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New Delhi, May 19 (BNP): The Ministry of Ayush has issued a public health advisory in response to rising temperatures and heatwave conditions across several parts of the country, urging citizens to take necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.

The advisory outlines key preventive measures such as maintaining adequate hydration, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during peak hours, and limiting strenuous outdoor activities. Citizens have been advised to wear light, breathable clothing, consume sufficient fluids, and adopt simple lifestyle adjustments to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Emphasising India’s traditional systems of wellness, the Ministry has also recommended incorporating Ayurvedic practices, seasonal dietary habits, and cooling foods into daily routines to help the body adapt to extreme heat conditions. The advisory encourages the use of natural cooling methods along with balanced nutrition to maintain overall health and immunity during the summer season.

In addition to preventive guidance, the Ministry has highlighted basic emergency response steps for heat-related illnesses, including immediate cooling of the body, rehydration, and seeking timely medical assistance in severe cases.

The advisory is aimed at increasing public awareness and strengthening preparedness as several regions continue to face intense heatwave conditions, with special focus on protecting vulnerable groups such as children, elderly persons, and outdoor workers.

Ahmedabad, May 19: Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, a ‘Centre of Excellence’ recognised by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, hosted its 25th convocation of academic programmes on May 18, 2026, at its Ahmedabad campus. The event was graced by chief guest Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of Ladakh. Also present on the occasion were Shri Rakesh Sharma, President – EDII and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IDBI Bank Limited; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII; and esteemed members of the EDII Governing Board including Shri Gopal Jha, Chief General Manager (SME & Supply Change Finance), State Bank of India, Mumbai; Dr. Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), Pune; Shri Rajesh Gandhi, Managing Director, Vadilal Industries Ltd., Ahmedabad and Dr. O. P. Goel, Advisor to CEO, National Skill Development Corporation, New Delhi.

98 students and scholars were conferred with diplomas and graduating certificates, at the 25th convocation, across academic programmes. This year’s graduating batch represents 76 Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Entrepreneurship (PGDM – E) students, 8 Post Graduate Diploma in Management-Innovation Entrepreneurship & Venture Development (PGDM-IEV) students, 11 Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Online (PGDM-Online) students and 3 Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) students.

While 38 students of PGDM-E have finalised their 5 year Perspective Growth Plan, 46 students of PGDM-E and PGDM-IEV programme have prepared Detailed Project Report (DPR). Students have also secured grant sanctions from the student start-up innovation policy. Some of the business identified domains include: Plastic Waste Recycling Plant, AI Platforms, Child Mental Health, Landscaping & Horticulture Solutions, Pet Health Tech Ecosystem and Manufacturing of Biodegradable Paper Bottles.

Encouraging the students, Chief Guest Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor (LG) of the Union Territory of Ladakh, said, “Reaching significant milestones often creates the illusion that our education is complete. But this is not true. Learning is a lifelong, perpetual journey. To thrive in an ever-evolving world, one must maintain the curiosity, the eagerness to learn something new, and evolve as a better professional. The world around you, would always demand you to remain a student, and a scholar in pursuit of knowledge. This thirst of knowledge, will help you strengthen your abilities, and make you ready, for facing the ever-changing world of today. So, to the graduates, I would say, become great entrepreneurs, play ethically, as that is the greatest service, you can do to yourself, and the country. Set your goals, work tirelessly to achieve them, and dedicate yourself to the service of the nation and the mankind.”

Addressing the students, Shri Rakesh Sharma, President – EDII and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IDBI Bank Limited, said, “Innovation remains the cornerstone of entrepreneurship. While EDII alumni have exemplified this spirit, I urge, the graduating students, to remain lifelong learners- to question assumptions, explore alternatives and approach challenges with creativity and purpose. In a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, adaptability is no longer optional – it is essential. However, let me reiterate a true entrepreneur is never discouraged by roadblocks. On the contrary, challenges must strengthen your resolve and sharpen your focus. With resilience, determination and courage, you must confront obstacles and move forward.”

Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, shared, “Over the past more than four decades, we have witnessed a palpable upsurge in the spirit of entrepreneurship. Today, amidst all the policies and development models, entrepreneurship has a crucial role to play. The start-up wave is impressing upon our youth to adopt entrepreneurship as a career. I am also happy to state that the significance of training and mentorship to create entrepreneurs has got established like never before. The society today acknowledges the power of knowledge, skills and determination in the growth of an enterprise and an entrepreneur.”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII.

Bhubaneswar, May 18 (BNP): The Securities and Exchange Board of India will soon establish a branch office in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant step toward strengthening financial market regulation and investor outreach in eastern India. The announcement was made by SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey while addressing a regional investor awareness programme organized by the Association of Mutual Funds in India in the city.

Pandey said SEBI would initially begin operations from a smaller office in Bhubaneswar, with activities currently managed through Mumbai and Kolkata gradually shifting to the new centre. He added that plans are also underway to establish a permanent office in the state capital in the future.

Highlighting the growing relevance of alternative financing mechanisms, the SEBI Chairman encouraged Odisha to explore the use of municipal bonds to fund urban infrastructure and development projects. He noted that 22 urban local bodies across the country have issued 33 municipal bonds, mobilizing nearly Rs 4,500 crore for development activities. Municipal corporations in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have already benefited from the model, he said.

Pandey emphasized that Odisha, with its expanding urban landscape, should leverage municipal bonds to meet increasing financial requirements for infrastructure expansion. He also pointed out that the Central government offers grant-based incentives to encourage such bond issuances.

Speaking on the growth of India’s mutual fund industry, Pandey said the sector has expanded significantly from nearly Rs 12 lakh crore in 2015-16 to around Rs 82 lakh crore at present. Odisha’s contribution currently stands at about Rs 71,000 crore, accounting for less than one per cent of the national market.

Observing that Odisha contributes nearly three per cent to India’s economy, he said the state’s participation in the mutual fund ecosystem should also rise proportionately. At the same time, he noted that Odisha remains among the leading states in terms of monthly growth in Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) investments.

He further highlighted the rapid growth of India’s capital market over the past decade, stating that the country’s total market capitalization increased from Rs 95 lakh crore in 2015-16 to Rs 463 lakh crore in 2025-26. During the same period, the number of investors rose from 3.8 crore to 14.5 crore.

Pandey also said India recorded 366 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in 2025-26, through which companies raised nearly Rs 1.9 lakh crore, placing the country among global leaders in IPO activity.

Mumbai,  May 18 : India’s largest amusement and water park operator has approved a strategic investment of up to ₹100 crore in Shanku’s Water Park, a leading leisure destination in Mehsana, Gujarat, near Ahmedabad. This investment marks a significant step in the company’s nationwide expansion strategy, strengthening its presence in high-growth regional markets and reinforcing its long-term vision of building a diversified, customer-centric leisure ecosystem across India. With strong connectivity to key catchment areas including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Mehsana and surrounding regions, Shanku’s offers a compelling platform to enhance customer experiences, drive tourism-led growth, and expand access to organized family entertainment in Gujarat.

The Park is spread across 25+ acres with over 25 rides and attractions, Shanku’s is one of Gujarat’s largest and most established water parks, with strong access to Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Gandhinagar and surrounding catchments. The park has recently undergone extensive renovation and modernization, including advanced water filtration systems comparable to Imagicaa’s flagship Khopoli park.

The investment will be made through a mix of equity and debt, including capital for future expansion on adjoining surplus land. Imagicaaworld will also provide end-to-end Operations & Management services across park operations, guest experience, safety systems, F&B and revenue optimization, earning a management fee of 6%–10%, while leveraging its expertise to enhance performance and scale the destination further.

These developments mark Imagicaa’s strategic expansion beyond destination parks into scalable, high-margin formats. The company recently announced its Q4FY26 results where revenue from operations stood at ₹91.9 crore with a significant increase in footfalls by 5% year-on-year to 6.21 lakh visitors, while continuing to witness steady consumer demand across its existing parks.

Commenting on the development, Jai Malpani, Managing Director, Imagicaaworld Entertainment Limited, said,

 “This transaction represents an important milestone in Imagicaaworld’s growth strategy as we deepen our footprint in Gujarat, one of India’s fastest growing leisure and tourism markets. Gujarat has a strong consumer base, rising discretionary spending and significant long-term potential for organized entertainment destinations.

Shanku’s Water Park is a well-established destination with high-quality infrastructure, strong regional recall and significant growth potential. Strategically located within a one-hour radius of Ahmedabad and GIFT City, this asset sits at the crossroads of commercial growth and weekend tourism.

Through this partnership structure, we aim to leverage Imagicaaworld’s operational expertise and brand capabilities to further enhance guest experiences, drive footfalls and create long-term value for stakeholders.”

Bhubaneswar, May 18 (BNP): Odisha is poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s energy security, with Chandikhol set to emerge as a major strategic crude oil storage hub under a significant India-UAE energy partnership formalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United Arab Emirates.

Representational image

Under the proposed initiative, Chandikhol will house a massive underground strategic petroleum reserve with a storage capacity of nearly 40 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil. Estimated at around Rs 8,743 crore, the project is expected to significantly enhance India’s emergency fuel preparedness and strengthen long-term energy resilience.

The agreement for the project was signed between the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, following discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The partnership is seen as a major step toward deepening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and reinforcing India-UAE strategic ties.

Although the Union Cabinet had approved the project in 2018, implementation was delayed due to land acquisition-related challenges. With renewed focus and momentum, the project is now expected to move forward, positioning Odisha as an important pillar in India’s petroleum infrastructure network.

Experts believe the underground reserve will play a vital role during emergency or war-like situations by helping maintain fuel availability in the event of disruptions to global crude oil supplies. The facility is also expected to strengthen India’s strategic fuel reserves and improve preparedness against international supply uncertainties.

Once operational, the project is likely to boost industrial growth, infrastructure development and employment opportunities in Odisha, further reinforcing the state’s growing importance in India’s energy and industrial ecosystem.

New Delhi, May 18 (BNP): Young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has scripted history in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League by registering the highest number of sixes hit by an Indian batter in a single edition of the tournament.

The explosive batter achieved the landmark through a string of power-packed performances, showcasing fearless stroke play and remarkable consistency throughout the season. His aggressive batting approach and ability to clear the boundary with ease have made him one of the standout performers of the IPL campaign.

Suryavanshi’s record-breaking feat underlines the rise of a new generation of Indian T20 batters who are redefining attacking cricket. His six-hitting prowess has not only entertained fans but also played a vital role in strengthening his team’s performances in key matches.

Cricket experts and former players have hailed the youngster’s achievement as a major milestone, noting that surpassing previous Indian records for sixes in a single IPL season reflects both his confidence and maturity at the highest level of franchise cricket.

The milestone further cements Suryavanshi’s growing reputation as one of India’s brightest emerging talents in the shortest format of the game.

Geneva/Kinshasa/Kampala, May 18 (BNP): The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) following a sharp rise in suspected infections and deaths.

According to health authorities, more than 300 suspected Ebola cases and at least 88 deaths have been reported, prompting fears of wider regional transmission. The DRC accounts for nearly all reported infections, while two suspected cases have been identified in neighbouring Uganda, raising concerns over cross-border spread.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that while the outbreak currently does not meet the criteria of a pandemic, the risk of transmission to neighbouring countries remains high, requiring urgent international coordination and preparedness.

Officials confirmed that the outbreak has been linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccines or specific treatments are currently available. Though both Congo and Uganda have experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks in the past, this marks only the third documented outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain.

The WHO warned that the actual scale of infections could be significantly larger due to a high positivity rate among tested samples and the increasing number of suspected cases being reported. Emergency containment efforts, including surveillance, contact tracing, screening, and isolation measures, have been intensified in affected areas to curb further spread of the deadly virus.

Global health agencies have urged neighbouring nations to strengthen preparedness and public health monitoring as authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent a broader health crisis.

Bhubaneswar, May 18 (BNP): After witnessing an unprecedented rush and panic buying over the past week, petrol pumps across Odisha wore a deserted look on Sunday as fuel demand dropped sharply following the restoration of regular stock supply.

Fuel stations in the Twin City of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, along with several other towns, reported unusually low customer turnout after days of long queues triggered by rumours of a possible fuel shortage. Many pumps that had temporarily run dry due to panic-driven demand were seen operating normally, with staff waiting idly for customers.

Petrol dealers said panic buying, amplified by television reports and viral social media posts, had pushed fuel demand far beyond normal levels, disrupting routine tanker delivery cycles and causing temporary shortages at several outlets. However, the situation stabilised after authorities and dealers assured uninterrupted fuel availability.

Officials of petrol pump associations said a large section of regular customers, who typically purchase fuel in small quantities, had already filled their tanks during the rush, leading to a sharp decline in footfall now. As a result, dealers expect reduced demand to continue for the next few days until fuel consumption returns to normal patterns.

According to dealers, major petrol pumps in Odisha recorded sales significantly below average on Sunday, with some outlets witnessing nearly a 60–70 per cent drop compared to normal daily business.

General Secretary of the All India Utkal Petroleum Dealers’ Association and owner of a fuel station in Bhubaneswar, Sanjay Lath, said the panic had eased after people realised there was no disruption in supply. He noted that fuel sales had dropped considerably as consumers who stocked up earlier are unlikely to revisit pumps immediately.

With supply chains functioning normally and adequate stock available, dealers expressed confidence that the fuel distribution system across the state has returned to stability.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Nau mai, haere mai. This traditional Māori means “welcome, come in.” From April 21–23, more than 700 delegates representing over 30 countries gathered for the World Indigenous Cancer Conference (WICC 20260, global convening grounded in Indigenous leadership, equity, and collective wellbeing in Aotearoa – the original Māori name of what is now known as New Zealand.

Hosted in partnership with Hei Āhuru Mōwai and Te Rau Ora, WICC 2026 brought together researchers, clinicians, leaders, and community knowledge holders to advance Indigenous-led solutions in cancer prevention, care, and survivorship. 

A defining moment of the conference was the Opening Plenary co-delivered by Rodney C. Haring, PhD, MSW (Seneca Nation, Beaver Clan)—Chair of the Department of Indigenous Cancer Health at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

His plenary, “Treaty, Cancer, and World Health,” centered treaty rights as living frameworks for health, advancing a Nation-to-Nation approach to cancer equity, governance, and global responsibility. It aired at the opening of the conference with production support from Roswell Park’s Health Communications Shared Resource.

“Our treaties are not histories of the past—they are living agreements that guide how we care for our people,” says Dr. Haring. “When we center treaty, we center responsibility—to each other, to our Nations, and to future generations.” 

Invited by the World Indigenous Conference Scientific Committee, the conference elevated governance and sovereignty through Indigenous leadership, including President J.C. Seneca (Seneca Nation), who delivered multiple presentations advancing Nation-to-Nation based health governance, importance of survivor stories, need for Indigenous cancer health research collaborations across and with Indigenous communities globally, and international policy collaborations. 

A highlight of WICC 2026 was the presentation of a long-standing government-to-government cancer education and workforce development model between Roswell Park and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (Akwesasne)—a collaboration that has trained nearly 100 Mohawk students in cancer sciences.

Hugh Burnam, PhD, and Haley Cree (Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe) presented this model, emphasizing pathways into cancer research and health professions.

Ansley Hill (Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe; Rochester Institute of Technology) presented her research in collaboration with Dr. Brian Betts (Roswell Park), focusing on:

• CAR T-cell therapy
• Breast cancer translational science 

Her work reflects the strength and future of Indigenous student leadership in cutting-edge cancer research and innovation.

WICC 2026 also marked the global release of Dr. Haring’s first book, Indigenous Genetics, Biobanking, Chemistry, and Cancer Research published by Springer Nature and available open access worldwide.

This volume brings forward Indigenous intellect, sovereignty, and scientific leadership—centering data governance, Nation-to-Nation relationships, and the future of cancer research.

Dr. Haring acknowledged global Indigenous scholars and contributing authors in attendance, including:

• Māile Taualii (Kānaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian; Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi)
• Dornell Pete (Diné/Navajo Nation; Fred Hutch Cancer Center) 

The official global book launch was hosted during WICC by Roswell Park’s Department of Indigenous Cancer Health, led by Dr. Hugh Burnam (Mohawk, Wolf Clan), in partnership with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (Akwesasne).