April 1, 2025: Ankura Hospital, a premier healthcare provider specializing in super-specialty tertiary and quaternary care services for women and children, is proud to announce that it has successfully secured INR 165 Crore in funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This strategic investment will support Ankura’s ambitious expansion plans and is aligned with its long-term vision to strengthen its market presence and enhance healthcare accessibility across India.

Dr.Krishna Prasad Rao Vunnam, Founder & MD Ankura Hospital for Women and Children

Dr. Krishna Prasad Vunnam, Founder and Managing Director of Ankura Hospitals, expressed his excitement about this significant milestone, said “This significant financial support from the Asian Development Bank is a testament to our commitment to improving Women & Children health in India. It will allow us to enhance our Pediatric, maternity and gynecology services, expand our facilities, and reach more families, ensuring they receive the highest standards of care.”

As part of its expansion strategy, Ankura Hospitals is focused on establishing new state-of-the-art facilities in key cities across India.

Ankura Hospitals specializes in providing world-class care in maternity and gynecology, offering services such as normal deliveries, cesarean sections, fertility treatments, high-risk obstetrics, and comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care. The hospital also features advanced surgical solutions in gynecology, including laparoscopic surgeries and treatment for various gynecological conditions.

Also, Ankura Hospitals is committed to providing world-class services, including advanced neonatal intensive care,all Pediatric sub-specialties pediatric surgery, child development, and behavioral health for children.

With the support from ADB, Ankura Hospitals is poised to enhance its facilities, broaden its impact, and continue delivering exceptional care across India.

April 1, 2025: Kalyan Jewellers, one of India’s most trusted and leading jewellery companies, today opened two new showrooms in Bengaluru, at Kengeri Satellite Town Extension and at Hesaraghatta Road, MEI Layout, Bagalagunte. Bollywood Star Bobby Deol inaugurated the showrooms, which feature an extensive range of designs from various collections of Kalyan Jewellers. Patrons can expect state-of-the-art facilities with a world-class ambiance, providing an unparalleled experience.

Addressing the enthralled crowd, Bollywood Star Bobby Deol said, “I am pleased to be present here today for the inauguration of the new Kalyan Jewellers’ new showrooms. It is an honour to be associated with Kalyan Jewellers – a brand that stands firm on the principles of trust, transparency, and customer-centricity. I am confident that the patrons will welcome Kalyan Jewellers warmly, while enjoying the service-backed shopping experience and exploring the diverse range of jewellery collections offered by the company.”

Commenting on the new showroom, Mr Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director of Kalyan Jewellers, said, “With the launch of our all-new Kalyan Jewellers’ showroom in Kengeri and Hesaraghatta in Bengaluru, the aim is to create a holistic ecosystem and cater to the distinct needs of our customers, enhancing their shopping experience. We aspire to continue reinventing ourselves, providing customers with world-class ambience, while staying true to the company’s ethos of trust and transparency. At Kalyan Jewellers, we will continue to offer vast range of exquisite and unique jewellery designs with focus on quality and service.”

Celebrating the launch, Kalyan Jewellers has announced flat 50% off on making charges* on their jewellery purchases from the all-new showroom. It has also announced that the Kalyan Special Gold Board Rate – lowest in the market and standardized across all company showrooms – will apply on jewellery purchases from the new showroom. All the jewellery retailed at Kalyan Jewellers is BIS hallmarked and undergoes multiple purity tests. Patrons will also receive the Kalyan Jewellers 4-Level Assurance Certificate, guaranteeing purity, free lifetime maintenance of ornaments, detailed product information, and transparent exchange and buy-back policies. This certification reflects the brand’s commitment to offering the very best to its loyal customers.

The showroom will also stock Kalyan’s popular house brands, including Muhurat (Wedding Jewellery Line), Mudhra (Handcrafted Antique Jewellery), Nimah (Temple Jewellery), Glo (Dancing Diamonds), Ziah (Solitaire-like Diamond Jewellery), Anokhi (Uncut Diamonds), Apoorva (Diamonds for Special Occasions), Antara (Wedding Diamonds), Hera (Daily Wear Diamonds), Rang (Precious Stones Jewellery), and the recently launched Lila (Coloured Stones and Diamond Jewellery).

 April 1, 2025 – Vietjet operated two special relief flights, VJ2875 and VJ2877, using an Airbus A330 and an A321 to transport Vietnamese rescue teams to Myanmar following the devastating earthquake. In support of the emergency response, the airline facilitated the swift deployment of relief personnel from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense. The two flights departed from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport to Yangon on March 30.

Vietjet ensured the rapid deployment of these flights by expediting flight permits and technical preparations. Its experienced crew and staff have been assigned to assist the relief mission, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to humanitarian aid.

The flights transported 106 rescue and relief personnel from the Vietnamese armed forces, along with trained search-and-rescue dogs and over 60 tons of essential aid supplies, including medical equipment and food, to support earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar.

Vietjet CEO Dinh Viet Phuong said: “Vietjet is always ready for special missions. We swiftly completed all necessary preparations and successfully operated two flights to transport emergency rescue teams from the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense to Myanmar, providing timely support for earthquake relief efforts.”

Upon landing at Yangon Airport, Myanmar, rescue personnel from the Vietnamese armed forces, alongside Vietjet staff, immediately begin unloading and transporting essential supplies to designated relief sites. Police and military officers also take part in search-and-rescue operations, provide medical assistance, and support recovery efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, causing widespread devastation. The disaster has claimed over 1,600 lives, injured nearly 3,500 people, and left hundreds missing. Strong tremors damaged homes, collapsed bridges, and disrupted roads across the country, with shaking also felt in Thailand and Vietnam.

Vietjet has a strong track record of humanitarian missions, embodying a spirit of compassion and solidarity. The airline has operated numerous relief flights, including transporting aid and rescue teams for the 2018 Indonesia earthquake and tsunami, typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013, and pandemic response efforts. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietjet swiftly mobilized flights carrying healthcare workers, police, and military forces. Committed to community support, charitable initiatives remain at the heart of Vietjet’s mission.

Since launching the New Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City route in 2019, Vietjet has pioneered in expanding air links between India and Vietnam, operating over 8,300 flights and transporting nearly 1.62 million passengers. The introduction of new direct flights is expected to boost tourism and trade among Asian regions, offering travelers from India more affordable options to explore Vietnam and beyond. Indian travelers can take advantage of Vietjet’s international connections to popular destinations, including Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or major cities in Australia and Northeast Asia.

April 1, 2025: Viva, Asia’s largest manufacturer and supplier of Metal Composite Panels (MCP), proudly announces the grand opening of its new Experience Centre in Hyderabad. Strategically located at Third Floor, 306-A, Lumbini Jewel Mall, Road Number 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide architects, designers, and end-users with an immersive experience of Viva’s cutting-edge product offerings.

The inauguration was graced by Mr. Prakash Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Viva Composite Panel Pvt. Ltd., along with Directors Mr. Nitin Jain and Mr. Mayank Jain. The launch of this new centre marks a significant step in strengthening Viva’s presence in South India, offering industry professionals direct access to high-quality cladding solutions tailored to modern architectural needs.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prakash Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Viva Composite Panel Pvt. Ltd., said, “Innovation is at the core of Viva’s philosophy, and we are excited to extend our reach to Hyderabad, a city known for its dynamic architecture and evolving design landscape. Our new Experience Centre serves as a creative hub where professionals and customers can explore the limitless design possibilities that our extensive product portfolio offers. We are committed to delivering premium quality, durability, and aesthetic appeal through our wide range of MCP solutions.”

The Hyderabad Experience Centre showcases Viva’s most desired series, including the Santa Fe, Tarnish Metallum, Natural Stone, Alu Zinto, El Zinc, Lustre, De Madera, and Galaxy Series. Along with these product ranges Viva has also launched its two new series Louvers & Solid X. With its innovative product range and expert consultations, the centre is set to become a key destination for those seeking world-class cladding solutions.

With this expansion into the southern market, Viva ACP reaffirms its leadership in the cladding industry, offering industry professionals a dedicated space to experience superior design, performance, and sustainability in metal composite panels.

31 March 2025: Indian CEOs are more confident than their global counterpart on cost of doing business, revenue and competitive position, according to the latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey: Global Confidence Index 2025, India Findings released today. 90% of Indian CEOs believe that investments in existing operations and new areas through joint ventures and mergers & acquisitions are critical for growth. While all of them are very optimistic that they can successfully reimagine their business model for the future through transformation.

The EY survey also finds that 86% CEOs recognize the pivotal role of emerging technologies, marking them as a key investment priority for the next 12 months, while 90% believe successful AI adoption and workforce upskilling will define industry leaders. This forward-thinking approach underscores the resilience and adaptability of Indian businesses, with transformation at the heart of their ambitions.

Rohan Sachdev, Consulting Leader, EY India said, “Organizations that adopt a transformative mindset can convert upheaval into prospects for growth, consistently adapting and evolving to confidently to shape their future with confidence. The EY survey reveals that the most confident CEOs prioritize enduring transformation strategies, focusing on strengthening relationships with customers and employees amid macroeconomic and technological shifts.”

The EY survey highlights that strategic vision and investment in people – including upskilling employees to keep pace with technological innovation – are considered essential levers for growth. 20% of CEOs said improving customer engagement and retention is the first priority, followed by 18% who said improving employee engagement and retention. 16% said reducing costs and unlocking savings, and 14% stated that enhancing product and process innovation can improve current offerings and create new products and services.

Anurag Gupta, Partner and National Leader, EY-Parthenon India added, “Adaptability is the key advantage for organizations in India today. Those who embrace transformation can turn disruption into opportunity, constantly learning, evolving, and confidently shaping their future. According to the EY survey, 42% of Indian CEOs are confident on optimizing operations and boosting productivity, including through digitalization, while 67% are radically reimagining their business models to unlock new avenues for creating, delivering, and capturing value. Most CEOs are taking a long-term view of transformation, prioritizing enhanced customer and employee engagement amidst macroeconomic and technological shifts, and placing people at the heart of their strategy for sustainable value creation.”

CEOs Bullish on M&A: Tech-Driven Strategies Fuel Optimistic Outlook

Unlike their global counterparts, Indian business leaders are displaying strong optimism, with 90% actively exploring strategic transactions in the coming year. Their focus primarily centers on M&A deals (both buy and sell/separate) and joint ventures to optimise operations, drive growth and expand market presence.

Amit Khandelwal, Managing Partner, Strategy and Transactions, EY India said, “Amidst the unprecedented uncertainties brought in by acceleration of AI / Digital adoption and global geopolitics, businesses that prioritize technology, business transformation and upskilling in their M&A strategies will emerge as winners. AI/Digital-Tech led transformation continues to shape corporate acquisitions, while defensive consolidation enhances operational resilience and cost efficiencies in a volatile economic landscape. With strong balance sheets and financing availability, the case for strategic M&A has never been more compelling in India.”

Despite the optimism and plans for more deals, 96% CEOs identify escalating geopolitical instability and uncertainty as their primary concern, highlighting the significant impact of global political dynamics on business operations and strategic planning. CEOs who can effectively navigate these complexities and embrace a long-term transformational mindset are likely to emerge as the market leaders of tomorrow, turning potential threats into strategic advantages.

March 31, 2025 – The AndPurpose Impact Forum in New Delhi, a carbon-neutral event held in March 2025, brought together a distinguished gathering of thoughtful leaders, social entrepreneurs, and sustainability advocates to drive actionable solutions for India’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Hosted by AndPurpose, a leading social impact company. The discussions at the New Delhi Forum centred around climate action, impact finance, sustainable urban and rural development, and the role of education in fostering environmental consciousness.

The event started with a welcome remark from Kamna Hazrati, Founder of AndPurpose, which laid the groundwork for conversations around systemic problems and innovative solutions. Sudarshan Suchi, Chief Development Officer at the Reliance Foundation, delivered the keynote session stating that one must remain as grounded as possible when working towards social change. “Titles will come and go, but when you keep your feet on the ground and live the reality, you find your real purpose,” he said.

He noted active participation at the community level is necessary to address social issues such as poverty, “You cannot arrive at a solution if you haven’t first sensed the problem.” He highlighted the need to appreciate and understand the social realities of communities rather than work with a preconceived notion that everything can be solved by using intelligence, data and books highlighting the need for community engagement to solve social problems at scale.

The AndPurpose Forum 2025 was notable for being a carbon-neutral event, which is quite unique in India’s event ecosystem. An event is classified as carbon neutral when all carbon emissions generated from travel, energy use, and logistics are offset through sustainable activities such as afforestation, renewable energy initiatives, or the purchase of carbon credits. This achievement was made possible through strategic partnerships with renowned sustainable organizations like ENEN Green and Grow Billion Trees. By hosting a carbon-neutral event, AndPurpose has taken significant steps to protect the environment and uphold its commitment to sustainability.

Shenoy Mathew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Arya.ag underscored the need for a shift in mentality in the agri-supply chain field, especially in businesses aligning to market work instead of project work being the order of the day. He emphasised the need to work with people to find out what needs to be solved, and this was a dominant theme during the forum.

Unsponsored social enterprises face challenges with financing, which is why NatureDots Co-founder, Snehal Verma, advocates for change in social impact investment structures. She mentioned that this impact investment sector has euphorically drifted from their primary aim and it is time to ensure that there is an impact and operationally driven financial system. Building on the same discussion, Shiva Shanker, Partner, Ankur Capital, analyzed different financing types, whether equity, debt, grant, or social impact bonds, and pointed out the importance of creative financing for the survival of social enterprises.

Shalini Singh, Co-Founder, People’s Archive of Rural India, pointed out the problems associated with the unfettered growth of cities. She noted that even though only 1.6% of the Yamuna River passes through Delhi, it is responsible for 76% of its toxicity, which is an indication of how poorly the city has been planned.

A clean energy transition was once again at the centre of discussion, with Shalu Agrawal, Director of Programmes at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), particularly praising the PM Surya Ghar Scheme, which seeks to enable 10 million homes to employ solar energy and funding. While appreciating this plan, she remarked that financial restrictions are a major reason for the limited uptake of rooftop solar installations. She pointed out the need for climate education in school curriculums, urging that children’s education should include lessons in sustainability to develop a climate-aware society.

The rural economy and the agriculture sector were among the other key areas for investment. Omnivore VC’s Partner Subhadeep Sanyal mentioned the dire necessity of improving agri-waste management, enhancing value chains, and extending R&D activities out of the lab. He pointed out that funding is still a major obstacle in achieving these goals. Bisleri’s CSR Head Byju Kurian showcased the company’s sustainability commitment through the “Bisleri Greener Promise” which focuses on recycling plastic, conserving water, and implementing circular economy approaches. He called for more CSR-focused philanthropic expenditure to be aimed at transforming businesses, not as an obligation that needs to be fulfilled.

The event’s overarching goal was beautifully captured by Kamna Hazrati, the Founder and CEO of AndPurpose. In her words, “The AndPurpose Summit and Forum 2025 is not only about discussion but mobilizing specific efforts. India is at a juncture of great economic prosperity but is also facing mounting socio-economic and environmental concerns. By uniting changemakers, policymakers, think tanks, and global corporations, we hope to convert outlandish concepts into actionable, real-world situations that integrate the UN’s aims of sustainable growth. It is now or never – we have to do it all together.”

Alwar, Rajasthan; March 31, 2025:With one-seventh of the world’s population, a majority dependent on agriculture, the sustained growth of this sector becomes of utmost importance. ‘Krishi Jyoti’ Project, a partnership of The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food Systems and S M Sehgal Foundation, began in 2008 from two villages in district Nuh, Haryana, and expanded to include water management and education, making it an integrated development project. To date, the project has reached 0.76 million people across 273 villages in seven states.

The Krishi Jyoti Project inaugurated a check dam and transformed school in Alwar, Rajasthan, on March 31, 2025, in a community ceremony. The event was graced by leaders of The Mosaic Company, Mr. Bruce Bodine, President and CEO; Jenny Wang, Executive Vice President – Commerical; Mr. Benjamin Pratt, Vice President – Public Affairs and President of The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food Systems; Mr. Robin Edwin, Managing Director and Dr. Shashikant Bhende, Country Agronomist, from Mosaic India Pvt. Ltd. Ms. Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, Ms. Anjali Godyal, COO, and other team members represented S M Sehgal Foundation.

The day-long celebrations covered the inauguration of the check dam at Nangla Chirawanda and Government Upper Primary School, Village Sotka, Khairthal–Tijara, Rajasthan, which were transformed in 2021. The check dam aims to replenish the groundwater table, ensuring year-round water availability for irrigation. The check dam directly benefits a population of 1,110, checking the declining groundwater table that severely limits irrigation for pearl millet and mustard crops in the region.

The school has become a stimulating learning environment that offers a safe, clean, and inspiring space for its 181 students and 10 teachers. The community’s active participation and support have been instrumental in achieving this milestone. The Village Development Committee (VDC) ensures the long-term sustainability and community ownership of the initiatives, alongside the School Management Committee (SMC) that oversees the school improvements. School teachers and children, parents and members of the village council (panchayat), SMC, and VDC members participated and expressed their happiness for the school and the watershed structure.

Benjamin Pratt reinforced The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food System’s investment in Krishi Jyoti as an important reflection of The Mosaic Company’s mission to help the world grow the food it needs. Robin Edwin expressed happiness looking at the transformation benefiting the community and schoolchildren.

Ms. Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation, thanked The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food Systems for the long-term partnership and the villagers for participating in the event. She appreciated the integrated work done under the project in the domains of agriculture, water management and education.

31 March 2025 – AdjuTec Pharma AS, a privately held company developing antibiotic resistance breakers, today announces that it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with Venus Remedies Limited (India). Venus Remedies Limited will perform a pre-clinical evaluation of AdjuTec Pharma´s APC-148 platform technology.

AdjuTec Pharma has developed novel inhibitor technologies that selectively destroy antibiotic resistance mechanisms in multidrug-resistant bacteria, thereby restoring the effectiveness of commercially available antibiotics. APC-148 is the lead program, that is presently in phase 1 clinical trials. As a frontrunner in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research, Venus Remedies Limited will leverage its advanced R&D capabilities to assess APC-148’s potential in restoring the effectiveness of antibiotics against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains.

As part of this engagement, Venus Remedies Limited will test APC-148 in combination with various antibiotics against its extensive library of clinical isolates collected through the GASAR study. The study forms part of Venus Remedies’ broader commitment to combating AMR and contributing to the UN’s ‘One Health’ objective.

AdjuTec Pharma and Venus Remedies Limited share a joint mission to address the global health threat against AMR. AMR directly causes 1.3 million global deaths annually and is projected to cause 39 million accumulated global deaths by 2050. If left unchecked, AMR could surpass cancer as the leading cause of mortality.

In India, the situation is especially critical, with AMR being endemic and associated with over 300,000 deaths in 2019 alone, including among newborns. APC-148 has the potential to significantly restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against resistant bacterial strains that are increasingly burdening the Indian healthcare system.

AdjuTec Pharma AS, CEO, Jethro Holter said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Venus Remedies, a renowned Indian Company, with a share purpose and commitment to develop more effective antibiotics to combat the escalating global AMR crisis. This agreement perfectly aligns with our strategy to collaborate with leading and international pharmaceutical partners to address the most clinically challenging resistant pathogens through our groundbreaking technology.”

Mr. Saransh Chaudhary, President, Global Critical Care, Venus Remedies, and CEO, Venus Medicine Research Centre said: “We are pleased to collaborate with AdjuTec Pharma on the preclinical evaluation of APC-148. This research engagement allows us to contribute our expertise in AMR toward advancing scientific understanding of novel solutions in this space. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing the global AMR challenge through rigorous, innovation-driven research.”