UST Upgrades Beeramguda School to Boost Education and Community

Mumbai, 26th March 2025: As a part of its latest CSR initiative, UST, a leading technology and digital transformation solutions company, has elevated the infrastructure facilities of Mandal Parishad Primary School in Beeramguda, Hyderabad, Telangana in a continuous effort to support education and community development with improved resources.

As a part of the program, UST equipped the Beeramguda school with a modern audio system comprising an amplifier, speakers, and microphones for seamless announcements. Additionally, UST installed three water dispensers to ensure access to clean drinking water for students, provided six storewell cupboards for safe storage and other essential materials, enhancing the overall functionality of the school. UST’s CSR Ambassador Tirumala Vijaykumar P. helped in identifying the need and collaborated with the school.

The new facilities were presented to the school through an inaugural event attended by the Mandal Education Officer and UST’s CSR volunteers. The event also included engaging and fun activities for students.

Headlining the inaugural function at the Mandal Parishad School in Beeramguda, Venkata Peram, Center Head – Hyderabad and Senior Client Partner, UST, said, “At UST, we believe that real change begins with empowering communities through the right resources. This infrastructure upgrade reflects our dedication to uplifting the student community by providing a conducive learning environment and essential resources. By addressing critical needs, we remain steadfast in our dedication to creating a substantial societal impact through our CSR initiatives.”

UST was previously recognized with the Mahatma Award for CSR excellence in 2024 for the third consecutive time for its unwavering commitment to large-scale community and societal impact through its CSR initiatives.

ClarityX AI Launches ‘Places Pulse’ with Mappls MapmyIndia

New Delhi, March 26, 2025: ClarityX (www.clarityx.ai), an AI-driven data analytics and consulting firm backed by MapmyIndia founders, driving immediate strategic decisions and digital transformation, has unveiled “PLACES PULSE”, a cutting-edge search analytics tool that deciphers India’s movement trends across time periods.

“The ClarityX Places Pulse is not just a dashboard; it’s a movement map for India. With this unique tool, businesses and policymakers can pinpoint demand spikes, identify location-based consumer behaviour, and strategize with precision—all at zero cost. The Places Pulse tool leverages Mappls MapmyIndia, India’s best hyperlocal Maps data and location tech to analyse places search trends by state, category and time frame to stay updated on popular destinations,” says Rakhi Prasad, Co-founder, ClarityX.

Leveraging anonymized search data from millions of users, Places Pulse provides instant insights into consumer behaviour, market demand, and location intelligence, redefining how businesses, policymakers, and analysts make data-driven decisions.

Why Places Pulse?

A Smarter Way to Decode Consumer Movement. In today’s fast-moving world, relying solely on traditional surveys and expensive feedback mechanisms is outdated. Places Pulse offers an on-ground intelligence alternative—analysing 9GB of daily logs and 450M+ monthly records to provide granular insights into what, where, and when India is searching.

Decode India’s Pulse Like Never Before

Hyperlocal Search Trends – Analyse consumer movement patterns across states, districts, and even rural vs. urban areas.

Category Intelligence – Track 12+ industries, including Restaurants, Healthcare, Tourism, Finance, and more.

Time-Based Consumer Insights – Identify peak search hours and seasonal demand shifts through monthly trends.

Geospatial Heatmaps – Visualize search activity down to the state and district level.

Trend Tracking & Forecasting – Spot emerging and declining trends before the competition.

Who Needs Places Pulse? Everyone.

  • Businesses – Optimize marketing, expansion & location strategies based on real consumer demand.
  • Retail & Hospitality – Identify hotspots for new stores, hotels, or franchises.
  • Policymakers & Urban Planners – Use real-time location data for better infrastructure and service planning.
  • Investors & Analysts – Uncover market shifts and investment hotspots before they make headlines.

sPrecise and actionable Insights

  • 49% of all searches in India are for religious places, followed by hospitals & clinics (23%)—highlighting cultural and healthcare-driven demand.
  • Goa saw a 62% spike in tourist searches in November, making it the most-searched destination in a single month.
  • Andaman & Nicobar and Goa lead in Pubs & Bars searches accounting for 25 – 30% of searches in the restaurant category, while Bakery searches in Andhra Pradesh surged from 5% in Jan to 36% in April.
  • Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati) recorded the highest search activity in Assam, proving its dominance as a commercial hub.
  • Sri Ganga Ram Hospital was Delhi’s most-searched hospital in 2024, reinforcing its top-tier reputation.

AI Revolution Startups Shaping the Future with Every Algorithm

Artificial Intelligence has become an important part of our daily lives. Startups are now leveraging AI to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive efficiency. However, the debate over ethical AI use and the fear of AI replacing human jobs continues. Despite this, several startups are pushing the boundaries of AI, using it in unique ways tailored to their respective industries. Here’s a look at such startups making a difference with AI-driven innovations.

1. Healthians
Healthians, founded by serial entrepreneur Deepak Sahni, is a trusted name in diagnostic testing in India. Operating in over 250 cities with a network of 22+ certified laboratories, the company ensures accessible healthcare. Healthians is investing heavily in AI and has developed several features which are industry firsts. For example, they have launched Video Analysis Feature which is designed to help users better understand the key parameters in their test reports and their significance, along with offering personalized recommendations. Healthians is the first in the industry to introduce such an innovation. Additionally, Healthians has launched WelliO, an AI-powered personal health chatbot that answers users’ health-related queries, enhancing accessibility and patient engagement. These advancements position Healthians as a pioneer in AI-integrated diagnostics.

2. Ikonz Studios
Ikonz Studios is a pioneer in hyper-realistic AI-powered digital avatars and holographic experiences. Ikonz specializes in hyper-realistic, multilingual digital avatars and holographic technology. By leveraging generative AI, Ikonz is transforming the way people engage with digital content, bringing iconic personalities to life through interactive and intelligent digital experiences. One of its most notable projects is the AI-powered digital avatar of Amitabh Bachchan, launched in partnership with IDFC FIRST Bank. Founder Abinav, with a background in tech and finance, aims to integrate AI-powered digital assistants across banking, healthcare, education, and entertainment. The startup is backed by Village Global, which counts Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos among its supporters.

3. Ola Krutrim
Founded by serial entrepreneur Bhavish Aggarwal, also the co-founder of Ola, developed Ola Krutrim in just 7 to 8 months with financial backing from close networks. Ola Krutrim became the first AI unicorn in January 2024 after raising $50 million, bringing its total funding to $74 million. Focused on delivering advanced AI solutions specifically for the Indian market, the company is developing India-specific large language models (LLMs) capable of working with 10 Indian languages. Competing with other industry players, Ola Krutrim distinguishes itself through its focus on creating “AI for India,” with a mission to craft AI models that understand and express Indian cultural nuances. The company has recently partnered with Lenovo to establish a 700-billion parameter based model ‘Ola Krutrim 3’.

4. Razorpay

Razorpay, one of India’s leading fintech unicorns, is leveraging AI to enhance financial services. The company recently launched RAY, an AI chatbot for payments and payroll management, offering seamless solutions to ecommerce companies through voice and text commands in multiple languages. Additionally, Razorpay introduced Engage, a full-stack intelligent marketing growth suite designed to help businesses acquire and retain customers with AI-powered personalization. Other AI-driven innovations include FraudShield, aimed at reducing chargebacks and safeguarding businesses from fraud, and AI-Powered RTO Suite, designed to mitigate return-to-origin losses. The company is aggressively expanding its AI offerings, making payments and financial management smarter and more efficient.

5. MakeMyTrip

MakeMyTrip, India’s leading online travel company is also leveraging the powers of AI to server it’s users in the best way possible. They have introduced ‘Collections’, an AI-powered feature that personalizes hotel and homestay discovery. By analyzing traveler insights, search history, and booking patterns, the AI curates accommodations into themed collections, helping users navigate over 86,000 options across 2,000+ cities. The feature continuously learns from user interactions, refining recommendations to enhance traveler experiences. Currently live in 30+ leisure and pilgrimage destinations, it is expanding rapidly to cater to a wider audience.

6. Fenado AI

Founded in 2024, Fenado AI enables users with zero coding expertise to build apps and websites in minutes. The platform is designed for startups, small businesses, and larger organizations, providing end-to-end tech solutions. Fenado AI has already onboarded over 200 global paying customers and aims to reach 10,000 by 2025. Fenado Ai is founded by the Shark Tank India Judge Azhar Iqubal who is also the Founder of India’s famous news app Inshorts. The platform is focused on underserved regions, making it accessible for entrepreneurs across tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It provides scalability and continuous AI-driven support, helping businesses build digital products without the need for dedicated tech teams.

7. LimeChat
LimeChat, founded in 2020 amid a pandemic-driven e-commerce boom in India, delivers personalized and engaging conversational experiences on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Through its AI-powered automated conversational commerce platform, LimeChat helps brands replicate a store-like buying experience, boosting conversion rates by up to 10x. Serving over 300 brands, including HUL, ITC, Mamaearth, and Wow Skin Science, LimeChat specializes in the fashion, beauty, health, and wellness verticals. Backed by Stellaris Venture Partners, Google, and IFC, the startup has raised $5 million to date, including $750,000 in a seed round led by Pi Ventures. Competing with Noogata, TUNGEE, and Slang Labs, LimeChat enables instant customer query responses across WhatsApp, Meta Messenger, and Instagram, solidifying its position as a leader in conversational commerce.

8. Beatoven.AI
Beatoven.ai is co-founded by Mansoor Rahimat Khan, a seventh-generation sitar player of the Dharwad Gharana, and Siddharth Bhardwaj. The app uses generative AI to create original, royalty-free music for video, podcast, and gaming content creators. The platform uses open-source large language models (LLMs) to generate mood-based music by analyzing key elements like genre, mode, and duration. With close to 1 million users globally, primarily outside India, Beatoven.ai is revolutionizing music creation. The startup has raised over $2.4 million from investors like Capital2B (Info Edge), IvyCap Ventures, and Upsparks Capital. It aims to reach 5 million users and achieve a 10x increase in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in the next two years. Backed by a diverse team of musicians, technologists, designers, and writers, Beatoven.ai is making music creation accessible and intuitive for creators worldwide.

Fifth Dimensional Leap – A Transformative Art Exhibition

AMOHA Galleria (Adishakti Museum of Heritage & Arts), a revered institution dedicated to celebrating arts and culture, proudly announces its upcoming exhibition, “Fifth Dimensional Leap – A Transformative Art Exhibition,” by AMOHA Galleria in collaboration with Bikaner House. This exhibition is a significant addition to the cultural calendar for 2025-2026, bringing together a rich tapestry of global artistic expressions.

The exhibition features an extraordinary array of international artists, each offering a unique perspective through their works. Delicate dreamscapes, dynamic forms, and ethereal textures come together, creating an immersive experience. Artists employ unconventional materials, combining traditional narratives with experimental forms, opening portals to deeper introspection and discovery. The exhibition seeks to transcend the tangible world, offering glimpses into the mystical fifth dimension—a realm where art, science, and spirituality intertwine.

Andrea Ehret from Slovakia is a renowned Slovak artist, art therapist, and performer based in Prague, Czech Republic. Her abstract expressive oil and mixed media paintings explore emotional depth and inner landscapes. Esteban Marrugo Carreazo is a contemporary visionary artist whose work encapsulates vibrant and thought-provoking imagery, pushing the boundaries of traditional mediums. Fintan Raymond Whelan from Ireland is known for his alchemical blending of pigments, oils, and textures. His abstract pieces explore the fluidity of form and color, engaging viewers in deep contemplation. George Farah Makhlouf delves into innovative interpretations of cultural identity, intertwining heritage with modern artistic expression. Griselda Amancay Maymo is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative practice spans diverse media, exploring themes of memory, transformation, and identity. Luca Dei Savini bridges material and spiritual realms, using abstraction to merge earthly existence with divine aspirations. Norberto Noschang from Brazil is inspired by his background in Geology. His large-scale, vibrant abstract works reflect the movement and layering of the earth’s formations, utilizing impasto techniques to bring natural elements to life. Pablo Echeverria Castillo is a versatile artist whose mixed media pieces challenge conventional perspectives, blending surrealism with contemporary themes. Paula Cecilia Riverro is a deeply introspective artist who considers her own existence as an artistic journey, merging personal experiences with a universal artistic language. Teofilo Choquecahua from Peru is a master textile artisan specializing in the flat weave style of Ayacucho. His intricate wool weavings incorporate traditional Inca iconography, utilizing natural plant-based dyes to preserve the authenticity of ancient craftsmanship.

Each artist brings a distinct voice, collectively shaping a powerful artistic narrative.

The exhibition is led by Mr. Vinay Rai, a well-known industrialist, educationist, entrepreneur, and thinker. He graduated from MIT and Harvard and has started many projects to help people. One of his key initiatives is The Denim Club of He-for-She Champions, which promotes gender equality. On his 75th birthday, he launched the Zero Hunger Mission, showing his commitment to using art for a good cause and fighting global hunger.

“We are thrilled to present this unique and immersive exhibition that not only highlights the creativity of global artists but also serves a greater humanitarian cause,” said Shahzada Khurram, Director of Bikaner House. “Our collaboration with AMOHA underscores our commitment to fostering cultural exchange and addressing pressing global issues through art.”

Beyond visual appreciation, the exhibition offers engaging discussions and interactive sessions exploring art’s evolving role in social transformation.

AMOHA Galleria and Project Zero Hunger Mission AMOHA offers as a dynamic platform, seamlessly blending global heritage with contemporary artistic innovation. Through Project Zero Hunger Mission, AMOHA transforms art into a force for change, where philanthropy and creativity converge. The organization invites artists worldwide to contribute artworks, participate in exhibitions, and support fundraising auctions, all dedicated to eradicating hunger and ensuring food security for all. . AMOHA commits the entire sale proceeds of this exhibition to the Zero Hunger Mission Trust, an ambitious program striving to unite a billion people in the goal of providing three billion meals daily.

Ishq Jabariya’s Siddhi Sharma Shares Her Genius Summer Makeup Trick

As the temperatures keep soaring, staying cool isn’t just about beating the heat—it’s about beating it smartly! Siddhi Sharma, who plays the lead role of Gulki to life in Sun Neo’s Ishq Jabariya, knows exactly how tough it can get. Long hours on set, shooting under the blazing sun — it’s no easy task. But Siddhi’s got it figured out with some clever, practical tweaks to her routine to stay refreshed, energized, and ready to shine.

Sharing her summer survival secrets, Siddhi says, “The heat can really drain you, so staying hydrated is super important, especially as I’m shooting for Sun Neo’s Ishq Jabariya. I start my day with coconut water or fresh juice — it gives me that instant energy kick. I make sure to sip on water all day, and drinks like buttermilk and nimbu paani are a total lifesaver.

The Ishq Jabariya actress has made smart tweaks to her fitness, fashion and food habits. Revealing the same, Siddhi shared, “Summer’s not the time for intense workouts, so I switch to early mornings or evenings when it’s cooler. I keep my meals light — heavy food just makes me feel lazy and uncomfortable. Watermelon, cucumber, and curd are my go-to snacks. My makeup artist has this genius trick — he dips a muslin cloth in cold water and dabs it on my face and neck between shots. It’s such a quick fix to cool down and keep my makeup in place!

“For clothes, I keep it simple — light cottons in whites and pastels feel the best in this heat. I always carry my sunglasses to protect my eyes, and my umbrella is a must. Honestly, summer’s the perfect excuse for cold drinks and ice creams! I love salted chaas, aam panna, and of course, a little ice cream now and then. Plus, I get to wear comfy shorts and breezy summer dresses — it’s the best part of summer for me!” she concluded.

Ishq Jabariya, airing on Sun Neo at 10:00 PM, follows the inspiring journey of Gulki, a determined young woman with bold dreams. The show features an incredible cast, including Kamya Panjabi, Dipshikkha Nagppal, Siddhi Sharma, and Lakshay Khurana, who bring depth and emotion to this compelling narrative.

La Pink Launches InsideYourSkin to Educate on pH Balance

India, 26th March 2025: La Pink, India’s first beauty brand with 100% microplastic-free formulation , is excited to launch its #InsideYourSkin campaign, focusing on how Indian skin functions and reacts to ingredients- by maintaining pH balance. Indian skin is diverse, with varying types and concerns, making it essential to maintain its natural pH balance. Whether you have oily, dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, the right pH balance is key to preventing common issues like irritation, dryness, excess oil, and breakouts. La Pink’s products are formulated to support and restore your skin’s natural pH balance, helping you achieve radiant, healthy skin by eliminating microplastics as the base ingredient in personal care products.

The #InsideYourSkin campaign aims to educate Indian consumers on the importance of maintaining pH balance that gets disrupted by the use of microplastics products in skincare. La Pink’s 100% microplastic-free formulations are tested by dermats and clinically proven to support your skin’s ideal pH levels. Hero products like the Ideal Bright Face Wash, Ideal Bright Face Toner, Ideal Bright Face Serum, Vitamin C sunscreen & Strawberry Lip Balm which works in harmony to cleanse, hydrate, and restore the skin’s natural pH levels. Ingredients like White Haldi (soothing and anti-inflammatory), Cactus Flower (hydrates and protects), and Kakadu Plum (brightens and evens skin tone), the ingredients sourced from France, Australia, and the USA for their best potential for Indian skin needs.

For Indian consumers, pH balance is the foundation of healthy skin. Whether you’re dealing with pigmentation, excess oil, or dehydration, La Pink’s range of personal care products line helps restore balance, provides much needed nutrition to skin , leaving it not only beautiful but resilient, strong, and glowing from the inside out.

Nitin Jain, Founder of La Pink, shares his inspiration behind the campaign: “Maintaining healthy skin is imperative. My wife is the source of my inspiration behind this brand and the campaign. I feel that if we are able to raise awareness about how important it is to understand how pH levels function Inside our skin, it’ll be easier to understand how our skin responds better. With #InsideYourSkin, we’re sparking a movement to celebrate Indian beauty and empower every woman to embrace her natural glow.”

#InsideYourSkin is more than just a campaign; it’s an invitation to understand your skin’s needs and take a more natural, effective approach to skincare.

Join the #InsideYourSkin movement and explore La Pink’s range of 100% microplastic-free formulations, skin-loving products. Take the first step toward healthier, more balanced skin today.

The GSMA Board elects Gopal Vittal as the new Chairman

Gurugram (India), March 24, 2025: The Board of Directors of the GSMA elected Gopal Vittal – Vice Chairman & MD, Bharti Airtel, as its new Chairman, until the end of 2026. Gopal is currently the acting Chair of the GSMA board.

In his role as the Chairman, Gopal will oversee the strategic direction of the GSMA. The members of this prestigious body include 1000 telecom companies from around the world, handset and device companies, software companies, equipment providers, internet companies, as well as organizations in adjacent industry sectors. Gopal becomes the second Indian after Sunil Bharti Mittal to be elected as the Chairman of the GSMA Board.

The appointment also highlights the significant influence Airtel has in the global telecom industry, with both Sunil Bharti Mittal and Gopal Vittal having held key positions on the GSMA Board for years.

Taking on the role, Gopal Vittal said “I am honored to be elected as the Chair of the GSMA Board. The mobile industry contributed $6.5 trillion to the global economy in 2024 and is the spine on which much of the innovation in the world is built. The GSMA, as a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem, is fundamental to discover, develop and deliver innovation that impacts positive change for all. I look forward to working closely with the GSMA team and the rest of the Board to continue this important work. “

Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, commented: “I have worked with Mr. Vittal for many years and am delighted that he has been appointed Chair of the GSMA Board. His knowledge and experience makes him very well positioned to lead the Board and the industry through the current challenges and opportunities, including how to leverage AI and complete 5G for new business models and revenues streams.”

Gopal has served on the GSMA Board in different capacities for over a decade including as Deputy Chair for the last three years. Most recently, he was also appointed the Acting Chair of the GSMA board in early 2025 and has now been formally elected as the Chair of the GSMA board. Gopal will serve as the Chair of the Board until the end of 2026. The GSMA Board will announce the election of a new Deputy Chair in due course.

Gopal Vittal is currently the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel and is also a Board member of Bharti Airtel Limited, Airtel Africa PLC and Indus Towers. Prior to this, he was the Managing Director & CEO for Airtel for 12 years.

Yakult Launches GutIsBusted Campaign for Healthy Gut Awareness

March 24th, 2025, New Delhi: Having carved a distinct niche for itself in the probiotic category, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. launched a quirky and enjoyablesocial media awareness campaign to reinforce the importance of good bacteria to keep a healthy and happy gut. This poignant Social Media campaign will remain live from March 17-31, 2025. This was disclosed by Mr Eiji Amano, Managing Director, Yakult India Pvt. Ltd.

This innovative campaign titled #GutIsBusted starts with the hype that someone has been arrested for weak immunity, bad digestion and fatigue. But later, it is disclosed that it is not the gut but harmful bacteria that are the primary reason for the illness. Hence, among others, Yakult is also a very good solution to increase good bacteria for better digestion and immunity.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Taku Otsuka, Director of Sales, PR &Marketing, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., remarked, “Today, world over, people are facing multiple health challenges. The health barometer suggests that 7 of every 10 Indians may be at risk of a lifestyle disorder. While this has been linked to poor nutrition, stress and lack of physical activity, an important determining factor is poor intestinal health. Hence, we have tried to reinforce the link between intestinal health and good health. Through this innovative campaign, we have highlighted the importance of good bacteria in the gut. The concept of probiotics is unique and literally means “For Life”. The unique probiotic Yakult bottle contains 6.5 billion live Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, which suppress the growth of harmful disease-causing bacteria and increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.”

Detailing further,Dr. Neerja Hajela, Head of Science Department, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd.,elaborated, “The gut functions as a virtual organ ashome to over 100 trillion microbes, which weigh about 2 kg. The communities of micro-organisms areabsolutely essential for the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, maintenance of a well-developed immune system and production of essential vitamins such as vitamin B. It is pertinent to maintain intestinal balance. Probiotics, backed by decades of research, have been scientifically proven to contribute to the balance of these microbes and, thereby, both improve digestive health and build overall immunity.”

According to Mr.Ippei Nagamine,Chief Manager of PR & Marketing, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. “Today, we are present in all 28 states& 6 Union territoriesin India. The health benefits of Yakult are tangible, and there is an upward trend in consumption. There is great visibility about the brand, and we are constantly and innovatively communicating the key messages of our signature products through consumer engagement initiatives at the ground level and on multiple platforms to raise awareness”.

Goa Electronics & HCL GUVI Launch GenAI Training to Boost IT Hub

Goa, March 24, 2025: In a landmark initiative to establish Goa as a thriving IT hub, Goa Electronics Limited (GEL), in collaboration with HCL GUVI, has successfully concluded a Generative AI (GenAI) training program aimed at upskilling government employees and IT professionals. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision of making India the ‘AI Hub of the World’, a mission championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through transformative programs like Karma Yogi Bharath.

As part of Goa’s digital transformation strategy, the program provided cutting-edge AI training to employees of Goa Electronics Limited, equipping them with expertise in AI-driven productivity tools and automation solutions. By integrating AI capabilities into governance and professional sectors, the initiative aims to enhance efficiency, drive technological innovation, and accelerate Goa’s economic growth.

With increasing investments in Goa’s IT sector, this initiative highlights how AI-powered education can empower the youth and expand employment opportunities in knowledge-driven industries. It aligns with the Government of Goa’s long-term vision of attracting high-value investments and fostering sustainable, high-skilled jobs in the state.

According to the Goa Economic Survey 2024-25, the state’s white-collar employment rate is 15% lower than the national average, with only 23% of the workforce engaged in knowledge-based industries. To bridge this gap, the intensive 24-hour training program, conducted from March 3 to March 8, 2025, focused on equipping professionals with in-demand GenAI skills such as prompt engineering, model fine-tuning, image generation, and AI-powered applications.

Revati Kumar, CEO & Executive Director of Goa Electronics Limited, emphasised the significance of AI training in shaping the state’s digital future, “This collaboration is a strategic investment in Goa’s workforce. By equipping professionals with high-value AI skills, we are ensuring that Goa remains at the forefront of India’s tech revolution. With the government’s vision of India as a global AI powerhouse, we are not only enhancing our government employees’ capabilities but also fostering a digitally empowered governance system.”

Arun Prakash M, Founder & CEO of GUVI, said, “Through this initiative, Goa takes a decisive step toward establishing itself as a key player in India’s digital economy, fostering a skilled workforce ready to embrace AI-driven transformation.”

“Generative AI is not just a tool; it’s a paradigm shift that will redefine industries and job markets. Through this initiative, we are empowering Goa’s workforce with the expertise needed to harness AI’s full potential. By equipping professionals and government employees with cutting-edge AI skills, we are laying the foundation for Goa’s emergence as a competitive IT hub, capable of attracting global investments and fostering innovation,” said Apoorv Johari, Head of Enterprise Business – GUVI.

World TB Day- Understanding Tuberculosis

By: Dr. Pavan Yadav, Lead Consultant – Interventional Pulmonology & Lung Transplantation, Aster RV Hospital

March 24th marks World Tuberculosis Day, commemorating the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus. Despite over a century of scientific progress, tuberculosis (TB) continues to challenge our public health systems, particularly in high-burden countries like India. According to the Global TB Report 2024, India contributes to over 28% of the world’s TB cases, making it the country with the highest disease burden, followed by Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and PakistanYet, TB remains curable and preventable — provided it is diagnosed early and treated appropriately.

Understanding Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an airborne bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also involve other organs. Common symptoms include a persistent cough for more than 2–3 weeks, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and coughing up blood. The disease spreads through microscopic droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Case Vignette: A Timely Bronchoscopy Saves a Young Professional
Ravi (name changed), a 32-year-old software engineer from Bangalore, had been experiencing a dry cough and low-grade fever for four weeks. He initially dismissed it as a post-viral cough, but when his symptoms worsened, he sought medical help. A chest X-ray revealed a patchy opacity in the right upper zone. Sputum samples were inconclusive, and GeneXpert testing came back negative.

Given the strong clinical suspicion and non-resolving radiographic findings, CT thorax was done followed by with a flexible bronchoscopy, a safe, minimally invasive procedure that allows direct visualisation and sampling from the lungs. Bronchial washings were sent for TB PCR and culture. The result? Positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Bronchoscopy sample also helped in getting further details like what appropriate medications to be given based on culture test. The early diagnosis allowed Ravi to start on the correct anti-tubercular therapy before further deterioration, preventing complications and reducing his infectiousness to others.

This case illustrates a critical lesson: in patients with atypical presentations or inconclusive sputum results, bronchoscopy can be a decisive diagnostic tool. It underscores the need for advanced diagnostic facilities to be made more accessible.

Why Awareness Matters
Despite being a preventable and curable disease, TB continues to carry a significant social stigma. Many individuals delay seeking care out of fear of discrimination. Delayed diagnosis leads to worse outcomes and continued community transmission.

What can we do as citizens?

  1. Know the symptoms – any cough lasting more than two weeks deserves evaluation.
  2. Do not ignore unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats.
  3. Seek medical attention early.
  4. Adhere strictly to treatment regimens.
  5. Avoid stigmatising patients with TB — it is a treatable infection, not a moral failing.