Hyderabad, 29th May 2023: Dr Shashi Tharoor. Indian politician and Member of Parliament (MP) launched a new book titled “Silver Lining – Overcoming Adversity to Build NephroPlus, India’s Largest Dialysis Provider” written by NephroPlus co-founder and author Kamal Shah. The event was also graced by the presence of renowned singer Usha Uthup. The book details the journey of Kamal Shah and how his spirit of resilience and perseverance has led to tremendous achievements and triumph.

The book, published by one of India’s leading publishers Penguin Random House, reveals how the young Mr Shah overcame huge health setbacks and has today built one of India’s leading health institutions. A first-of-its-kind story in India, the book is a testimony of how the 21-year-old Kamal Shah was struck by kidney failure which threatened to end his life, but he fought back to not only survive but thrive despite the punishing setbacks he had time and again.

Kamal Shah Co-founder, NephroPlus, narrates his story as he witnessed people facing diverse challenges today. “I simply want to let them know that they’re not alone, and no matter how rough the road may seem, they can’t stop pushing. I encountered a lot of challenges after kidney disease struck, but they made me stronger. I took the pain and adversity and turned them into lessons. I’m glad I have been able to bring about solutions in the healthcare sector and I hope my book inspires people around the world,”

Silver Lining is written in a narrative voice as Mr Shah takes the reader through his journey of strength and stoic bravery, overcoming each challenge that life threw at him. The first part of the book captures this gruesome journey of Kamal Shah told in a cheerful voice. The language is both emotional and uplifting and is sure to encourage and inspire everyone going through similar health challenges or setbacks in life.

The second part of the book details Kamal’s entrepreneurial journey and how he has used his personal experience to transform NephroPlus into India’s largest chain of dialysis centres that is passionate about the treatment of patients and ensures they lead a good life. This informed the introduction of protocolised dialysis care at NephroPlus to ensure they live quality lives through events like the world’s first Dialysis Olympiad for patients.

The chief guest and endorser of the book, Dr Shashi Tharoor, an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament (MP), in his words said, “Kamal Shah, a dialysis patient himself, refused to let his disease defeat him, instead, he used it as a source of inspiration; how could he prevent others from suffering as he had? It was this focused mission that gave rise to NephroPlus, a story Shah tells deftly here. His journey is a truly inspiring one, and I’m glad he has decided to put it on record forever, even for generations yet unborn.”

Apart from Dr Shashi Tharoor, the book is also endorsed by playback singer Usha Uthup, R Gopalakrishnan – author, business commentator and former executive director at Tata Sons, and film producer Madhu Mantena. The book can be found in all leading bookstores and online e-commerce platforms, including Amazon.

NephroPlus, the company he co-founded along with Mr Vikram Vuppala, is a patient-centric dialysis company which has revolutionized kidney care and treatment in India and beyond. The brand is today India’s largest dialysis services company, with centres spread across the country and beyond.

Mumbai 29th May 2023: TISS-SVE excitedly welcomes Higher Secondary Education students to engage in Vocational Aptitude System (VAS). Launched in July last year, this standardized psychometric test, developed under the guidance of Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), DRDO, offers a comprehensive platform to guide students in selecting the most suitable path within the realm of vocational education.

The Skill Education and Counselling Unit administers VAS. As the portal has launched recently, last year, only 91 students were able to participate in the test. However, this year, the unit expects a significant increase in registrations. TISS SVE’s unique programs diverge from conventional offerings, necessitating guidance for students in sector and program selection. Students have the option to take multiple tests to assess their aptitude across 15 diverse sectors. The test can be undertaken prior to enrolling in TISS SVE programs or any other vocational program.

Shivranjani Kulkarni, Senior Manager of the Skill Education and Counselling Unit, emphasized the tendency of students to make career choices influenced by peer pressure, resulting in subsequent regrets. In light of this, she strongly recommends the utilization of VAS for those contemplating vocational education. Additionally, Ms. Kulkarni highlighted the lack of awareness surrounding the equivalence of a Bachelor of Vocational Education to other degree courses like B.A., B.Com, and B.Sc. Graduates of these vocational programs possess opportunities to pursue overseas studies or secure positions in renowned industries.

The test is designed to be user-friendly, offering high reliability and validity. It is administered through a software-enabled system, allowing for both individual and group administration. In VAS, students have the flexibility to select up to three sectors of their interest and take tests specifically related to those sectors. They can re-register to take up tests for additional sectors. Upon completion of the test, students will receive self-explanatory auto-generated reports. Furthermore, they can benefit from personal counseling services based on the results of their tests.

Mumbai,29th May 2023 SOTC Travel,a leading omnichannel travel, and Tourism Company inaugurated its new outlet in Radeon Mall, Ghatkopar(East). The outlet was inaugurated by Mr. Daniel D’Souza, President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel Limited and Mr. Himanshu Sampat, Associate Vice President – Sales, SOTC Travel. This new addition further increases SOTC’s network strength to ten stores in Mumbai (3 retail and 7 franchise), reiterating the Company’s strategic focus to expand its footprint in the city.

Mumbai features among SOTC’s top 3 key source markets, and the Company’s newly inaugurated outlet, located at a prime location in Ghatkopar,serves as a hub for nearby areas ofVikroli, Powai, Bhandup and Mulund. Ghatkopar is a hub for cosmopolitan travelers and forms a critical source market for SOTC Travel, offering the company a range of valuable segments like Gen Z/new age travelers, millennials, families, couples, Gen S/seniors and business owners.

SOTC Travel’s customer insights from Mumbai and Maharashtra indicate brisk demand of over 30% vs. pre-pandemic. The Company is witnessing high demand for personalized holidays and group tours in the region, and anticipate robust demand for experiential holidays, adventure holidays, domestic cruises, eclectic stays, safaris and biking trips. To cater to the preferences of travelers, SOTC Travel has expanded its portfolio and introduced ‘Customized Holiday Experts’withdestination expertise to help customers plan their memorable holidays as per their preferences, this is in addition to the Company’s highly popular group escorted tours – international and domestic.

Customers from this region are very mindful of their food preferences and hence the Company has introduced a wide range of ‘GurjarVishwadarshan holidays’ – curated tours that offer vegetarian and Gujarati meals.

To boost demand, SOTC Travel has also introduced value driven offers like Buy One Get One Free, Early Bird discounts, complimentary cruise experience on Greece Holidays and cashback offers.

Mr.Daniel D’souza President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel said, “Mumbai continues to be one of our top 3 source markets at SOTC, and we are witnessingstrong continuum – brisk demand of over 30% vs. pre-pandemic. We are delighted to open our new store in Ghatkopar – this new addition increases our network strength in the city to ten stores, and caters to customers from Vikroli, Powai, Bhandup and Mulund as well. Our new storeis centrally located and a hub for cosmopolitan travelers thus allowing us to target valuable segments of Gen Z/new age travelers, millennials, families, couples, Gen S/seniors and business owners. Our extensive range ofholidays has something for everyone – from customized holidays to luxury and premium holidays, also group escorted tours.
We extend a warm welcome to our customers, and we look forward to plan their next holiday with us.”

Top international and domestic destinations in demand – Europe’s Switzerland, France, Finland, Greece, Austria; Turkiye, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA (for visa holding customers), Japan, South Korea, Abu Dhabi, Maldives, Mauritius, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore; also Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Goa, Andamans, Kerala, North East; Bhutan and Sri Lanka in the Indian subcontinent.

SOTC Travel’s new outlet offers end-to-end travel solutions with an array of services, including: International & Domestic Holidays (Group tours, Personalised Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance; Visa Services, etc.

New Delhi, 29th May 2023 World Digestive Health Day comes as a gentle reminder for all of us to keep our guts healthy. However, to keep the gut of the children healthy to prevent the emerging common digestive problems, paediatrician urges parents to be to prioritize children’s gut health to prevent common digestive problems. The commonly observed problems of the gut in children are constipation, hyperacidity and diarrhoea. Constipation affects up to 30% of children [1]. This is the most common cause of stomach pain in children and is often overlooked. Hyperacidity affects 22-25% of infants in India [2]. Diarrhoea kills an estimated 300,000 children under-five in India each year. [3]

Elaborating on the importance of digestive health in children, Dr Arun Wadhwa, Visiting Consultant, Paediatrics, Rainbow Children Hospital, New Delhi said, “Diarrhoea is a very common problem in the early years and it is not necessarily related to teething. You should immediately start WHO’s ORS, probiotics and Zinc if not given in the last three months. It may take 5-7 days to settle and don’t be in a rush to start antibiotics – unless there is blood in stools.”

It is also important that children are properly vaccinated with rotavirus and measles vaccines. This greatly helps in preventing diarrhoea. On observing any symptoms of digestive problems or for information related to vaccination, immediate consultation with a paediatrician is required.

Adding further Dr Wadhwa says, “Hyperacidity and reflux in infants below 9 months of age are also common problems. Most of them will settle with age and proper diet, though, rarely we may need a course of appropriate antacid medication.”

Trillions of bacteria live inside our gut. For those who think bacteria is only of the bad kind, think again! In our gut, thrives an ecosystem of bacteria that is very important for our health, especially for our developing children.

Uncomfortable digestion, stomach aches, poor nutrient absorption, poor immunity and sleep, mood fluctuations and general fatigue and tiredness are commonly observed symptoms of a poorly functioning gut. All these can have a detrimental impact on the overall well-being of any individual, especially the children.

There are many ways to boost children’s gut health such as breastfeeding them including more fibre in their diet, cutting down on fatty foods and opting for probiotics. Giving children small and frequent meals, ensuring adequate water intake and encouraging them to go out and play, providing safe outdoor exposure, are very useful for their gut health. Avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics is very important as these cause serious problems to their gut.

The significant role of our gut health in ensuring holistic health is well-known. With 70-80% of immune cells being present in the gut, [4] this is very important for everyone, especially for the parents to pledge to invest in their child’s gut health to improve their overall health and set them up for good health later in life.

Bengaluru, 29th May 2023: The Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) successfully organized Deftronics 2023, a premier conference showcasing India’s growing prowess in the electronics and semiconductor industry. The event, held on 26 May 2023 at Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park (Convention Centre), brought together industry leaders, government officials, and young innovators to discuss the nation’s journey towards self-reliance and the transformative power of the Make in India initiative.

Commenting on the event, Mr K Krishnamoorthy, President & CEO IESA said, “We are proud to have hosted Deftronics 2023, a platform that celebrated India’s growing self-reliance and its emerging position as a global leader in the electronics and semiconductor industry. The conference provided a unique opportunity to engage industry leaders, government officials, and young innovators in meaningful discussions on Make in India, innovative technologies, and the future of defense and space. Deftronics 2023 showcased India’s potential and reaffirmed our commitment to nurturing a thriving ecosystem of indigenous electronics manufacturing.”

The conference commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Anilkumar Muniswamy, Founder CEO of SLN Technologies and Space & Defence CiG Champion IESA. Esteemed guests, including Mr. Sanjeev Gupta CEO of KDEM Bengaluru, Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla, Member UPSC & Retd. Army Commander, Lt. Gen. M.U. Nair, VSM, AVSM, SO-in-C, IHQ of MoD, New Delhi, and Dr. Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Advisor to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Government of India, set the tone for the conference with their insightful addresses.

The theme of the conference revolved around the significance of Aatmanirbharta and its intersection with the booming semiconductor industry. Participants engaged in vibrant discussions on new technologies like drones and nanotechnology, exploring their potential applications in defense and space domains. Notable keynote speakers such as Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Joint Secretary (E) of MeitY, Smt. Chandrika Kaushik, DG PC&SI of DRDO, Directorate of Technology Development Fund (DRDO), iDEX from DDP (MoD), HAL and Mr. Tobby Simon, Founder CEO of Synergia Foundation, shared their perspectives besides a host of industry leaders in Semiconductor space on critical electronic components, emerging defense technologies, and space and defense cyber security systems, respectively.

Deftronics 2023 also witnessed the recognition of exemplary individuals and organizations committed to the Make in India initiative. Awards were presented to deserving recipients, promoting the spirit of innovation and highlighting the remarkable contributions made by young leaders. The event provided a platform for students to showcase their inventive ideas, further nurturing their innovative minds. The conference witnessed the presence of leaders who emphasized India’s trajectory towards becoming a global leader in the electronics and semiconductor industry. They underscored the nation’s commitment to creating a sustainable ecosystem and establishing India as a hub for cutting-edge technology.

The Government of Karnataka also showcased its future plans pertaining to the industries discussed during the event, shedding light on the state’s role in fostering innovation and promoting growth. Mr. Sharat Kaul, VP of Strategy at IESA, concluded the conference by extending his heartfelt gratitude to all participants, speakers, and attendees for their invaluable contributions.

“We owe the resounding success of Deftronics 2023 to the collective efforts of industry leaders, government officials, and young innovators who came together to promote self-reliance and the Make in India initiative. The conference’s success was driven by vibrant discussions on emerging technologies, the showcasing of innovative minds, and the recognition of outstanding contributions. Deftronics 2023 truly exemplified the collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence that will propel India towards becoming a global leader in the electronics and semiconductor industry,” said Anurag Awasthi, Vice President of IESA.

Deftronics 2023 served as a testament to the paradigm shift among India’s youth, reflecting their growing interest in the Make in India initiative. The conference successfully fostered dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, setting the stage for India’s journey towards self-reliance in the electronics and semiconductor sectors.

Erisha EduSupport has joined hands with Jaipur National University (JNU) in Rajasthan, to promote understanding and goodwill, academic and professional development opportunities, and broaden student experience and horizons.

This collaboration aims to create a strong platform that empowers students with enhanced educational opportunities and equips them with the necessary skills to excel in the global arena. The vision of this MOU will be achieved through educational exchange, Scholarships, and Financial aid programs, student engagement opportunities.

“We offer mentorship to JNU students, guiding them towards their dreams of studying abroad and excelling in campus recruitment. Whether it’s providing support for their higher education journey in prestigious international universities or bridging the academic-industry gap to enhance their employability skills, we are dedicated to helping students fulfill their aspirations” Sheetal Purohit, Co-founder and COO of Erisha EduSupport, Said.

The MOU between Erisha EduSupport and Jaipur National University represents a major step forward in their shared commitment to revolutionizing education and empowering students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the 21st century. Together, they aim to create an educational ecosystem that nurtures talent, encourages innovation, and prepares students to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.

Bangalore, 29th May 2023: KRAFTON, Inc’s BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI), India’s most loved battle royale title is available to preload from today, 27th May for ALL Android users. The game, however will be playable from 29th May onwards only. As for iOS users, the game will be available for download and play from May 29th 2023.

Few users may have received an automatic update from midnight, this is a part of the preload process, and you have nothing to worry.

In anticipation of an overwhelming number of downloads, KRAFTON will stagger the availability and playability of BGMI. This approach ensures players enjoy the game seamlessly without any interruptions. Players can, therefore, jump into the action-packed battles and prove their skills on the battlegrounds from 29th May onwards. The new update will introduce a New Map, In-Game Events and more. On the sidelines of the availability of the game, KRAFTON has also launched a new marketing campaign ‘India Ki Heartbeat’ that showcases the stories of gamers who embody the essence of BGMI as more than just a game, but a profound emotion.

“We are thrilled to announce that BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA is now available for preload. We are consistently striving to deliver a smooth gameplay experience to our users and are excited to welcome everyone back,” said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, KRAFTON, Inc. India “We once again, thank the authorities and our users for their continued support as we look forward to elevating the gaming experience for our community in India. See you on the battlegrounds!”

Mumbai, 29th May 2023 The National Pickleball Tournament is all set to kick start on May 27th and 28th, 2023 in Pakyong. This tournament is expected to attract talented players from different parts of the country. Maharashtra is one of the 16 states in India that is affiliated to the All India Pickleball Association. The game of Pickleball is scheduled for inclusion in the 2024 Olympics.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Ashok Mohanani, President of IPA (Indian Pickleball Association) said, “It is our endeavor to create more awareness about the game of Pickleball in India. It is a game for the entire family and can be played across all age groups. This tournament will provide a perfect platform for budding players to showcase their skills. We plan to take this tournament across the country including Maharashtra, so as to foster its growth.”

The tournament presents an opportunity for enthusiasts to witness high-level competition and showcase the potential of Pickleball in the country. Pickleball is a popular racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Pickleball can be played either indoors or outdoor with a racket or paddle in which two players (singles), or four players (doubles), hit a perforated hollow plastic ball over a 36-inch-high (0.91 m) net using solid-faced paddles. Opponents on either side of the net hit the ball back and forth until one side commits a fault.

Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in the US with more than 36 million playing the game. Well-known Hollywood actors and celebrities like Melinda and Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, and George Clooney among others, have taken up to the sport.

29th May 2023, New Delhi  While Analysts are reviewing various schemes and programs of Govt. of India on completion of nine years of Modi Govt. in center, Analyst 5 Jewels Research (5JR) believes that India Stack which is a product of ‘Digital India’ Program of Govt. of India has potential to become one of the World’s largest digital brand. Various public digital infrastructure platforms like Aadhaar, UPI (United Payments Interface), DigiLocker, ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) are when stacked and integrated together then technically it termed as India Stack.

While ‘Aadhaar’, the national identity program of India, was under formation since year 2009-10, other public digital infrastructure platforms were initiated as part of Digital India program, which was launched in year 2015 by Modi Govt.

While giving his opinion on completion of nine years of P.M. Modi Govt. on 26th May 2023, Chief Analyst of 5 Jewels Research Mr Sumant Parimal said “Digital India Program which was launched under the leadership of P.M. Modi in year 2015 is not only creating various digital infrastructure platforms like UPI, ONDC, DigiLocker for digitally transforming India’s governance and citizen lives, but it is also churning out digital product brand under unified frameworks of India Stack, which has potential to become one of the largest digital brand of the World. Brand value of digital products and digital platforms are directly dependent on factors like uses cases, scalability, usability, adoption, global demand, underneath data volume, algorithms, and innovative IPs (Intellectual Property) along with high level patronages for its wider success. And when we see various public digital infrastructure platforms of India, which together forms India Stack, we find that all these factors and along with many other factors are in favorable conditions for positioning India Stack as one of the World’s largest digital brand”.

“While country is aspiring for achieving $10T+ GDP, making India top three economies of the World in years to come and with already ranked as top five global economy, but in term of consolidated brand valuation of Indian brands, India is still far behind at position nine in global ranking, with an estimated consolidated brand valuation much below half trillion$ mark. With help of Digital India-India Stack and other digital- tech. brands of Indian startups and enterprises, it may be possible for India to get ranked among top three consolidated brand valuation country in par with U.S., China, and Japan. Thus, I see India Stack as one of the strongest emerging Indian brand having potential to become world’s largest digital brand, which I further see as one of the biggest accomplishments of Modi Govt.” Sumant Parimal said.

Point to be noted here that components of Indian Stack like UPI digital payment platform are already in Global demand, and recently countries like Singapore, Bhutan, UAE, Mauritius, Indonesia already expressed their interests for integrating with UPI platform of India.

29th May 2023 Kolkata: iLEAD Films, the production unit of Institute of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Development (iLEAD), is thrilled to announce the upcoming iLEAD Film Festival from May 26th to May 30th, 2023 at 5 pm onwards every day. The festival will be held at the iLEAD Auditorium, Topsia, Kolkata, offering film enthusiasts a unique opportunity to witness the finest works produced by iLEAD Films so far. The movies will range from showcasing human emotions to exploring the glorious history of our nation.

The Festival Lineup:

iLEAD Films will present an impressive number of thought-provoking films with educative, meaningful and socially significant content. The festival schedule is as follows:

May 26th: “1971-India’s Finest Hour” – A film on India’s spectacular military victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh. Lauded as the ‘must watch film for every Indian’, it showcases the brilliant roles played by all departments of Govt. of India in the most co-ordinated way.

May 27th: “Before You Die” – Kavya is a young girl from Rajasthan who arrives with her father in the beautiful hills of North Bengal. She meets Kuldip, a boy who works at the tea estate of Darjeeling. She gradually finds love in him. However, when she is proposed to by Kuldip, she decides to run away leaving him in a devastated state. But Kuldip decides not to give up. He has to find out why she left. It is a passionate story about love and life.

May 28th: “Kusum Ka Biyaah” – This yet to be released film is based on a true story exemplifying and facts are stranger than fiction – a story that shows the determination of the human spirit to defy all odds and overcome. It is a story of how the poorest of poor coped with Covid pandemic lockdown – a story about the eternal rivalry between the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

May 29th: “Transfer of Power” – The story of how India achieved independence from 200 years of British dominance. Live the time with authentic footage and content which leads you through the single most remarkable event in history.

May 30th: “INDiRA” – It is a documentary feature film that narrates the story of the lady who led India’s future through extremely rare archived footage. BBC referred to her as the ‘Woman of the Millennium’ and Time Magazine called her as one of the world’s 100 powerful women who defined the last century.

iLEAD Films has continuously demonstrated an unwavering commitment to cinematic excellence. The film festival is a testament to our dedication in producing exceptional storytelling and showcasing diverse narratives that are socially significant. Film enthusiasts, critics, industry professionals, students, parents are all cordially invited to the iLEAD Film Festival from 26th May to 30th May 2023 at 5 pm every day.