Hyderabad , 11th July 2025 – American Laser Eye Hospital, a rapidly expanding eye care network in South India, proudly inaugurated its flagship hospital at AS Rao Nagar, Hyderabad today. The event was graced by celebrated Telugu actress Archana Shastry, who officially opened the hospital in the presence of esteemed medical professionals and dignitaries.

This center marks a major milestone for the network, being its 7th hospital in Hyderabad, with more locations coming up soon in Vanasthalipuram, Kukatpally, Banjara Hills, Kompally, the Financial District and also have its presence in Andhra Pradesh , Tirupathi, Kurnool, Sullurpeta ect.

Founded by Dr. Ramesh Chandra, a visionary in the field of ophthalmology, American Laser Eye Hospital was established with the aim of delivering globally benchmarked eye care across all parts of the Telugu states. His mission is to ensure the most advanced treatments at an affordable cost, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and accessible care for all sections of society.

Setting New Standards in Vision Care

In a first-of-its-kind move, the hospital has introduced Robotic LASIK Surgery powered by AI, alongside Robotic Cataract Surgery, bringing world-class ophthalmic innovations to the Telugu-speaking states.

Addressing the media, Mr. Jagadeesh, Director & CEO of American Laser Eye Hospitals, said:
“We are proud to launch one of the most advanced eye hospitals in AS Rao Nagar. Our mission is simple yet ambitious — to offer the best global eye care right here in our Telugu heartland. With robotic surgeries and AI integration, we’re empowering patients of all age groups to experience glass-free, pain-free, and precise vision correction.”

Q Robotic LASIK Surgery with AI Assistance – A Game Changer

• First in Telugu state to offer AI-guided Robotic LASIK
• Corrects both distance and near vision
• Suitable for a wide age group (18–50+)
• Offers glass-free, blade-free, and highly precise results
• Fast recovery and superior visual quality

 Robotic Cataract Surgery – Precision You Can See

• Bladeless and ultra-precise technology
• Personalized lens implantation
• Fast recovery, minimal discomfort

A Telugu Brand with a Pan-India Vision

With a goal to become the largest Telugu-origin eye care brand, American Laser Eye Hospital is redefining eye care by merging clinical expertise, compassion, and cutting-edge technology. Founded by Dr. Ramesh Chandra, the network is expanding rapidly, touching lives in urban and rural areas alike.

From free cataract camps to AI-powered robotic surgeries, the brand is creating access to the best vision care — for all, without compromise.

By – Eshanvi Grover, Student-designer and sustainability enthusiast from New Delhi.

The Fabric of ChangeBehind the sparkle of runways and red carpets lies a shadow few talk about — over 92 million tonnes of clothing waste dumped annually, and up to 45 billion garments produced each year, many of which never find a wearer. The question isn’t whether fashion is broken — it’s whether we’re brave enough to fix it.

As a teen designer, I’ve chosen to stitch my creativity into a new narrative: one where style and sustainability walk the runway together.

Fast Fashion’s Fallout: The Truth in Your ClosetWe live in a world where clothes are cheaper, trends move faster, and the cycle of buy-wear-dispose feels endless. But that ‘₹499 top’ often hides the real cost: polluted rivers, underpaid workers, and overflowing landfills.

If fashion is supposed to reflect culture, why are we okay with waste?

Reworking the Rules: Style That EvolvesMy journey began when I looked at my own closet — clothes worn twice, trends I no longer liked, and a pile of “nothing to wear.”

That’s when I discovered upcycling. A satin dress became a hybrid kurti. A mesh top turned into two beanies. Slowly, fashion felt less like consumption and more like creation.

Today, my designs focus on:

Multi-use garments — Outfits that morph from dress to top to wrap.

Breathable, eco-friendly fabrics — Like hemp and upcycled cotton.

Timeless silhouettes — Because sustainability is the opposite of fast.

Teens & Moms: The Overlooked AudienceFrom school runs to sleepovers, our lives move fast. But most clothes aren’t built for flexibility. Sustainable fashion fills that gap — with clothes that are comfortable, durable, and adaptable.

Imagine: one outfit that serves three occasions, made of skin-friendly fabric, and designed to last years, not months.

5 Tips to Start Your Sustainable Wardrobe

• Repeat is chic — Rewear your favorites. Restyling is the new cool.
• Swap parties > shopping hauls — Host monthly exchanges with friends.
• Label check — Look for natural or recycled fabrics before buying.
• Tailor, don’t toss — A small stitch can save a garment.
• Support small, ethical brands — They often produce with purpose.

Why This Isn’t Just a Teen TrendFrom Paris to Delhi, the future of fashion is circular. Major fashion houses now explore zero-waste design. Schools teach sustainability as a core course, not an afterthought.

This isn’t a phase. It’s a movement — and Gen Z is leading it.

My Mission: Less Waste, More WowMy goal is to launch a line of transformable clothing — fashion that moves with you, fits different body types, and lives longer than one season.

Because the best kind of fashion doesn’t just look good — it does good.

April 7, 2025: The latest market analysis by prime London property brokerage, Jefferies James, has revealed that when it comes to property price appreciation across the world’s luxury property hotspots London has seen one of the lowest annual rates of growth, with Madrid boasting the strongest performance.

Jefferies James analysed property price data across 15 global property hotspots to reveal which has seen the strongest rate of growth over the last year.*

The analysis shows that Madrid tops the table where current market performance is concerned, having seen property values climb by 20.3% over the last year.

Dubai also ranks highly in this respect, having seen property values climb by 16.5% on an annual basis, with Mumbai (+6%), New York (4.2%) and Singapore (+3.9%) also ranking within the top five.

At 3.6%, Geneva has also recorded a respectable level of property price appreciation over the last year, whilst growth has been more measured across Los Angeles and Monaco and 1.3% and 1.1% respectively.

Vancouver, Berlin, Sydney and London have seen the most muted market performances over the last year, with an annual rate of growth of just 0.4%, whilst property values across Paris (-3%), Auckland (-4.8%) and Hong Kong (-8.2%) have all fallen.

Founder of Jefferies James, Damien Jefferies, commented:

“The global landscape currently presents a rather mixed bag with respect to property price performance, as whilst a handful of cities have seen a respectable rise in values over the last year, there’s a good proportion where the market has remained fairly muted, with some even seeing a reduction.

However, whilst this may seem negative on the face of it, we’re seeing a heightened degree of activity from luxury buyers, who recognise that now is the time to act in order to take advantage of less buoyant market conditions.

This has particularly been the case across London, where property values have remained largely static year on year. Despite this, the city remains by far one of, if not the most desirable destinations for international buyers, many of whom are recognizing that now is the smart time to invest, before improving market conditions cause prices to rise.”

Fortune Foods, in collaboration with Social Beat, proudly presents the Fortune Influencer Masterclass, an initiative designed to empower cooking enthusiasts by transforming their culinary skills into thriving digital careers.

With the rise of food influencers and the increasing popularity of social media platforms, this program aims to provide cooking fans and learners with the right tools and strategies to succeed in the digital space. The masterclass equips participants with hands-on learning and expert guidance by Meghana Kamdar, Vinayak Grover, and Nimisha Rao bridging the gap between passion and profession.

The Fortune Influencer Masterclass is a structured, two-month online program covering:

● Food Styling & Plating: Creating visually appealing dishes for social media

● Videography & Content Creation: Shooting, editing, and producing high-quality videos

● Social Media Growth: Understanding engagement strategies, platform algorithms, and audience building

● Monetization Techniques: Turning content into a profitable career

Participants receive expert-led video lessons, practical assignments, and one-on-one mentorship. To support their journey, they also receive Fortune Foods sponsorships, social media starter kits, and completion certificates. The interactive learning format, combined with Q&A sessions, fosters an engaging experience and ensures long-term impact.

The Fortune Influencer Masterclass has received an overwhelming response, with over 40,000 registrations and counting since its launch.

Jignesh Shah, Head of Digital, Fortune Foods, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Fortune Foods has always believed in the power of ghar ka khana and the individuals behind them. This initiative is our way of empowering cooking enthusiasts and food lovers in taking their skills beyond their kitchens and onto digital platforms.The overwhelming response to this initiative proves that the passion for food can truly be transformed into digital stardom.”

Vikas Chawla, Co-Founder, Social Beat, emphasized the growing opportunities in the digital space, adding, “With the right guidance and strategy, anyone can build a strong online presence. The digital ecosystem is evolving rapidly, and we believe this initiative will help passionate cooks and learners leverage their skills to build authentic and engaging content. We are excited to collaborate with Fortune Foods in helping budding chefs and amateur cooks unlock their full potential as digital creators, enabling them to not only share their love for food but also establish a sustainable personal brand.”

Social Beat has taken a strategic approach to this campaign, integrating its expertise in Content Creation, Social Media Strategy, Influencer Marketing, Media Planning & Buying, and Tech bringing out an impactful digital transformation for aspiring food influencers.

The Fortune Influencer Masterclass marks a new chapter in digital empowerment, redefining the future of food content creation, one home cook at a time.

MUMBAI, February 24, 2025 – Fractal (www.fractal.ai), a global provider of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics solutions to Fortune® 500 companies, announced today that it has achieved the AWS Premier Tier Services Partner status within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN). This recognition is awarded to only a select few partners and recognizes Fractal’s expertise and commitment to delivering cloud solutions and services to its global clients.

Achieving the Premier Tier status differentiates Fractal as an AWS Partner which has demonstrated expertise and success in helping customers design, architect, build, migrate, and manage their workloads on AWS. AWS Premier Tier Services Partners are experienced partners, recognized in their respective geographical, vertical, or horizontal markets.

Fractal delivers innovative solutions across various AWS technologies such as Cloud Strategy, Migration and Modernization, Advanced Data, Analytics, Product Innovation, and Cloud Engineering services. With a global presence and expertise in cloud technologies and business strategy, Fractal has garnered notable achievements, including 200+ AWS Certifications, the launch of 50+ Customers on AWS, the attainment of 6 AWS Competencies, AWS Service validations, and the participation in multiple Partner Programs.

“This recognition from AWS highlights our shared commitment to innovation and excellence in cloud technologies, inspiring us to push boundaries and deliver greater value to our clients,” said Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-Founder, Group Chief Executive and Executive Vice-Chairman of Fractal.

To earn the Premier Tier, companies must complete a rigorous approval process through accreditations and certifications, demonstrate a long-term investment in their relationship with AWS, and have extensive expertise in deploying customer solutions on AWS. AWS Premier Tier Services Partners also have a strong team of AWS-trained and certified technical consultants and possess deep expertise in project management and professional services.

Fractal continues to build on its existing AWS competencies in data and analytics, Generative AI, DevOps, retail, financial services, and consumer goods further establishing its credentials as one of the leading AI-powered solution providers to drive success for businesses worldwide.

New Delhi, February 24th, 2025: Plans to build a new Centre of Excellence that will help Indian farmers get more of their produce to market took a step forward with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Perishability, short marketable life, and the need to acquire advanced skills and best-in-class equipment – including cold-chain facilities – mean farmers face difficulty in both ensuring the safety and quality of marketable produce, as well as reducing quantity losses in the supply chain.

Backed by State of Haryana Government funding, the Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management & Cold-Chain (CoE-SPMCC) will create a comprehensive national framework focused on sustainable Post-Harvest Management (PHM) practices.

Haryana Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Nayab Singh Saini presided the brief MoU signing ceremony and Hon’ble Agriculture Minister Shri Shyam Singh Rana was present during the event. University of Birmingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Robin Mason joined Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Haryana, Department of Agriculture, in Chandigarh, to sign an MoU ahead of the build phase of CoE-SPMCC.

Funded by the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), University of Birmingham experts are leading a consortium of UK and international universities providing technical assistance to help develop the Centre. The consortium includes Heriot-Watt University, Cranfield University and London South Bank University.

Professor Robin Mason commented: “The University of Birmingham is proud to lead this international partnership helping to establish a facility that not only benefits Indian farmers, but also creates opportunities across the education, research and business communities.

“Our consortium unites a wealth of expertise from various partners, each contributing a unique set of skills and knowledge and forming a robust, interdisciplinary team poised to address the challenges ahead. We commend the Haryana State Government, Defra and UNEP for having the vision to invest in this ground-breaking research and development facility.”

Food loss is significant to the State and directly impacts farmers, as horticultural produce serves as their primary source of income – every year some 156 million USD (Rs. 13 billion) income is lost to both farmers and the state.

Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini commented: “Haryana is the food bowl of India and now fast diversifying into fresh fruits and vegetables which necessitates management of cold chain to reduce post-harvest losses in this sector.”

Haryana Agriculture Minister, Shri Shyam Singh Rana said: “We are elated with the kind of support we are getting from the University of Birmingham and its consortium.”

Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, IAS, said: “Haryana is in forefront of demonstrating horticulture technologies and established 12 Centres so far and this new Centre shall fill much needed gap in cold chain in horticultural commodities not only in Haryana but India as well.”

The Centre will develop a comprehensive national framework focused on sustainable cold-chain and PHM practices, guidelines, and protocols – aiming to curb horticultural produce wastage and assess present and future needs for a sustainable cold-chain by:

•  Delivering innovative research and cold-chain design, including energy transition;
•  Developing successful business models;
•  Incubating tech start-ups and supporting the development of cold chain;
•  Demonstrating the best available technology; and
•  Raising awareness of sustainable PHM among different stakeholders including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).

Consortium leader Toby Peters, Professor of Cold Economy at the University of Birmingham, commented: “Sustainable cold chains are critical infrastructure, vital for a well-functioning society and economy. They underpin access to safe and nutritious food and health, as well as the ability to drive economic growth, and deliver socioeconomic development.”

Head of Department, Dr. Arjun Singh Saini, commented that we are targeting 15 horticultural commodities to develop protocols and to built complete cold chain models with comprehensive hands on training on technologies in collaboration with academic and industry stakeholders.

“The Centre will be a key link connecting the agricultural, academic and business communities in Haryana and beyond. It will help to accelerate and deliver practical solutions to the ‘wicked’ challenges facing farmers across India.”

The State Government has earmarked around 15 acres of land adjoining the Directorate of Horticulture, Haryana in Sector-21, Panchkula, to build CoE-SPMCC, which will include a training centre, technology demonstration area, testing centre, and technology incubation centre.

The consortium has led the Centre’s design and establishment, with the University of Birmingham leading on resilient systems of system approaches to energy and cooling, energy transitions & energy storage, and understanding the social impacts.

Heriot-Watt University specialised in virtual modelling, digital twin development, and roadmap creation. Cranfield University focussed on food cold-chain training, delivery programmes, and PHM.

The University of Birmingham and Wageningen University’s, Netherlands, expertise in business models contributed valuable insights. Belgium’s Vrije University provided climate modelling expertise, whilst London South Bank University added support on refrigeration and cold chain.

The project aligns with work in Africa which led to the opening of the Africa Centre for Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) last year. The University of Birmingham plays a leading role in ACES – developed with the Governments of UK and Rwanda, UN Environment Programme and University of Rwanda.