Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road Saves Life of 25-Year-Old African Woman Battling Severely Leaking & Narrowed Heart Valves with nearly Terminal Heart Weakness
Bengaluru, 30th September 2024: Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road successfully treated a 25-year-old African woman who had been suffering from complex and severe rheumatic heart disease of two of her heart valves for nearly 15 years. The patient, faced a life-threatening condition involving severe aortic leakage causing grave, long term stretching & weakening of her heart muscles and significant mitral stenosis (narrowing of the mitral valve, making it harder for blood to empty the lungs in to heart leading to damaged lungs), underwent a high mortality risk (in view of a grossly weakened heart muscles) double valve replacement surgery. The procedure was performed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors led by Dr Vivek Jawali, Chairman – Cardiac sciences, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru. This intricate procedure involved replacing two of the heart’s four valves simultaneously, the surgery lasted for 3 and half hours and the woman was discharged within a month in a stable condition.
For 15 years, Patient Salma (name changed) had been battling debilitating heart conditions, including aortic regurgitation and mitral stenosis. Her health was further complicated by persistent infections, leg wounds, and multiple miscarriages, all of which were worsened by the consumption of blood thinners and medications to treat her heart condition. Despite seeking treatment from numerous hospitals worldwide, where she was repeatedly turned away due to the high risks associated with her condition and limited chance of complete recovery Her optimism was renewed when she discovered a potential solution at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road.
Upon her admission at Fortis Bannerghatta Road, a detailed medical evaluation was conducted, confirming the severity and complexity of her heart condition. Dr. Vivek Jawali and his team diagnosed the need for a high-risk double valve replacement surgery. The procedure involved replacing both the aortic valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the body, along with the mitral valve, which regulates blood flow between the heart’s upper and lower chambers. Additional medical interventions were recommended to optimize her heart function and manage her complex health issues.
Giving details of the case, Dr. Vivek Jawali, Chairman-Cardiac sciences, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore said, “Salma’s treatment was challenging due to the damage caused to her heart valves, which significantly impacted her heart’s ability to function properly. In addition to this, she also experienced irregular heartbeats, complicating her condition further. We replaced her aortic valve and mitral valve and made her left atrium (one of the heart’s two upper chambers) smaller, sealed a part of her heart to prevent blood clots, and performed a procedure called E-Maze to correct her irregular heartbeats. The E-Maze procedure helps to restore a normal heartbeat by creating small scars in the heart tissue to prevent abnormal electrical signals.”
“After the surgery, Salma had low blood pressure and needed extra support from special devices. She also had kidney ailments that needed dialysis and kidney infections that were treated with antibiotics. To further aid her recovery, we used ECMO – extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. ECMO took over the functions of her heart and lungs, helping her stabilize and recover from severe complications. Despite these challenges, Salma’s condition improved, and she is now stable and recovering well,” Dr Jawali added.
Mr. Akshay Oleti, Business Head, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru said, “At Fortis Hospitals, we are dedicated to providing outstanding and personalized medical care. We are proud to have achieved a significant milestone with the successful use of advanced techniques in heart surgery, specifically a high-risk double valve replacement for Salma. This innovative approach demonstrates our commitment to combining cutting-edge surgical methods with compassionate patient care. Our team’s expertise has allowed us to offer a transformative treatment experience, setting new standards in cardiac care and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
Signify onboards the cricket legend Rahul Dravid as their Brand Ambassador, a partnership steeped in legacy and innovation
Delhi, India, September 30, 2024: Signify, (Euronext: LIGHT) the world leader in lighting, has announced its association with Indian cricket maestro, Rahul Dravid as the brand ambassador for the next two years. This strategic union comes ahead of the festive season, underlining Signify’s commitment to innovation, excellence, tradition, and festivities.
Rahul Dravid, adored for his noteworthy cricket career and revered role in Indian sports, epitomizes the essence of Signify’s values – legacy, integrity, innovation, and dedication to providing customers with an unsurpassed lighting experience. This association will usher in a new era for the lighting industry, as it fortifies the brand’s commitment to inspire and celebrate with the consumers in India.
Commenting on the association Sumit Joshi, CEO & MD – Signify, Greater India, remarked “At Signify, we believe in bringing the best of innovations to our customers in line with our #BrighterLivesBetterWorld vision. Taking a step ahead, we are thrilled to have Rahul Dravid join the Signify family as the face of our brand. His enduring appeal and unwavering dedication perfectly mirror Signify’s foundational principles, resulting in a collaboration that exemplifies perseverance, quality, and innovation.”
Highlighting Signify’s strategy Nikhil Gupta, Head of Marketing, Strategy, Govt. Affairs & CSR – Signify, Greater India, said, “We are glad to have Rahul Dravid join us who is known for his grit, determination and integrity, personifies those very qualities that Signify stands for and hence he was the perfect choice for us. Our collaboration with Rahul initiates a new chapter in Signify’s journey, where tradition meets innovation. His association with us will amplify our engagement with the Indian consumer and we are geared up to launch some exciting campaigns with him soon.”
Rahul Dravid, Former Captain and Coach of the Indian National Cricket Team, reflecting on the partnership, said “I feel honoured to be a part of the Signify family! The lighting leader Signify is synonymous with leadership, innovation, sustainability and cutting-edge technology. I am thrilled to represent a brand that resonates so deeply with my professional journey and their commitment to pushing boundaries parallels my own pursuit of excellence. I look forward to this partnership and to contributing to the company’s continued success.”
Rahul Dravid will be representing Signify brands in India, providing an opportunity to connect with a diverse audience. Known for his dedication, resilience, and perseverance, Rahul Dravid’s image harmonizes seamlessly with the brand ideals, presenting the possibility of facilitating a deeper and broader consumer engagement.
Sony India unveils unbeatable festive offers for a spectacular Diwali
New Delhi, 27th September 2024: To celebrate Diwali, Sony India has introduced special festive offers, promising customers an exceptional shopping experience. Featuring a diverse selection of lifestyle products, such as the latest BRAVIA television series, immersive home theatre systems, premium headphones, Alpha cameras and powerful party speakers, customers can now upgrade their home and entertainment setup at an attractive prices and fantastic deals to enhance the joy of Diwali celebrations. Get offers
1. Cinema is Coming Home this Diwali with BRAVIA for an unmatched cinematic experience
As part of our ‘Cinema is Coming Home’ concept, BRAVIA is designed to deliver cinematic content with stunning picture quality and sound quality, just as filmmakers intended. By integrating televisions, soundbars and other home audio technologies under the BRAVIA brand, we aim to provide an unmatched cinematic experience at home.
This Diwali, enjoy the magic of BRAVIA televisions, with complementary features that make selecting the ideal TV and soundbar combination seamless. Sony India is offering exciting deals, including instant cashback of up to Rs. 25,000 along with 3-year comprehensive warranty on select models. Customers can also avail one free EMI scheme on select BRAVIA models. Additionally, Sony is offering Single combo EMI scheme for televisions and soundbar starting from 2,995/- with discounts up to Rs. 64,990 on BRAVIA TV and soundbar combos.
2. Revolutionize cinema at home entertainment setup with latest range of BRAVIA Theatre home audio products
Sony’s new BRAVIA Theatre home audio products introduce exciting features that elevate your home movie-watching experience. With a range of premium BRAVIA Theatre soundbars starting at Rs. 79,990, customers can customize their home cinema setup to match their preferences and budget. Additionally, Sony is offering its top-of-the-line BRAVIA Theatre Quad at an unbeatable price of Rs. 1,99,990, along with an instant cashback of Rs. 12,000 and an EMI option starting from Rs. 5,995.
3. Upgrade the home entertainment experience with exclusive soundbar and BRAVIA TV combo offers
Experience the ultimate cinematic journey at home this Diwali with the perfect blend of stunning visuals from BRAVIA televisions and Sony’s advanced soundbar technology. Transform your entertainment setup with exclusive soundbar offers, allowing you to save up to Rs.15,000 on select soundbars when purchased alongside a BRAVIA television of 109 cm (43 inches) and above. Enjoy remarkable discounts on premium models such as the BRAVIA Theatre Quad and BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9. This festive offer is valid within 60 days of purchasing your BRAVIA TV, making it the perfect time to elevate your home entertainment experience
4. Enjoy superior audio experience with exciting deals on a wide range of headphones and true wireless earbuds
This Diwali, Sony India brings exciting offers on its range of noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, catering to both audiophiles and music lovers. Customers can get highly acclaimed WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones, as well as other popular models like the WH-CH720N, WH-CH520, and the newly launched ULT wear on a special price. Sony is also offering up to 50% off on the WI-OE610 headphones with instant cashback of Rs. 1,000. Customers can also benefit from attractive prices on truly wireless earbuds, including the WF-1000XM5, WF-C700N, WF-LS910N, and the newly launched WF-C510, with instant cashback of up to Rs.3,000. Additionally, Sony is also offering discounts and cashback on the INZONE series gaming headphones and earbuds, with up to Rs.3,000 cashback. To make this festive season even more accessible, Sony is providing special EMI offers, making it the perfect time to elevate your audio experience.
5. Capture every festive moment with special offers on a premium range of digital imaging products
Sony is introducing ‘Biggest Festive Dhamaka’ offers on the purchase of select cameras and lenses with exciting instant rebate and cashback offers along with free gifts on select models. Customers will get special benefits of up to Rs.1,03,880 on the purchase of the Full-Frame cameras such as Alpha 7RV, Alpha 1, Alpha 7SIII, and Alpha 9III, including instant rebate and cashback along with noise-cancelling earbuds (WF-LS900N) worth Rs.24,990 and an additional battery (NP-FZ100) worth Rs. 5,890 free.
On the purchase of Alpha 7IV also, Sony is offering instant rebate and cashback along with noise-cancelling headphones (WH-CH720N) worth Rs. 14,990, additional battery (NP-FZ100) worth Rs. 5,890 and battery charger (BC-QZ1) worth Rs. 6,790 free. Similarly, for Alpha 7III, customers will get instant cashback along with an additional battery (NP-FZ100) worth Rs. 5,890, battery charger (BC-QZ1) worth Rs. 6,790 free, memory card (SF-M64) worth Rs. 7,500 and a carry bag (MII-SC5) worth Rs. 1,790. Vloggers and content creators can avail instant discount and cashback on ZV-E1 along with battery charger (BC-QZ1) worth Rs. 6,790.
For cinema line models, customers can enjoy benefits of up to Rs.75,890 on the purchase of FX3 and FX30 which includes instant rebate (only with FX3) and cashback , additional battery (NP-FZ100) worth Rs.5,890 along with a battery charger (BC-QZ1) worth Rs. 6,790 free (applicable only with ILME-FX30 and FX30B).
Sony is also offering benefits of up to Rs.52,000 which includes instant rebate and cashback on a wide range of lenses including G Master series. For G Master Lenses, customer can avail easy and long-term finance schemes such as 18/0 EMI. Similarly for APS-C cameras such as Alpha6700, Alpha6400, Alpha6100 and ZV-E10 Sony is offering benefits of up to Rs.19,120, including instant cashback along with wireless Bluetooth speaker (SRS-XB100) worth Rs. 5,990 and a memory card (SF-E64A) worth Rs. 3,130.
For compact, point and shoot cameras, Sony is offering benefits of up to 18,130 on ZV-1II and ZV-1F camera, which includes instant rebate along with memory card (SF-E64A) worth Rs. 3,130.
Additionally, Sony is offering a cashback of up to Rs 10,000 on select models or one free EMI on all full-frame, APS-C cameras and selected models of Cinema Line series and G Master lenses . To further enhance the experience, 1-year extended warranty on select Full-Frame cameras, APS-C cameras, G Master and G lenses is also available upon registration on the Alpha Community (T&C apply). These exclusive Diwali offers are complemented by easy and long-term EMI options , allowing customers to embrace cutting-edge digital imaging technology and capture stunning moments this festive season.
6. Amplify festive celebrations with high-performance party speakers and exclusive cashback offers
Elevate your Diwali celebrations with Sony’s electrifying range of party speakers, engineered to ignite the energy at any gathering. Enjoy instant cashback of Rs. 6,000/- and flexible EMI options starting from just Rs. 562/- on the latest ULT Power Sound series. Enjoy mega bass, exciting karaoke modes, and an incredible 25 hours of battery life with a quick charge feature, ensuring the party never stops. Additionally, explore the extensive range of wireless party speakers, now with an instant cashback of Rs. 5,000/- and EMI options starting from Rs. 1,555/-. Also, Sony is thrilled to announce a special festive offer on the popular SRS-XB100 Bluetooth speaker with an instant cashback of Rs. 500, available at an unbeatable price of Rs. 3,990/-.
7. Play like never before with festive discount on PlayStation5 SLIM disc and digital edition
PlayStation India has announced a limited-time “festive sale” offer on the PlayStation 5 SLIM Disc and Digital editions (CFI-2008A01 and CFI-2008B01). These models will be available at a promotional discount of Rs. 5,000 across various retailers, including Amazon, Blinkit, Croma, Flipkart, Reliance, Sony Center, Vijay Sales and other participating outlets till 23rd October 2024 or until stock lasts, whichever is earlier.
8. Avail flexible and easy finance options
Enjoy easy EMIs along with multiple finance schemes with no processing fees with select finance partners. These special offers are valid for a limited period or until stocks last.
9. Experience extensive retail network and comprehensive after-sales service support
Sony India has a robust distribution network of over 10,500 dealers. We have a strong service network 250+ authorized service centres and 350+ resident technicians for home service of TVs and Home Theatres. Around 200 centres have dust-free clean rooms for panel replacements, with eight specialized centres for camera lens repairs and 23 for ILC body repairs. For premium TV and soundbar customers, the 1,200+ expert installers provide white-glove installation services, ensuring minimal disruption and a post-installation ‘How to Use’ session.
Additionally, the Mumbai facility enables in-house panel repairs, offering reliable and cost-effective after-sales service. We are driving digital transformation across all customer touch points to make it convenient for the customers to reach out to us and have access to ‘self-help’ solutions. We are now using AI powered Voice Bots to receive customer request in non-business hours.
HCLTech achieves 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in FY24 on pathway to net-zero by 2040
NEW YORK and NOIDA, India, Sept 30, 2024—HCLTech, a leading global technology company, reported healthy progress in FY24 against its sustainability goals and commitment to becoming net-zero status by 2040.
“At HCLTech, we have integrated sustainability into every facet of our business strategy. We are delighted to report the progress we are making toward meeting our sustainability goals by bringing together the best of technology and our people,” said Raj Ramachandran, Chief of Staff to CEO & MD, HCLTech.
HCLTech has achieved a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions (from FY20 baseline). The reduction in the Scope 1 and 2 emissions has exceeded the SBTi-verified target pathway by 5% for the year. In addition, the company has achieved a 29% reduction in Scope 3 emissions (from FY20 baseline).
HCLTech recorded 26% reduction in energy consumption and 19% of its energy requirements are met through renewable sources. By 2030, it aims to transition 80% of its electricity usage to renewable sources and achieve zero waste to landfill at all owned facilities by 2025.
In India, HCLTech replenished 32X water it consumed across its India operations.98% of the company-owned buildings have earned ‘Platinum’ ratings from Green Building Councils.The company planted 2.1 million saplings and harvested 81 billion liters of water to support communities and the environment.
Launched in November 2022, the HCLTech Sustainability School has delivered over 15,700 training hours to employees to make them sustainability champions.
HCLTech continued to invest aggressively in community initiatives through HCLFoundation, innovative global grants and partnerships with non-profit organizations.
HCLFoundation’s programs have positively impacted over 6.5 million lives in India till date, with 54% being female beneficiaries and supported over 13,500 people with disabilities.
The company launched the HCLTech Americas Grant program, committing $5 million in grants over five years to support Not-For-Profit organizations (NPOs) with innovative projects focused on combating climate change, restoring ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity across the Americas.
On the people front, HCLTech has been recognized as a Top Employer in 26 countries and ranked No 1 in 15 countries. The company’s gender diversity stands at 29.1%, with women making up 44% of new hires and a 33% increase in differently-abled employee headcount.
HCLTech is part of the World’s Most Ethical Companies 2024 list by Ethisphere. The company has developed and enhanced its governance framework, including an AI Risk Management framework compliant with global standards and the establishment of an AI Governance Committee and Risk and Compliance Apex Committee (RCAC).
The company has received an ‘A-’ rating from CDP; been recognized by MSCI, Sustainalytics and S&P for its ESG efforts; achieved Gold rating from EcoVadis; and received a Gold award at the 3rd ICAI International Sustainability Reporting Awards. HCLTech was also included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024 and ranked among the Top 10 Most Sustainable Companies in India.
Kirloskar Brothers partners with ‘Puneri Paltan’ for Pro Kabaddi League Season 11
National, 30th September 2024 : Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL), is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Puneri Paltan team for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11. This partnership demonstrates KBL’s commitment to supporting indigenous sports as well as promoting and fostering a vibrant sporting culture in India.
PKL has emerged as one of India’s most popular sporting leagues, captivating millions of fans with its high-octane action. The league has played a significant role in elevating the profile of Kabaddi, a traditional Indian sport, both nationally and globally.
As a proud associate sponsor of Puneri Paltan, KBL is excited to be part of this exciting sporting spectacle. There are striking similarities between KBL and Kabaddi. As KBL marks 136 years of excellence, it’s noteworthy that the modern version of Kabaddi also traces its origins to the early 20th century. KBL products are known for their reliability, durability and innovation. Kabaddi embodies qualities of strength, intelligence, speed and strategy. Both KBL and Kabaddi carry the “Make in India” spirit and proudly represent Pune on the global stage.
Puneri Paltan, known for their strategic gameplay and exceptional defensive strengths have consistently showcased their dominance in the PKL. As winners of Season 10 and exceptional performance in previous PKL seasons have earned them a dedicated fan base and solidified their position as one of the top contenders in the league. PKL Season 11 is set to kick off on October 18, 2024, fans can expect intense competition and thrilling matches as 12 teams battle it out for the coveted championship title. KBL is confident that Puneri Paltan will continue to excel and make their fans proud.
Indian Education Sector Sees Surge in Cyberattacks: 8,000 Weekly, Double the Global Average – Check Point Threat Intelligence Report
New Delhi, 30th September 2024 — Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider, has unveiled finding of its latest Threat Intelligence Report for the last 6 months. The report revealed a startling increase in cyberattacks on the Indian education sector, with 8,195 attacks per week, more than double the global average of 3,355. After the education sector, the other most attacked industries were healthcare with 7,982 weekly attacks per organization, followed by Government/Military sector experiencing 4,590 attacks and the Consulting sector facing 4177 weekly attacks per organization.
The surge in attacks is largely attributed to the rapid shift to remote learning during COVID-19 and the continued digitization of education. Educational institutions in India are collecting and storing vast amounts of sensitive student data, including personal, academic, and financial information, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, coupled with the widespread adoption of online learning platforms, have expanded the digital footprint of these institutions, making them more vulnerable to data breaches. Cybercriminals are exploiting weak cybersecurity defenses in schools and universities to steal personally identifiable information (PII), often sold on the Dark Web.
Over the past six months, organizations in India have experienced an average of 3,244 cyberattacks per week, which is nearly double the global average of 1,657 attacks per organization. This stark contrast underscores the heightened vulnerability of Indian organizations in the face of escalating cyber threats.
The report highlights Fake Updates, Qbot, and Formbook as the most prevalent malware in India, with 54% of attacks delivered via email and 58% of email-borne attacks using .exe files. Information disclosure vulnerabilities have also affected 70% of Indian organizations, exposing critical data to threats.
The most common malware in India includes four botnets, one infostealer (Formbook), and one downloader (Fake Updates).
Sundar Balasubramanian, Managing Director for India and SAARC at Check Point Software Technologies, commented, “Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting critical sectors in India, particularly those handling vast amounts of personally identifiable information (PII), such as education, which often has wide attack surface. With the rise of Gen AI, these threats are poised to become even more severe especially as social engineering and phishing attacks escalate. The surge in attacks underscores the urgent need for organizations to strengthen their cyber security frameworks. Proactive measures, including robust defenses and continuous monitoring, are essential to safeguard sensitive data and maintain operational integrity.”
Zomato to support the training of 10,000 women for roles in logistics
New Delhi, 30th September 2024: Zomato today announced a target to support training of 10,000 women to empower them to participate in logistics in collaboration with non-profit and skilling sectors. The target was shared at a closed door roundtable conference event today titled, “Women in Logistics” at Le Meridien, New Delhi. The event brought together key industry stakeholders, including representatives from NGOs including Pratham, Azad Foundation, impact consulting firms such as FSG, Give Grants, and logistics companies such as Porter and Mahindra Logistics, to discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in India’s growing hyper local and quick commerce economy.
The target announced today is a part of Zomato’s broader commitment to gender inclusion reflected in its flagship initiative, Project Arya. Started in 2021, the project aims to break gender barriers and provide women with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in logistics. As part of this initiative, Zomato has already successfully onboarded more than 2500 women in the delivery fleet. In addition to onboarding women in last-mile delivery, Zomato has also begun onboarding women in Hyperpure and Blinkit warehouses and dark stores with a target of 20% representation of women across the day-time shift in warehouses by the end of 2024.
The discussions at the event focused on the hurdles women face in gig work, such as safety concerns, access to infrastructure and training. Stakeholders shared their insights and innovative solutions to enhance women’s participation in the last-mile logistics.
Anjalli Ravi Kumar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Zomato, said, “Women today account for less than 10% of the overall delivery workforce despite the fact that ordering and delivery platforms offer a better balance of flexibility and earning potential than many other opportunities available to them. Zomato is eager to lead the change in this sector in collaboration with both government and non-governmental organizations that are working with women seeking to become self-reliant. Together, we believe we can create the right conditions for women to participate and benefit from the huge growth in the food ordering and delivery space and quick commerce.”
“We are excited to collaborate with Zomato towards the vision of making logistics more inclusive. Zomato’s Project Arya, which is designed to develop the ecosystem to support onboarding of more women as delivery partners, aligns with Give Grants’ mission of advising on social and environmental issues while creating shared value for both the business and society”, Sumit Tayal, CEO Give Grants
Vikram Jain, Managing Director at FSG said, “FSG’s GLOW (‘Growing Livelihood Opportunities for Women’) program has collaborated with Zomato to improve gender diversity in logistics roles, with a special focus on warehousing. At this roundtable conference, it’s been heartening to see the progress in terms of the increase in the number of women employed in warehouses. We’re convinced that, with supportive policies and corporate practices to make warehouses women-friendly, the sector can be a major driver in improving women’s labour workforce participation in India.”
In the last few years, Zomato has taken multiple steps to combat entry barriers for women in logistics. The company provides benefits like shorter distance deliveries, period rest leaves and maternity benefits to its female delivery partners. Zomato continues to launch initiatives with an objective of enabling greater participation of women in logistics.
Manipal Hospitals launches visionary campaign on World Heart Day
New Delhi, 30 thSeptember 2024: In a major step towards building a heart-healthy city, Manipal Hospitals, among the top healthcare service providers of India, introduced its Hridoye Jurey Kolkata initiative today. The event was organized as a prelude to the World Heart Day, observed globally every year on September 29th. The engaging sessions included leading cardiac specialists from all units of Manipal Hospitals in Kolkata, who shared their varied experiences in cardiovascular health and innovative surgeries that are transforming medical discourse around patient outcomes.
The event was attended by Chief Guest, Mr. Barun Chanda, prominent actor and author. It also witnessed experts in cardiology, including Dr Prakash Kumar Hazra, Director & HoD, Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, Dr Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice Chairman & Head of Cardiology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (a part of Manipal Hospitals), and Dr Kunal Sarkar, Senior Vice Chairman & Head of Cardiac Surgery, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (a part of Manipal Hospitals), along with Mr Ayanabh DebGupta, Regional COO, Manipal Hospitals (East), addressed the noble healthcare initiative.
The event also saw the launch of two groundbreaking awareness initiatives. ‘One Scan Can Save a Life’, in which boards with a QR code will be fixed at traffic signals. By scanning the code, citizens can get instant access to MARS (Manipal Ambulance Response Service), promoting both 24×7 Emergency Service, along with informative video tutorials on learning how to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Procedure). As part of the initiative, traffic lights across the jurisdiction of Bidhan Nagar Police Commissionerate will be displaying heart-shapes, instead of the usual round shape, from 25th September night till 30th September, at important crossroads. The unique traffic signals are expected to constantly instill awareness of heart health amongst the people of Kolkata.
The ‘Hridoye Jurey Kolkata’ campaign aims to ensure at least 3 percent of Indians know how to administer CPR. Manipal Hospitals conducted an extensive CPR training program for community members, including Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), school students, staff and principals, security guards, police personnel, HR heads, and corporate employees. The initiative, called ‘Heart Smart Kolkata’ aims to develop a database of people trained in CPR all over the city.
This was followed by two panel discussions — Heart Problems in Women, and Cardiac Surgery: Myths Vs Facts — where top cardiologists and cardiac surgeons from Manipal Hospitals provided valuable insights.
Mr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Manipal Hospitals East, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Hridoye Jurey Kolkata aims to build communities of heroes and survivors by improving action and response to cardiac arrest through training, preparation and response protocols. We intend to create a heart safe community through training citizens in CPR and we are actively taking this initiative across all Manipal group hospitals in the East. We want the message to be spread across schools, colleges, corporates, clubs and all other associations so that those who are trained in CPR can train their near and dear ones. This way we can create a huge pool of CPR trained resources around us, which will help us to save many a lives.”
Dr. Kunal Sarkar, Senior Vice Chairman & Head of Cardiac Surgery, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (a part of Manipal Hospitals), further highlighted Manipal Hospitals’ commitment to the initiative, stating, “At Manipal Hospitals, our vision is to revolutionize the cardiac care system of Kolkata while offering the best and latest treatments.”
“Cardiovascular diseases are ranked as the leading causes of death, affecting one-third of all global deaths; it therefore becomes crucial to address prevention, early intervention, and effective management of these conditions. ‘Hridoye Jurey Kolkata’ is a proof of our commitment to make the city a heart smart one. Another significant achievement of our work includes the swift solution to the method of using a Quick Response Code (QR) to access emergency assistance or a CPR demonstration and the reminder through the heart-shaped traffic signs that make the community aware of cardiovascular diseases. We seek to make a lasting change and create a force of people capable of making life-saving CPR actions that can cover minimum 3% population of India. As a team, we are hopeful to action against premature mortality and provide efficient care for heart health risks for the populace of Kolkata,” Dr Sarkar added.
Dr. Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice Chairman & Head of Cardiology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (a part of Manipal Hospitals), commented, “The rising incidences of cardiovascular diseases especially among patients between 25-40 years is a matter of grave concern. The percentage of heart attacks before the age of 50 has gone up to 50% over last decade. More than 25% suffer heart attacks before their 40th birthday. Even women are succumbing to heart failures at a much younger age. As per research by the American Heart Association, in the last decade, there has been a 20% increase in heart attacks in women under 55. Keeping these critical factors in mind, as doctors, we feel there is a need to focus on preventive measures, early diagnosis, and timely treatment. The ‘Hridoye Jurey Kolkata’ initiative by Manipal Hospitals is a timely initiative in making Kolkata a heart-healthy city. We need to educate the community, society at large and change specific behaviors for prevention of heart diseases, improving the health of individuals.”
Dr. Prakash Kumar Hazra, Director & HoD, Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, said, “This initiative that we have taken up this World Heart Day, will make people of Kolkata more aware about their heart health. Moreover, training common people in CPR techniques is not only unique, it is also crucial. Knowing CPR can help save thousands of lives because even the basic effort to resuscitate the heart till a heart attack patient is brought to a hospital can help. This World Heart Day we have also taken the pledge of ‘Mission 2 to 3’ meaning that while two percent Indians already know CPR, we want to train the general public and take up the percentage to three, so that more and more people are encouraged to learn this technique.”
During the panel discussions important facets were highlighted by the doctors (refer to annexure below) and the specialists exchanged views and presented various aspects regarding cardiac health, liberal medical preventative measures, and contemporary trends in cardiac treatment.
According to World Heart Federation, 1 in 3 deaths across the globe are caused by cardiovascular diseases, and majority of premature heart disease and stroke are preventable and treatable, if the patient is brought to a hospital within the golden hour. With this heart smart program being run in Kolkata, Manipal Hospitals is confident that there will be an improvement in the heart health status of every Kolkatan.
Indian Workers Report Highest Satisfaction with Hybrid Working, Outpacing Global Average, says Unispace Study
Bengaluru, 30 September, 2024 – Indian employees and employers state the highest satisfaction with their current hybrid work environment, even as Indian employees are least likely to spend time at their desks in office, reveals the latest Global Workspace Insights report from one of the world’s leading workplace creation companies.
97% of employees and 98% employers in India surveyed by Unispace for the report expressed their satisfaction with the hybrid working arrangement, as compared to a global average of 87% employees and 95% employers. This marks a significant shift from last year’s statistics that showed that employees in India are far more likely than any other country globally to be willing to take a pay reduction in order to work from home, with almost a third (31%) indicating that they have already done so, which is almost double the global average of 16%.
The report titled ‘From Restrictions to Resilience’, part of Unispace’s Global Workplace Insights 2024-25, reveals trends and insights, based on surveys of 10,700 employees and employers across 13 countries globally, to guide organizations in creating resilient workplaces. 500 employees and 250 employers from India were surveyed for the report.
The third edition of the annual Unispace report found that employees worldwide are spending nearly half a day more per week in 2024 on average (3.7 days vs 3.4 days last year) in the office as compared to a year ago.
“Even as people are now spending nearly half a day more in the office compared to a year ago, our research shows that both employees and employers yearn for workspaces that inspire innovation and promote productivity. If they’re to endure long commutes and arrange childcare, the destination must be an environment where ideas soar,” says Swatasiddha Majumdar, Principal, Strategy at Unispace India. “There’s also been a noticeable change this year where employees are actively seeking workplaces that enable individual focus, rather than reserving concentration for work from home.”
Time spent in office
While face-to-face collaboration remains a top incentive for coming to the office, in reality, employees worldwide report spending 64% of their time in the office at their desks. Interestingly, Indian employees with 50% average reported time are least likely to spend time at their desks while working from the office.
The report further reveals that Indian employees’ inability to work productively at the office is hampered most by noise, or problems with temperature and air quality. Finding no time to exercise or staying active during the workday is an additional challenge that can cause physical and mental exhaustion.
To mitigate these challenges, the Unispace report recommends a combination of furniture and workplace configurations that cater to various tasks and working styles. “People now seek quiet areas for focused work and flexible spaces for various activities and collaboration. By addressing these needs, companies can better support their workforce, supporting both productivity and employee wellbeing,” Majumdar added.
The Unispace report also reveals that Indian employers’ confidence in their workplace’s capacity to foster innovation shows a downward trend. While 96% of employers in India believed that their workplace enables employees to be innovative in 2023, the number has dropped to 85% in 2024.
The report further reveals the biggest motivators for Indian employees to work from office, noting that paid-for or subsidized travel (parking or public transportation), access to more training or development programs, or free drinks, coffee and snacks are the top three reasons for them to feel happier to spend more time in office. Additionally, technology infrastructure, wellbeing areas for relaxation or stress relief, and hygiene facilities make up the top three essential reasons for Indian employees to work from the office.
Green Building Construction to gain major momentum in Bihar
Patna, 25 Sept 2024: CII Bihar and Indian Green Building Council Patna, organised the 3rd edition of ‘Bihar Green Conclave’ with theme Greening Residential, Office and Interior Spaces at Hotel Lemon Tree, Patna.
Speaking on the occasion, Nitin Nabin, Minister, Urban Development & Housing Department realised the need of green construction in the state and said, “the state government would encourage the green construction practices being a promoter of the concepts to encourage all the stakeholders from the building industry.” He stressed on two factors which would be instrumental in making government a promoter of green building practices – Scope in converting the existing government projects and mandating the new upcoming projects as green compliant and bringing suitable policies to encourage green construction in the state. He further mentioned on exploring various policies on incentivising green buildings by other states in the country and adopting best suitable policy for Bihar. The minister invited all the relevant parties such as CII-IGBC, CREDAI, IIA to join hands with Urban Development & Housing Department and help in finalising the most suitable policy for the state. He also mentioned few of the existing practices at city and municipal level towards making Bihar a sustainable built state such as segregation of waste, water conservation etc.
Dr. Satyajit Kumar Singh, Chairman, CII Bihar State Council, Director, Ruban Memorial Hospital spoke about sustainability in healthcare facilities. He said, “Introducing green concepts in the healthcare facilities can help address National issues like infection, epidemics, handling of bio-medical waste, water efficiency, energy efficiency, reduction in fossil fuel use for commuting, consumer waste and in general conservation of natural resources. Most importantly, these concepts can enhance patients’ health, recovery and well-being”.
Spearheading the green building movement in India from over two decades, CII-IGBC with the support of all the stakeholders has facilitated India to become one of the top three countries in the world in terms of largest registered green building footprint. As on date, over 14,400 green building projects, amounting to over 12 billion sq. ft. are adopting IGBC green building rating systems.
Sudip Kumar, Chairman, IGBC Patna Chapter and Chairman, LaaCasa Developers said, The need of certifying the project ultimately becomes the end result of the overall efforts put in by many stakeholders in a project, starting with the vision of the developer/project owner, design team, MEP team, HVAC team, the other consultants involved in the projects to the end users which feel satisfying in investing in those projects. Hence the achievement of a green certification for a project becomes an aspiring and encouraging factors for all of them to do better and keep improving the building performance on energy, water, environmental parameters.
Sachin Chandra, Chairman, CREDAI Bihar and MD, Swadha Developers urged the minister to consider and support in bringing a robust policy which could drive the adoption of green building concepts more practically. He further highlighted on various policies by the other state governments in the country.
Gaurav Sah, Vice Chairman, CII Bihar and Director, L V Best Pvt Ltd while speaking on sustainable industrial practices urged to the CII members and other industrial facility owners to envision their green mission and make their factories, manufacturing units, supply chain, warehouses etc as green complaint and contribute to the sustainable development of the state and the country.
Abhishek Sharma, Co Chairman, IGBC Patna Chapter and Principal Architect, PRAYOG concluded the inaugural by highlighting all the deliberations and assured the minister that a team comprised of CII, IGBC, CREDAI, IIA would meet him and his department to brainstorm on the best possible policy framework for the state to consider and further implement.
The conclave was attended by over 90 key stakeholders from the building industry such as developers, architects, engineers, government officials, academicians and other industrial and corporate leaders.