New Delhi, India – March 21, 2025 – In a groundbreaking moment for India’s agricultural sector, Bill Gates, former Microsoft CEO and philanthropist, visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in New Delhi to witness firsthand the revolutionary impact of Garuda Aerospace’s agricultural drones. During his visit, he engaged with a group of empowered women pilots known as “Drone Didis,” who are leading the way in modernizing Indian farming through advanced drone technology. The visit was facilitated by Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), a key partner in the initiative.

The video showcased, The “Namo Drone Didi” initiative, a government-led program aimed at empowering rural women while transforming agricultural practices through drone technology. Bill Gates observed how these drones are reshaping Indian farming by improving precision agriculture, including fertilizer spraying, seed dispersal, and crop monitoring. The initiative has provided training to over 500 rural women, equipping them with critical drone skills and fostering economic independence. As of today, Garuda Aerospace has delivered 446 drones to women Self-Help Groups across 20 states, boosting agricultural productivity and increasing rural incomes.

This agricultural drone revolution was initially sparked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary initiative in 2022, which saw the deployment of 100 drones across 100 villages to showcase the benefits of drone technology in agriculture. Garuda Aerospace has played a crucial role in scaling this vision, supplying 15,000 drones to HURL and providing daily training to the “Drone Didis,” enabling them to become financially self-reliant and successful entrepreneurs. HURL has also played a vital role in this transformation, training and equipping women with agricultural drones to enhance efficiency and sustainability in farming practices.

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said, “We are honored to have Bill Gates witness the impact of our Agri Drones and the dedication of the Drone Didis. This initiative aligns with our mission to empower rural communities with cutting-edge technology. Seeing the significant improvements in their family incomes is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience. We are excited about the future of Agri-drones in India.”

Dr. Siba Prasad Mohanty, Managing Director of HURL, said, “We take immense pride in Bill Gates recognizing the transformational power of the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative. Our commitment to training and equipping women with agricultural drones stems from our vision of fostering a self-reliant and digitally empowered India. Accessible and well-utilized technology has the potential to uplift rural communities and drive economic progress.”

Garuda Aerospace, backed by M.S. Dhoni, launched its first film, ‘Kheton Ke Kaptan’, promoting drone technology in farming. Showcasing the benefits of Garuda drones in pesticide spraying, surveillance, and mapping, the film highlights their role in conserving water and time. To accelerate adoption, farmers and young entrepreneurs will receive drone training, subsidies, and loans. The presence of global leaders like Bill Gates recognizing the grassroots impact of drone technology validates India’s evolving drone ecosystem. Initiatives like Namo Drone Didi are also breaking gender norms, empowering women entrepreneurs, and driving inclusive technological progress in agriculture.

Dr. Smrithi D Nayak, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology

In today’s world, women have more control than ever over their health and well-being. With advances in medicine, nutrition, and fitness, age is truly just a number. Women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond are staying active, feeling vibrant, and living healthier lives. The key lies in adopting the right habits and maintaining a positive mindset.

Prioritize Regular Exercise

Staying active is one of the best ways to maintain health and vitality. Exercise improves heart health, strengthens bones, and keeps muscles toned. Women should focus on a mix of:
• Cardio workouts like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming to keep the heart strong.
• Strength training to maintain muscle mass and bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
• Flexibility and balance exercises such as yoga or Pilates to enhance mobility and prevent falls.
• Just 30 minutes of movement daily can make a significant difference in long-term health.

Follow a Nutritious Diet

What women eat plays a crucial role in how they feel as they age. A balanced diet should include:
• Lean proteins (chicken, fish, beans, tofu) to maintain muscle strength.
• Healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil) for brain function and heart health.
• Plenty of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to aid digestion.
• Calcium and vitamin D to support strong bones and prevent osteoporosis.
• Limiting processed foods, refined sugars, and excessive alcohol can also help maintain energy levels and prevent chronic illnesses.

Take Care of Hormonal Health

Hormonal balance is essential for overall well-being. As women age, estrogen levels decline, which can affect mood, metabolism, and bone health. Consulting a gynecologist or fertility specialist can help manage hormonal changes through:
• Lifestyle adjustments
• Natural supplements
• Hormone replacement therapy (if necessary)

Prioritize Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Staying healthy is not just about physical fitness—it’s also about mental and emotional balance. Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can accelerate aging. To maintain well-being:
• Practice mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress.
• Engage in hobbies and activities that bring joy.
• Build strong social connections to stay emotionally fulfilled.
• Ensure quality sleep (7-9 hours per night) for proper body recovery.

Stay on Top of Health Screenings

Preventive care is crucial for long-term health. Regular check-ups and screenings help detect potential health issues early. Women should prioritize:
• Annual gynaecological exams with PAP smear and USG scan.
• Mammograms (as per age and risk factors)
• Bone density tests
• Heart health check-ups (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes screening)

Aging is a natural process, but how women age is in their control. By staying active, eating well, managing stress, and prioritizing health check-ups, women can feel younger, stronger, and more vibrant at any age. It’s never too late to invest in self-care—because age truly is just a number!

New Delhi, 21st March 2025: To fully prosper, we require more than simply effort, mental clarity, emotional resilience, and creative brilliance. Enter the 20-20 Rule: 20 minutes of Transcendental Meditation each morning and evening. This stunningly simple yet profoundly powerful practice is swiftly emerging as the secret to achieving optimal health, unbounded enjoyment, and peak performance in all aspects of life.

Neuroscientists showed that during TM practice, the brain produces extremely high-power alpha waves. When these waves sync together, the brain’s executive judgment gets strengthened. No other form of meditation has produced such steady alpha coherence across the brain. Researchers have shown that the ability to “transcend” restores neurological balance, inner silence, and clarity of mind.

A new book, World-Class Brain, looks at the brain power of top performers. Based on research on Olympic athletes, top executives, and symphony orchestra musicians, it establishes the connection between high performance and brain integration, as proven by electroencephalogram (EEG) measures. EEG is a non-invasive tool that records brain wave patterns in order to shed light on how different areas communicate and coordinate with each other.

On the other hand, TM becomes a technique where, along with regular practice, the brain becomes much clearer and integrated by research, thus contributing to improved memory, heightened creativity, increased understanding, and heightened concentration. The book goes on to show that TM is the only scientifically confirmed meditation technique that enhances intra- and inter-hemispheric EEG coherence, leading to improved IQ, academic achievement, emotional stability, autonomous esteem, and moral reasoning.

Speaking on this occasion, Ms. Aditi Shrivastava, Senior Transcendental Meditation Teacher states, “TM is more than just a wellness practice; it Is an enhancement tool for life that benefits everybody. It is practiced from students and parents to professionals or someone who is looking for a deeper sense of fulfillment. With the help of the 20-20 Rule, one can reduce stress, improve focus, and cultivate a profound sense of inner calm.”

Outside of that, TM is also gaining recognition in schools, workplaces, health institutes, and other personal wellness programs as a method to relieve stress and improve the quality of life. The 20-20 Rule properly acknowledges the existence of living proof in favor of time-tested science as a student, working-class professional, parent, or any other.  The more popular, awareness increases, and TM continues to stand tall as the transformative medium into the practice of awakening human potential.

Chandigarh, March 21, 2025 – Star Alliance Partners Air New Zealand and Air India today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the objective of boosting air connectivity between India and New Zealand.

The MoU was signed at an event in Mumbai in the presence of Honourable Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Christopher Luxon, and other dignitaries.

The MoU includes the establishment of a new codeshare partnership on 16 routes between India, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, conferring travellers more choice and convenient access between the two countries.

Customers will now be able to travel from the Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai on Air India, and connect at Sydney, Melbourne or Singapore onto Air New Zealand-operated flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown.

Besides improving customers’ ease of booking and travel, the codeshare aims to increase visibility of the respective markets as tourism destinations.

The MoU will also see Air New Zealand and Air India explore the introduction of a direct service between India and New Zealand by the end of 2028, subject to new aircraft deliveries and approvals from relevant government regulators.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran emphasised the strategic significance of India as a future destination, highlighting its rapidly expanding tourism market and increasing travel demand.

“India represents a key growth market for Air New Zealand, and we are excited about the opportunity to enhance connectivity for travellers between our two countries. This codeshare agreement is an important first step, offering more options for customers while we work to understand what a direct service could look like.

“Today’s event underscores the significance of the India market to New Zealand, not only for tourism but also for strengthening business and education ties. We are committed to working collaboratively to grow the travel market over the coming years, ensuring a strong foundation for a successful direct service by 2028,” said Foran.

Campbell Wilson, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Air India, said: “As part of Air India’s ongoing transformation, we have been expanding our global network using our own aircraft as well as through new or expanded codeshare agreements with other airlines, chiefly our Star Alliance partners.

We are delighted to be deepening our relationship with Air New Zealand, which follows the recent expansion of our codeshare partnerships with Lufthansa Group, Singapore Airlines, and All Nippon Airways. This partnership will not only strengthen our presence and simplify customer journeys, but also help us develop traffic so that, in time to come, we may viably operate a non-stop service between India and New Zealand, which we and Air New Zealand have committed to explore together with the respective authorities.”

With India emerging as a growing tourism and business hub, this partnership reflects the airline’s commitment to delivering enhanced travel experiences while supporting trade, tourism, and economic growth.

Currently, Air New Zealand customers travelling between New Zealand and India benefit from strong connectivity options via Singapore Airlines, offering a smooth transit through Singapore. The prospect of a future direct route would further strengthen the relationship between the two countries, providing more efficient and accessible travel opportunities.

The MoU also outlines Tourism New Zealand’s commitment to growing inbound tourism from the Indian market. Tourism New Zealand’s research shows that 18 million people in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai are actively considering traveling to New Zealand, making it a key emerging market. More than 80,000 international travellers arrived from India last year, 23% more than in 2019.

The long-term growth potential is significant, with India ear-marked as one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets. Indian travellers are keen to explore New Zealand’s vibrant landscapes, film sets and rich cultural opportunities.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Rene de Monchy said: “It’s fantastic to see Air New Zealand and Air India working on stronger international connectivity between the two countries. We know improved aviation links have a crucial role to play in the growth of international tourism and will make it easier for Indian travellers to come and enjoy a holiday in New Zealand.

“An added bonus is that travellers from India also have a strong tendency to visit New Zealand in the off-peak months that coincide with their major holiday periods.”

Delhi, March 21, 2025  – AndPurpose, a leading social impact marketing company, is set to host the highly anticipated AndPurpose Summit & Forums 2025, a pioneering initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration, innovation, and systemic change. Bringing together changemakers, impact-driven enterprises, and thought leaders, this summit aims to address pressing societal challenges and accelerate sustainable development in India and South Asia.  As part of its commitment to environmental responsibility, the event will be carbon-neutral in partnership with ENEN Green.

The AndPurpose Summit & Forums 2025 will unfold across multiple cities, beginning with the AndPurpose Forum in New Delhi on March 27, 2025, followed by regional chapters in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. These forums will culminate in the flagship AndPurpose Summit, scheduled for November 2025 in New Delhi. The summit will serve as a global platform where impact leaders, policymakers, and industry pioneers will unite to drive actionable solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing India today.

The New Delhi Forum will commence with a welcome address from Kamna Hazrati, Founder of AndPurpose, who’ll guide the participants through a discussion of India’s biggest challenges. Some of the sessions which are sure to provoke thoughts are “Social Startups Innovating for India”, “The Role of CSR & Impact Finance for Social Good”, and “Building a Climate Conscious India”. The event will conclude with a high tea gathering, providing participants with an ideal chance to network and explore potential collaborations.

India’s looming issues stand at new heights as India’s economy grows nearly in parallel to the country’s social issues. With over 194 million people hungry every day, 35 million people not getting safe drinking water and covered with a thick blanket of 500 million people without good healthcare, there is indeed a requirement to make profound change. The environment alone gets severely impacted both politically and socially due to climate change. AndPurpose understands the problem at hand and is willing to put in the efforts required and align to make a meaningful change following the UN SDGs. The forum will focus on education and agriculture, green energy, healthcare, water accessibility, and sustainability itself along with other innovative and bold designs that help make a positive impact.

With a focus on social and environmental impact, innovation, and collaboration, the AndPurpose Forum set to happen in New Delhi will bring together over 100 participants, ranging from CEOs to impact investors around the country. This interaction will cover a diverse range of stakeholders including big corporate houses, foundations, investment companies, policymakers, think tanks, NGOs, and social startups. In addition, there are keynote speeches, panel discussions, networking sessions, art showcases, and social innovation exhibits which offer a diverse range of opportunities to participate, learn, and take action.

The forum will feature an inspiring keynote address by Sudarshan Suchi, Chief Development Officer of Reliance Foundation, a seasoned expert with over three decades of experience in rural development and community empowerment, setting the stage for impactful discussions. Sumita Ghose, Founder Director of RangSutra Crafts, will be joined by a distinguished panel featuring Shenoy Mathew, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Ramneek Bhatia, Chief Catalyst of Habitat India, who will also moderate the session. The sessions will bring together industry experts such as Subhadeep Sanyal, Partner at Omnivore VC, Shiva Shanker, Partner at Ankur Capital, and Jui Joshi, Senior Partner at Climate Collective Foundation, along with leading specialists in investment and sustainability, making it a power-packed gathering of thought leaders driving change.

Furthermore, For sustainable business models and policy frameworks, journalist and co-founder of People’s Archive of Rural India ‘PARI’ Shalini Singh, and Varaha’s Co-founder & CEO Madhur Jain, alongside GIZ India’s Environmental Policy Expert Vivek J M will share their perspectives. Varun Khera, Head of Partnerships at Josh Talks, will moderate pertinent discussions and key energies, and later on, Byju Kurian, Bisleri’s Head of CSR will tackle sustainability from a corporate level and the market-driven paradigm of social change.

“A decade after the Paris Agreement, the world stands at a crossroads—while over 195 nations committed to limiting global warming, global emissions continue to rise, and extreme weather events are disrupting livelihoods. India, in particular, faces mounting challenges, from water scarcity affecting 35 million people to the healthcare gap impacting over 500 million. The AndPurpose Summit & Forum 2025 is not just about discussions; it is about action. Building India’s Biggest Impact Movement by bringing together policymakers, businesses, and changemakers, we aim to accelerate sustainable solutions and drive systemic change that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.” — Kamna Hazrati, Founder, AndPurpose.

The AndPurpose Summit & Forums 2025 presents an unparalleled opportunity for corporations, nonprofits, investors, and policymakers to come together and drive meaningful, lasting change. By amplifying collective efforts, sharing insights, and fostering collaboration, this initiative seeks to transform global goals into tangible actions that benefit communities across the Global South.