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When you’re running an online business, having a secure web presence is a fundamental requirement. If your web app has security holes, you’re leaving the back door open for those hackers you always hear about in the news.

Before you deploy your web app on a web server and make it public (letting it face all kinds of cyber attacks), you need to ensure it’s super safe so you don’t risk your and your customer’s sensitive information.

Here’s a daunting fact: Over half of all consumers have experienced a cybercrime first-hand, and one in three have become victims within the past year.

As a business owner, you don’t want your customers to be a part of these statistics—that’ll destroy your reputation.

Your architects, developers, and database administrators are the people responsible for building secure web apps, with testers also playing a significant role.

Every one of them knows that our security measures should be peer-reviewed and tick all the boxes with industry best practices. If someone is telling you to do the opposite, it should raise some concerns.

Here are some top tips and the industry best practices you, your developers, and everyone on your team should be following to protect you from getting your brand image (you’ve worked so hard to build) ripped into pieces:

Understand Your Data: Protect and Encrypt It

One of the most vital principles every web developer needs to consider is grasping the vital data that needs safeguarding and encryption.

Most of the information stored away in databases is plain and easily accessible, wide open for anyone to have a peek at.

But sensitive data that’s worth keeping hidden (your user information, for example) should be encrypted within the database. The cost of storing encrypted data isn’t too much, anyway—most new versions of database systems have built-in encryption features.

Now, to consider the kind of data you should be keeping a close eye on, make sure you’re encrypting and securing things like user IDs, email addresses, passwords, social security numbers, and dates of birth. You should also encrypt credit card details, password hint answers, private chat and messages, banking info, and financial records, among other things, to ensure data privacy.

Apply double encryption for sensitive data like passwords, credit card info, social security, and anything else you consider valuable. Hashing is the best way to protect passwords and other sensitive data.

Hashing is a method or procedure for mapping keys and their corresponding values into a hash table using a hash function.

This simple step is all part of the application’s framework and how you design the database, and it doesn’t require much of an effort.

Strengthen Cybersecurity with Python

Python is a high-level object-oriented programming language that is easy to learn and understand. It also offers an extensive library of modules and packages for data analysis, machine learning, and automation. Combined with Python’s simplicity, it allows you to rapidly develop scripts. As such, Python is an excellent choice for cybersecurity.

On top of that, Python lets cybersecurity professionals focus on improving defense by automating memory management. Its automatic garbage collector helps manage memory, reducing risks of error.

The best thing is that Python integrates well with other cybersecurity tools and technologies. So you don’t have to worry about it being not compatible with the tools you already use. There is a high chance that it is.

Here are a couple of ways you can use Python for cybersecurity:

• Leverage Python’s robust libraries to identify vulnerabilities. It will allow you to detect suspicious activities and weaknesses in the source code.
• Use libraries like Cryptography and pyJWT for data encryption and user authentication. You can also use libraries like Django and Flask to prevent remote code execution, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting.
• Use Python to automate reconnaissance in penetration testing. You can use libraries like BeautifulSoup or Shodan to collect emails, IP addresses, and open ports.
• You can use libraries like Pandas and Elasticsearch to automate log processing, effectively facilitating security log analysis.
• Use Nmap or Masscan to do automatic scans and results analysis for network security.
• Use machine learning technologies to prevent threats before they arise. It will allow you to detect malicious activities like phishing attacks and attempts to put malware into your system.
• Build custom tools for incident response and forensics analysis. You can use scripts to extract and analyze digital evidence. Then, the investigators can use tools like Matplotlib to interpret the findings.

Encrypt Website with HTTPS

These days, it’s essential to have HTTPS on a website. It helps users transact without worrying about data loss, increases their trust, and stops those annoying browser warnings and alerts. To get it done:

• Sign in to your hosting and add an SSL certificate.
• Install the certificate.
• After installing the SSL certificate, restart your server via the menu.
• Keep an eye on certificates – they last about a year or up to 27 months. Make sure they’re valid, and your servers are secure.

Excluding Embedded SQL

Embedded SQL queries in your code could open the door to dodgy hackers. Go for a stored procedure or some encrypted queries to give the hackers a hard time.

And if SQL queries are a part of your presentation layer code, you’d better shift them over to your server-side code. But if you’re only creating the UI layer, make sure to transfer the data through secure APIs.

Securing Credentials

The usual practice among developers is to store their database server credentials in config files. But no matter what, you should always encrypt database servers and other server connections. Don’t straight-up hardcode server credentials if possible.

And if you really need to hardcode the credentials into your code, make sure they’re encrypted and store the private/public keys in a safe and secure spot.

Require Complex Passwords

The term “complexity” when talking about passwords refers to how tough they are for potential attackers to crack. Here are a few tips that developers need to follow to create strong, complex passwords:

• Set a minimum 8-character password length
• You must have at least one capital letter, one lowercase, a digit, and some special character in your password.
• Don’t use names or user IDs in your password.
• Don’t use old passwords again.
• Make sure you have to change your password, say, every 60 days in sensitive systems.
• When resetting a password, it should have some security questions or give them a PIN by email or phone check.
• Hashing is the top technique to keep your passwords safe—no one can read your password. If you want to change the password, it uses security questions and clues. And it doesn’t send old passwords in emails—that’s a big no-no.

Additionally, using trustworthy password managers can make it easier to generate and store complex passwords securely. They not only save time but also ensure that your credentials remain safe and easily accessible when needed.

Implement Fit Authentication and Authorization

Broken Authentication is a significant concern in web app security, as per the OWASP Web Application guidelines. When apps mess up their authentication and session variables, you’re literally rolling out the red carpet for hackers, who can pinch passwords, keys, and other precious credentials cached in sessions.

Here are a few ways to stop these broken authentication attacks:

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to verify who’s trying to log in. You can send them a One-Time Password (OTP) via text or email. This will keep the hackers from pulling off brute force attacks, stuffing credentials, and reusing stolen logins.
• Tell your users to stop using easy-to-guess passwords by making them throw in a mix of lowercase, uppercase, numbers, and special characters when they create their passwords. Best follow the NIST 800-63 B’s rules in section 5.1.1 for secret passwords.
• Don’t let them have too many tries at login—cap it at three or a max of five tries. If you detect suspicious activity—a brute force attack, credential stuffing, or any other funny business, alert the system admin.
• Make sure your credential recovery, registration, and API pathways don’t expose vulnerabilities to account enumeration attacks. Use the same message for all of them to be on the safe side.
• After users log in, create new session IDs with high randomness. Remember, don’t let the session IDs be there in the URL, and invalidate them after they log out.

Keep Web Server Secure

The Web Server is responsible for hosting your website and everything that goes with it—the code, the services, and everything you need.

Here’s a list of tips you need to follow to keep your Web and Database servers as safe as possible:

• Always go for the best and the most secure web hosting you can find. Losing your data in a hacker attack can be an absolute nightmare, and even a little security hiccup can lead to a breach. That’s not just a headache; it can hit the wallet and tarnish a business’s good name, which might put a damper on future sales. When businesses go for secure web hosting, they can keep these risks at bay and keep their data safe.
• Make sure you have separate environments for development, staging, and production.
• Keep different logins and their permissions sorted out based on what they’re meant to do.
• Ensure tight security on the Web Server, covering permissions and access.
• Give the Operating System its own partition on the hard drive.
• Keep your web application, scripts, and all the code on a separate hard drive.
• Install a Firewall and all the essential security products.
• Make sure to allocate and separate the right resources for web apps and services.
• No sharing servers with other businesses; that’s just not the go.
• And don’t let anyone mess with the server’s file system—no write permissions allowed.

Wrapping Up

Server admin blokes should educate web admins, devs, and even the management on the actual value of the security. They need to discourage the habit of constantly downloading and changing things. And remember, every tweak made to the servers needs to be logged, reviewed, and approved.

Considering the potential for cyber attacks aimed at web apps, be ready and have a solid web app security plan to prevent these threats from causing significant damage to your business and its web apps.

With these key security measures for your web application, you can rest easy knowing you’re well protected against most cyberattacks that could harm your web app and its users.

Chandigarh, April 19, 2025: This Easter, enjoy the simple but delicious Himalayan Honey & Rose Semolina Cake. Made with semolina flour, rose water, and sweet Himalayan Samavastra Honey, this cake brings spring flavors to your table. The combination creates a light, fragrant dessert that is perfect for celebrating the season of renewal.

The rustic texture of semolina gives this cake a satisfying crumb, while the delicate floral notes of rose water complement the rich sweetness of the mountain honey. Each slice offers a balanced taste of experience that is not just complex, but it feels special enough for your holiday gathering.

 Mountain’s Bounty: The Sacred Ingredients

Our cake begins with treasures from nature’s pantry: 1 cup of fine semolina, the golden foundation that gives this dessert its satisfying texture. ½ cup of ghee lends its rich, buttery soul, while ½ cup of creamy yogurt and ¼ cup of milk promise tenderness in every crumb With ½ cup of raw Himalayan Samavastra Honey and 1 tablespoon of rose water, capturing spring’s essence. Add ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder and luxury from a pinch of Himalayan Saffron soaked in warm milk. For the crunch, 2 tablespoons of chopped pistachios and almonds nestle into the batter, with extra reserved for topping. A scattering of edible rose petals completes this offering.

Alchemy in the Kitchen: The Ritual of Preparation

Toast the semolina in ghee for 3-4 minutes until nutty. In a bowl, mix yogurt, milk, and saffron-infused milk, then combine with the toasted semolina until smooth. Add the honey, rose water, and cardamom, stirring until well mixed. Fold in most of the chopped nuts, saving some for topping. Pour into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes, until the edges pull away and the center springs back when touched. Once cool, drizzle with extra honey and sprinkle with remaining nuts and rose petals.

A Final Note: Sweetness Worth Savoring

This cake celebrates spring with natural ingredients that connect us to the season. The raw Himalayan Samavastra Honey brings special flavor to each bite, while rose and Himalayan Saffron add a traditional touch. Whether you enjoy it after Easter dinner or with a cup of chai tea, reminding you of those simple pleasures which are often the best.

India’s IT sector ended the fourth quarter of FY’25 on a stable note by reporting a revenue growth of 1-3% year-on-year, which indicates a cycle of measured expansion and changing global priorities. While this reflects that companies are showcasing a more targeted approach to global technology investments, the demand for digital transformation still continues to thrive.

Investments towards AI/ML, cloud computing, data engineering, automation etc. have been steady which signals a long-term confidence in emerging technologies. This steady demand for new age technologies has influenced hiring trends. As it is estimated that the IT hiring industry will grow by 7-10% in the first half of 2025, nearly 4-4.5 lakh new jobs in FY26, hiring in multiple regions of India will experience a gradual upward momentum.

The sentiment on fresher hiring in FY’26 remains positive which indicates strong demand for entry level roles. With India’s young talent showing impressive niche skill sets in emerging technologies, companies are turning towards investing in upskilling programs which bridges the gap between specialized skills and building a robust pipeline of talent for future growth.

With IT hiring, the focus has transformed to creating high-impact and resilient teams who can work in tandem with the demands of the industry.

Overall, it is safe to say that the sentiment for the quarter has been cautious yet constructive one.

Nowadays, it’s common to search online for health information. Especially, in the case of feeling dizzy or experiencing “chakkar,” people likely look for answers immediately on the internet. A quick search brings up countless articles and videos, but people often confuse vertigo symptoms with dizziness or lightheadedness^[1].

Close to 70 million people in India have symptoms related to vertigo.^[2] Unlike brief dizziness, vertigo can be persistent and impact overall well-being.

The Reality of Vertigo in India:

A survey conducted by Abbott in collaboration with IQVIA highlights that 44% of people have been living with Vertigo for more than a year, experiencing episodes once a week. Many mistake vertigo for low blood sugar, low blood pressure, dehydration, or stress. Only 48% of those with dizziness get. Even after diagnosis, people often delay seeking medical help until it’s absolutely necessary.^[3]

Dr Jejoe Karankumar, Medical Affairs Director, Abbott India, “Globally, vertigo affects 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives. Early signs like dizziness, unsteadiness, and nausea are often missed. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent future issues. By spreading awareness, encouraging early diagnosis, and supporting those with vertigo, we can help everyone stay balanced and live fulfilling lives.”

The Role of Dr Internet:

A study in the International Journal of Clinical Skills, supported by Abbott, shows a growing trend of people turning to social media for health information. Over two years, the study analyzed about 6,900 posts, including 4,353 conversations on vertigo. Results reveal that 65% of those searching for vertigo online are women. Most questions (51%) are asked on X (formerly Twitter), followed by 46% on medical forums, with YouTube also being popular. While these resources are helpful, it’s important to verify health information with medical professionals.

This study also addressed common questions and misunderstandings about vertigo. 51% of people wanted to learn more about its causes, and diagnosis. “Dizziness” was a highly searched symptom, with about 0.1 million searches. Some users asked if vertigo was related to their other conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cervical spondylosis. Others questioned the difference between vertigo and dizziness. Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis were trending topics among sufferers on various social channels.

Dr Sudhir Kumar, Professor and Head of Neurology Department, Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, “Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease. It’s usually caused by a problem in the inner ear’s balance system. Although there’s plenty of information about vertigo online, it’s important to see a doctor for an accurate and timely diagnosis. Following prescribed treatments and exercises can help manage vertigo and its symptoms.”

Managing Vertigo Effectively

A few simple steps to manage vertigo effectively and improve quality of life.

• Seeking Right Information: The study found that most queries (54%) came from middle-aged adults, followed by young adults (27%) and elderly patients (19%). Medical forums are used by 46% to seek advice from healthcare professionals and validate medications.  If you have vertigo or related symptoms, consult a doctor for timely diagnosis.
• Consistency Matters: Regular checkups help monitor symptoms and adjust treatments. Incorporating gentle exercises like yoga and walking can enhance balance and reduce vertigo symptoms.
• Enhancing Sleeping Position: Your sleep position affects vertigo. Sleeping on your back with your head elevated can reduce episodes, while sleeping on your side can trigger them.^[5]

Using available resources for information and getting the right help can support people with vertigo live healthier and better.

Performance highlights: FY2025

• VNB grew by 6.4% to ₹ 2,370 crore in FY2025
•  Profit after Tax (PAT) registers a growth of 39.6% to ₹ 1,189 crore in FY2025
• Strong RWRP growth of 15.2% in FY2025
• Robust growth in retail protection of 25.1% and retail new business sum assured of 37% in FY2025
•  13th month persistency of 89.1% at FY2025
• Total in-force sum assured witnessed a growth of 15.6% to ₹ 39 lakh crore on March 31, 2025
• Final dividend of ₹ 0.85 per share declared

Life Insurance registered a strong growth of 39.6% in its Profit After Tax (PAT) to 1,189 crore for FY2025. The Value of New Business (VNB), which represents the present value of future profits, stood at  2,370 crore with a VNB margin of 22.8% in FY2025.

The total Annualised Premium Equivalent (APE) grew by 15% year-on-year to 10,407 crore in FY2025. Retail protection business APE grew by 25.1% year-on-year to 598 crore in FY2025. Annuity business grew at a two-year CAGR of 31.4% in FY2025. The Company’s retail New Business Sum Assured (NBSA) grew by 37% year-on-year to

3.32 lakh crore in FY2025. The total in-force sum assured, which is the quantum of life cover taken by customers of the Company, grew by 15.6% year-on-year to 39.43 lakh crore.

The Company has a well-diversified distribution network, ensuring its presence across platforms and touchpoints preferred by different customer segments. Proprietary channel which includes Agency and Direct together grew by 15.2% in FY2025.

In FY2025, APE contribution from agency, direct, bancassurance, partnership distribution, and group channels stood at 28.9%, 14.4%, 29.4%, 10.9% and 16.4% respectively.

The assets under management of the Company stood at 3.09 lakh crore as on March 31, 2025. This is an outcome of the trust reposed in the Company by customers, growth in new business, strong persistency and robust fund management.

The Company’s robust risk management framework has enabled it to have a record of zero non-performing assets since inception. The solvency ratio was 212.2% as on March 31, 2025, against the regulatory requirement of 150%.

The Board has approved a final dividend of  0.85 per equity share for FY2025.

The Company’s commitment to sustainability is central to its vision of building an enduring institution that serves the protection and long-term saving needs of customers with sensitivity. The Company continues to be the highest rated Indian insurer as per two leading ESG rating agencies. The current ESG rating of ‘AA’ ascribed by MSCI makes the Company, one of the top-rated life insurers in India.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Anup Bagchi, MD & CEO, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance said, “We are pleased to announce that we have crossed  10,000 crore APE for the first time, marking a significant milestone in our growth journey. Notably, we have also provided insurance coverage to over 9 crore lives as on March 31, 2025. Our Retail Weighted Received Premium (RWRP) growth of 15.2% in FY2025, demonstrates our ability to deliver superior performance in a competitive landscape. This has resulted in a robust year-on-year growth of 39.6% in Profit After Tax to 1,189 crore for FY2025. Our FY2025 Value of New Business stood at  2,370 crore with a margin of 22.8%.

Our nimble multi-channel distribution allows us to adapt swiftly to the shifting macro- economic conditions and launch products as per the customer demands. The same was demonstrated with the addition of ‘ICICI Pru Gift Select’, a non-par product with guaranteed income in January 2025 given the growing trend towards wealth preservation.

Our retail protection and annuity APE registered a strong 2-year CAGR of 30% plus, reflecting our focus on these segments.

Our 13th month persistency ratio of 89.1% at FY2025, underscores the customers’ trust in the Company. It is also evident by our Company topping the Net Promoter Score (NPS) across insurers for the third year in a row, as revealed in the Hansa Research’s latest Life Insurance CuES 2025 report.

We have an industry leading claim settlement ratio of 99.3% in FY2025, with an average turnaround time of 1.2 days for non-investigated individual death claims.

In line with our commitment to delivering value to our shareholders, our Embedded Value (EV) and AUM both have grown at a five-year CAGR of above 15% in FY2025, echoing the robustness of our financial foundation and long-term value creation capabilities.

Moving forward, we remain committed to enhancing customer experience through innovative product propositions, seamless onboarding, best-in-class servicing and claims settlement. Our resilient balance sheet and strong solvency position provide the stability and foundation to support sustainable growth in the years ahead.”

 Definitions, abbreviations and explanatory notes

• Annual Premium Equivalent (APE): APE is a measure of new business written by a life insurance company. It is computed as the sum of annualised first year premiums on regular premium policies, and ten percent of single premiums, written by the Company during any period from new retail and group customers.
• Retail Weighted Received Premium (RWRP): RWRP is a new business measure very similar to APE for the retail (also referred to as individual) business with the only difference being that the regular premiums considered here are first year premiums actually received by the life insurer and not annualised. It is the sum of all retail first year premiums and ten percent of retail single premiums received in a period.
• Total Weighted Received Premium (TWRP): TWRP is a measure of total premiums from new and existing retail and group customers received in a period. It is sum of first year and renewal premiums on regular premium policies and ten percent of single premiums received from both retail and group customers by the Company during the period.
• Persistency: It is the most common parameter for quality of business representing the percentage of retail policies (where premiums are expected) that continue paying premiums. Regular and Limited pay persistency in accordance with IRDAI Master circular on Submission of Returns 2024 dated June 14, 2024.
• Cost Ratio: Cost ratio is a measure of the cost efficiency of a Company. Expenses are incurred by the Company on new business as well as renewal premiums. Cost ratio is computed as a ratio of all expenses incurred in a period comprising commission, operating expenses, provision for doubtful debts and bad debts written off to total weighted received Premium (TWRP).
• Embedded Value (EV): EV represents the present value of shareholders’ interests in the earnings distributable from the assets allocated to the business after sufficient allowance for the aggregate risks in the business
• Value of New Business (VNB) and VNB margin: VNB is used to measure profitability of the new business written in a period. It is present value of all future profits to shareholders measured at the time of writing of the new business contract. Future profits are computed on the basis of long-term assumptions which are reviewed annually. VNB is also referred to as NBP (new business profit). VNB margin is computed as VNB for the period/APE for the period. It is similar to profit margin for any other business.

Pune– Conrad Pune, the city’s leading luxury destination is all set to turn a new page in the city’s cultural story with the launch of ConREAD, a signature monthly initiative that brings together authors, thinkers, and passionate readers for a compelling exchange of stories, ideas, and debates. Launching on 21^st April, just ahead of World Book Day, ConREAD aims to create a thriving community for those who find joy between the pages and meaning in conversations.

Mr.-Abhishek-Sahai

Curated to celebrate the written word, ConREAD will host monthly meet ups where punekars can meet their favourite authors in an intimate setting. An extension of Conrad Pune’s ethos, where hospitality meets culture, ConREAD is a movement to encourage intellectual exchange, deep dive into emerging publishing trends, and exclusive interactions with leading authors. From literature to finance, to real-world insights, ConREAD will serve as a dynamic platform where ideas take center stage.

The inaugural edition will feature the celebrated and bestselling author and stock market expert Ms. Devina Mehra, in conversation with Mr. Neil Borate, Head of Personal Finance at Mint. Together, they will dive into her latest work Money, Myths and Mantras – The Ultimate Investment Guide, followed by an interactive Q&A and book signing, giving readers a chance to connect directly with the minds behind the books they love.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Abhishek Sahai, General Manager, Conrad Pune, shared, “With ConREAD, we are opening our doors to a new kind of luxury which is intellectual, immersive, and community-driven. This series is our way of giving back to the cultural fabric of Pune by creating a space where book lovers and thinkers can gather, converse, be bold and stay inspired. We’re thrilled to launch this journey with Ms. Devina Mehra and look forward to many more chapters to come.”

Excited for being part of ConRead, Author Devina Mehra shared, “I’m excited to be part of the inaugural edition of ConREAD at Conrad Pune. The combination of my two favourites, books and investing/ finance in spaces that feel open, warm, and genuinely curious, sounds just perfect. And I have no doubt this evening will be just that. I truly appreciate Conrad Pune for creating a space where stories, questions, and real-life insights could flow freely. I look forward to sharing my journey and insights with everyone.”

Set against the elegant backdrop of Conrad Pune, each edition of ConREAD will blend the charm of literary discovery with the signature warmth and hospitality of Conrad, creating moments that are as thought-provoking as they are unforgettable. It’s a community where the love for books finds its tribe.

Kochi, April 18, 2025 — In a landmark collaboration that bridges visionary science with decades of clinical excellence, SunAct Cancer Institute and Smita Memorial Hospital, founded by the Father of Medical Oncology, Dr. Suresh H. Advani (Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan), today announced the opening of South India’s premier Centre of Excellence in CAR T-Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Smita Memorial Hospital in Thodupuzha, Idukki district, Kerala.

The Centre was inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Vishu by Ms. V. Vigneshwari, IAS, District Collector and District Magistrate of Idukki, in the presence of Dr. Advani, SunAct’s co-founders Dr. Vijay Patil and Dr. Ashay Karpe, and other dignitaries from the oncology and healthcare ecosystem.

This collaboration, formalised in March 2025, represents a significant stride in delivering affordable, globally benchmarked cell and gene therapies to India, with a strong emphasis on precision oncology, pediatric care, and access to global clinical trials.

Dr. Suresh H. Advani, Founder, Smita Memorial Hospital, stated: “Over the decades, I have witnessed the evolution of cancer care in India — from limited options to remarkable possibilities. This new Centre of Excellence represents the next frontier: where science, compassion, and collaboration come together to transform patient outcomes. I am proud to see this movement rooted in Kerala, and confident that with SunAct’s scientific leadership, we are building a model for the future of oncology in India.”

Dr. Vijay Patil, Co-Founder, SunAct Cancer Institute, said: “We are honoured to launch the first Centre of Excellence in CAR T-Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation in South India. With the visionary guidance of Dr. Suresh Advani, we are committed to making the most advanced cancer therapies — previously only available in elite global centres — both accessible and affordable for Indian patients. This marks a pivotal step in our mission to bring world-class precision oncology to every corner of India.”

Dr. Ashay Karpe, Co-Founder, SunAct Cancer Institute, noted: “This collaboration is a convergence of cutting-edge science and seasoned clinical wisdom. By combining SunAct’s pioneering Cell and Gene Therapies with Dr. Advani’s clinical legacy and Smita Memorial’s infrastructure, we are setting a new benchmark for how cancer should be treated — precise, humane, and accessible.”

Scientific Breakthroughs for Indian Patients

The newly launched Centre introduces India’s first CAR T-Cell Therapy for solid tumors — a major milestone in global oncology and currently unavailable elsewhere in the country. In addition to CAR-T, the Centre will offer: – TCR (T-Cell Receptor) Therapies

–  TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes)

–  Gamma Delta T-Cell Platforms

–  Gene Therapies

–  A dedicated Pediatric Oncology Program

The Centre will also accelerate access to Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT), clinical trials, and new immunotherapies — reinforcing a shared commitment to next-generation care.

Vision and Impact

This partnership goes beyond treatment. It marks the beginning of a pan-India movement to revolutionise cancer care, anchored in Indian scientific innovation and global collaboration: – Developing Made-in-India CGT platforms for Indian patient biology

–  Creating equitable access to elite therapies across underserved regions

–  Launching internationally benchmarked clinical trials from Tier-2/3 cities

–  Building a training ecosystem to develop the next generation of oncologists, researchers, and CGT specialists

–  Attracting global partnerships for joint research, biomanufacturing, and IP co-development

This Centre of Excellence is designed to become a lighthouse project — setting the standard for oncology care, research, and patient impact across India.

A Track Record of Scientific Firsts: SunAct’s Milestones

–  2023 – Establishment of SunAct Cancer Institute

–  May–July 2024 – First CAR T-Cell Therapy in India for Rhabdomyosarcoma, Ovarian Cancer, Head & Neck Cancer, and Esophageal Cancer

–  August 2024 – First TCR targeting TP53 mutation (Cholangiocarcinoma), First CAR T-Cell for Small Cell Lung Cancer

–  September 2024 – First KRAS TCR & HER2+ CAR T-Cell Therapy for Gastric Carcinoma, Colorectal, and Salivary Gland Cancers

–  October 2024 – First bispecific CS1-BCMA CAR-T (Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma), First bispecific TCR targeting TP53 & APC (Colorectal Cancer)

–  November 2024 – First Claudin 18.2 CAR-T Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

–  January 2025 – First CAR-T Therapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

–  February 2025 – First Dual CD19/CD20 CAR-T Therapy for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

New Delhi, April 18 This Earth Day, embark on an unforgettable adventure with Emmy^® and BAFTA Award-winning Nat Geo Explorer Bertie Gregory (@BertieGregory) in ‘SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS’! Executive produced by National Geographic Explorer-at-Large and Academy Award^®-winning filmmaker James Cameron and Emmy and BAFTA winners Ruth Roberts and Martin Williams from Talesmith, this latest installment in National Geographic’s Emmy-winning “Secrets of” franchise takes viewers of all ages to the farthest corners of the world to witness penguin behaviours captured on film for the first time – showcasing the cute and fluffy flightless birds as they brave some of the most extreme environments on Earth. Narrated by Blake Lively (‘Another Simple Favor’), the three-part series starts on Tuesday, April 22 at 7 PM on National Geographic, with all episodes streaming on JioHotstar.

In April 2024, Nat Geo unveiled breathtaking emperor penguin footage captured by Bertie at the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica for the series. A television first, the crew recorded an astonishing sight: hundreds of emperor penguin chicks leaping from a 50-foot cliff into the icy ocean below, emerging unscathed. To date, the clip has garnered 74 million views on Nat Geo’s TikTok account – its best-performing video ever – and has received over 165 million views across all of Nat Geo’s social platforms. One year later, ‘SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS’ will showcase the full spectacle of this remarkable behavior, along with new footage that was not initially included in the viral video.

While many documentaries have explored penguins, SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS’ takes it to a whole new level. Talesmith’s team, led by Bertie and over 70 world-class scientists and filmmakers, embarked on a two-year, globe-spanning adventure – from the rocky beaches of Cape Town and the icy shores of South Georgia Island to the tropical Galapagos and Namibia’s desert caves – capturing penguins like never before. Pushing the boundaries of wildlife filmmaking, a three-person crew endured an astonishing 274 days filming on the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica, home to a colony of 20,000 emperor penguins. Facing one of the planet’s harshest environments, they captured never-before-seen moments like a bonded pair of emperors practicing egg transfers with a snowball to hone their skills for the moment they would need to transfer a real egg, tenacious chicks navigating brash ice amid climate change, and young penguins using their beaks to hoist themselves out of a crevasse.

With breathtaking, award-winning cinematography and cutting-edge camera technology, the series captures even more never-before-seen and rare moments in the wild. For the first time, witness healthy “rockaroni” chicks – a rare hybrid of rockhopper and macaroni penguins – offering a fascinating glimpse into potential evolution and adaptation. Other remarkable scenes include a brave rockhopper fending off a southern sea lion, the first-ever footage of a hidden cave colony of African penguins, and clever Galapagos penguins teaming up for a daring heist: stealing fish straight from pelican beaks and skillfully herding sardine bait balls.

The family-friendly series taps into the passion and expertise of world-renowned scientists and conservationists, including National Geographic Explorer and marine biologist Dr. Pablo Borboroglu, conservation biologist Dr. Michelle LaRue, African penguin expert Dr. Andrea Thiebault, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Gustavo Jiménez Uzcátegui, penguin expert Dr. Jessica Kemper, and marine biologist Dr. Katta Ludynia.

Episodes include the following:

• ‘Heart of the Emperors’

Premieres April 22 at 7 pm

The emperors are the largest and strongest penguins, living in the coldest and most extreme environment on Earth. Embedded with an Antarctic colony, National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory encounters social skills never filmed before, discovering bonds forged from birth between family, friends and strangers are the difference between life and death.

• ‘Survival of the Smartest’

Premieres April 29 at 7 pm

Millions of years ago, a group of penguins left the ice, riding powerful currents and arriving in strange new lands. They reshaped traditions for deserts and tropics – and even to live among humans. Tested to the extreme, they became perhaps the smartest of all penguins. National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory discovers the penguins’ problem-solving, “talking” and enduring search for new worlds.

• ‘Rebels with a Cause’

Premieres May 6 at 7 pm

It takes a special type of courageous penguin to survive the fierce Southern Ocean, but 40 million crowd its isolated, rocky outposts, and they are some of the most successful penguins on Earth. National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory follows the rockhoppers, gentoos, and macaronis to discover a world of risk-takers, rebels, and unconventional parents.

Previous “Secrets of” seasons include ‘SECRETS OF THE OCTOPUS’, narrated by Paul Rudd; ‘SECRETS OF THE ELEPHANTS’, narrated by Natalie Portman; and Emmy-winning ‘SECRETS OF THE WHALES’, narrated by Sigourney Weaver.

SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS is produced by Talesmith for National Geographic. Emmy Award-winners James Cameron and Maria Wilhelm for Lightstorm Earth are executive producers. BAFTA and Emmy Award-winner Bertie Gregory serves as lead storyteller, cinematographer and producer. For Talesmith, Emmy and BAFTA-winning executive producers are Ruth Roberts and Martin Williams. Series producer is Serena Davies. Pam Caragol is executive producer for National Geographic.