A Doctor’s Touch, Twice Blessed

Kochi, 16th April, 2025: Dr. Mathew Jacob was all smiles as he gently guided baby Shikha’s tiny fingers over the rice spread on a bronze plate, marking her Vidyarambham (first letter ceremony). As she traced her first letters, little did she know that the very man guiding her hand was the same one who, two years ago, had held it while giving her a second chance at life through a life-saving liver transplant. What unfolded at Aster Medcity was far more than a ritual, it was a heartfelt celebration of a mother’s hope, a grandmother’s selfless sacrifice, a father’s silent strength, and medical brilliance that brought it all together.

Baby Shikha Anillal, the second daughter of CRPF Jawan Anilal and Vineetha SP from Kayamkulam, began showing alarming signs just a month after her birth, yellowing of the eyes, pale stools, and abdominal swelling. The worried parents rushed her to SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, where she was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a rare and life-threatening liver disorder in infants. At only 69 days old, she underwent the Kasai procedure in an attempt to restore bile flow.

Though the surgery offered a temporary reprieve, her condition worsened over time due to recurring episodes of cholangitis. Seeking the best possible care, her family arrived at Aster Medcity, Kochi, where her case was attended by Dr. Geetha Mammayil, Pediatric Medical Gastroenterologist. Recognizing the complexities of Shikha’s illness, Dr. Geetha immediately referred her to Dr. Mathew Jacob, Senior Consultant, –Hepato Pancreato Biliary & Abdominal Multi Organ Transplant. After a comprehensive evaluation, the team led by Dr, Mathew Jacob concluded that a liver transplant was the only hope for Shikha’s survival.

Initially, Shikha’s mother volunteered; however, her pre-transplant assessment revealed medical limitations preventing her from proceeding as a donor. This was when her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Prasanna Kumari, volunteered to donate a part of her liver—even though she had an incompatible blood type. With immense resolve and love, she underwent exhaustive testing and was ultimately found fit to donate.

On May 20, 2023, at just nine months old, Shikha underwent a live donor liver transplant at Aster Medcity. Shikha’s post-operative course was smooth, and she was discharged after 23 days, ready to embrace life anew.

“This is truly a blessed moment. It’s a reminder of what science and love, can achieve in transforming lives,” said Dr. Mathew Jacob, Senior Consultant –Hepato Pancreato Biliary & Abdominal Multi Organ Transplant.

The family living in Coimbatore came down to Aster Medcity for baby Shikha’s Vidyarambham ceremony as it their wish to have their daughter’s learning journey ceremonially begin under the guidance of Dr. Mathew Jacob.

Following the Vidyarambham, Dr. Mathew Jacob presented Gurudakshina to Shikha, marking the significance of the moment for both doctor and patient. Interestingly, the ceremony coincided with the birthday of Mrs. Prasanna Kumari, Shikha’s maternal grandmother and liver donor, and a small celebration was held at the Aster Medcity campus to mark the occasion, including a cake-cutting in her honour.

Aster Medcity CEO Dr. Nalanda Jayadev and Dr. Mathew Jacob also handed over ‘Vishu Kaineettam’-a traditional token of blessing and prosperity, to Shikha and her sister as part of the New Year custom.

The event was attended by members of Shikha’s family, along with doctors, nurses, and other staff of Aster Medcity.

Premiumisation Reshaping India’s Retail Landscape: Superior Grade Malls to drive 70% of New Supply in 2025-2026: Cushman & Wakefield Report

Gurugram, 16th April 2025 – India’s retail real estate sector is undergoing a structural transformation, driven by a new wave of premiumisation. With rising consumer aspirations, increased discretionary spending, and a significant shift in brand and developer strategies, the country is witnessing the emergence of a more sophisticated, experience-driven retail ecosystem.

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According to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest research report, “Premiumisation of India’s Retail Sector – Upscaling, Upgrading and Evolving”, launched at MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit & Awards 2025, over 70% of the 12.3 million sq. ft. (msf) of new Grade A mall supply expected over the next two years will be Superior Grade (Grade A+). This marks a significant upgrade in quality and experience across India’s upcoming retail infrastructure.

Of the 12.3 million sq. ft. of new Grade A mall supply projected across 2025 and 2026, 8.6 million sq. ft. will be Superior Grade—underscoring the sector’s shift from scale to quality. The superior-grade malls typically owned and operated by reputed developers or institutional investors are characterized by their high occupancy rates (more than 85%), upscale tenant mix, and service-rich environments.

India’s total Grade A mall stock stood at 61.5 million sq. ft. in 2024, with Superior Grade malls already comprising 63% (38.9 million sq. ft.) of the total. These malls are outperforming their peers, with stock-weighted average rents rising by 29% since 2019, currently averaging INR 315 per sq. ft. per month.

Metro cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune lead the Grade-A mall stock, with Delhi NCR alone accounting for 21.75 MSF. Superior grade assets within these metros are witnessing strong investor and retailer interest, driving rental growth and low vacancy rates of around 3-4%.

Evolving Lifestyles Fuel Demand for Premium Retail Spaces

The report attributes this shift to the rise of India’s affluent and aspirational middle class. With the country’s median age under 30, younger consumers are embracing lifestyle upgrades and experiential consumption. As digital-first premium brands transition to offline formats, they are increasingly choosing Grade-A malls or prominent high streets to establish physical footprints. This premiumisation has also impacted the mall leasing landscape as value brands are gradually losing share in superior malls, while lifestyle, premium, and luxury categories are gaining prominence.

Changing Retail Mix: Beauty, Athleisure and F&B Take Centre Stage

Premiumisation is also reshaping the brand mix and category spread within malls. The share of traditional anchors such as hypermarkets and cinemas is declining, while fashion, beauty, wellness, and experiential dining are emerging as key drivers of footfall and spend. Beauty & wellness, food & beverage (F&B), and athleisure have seen significant growth in mall footprints, driven by high trading densities and increased consumer engagement. The beauty and wellness segment has caught up well with premiumisation trend, having attracted immense patronage from consumers in the last 5-6 years. Today, it commands an average trading density in the range of INR 8,000 to 12,000 per month, making it a discerning segment for most mall managers. F&B, in particular, has evolved into the new anchor category, often driving footfall more effectively than traditional departmental stores. The report also notes a modest yet promising rise in jewellery and Consumer Durables Information Technology (CDIT) categories, reflecting India’s expanding appetite for premium experiences. Meanwhile, traditional anchors like hypermarkets and cinemas are witnessing reduced footprints as their value proposition evolves.

Retail Giants Reshape Strategies to Stay Ahead of the Curve

The report also outlines how large, listed retailers such as Aditya Birla Fashion, Reliance Retail, Shoppers Stop, and Tata Trent are adapting to this wave of premiumisation. Initiatives include the launch of premium private labels, omnichannel retailing strategies, digital-first store formats, and targeted expansion into Tier-II and Tier-III cities where rising incomes are fuelling lifestyle upgrades.

As the premiumisation trend matures, the role of mall management is expected to evolve significantly. Future-ready malls will not only focus on tenant curation but also integrate digital infrastructure, community engagement, sustainability, and design flexibility to stay relevant. The report underscores the need for developers and brands to align their strategies to tap into India’s evolving consumer landscape.

Premiumisation Across High Streets

Owing to limited space availability in superior grade malls, many brands choose to locate their stores in prominent highstreets across the top 8 cities over the last few years. Prominent highstreets include locations such as the Linking Road in Mumbai, Khan Market and Connaught Place in Delhi, M.G. Road in Bengaluru among others. Though these are considered unorganized supply in many ways, the prominent highstreets offer brands the benefit of direct visibility to passing shoppers. Over the years, prominent highstreets have seen their rentals surpass pre-COVID peak of 2019 and have been moving upwards gradually ever since, acting as testimony to the high demand for such spaces from premium retail brands.

Saurabh Shatdal, Executive Managing Director, Capital Markets & Head, Retail India, Cushman & Wakefield, said at the launch, “India’s retail landscape is evolving rapidly, and so are consumer aspirations. The rise of Superior Grade malls reflects a clear pivot from just scale to quality and experience. Today’s consumers are seeking curated, design-led environments where the brand experience is as important as the product itself. Categories like beauty, wellness, F&B, and athleisure—known for high engagement and trading density—are shaping this next phase of retail. The response from developers and brands shows a deep shift in strategy: toward sophisticated, digitally integrated, and future-ready retail formats that truly resonate with the country’s aspirational consumers.”

Audible India Unveils 11 Originals with Hubhopper

16 April 2025: Audible, an Amazon company and the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, is pleased to announce the launch of 11 Audible Original podcasts produced in association with Hubhopper, a platform for podcast hosting, management and distribution.

These podcasts offer a fresh, diverse range of voices and perspectives across multiple genres –from physical and mental wellbeing to self-help, life lessons and astrology, these titles promise enriching and entertaining content for all listeners.

The following are Audible Original podcasts produced in association with Hubhopper:

  1. Ayurveda for Everyday Life – In this podcast, Purnesh, formerly known as Swami Purnachaitanya, guides listeners on how to utilize principles of Ayurveda, the ancient science of health and wellbeing, to improve their quality of life.
  2. Life without Locha – Hosted by Shivankit Parihar, this podcast explores diverse human experiences through candid conversations, tackling topics like social media challenges, fat-shaming, and the complexities of relationships.
  3. Expert-e-Mohabbat – Host and love expert, Peeyush Singh, guides listeners through the often-turbulent waters of love, exploring the many facets of love.
  4. Sultry Samwaad – Coach Pallavi Barnwal explores the intricacies of love, desire, and relationships with each episode, delving into a variety of intimate topics.
  5. Jyotish Ek Darpan – Renowned astrology and Vastu expert Shri Pawan Kumar Mishra answers all questions related to astrology and Vastu in this podcast, offering a clear understanding of the science of astrology.
  6. Daily Mantras A Weekly Guide – Discover powerful mantras for each day of the week with Purnesh, popularly known as the Dutch Monk, and learn how to apply this ancient science to navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and ease.
  7. Secrets in our Stars Everyday Astrology – Learn more about what Astrology is and how this ancient Vedic science explains how time has an impact on the quality of your life.
  8. Wisdom Sutras for Everyday Life – Inspired by the teachings of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, delve into practical insights that will allow you to skillfully deal with everything life throws at you and live a more joyful and fulfilled life.
  9. The Sleeping Pill – Designed for those who find it hard to catch a wink of sleep, this calming podcast by Kanishka Thakur helps you drift off with ease and wake up energised.
  10. What the Myth – Join host Dr. Siddharth Warrier as he dives into some of the most fascinating myths from around the world, alongside expert guests who unravel fact from fiction using the latest scientific research—covering everything from health misconceptions to historical myths.
  11. Lean Green Machine – Living the green life is all about balance. In this podcast, host Dr. Manan Vohra explores how to achieve that balance through conversations with expert guests, offering insights into living a healthy lifestyle that nurtures the planet, the body, and the mind.

Shailesh Sawlani, Country Manager, India – Audible, said, “At Audible, we enjoy working with creators like Hubhopper who share our passion for impactful and high-quality storytelling. This association marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to bringing listeners content with subject domain experts like Dr Manan Vohra, Pallavi Barnwal, Dr Siddharth Warrier, and popular voices like actor Shivankit Parihar and RJ Peeyush Singh that enriches, educates, and engages. These new Audible Originals, produced in an easy-to-listen format, are insightful and thought-provoking, and are sure to bring value to listeners across the country.

Mr. Nikhil Kapoor, Head of Business & Operations, Hubhopper, said, “This association with Audible marks a significant milestone for Hubhopper. We’ve always strived to push the boundaries of audio infotainment, and these 11 original podcasts are a testament to that vision. Working with Audible has allowed us to elevate our production standards and reach a wider audience. We’re confident this launch will set a new benchmark for podcasting in India and beyond.”

The launch of these 11 titles builds on Audible’s commitment to provide an immersive listening experience to its listeners, while focusing on high-quality storytelling and content that resonates with listeners today. This association also marks another step toward making audio storytelling a part of everyday life for more people than ever.

These titles are available for all Audible.in members now. You can download the Audible app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store and start listening.

Bloomingdales Pre-Primary Celebrates Art with Van Gogh Flair

Mumbai, April 16, 2025: To celebrate World Art Day, Bloomingdales Pre-Primary, Mumbai, organized a day to honor the work of legendary Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. As part of the celebrations, the school turned its pre-primary classrooms into vibrant studios of imagination and expression with a series of art activities.

One of the few schools to implement NEP-20 initially, the school is well-known for its emphasis on holistic learning, and for the same, taking one step forward towards in the direction the art activities included Sunflower art with tissue roll, bubble wrap dabbing (one on one) and painting with colourful colours using hands for playschool, Swirl Art using yellow, green and blue paint and wet chalk on black chart paper stuck on the wall for Jr. K.G., Finger painting (sunflower Art) and wet chalk on black chart paper stuck on the wall for Sr. K.G. and around 200 students were part of this occasion.

The young learners dabbled and explored Van Gogh’s iconic works like The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Irises as their vibrant brush strokes painted swirling skies, sun-drenched fields and flowers, among others. They created their own interpretations of artists’ works, expressing their emotions and creativity while also appreciating the beauty of nature. With hands-on art-making and storytelling sessions, children were encouraged to interpret Van Gogh’s emotive style and use of bold colours in their own unique way.

Aligning with NEP-2020, teachers introduced students to how art can express feelings, nature, and imagination. It also paved a way to teach young minds about the life and legacy of Van Gogh in a fun and accessible manner. To make it more inclusive, age-appropriate materials like finger paints, crayons, sponges, and pastels were used, and the little artists recreated their versions of the masterpieces, filling the classrooms with creativity and joy. The activities also aimed to improve eye – hand coordination, enhance students’ creativity and support their fine motor development.

Marking the celebration, Principal Damayanti Bhattacharya said, “At Bloomingdales, we believe in nurturing creativity from an early age, and who can be better than Vincent Van Gogh to inspire our little learners. Days like World Art Day offer us the perfect opportunity to introduce children to the magic of self-expression through colours, and through this celebration, we aim to help children see that art is not about perfection, but about feeling, freedom, and fun.”

The corridors of Bloomingdales Pre-Primary came alive with dazzling artwork, reminding everyone that art is a universal language that can be felt even before it is understood. The celebration was aimed as an effort to improve motor skills, promote creative thinking, and build emotional intelligence among children in their formative years.

ABB India Launches AI-Powered Startup Challenge Today

India, April 16, 2025 : ABB India, in partnership with Microsoft and SynerLeap, launched ABB Startup Challenge India 2025, inviting India’s most promising deep tech startups to develop AI-powered solutions for advancing smart drive technology. The winner of the challenge will receive a $30,000 project prize, mentorship from ABB experts, and gain global exposure through ABB’s innovation platforms. The last date to submit applications is April 29, 2025.

Variable Speed Drivers (VSDs) are instrumental in improving energy efficiency, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system users often face challenges understanding how their machines interact with these drives – leading to delays, manual inputs, and increased dependence on technical support. The initiative aims to simplify drive and motor selection, commissioning, and troubleshooting using artificial intelligence.

Under the theme “Advancing Smart Drive Technology with AI Innovation,” the focus is on developing advanced technologies that can simulate real-world drive performance, self-commission without manual parameterization or input, and autonomously troubleshoot issues. Through this initiative, ABB India seeks to create a smarter, self-learning ecosystem that improves reliability, reduces downtime, and enhances the customer experience.

The startup challenge reflects ABB’s continued efforts to promote open innovation and create scalable, local solutions for global sustainability. As ABB India celebrates its 75th anniversary, highlighting a rich legacy of technology and innovation, it introduces this challenge to the country following its successful implementations in parts of Europe and United States.