Global & National Fertility Experts Convene at Birla’s ‘Fertility Unscripted’
New Delhi, 10 April 2025: Birla Fertility & IVF, India’s third-largest IVF network and a part of the USD 3 billion CK Birla Group, reaffirmed its leadership in reproductive care with ‘Fertility Unscripted,’ a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme that hosted an incredible lineup of fertility specialists, thought leaders, and industry pioneers from around India and globally. The event, which was organised in New Delhi, was a unique confluence of medical brilliance, fostering an exchange of excellence, cutting-edge advancements in infertility treatment, high-risk pregnancy management, and the future of reproductive technologies.
The event was graced by some of the most renowned personalities in reproductive medicine, including Dr. Professor (Colonel) Pankaj Talwar, President of the Indian Fertility Society (IFS), Guest of Honour Dr. Neerja Bhatla, former Head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at AIIMS, Dr. B.B. Dash, renowned Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Rejoice Hospital, and Dr. Jyotsana Pundir, leading global fertility specialist with over 25 years of experience. Discussions were led by expert doctors of Birla Fertility & IVF, including Dr. Prachi Benara, Dr Muskaan Chhabra, Dr. Shilpa Singhal, and Dr. Nidhi Tripathi. Their vast expertise, combined with international insights, elevated the discussion to make it a distinctive experience for everyone present.
Infertility affects nearly 15% of Indian couples, but only 1% seek treatment due to the lack of awareness and accessibility. To bridge this gap and shape the future of fertility care in India, Birla Fertility & IVF is spearheading efforts to bring advanced knowledge into the circuit. Through ‘Fertility Unscripted,’ Birla Fertility & IVF is encouraging knowledge sharing, collaborative learning and technological innovation, equipping medical professionals with evidence-based, best-practice approaches to modern fertility treatments.

The programme was a convergence of expertise and insight, with discussions covering some of the most pressing topics in reproductive medicine today. From the role of advanced laparoscopic techniques in fertility treatment to the evolving landscape of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) regulations, each session was meticulously designed to provide deep insights and understanding. Experts exchanged insights on topics such as varied regulations for recurrent pregnancy losses, the integration of advanced imaging and diagnostic technologies in fertility treatment, smart surgeries in infertility, the techniques of mastering an ultrasound, going beyond nuchal translucency in first-trimester screening, and male infertility. These discussions emphasised the increasing need for multidisciplinary collaboration to improve treatment success rates and enhance patient satisfaction.
Abhishek Aggrawal, CEO, Birla Fertility & IVF, highlighted the significance of such forums in driving the future of fertility care. “Gynaecologists are usually the primary point of contact for couples or individuals with fertility or reproductive health needs. Their role is pivotal in early identification of concerns, initiating the right interventions at the right time and guiding patients with advanced knowledge and utmost empathy. Through our initiative, ‘Fertility Unscripted,’ our aim is to foster the exchange of expertise, experiences, and evidence-based practices across the medical community. By bringing together the voices from across India and the world, we want the practitioners to be proficient in the latest advancements and protocols that can transform patient outcomes and make reproductive healthcare more accessible, standardised, and effective across the country.”
With its distinguished panel of experts and a firm focus on scientific advancements, ‘Fertility Unscripted’ asserted Birla Fertility & IVF’s commitment to leadership in thinking, international collaboration, and clinical quality. As the fertility chain continues its rapid expansion across India, its commitment remains to empower both patients and specialists with the best in fertility care.
By bringing together medical experts, encouraging innovative conversations, and propelling technological advancements, ‘Fertility Unscripted’ has created a new standard in reproductive healthcare discussion, solidifying Birla Fertility & IVF’s leadership in fertility care in India.
LVPEI Launches WHITATHON 2025 Poster with Mascot ‘Pearlee’
Hyderabad, 10th April 2025: WHITATHON is L V Prasad Eye Institute’s (LVPEI) annual cause-related run to raise awareness and funds for early diagnosis and treatment of Retinoblastoma. The funds raised from the WHITATHON Run will be used towards the free treatment of underprivileged children battling retinoblastoma at LVPEI, and to fund groundbreaking research that improves the understanding of the eye cancer and develop more efficient and effective treatment protocols.
Designed as a friendly and approachable character, Pearlee features a visible ‘white reflex’ (Leukocoria) in the eye—one of the symptoms of Retinoblastoma. Pearlee plays many roles, that of an ambassador, an advocate, a buddy, an educator, a motivator bringing attention to the symptoms, encouraging parents and caregivers to seek timely medical attention.
WHITATHON 2025 offers diverse running categories suitable for various fitness levels – 21 km, 10 km and 5 km competitive runs, alongside 5 km and 3 km fun runs. WHITATHON has also introduced a 21K half marathon category this year which will serve as a qualifying run for individuals aspiring to participate in the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon.
Thanks to the funds raised over the years, LVPEI has been able to offer over 3000 treatments free of cost and was able to save the life of the child in 90% of the cases presented. However, vision could be saved in only 45% of these cases, due to delayed presentation for treatment.
“When identified promptly and in the early stages, Retinoblastoma is highly curable and can save the vision of numerous young lives”, said Dr Swathi Kaliki, Head of the OEU – Institute for Eye Cancer, LVPEI.
11 New Passive Funds Tracking Nifty Indices Explained
In FY 2024-25, a total of eleven new passive funds (Exchange Traded Funds and Index Funds) tracking Nifty Indices were launched in Japan and Korea. Of these, 9 funds track the Nifty 50 Index, while one tracks the Nifty India Corporate Group Index – Tata Group 25% and another tracks the Nifty Midcap 50 Index.
Sl. No. | Issuer Name | Country | Index Name |
1 | Amundi Asset Management | Japan | Nifty 50 |
2 | Asset Management One | Japan | Nifty 50 |
3 | Asset Management One | Japan | Nifty Midcap 50 |
4 | au Asset Management Corporation | Japan | Nifty 50 |
5 | Daiwa Asset Management Co. Ltd. | Japan | Nifty 50 |
6 | iShares Blackrock | Japan | Nifty 50 |
7 | KB Asset Management | South Korea | Nifty 50 |
8 | Nikko Asset Management Co. Ltd. | Japan | Nifty 50 |
9 | Rakuten Investment Management, Inc. | Japan | Nifty 50 |
10 | Samsung Asset Management Co Ltd. | South Korea | Nifty India Corporate Group Index – Tata Group 25% |
11 | Shinhan Asset Management | South Korea | Nifty 50 |
Presently, there are 33 passive funds tracking Nifty Indices outside India with a total AUM of USD 4.3 billion. These products have been launched by large global asset managers.
As of the end of February 2025, the total AUM of passive funds (Equity & Debt) in India is Rs 9.8 Lakh Crores of which 73% is tracking Nifty Indices. There are 391 passive funds tracking various Nifty Indices in India with a total AUM of Rs 7.1 Lakh Crores.
Shri Aniruddha Chatterjee, MD, NSE Indices Limited, said: “There is a growing demand from global asset managers for India-focused passive investment products. FY 2024-25 has been a landmark year for NSE Indices with the successful launch of eleven passive products based on Nifty indices outside of India. We anticipate this trend to continue with numerous India-focused passive products
set to be introduced globally in the current financial year. We remain committed to collaborating with our clients to develop and launch innovative India-focused indices for these products.”
IIT Mandi’s Sharma Receives Institute of Engineers Fellowship
April 10th, 2025; Mandi: Superintending Engineer – Vijay Kumar Sharma from IIT Mandi has been awarded with a fellow membership by the “Institute of Engineers (India)”. With over 30 years of experience in the field of civil engineering, Sharma contributed to the numerous significant projects throughout his career. It was for his outstanding performance over two years at IIT Mandi, he has been selected as a Fellow in the Institute of Engineers (India). Additionally, Sharma has also been awarded the Chartered Engineer (India) Certificate.
It is to be noted that Vijay Kumar Sharma started his career as an engineer in BSNL construction. He served BSNL for 29 years. During this time period, he worked on telephone exchange building, colony, mobile tower and many big projects of the state in BSNL. He also constructed polytechnic college, hospital and many schools of Himachal government.
Coromandel International and Saudi Mining Company Ma’aden Unveil Partnership
Mumbai, 10th April 2025: Coromandel International Limited, India’s leading agri-solutions provider, and Ma’aden, one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate fertilisers, have further strengthened their longstanding partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the long-term supply of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and NP/NPK fertilisers.
The MoU was signed on April 9, 2025, by Mr. Narayanan Vellayan, Director – Strategic Sourcing, Coromandel International Limited, and Mr. Saud Al Tamimi, Director – Fertiliser Sales Commercial, Phosphate Business Unit, Ma’aden.
Over the years Coromandel and Ma’aden have fostered a long-standing partnership, with Ma’aden playing a vital role as a trusted supplier of ammonia to Coromandel. The new agreement marks a significant milestone in expanding this collaboration, ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of essential fertilisers to support Indian agriculture.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Narayanan Vellayan, Director – Strategic Sourcing, Coromandel International Limited, highlighted the importance of this agreement, stating,
“In recent times, DAP availability in India has been impacted due to global supply disruptions. This strategic partnership with Ma’aden is a natural extension of our longstanding relationship and will help Coromandel ensure timely availability of DAP and complex fertilisers to the Indian farming community. Coromandel, with its close connect to over 4.5 million farmers, remains steadfast in its commitment to Indian agriculture, working alongside Ma’aden as a trusted and sustainable partner.”Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Saud Al Tamimi, Director – Fertiliser Sales Commercial, Phosphate Business Unit, Ma’aden, reaffirmed Ma’aden’s commitment to India, saying,
“Ma’aden has been the largest supplier of phosphate fertilisers to India for over a decade. We are expanding our production capacity from 6 million tonnes to 9 million tonnes in the near term, reinforcing our commitment to serve the growing needs of India’s agriculture sector.”
The signing ceremony was presided over by Mr. S. Sankarasubramanian, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Coromandel International Limited, and Mr. Anas Al Bassam, Senior Vice President – Commercial, Phosphate Business Unit, Ma’aden.
Both leaders underscored the need to expand the partnership beyond phosphates and raw materials, focusing on collaborative efforts in R&D, innovation, and speciality products to advance sustainable farming practices.
Senior officials from both Coromandel International and Ma’aden participated in the ceremony, reinforcing the strong commitment of both companies to strengthen their strategic partnership and contribute to the food security of India.
Burger King Brings Korea to India with Spicy Fest
Chandigarh, April 10, 2025: Burger King India is bringing the bold and exciting flavours of Korea to its guests with the launch of its Korean Spicy Fest, a limited-time menu designed to tantalize taste buds with the perfect fusion of heat and authentic flavours.
Launching nationwide on April 2nd, this fiery new range is set to excite Gen Z, millennials, and spice lovers alike. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Korean flavours or looking for a thrilling new food experience, this menu delivers on all fronts.
Inspired by trends and the rising love for Korean cuisine, Burger King has crafted a menu that goes beyond just spice – it’s an authentic Korean taste experience. Infused with the richness of sesame, ginger, garlic, and red chilies, the multi-dimensional flavour profile with premium brioche buns ensures a satisfying balance of heat and flavours.
“Guests today are looking for new, exciting flavours that push the boundaries of taste. We have seen Korean flavour frenzy across categories and in our internal research too Korean came up as a top consumer flavour preference. Our product development team went to the fundamentals of Korean taste and built our recipes to deliver this authentic Korean flavours with the unique dunking process. With the Korean Spicy Fest, Burger King is delivering an authentic, crave-worthy experience that brings the global Korean flavour trend right to our guests. We’re confident that the combination of premium ingredients like the Brioche bun, bold Korean flavours, and a variety of burgers and snacks will make this an instant favourite of our guests,” said Kapil Grover, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, Burger King India.
The Korean Spicy Fest brings together a diverse range of formats to satisfy every craving:
· Korean Spicy Chicken Burger – Succulent whole muscle chicken crunchy coated in bold Korean flavours, topped with fresh lettuce and premium brioche buns.
· Korean Spicy Paneer Burger – A spicy delight for paneer lovers with a flavourful Korean twist.
· Korean Spicy Chicken Wings – Juicy, bone-in wings tossed in the ultimate Korean glaze.
· Korean Spicy Chicken – Boneless, bite-sized, fiery delights.
· Korean Spicy Fries – Crispy cheesy fries with Korean glaze that packs a punch.
With prices starting at just ₹149, Burger King ensures that these premium Korean flavours are accessible to all. The range is available nationwide across all Burger King restaurants for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery. Guests can also enjoy Korean Meal Deals and upgrade combos at attractive pricing to get a complete flavour-packed experience.
Burger King is set to make waves with a full-fledged 360° campaign featuring digital promotions, in-restaurant activations, OOH advertising, and influencer partnerships. A multi-pronged influencer strategy will engage food enthusiasts, K-culture lovers, and spice lovers, ensuring that everyone gets a taste of the action.
Additionally, multiple user-generated content contests, are planned on their social media handles, to add an interactive and engaging twist for Burger King’s fans across social media.
While the Korean Spicy Fest is all about bold flavours, Burger King has carefully calibrated the spice levels to suit the Indian palate and preference. The taste is balanced to offer a thrilling yet enjoyable heat experience, making it a must-try for all burger lovers.
Reflecting on the creative vision for #BKKoreanSpicyFest Anupama Ramaswamy, Joint MD and Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India said, “The buzz around K-culture is undeniable, but what caught our attention was the hunger for authenticity. People aren’t just looking for what’s popular; they want what’s real. Keeping this insight as our guiding tenet, we launched our Korean Spicy Fest campaign with a DVC that paid homage to all the K-fans in India and built a tribe through digital activations. This campaign isn’t just about introducing new menu items—it’s about honouring the culture and giving K-fans an experience that feels authentic, immersive, and made just for them.”
Second Repo Rate Cut Brings Big EMI Savings for Homebuyers
By: Ashish Kukreja, CEO and Founder
“The repo rate reduction is a massive relief for homebuyers in the form of equated monthly installments (EMIs) for their homes. This is the second rate cut in a row, following a 25 basis points cut in February. The repo rate reduction to 6% lowers the cost of funds for banks, enabling them to pass on the benefit to consumers through lending rates.
If a borrower has a home loan of ₹80 lakh with a tenure of 20 years and an interest rate of 9%, the EMI is approximately ₹71,978. With a 50 basis point reduction passed on by banks, the new EMI would be around ₹69,426, resulting in savings of ₹2,552 every month and about ₹30,624 annually. Over the loan term, this could lead to more than ₹6.42 lakh relief.
While new borrowers may see the impact more immediately, depending on how promptly individual banks revise their lending rates, existing borrowers will benefit from the revised rates on their next loan reset date. Given the ministry’s accommodating stance amidst global uncertainties, further repo rate reduction is anticipated.”
Mahindra Delivers 3000 Electric Origin SUVs Nationwide
Chandigarh, April 10, 2025: Mahindra today announced a major milestone in its electric mobility journey, with over 3000 customer deliveries of its all-electric Origin SUVs—the XEV 9e and BE 6—completed since the commencement of deliveries on March 20, 2025.
The response to Mahindra’s new electric SUV portfolio has been overwhelming. Both the XEV 9e and BE 6 continue to witness strong booking momentum, with majority of the customers opting for the fully loaded Pack Three variant. Current booking trends indicate 59% demand for the XEV 9e and 41% for the BE 6. The waiting period currently extends up to six months in select regions, and Mahindra is actively scaling up deliveries nationwide to reduce wait times and ensure a seamless ownership journey.
In line with its commitment to delivering a customer-first EV experience, Mahindra has introduced an intuitive new ‘Default’ drive mode. Designed especially for first-time EV adopters, this mode offers a driving feel akin to internal combustion vehicles—making the transition to electric smoother, more natural, and instantly comfortable.
Each vehicle delivery is accompanied by a curated set of video guides that walk customers through best practices for EV ownership. These include tips on efficient charging, driving techniques to optimise range, and a walkthrough of the vehicle’s advanced connected technologies—empowering owners to unlock the full potential of their electric SUVs from day one.
As Mahindra continues to redefine the future of mobility, this milestone underscores the growing trust and excitement among customers towards sustainable and intelligent transportation.
Muthoot FinCorp Sees Regulatory Framework as Catalyst for Sustainable Growth
By: Mr. Shaji Varghese, CEO of Muthoot FinCorp,
In response to the recent monetary policy updates, Muthoot FinCorp has expressed a forward-looking and optimistic stance, emphasizing the role of regulatory frameworks in fostering sustainable business growth across the financial sector.
A spokesperson for Muthoot FinCorp stated, “At Muthoot FinCorp, we view regulations and regulatory actions as enablers that provide a framework for sustainable business growth. We’re confident that the guidelines will have a positive impact on the sector.”
Mahindra to Manufacture Airbus H130 Fuselage in India
Chandigarh, April 10, 2025 – Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. (MASPL), a part of the Mahindra Group, has been awarded a prestigious contract by Airbus Helicopters to manufacture and assemble the main fuselage of its H130 light single-engine helicopter — marking a major milestone for India’s ‘Make in India’ vision and further cementing Mahindra’s position as a trusted partner in the global aerospace supply chain.
The contract was signed in the presence of Shri. Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Honourable Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Shri. Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus in India and South Asia, and Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group.
Under this agreement, Mahindra will produce the H130’s main fuselage assembly, which will then be shipped to Airbus Helicopters’ facilities in Europe. Industrialisation will commence immediately, with the first cabin assembly scheduled for delivery by March 2027.
Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group, said, “We are delighted to deepen our longstanding partnership with Airbus through this pivotal aerostructures contract. As a global leader, Airbus has played a transformative role in nurturing India’s aerospace ecosystem and showcasing it on the world stage. It is an honour for us to build on our proven track record with Airbus, harness our industrial process excellence, and embark on this new initiative. This collaboration highlights our commitment to supporting the Government of India’s flagship ‘Make in India’ program.”
Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus in India and South Asia said, “We have a strategic plan for India and we are implementing it to develop a holistic aerospace ecosystem across all dimensions: assembly, manufacturing, engineering, innovation, digital and training. The H130 fuselage manufacturing contract underscores Airbus’ confidence in the growing industrial excellence of the Indian supply chain, which offers the right mix of competencies and competitiveness. We are glad to extend this bond with India through our latest association with our partner Mahindra Aerostructures.”
Mahindra already supplies a variety of parts and sub-assemblies for Airbus’ commercial aircraft programmes. The latest contract marks a significant milestone for Mahindra as it continues to expand its portfolio of capabilities from parts and sub-assemblies to larger and more complex aerostructures.
For Airbus, India is both a major market and a strategic resource hub. Today, every Airbus commercial aircraft has components and technologies made in India. Currently, Airbus’ annual procurement of components and services from India stands at $1.4 billion.
The H130 is an intermediate single-engine helicopter tailored for passenger transport, tourism and private and business aviation, as well as medical airlift and surveillance missions. It has a wide, unobstructed cabin, which accommodates the pilot and up to seven passengers, providing outstanding visibility through a large wrap-around windscreen and wide windows. Its state-of-the-art technologies, materials, systems and avionics make it a quiet and powerful helicopter.