Hyderabad, March 03, 2025: Ashray Akruti proudly marked World Hearing Day 2025 with a grand celebration at the FAPCII Building, KLN Prasad Auditorium, Hyderabad. Bringing together 500 participants, including students, parents, medical professionals, CSR partners, donors, volunteers, and staff, the event emphasized the significance of hearing health and inclusivity.

This year’s theme, “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All!”, set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), resonated deeply, as the event underscored the power of early intervention, accessibility, and the urgent need for hearing healthcare awareness.

The event was graced by Dr. Soumya Mishra, IPS, Director General, Prisons & Correctional Services, Telangana, as the Chief Guest. The esteemed Guests of Honour included:

• Dr. Suneetha Krishnan, Activist and Founder of Prajwala
• Mr. Prasad Annadanam, Senior Director & Chief Finance Officer, Verizon India
• Mr. Prasad Chetluri, Head, COO, Persistent Systems
• Mr. Srinivasa Rao, Assistant Director, AYJNISHD, Regional Centre, Secunderabad
• Mr. D. P. K. Babu, Managing Director, Ashray Akruti

These distinguished dignitaries reinforced the importance of prioritising hearing care for all.

The event was a moving experience as families shared heartfelt testimonials about the transformative impact of Cochlear Implants and Hearing Aids, enabling their children to embrace sound, education, and a brighter future. A compelling panel discussion featuring leading ENT Specialists and Audiologists shed light on the impact of early diagnosis, advanced hearing solutions, and inclusive education.

Furthering its commitment to accessible hearing care, Ashray Akruti distributed Cochlear Implant Processors and Hearing Aids to children in need, empowering them with the gift of sound. The event also honoured ENT Surgeons, Audiologists, and Speech Therapists for their outstanding contributions to ear and hearing care. Changemakers who have made significant strides in the field of hearing healthcare were also recognized for their relentless dedication.

For nearly three decades, Ashray Akruti has been a beacon of hope, advocating for early intervention, inclusive education, and accessible hearing care. The celebration of World Hearing Day 2025 was more than just an event—it was a powerful call to action, urging society to prioritise hearing health and create an inclusive world where every voice is heard.

Hyderabad, 3rd March 2025 – Teach for India, a leading Non-Profit Organization hosted a distinguished panel discussion on child safety, bringing together children, leading experts and advocates to share their insights on ensuring a secure and nurturing environment for children. The panel featured prominent voices in child protection including Mr. David Raj, Consultant, Child Protection, UNICEF, Ms. Chandana Maripally, State Coordinator, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Dr. Neha Sharma, Senior Manager, Arpan and a student from a school in Hyderabad.

This event is part of Teach For India’s ongoing commitment to fostering educational equity and child protection. By bringing together experts, organizations, and young voices, the event seeked to create awareness, encourage collaboration, and advocate for stronger child safety measures in communities across India.

Dr. Neha Sharma, Senior Manager, Content and Curriculum, Arpan, “Understanding the dynamics of abuse, the sensitivity of the issue of child safety comes to light. It is not easy to define. The trauma from abuse is inter-generational. It passes from one generation to another. It is also important to initiative the dialogue of child safety with your children.”

Ms. Sarita (Name changed), Grade 6 student, shared the vital perspective of a child. She said, “Children face several challenges, including corporal punishment, bullying at school, sexual abuse, early marriage, cyber-bullying and discrimination at home. At the end of the day, we are still children, and handling all of this is too much. Boys also face problems, often dropping out of schools early to work and support their families. Domestic violence is also an issue, and children tend to imitate the behaviours they witness at home. We would like to request adults to listen to us, trust us and help us to feel safer and for us to also act responsibly”.

In addition to the panel discussion, the event also spotlighted the impactful work of key organizations dedicated to child safety and development, including MV Foundation, Dream a Dream, Arpan, and the Global Centre for the Development of the Whole Child. The showcases from these organisation has ignited inspiration to audience and provided them with actional steps towards tackling child safety one step at a time.

Ms. Chandana Maripally, State Coordinator, Bachpan Bachao Andolan Telangana, shared a personal anecdote “Growing up in a conservative town, early marriage among peers was a common reality. It took a lot of courage and support to break that cycle. It is crucial for stakeholders in Child Safety to come together, fostering collaboration and networking to create a child-friendly Hyderabad, a child-friendly Telangana, and a safer environment for children across the country and the world. We must first acknowledge the pain to truly understand that we are working to change a child’s life.

Vinathi Sureddy, Manager, Government Relations, Teach for India, highlighted the significance of such discussions, stating, “At Teach For India, we believe that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to grow, learn, and thrive. Creating a safe atmosphere for our children is a shared responsibility. We must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their rights and well-being. This event aims to drive meaningful conversations that lead to actionable change.”

Panchkula, Haryana, March 03, 2025: Jindal (India) Limited, part of prestigious B.C. Jindal Group and one of the leading downstream steel products manufacturers in India, successfully hosted Milaap, a retailers meet, in Panchkula. The event, attended by senior company officials including Zonal Sales Head, was organised to engage and interact with leading retailers in the region.

The meet, held in collaboration with company’s authorized dealer Balaji Steels, was attended by 70 retailers from surrounding regions.

In line with Jindal (India) Limited’s strategy to further strengthen its geographical presence across India, the company, at the event, showcased its range of advanced coated steel products, each designed to meet the specific demands of various industries while ensuring high performance and durability. Among these was Jindal Sabrang, an offering from Jindal (India) Limited that redefines the aesthetics of steel by introducing a vibrant array of colour-coated options with exceptional corrosion resistance in outdoor applications.

In addition, the company apprised the retailers about Jindal NeuColor+, a range that represents the pinnacle of premium coated steel products, offering a combination of advanced technology, aesthetic versatility, and long-lasting durability. The product offering from Jindal (India) Limited, is engineered with a special coating process that makes the steel sheet exceptionally resistant to corrosion and colour fading.

“A leading national player, Jindal (India) Limited has a strong foothold in the East and South markets of India. The company will continue to penetrate the current markets and, simultaneously, strengthen its presence in the Northern and the Western regions of the country. Through this retailer meet, we aim to further strengthen relationships and raise awareness about our premium and innovative products, including coated sheet offerings, which are witnessing strong demand in the Panchkula market,” said a spokesperson from Jindal (India) Limited.

As part of this initiative, Jindal (India) Limited’s representatives also discussed the company’s plans for the region, gather first-hand feedback from the retailers and address any challenges that they may be facing. This engagement with leading retailers will further help the company to drive growth across the region and strengthen its position as a trusted partner.

Since its inception, Jindal (India) Limited has been committed to nation-building initiatives, strongly supporting the Government of India’s push for modern infrastructure.

Recently, the company also announced a strategic capacity expansion of 0.6 Million MT, a 60 per cent increase from its current capacity of 1 Million MT per annum with a capex spend of over INR 1,500 Crore. This expansion will primarily focus on new lines for coated flat products, allowing Jindal (India) to increase production of current range of products, diversify into new segments like solar and home appliances, and contribute to import substitution, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and growth.

03 March 2025: PVR INOX, India’s leading multiplex chain, is set to transport cinephiles back in time with an unforgettable cinematic experience. In a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Sharmila Tagore, PVR INOX is bringing another one of her most celebrated Bollywood films, Aradhana, restored in 4K on February 28th a week after the re-release of her Bengali film, Nayak, directed by Satyajit Ray. This special showcase commemorates her remarkable journey in cinema as she turned 80 on December 8th last year.

Sharmila Tagore carved a distinctive path in Indian cinema, beginning with her early performances in Bengali films before transitioning to Hindi cinema, where she redefined the role of the film heroine. With a career spanning decade, she remains a cultural icon whose performances and unconventional choices continue to inspire generations of cinephiles.

Satyajit Ray’s Nayak, that re-released on February 21st, is a thought-provoking masterpiece that explores the intricacies of fame and personal reflection. Starring Uttam Kumar alongside Sharmila Tagore, the film remains timeless in its exploration of a celebrity’s inner world. Tagore’s portrayal of a journalist who questions the true nature of stardom stands as one of her most compelling performances. Following this, on February 28th, audiences will get to relive the magic of Aradhana, presented in a stunning 4K restored version by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI). A landmark in Hindi cinema, Aradhana captivated audiences with its unforgettable music and emotionally resonant story, cementing Tagore’s status as a leading star. This re-release marks the film’s 46th anniversary, bringing it back to where it belongs—the big screen.

Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist at PVR INOX, added, ” Sharmila Tagore is not just a name in Indian cinema; she is a sentiment, a presence that has shaped our love for storytelling. Whether it was the quiet strength of her characters or the sheer elegance she brought to every frame, her work remains as captivating today as it was decades ago. With the re-release of Nayak and Aradhana, we hope to give audiences a chance to experience that magic once again, to sit in a theatre and witness history unfold through her unforgettable performances.”

Beyond her cinematic achievements, Sharmila Tagore has remained a cultural icon, influencing generations with her timeless fashion and artistic choices. By re-releasing Nayak and Aradhana, PVR INOX invites movie lovers to revisit and celebrate the legacy of an actress who has continually pushed the boundaries of storytelling and performance.