Ryan International Academy Sarjapur Commemorates Annual Day and Graduation Achievements
Bengaluru, 21st February, 2025 – Ryan International Academy, Sarjapur, hosted its Annual Day and Graduation ceremony recently, showcasing a spectacular celebration of young talent and academic excellence. The event, themed “Roots to Grow, Wings to Fly,” featured performances by students from Montessori to Grade 2, highlighting the school’s commitment to holistic education.
Distinguished Paralympic athlete and Padma Shri awardee K Y Venkatesh graced the occasion as Chief Guest, alongside notable personalities including Col Madhu Somanna, Ms. Neha Chawla, Ms. Vidya Varadarajan, Dr. Manju Kedarnath, and Dr. Ganasoundari.
The event commenced with a multilingual welcome presentation, demonstrating the school’s multicultural ethos. A highlight of the celebration was the musical skit “Croak,” which conveyed a powerful message about perseverance and dream pursuit. The youngest performers, from Montessori sections, presented awareness-raising dances about tiger conservation, while Grade 1 students performed the Kannada song “Prakruthi,” emphasizing environmental consciousness through the message of reduce, reuse, and recycle.
The graduation ceremony honored Montessori 3 students advancing to Grade 1, marking a significant milestone in their educational journey. The school recognized outstanding achievements across various domains, including academics, performing arts, and public speaking. The prestigious Ryan Prince and Princess awards were bestowed upon students demonstrating exceptional all-round performance in sports, cultural activities, and academics.
“This annual day celebration perfectly embodied our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are rooted in values while being prepared to soar towards their dreams,” said Ms. Sripurna Sharma, Principal at Ryan International Academy, Sarjapur. The event concluded with a memorable performance by the Primary Choir- Melody Makers.
The Annual Day and Graduation ceremony at Ryan International Academy, Sarjapur, shows the institution’s dedication to promoting both academic excellence and creative expression. With over 200 students participating in various performances, the event not only celebrated individual achievements but also reinforced the school’s vision of creating confident, culturally aware young leaders. As the school continues to build on its foundation of holistic education, this year’s theme “Roots to Grow, Wings to Fly” stands as a testament to Ryan International’s commitment to nurturing students who are firmly grounded in values while being empowered to reach for their highest aspirations.
Go Spiritual Launches App to Share India’s Spiritual Heritage
Mumbai, February 21, 2025 – Go Spiritual, a pioneering organization devoted to advancing spirituality, wellness, and India’s rich cultural heritage, proudly announces the launch of its transformative Go Spiritual News Magazine App. This ground-breaking mobile platform builds on the success of the recently launched Go Spiritual News Magazine Portal , which has already emerged as a beacon of spiritually enriching content for audiences worldwide.
The app, set to enhance accessibility and engagement, promises to bring India’s timeless wisdom to a global stage, solidifying the nation’s status as the ultimate spiritual destination.
Go Spiritual stands as a leading charitable and spiritual initiative dedicated to blending ancient traditions with contemporary solutions. Under its expansive mission, the organization promotes spirituality, philanthropy, mental health and wellness, spiritual tourism, events, media, publications, Ayurveda, holistic health, organic living, and social causes. As the spiritual and social arm of the renowned Approach Entertainment Group, Go Spiritual reflects a deep commitment to fostering platforms that resonate with the spiritual and emotional needs of society. With the launch of the Go Spiritual News Magazine App, the organization takes a significant step toward making spirituality accessible, relevant, and engaging in today’s fast-paced digital world.
The Go Spiritual News Magazine App is crafted to redefine how individuals connect with spirituality and wellness, offering a seamless and user-friendly mobile experience that caters to a wide array of interests and needs. This dynamic platform serves as a vast reservoir of enriching content, encompassing a diverse spectrum of topics designed to inspire, inform, and guide users on their personal journeys. It provides updates on spiritual happenings and thought-provoking analyses to keep users connected to the evolving world of spirituality.
For those seeking practical tools, the app offers step-by-step guides and techniques for yoga and meditation, suitable for practitioners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts. Wellness and mindfulness are at the forefront, with expert tips for achieving holistic health, mental clarity, and balanced living in a hectic modern landscape. The app also delves into lifestyle and relationship advice, offering insights for making meaningful choices and nurturing harmonious connections with others.
Health awareness is another cornerstone of the platform, providing in-depth explorations of Ayurveda, organic living, and specialized guidance for senior citizen wellness, empowering users to embrace natural and sustainable approaches to well-being. For those drawn to India’s spiritual heritage, the app doubles as a travel companion, featuring detailed guides to pilgrimage destinations, histories of sacred temples, logistical support for spiritual journeys, and vibrant coverage of festival celebrations that showcase the country’s cultural richness. It invites users to dive deep into cultural explorations, offering comprehensive insights into Hinduism and other religions alongside reflections on India’s multifaceted spiritual traditions.
The app is also a treasure trove of inspiration, brimming with uplifting stories, exclusive interviews with spiritual leaders and thought influencers, carefully curated feature articles, and thoughtful book recommendations to fuel personal growth. Culinary journeys tie spirituality to daily life, presenting healthy and heritage-inspired food explorations that reflect India’s sacred traditions. Additionally, the app keeps users engaged with highlights of spiritual gatherings, festivals, and community initiatives, ensuring a vibrant connection to events that matter.
With interactive features, intuitive navigation, and rich multimedia elements, the app ensures users can effortlessly engage—whether seeking daily inspiration, planning a spiritual journey, or exploring India’s cultural richness. By merging technology with spiritual insight, Go Spiritual aims to create a global digital ecosystem that celebrates and preserves India’s spiritual treasures.
Sonu Tyagi, the visionary Founder of Go Spiritual and Approach Entertainment, shared his passion for the project: “Spirituality encapsulates India’s timeless wisdom and cultural depth. Through the Go Spiritual News Magazine App, we are bringing this profound legacy to the world, inspiring individuals to embrace its teachings and explore its heritage. Our goal is to make India a beacon of spirituality, unity, and cultural richness on the global stage.”
Go Spiritual’s ambitious initiatives are powered by the trailblazing Approach Entertainment Group, a multifaceted conglomerate excelling in celebrity management, film production, advertising and corporate film solutions, film marketing, and events and entertainment marketing. The group also encompasses Approach Communications, a PR and integrated communications agency, and Approach Bollywood, a dedicated Bollywood and entertainment newswire.
Approach Entertainment’s exceptional contributions have earned it prestigious accolades, including the Biz India 2010 Award, the Service Excellence Award, the PR Agency of the Year Award, and the Yuva Ratn Award. These achievements reflect the group’s commitment to innovation and excellence, which now extends to Go Spiritual’s mission of spiritual and social transformation.
At the helm of both Go Spiritual and Approach Entertainment is Sonu Tyagi, an award-winning writer, director, and producer renowned for his spiritual inclination and creative prowess. Holding a degree in Psychology, Tyagi has completed professional courses in Advertising Management, Journalism, and Filmmaking. Before founding Approach Entertainment in 2004, he honed his skills at leading advertising agencies and media houses in India, building a robust foundation for his trailblazing career.
Sonu Tyagi’s recent work as co-producer of the acclaimed spiritual web series Two Great Masters underscores his dedication to meaningful storytelling. He is currently developing new film and web series projects that promise to elevate Approach Entertainment’s creative legacy further. “By presenting India’s spiritual heritage globally, we are not only preserving its significance but also positioning it as a source of inspiration and transformation for humanity,” Tyagi remarked.
The Go Spiritual News Magazine App launch is part of a broader series of initiatives to extend Go Spiritual’s global impact. Following the success of the News Magazine Portal, the organization is preparing to debut Go Spiritual Web TV and an OTT platform. These forthcoming platforms will offer a wide array of spiritual and positive lifestyle content, creating a comprehensive media ecosystem that resonates with audiences worldwide. Together, these efforts celebrate the depth of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage while addressing contemporary challenges with timeless wisdom.
Rare Condition, Remarkable Recovery: Surgery Saves 2-Day-Old Baby’s Life
Bengaluru, 21st February, 2025: In a remarkable case highlighting the importance of early detection and cutting-edge surgical techniques, a two-day-old baby underwent minimally invasive hernia repair surgery for left-sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). A condition that occurs only in 1 out of every 5000 delivered babies, CDH is a rare condition where a defect in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity, impairing lung and heart development. 80% of CDH cases occur on the left side, 10% on the right side and the rest 10% being bilateral.
In this case, the condition was recognized antenatally, that is while the mother was still pregnant with the baby, during a routine anomaly scan at 22 weeks. Advanced pre-natal imaging technology revealed characteristic signs of CDH in the baby such as bowel or intestinal loops present in the chest cavity, displacing the lung and heart tissue. But the initial signs were hopeful as the baby had already developed the lungs with there being no high pulmonary blood pressure or heart and chromosomal anomalies. This encouraged the doctors to expect a positive result when the baby was delivered.
The mother underwent a c-section and delivered a son weighing 3 kgs on 3rd January 2025. X-rays done post-delivery confirmed the diagnosis. Echocardiograms were used to determine there was no pulmonary hypertension. The baby demonstrated well-developed lungs, normal pressure gradients and stable cardiovascular function. Additionally, the defect in the diaphragm was small, with only intestines as contents and the absence of major structural anomalies. Spontaneous breathing of the baby was good, it did not require ventilatory support after birth. These factors made the baby a suitable candidate and the team at Aster Whitefield Hospital decided to go for a minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery to treat his CDH.
The surgery was performed 48 hours after the child’s birth to allow stabilisation. Pediatric surgeries, especially ones that are done on new-born babies, are very complex as well as tricky due to the delicacy of the condition. The operating room is always kept warm to prevent hypothermia. For this procedure, very small 3 mm incisions were made to insert the thoracoscope (a camera attached to a telescope) and other surgical instruments. After detecting the anomaly, the intestines were reduced to the abdominal cavity and the diaphragmatic defect was meticulously sutured using non-absorbable stitches. The neonatal, paediatric and anaesthesiology team performed the entire surgery under continuous monitoring to ensure stability.
“The surgery went smoothly without any complications. The anesthesia team was highly attentive, carefully monitoring the baby’s oxygen levels, blood pressure and temperature during the procedure. The surgery was made more manageable due to the coordinated effort among all teams involved, including neonatologists, anesthesiologists, and pediatric surgeons”, said Dr. Manjiri Somashekhar, Lead & Senior Consultant – Paediatric Surgery, Aster Women & Children Hospital, Bengaluru. “As a result, no immediate complications were encountered, and the baby’s condition was stable throughout”, she added.
Dr. Lathiesh Kumar, Lead Neonatology, Consultant – Paediatrics and Neonatology, Aster Women & Children Hospital, Bengaluru mentioned, “Minimally Invasive Thoracoscopic surgery offers numerous advantages, including minimal trauma, reduced pain, faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. But not every child suffering from CDH is eligible for such a surgery, due to the many complications involved. This case was only the second instance of thoracoscopic repair out of six CDH cases managed by the team in the past two years.”
Post-surgery, the baby required only 24 hours of ventilatory support, a stark contrast to the extended care often needed in traditional open surgeries. The chest tube used during the procedure to drain out any excess air, fluid, or blood collected during the surgery was removed within 24 hours and the baby was able to transition to tube feeding shortly after. The baby was discharged in 5 days post operation. The parents underwent multiple counselling sessions to completely understand the situation and be prepared.
While there is no one particular reason behind the development of such a condition in the child, potential causes include folic acid deficiency, maternal smoking, alcohol consumption, certain medications or pre-existing health conditions like diabetes or hypothyroidism. The key message for parents is that early detection and proper counseling are essential. If a congenital anomaly like CDH is identified, parents should seek advice from experienced surgeons and neonatologists to understand the treatment options available. This case underscores the importance of early detection, proper antenatal counseling, and immediate post-birth stabilization. This story stands as a beacon of hope for families facing similar challenges, demonstrating that with timely intervention and expert care, a bright future is possible.
360 ONE Asset Launches Gold ETF
Chandigarh, 21 February 2025: 360 ONE Asset Management Limited (formerly known as IIFL Asset Management Limited) (“360 ONE Asset”), announced the launch of 360 ONE Gold ETF. It is an open-ended exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to replicate or track domestic gold prices. This passively managed fund provides investors with a convenient and efficient way to gain exposure to gold, combining liquidity, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.
The New Fund Offer (NFO) will remain open from 20 February 2025 to 28 February 2025. The minimum application amount is Rs. 500 (and in multiples of Re.1 thereafter.) The NFO is priced at Rs. 10 per unit.
The 360 ONE Gold ETF will invest at least 95% of its total assets in gold or gold-related instruments, ensuring close alignment with domestic gold price movements. The remaining 5% may be allocated to debt or money market securities to enhance liquidity and manage operational requirements.
The fund will be managed by Rahul Khetawat, Fund Manager at 360 ONE Asset, and will track domestic gold prices as its benchmark. Notably, the ETF comes with zero exit load, ensuring flexibility for investors.
Commenting on the launch, Raghav Iyengar, CEO, 360 ONE Asset, said, “Gold has always been a key asset class for Indian investors. With the 360 ONE Gold ETF, we aim to provide a seamless, transparent, and efficient way to invest in gold, without the hassles of physical ownership. This ETF aligns with our philosophy of offering innovative and investor-friendly solutions in the wealth management space.”
Rahul Khetawat, Fund Manager at 360 ONE Asset, added, “Gold has historically played a crucial role in portfolio diversification. Our Gold ETF is designed to track gold prices closely while offering the advantages of liquidity and cost efficiency. We believe this will be a valuable addition to investors looking to benefit from gold’s long-term potential.”
The 360 ONE Gold ETF is suitable for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation in alignment with gold price movements. The fund aims to generate returns in line with physical gold.
Taj Mussoorie Foothills Expands to Dehradun with Grand Debut
Chandigarh, FEBRUARY 21, 2025: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the opening of Taj Mussoorie Foothills, Dehradun.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, said, “We are delighted to expand Taj’s presence in Uttarakhand with the opening of Taj Mussoorie Foothills in the capital city of Dehradun. IHCL will have a multi brand presence in the city and with the recently opened Delhi-Dehradun Expressway enhancing connectivity, it has evolved to be a commercially prominent city in the region. In addition, its proximity to popular destinations such as Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Haridwar attracts a mix of leisure, adventure and spiritual tourism.”
Nestled in the serene foothills of the Himalayas, Taj Mussoorie Foothills, Dehradun, is a luxurious sanctuary that seamlessly blends modern elegance with the region’s natural beauty. The 115-key hotel, including 16 exquisitely designed suites, offers an immersive escape. Guests can indulge in diverse culinary experiences, from Vista, an all-day dining restaurant serving global and Indian flavours, to House of Nomad, a sophisticated gastro pub, Tropics, a poolside dining venue, and Emperor Lounge, a space for high tea and handcrafted beverages. The hotel features four versatile banqueting spaces ranging from 1,200 sq. ft. to 8,000 sq. ft., along with well-equipped meeting rooms, making it an ideal destination for weddings, conferences, and social gatherings.
Guests can rejuvenate with the signature therapies at the J Wellness Spa. The hotel also features dedicated pet amenities, a kids’ activity zone, a walking track with accessibility features, and EV charging stations, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive stay. Taj Mussoorie Foothills, Dehradun offers curated experiences including the Malsi Nature Forest Walk, a trek to Shikhar Falls, and a wildlife safari at Rajaji National Park.
Speaking on the opening, Mr. Naveen Tomar, General Manager, Taj Mussoorie Foothills, Dehradun, said, “Taj Mussoorie Foothills is designed to offer guests an immersive experience in the lap of nature. From curated experiences to bespoke services, we look forward to creating unforgettable stays for our guests.”
Often called the ‘Doon Valley’, Dehradun is one of India’s most charming hill cities. Beyond serving as a gateway to Mussoorie, Dehradun itself boasts numerous attractions including Robber’s Cave and Sahastradhara.
NTPC Green Energy Signs MoU with Bharat Light and Power
21th February 2025: NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Bharat Light and Power Private Limited (BLP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19.02.2025, to address the need for pacing green energy objectives and the GoI’s efforts towards carbon neutral economy.
The MoU was exchanged between Sh. DMR Panda, Chief General Manager and Head of Hydrogen, NTPC and Sh. T P Chopra, President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), BLP in the presence of other senior officials from NGEL and BLP on 19th February 2025 at SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.
The MOU is to jointly explore the off-take of green hydrogen and its derivatives from NGEL and its affiliates to third parties. Opportunities for selling captured carbon or biogenic carbon from NGEL will also be in scope. NGEL/or through its Affiliates shall set up infrastructure required for functioning of the green hydrogen project including RE projects and regular operation under B-O-O mode, as a part of it’s Net Zero commitments.
Kotak Mahindra Bank Announces Key Leadership Appointments
Bengaluru, February 21, 2025 – Kotak Mahindra Bank today announced the appointments of Vyomesh Kapasi as the new Head of Products – Consumer Bank at Kotak Mahindra Bank and Shahrukh Todiwala as the new MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited (KMPL).
Announcing the changes, Ashok Vaswani, MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, said, “These appointments underscore the deep bench strength at Kotak and our commitment to fostering leadership talent. Vyomesh’s extensive experience and proven track record in driving growth and innovation will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our consumer products. Shahrukh’s deep understanding of the vehicle financing market will ensure that KMPL continues to thrive and deliver exceptional value to our clients and stakeholders.”
Vyomesh joins Kotak Mahindra Bank from KMPL, where he served as the MD & CEO and led the company to new heights. With over three decades of experience in the financial sector, Vyomesh brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.
Shahrukh Todiwala takes over from Vyomesh Kapasi as the new MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited. Shahrukh has been with KMPL since 1995, and currently heads Wholesale and Retail vehicle finance businesses at KMPL. He has played a key role in the company’s strategic initiatives and has a deep understanding of the vehicle financing market.
Tata Power and AWS Forge Partnership to Revolutionize Energy Transition in India
Chandigarh, 21 February, 2025: Tata Power- one of India’s largest integrated power companies with presence across T&D, Generation, Trading, Renewables (including Manufacturing), and Energy as a Service (EaaS) – has embarked on a data-driven transformation with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate the country’s transition to a greener, smarter, and more consumer-centric energy ecosystem.
Tata Power is strengthening operational efficiencies, enhancing grid resilience, and empowering its large consumer base, spread across multiple states, to be active participants in India’s clean energy future and transition to a low-carbon economy.
India stands at the forefront of a global energy transformation, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) projecting the country to lead global energy demand growth over the next two decades. Tata Power is championing this transition through a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to modernize its digital infrastructure and drive intelligent energy management. The evolution of energy systems demands real-time analytics, automation, and decentralized power generation to optimize supply and demand. Digitalization enables grid stability, predictive maintenance, and seamless energy transactions, ensuring sustainability and operational efficiency. Tata Power’s partnership with AWS exemplifies this digital-first approach, harnessing cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and IoT to build a smarter, more efficient power ecosystem.
Tata Power has already laid a robust digital foundation by migrating 23 mission-critical applications to AWS using Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS). This shift enhances scalability, security, and real-time operational efficiency across key areas such as power generation, renewables, grid management, sales, and finance. Additionally, the company has adopted a server-less architecture with AWS Step Functions, optimizing energy transactions and grid operations in response to fluctuating demand patterns.
At the core of this transformation are two specialized data lakes dedicated to power generation and renewables, which ingest real-time data from solar farms, wind assets, smart meters, and Industrial IoT devices. Using AWS Glue, Tata Power integrates these vast datasets into Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), unlocking AI-powered analytics for predictive maintenance, grid optimization, and demand forecasting.
This digital transformation is translating into tangible benefits for both businesses and consumers, making Tata Power a preferred partner of choice for clean and efficient energy solutions. AI-driven insights enable faster outage detection, improved grid stability, and personalized energy recommendations, resulting in cost savings, enhanced reliability, and an accelerated transition to renewables. The modernization effort will pave the way for cutting-edge innovations, including blockchain-based energy trading, AI-powered demand response solutions, and computer vision for asset monitoring.
Tata Power is driving digital transformation across key operational clusters. In Generation and Renewables, AI-driven predictive maintenance, supply chain & procurement efficiency, and real-time analytics are optimizing plant efficiency and maximizing renewable energy output. Grid modernization is being advanced through smart IoT integration, enabling automated grid operations that reduce downtime and improve supply-demand balancing. These innovations have led to unprecedented reduction in AT&C losses and overall operational efficiency across the company’s discoms in Delhi, Odisha and Mumbai.
Consumer-centric solutions such as Home Automation and EaaS leverage personalized energy insights and blockchain-based transactions to empower consumers in managing their energy usage efficiently. Additionally, enterprise and finance digitalization is ensuring operational agility and transparency in energy transactions through cloud-based financial systems.
By integrating a cloud-first digital infrastructure, Tata Power is accelerating India’s clean energy shift while setting a global benchmark for sustainable, data-driven power utilities that keep customer empowerment at their core. This collaboration with AWS marks a significant step in redefining energy management for a net-zero future, reinforcing Tata Power’s leadership in smart and sustainable energy solutions.
BioAsia 2025 to Gather Global Healthcare Leaders for Innovation
Hyderabad: 21th February, 2025: Bio Asia, Asia’s premier life sciences and Health Tech forum, has a lineup of inspirational speakers and industry luminaries to ignite a discussion with participating leaders, MSME’s and startups to inspire and make India an undisputed leaderin the Life Sciences space. With the impressive lineup of speakers, Bio Asia 2025 is all set to act as a ‘Catalyst of Change’ driving rapid transformation in the life sciences space.
A power packed agenda comprising of address from Mr. A Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble CM of Telangana, Dr. Jeannette Young, Hon’ble Governor of Queensland,Mr. Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Mr. Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Industry and Supplies, Govt. of India, besides the global Industry leaders will be the highlight of Bio Asia 2025.
Notable industry leaders from the leading global organizations likeRobert A. Bradway (Chairman & CEO, Amgen), Prof. Patrick Tan, (Executive Director, Genome Institute of Singapore), Dr. Ken Washington (CTO, Medtronic), Dr. Boris Stoffel (Managing Director, Miltenyi Biotec) along with leaders from other global healthcare organizations will participate across 8 sessions scheduled on 25th and 26th February 2025. A detailed schedule for Bio Asia 2025 can be accessed here.
The CEO Conclave scheduled on 25th February 2025 will have eminent speakers Dr. S. Somanath, Former Chairman, ISRO, Mr. Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech International Ltd,Dr. Satyanarayana Chava, Founder and CEO, Laurus Labs, Mr. Cesar Concepcion, Chief Commercial Officer, APMA region, Novartis and Mr. Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager, Lilly India who will discuss the key opportunities and challenges for the life sciences in Indian and overseas markets and the disruptive role India can adopt to lead the global life sciences space with emerging technology innovations.
BioAsia 2025 is set to be a landmark event for the life sciences and healthcare industry. As a hub for global healthcare innovations, Telangana has become a key player in driving medical research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical excellence. BioAsia will continue its tradition of showcasing Telangana’s leadership in fostering industry growth, collaboration, and cutting-edge research while positioning the state as a key destination for global life sciences investments.
Mr. Sridhar Babu, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, expressed his enthusiasm about the distinguished lineup of guests at BioAsia 2025, stating: “BioAsia 2025 marks the 22nd edition of Asia’s leading life sciences and healthcare forum, bringing together global leaders to discuss AI-driven healthcare transformation, innovations in life sciences, data interoperability, and India’s potential in clinical trials. I am personally thrilled with the depth of this year’s program and the exceptional speaker lineup, with a strong focus on AI and life sciences. I am confident that this will be the biggest and most impactful BioAsia in history.”
Mr. Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Industries & Commerce and Information Technology, Government of Telangana, said: “The diverse lineup of speakers at BioAsia 2025 will further establish it as a premier platform for knowledge exchange and future-shaping discussions. This year, organizations like Deloitte, BCG, EY-Parthenon, and HealthArk have partnered with BioAsia to curate the program alongside our industry partners and sponsors, driving meaningful conversations on the future of healthcare and life sciences. I am also pleased to see significant participation from startups, and the overall enthusiasm for the event has been truly phenomenal.”
Mr. Shakthi Nagappan, CEO of BioAsia and Director of Telangana Life Sciences, emphasized”India has immense potential to lead the convergence of life sciences and technology, and Telangana continues to be at the forefront of this transformation. BioAsia 2025 is set to be a landmark edition with several global leaders like the CEO of Amgen, CIO of MSD, etc participating in the event. We are particularly excited to welcome thought leaders like Dr. S. Somanath, whose expertise in space sciences and engineering brings a fresh perspective and inspire new approaches to tackling some of the most pressing challenges in life sciences.”
Bio Asia 2025 will feature high-impact sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, engaging thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore solutions for global healthcare challengesThe event will also highlight cutting-edge advancements in AI-driven healthcare, clinical research, and personalized medicine.
With India emerging as a key player in global healthcare and biotechnology, Bio Asia 2025 will provide an unparalleled platform for collaborations, knowledge sharing, and investment opportunities. The event will continue to strengthen Hyderabad’s position as a hub for life sciences innovation, reinforcing its contribution to the global healthcare ecosystem.
Strategic Dialogue Ushers in a New Era of India-Australia Space Cooperation
21th Feb 2025: Australia and India have cultivated a robust partnership, reinforced by strategic and economic agreements such as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established in 2020 and the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) signed in 2022. In 2021, this collaboration extended into the space sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Australian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aiming to enhance cooperation in civil space activities. This partnership was further strengthened at the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024, where a high-level roundtable discussion was held in the presence of Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, and Mr. Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency. The discussions led to SIA-India and SIA-Australia taking a proactive step to advance industry-level dialogue, identifying key barriers to trade and collaboration in the India-Australia space sector while proposing actionable solutions for government agencies.
Building on these deliberations, PRISM (Perspectives on Regulatory Issues in Strategic Markets) 2.0 | Unlocking Trade Potential in India-Australia Space Collaboration—a jointly organized webinar by SIA-India and SIA-Australia—was held on Thursday, February 20, 2025. The event served as a dedicated platform to address critical regulatory and market challenges, fostering an environment conducive to collaboration, innovation, and trade in the space and dual-use sectors.
PRISM is a flagship initiative by SIA-India aimed at addressing trade barriers and enhancing collaboration in strategic sectors, including space and dual-use technologies. The initiative focuses on fostering business-to-business (B2B) partnerships, enabling cross-border innovation, and streamlining regulatory frameworks to facilitate seamless cooperation.
The inaugural edition, PRISM 1.0, was held in November 2024 between India and the United States under the theme Navigating the Indo-US Export Control Regime. The discussion focused on overcoming complex regulatory challenges in defence, space, and dual-use technologies, laying the groundwork for deeper industry engagement and policy alignment.
PRISM 2.0 advanced India-Australia space collaboration by bringing together industry leaders, startups, and policymakers to address export controls, technology transfer, and R&D cooperation, fostering regulatory alignment and strategic partnerships. The event featured an esteemed lineup of speakers, including Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe; Mr. David Gottlieb, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia; Fmr. Amb. Anil Wadhwa, Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation; Mr. Nathan Davis, Trade Commissioner to India, Austrade; Lisa Vitaris, Interim CEO & Director, IAC 2025; Mr. Mark Ramsey, Space Machines Company; Mr. Shireesh Pallikonda, Co-Founder, Skyroot Aerospace; Mr. Ashok GV, Partner, Factum Law; Dreosti Julia, Partner, Clifford Chance; wherein Lisa Vitaris, Interim CEO (SIAA), Anil Prakash, DG SIA-India, and Rajeev Gambhir Dy DG from SIA-India were webinar moderators.
The discussions, centered on three key themes: Export Controls, Bilateral R&D Investments, and Intellectual Property Protections. They underscored India’s advancements in space exploration and Australia’s strategic advantage for equatorial and polar launches. With over 30 agreements already in place, the strengthening India-Australia partnership is set to drive innovation and expand opportunities for both nations’ thriving startup ecosystems.
Beyond regulatory alignment, collaboration extends to mission support, with Australia playing a key role in India’s Gaganyaan mission. Australia’s support for India’s Gaganyaan mission, particularly in astronaut recovery operations, further reinforces collaboration. Australia’s support for India’s 1st Gaganyaan mission includes providing critical tracking and recovery operations through its Cocos (Keeling) Islands ground station. The Australian authorities are working with Indian authorities to ensure support for search and rescue of crew and recovery of crew module as part of contingency planning for ascent phase aborts near Australian waters.
India’s space industry, valued at $8.6 billion, is set to grow at a 16% CAGR, reaching $44 billion by 2033. The space-tech startup ecosystem has expanded over 200% in the past five years, with 190+ startups attracting over $300 million in private investment in 2023 alone.
Australia’s space sector, growing at 7% annually, has seen its workforce expand by 30% in five years, reaching 17,000 professionals across 600+ organizations.
India and Australia can unlock greater export opportunities by leveraging Australia’s expertise in navigating ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and EAR (Export Administration Regulations) for Indian exports. Under ECTA, over 96% of Indian exports to Australia now receive preferential access, benefiting satellite hardware, ground stations, and software services.
Experts highlighted the need for stronger contractual risk management in cross-border collaborations, emphasizing that FDI liberalization can unlock new national security space initiatives. The QUAD Space Working Group’s role in Maritime Domain Awareness and satellite data-sharing was also underscored.
There is a need to integrate India’s cost-effective space launches with Australia’s expertise in space tracking and infrastructure development. Key priorities include harmonizing IP laws, establishing mutual certification frameworks to streamline export controls and security protocols, and implementing dispute resolution mechanisms for smoother business engagements. Additionally, the annual termination clause in the India-Australia Bilateral Investment Treaty underscores the urgency of creating robust frameworks to safeguard cross-border investments.
Furthermore, investment avenues highlighted Space Maitri Program, Australia-India Business Exchange, Australia-India Innovation Tech Challenge, Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, and the $18 million investment in collaborative space projects as part of the International Space Investment [ISI] Initiative India Project program.
“PRISM 2.0 reinforced India-Australia collaboration, fostering innovation, trade, and policy alignment. As India and Australia deepen space ties, the next phase of cooperation will focus on aligning regulatory frameworks, enhancing investment flows, and leveraging mutual strengths for global space leadership” said Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA India.
A report on PRISM 2.0 India Australia Space dialogue will be released shortly , which will be shared among the space business community and policy maker of the two countries to sensitized with the issues to streamline and enhance the cooperation among the two countries .
Building on this momentum, SIA-India plans to expand the PRISM webinar series with dialogues involving Japan, France, and Germany, culminating in a QUAD-focused event at the India Space Congress 2025, scheduled for June 25-27.
SIA-India: SIA-India is a dynamic, not-for-profit space sector association, dedicated to advancing sectoral interests, accelerating industry growth, and catalysing collaboration through strategic engagements with key governmental and global stakeholders, policymakers, regulatory bodies, and standardisation entities, aiming to create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem within the civil, commercial and defence space domains.