Jaipur Literature Festival 2025: A Stunning Kickoff with Thought-Provoking Talks, Music, and Art

Recognised as the grandest celebration of books and ideas worldwide, Vedanta presents Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 in association with Maruti Suzuki and powered by Vida, which opened today with a calming Ganesh vandana by classical vocalist Supriya Nagarajan and the resounding notes of nagadas by Nathoolal Solanki’s group. This imbued the air of Jaipur with the infectious buzz of celebration.

Highlights of the day include:

The 18th Jaipur Literature Festival commenced with an Opening Ceremony at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur, which blended music, welcome addresses, and the traditional lamp lighting ceremony. The morning began with an evocative performance by Carnatic vocalist Supriya Nagrajan. Festival Co-Directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple spoke about this year’s diverse and inclusive programme, highlighting key sessions, while Festival Producer Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, reflected on the Festival’s 18-year journey. The lamp lighting ceremony was performed by dignitaries on the dais, including Apurv & Timmy Kumar, Venki Ramakrishnan, Faith Singh, the EU Ambassador H.E. Herve Delphin, Sanjay & Jyoti Agarwal, among others. The keynote address was delivered by acclaimed molecular biologist and Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan, who discussed the intersection of the arts and sciences. The opening concluded with two minutes of silence in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated 77 years ago on this day.

The sessions on the 1st day of the 18th edition of Vedanta presents Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 in association with Maruti Suzuki and powered by Vida featured an acclaimed line-up of speakers, including Nobel laureate- Esther Duflo, Kailash Satyarthi, Gideon Levi, William Dalrymple Ijeoma Oluo, Geetanjali Shree, Javed Akhtar, and Venki Ramakrishnan. A range of fascinating themes and ideas were discussed in the sessions, including conversations on Democracy and Equality, Geopolitics, Biographies and Memoirs, History and Culture, and more, offering something for all.

Namita Gokhale, Festival Co-director, Jaipur Literature Festival said, “Our festival, the greatest literary show on earth, is a different sort of pilgrimage. It is a conference of thought and mindfulness, a hub and platform for words and for the search of meaning.”

William Dalrymple, Festival Co-director, Jaipur Literature Festival said, “From the beginning of mankind’s story, the public performance of literature is something related but quite different and this is something that has always been particularly strong in India.”

Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, said, “Today in the darkness that we see around us, wars that surround us, hatred that we see that is all-consuming, the one thing that we can take solace in is writing and books.”

Presenting partner, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited, and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Limited, shared, “Stories have the power to connect minds and inspire change. With its celebration of diverse voices and global themes, the Jaipur Literature Festival creates a space for ideas to flourish and to foster dialogue on the soft power of storytelling.

At Vedanta, we believe in creating stories of transformation. Through Hindustan Zinc and Cairn Oil & Gas, our businesses in Rajasthan, we have implemented various social impact initiatives through Anil Agarwal Foundation that have nurtured sustainable livelihoods and supported micro-enterprises that are reshaping communities. With social impact initiatives reaching 17.3 million people, this festival is more than just a celebration—it is a reflection of Vedanta’s vision to blend culture and progress, fostering a future where every story contributes to collective growth.”

Mr. Sanjay Agarwal, Promoter, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “Jaipur Literature Festival is one of the most-anticipated events in Jaipur, and I am thrilled to be associated with Teamwork Arts in its endeavour to inspire change and impact lives. JLF is more special to me as it has put Jaipur on the world map by creating a globally renowned platform for free expression, diverse views and ideas, fostering a deeper understanding of our complex world. Throughout history, literature has been a catalyst for revolutionary ideas and societal shifts and this year too I am hoping to witness many such ideas at the 18th edition of JLF.

One of the opening sessions was ‘Our City That Year’ with International Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree. Shree explained that her work reckons with the concept of “borders,” and the fluidity of individuals, communities and societies. Communalism straight-jackets people into a single definition, and Shree said there is an urgent need to look inward and ask what has gone wrong and what can be done to fix it. She described Hamara Shahar Us Baras (translated as Our City that Year) as her most didactic novel, as it directly confronts communal tensions in India. “There are no water-tight borders, not even in our identities. It is that which has kept a lot of exchange of all kinds possible between peoples, and that which has enriched cultures and all of us.” It is the urgency to look inwards and at yourself and say, ‘where have we gone wrong and what is it that we need to do?’ That is a question that plagues the characters of the book,” Shree said.

At a session called, ‘Gyan Seepiyan: Pearls of Wisdom’, poet and writer, Javed Akhtar stressed on the importance of learning our native tongues. “Learning some other language (English) should not be at the cost of your own language. I would like to see our children multilingual, he said.” He went on to say, “There is no poetry in fascism, as poetry is written in the language of love whereas fascism is dictated on the lines of hatred.”

Another fascinating session featuring Festival Co-Director and award-winning writer Namita Gokhale was about the medieval mystic and maverick saint Drukpa Kunley, beloved across the shadow line of the Himalayas. Upending the notions of conventional, Drukpa Kunley challenges any dogmatic, textual prescriptions of Buddhism and encourages questioning of everything including conventional reason. Needrup Zangpo’s collection Drukpa Kunley: Sacred Tales of the Mad Monk shines a light on the life and tales of the saint and his transcendent vision.

At a session called ‘You Are Here’ with bestselling writer and screenwriter, whose multimillion One Day has recently been made into a popular Netflix series, David Nicholls said, “As so often happens when you reach the age of 40, you ask yourself the question how did I get here and One day is very much about that, how do you take this unpredictability of the future the way that friendships change the course of a life.” Nicholls drew a distinction between solitude, which can be fulfilling, content and desirable and loneliness which is heartbreakingly haunting in his new book You are Here Nicholls also talked about the barriers a writer has to get through to write a fiction novel and his journey through writing his previous six novels.

Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo and her illustrator Cheyenne Olivier were at a session called Poor Economics for the Young in which she shared how her early experiences inspired her to write for children. Olivier explained that the characters in the book are depicted in diverse colours, drawing inspiration from cultures around the world. Duflo emphasized her goal of helping young readers grasp different perspectives on poverty through shared experiences across continents.

In the session ‘David Hare: A Life in Theatre and Film’ celebrated playwright and screenwriter David Hare provided insight on how the audience can interact with a work. If the audience does not respond to a play he has written with enthusiasm, he trusts the actors to observe and adapt the characters accordingly. The conversation shifted to how culture and politics influence theatre. Hare said he often writes about women. Coming from an all-male boarding school, Hare understood the importance of the rising feminist movement. Hare stressed on the need to write and perform for the sake of art, which can be lost when producing for film and TV.

Another conversation featured beloved author Sudha Murty in conversation with Meru Gokhale.

In the session, Murty said that she assumes a childlike mindset to write for children. The session shifted to discuss how children’s literature can be used to pass on heritage and culture. Murty shared the inspiration behind her books The Gopi Diaries and Grandpa’s Bag of Stories, which are some of her most notable works. “I write children’s books well because of the child within. What’s the definition of a child you feel innocent. You feel fruitful. You feel adventurous, and you feel very curious. That mindset is called a child.”

Festival Co-Director and award-winning historian William Dalrymple’s session on his new bestselling book The Golden Road focused on India’s pivotal role as the heart of ancient Eurasia. Traversing through Indian art, ideas, and innovations, Dalrymple takes us on a journey through the ancient world and describes how Indian ideas helped form the world as we know it today.​ The session was introduced by author and historian Anirudh Kanisetti.

Ashoka University Launches Bhashavaad India’s First Open-Access Translation Hub

New Delhi, 31th January 2025: The Ashoka Centre for Translation at Ashoka University, in collaboration with the New India Foundation, launches Bhashavaad, India’s first non-profit, open-access, and crowd-sourced database of Indian translations. Opening with 14,000+ entries, 6,500+ authors, and 7,000+ translators, the aim of the database is to re-energize India’s translation ecosystem with an inventory of demand and supply that is long overdue and extremely valuable for our literary-cultural identity and infrastructure. The database is now live at www.bhashavaad.in.

As with any living archive, Bhashavaad will improve with time and will be updated with more data and information to support its purpose. It strives to answer questions like what is and what is not being translated, who is publishing translations, who is translating, which languages are most active, what are the most translated language pairs, and many more. With more data being added to the existing searchable database, it will help us understand our multilingual landscape better and also the dynamics between languages, the communities that use them, and the regions they belong to.

Rita Kothari, Co-director of the Ashoka Centre for Translation and Professor of English at Ashoka University, is credited with extensively translating between Gujarati, Sindhi, English, and Hindi and also for theorizing translation in the Indian context. On the launch of this database, Rita Kothari said, “Bhashavaad, as both an idea and archive, is an attempt to listen to what’s left over, as opposed to what’s lost, in translation. As such, ‘vaad’ is also to speak, stemming from ‘vaach’ in Sanskrit. Bhashavaad, therefore, shares not a concern about ‘isms’ but instead about the active ‘ings’—thinking, reading, writing, translating, and publishing—taking place in the wider Indian literary sphere. This interactive database is as much about making Indian languages speak to each other as it is about reading and listening to them.”

Arunava Sinha, Co-director of the Ashoka Centre for Translation and Professor of Creative Writing at Ashoka University, with over 90 published translations between Bengali and English, said “the Bhashavaad database can be used to better understand the multilingual landscape of India. Powered by a diverse team of research fellows, academics, student interns, and project leads from different states and towns across India—working on translations from and into languages ranging from Dogri to Dakhni and Maithili to Mundari—it will improve as public users interact with it. This database is a labor of love of all those who are involved in the business of translation, directly or otherwise, many of whom have voluntarily come forward to support us in this endeavor with their suggestions and resources.”

In its current shape, Bhashavaad has noted a massive leap between the first 50 years of the 20th century, with 125 translations, and the first 20 years of the 21st century, with 2673 translations. While the database is still evolving toward its goal of mapping the full landscape of Indian translations, this remarkable growth marks a strong and credible beginning. Of the translations listed so far, the top ten translated languages are Bengali (1749), Hindi (1155), and Marathi (887), followed by Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu, Telugu, Kannada, Sanskrit, and Odia. The top five languages that receive translations outside English are Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, Bengali, and Telugu. A happy discovery of browsing is the long translations from Manipuri, Maithili, Kodava, Rajbangshi, Mizo, Kokborok, and Bongcher. The top languages for translation from Sanskrit are English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, and Punjabi.

The top publisher of translations is National Book Trust with 2260, closely followed by Sahitya Akademi with 2118. The most prolific translation publishers are Penguin in English, Vani Prakashan in Hindi, Gurjar Grantharatna in Gujarati, DC Books in Malayalam, and Dey’s Publishing in Bengali. The top translated authors include Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Premchand, Amrita Pritam, William Shakespeare, Saadat Hasan Manto, Mahasweta Devi, Jules Verne, and Satyajit Ray. The database throws up delightful translation heroes like Chandrakant Pokale (127 translations from Marathi to Kannada), Ramanlal Soni (83 translations from Bengali and 7 from English to Gujarati), Sudhindranath Raha (65 translations from English and several European languages to Bengali) and Jai Ratan (36 translations from Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi to English).

Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University said, “The launch of Bhashavaad marks an important step toward preserving and celebrating India’s rich multilingual heritage. Ashoka University believes in the power of translation to bridge cultures, deepen understanding, and make literary treasures accessible across languages. We believe this open-access database will serve as an invaluable resource for scholars, researchers, readers, and translators, creating a more connected and inclusive literary ecosystem.”

The Bhashavaad database will continue to be a growing repository of translations where users, including authors-translators-publishers themselves, can add new entries and correct existing ones. Users will soon have interfaces to add or modify information on their books. As it continues to collect data from catalogues, websites, and library lists, Bhashavaad hopes to lead by building further collaborations with repositories of existing records to provide exhaustive documentation in the form of a living archive of India, and Indian literature, in translation.

Sip on Exquisite Hot Chocolates this World Hot Chocolate Day at Fabelle Chocolate Boutique

Chennai, January 2025: ITC Grand Chola’s Fabelle Chocolate Boutique invites chocolate connoisseurs to celebrate World Hot Chocolate Day with an unparalleled experience of indulgence and craftsmanship. Nestled in the heart of Chennai, Fabelle is renowned for its luxurious handcrafted chocolates, and this special day offers the perfect opportunity to savour the art of chocolate in its most comforting form.

Step into the enchanting world of Fabelle as we present an exclusive range of Signature Hot Chocolate Creations, crafted with precision and passion by our master chocolatiers. From the rich, velvety Spiced Hot Chocolate to the adventurous Sao Tome Classic Hot Cocoa, each cup is a journey of flavours designed to awaken your senses and soothe your soul.

At Fabelle Chocolate Boutique, we believe that every cup of hot chocolate is a work of art. To commemorate World Hot Chocolate Day, Fabelle Chocolate Boutique is proud to unveil a Limited-Edition Collection, featuring:

  • Sao Tome Classic Hot Cocoa: A luxurious blend of Madagascar vanilla pod paired with Lankan cinnamon, frosted with whipped cream and cocoa nibs
  • Spiced Hot Chocolate: A bold and intense cocoa experience, served with truffled French Chantilly Cream.
  • Milk Cocoa: A bold and intense cocoa experience.

Explore the Spirit of Rural India at Mann Deshi Mahotsav 2025

January 31, 2025 – Mann Deshi Foundation is excited to announce the much-anticipated Mann Deshi Mahotsav 2025, a vibrant celebration of rural entrepreneurship, traditional crafts, and indigenous culture. This grand event, set to take place at Nare Park, Parel, Mumbai from February 5th to 9th, 2025. The program will be inaugurated by Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology and Culture, Ashishji Shelar, with Maharashtra’s Minister for Rural Development, Hon. Shri Jayakumar Gore, as the chief guest. H.T. Parekh Foundation CEO Zia Lalkaka, Aloka Majumdar, Managing Director and Global Head of Philanthropy and Head of Sustainability, India, at The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited along with other dignitaries, will also be present at the event.

Program promises to be an immersive experience for visitors, featuring a unique blend of local cuisine, cultural performances, crafts, and workshops. The Mahotsav aims to bring the richness of rural Maharashtra, Silvassa, and Karnataka to Mumbai, creating an exciting platform for the women entrepreneurs of Mann Deshi Foundation.

The Mann Deshi Foundation, founded in 1996 by Ms. Chetna Sinha, is dedicated to empowering rural women, helping them make their own choices, and celebrating their contributions as equal and valuable members of their families and communities. Together with Mann Deshi Bank, the Foundation provides comprehensive business support to rural women entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and build successful businesses. The Mann Deshi Mahotsav serves as a showcase for their hard work, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of rural Maharashtra and support the women entrepreneurs of Mann Deshi Foundation.

Join us at Nare Park, Parel, Mumbai from February 5th to 9th, 2025 for a truly unforgettable experience!

Dates: February 5th to 9th, 2025
Time: 10.20 AM To 9.30 PM
Venue: Nare Park, Parel, Mumbai

BSNL and OTTplay Team Up to Launch BiTV for Mobile Users

Mumbai, 30th January 2025 – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), in collaboration with OTTplay, India’s leading streaming platform aggregator, has introduced BSNL Intertainment—an innovative Internet TV service. This service provides BSNL mobile users all over India with free access to over 450+ live TV channels, including premium channels.

Following the launch of pilot in Pondicherry, BiTV is now being launched pan India as part of BSNL’s vision to bring world-class entertainment to its users. With BSNL Intertainment, BSNL customers can access OTTs like Bhaktiflix, Shortfundly, Kanccha Lannka, STAGE, OM TV, Playflix, Fancode, Distro, Hubhopper and Runn Tv along with 450+ live TV channels, blockbuster movies, and web series.

Speaking at the launch event, BSNL CMD Robert J Ravi I T S, stated, “With BiTV, through our partners, BSNL is giving every customer the power to access entertainment on the go, ‘anytime, anywhere’, free of cost, irrespective of the plan they are on. BiTV is a testament to BSNL’s commitment to digital inclusion and BSNL will be one of the first telecom service provider to revolutionize through this groundbreaking service.”

Echoing this vision, Avinash Mudaliar, Co-founder & CEO of OTTplay, shared, “We are incredibly excited to announce our partnership with BSNL for the launch of BiTV. Through this partnership, BSNL users will gain exclusive access to an extensive library of premium content, offering a truly elevated viewing experience. Whether it’s movies, TV shows, or exclusive content, we’re committed to delivering world-class entertainment. Together with BSNL, we aim to set a new standard for entertainment services in the region, ensuring that users can enjoy high-quality, on-demand content anytime, anywhere.”

Arya Omnitalk Enhances Fleet Management with State-of-the-Art Technological Advancements

Mumbai, 29th Jan’25: With over 20 years of experience, Arya Omnitalk has been a leader in the telematics industry. In the ever-growing telematics industry with IOT implementation of GPS solutions in the Logistics and Transport Industry, there remain many unique challenges and practical implementation aspects, which finally become a bottleneck in decision making for clients in identifying an effective and dependable GPS solution provider and this becomes a challenge in actual adoption of the technology

Be it Trucking & logistics , transporting hazardous chemicals and perishable food items, managing employee transportation, enabling efficient deliveries etc, Arya Omnitalk’s GPS tracking devices and Fleet Vigil, a SaaS-based Fleet Management platform, goes beyond traditional tracking. These solutions are designed to optimize fleet operations, enhance safety, and provide significant returns on investment for clients, so as the decision making for the clients is clearer and faster

The landscape of transportation and road safety in India is undergoing a significant transformation with the implementation of AIS 140 GPS tracking devices. This mandate, introduced by the Indian government, is set to revolutionise the way commercial vehicles operate, ensuring higher safety standards, improved fleet management, and overall transportation efficiency.

At the forefront of this movement there is Arya Omnitalk, a trailblazer in the field, providing state-of-the-art AIS 140-compliant solutions that empower fleet operators and transportation authorities to streamline operations while prioritising public safety. The real-time tracking and driver behaviour analysis features of the AIS 140-compliant GPS tracking unit are crucial for reducing accidents and ensuring driver and passenger safety.

In India’s growing urban landscapes, Arya Omnitalk’s solutions align with Smart City initiatives of the government by providing Emergency Response Management, Solid Waste Management and Intelligent Transport Solutions to enhance industrial and municipal solid waste management and empower Cities with Intelligent Transport Management Solutions and enhance public safety by reducing response time in situations of distress

With unique capabilities in solution lifecycle management—conceptualisation, design, implementation, and maintenance—the company addresses complex transportation challenges with customised applications, IoT integrations, and intuitive dashboards.

“Our mission is to provide differentiated solutions that cater to the unique needs of each client. We leverage our time-tested, highly reliable IoT platform to ensure secure, efficient, and optimized transportation operations across industry verticals.” said Saumil Dhru, COO & CTO of Arya Omnitalk.

MediBuddy Wellness League Highlights Corporate India’s Focus on Employee Well-being

30th January 2025: MediBuddy, India’s leading digital healthcare company, today hosted its first-ever physical awards ceremony for the MediBuddy Wellness League (MWL) 2024. Building on the success of its previous edition, the second edition of MWL continued to drive significant corporate employee engagement, with rewards worth INR 1.5 crore distributed to recognize excellence in employee health and wellness initiatives.

The event celebrated the top performers from both corporate and individual categories who actively championed wellness initiatives throughout the league. This year’s MWL achieved record-breaking participation, reinforcing its position as a game-changer in the corporate wellness space.

MediBuddy’s commitment to fostering health and wellness across Corporate India took shape through the MediBuddy Wellness League (MWL) 2024, a pioneering initiative to empower employees to prioritise their wellbeing. Through an engaging gamified framework, the 2.5 months league transformed the wellness journey of corporate employees into an exciting competition, where participants earned points by completing activities across physical fitness, nutrition, mental health, and sleep. This innovative approach not only drove remarkable engagement but also fulfilled MediBuddy’s mission of giving back to Corporate India by helping employees develop lasting healthy habits that enhance their overall quality of life.

Mr. Saibal Biswas, Senior Vice President, Head of Marketing, Partnerships, and PR at MediBuddy, emphasised the significance of this milestone even.  “MWL’s first-ever physical awards ceremony marks a pivotal moment in our journey to transform corporate wellness. Bringing together leading organisations and individuals under one roof allows us to go beyond recognising their achievements; we are reinforcing the importance of prioritising employee health at scale. The enthusiastic participation we’ve seen demonstrates that our gamified approach to create healthy habits is successfully creating lasting behavioural change across corporate India. At MediBuddy, our vision is to make high-quality healthcare accessible to a billion people, and this event is a step forward in realising that mission by inspiring corporate India to prioritise holistic well-being.”

The ceremony recognised both corporate achievers and individual champions who exemplified extraordinary commitment to health and wellness.

Through initiatives such as the MediBuddy Wellness League, MediBuddy remains committed to revolutionising corporate wellness in India. As MWL continues to grow, it promises to inspire even more organisations and employees to prioritise health, fostering a healthier and more productive workforce across the nation. The program continues to serve as a powerful engagement lever for HR leaders, helping them drive meaningful participation in health and wellness activities while improving overall productivity.

Aspect Bullion Introduces India’s First Premium Bullion Signature Store in R City Mall

Mumbai, January, 2025: Aspect Bullion & Refinery, a leading division of Aspect Global Ventures Pvt. Ltd., unveiled India’s first Bullion Signature Store today at the R City Mall, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai. This landmark store offers luxurious and innovative ways to experience gold and silver buying, setting new benchmarks in the precious metal industry.

Located on the ground floor of R City Mall (Unit No. G 58 A), the store features an extensive collection of gold and silver coins & bars, personalized coins for every occasion along with standout signature treasures that make each piece truly unique and memorable. A unique feature offered by Aspect Bullion is their first-of0its-kind innovative gold and silver coin vending machines designed for high-traffic locations like malls, temples, and airports. These self-service machines will enable quick, seamless, and staff-free purchases with real-time pricing. The brand is also expanding its reach through e-marketplaces, offering secure online transactions with real-time pricing. Additionally, Aspect Bullion is franchising its stores and vending machines, with investment opportunities ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crores for stores and exclusive vending machine placements at prime locations like airports.

The grand opening was graced by the Guest of Honor, Mrs. Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global Ventures Pvt. Ltd. and Vice President of the India Bullion & Jewellers Association (IBJA). Speaking at the event, Mrs Kamboj said, “The Bullion Signature Store revolutionizes how consumers experience gold and silver, setting new benchmarks for trust, quality, and innovation in the bullion industry. With personalized options for special occasions and automated gold and silver vending machines, we’re redefining gifting and customer convenience. We look forward to welcoming customers to explore our offerings and transform their buying experience.”

Aspect Bullion is committed to blending tradition with modernity, ensuring a luxurious, customer-first experience in this iconic destination for gold and silver enthusiasts.

For inquiries or to explore the offerings, visit the Bullion Signature Store at R City Mall, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai.

Providing Healthcare Access: Aster Volunteers and BAPS Launch Mobile Medical Units for the Marginalized

Gujarat, January 30, 2025: Aster Volunteers, the global CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare, launched two new Mobile Medical Service units aimed at assisting villages in Sankari, Surat and Khedbrahma of Sabarkantha districts of Gujarat. The newly launched units, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, aims to deliver essential medical and healthcare services directly to disadvantaged individuals, significantly enhancing healthcare accessibility.

The Mobile Medical Units were launched by Shri Rushikesh Patel, Hon Minister for Health and Family Welfare, and Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of Home, Police Housing & Disaster Management, Govt of Gujrat in the presence of Pujya Swami Brahmaviharidas, Head BAPS Global Outreach & Head BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi, BAPS, Pujya Swami Nikhileshdas, Head BAPS Medical Activities, and Mr Jaleel PA Head CSR, Aster DM Healthcare.

The new mobile units are equipped with essential facilities such as a patient waiting area and registration desk, vital data collection desk, basic mini lab with refrigerated storage, safe storage of medicine and dispensing facility, consultation Room for General Practitioner, health education and awareness programs, and expandable awning for outdoor shade.

The mobile clinics also have air conditioning, infection control mechanisms, and Wi-Fi connectivity and are capable of navigating remote village roads, thereby reaching marginalized communities.

Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Services (AVMMS) is a one-of-a-kind CSR initiative by Aster DM Healthcare aimed at bridging the gap in healthcare accessibility by providing free medical camps and disaster aid support to needy communities in remote areas. Since its inception, AVMMS has treated over 1.4 million individuals across India, the Middle East, and Africa, positively impacting lives in regions with limited or no access to medical facilities. The initiative has a global network of 50+ units, including units in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, UP, MP, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and J&K.

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder & Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, commented, “The launch of two new mobile medical units further underscores our unwavering dedication to making quality healthcare accessible to underserved communities. This initiative builds on the remarkable milestone achieved last month with the inauguration of the 50th mobile medical unit by the Honorable Vice President of India, reaffirming our commitment to bridging gaps in access to essential medical care. Through the Aster Volunteers program, we strive to go beyond the conventional boundaries of healthcare, delivering critical services directly to those who need them the most. These mobile units are more than just vehicles; they are lifelines that bring hope, healing, and a promise of better health to individuals and families. This initiative represents another meaningful step in our mission to transform lives, empower communities, and ensure that quality healthcare is never out of reach for anyone, no matter where they are.” Aster DM Healthcare remains committed to its mission of providing accessible healthcare to all through innovative and sustainable solutions. The launch of the new units marks a significant milestone in this journey, reaffirming Aster’s dedication to global health and well-being.

Shri Pujya Swami Brahmaviharidas, Head of BAPS Global Outreach said, “True service is when we reach out to those who need us the most. The collaboration between BAPS and Aster Volunteers is a shining example of how faith, compassion, and medical expertise can come together to heal and uplift communities. These Mobile Medical Units will not just provide healthcare—they will offer hope, dignity, and a path to a healthier future for many.”

Mr. Jude Gomes on Life Insurance 2025: Growth and Future Prospects

Mr. Jude Gomes,

By Mr. Jude Gomes, MD & CEO, Ageas Federal Life Insurance

Life Insurance 2025 – Exploring New Frontiers

As we reflect on the transformative journey of 2024 and look ahead to 2025, we are heartened by the steady growth of the Indian life insurance sector. With an 11% CAGR over the past three years, the industry has reached premiums of $107 billion, cementing its crucial role in driving financial security and inclusion.

The Assets Under Management (AUM) of the insurance industry forms a formidable part of the Indian financial markets, highlighting its significant contribution to capital formation and economic stability. Beyond its economic impact, insurance plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of society at large by fostering resilience and safeguarding livelihoods.

Despite global economic uncertainties, the sector has shown remarkable resilience by embracing technology and innovative distribution models to cater to a digitally savvy population. Looking forward, we anticipate the sector will continue to grow at 11% to 13%, fuelled by GDP expansion, urbanization, and a rising demand for savings and protection products.

To further accelerate this growth and move towards the vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047,’ we urge focusing on key reforms in the upcoming Budget:

Tax Relief for Annuity Plans:
With the retirement savings gap projected to reach $85 trillion by 2050, simplifying or removing taxes on annuity and pension products, including those under the National Pension System (NPS), will encourage greater participation in retirement planning. Extending the ₹50,000 tax exemption for NPS contributions to annuities and pensions will help millions secure post-retirement income.

Enhanced Tax Benefits for Life and Health Insurance:
Many Indian families still face financial vulnerability in case of an untimely loss of a breadwinner. Offering a separate limit for deductions under Section 80C for insurance premiums will make insurance more accessible and attractive, helping bridge the coverage gap.

GST Reforms for Greater Access:
Revising the GST on term life insurance policies will reduce the cost of essential protection plans. A ‘zero rating’ for schemes like Pradhanmantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, smaller policies (up to ₹2 lakh), and annuity products for NPS subscribers will expand access to insurance, ensuring inclusivity and sustaining growth.

Universal Digital Insurance Accounts:
Establishing a government-backed Digital Insurance Repository System to store and manage all insurance policies on a single platform can simplify claims processing and policy management, improving transparency and trust.

Retirement Security Bonds:
Introducing long-term Retirement Security Bonds that combine insurance and guaranteed returns, will encourage long-term savings with tax-free maturity benefits.

Flexible Microinsurance Framework:
Implementing flexible microinsurance guidelines will encourage insurers to design products for underserved rural areas and informal sectors, supported by targeted government subsidies.

Incentives for InsurTech Innovation:
Providing fiscal benefits to companies investing in InsurTech startups and AI-driven solutions will modernize underwriting, claims, and risk management systems.

Public-Private Partnerships for Insurance Awareness:
Allocating funds to promote insurance literacy through joint campaigns involving the government and insurers, especially targeting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

In 2024, Ageas Federal Life Insurance demonstrated its commitment to delivering tailored financial solutions through innovative initiatives such as the launch of the MAGIC Savings Plan, Golden Years Plus Plan (GYPP), and strategic partnerships like our association with PhonePe. These efforts were further complemented by grassroots initiatives like Bima Vahak and Bima Vistaar, along with the digital platform Bima Sugam, underscoring the company’s focus on customer-centricity and financial inclusion. We remain agile in adapting to regulatory changes to ensure the success of these efforts. As we reflect on the past year’s achievements and challenges, these milestones inspire us to move towards a future where insurance is not just a transaction but a vital component of financial well-being for all, making a meaningful impact on lives.