizations across Uttarakhand, students engage directly with initiatives in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and rural development, transforming management knowledge into meaningful societal impact.

“The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) is a rich repository of traditional wisdom spanning fields like philosophy, Ayurveda, mathematics, astronomy, agriculture, and architecture. Rooted in ancient texts such as the Vedas and Upanishads, it offers deep insights into life and nature. Complementing this is India’s vibrant cultural heritage—reflected in its music, dance, literature, festivals, and crafts.”  Prof. Somnath Chakrabarti highlighted.  “Through the IIM Kashipur education system, we try to instill a robust value system among students, which is essential for shaping responsible, ethical, and empathetic individuals who contribute positively to society.”, he concluded.

New Delhi, April 29, 2025: The entire campus of IILM Lodhi Road pulsed with energy and intellect this Thursday as students, faculty, and dignitaries gathered to witness a defining moment in the university’s calendar — the conferment of the IILM Distinguished Global Thinker Award to Professor Ranjay Gulati, renowned Harvard Business School professor and a globally acclaimed voice in the field of organisational leadership.

A scholar who comfortably bridges the worlds of academic precision and real-world transformation, Professor Gulati is known for challenging business orthodoxy and elevating conversations around what truly drives performance. From his dual undergraduate degrees at Washington State University and St. Stephen’s College, to a Master’s from MIT Sloan and a Ph.D. from Harvard, his journey is one of deep academic rigour and fearless curiosity.

As the 14th honouree in a celebrated line of global thinkers, Professor Gulati took the stage with a powerful keynote on his groundbreaking book “Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Organisations.” What followed was no ordinary academic session. It was a wake-up call; a rallying spark for leadership that dares to feel.

In a talk that felt more like an awakening than a lecture, Professor Gulati spoke candidly about the real purpose that is not just performative but profoundly embedded into the DNA of leadership. Students leaned in, faculty took notes, and minds visibly shifted gears. “Why do great companies fail?”. That question sparked an intense exploration. From denial to overconfidence, strategic drift to cultural inertia, he laid bare the importance of strategy that any great organisation should have. Drawing from his conversations with global changemakers, Gulati illustrated how purpose isn’t a poster on the wall, but a pulse that must start from within. “At Microsoft, they asked every employee to define their personal purpose before aligning with the company’s. Because how do you live a shared purpose if you’ve never sat with your own?”

Citing a quote that dates back to 1200 BC, he left the room with a lingering reflection: “You are what your deepest desire is. As your desire is, so is your intention. As your intention is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”

Setting the tone for the evening was a warm welcome address by Dr. Harivansh Chaturvedi, Director General of IILM. “We are proud to build not just professionals skilled in strategy, but leaders grounded in values and purpose. Through this award, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing institutions and individuals who touch minds, hearts, and souls”, he said. Adding gravitas to the event was the Chief Guest, Retd. Justice Hima Kohli who graced the occasion with her presence. Justice Kohli, known for her judicial leadership and advocacy of mediation, environmental stewardship, and family law, reminded attendees of the moral compass required in all fields of leadership.

The evening wasn’t just about honouring a thinker. It was about igniting a generation, one ready to lead with soul, not just strategy. From budding entrepreneurs to future policymakers, students left the session visibly inspired. As the evening proved, IILM continues to set the launchpad for leaders who are rewriting the rules with clarity, courage, and conviction. Beyond the award, the lecture reflected IILM’s core philosophy of preparing future leaders to drive with deep purpose and a strategic mindset to create lasting impact.

Fire Works in the Hamptons (A Magic in the Hamptons Book 3) by Celia Jerome, now available from Histria Books.

Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of Fire Works in the Hamptons (A Magic in the Hamptons Book 3) by Celia Jerome. This novel is published by Histria SciFi & Fantasy, an imprint of Histria Books encompassing outstanding, innovative works in the genres of science fiction and fantasy.

A HOT TIME IN THE HAMPTONS

Graphic novelist and Visualizer Willow Tate can draw images of beings from the neighbouring realm of magic, possibly drawing them from their world to ours in the process. So why has she foolishly decided to make the hero of her next book a fire wizard?

Is that why the strange fire bugs suddenly appear at the East Hampton fire works display and then start heating things up in and around the little Long Island town of Paumanok Harbor? These miniature arsonists are causing a whole lot of trouble, and when a baby swallows one and begins to cry flames, Willy knows she needs professional help to put a damper on the situation.

This time, the Department of Unexplained Events sends a fire fighter, Piet, a man whose very presence prevents fires from starting. With a tabloid reporter focusing his attention on Willow’s activities and a science teacher determined to turn the fireflies into an energy source, Willow will be hard-pressed to keep the town’s secrets safe.

Not only does she need to find a way to send the fireflies back to their own dimension, but she and Piet—who are starting to generate some heat of their own—have to track down a real arsonist who seems determined to set the area ablaze…

Celia Jerome lived in Paumanok Harbor near the tip of Long Island, New York. She believed in magic, yard sales, and small dogs.

Fire Works in the Hamptons by Celia Jerome., 439 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-917-9, is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. The book is also available in eBook. Titles published under the various imprints of Histria Books are distributed worldwide by the Independent Publishers Group (IPG). For information on publishing with Histria Books, please visit HistriaBooks.com or contact us at info@histriabooks.com

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Mumbai, April 29, 2025 – Finland International School (FIS) Race Course marked a glorious year of its founding by hosting its inaugural annual concert, Ilo Utsav: Oni’s Great Journey. The event was a true celebration of joy, creativity and learning, and was held at the Sophia Bhabha Auditorium. The exuberance of the evening was witnessed by esteemed dignitaries including Erik af Hällström – Consul General and Head of Mission, Finland; Eva Nilsson – Deputy Head of Mission, Finland;  Tibor Kovacs – Trade Attaché, Hungary;  and Toshihiro Kaneko – Chief Consul, Japan. 

Since its inception, FIS has been making waves for its holistic ethos, inclusive environment, and emphasis on creating lifelong learners. The FIS Board comprises key visionaries including Shashank Goenka – Managing Director of FIS–Race Course, Nikke Keskinen – Founding Principle of FIS, and Fatema Agarkar – a renowned educationist and mentor,  who is also the wife of a former ace cricketer. 

Commenting on this momentous milestone, Fatema Agarkar said, “Thanks to Shashank’s vision, Mumbai has a beautiful legacy created in the form of Finland International School–Race Course, through the adoption of Finnish pedagogy.”

“We envisioned and began working on this school in 2017. It is a proud moment for us to see our dream come to life, and to create these exciting opportunities for the community in Mumbai,” added Shashank Goenka.

The evening’s vibrant and heartwarming narrative titled Ilo Utsav: Oni’s Great Journey, found resonance in the beautiful expressions of music, dance and drama showcased by the school’s students. Their performances embodied the school’s values of expression, collaboration, and life skills. The event included a sombre tribute to the lives lost to the recent tragedy in Kashmir, demonstrating the core principles of community and empathy. The glittering event was entirely conceptualised, planned and executed by the dedicated team at FIS–Race Course. 

The presence of eminent international dignitaries lent a special significance to the evening, reinforcing the global ethos that FIS represents. Their appreciation for the performances reflected the school’s commitment to nurturing global citizens with strong roots in creativity.

With Ilo Utsav, FIS Race Course has set a remarkable precedent, weaving cultural richness and educational depth into a memorable showcase of talent, while also fostering a truly global and yet deeply local community of young achievers.