Loveyapa The Ultimate Love Test, Now Streaming on JioHotstar
Get ready for a Delhi-sized dose of romance, chaos, and pure masala as Loveyapa is now streaming exclusively on JioHotstar. Directed by Advait Chandan, the film blends humour, emotional depth, and social commentary, exploring modern relationships in the digital age, fueled by the sizzling chemistry between Khushi Kapoor and Junaid Khan. Loveyapa is the Hindi adaptation of the 2022 Tamil blockbuster ‘Love Today’.
Set in Delhi, the story follows the journey of a young couple named Gaurav and Bani who fall in love and decide to get married. However, their lives take a drastic turn when Bani’s father, Atul Kumar Sharma (Ashutosh Rana), presents them with a unique challenge: they must exchange their mobile phones. As their secrets begin to unfold, the story takes unexpected twists. Directed by the remarkable Advait Chandan and produced by AGS Entertainment and Phantom Studios, Loveyapa stars a powerful cast of Khushi Kapoor, Junaid Khan in key roles along with Grusha Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Tanvika Parlikar, Kiku Sharda, Aaditya Kulshreshth and Nikhil Mehta.
Advait Chandan, the director of Loveyapa commented, “We all set out thinking we’re in love and then Loveyapa ho jaata hai. The film is a coming of age story of a couple. And I had an absolute blast making it. I can’t wait for it to come to JioHotstar so that a huge audience can watch it!!.”
Actor Junaid Khan added, “It was an exciting script that pulled me out of my comfort zone and it helped me expand my horizon as an actor. Loveyapa has a relatable take on the timeless themes of trust, honesty and love in relationships. I am so glad that it is now streaming on JioHotstar and I hope that more people will have an opportunity to watch it.”
The stunning Khushi Kapoor, who essays the role of Bani said,“I recall when I was first introduced to the film’s script by Advait, I felt there was a fresh perspective and an instant connection with the script. It’s a chaotic, funny love story that is highly relatable with catchy songs – it’s full on masala. I had a blast working with the cast and crew. With Loveyapa releasing on JioHotstar, I can’t wait for more and more people to watch the film.”
French DJ HUGEL Announces Maiden Show In India
India, 7th April 2025 – Platinum French DJ and producer HUGEL is set to unleash an electrifying night of pure sonic fire for his debut gig in the region with a standalone show in Mumbai on 27th April 2025 at Dome SVP Stadium.
Fresh off dominating global charts and igniting dance floors worldwide, this French maestro of deep house, Latin-infused and high-octane EDM is set to transform Mumbai into a pulsating epicenter of rhythm and light. His unforgettable remix of ‘Bella Ciao’ catapulted him into the spotlight, making him a favorite among music enthusiasts worldwide.
HUGEL states, “For me, every set is a chance to lose yourself in the music, to feel the energy of the crowd, and create something truly unforgettable. I can’t wait to bring that vibe to Mumbai!”
After hosting a successful sold-out show featuring Keinemusik’s &ME which saw the likes of Sanjay Dutt, Suhana Khan, Ibraham Ali Khan in attendance, Team Innovation in association with Paradox and Spacebound are bringing this world-class event to India.
Mohit Bijlani, Co-Founder, Team Innovation states, “We’re all about pushing boundaries and creating moments that resonate. Bringing an artist of HUGEL’s caliber to Mumbai is exactly how we aim to deliver those unforgettable cultural experiences.”
Energy and Climate Tech Shine at Startup Mahakumbh Day 2
New Delhi, April 5, 2025 – Day 2 of Startup Mahakumbh brought the spotlight to India’s growing climate innovation space, with a high-energy showcase at the Energy and Climate Tech Pavilion. Shri Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and Former CEO of NITI Aayog visited the Pavillion. He reiterated the government’s commitment to nurturing a future-ready climate tech ecosystem.
The Pavilion also hosted Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industries and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the head of Startup India initiative, who praised the startups for integrating innovation with sustainability. His visit reinforced the strategic importance of energy and climate tech within India’s broader startup policy framework.
The day began with a workshop by Meyyappan Nagappan, Partner at Trilegal, and Rohan Ghalla from Spectrum Impact, offering practical insights into legal, financial, and capital structuring for early-stage ventures. This was followed by a compelling panel on “Climate Tech Adaptation and Resilience,” moderated by Jui Joshi, Director & Senior Partner at Climate Collective. The session featured rich insights from Aavrit Singhal, Chief Product Officer, InRisk Labs; Abhay Singh, Co-founder & CEO, Eeki; Abinash Mohanty, Global Sector Head of Climate Change and Sustainability, IPE Global Limited; Ajay Lavakare, Co-President, Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs India; and Angad Daryani, Founder & CEO, Praan, Inc.
Financing for green innovation remained a key theme. In a fireside chat, Swapna Gupta, Partner at Avaana Capital, noted that “There is ample patient capital available to build sustainable businesses in India. For startups, understanding where they are in their journey is key to unlocking the right kind of support. By aligning with the most suitable sources of capital at each stage, they can accelerate their growth and create meaningful outcomes.” She was joined by Gaurav Kapoor MBE, Head of Investment Capital at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, who echoed the importance of long-term partnerships in catalyzing climate innovation, highlighting the role of sustained public-private collaboration in unlocking scalable solutions and mobilising global capital towards green transitions.
Decarbonising hard to abate industries took centre stage in a session chaired by Dr. Kushant Uppal, Founder & CEO, IndusDC Innovation Pvt. Ltd. The conversation brought together leaders such as Dr. Deepak Yadav, Senior Programme Lead, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW); Dr. Thota Chiranjeevi, Deputy General Manager, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited; Mohit Singhvi, AVP – Corporate Affairs, Chakr Innovation; Quentin Vaquette, Founding Partner, Wavemaker Impact; and Suhas Baxi, Co-founder and CEO, BiofuelCircle. The panel underlined the urgency of collaborative approaches and faster tech deployment in greening India’s industrial sector.
A panel on waste and circularity, titled “Driving Circularity: Overcoming Barriers to a Closed Loop System,” featured voices from across the ecosystem. Varun Hangloo, Head – Scale-Up & New Initiatives, Marico Innovation Foundation, moderated a thought-provoking discussion with Amit Tandon, Founder & CEO, PolyCycl Private Limited; Jitesh Dadlani, Founder & CTO, Ishitva Robotic Systems; Sanjay Khajuria, Former Director – Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nestlé India; Satya Adamala, Vice President, Re Sustainability Limited; Shekar Prabhakar, Co-founder & CEO, Hasiru Dala Innovations; and Som Narayanan, CEO & Co-founder, Carbon Masters. The conversation called attention to India’s need for systemic infrastructure, policy support, and localised innovation in waste management.
The spotlight then shifted to materials innovation in the “Next Gen Materials” panel, moderated by Alankrita Khera, Lead – Director, ACT. Setting the tone for the discussion, she said, “Accelerated industry adoption will enable the scalability of alternative materials, but performance consistency and unit economics are key areas to solve for.” She further stressed the importance of ecosystem collaboration, adding, “If India is to lead the way on materials innovation, we need to create stronger connections between the FMCG industry and innovators to collaboratively solve for shared challenges. What we saw today was just a glimpse of what’s possible when these pieces come together”. The panel featured Biswarup Chakrabarty, VP & Head – Packaging Development, ITC Limited; Neha Jain, Founder & MD, Zerocircle; Prashanth Venkatesh, Marketing & Sustainability, Unilever; Kushal Banerjee, Chief Regional Manager, HPCL; Shruti Kutmutia, Founder, BacAlt BioSciences; and Tanmay Pandya, Founder Director, Brisil Technologies Private Limited.
The day concluded with a robust session on “Decarbonising Road Transport,” moderated by Sharvari Patki, Program Head, Electric Mobility, WRI India. Experts including Akshima Ghate, Managing Director, RMI India; Dr. Jaya Rawat, Dr. Jaya Rawat, Deputy General Manager, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited; Rutooj Deshpande, Founder and CEO, Govidyouth; and Utkarsh Mishra, Global Innovation Portfolio Head, HeroMotoCorp, explored opportunities in EVs, alternative fuels, and integrated transport solutions.
Summing up his experience Mirik Gogri, Principal, Spectrum Impact said, “Day two of Startup Mahakumbh was filled with vibrant and insightful discussions between the audience and expert panelists at the Energy and Climate Tech Pavilion. We were excited to showcase a unique concept – the Climate Wall – designed to help people better understand climate change. It was heartening to see how well it was received, with many appreciating the visual journey through the sources of emissions and the innovative solutions to address them. We believe that such initiatives can spark powerful conversations and inspire collective action for a more sustainable future.”
As the Pavilion wrapped up another power-packed day, it reflected the growing momentum of India’s climate innovation movement—driven by founders, fuelled by capital, and backed by policy. We now look forward to Day 3 with fresh ideas and deeper collaborations on the horizon.
Health and Bio-Tech Pavilion Showcases Innovation on Day 2 of Startup Mahakumbh
New Delhi, April 5, 2025 — The Health and Bio-Tech Pavilion at Startup Mahakumbh came alive on Day 2 with an electrifying mix of high-stakes pitching, insightful panel discussions, and powerful knowledge sessions that highlighted the sector’s growing synergy between technology, public policy, and startup innovation.
One of the day’s most electric moments came early on with Lightning Pitches: The 10-Minute Challenge—a high-octane session where health-tech entrepreneurs pitched their groundbreaking ideas to a jury. Each startup had just ten minutes to make their case, receiving direct feedback on product improvement, business model refinement, and funding opportunities. The room buzzed with innovation, with solutions ranging from diagnostics to preventive care and digital health.
In the session on Public-Private Partnerships for Scale Impact, Mayank Sharma, Senior Program Officer, PATH, highlighted how collaborative models between the government and private sector are revolutionizing healthcare delivery. From digital platforms like e-Sanjeevani to large-scale insurance schemes under PM-JAY, technology-driven PPPs are enabling accessible, quality care at scale.
Shibu Vijayan, Chief Medical Officer, Global Health, Qure.ai, led an engaging session on AI in Healthcare: Challenges & Opportunities, where he addressed the potential of AI to streamline diagnostics and improve outcomes, while also cautioning about the regulatory, ethical, and implementation challenges that come with rapid adoption.
A critical highlight of the day was the panel on Obesity – A Metabolic Disorder: Impact on Health, Economy, and Gut Health, which urged recognition of obesity as a disease requiring medical and policy attention. The session focused on the role of gut health, personalized nutrition, and interventions like GLP-1 and prebiotics. Moderated by Pariksha Rao, Director- Nutrition and Medical Affairs, The Good Bug, the expert panel included Dr. Harshal Ramesh Salve, Additional Professor Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. Ritesh Bansal, Diabetologist and Founder, Saroj Diabetes & Research Centre, Ishi Khosla, Founder, Whole Foods India, Revant Himatsingka, Certified Health Coach and Influencer, Shubhda Bhanot, Chief Diabetes Educator, Max Healthcare Hospital, and Dr. Brij Mohan Makkar, Physician, Diabetologist, Obesity Specialist. Imm. Past President of RSSDI.
The role of technology in transforming public sector operations was explored in the panel Emerging Technologies in Industrial Services – Transforming Government Procurement and Operations, moderated by Ashutosh Bhargava, IOCL. Panelists discussed how public sector units are leveraging AR/VR, blockchain, and AI to make procurement smarter and operations safer. Speakers included C.B. Smita, Manager (MM), Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, Mohammad Salimuddin, Manager (MM), ONGC, Shri Prakash Mirani, Chief Marketplace Officer – Services, GeM, and Udaya Arun Panigrahi, Additional General Manager (Contracts and Material), NTPC Limited.
The conversation deepened with a panel on Enhancing Procurement of States Through Startups, where discussions centered around trust, ease of onboarding, and incentives for state-level procurement to catalyze innovation. The panel featured A.V Muralidharan, Chief Buyer Officer (States/UT), Government e Marketplace (GeM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Ankita Anand IAS, District Magistrate (DM), North West District, GNCTD, Dr. Deepak Murari, Joint Director Industries & Team In-Charge, Startup Uttarakhand Cell, Directorate of Industries, Govt of Uttarakhand, Rajat Jain, Founder and CEO, Sunfox Technologies Private Ltd, and Vicky Nanda, Chief Operating Officer, Niramai Health Analytix.
A special focus was given to the central government’s efforts to unlock market access for startups in the panel Unlocking Opportunities – Startups & Central Government Buyers. The session was moderated by Shri. Sagar Sachdeva, Director – Buyer Management (Central Ministries & CPSEs) and featured key officials from GeM—Shri. Aditya Chauhan, Director – Buyer Management (Central Ministries & CPSEs), Government e Marketplace (GeM), Shri. Ashish Saxena, Dy. CEO – Buyer Management (Central), Government e Marketplace (GeM), Shri. Samarth Sharma, Director – Buyer Management (Central Ministries & CPSEs), Government e Marketplace (GeM), and Shri. Vishal Singh, Director – Buyer Management (Central Ministries & CPSEs), Government e Marketplace (GeM)—who discussed how initiatives like Startup Runway are simplifying procurement processes and onboarding over 10,000 startups into government contracts.
The final panel of the day, Business Opportunities of Growth for Startups through Categories on GeM, underscored how category-based procurement is boosting inclusivity and efficiency by enabling startups to align better with government buyer needs. The session was co-moderated by Shri. Y.K Pathak, Addl. CEO & Chief – Product Categories Officer, Government e Marketplace (GeM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and Shri. Ayush Agarwal, General Manager – Category Management (Product), Government e Marketplace (GeM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Speakers included Anagh Dutt, Director, Government e Marketplace (GeM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Dr. Makhan Kumar, Assistant General Manager – R&D, Mylab Discovery Solutions Pvt Ltd, and Shri. Sumedh Bhoj, Co-Founder, Spruce Up Industries Pvt. Ltd.
Day 2 at the Health and Bio-Tech Pavilion demonstrated that the future of healthcare lies in bold partnerships, breakthrough technologies, and the willingness to reimagine traditional systems. As Startup Mahakumbh continues, the momentum around India’s health-tech revolution is only getting stronger.
Mobility Pavilion Leads the Way on Day 2 of Startup Mahakumbh
New Delhi, April 5, 2025: Startup Mahakumbh kicked off today, uniting entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to propel India’s startup ecosystem forward. The opening day featured thought-provoking discussions, insightful masterclasses, and key initiative launches aimed at shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The second day began on a high note with a panel discussion titled ‘Systemic Challenges in Indian Mobility and Solutions’, moderated by Chintan Daftardar, Program Head, Transport, WRI. Panelists included Uttam Digga, Co-founder and CEO, Porter, Adrian Smith, CEO and Co-founder, Sarla Aviation, AK Singh, Chief General Manager of Research & Development, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), Mayank Jain, CEO – New Auto, CarDekho Group, Dr T Surya Kiran, Executive Director, ASRTU, and Priya Singh, Co-founder and Director, Chalo.
The panelists stressed the need for homegrown innovation in terms of vehicle designs and localized supply chains, along with decentralized infrastructure like battery swapping. Dr T Surya Kiran made an open call to startups to innovate for public bus transportation, adding that ASRTU is working on a mechanism that will ensure startups have business opportunities with STUs without going through the tendering process.
While discussing trends and realities, and what lies ahead in this sector, Mayank Jain posited, “We have roughly about a million STEM graduates coming out of India every year. That’s the envy of the world, right? I mean, only China is ahead of that in terms of number. So, there is no reason why India should not be leading, and we are the forefront of these AI technology and tools.”
The day also featured an impactful panel titled ‘Accelerating EV Adoption in Last-Mile Mobility’. Moderated by Varun Agni, CTO and Co-founder, Bounce, the panel included Kunal Mudra, Founder, Astranova, Chintan Daftardar, Program Head, Transport, WRI, Pulkit Khurana, Co-founder and CEO, Battery Smart, Sameer Aggarwal, Founder and CEO, RevFin, Abhishek Bansal, Co-founder, Shadowfax, and Anubhav Sharma, Co-founder Baaz Mobility.
The panel discussed how EVs are transforming urban logistics and hyperlocal delivery is becoming the testing ground for EV adoption, and agreed that unique challenges remain in financing, vehicle design and operational models. Speaking about the challenges that yet remain, Varun Agni said, “A lot of the OEMs are still quite small, not scaled, and there is obviously that risk coming from the larger, more traditional OEMs. So that’s one. There are other challenges, right? So, infrastructure, by which I mean, it’s not just about charging, but it’s also about spare part availability, after sale service support. Where do you get your vehicle repaired?”
The third engaging panel of the day, The Electrification of Mobility and the Impact on the Climate, was moderated by Adrian Schmidt, CEO and Co-founder, Sarla Aviation. On the panel with him were Gagan Agarwal, CEO and Co-founder, Planet Electric, Mahua Acharya, Founder and CEO, INTENT, Feroz Khan, Head of Government Relations, Policy Advocacy and Global Regulations, Hero MotoCorp, Vaibhav Tyagi, CTO, Kazam, and Himanshu Sharma, Associate VP, Theia Ventures.
Feroz Khan emphasized the crucial role the government played in fostering innovation and supporting the EV startup ecosystem but suggested that it was now time for the industry to give back to the government. “The government has been doing its part. I really compliment the government for doing all these things on the demand side, also on the supply side. On the supply side, we have PLI of 26,000 crores allocated to the auto sector, along with the additional ACP. So, while everything is so far so good, I think now quality of the product – that’s where the government is, of course, focusing – but I think more strength is required so that the high quality products come into the market, a sense of satisfaction is given to the consumers, and overall, it helps in encouraging the consumers to move towards the electric movement. And I think this has been happening in the segment of two and three wheelers, because these are the two segments which have been driving the electrification journey of India. What needs to be happening on the four-wheeler side, the buses and other things.”
Beyond discussions, the Mobility Pavilion showcased several innovative startups, presenting their cutting-edge solutions to investors, industry experts, and attendees. Among them, standout startups—Porter, Baaz and Karishma Global Ventures among others—represented breakthroughs in the Mobility sector.
As Day 2 concluded with more impactful discussions, networking opportunities and meaningful conversations, Startup Mahakumbh only highlighted how India’s mobility sector is poised to take off.
MGM Healthcare Performs World’s First Modified Multi-Visceral Transplant
Mumbai / Chennai, April 5th, 2025: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, MGM Healthcare has successfully performed the World’s first modified multi-visceral transplant (MMVT) for the treatment of a rare intestinal disorder, saving the life of a 32-year-old patient from Kerala who had been suffering from bloody diarrhea, along with a severe drop in hemoglobin levels, progressive malnutrition, recurrent infections, and abdominal swelling.
His diagnosis, diffuse primary lymphangioma of the intestine, was a non-malignant intestinal condition. It was so extensive that conventional surgical approaches, such as bowel resection, were not viable. To address this, the expert surgical team at MGM Healthcare performed a modified multi-visceral transplant, replacing the stomach, pancreatico-duodenal complex (the pancreas and the first part of the small intestine), small intestine, and large intestine, with innovative modifications to enhance graft function and reduce immunologic risks. The patient is now recovering well, marking a major milestone in transplant medicine and offering new hope for those with complex intestinal disorders.
Before proceeding with the modified multi-visceral transplant (MMVT), the medical team at MGM Healthcare took critical steps to stabilise the patient. Given the severity of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by diffuse primary intestinal lymphangioma, the team performed an emergent subtotal enterectomy, which refers to the surgical removal of a significant portion of the diseased intestine to control the bleeding. The team also initiated total parenteral nutrition (TPN), a method of delivering essential nutrients intravenously, bypassing the digestive system altogether to ensure the patient’s nutritional stability. These interventions optimised the patient’s condition for the complex transplant procedure that followed.
The MMVT surgical intervention was headed by Prof. Dr. Anil Vaidya, M.D., Chair and Director of the Institute of Multi-Visceral and Abdominal Organ Transplant, along with Dr. Senthil Muthuraman, senior Consultant, Multi Visceral and abdominal organ transplant and Dr. Sivakumar Mahalingam, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Dr. Venkatesh B.S, Consultant Multi Visceral Transplant Program at MGM Healthcare. The anesthesia and intensive care team comprised Dr. Dinesh Babu, and Dr. Nivash Chandrasekaran.
In his comments, Prof. Dr. Anil Vaidya, said that the patient had an exceptionally high disease burden, with extensive involvement of the small intestine, making traditional surgical options like segmental resection ineffective. Given the severity of his condition, we needed an innovative approach to restore his digestive function and overall health. Our team decided to proceed with a modified multi-visceral transplant, replacing the stomach, pancreatico-duodenal complex, small intestine, and large intestine. We also made key modifications to improve graft function and reduce the risk of complications. I am truly delighted that the world’s first MMVT for this rare condition has been a success. The patient has now gone over two months without any signs of graft rejection or major complications, which is a remarkable outcome.”
In his comments, Dr. Senthil Muthuraman, said, “Primary intestinal lymphangioma is an exceptionally rare condition. The patient developed enteropathy, which led to chronic diarrhea, malabsorption of nutrients, and protein loss. The bloody diarrhea persisted for over a month and hemoglobin dropped to dangerous levels, requiring multiple blood transfusions. The extensive involvement of the small intestine made conventional treatments unfeasible. We first performed a subtotal enterectomy to control the bleeding and placed him on TPN to ensure he remained strong enough for the transplant. It is truly gratifying to see that he has made an excellent recovery, with no signs of graft rejection, resolution of enteropathy, and optimal graft function. This case marks a major breakthrough in transplant surgery, and we are proud to have been part of this life-saving procedure.”
ICAI Supporting Startups and MSMEs at Startup Mahakumbh 2025
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has set up a dedicated stall at the Startup Mahakumbh 2025, from April 3rd to 5th at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This initiative is aimed to empower startups and MSMEs in the country by providing expert guidance and addressing key concerns related to financial management, taxation, compliance and business growth.
CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI said, “ICAI recognizes the challenges faced by small businesses and startups, particularly in managing finances, securing funding and navigating regulatory compliance. Our participation at Startup Mahakumbh 2025 is part of our commitment to supporting the growth of MSMEs and startups by providing them with direct access to expert guidance and valuable information. At the ICAI stall, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to engage with professionals who can address their specific queries, empowering them to overcome obstacles and scale their businesses successfully.”
ICAI has been at the forefront of strengthening India’s MSME and startup ecosystem through various initiatives and programs. With a focus on nurturing small businesses and startups, ICAI has conducted several capacity-building programs, webinars, and events to support the entrepreneurial community.
Key initiatives include:
- Knowledge Enhancement & Capacity Building Programs
- MSME Pathshala Series – Weekly webinars on pertinent MSME & Startup Topics (Empowered over 30,000 entrepreneurs till date.)
- MSME and Startup Yatra 2024 – Organized across 120 cities in 100 days, recognized by Asia and India Book of Records
- Startup Sphere – A platform uniting startups with investors and unicorns
- Residential Refresher Course (RRC) at I-Hub, Ahmedabad – On startups and the role of Chartered Accountants as investment catalysts
- Startup Manthan 7.0 – Pitch presentations, networking, and technical sessions
- Certificate Courses on Startups and MSME
Through these initiatives ICAI aims to provide entrepreneurs with knowledge and guidance to overcome challenges and successfully scale their businesses. ICAI invites all MSMEs and startups attending Startup Mahakumbh to visit their stall at Hall No. 2, Stall No. 2.20, engage with experts and gain valuable insights to enhance their growth prospects.
Roundtable on Non-Communicable Diseases Bridging Science and Media
Delhi, India, April 5, 2025
Recognizing the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the pivotal role of media in improving understanding of public health, Resource Group for Education and Advocacy for Community Health (REACH) convened a high-impact media roundtable in collaboration with leading healthcare experts, journalists, and patient advocates. Held on 4th April 2025 at India International Centre, the event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and a commitment by stakeholders including medical professionals, survivors with lived experiences and community leadership on how media can drive awareness and strengthen public engagement on NCDs.
The roundtable opened with a welcome address by Ms. Anupama Srinivasan, Deputy Director, REACH, highlighting REACH’s work with media to improve the quality and frequency of reporting on NCDs and tuberculosis, emphasizing the media’s responsibility in shaping public discourse and fostering informed communities. Highlighting how India has an enormous burden of non communicable diseases, she shared “The NCD response is relatively young and the informational gap must be bridged. REACH’s commitment is to provide an impetus to data-driven, evidence based reporting about NCDs”
In the first session, titled The NCD Landscape – A Practitioner’s Perspective, Dr. Beena Bansal, Senior Endocrinologist, Director-Founder, Door to Care, provided a comprehensive overview of the escalating NCD scenario in India, particularly in underserved populations. She highlighted the pressing need for early diagnosis, preventive healthcare, and stronger policy interventions. Stressing the media’s role as a crucial bridge, she remarked, “In today’s digital age, media is one of the most important avenues to center stage an issue, reaching the common people. Hence, non communicable diseases must become a media priority in order for it to reach policymakers. ”
Renowned Kathak expert and cancer survivor, Ms. Alaknanda Das shared a compelling personal account of living with an NCD, shedding light on the struggles of navigating healthcare systems and accessing essential treatment. Highlighting the importance of person-centered reporting that amplifies lived experiences and strengthens advocacy efforts, she shared, “I was incredibly lucky to be diagnosed during the initial stages, because I had the awareness and immediately visited a medical expert for diagnosis. However, most people lack awareness and in such a scenario, various media channels, particularly social media, become critical as a source of information.”
Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of Community Medicine, in the session titled Voices from the Margins – Health, Identity and Inclusive Reporting, addressed the intersection of healthcare access and marginalized identities. Emphasizing the necessity of ethical, inclusive storytelling, she said, “Media reporting must be driven by courage and curiosity. All information shared by the media must be authentic, with multi-layer verification, and lived experiences must be highlighted with compassion, vulnerability, and deep sensitivity.”
Dhananjay Kumar, Former Senior Editor, Navbharat Times & Member, HEAL (Health Education & Awareness League) Foundation, in the session titled, Media in Action – Lessons from the Frontline provided actionable insights on combating misinformation, improving accuracy in health journalism, and crafting compelling narratives. Encouraging journalists to adopt data-driven storytelling, and people-centric approaches to their reporting, he remarked, “In health reporting, especially around non-communicable diseases, addressing misinformation and disinformation is key. Accurate, verified information can guide better care, reduce stigma, and support informed choices.”
The session encouraged journalists to blend data with human stories for impactful, solution-oriented reporting. The roundtable saw enthusiastic participation from the media fraternity and medical experts, with over thirty attendees, including representatives from major publications such as PTI, Amar Ujala, and The Print, affirming the media’s commitment to spotlight the growing NCD burden and driving informed public discourse.
First Ever B2G Revenue Accelerator iCollab Launched
Hyderabad: April 05th, 2025: iCollab Hub Foundation (iCollab), an initiative by Raminfo, India’s first-of-its-kind B2G (Business-to-Government) revenue accelerator that helps startups navigate the maze of the public procurement landscape, launched in the city. iCollab aims to build an ecosystem that brings startups with innovative solutions, government agencies with constant need for disruptive solutions for public welfare & administration, and strategic enablers, together to benefit from opportunities in the public sector, which is the largest market in the world.
iCollab has a dedicated 25,000 sq. ft. office space that offers a collaborative environment where founders of early-stage startups can engage, learn, and scale their ventures. It leverages Raminfo Limited’s three decades of expertise, providing strategic guidance, market access and providing the right ecosystem to succeed. iCollab provides hands-on support in proposal development, policy guidance, and eligibility credentials, ensuring startups scale up their revenues through strategic partnerships, procurement readiness programs and leveraging public procurement opportunities.
The launch event was graced by Shri D Sridhar Babu Garu, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce and Legal Affairs, Government of Telangana. Eminent speakers and thought leaders, including J A Chowdary (Founder, ISF, and Former Special Chief Secretary & IT Advisor to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh), Aloria G. R., IAS (Retd.) (Former Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat) and Sujit Jagirdar (CIO, T-Hub), along with other ecosystem leaders and industry icons shared their insights on fostering innovation through government collaboration.
According to Shri D Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce and Legal Affairs, Government of Telangana, iCollab Hub Foundation is a significant step in driving innovation through public-private partnerships. Startups often struggle to navigate public procurement, which is a huge market requiring disruptive solutions. Initiatives like iCollab provide the right tools, expertise, and networks to thrive in this space. The Government of Telangana welcomes such initiatives and is committed to fostering such collaborations that strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the state.
Shri L. Srinath Reddy, Chairman, iCollab Hub Foundation and Managing Director, Raminfo Limited, added, “Government procurement business in India offers a $700 billion opportunity for startups, provided they can navigate the challenges and gain market access. At iCollab, our vision is to create a thriving ecosystem where startups can seamlessly integrate with government initiatives and scale their businesses. By leveraging Raminfo’s extensive experience, we are providing startups with the right mentorship, procurement readiness programs, and partnerships to achieve sustainable growth in the B2G sector. Our goal at iCollab is to help 100 startups generate ₹100 crore in revenue by 2030.”
According to Shri Bhanu Prakash Reddy Varla, Board Member, iCollab Hub Foundation & Partner & Director of Growth and Strategy, Plural Technology Pvt Ltd, “At iCollab, we believe in fostering innovation through collaboration. The future belongs to those who leverage technology to solve real-world challenges, and we are committed to empowering startups and businesses with the right ecosystem to scale and succeed.”
The event served as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue among key stakeholders, including startups, government representatives, and industry leaders, focusing on strategies for effective B2G collaborations. With iCollab at the forefront, the Indian startup ecosystem is poised for a new era of innovation, public sector engagement, and scalable growth.
Shree Cement Wins Honor at CAP 2.0 Awards 2024 in Energy and Mining Sector
Shree Cement, one of India’s leading cement manufacturers, has been honored with the prestigious CAP 2.0 Award 2024 by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Recognized in the ‘Resilient’ category in the Energy, Mining & Heavy Manufacturing sector, this recognition highlights Shree Cement’s strong commitment to climate action, sustainability and future-ready environmental strategies.
The CAP 2.0 Award is India’s first dedicated recognition for climate action, evaluating companies based on their maturity in addressing climate-related risks and opportunities. Among 21 winners across industries, Shree Cement has featured among the top 10 companies recognized in the Energy, Mining & Heavy Manufacturing sector and one of only six in this category to receive the highest ‘Resilient’ ranking. This distinction underscores its leadership in emission reduction and sustainable operations.
Commenting on the achievement, Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director, Shree Cement, said, “Receiving the CAP 2.0 Award 2024 reinforces our commitment to sustainability and climate action. At Shree Cement, we believe that adaptability and long-term environmental responsibility go hand in hand. This recognition reaffirms our dedication to scientific emission targets, efficient resource utilization and impactful mitigation initiatives. We remain focused on balancing growth with sustainability while contributing to India’s transition to a low-carbon future.”
With this achievement, Shree Cement continues to set industry benchmarks in climate action. The company remains committed to aligning its operations with global best practices in sustainability and environmental responsibility, ensuring long-term business continuity while supporting India’s journey toward a low-carbon economy.