PUNE, INDIA – On April 25, 2025, the city of Pune became the epicentre of India’s sports innovation and collaboration at SPORTS CON Pune 2025, hosted by the Institute of Sports Science & Technology (ISST). The landmark event gathered leading minds from across India’s sports ecosystem—athletes, entrepreneurs, coaches, federations, and corporate leaders—to build momentum toward India’s 2036 Olympic aspirations.

The evening opened with a stirring video celebrating India’s Olympic dream, followed by the National Anthem. Tanvi Lunawat, Director of Operations at ISST, welcomed the audience and set the tone for the evening with a powerful message: “At this event, we are not just discussing the future of sports—we’re here to create it.”

Setting the Stage: A Vision for 2036

The event opened with an inspiring audio-visual presentation of India’s Olympic aspirations for 2036, immediately setting the tone for an evening that was both reflective and forward-looking. The National Anthem followed, drawing the packed auditorium into a shared spirit of national pride. Tanvi Lunawat, Director of Operations at ISST and host for the evening welcomed the attendees. In a symbolic Sapling Watering Ceremony, Madhukar Talwalkar, Founder Talwalkars Fitness, Dr. Pranati Tilak, Trustee, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, and Mrs. Ujwala Lunawat, Chairperson of ISST, marked the official opening of the event—signifying the nurturing of grassroots talent and a sustainable sports future.

Decoding the League Culture: The New Face of Indian Sports

The evening’s first marquee panel, titled “Decoding the League Culture: The New Face of Indian Sports”, explored the meteoric rise of sports leagues across the country. Moderated by Dr. Vipul Lunawat, Director of ISST and architect of SPORTS CON, the panel featured Kailash Kandpal (CEO, Puneri Paltan – Pro Kabaddi League), Parvin Dabas (Co-Founder, Pro Panja League), Mandar Tamhane (CEO, North East United FC – Indian Super League), and Rishi Bhansali (COO, Pune United – World Pickleball League).

Each panelist offered a distinct lens on league-building in India, sharing their experiences in scaling both popular and emerging sports. The discussion centered on the commercial viability of new-age leagues, the importance of talent scouting through school and regional platforms, and the creation of community-based fan engagement models that go beyond metro cities. A pressing need for policy support and regulatory consistency was also highlighted.

An engaging Q&A wrapped up the session, with vibrant participation from educators, coaches, and sports entrepreneurs eager to contribute to India’s league-based sports revolution.

Powering Progress: The Role of Government, Federations, Corporates & NGOs in Sports

The second panel, “Powering Progress,” addressed one of Indian sport’s most urgent themes—collaborative governance and sustainable development. Dr. Vipul Lunawat once again led the conversation, joined by an illustrious lineup: Pawan Singh (Co-Founder, Gun for Glory Shooting Academy & Joint Secretary General, National Rifle Association of India), Lokesh Suji (VP, Asian Esports Federation & Member, International Esports Federation) and Rishikesh Joshi (Founder, Sports For All – SFA).

The panel delved into structural reforms and policy alignment across sectors, with highlights on the critical importance of state federations in athlete development, and the need for unified frameworks that connect government schemes, corporates, and NGOs.

Felicitation of Partners

The evening also included a brief felicitation ceremony to acknowledge the invaluable support of the event’s official partners. Radio Mirchi was recognized as the Radio Partner, L’utopia Magazine as the Magazine Partner, and Punekar News as the Media Partner. Go Fresh was appreciated as the Freshness Partner, while Champion Sports was felicitated as the Sports Merchandise Partner. Their contributions played a key role in the success of SPORTS CON Pune 2025.

SEF & Grassroots Action: A Movement with Purpose

SPORTS CON 2025 also cast a well-deserved spotlight on the Sports Entrepreneurs Foundation (SEF), a not-for-profit initiative launched by ISST and fellow sports professionals. SEF is at the forefront of CSR-led rural development through sport, currently supporting two schools in Mulshi with sustained efforts in donations, outreach, and awareness campaigns. A short documentary on SEF’s work received enthusiastic applause, affirming the conference’s vision of combining elite performance pathways with inclusive development efforts.

Innovation Zones & Networking Night

Attendees engaged with an interactive High-Performance Centre (HPC) showcase, featuring cutting-edge sports technologies and performance analytics tools. The Pro Gaming Zone was another crowd-puller, especially among young delegates exploring the fusion of technology, gaming, and physical sport. The day concluded with a vibrant Networking Dinner, fostering new partnerships and ongoing discussions among federation leaders, startup founders, academicians, and innovators from across the country.

Mumbai, India April 23^rd, 2025: In response to the growing need for sustainable infrastructure, Ammann India, a pioneer in road building technology, hosted its Asphalt Recycling Seminar in the financial capital, Mumbai. The event brought together industry leaders, technical experts, and partners to explore the role of cutting-edge recycling technologies in shaping the future of eco-conscious road construction in India.

As India accelerates its transition towards greener infrastructure, the importance of circular construction practices, particularly in road development, has never been more relevant. The seminar aimed to address a critical industry need to equip stakeholders with the technical knowledge and strategic clarity to translate sustainability goals into actionable, on-ground outcomes. From insightful keynotes and technical deep dives to engaging panel discussions, the seminar showcased the future of road construction with RAP (Recycled Asphalt Pavement) especially in context with its usage for Indian roads. The event provided a collaborative platform to highlight emerging trends, share best practices, and address common misconceptions surrounding asphalt recycling and sustainable road building.

Key topics discussed at the event included material management, temperature control, and binder rejuvenation, backed by real-world case studies proving RAP roads can match or exceed conventional durability. Experts also highlighted the importance of rejuvenating agents for effective binder integration and emphasized the need for standardized regulations, skill development, and better procurement practices to scale recycling in India.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Dheeraj Panda, Managing Director, Ammann India, underlined the significance of sustainable innovation in shaping the future of road infrastructure. “With both global and Indian markets shifting decisively towards sustainable construction practices, technologies like asphalt recycling have become the need of the hour. At Ammann, our 150-year legacy of innovation drives us to deliver future-forward solutions that not only meet evolving industry demands but also reduce carbon emissions and reliance on virgin resources. We’re proud to lead the way in India by enabling up to 100% use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship and cost-efficiency. As the government champions greener highways, our advanced recycling technologies are poised to play a pivotal role in making this vision a reality.”

Other prominent voices at the event included Dr. Ambika Behl (F.I.E), Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-CRRI, and Prof. Dharamveer Singh, Civil Engineering Professor at IIT Bombay, alongside Mr. Martinho Fernandes, AVP & Product Head – Asphalt Plants, Ammann India. Their contributions offered nuanced insights into overcoming technical and operational challenges in the field.

Currently, RAP usage in India remains relatively low—typically below 30%. Ammann is committed to raising this significantly, aiming to scale adoption up to 60% and even 100%, which not only supports sustainability but also delivers substantial cost and time savings in line with India‘s broader infrastructure development goals.

The event concluded with a united call for industry collaboration, research, and actionable implementation, reinforcing Ammann India’s leadership in delivering smart, sustainable, and technologically advanced road-building solutions that are aligned with national priorities.

 

Hyderabad, 23rd April 2025: Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), in association with Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF), is organising the National Talent Identification Hunt and Training Camp for Para-Athletes from 23^rd April to 28^th April 2025 at JNV Ranga Reddy Campus, HCU Road, Gachibowli.

Chief Guest Ms. Shilpa Reddy, Trustee, AMF, Mrs. India, Fashion Designer, Entrepreneur, Holistic Lifestyle Influencer; inaugurated the National Parasports Talent Identification Hunt & Training Camp, today at JNV Ranga Reddy Campus. Guest of Honour Sri T. Gopalakrishna, Deputy Commissioner, NVSRO Hyderabad Sri R. Nagabhushanam, Asst. Commissioner, NVSRO; Sri. Aditya Mehta, Founder, Aditya Mehta Foundation; also graced the occasion. The camp aims to unearth budding talent for the Paralympics 2028, Commonwealth Games 2026 and Asian Games 2026.

Ms. Shilpa Reddy said, I have been associated with Aditya Mehta Foundation for the last twelve years. AMF in collaboration with the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, has taken the responsibility of organising this Camp with love, care and strong vision. We have come together to give our young talented athletes the best  experience possible. This initiative has grown so much over the years, every year we see new champions emerging from here and everyone who comes here leaves with beautiful memory, even if they don’t get selected for the final group. We do our best to select as many students as we can, though there are limited number of spaces. In our view everyone is a champion. I am really dumbstruck with the commitment and dedication you guys have for the sport you adopted. We are incredibly proud of our journey so far, more than 10,000 para-athletes have been screened, trained, counselled under this initiative and 3500 children with special needs from Navodaya Vidyalaya alone were screened, counselled and trained over the years. AMF athletes have won more than 300 international medals, even abroad. This year, we have Youth Asian Games 2025; followed by Asian Games 2026; these are not just milestones, but important steps that contribute to the selection process of the para-athletes for the Paralympics 2028. Our aim is very realistic and focussed to support and prepare as many athletes as possible to represent India at the Paralympics 2028.

Speaking on the occasion Sri T. Gopalakrishna said, it’s AMF’s 9th Talent Identification Hunt camp, and we at NVS have been proud partners of this meaningful initiative for the past 4 years. This initiative started as an idea, mainly we looked at it from the point of view of building resilience, confidence and the inclusiveness of all these children. AMF was very clear that if these children are trained for an year or more, they are going to find their places on national and international platforms and that has become a reality today. Hundreds of children have been trained at JNV Ranga Reddy Campus, which I consider as the heart of para athlete training, It is today the Centre of Excellence for para sports. Aditya Mehta Foundation and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti are able to bring hundreds of para-athletes on the same platform and are standing as a beacon of hope for the para-athletes in the entire country. This year alone 142 medal were won by NVS children with the support of AMF and are coming out with flying colours. Our aim is to make a mark at the Paralympics 2028 on behalf of India.    

This unique initiative aims to scout and nurture para–athletic talent from the grassroots level, offering Children with Special Needs (CwSN) and differently – abled youth the opportunity to explore their sporting potential under expert guidance in parasports. The week-long Camp will conduct Talent Identification Trials; Basic Para-sports Training Sessions, Motivational Interactions with National and International Para-Athletes and Counselling Sessions for Students and Teachers, says Sri. Aditya Mehta, Founder, Aditya Mehta Foundation.

Out of 1000 online-screened applicants, 300 individuals from Hyderabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Pune, Patna, Lucknow, Shillong shortlisted for further trials and basic training at this camp. The most promising talents will be mentored by Aditya Mehta Foundation’s Infinity Parasports Academy in Hyderabad and given opportunities to represent their states and the nation at major national and international platforms, says Aditya Mehta.

The program is designed to identify and nurture their abilities, ultimately grouping them into specific parasports based on their individual disability levels and strengths. Throughout the camp, participants will explore a range of parasports and will be counselled and screened for 29 parasports. The structured training sessions is aimed to discover hidden talents and inspire children to pursue excellence in parasports.

New Delhi, April 23, 2025: Zenzo, India’s leading emergency Response Service Provider, hosted the ‘Make Delhi Emergency Ready‘ meet at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, spotlighting their commitment to providing immediate and effective emergency assistance by launching the largest network of 25,000+ ambulances across 450 cities and 671 ambulances in Delhi NCR, to assist in the time of emergency. The network includes basic, cardiac and 5G enabled Ambulance which uses real-time patient monitoring, enabling paramedics to share vital stats with hospitals instantly, and improving pre-hospital care.

Mr. Shashank Jaiswal, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Headquarters & VVIP Route, Delhi Police, was the esteemed guest at the Zenzo Press Meet, where he emphasized the critical need for civic emergency preparedness. He acknowledged Zenzo’s contribution in training approximately 100+ Delhi Traffic Police personnel in First Aid and CPR, conducted by medical experts on the 21st & 22nd April 2025.

These trainings reflect Zenzo’s broader vision of enabling enablers, individuals who are most likely to witness or respond to emergencies first. By equipping traffic police with life-saving skills, Zenzo is taking a critical step toward building a culture of readiness on Delhi’s roads and beyond. In addition to its work with the police force, Zenzo continues to expand its emergency readiness initiatives through partnerships with NGOs, food delivery partners, cab drivers, corporates and hospitals to create a unified, emergency response ecosystem.

 Ms. Sweta Mangal, Co-Founder and CEO of Zenzo, commented on the occasion:” Zenzo is proud to partner with the Delhi Traffic Police in our shared mission to make Delhi Emergency Ready by training traffic personnel on First Aid and CPR and by launching a network of 671 aggregated ambulances in Delhi NCR to serve people in medical emergencies”.

She further added, “At Zenzo, our mission is to Make ‘India Emergency Ready’ by building a tech-driven medical emergency infrastructure. With a network of verified ambulances and cutting-edge technology, we aim to improve response times and empower communities. Following our successful launch in Mumbai, expanding to Delhi marks a major step in strengthening emergency preparedness and collaborating with on-ground institutions.

We focus on the critical golden hour—when rapid action can save lives—by connecting first responders and medical professionals instantly. Through strategic partnerships, we’re creating a faster, more efficient, and accessible emergency care system to reduce fatalities and improve outcomes.”

Mr. Shashank Jaiswal, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Headquarters & VVIP Route, Delhi Police, shared, “We are proud to partner with Zenzo in their mission to ‘Make Delhi Emergency–Ready’, by training our traffic personnel in First Aid and CPR, we aim to make the first responders on the ground are equipped to save lives. This collaboration will enhance the city’s readiness and help provide timely medical assistance when every second counts”.

Zenzo‘s initiative aims to address critical issues affecting emergency response times and patient outcomes in Delhi NCR. In 2024, Delhi recorded 5,834 road accidents, resulting in 1,457 fatalities, making it the most affected city in India. Delays in hospital arrivals and traffic congestion worsen emergency response times. India records 1,50,000 road traffic deaths annually, with 30% of fatalities attributed to delays. Initiatives like Zenzo‘s ‘Making India Emergency Ready‘ campaign are needed to improve emergency response infrastructure and public awareness.

Zenzo’s ‘Making India Emergency Ready‘ initiative is a transformative step toward faster emergency responses, improved infrastructure, and increased public awareness, ensuring every Indian has access to life-saving care.

New Delhi, 23 April, 2025: At a special seminar organized in New Delhi by Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri hailed the contribution of refugees in India’s growth and termed it a result of reclaiming of civilization values.

Delivering his key-note address on ‘Honouring Those Who Honour India‘ organized by Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri said, “We are a country which drew on the sacrifice of his previous generation. A lot of countries have benefited from the contribution of refugees. We’ve reclaimed the civilization values which were always ours. And we’ve used that as a driver of pride and in turn economic growth. The contribution of Shaheed Nanak Singh and his family is a testament of the same.”

The event was held to honour Shaheed Nanak Singh’s efforts in promoting communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims during India‘s partition. He sacrificed his life for protecting lives of students of DAV College, Multan (now in Pakistan) in 1947.

Lord Rami Ranger FRSA, Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom, and youngest son of Shaheed Nanak Singh Ji, narrated the role that his father played in uniting people of all faith during the turbulent times of partition. “The unity of India is also essential for the survival of our civilization. Our civilization is miles ahead of every other civilization. When we were not united, we suffered centuries of invasion. But we managed to preserve what we enjoy today due to the supreme sacrifice of our selfless leaders,” he said.

Underscoring the significance of these dialogues, Mr. Vineet Nanda, General Secretary of the Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation, stated that as India‘s global influence expands, it is crucial to recognize those Indians who prioritized creating a positive international image for the nation.

The event also drew the presence of numerous dignitaries, including Col. Kulwinder Singh (son of the late Nanak Singh Ji), Mr. Ravindra Sheroan, Mr. Navneet Soni, former Chairman of the Minority Commission Mr. Tarlochan Singh, Rajya Sabha member Mr. Vivek Tankha, and various other distinguished guests, such as current and former bureaucrats.

Bengaluru, 23^rd April 2025: Procam International, the promoter of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, has onboarded Sodexo for the upcoming 17^th edition of the World Athletics Gold Label Race, scheduled to take place on Sunday, 27^th April 2025. In a first for India’s distance running circuit, Sodexo will serve as the food and beverage facilitator, bringing a professionally curated, and sustainability-driven culinary experience to the event. From energising packed meals for over 30,000 runners to fine hospitality for 1,500 dignitaries, this collaboration sets a new benchmark in race–day nutrition and mindful hospitality.

The association is an extension of TCS World 10K Bengaluru’s commitment to providing a smooth and premium race day experience to all participants and attendees – one that extends beyond the course and into every touchpoint of a participant’s journey. 

 As part of this association, Sodexo expert chefs and nutritionists have come together to craft a reimagined, nutrient-rich menu for Procam Marquee. Featuring superfoods like ragi, oats, and quinoa, the menu strikes a balance between taste, performance, and planet-friendly choices, and will be served through engaging live culinary stations. In addition, Sodexo will offer thoughtfully curated, individually packed refreshments post-run that includes nutrition-forward, energizing food items with both function and flavour in mind.

 Commenting on its maiden association with the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, Sambit Sahu, MD, Sodexo India, said, “The TCS World 10K Bengaluru embodies a commitment to a lifestyle of performance, wellbeing and sustainability. We’re proud to bring together Sodexo’s deep expertise in nutrition and sustainable practices to elevate the race day experience. From fuelling performance to aiding post-run recovery, nutrition plays a vital role, and our thoughtfully curated menu reflects this. With a focus on responsibly sourced ingredients and superfoods that support the body’s natural rhythm, every meal is carefully crafted. This opportunity allows us at Sodexo to demonstrate how food can power both individuals and a greater purpose, and we’re excited to serve meals that nourish, uplift.”

 Speaking on the association, Vivek Singh, Joint MD, Procam International, said, “Partnering with Sodexo is a natural fit, given our shared values that include a focus on excellence, attention to detail, and a people-first approach. We want every participant and guest to feel the care, energy, and celebration the TCS World 10K Bengaluru stands for.” 

By AiR Atman in Ravi – Happiness Ambassador and Spiritual Leader

Many of us experience unhappiness due to our inability to accept things as they are, especially when it comes to letting go of people, events or situations we can’t change. We often believe we are entirely in control of our lives. While we have free will and can choose our actions, we also carry our past Karma from previous lives, which influences the circumstances we face. The Law of Karma ensures that we must settle our Karmic debts, and no one can escape this process.

Challenges and events beyond our control are a part of this unfolding. Although we can continue to do good deeds for a happier destiny, the ultimate goal is to transcend Karma and attain Moksha or liberation. To truly let go and surrender, we must free ourselves from personal expectations. While it’s important to do our best in any situation, we must not fixate on a specific outcome, the fruits of our actions. The Divine Will, expressed through the Law of Karma, governs our lives, and everything that happens is part of this Divine unfolding.

When we face unavoidable circumstances like the loss of a loved one or other inexplicable hardships, we must gracefully accept them as part of our Karma and not protest. The ABCD Mantra — Accept, do your Best, in Consciousness, surrender the rest, living as a Divine Instrument holds the key to a peaceful and blissful life. Ultimately, we must realize that this world is a cosmic drama, a show and we are but actors who come and go.

When we understand this, we will sit back, be detached and dispassionate, and as spectators, enjoy the Leela of the Divine. On a daily basis, we must consciously let go of past hurts, grudges, regrets, painful relationships and toxic emotions. These are often the sources of our suffering and clinging to them only aggravates our suffering. We must also let go of the fear of the future, as worrying about what’s to come only robs us of peace and of the joy of the moment.

Letting go of material desires and choosing positive emotions is essential for happiness. Faith, Hope, and Trust are crucial in this process—Faith, Full Assurance In the Heart; HOPE, Having Only Positive Expectations, and TRUST, Total Reliance Unconditional Surrender To the Almighty.

Trust, and surrender to the Divine must be 100%. If it is 99%, it is not complete trust and surrender. When we recognize that we are not the body, mind, ego, but the immortal Divine Soul, a Spark Of Unique Life, a part of the Supreme Immortal Power we call God, we achieve complete surrender. We let go of our false identity — of the body, mind and ego and embrace the reality of our inherent Divinity. This realization of non-duality, where God is everything and we are one with the Divine, leads us to a life of eternal peace, love and bliss.

Mumbai, 21^st April 2025: Oxford International Education Services (OIES), a leading education services provider supporting universities worldwide in strengthening and scaling international student recruitment, has partnered with Mumbai–based NGO AngelXpress Foundation for a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on supporting underprivileged children. As part of this collaboration, the OIES team donated 470 pairs of shoes to students across six locations in Mumbai, including Andheri, Khar, Lokhandwala, Powai, SCRK (Santacruz East), and Vile Parle. The visit provided an opportunity for the team to directly engage with the children, share stories, and experience firsthand the joy and gratitude of giving.

This initiative is a reflection of OIES’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to creating meaningful change in the communities it serves. By providing essential items like footwear, OIES hopes to support the overall well-being of children, helping them attend school with greater comfort, confidence, and dignity. Through a series of interactive sessions already conducted, the initiative has also enabled OIES team members to engage directly with the students, fostering not just educational interest, but also emotional connection and encouragement.

“We are proud to partner with AngelXpress Foundation to bring practical, meaningful support to young learners in Mumbai,” said Mr. Mohit Gambir, Managing Director, Oxford International Education Services. “Having our own team members take part in this initiative made the experience all the more special — it’s not just about giving, but about being present, listening, and encouraging. We are committed to making such positive contributions to society, and look forward to expanding these efforts across more geographies in the future.”

AngelXpress Foundation, the NGO partner in this initiative, has been working to bridge the education and opportunity gap for children from underprivileged communities by connecting them with volunteer tutors and resources in safe learning spaces across Mumbai.

New Delhi, April 21, 2025 – Vgenomics, a leading precision health company, and Meril Genomics, a trusted diagnostics and molecular biology provider, have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at providing complementary advanced genomic diagnostics to hospitals and research centers throughout India. This strategic collaboration combines Vgenomics’ expertise in bioinformatics, AI-driven research, and translational genomics with Meril Genomics’ proven capabilities in diagnostics and molecular biology.

The partnership will significantly enhance precision medicine accessibility, marking a milestone in genomic healthcare in India. Initiatives under this partnership include Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), which addresses the growing risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, especially among expectant mothers with advanced maternal age. NIPT will facilitate early detection, contributing to safer pregnancies and healthier newborn outcomes across India.

In addition, the collaboration introduces targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (tNGS) for Tuberculosis (TB), significantly impacting India’s healthcare landscape, where roughly 26% of Global TB cases occur annually. By enabling rapid and precise detection, tNGS will facilitate timely treatment and effective management of the disease, reducing its burden nationwide.

Furthermore, the initiative includes Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) for diagnosing rare diseases, addressing the needs of approximately 70 million affected individuals in India. Integrating WES with advanced AI analytics will significantly accelerate diagnostic timelines, enhance personalized treatment approaches, and reduce the prolonged diagnostic journey often faced by rare disease patients.

A Collaborative Vision for a Healthier Future:

“Together, we envision an India where every citizen has seamless access to advanced genomic diagnostics and precision medicine,” stated Dr. Rahila Sardar, CEO, Vgenomics. “Our partnership with Meril Genomics exemplifies our mutual dedication to leveraging genomic science to achieve groundbreaking improvements in patient care and medical outcomes.”

CEO Meril Group, a global leader in medtech solutions, echoed the sentiment: “By merging our strengths in molecular diagnostics with Vgenomics’ innovative genomic capabilities, we are bridging the gap in genomics diagnostic accessibility. Our efforts will empower clinicians across India, facilitating early and accurate diagnoses. This is a critical step toward advancing precision medicine and aligns perfectly with Meril’s vision of enhancing quality of life through innovative healthcare solutions.”