All posts by Neel Achary

TSCS Team meets Telangana Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma and requests for his support towards Thalassemia Eradication

Hyderabad, May 8, 2025: Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) celebrated World Thalassemia Day meeting Telangana Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma and requesting his support towards the eradication of Thalassemia in Telangana. The rest of the day was marked with vibrant and impactful programmes at TSCS – Shivrampally, bringing together patients, families, healthcare professionals, and supporters to raise awareness and advocate for improved care and prevention of thalassemia.

Aligned with the Thalassemia International Federation’s 2025 global theme, “Together for Thalassemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients,” the event highlighted the importance of community involvement and patient-centric strategies in combating thalassemia.

The event day began with an awareness walk that witnessed enthusiastic participation from patients, caregivers, and volunteers. This was followed by cultural performances showcasing the talents of thalassemia patients, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity.

Dr. Chandrakant Agarwal, President – TSCS, emphasized the society’s commitment to improving the lives of those affected by thalassemia. “Our focus remains on empowering patients and advocating for better prevention and treatment strategies through education, collaboration, and community engagement,” he stated.

Special guest at the event, Ms. Ragini Shinde, singer and Indian Idol contestant, was warmly welcomed by the TSCS board members. Ragini who is also a bone marrow donor for her brother who is also a Thalassemia Major, also took part in the cultural segment, inspiring attendees with her performance and words of encouragement.

One of the event’s key highlights was a panel discussion on the Management, Prevention, and Cure of Thalassemia featuring insights from renowned experts Dr. Chandrakant Agarwal, President – TSCS, Dr. Suman Jain, CEO and Secretary, TSCS, Mrs. Ratnavalli Kottapalli, Vice President – TSCS, Mr. Aleem Baig, Joint Secretary, TSCS, Dr. Geeta Kolar, Consultant Hematologist, , Dr. Azra Fathima, Clinical Psychologist, Ms. Ragini Shinde, Singer & Indian Idol Fame and Ms. Sonal Shivani, Thalassemia Warrior & Physics Teacher. The panel addressed critical topics ranging from early diagnosis and genetic counseling to advancements in treatment and the importance of continuous awareness programs.

TSCS continues its mission to support and advocate for the thalassemia community, urging both public and private stakeholders to collaborate in building a future free from the burden of this genetic disorder.

Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) Commemorates World Thalassemia Day.

Mr. DasGupta, a Partner since 2020, now leads Odgers Berndtson’s Consumer & Retail Practice in APAC, driving strategic growth for the region.

New Delhi, 8th May 2025 – Odgers Berndtson, a leading global executive search firm has appointed Kaushik DasGupta as the new Lead of Consumer & Retail Practice across the Asia-Pacific region. This move marks a significant step in the firm’s efforts to strengthen its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets across the world.

Kaushik has been a part of Odgers Berndtson since 2020 as a Partner focussing on Consumer, Media, and Retail sectors. With over 20 years of experience in executive search, he has successfully led CXO-level mandates across industries including FMCG, Consumer Durables, Media, and Retail. His contributions have been integral to the firm’s growth and success in India and the broader region.

In his new role as Partner & Lead for APAC, he will now be responsible for shaping and scaling the Consumer & Retail Practice throughout Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on client engagement, enhancing market reach, and building long-term partnerships. His leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and delivering enhanced value to clients in the APAC consumer sector.

“The consumer sector is a key focus as part of our growth plan in APAC,” said Mark Braithwaite, Managing Director APAC at Odgers Berndtson. “Kaushik’s industry expertise and deep understanding of the consumer landscape will not only enhance our capabilities but also accelerate our growth trajectory in the region.”

“Kaushik’s leadership has been instrumental in building the consumer practice of Odgers Berndtson in India. His enhanced role testifies to our capabilities in the APAC region and will accelerate our expansion.” says Dr. Prasad Medury, Managing Director India, Odgers Berndtson.

Mr. Kaushik DasGupta stated that, “I am truly excited about this opportunity. The consumer and retail sector in Asia-Pacific is undergoing a dynamic phase, with significant momentum, innovation and transformation across all areas. I look forward to working closely with our clients and our teams across the region, to help shape leadership teams that drive exponential growth for their brands.”
This appointment is a testament to Odgers Berndtson’s continued investment in exceptional talent and its commitment to reinforcing its leadership in the executive search space.

Chennai, May 8, 2025: In a landmark surgical achievement, a multidisciplinary transplant team at MGM Healthcare successfully performed a complex renal re-transplant on a 12-year-old child from Lucknow, born with a rare vascular condition—classified as a V4 venous anomaly—that involved the absence of major abdominal veins and vein networks from birth.

The child had previously undergone a kidney transplant but had experienced graft failure and is waiting for the re-transplant. However, the absence of the usual venous drainage system presented a major surgical challenge. Demonstrating remarkable innovation, the surgical team identified and reused the venous pathways from the earlier transplant to ensure safe and effective placement and blood flow (perfusion) of the new graft. The old kidney graft was carefully removed while preserving the existing venous structures to facilitate the second transplant. The child is recovering well, demonstrating early graft function with no vascular or urological complications.

The surgery was led by Dr. Anil Vaidya, Chair and Director, Institute of Multi-Visceral and Abdominal Organ Transplant, MGM Healthcare, with support from a multidisciplinary team that included Dr. Sukanya Govindhan, Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist; Dr Senthil Muthuraman, Senior Consultant in Multi-Visceral and Abdominal Organ Transplant; Dr. Ram Gurajala, Interventional Radiologist; and anaesthesiologists: Dr. Dinesh Babu and Dr. Nivash Chandrasekaran.

In his comments, Dr. Ram Gurajala said, “A V4 venous anomaly is a rare condition where a child is born without the major veins (inferior vena cava and major iliac veins) in the belly and lower body that return blood to the heart. This makes surgeries like kidney transplants extremely difficult, as the usual pathways for blood flow are missing. However, we navigated this anatomical challenge by identifying and utilising the previously used venous outflow pathways, ensuring safe and effective graft placement and blood flow. This successful outcome brings renewed hope and quality of life to this young patient and family. It also paves the way for children with complex vascular anomalies—once considered unsuitable for transplantation—to be given a second chance through advanced surgical approaches.”

Dialysis is typically performed through either a fistula or venous access, but when these options are absent, a dialysis catheter can be placed. However, since the child had no patent veins that could be accessed from the groin or neck, the catheter was placed through a trans-lumbar approach (gaining access to the body through the lower back) into the inferior vena cava (IVC) above the kidney. This allowed the team to successfully dialyse the child for several months prior to the renal transplant. With the successful completion of the re-transplant, and the new kidney functioning well, the dialysis catheter is scheduled to be removed in a month.

Professor CM Thiagarajan, a senior nephrologist who was treating the child initially, said, “This case exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can redefine what’s possible in paediatric transplantation.”

Aanchal Bansal – Executive Director, Window Magic

Ms. Aanchal Bansal is a new-generation leader transforming India’s fenestration industry. As Executive Director of Window Magic, one of the country’s top five uPVC and aluminium door and window brands, she has played a pivotal role in scaling the company’s operations from a team of 40 to over 400 employees, with a presence in more than 70 cities across India.

Armed with an MBA in Marketing and Finance and a Master of Commerce from the University of Punjab, Aanchal joined her family business in 2013. Since then, she has reshaped Window Magic’s brand identity through a blend of strategic marketing and creative storytelling. Her efforts have been instrumental in building both national visibility and customer trust.

Aanchal is also the force behind social initiatives like the ‘Darwaza Band’ campaign, addressing issues such as domestic violence and environmental awareness—establishing Window Magic as a brand with purpose.

As a mother of two, she embodies the balance between leadership and caregiving. On this Mother’s Day, her story serves as a powerful reminder of how women can lead industries, nurture families, and break stereotypes—redefining what it means to be a modern businesswoman and mother in India.

08 May 2025, Mumbai – Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited (KNPL), one of the leading paint companies in India, in collaboration with Tribes Communication, has won Gold at the prestigious Golden Award of Montreux 2025. The recognition, under the Ambient Media category, celebrates their impactful initiative ‘Dukan It Yourself’ launched at the Maha Kumbh Mela.

At one of the world’s largest congregations,  where local vendors often struggle for visibility amid large retailers and visual chaos, Kansai Nerolac stepped in with a simple yet powerful solution. Foldable, larger-than-life shade cards transformed makeshift vendor spaces into vibrant, branded customisable retail shops complete with displays, signage, counters, shelves and more utilities. The initiative gave small vendors a clear identity, helping them stand out, attract more footfall, and improve their livelihoods.

These innovative retail shops doubled as high-impact brand touchpoints. The results were significant: double digit month-on-month sales growth in Uttar Pradesh during activity period, increase in spontaneous brand recall and over 4.1 million digital views. The eco-conscious design also achieved an 89% reduction in emissions compared to conventional MDF-based setups – underscoring Kansai Nerolac’s commitment to sustainable innovation.

The initiative powerfully reinforced the brand’s purpose of designing solutions that protect, inspire, and elevate lives – transforming spaces, supporting communities, and reducing environmental impact all at once.

 Ramakrishna Naik, Chief Marketing Officer, Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited said, “We are honoured to receive this international recognition at the Golden Award of Montreux for ‘Dukan It Yourself’. Maha Kumbh Mela is a symbol of India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. ‘Dukan It Yourself’ was an initiative to celebrate this legacy with colour, creativity and community collaborations. This award is a testament to our commitment in creating culturally inspired and impactful experiences that resonates with people and highlights the dedication of our entire team.”

 Gour Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Tribes Communication, added, “We are proud to partner with Kansai Nerolac to bring alive this magical concept on the world’s biggest stage – the Mahakumbh. This recognition belongs to every street vendor who became part of this journey, and to the incredible team that brought it to life. With Kansai Nerolac, we didn’t just use colour—we transformed it into a symbol of visibility, dignity, and creativity. At the Mahakumbh, we gave a platform to voices often left unheard, showing that when ideas are deeply rooted in culture, they can resonate far beyond their origin. Winning Gold at Montreux is not just a celebration of creativity on the global stage—it’s a powerful reminder that local stories, when told with honesty and heart, can leave a lasting global impact.”

Held annually in Montreux, Switzerland, the Golden Award of Montreux is recognised as one of Europe’s most prestigious awards in the creative industry. Kansai Nerolac’s achievement marks a significant moment for Indian creativity, earning it recognition on the global stage. This win adds to Kansai Nerolac’s growing portfolio of global accolades and further cements its position as an innovator in experiential brand communication.

New Delhi, May 8, 2025: CIO Association proudly concluded the India Cybersecurity Symposium 2025 at Pullman Aerocity, New Delhi, bringing together over 300+ CIOs, CISOs, and DPOs across industries. The symposium, held under the theme “Securing the Nation & Enterprises,” served as a pivotal platform for forging collaborative strategies to safeguard India’s digital future.

Lt. Gen. MU Nair, PVSM, AVSM, SM (Retd.), National Cyber Security Coordinator, Government of India, graced the event as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker. A revered leader in cyber warfare and digital security, Lt. Gen. Nair’s address set the tone for the day with strategic insights into building a resilient national cybersecurity framework.

“Cybersecurity is not merely an IT issue; it is a national imperative. We must adopt a futuristically comprehensive approach to secure our digital frontiers, economic infrastructure, businesses, and people,” said Lt. Gen. MU Nair, in his keynote remarks.

The Symposium also featured captivating panel discussions from some of India’s foremost experts and top government leaders in the cybersecurity space, including Mr. Narendra Nath Gangavaram, Joint Secretary, National Security Council Secretariat; Mr. Rakesh Maheshwari, Former Senior Director at MeitY; Adv. Anuj K. Agarwal, Chairman, Centre for Research on Cyber Crime and Cyber Law; Mr. Amal Krishna, Executive Director – CISO at ONGC; Dr. Surabhi Pandey from the Indian Institute of Public Administration; and Major Sadhna Singh, Consultant at NITI Aayog.

In his welcome address, Mr. Umesh Mehta, President of the Governing Body of CIO Association, emphasized the indispensable role of collective leadership in protecting and further advancing India’s digital infrastructure. He stated, “It’s the pressing time to act and strengthen the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure with the mutual integration of advanced technologies, stringent government policies, and expertise of IT leaders. Hence, enterprises and governments must come together to share intelligence, drive innovation, and foster a cyber-resilient ecosystem.”

The India Cybersecurity Symposium 2025 witnessed an impressive turnout with over 300 CIOs and CISOs, alongside 40+ thought leaders and cybersecurity experts from diverse backgrounds. More than 25 cutting-edge technologies were showcased and 12 strategic knowledge sessions were conducted on critical themes such as national security, AI governance, OT cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital resilience. As the nation continues its ascent as a digital powerhouse, the symposium has set a new benchmark in collaborative cybersecurity leadership for crafting resilience in a digital world.

India, 8^th May 2025 – The ransomware world isn’t just evolving—it’s fragmenting, decentralizing, and growing more dangerous. In this volatile landscape, DragonForce is emerging as one of the most intriguing and threatening actors of 2025. Born from possible hacktivist roots and now fully immersed in the economics of cybercrime, DragonForce represents a new era of hybrid threats: ideologically ambiguous, technologically agile, and fiercely opportunistic.

A Ransomware Cartel Built for the Gig Economy

DragonForce first appeared in December 2023 with the launch of its “DragonLeaks” dark web portal. Some researchers trace its lineage to DragonForce Malaysia, a long-standing hacktivist collective. But its current trajectory is far from purely ideological.

By 2025, DragonForce has matured into a ransomware cartel with a business model tailored to attract displaced or freelance affiliates. Key features include:

• 20% revenue share: A lower commission than most Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) offerings.
• White-label ransomware kits: Affiliates can create unique ransomware brands, compile their own binaries, and customize ransom notes and file extensions.
• Pre-built infrastructure: Access to negotiation tools, encrypted storage, and templated leak sites (branded “RansomBay”).

Following the April 2025 disappearance of RansomHub, DragonForce moved quickly to absorb its affiliates, pitching itself as an agile alternative to collapsed legacy operators. In a world where trust in big-name RaaS brands is eroding, DragonForce offers anonymity, flexibility, and profit.

Ransomware in 2025: A Historic Surge

DragonForce’s rise is happening during a record-breaking spike in global ransomware activity.

According to Check Point’s State of Ransomware Q1 2025 report:

• 2,289 publicly named ransomware victims were reported in just Q1—a 126% year-over-year increase, setting an all-time high.
• 74 distinct ransomware groups are now operating concurrently, highlighting an explosion of new actors and affiliate-driven threats.
• Even with inflated claims and recycled victim lists becoming common, the adjusted monthly average of confirmed victims has surged past 650 per month—a staggering rise from ~450/month in 2024.

Ransomware isn’t just growing in volume. It’s also mutating in method. Many groups increasingly focus on data extortion without encryption, reducing operational complexity and accelerating monetization.

Retail in the Crosshairs: UK Under Siege

In April and May 2025, DragonForce launched a campaign targeting high-profile UK retailers.

These attacks triggered multi-day outages of e-commerce platforms, loyalty programs, and internal operations. And the campaign may reflect a broader strategic pivot: away from ransom-only income, toward harvesting high-volume PII for secondary monetization.

Check Point data confirms the trend:
The Consumer Goods & Services sector (which includes retail) is now the 5th most attacked vertical in the UK, experiencing:

• 1,337 weekly cyberattacks per organization
• 8% higher attack rate than the national average
• A 22% year-over-year increase for the sector

This aligns with broader ransomware targeting preferences—particularly for groups like Cl0p, which also show a disproportionate focus on this vertical.

A Fragmented Ecosystem Feeding the Fire

DragonForce isn’t the only one adapting. With LockBit and ALPHV dismantled by law enforcement in 2024, the ransomware ecosystem has fragmented:

• RansomHub briefly filled the vacuum before disappearing in April 2025.
• Dozens of mid-tier actors are now competing for affiliates, including groups like Akira, Medusa, and Play.
• Affiliate loyalty is low—and business models are getting aggressive, with many offering 80/20 splits and zero up-front costs.

DragonForce stands out by merging the simplicity of a platform with the influence of a movement. It offers not just tools, but identity and alignment—however vague or flexible that may be.

AI, Automation, and Ransomware’s Next Act

Check Point’s 2025 reports also note a chilling trend: the increased use of AI in malware development and campaign scaling:

• Groups like FunkSec have used LLM-assisted malware builders, lowering the technical barrier to entry.
• Deepfake audio and visual impersonation tools are being deployed to enhance social engineering and victim manipulation.
• Criminals now use GenAI to manage multilingual phishing campaigns, BEC attacks, and even OTP theft through automated call bots.

This trend is accelerating the professionalization of ransomware operations. It also makes defenders’ jobs exponentially harder.

Infinity Protection: Built for the Threats of Now

Check Point is meeting this moment with AI-powered, prevention-first cyber security:

• Infinity ThreatCloud AI: Detects and blocks 99.8% of malware and phishing, preventing over 3 billion attacks annually.
• Infinity AI Copilot: Automates security policy deployment, incident response, and threat hunting—freeing up teams and closing talent gaps.
• Complete coverage: From endpoints to cloud, data centers to SaaS, with unified visibility across the entire attack surface.

In a threat landscape defined by cartelized ransomware, fake branding, and AI-powered automation, only real-time, consolidated security intelligence can keep organizations ahead.

Hyderabad, India – 8^th May 2025: T-Hub, the world’s largest home for startups, and Beyond Next Ventures India (BNVI), a Japanese venture capital and innovation firm, have signed an addendum to their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), extending their partnership until November 2027. This extension marks a continued commitment to fostering cross-border innovation between India and Japan in deep-tech and social impact domains. Building on the original MoU signed in 2023, the extended partnership will enable the launch of multiple strategic initiatives over the next five years.

The renewed MoU will advance three primary strategic initiatives, which are designed to create sustainable value for both ecosystems:

• Social Innovation Program (India): As part of this initiative, T-Hub and BNVI will jointly launch a Social Innovation Program aimed at empowering startups that address critical social and environmental issues. This program will work in tandem with BNVI’s BRAVE Accelerator, leveraging the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for funding and mentorship. It will enable Indian startups to leverage Japanese expertise and resources to scale solutions globally, ultimately impacting underserved communities and addressing challenges such as climate change, healthcare, and poverty.
• Innovation Leaders Program (India): T-Hub and BNVI will collaborate to develop a localized version of BNVI’s Innovation Leaders Program, which is designed to cultivate a pipeline of highly skilled, science-backed entrepreneurs in India. This program will foster a new generation of talent capable of tackling complex global problems and developing deep-tech solutions. By building robust entrepreneurial talent in India, this initiative will enhance India’s position as a global hub for high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Indo-Japan Innovation Program (India and Japan): This program will facilitate closer engagement between Japanese corporations and Indian startups, creating a platform for mutual collaboration. Through this initiative, T-Hub and BNVI aim to promote the establishment of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, which will serve as innovation hubs for Japanese companies looking to expand in the Indian market. This collaboration will also help Indian startups gain market access in Japan, allowing them to scale internationally and diversify their business prospects.

The strategic extension of the partnership will also see BNVI operating from T-Hub’s Hyderabad campus, continuing to lead innovation initiatives under the Indo-Japan Innovation Bridge and T-Bridge programs. These efforts will connect ecosystems across both nations, facilitating open innovation, mentorship, and cross-border partnerships.

This partnership aims to significantly benefit both parties and the larger innovation ecosystem by creating new business avenues, enhancing talent development, and generating long-term social impact through entrepreneurship. The collaboration will empower startups to access new markets, resources, and expertise, while also helping both countries drive innovation in deep-tech and social impact sectors.

Jay Krishnan, Partner, Beyond Next Ventures, said “The extension of our MoU with T-Hub is a pivotal moment in advancing innovation that addresses both economic and social challenges. By tapping into India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, we aim to co-create impactful solutions and empower local startups to expand their reach, leveraging Japan’s rich experience in technology and business excellence. This partnership helps us not just invest, but also actively build solutions that resonate globally.”

Kavikrut, CEO, T-Hub, said “Our partnership with BNVI reflects our shared vision to create a more inclusive, innovative world. By bringing Japan’s deep-tech capabilities to India, we can empower Indian entrepreneurs to scale their innovations with global insights and partnerships. The initiatives we’re launching will provide leverage for founders in India who are building startups for global social impact”