Blue Blocks Montessori School and Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute, based in Tellapur, Hyderabad, will present at the 30th International AMI Montessori Congress 2026 — taking place May 1–4, 2026 at the Centro Internacional de Congresos, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The congress is the triennial global conference of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929.

Blue Blocks Montessori School students and founder Pavan Goyal at ISRO Mission Control during the PSLV-C62launch of their student-built satellite, January 2026

Co-founders Pavan Goyal and Munira Hussain will lead an official breakout session at the congress on May 3rd — the same day that Dr. Adele Diamond (Canada Research Chair Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, University of British Columbia) delivers her keynote address. The congress also features Dr. Gabor Maté (Order of Canada, New York Times bestselling author of The Myth of Normal) as opening keynote and workshop leader, Dr. Angeline Stoll Lillard (Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia; author of Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius), and AMI President Professor Alain Tschudin (UNESCO Gandhi-Montessori-Luthuli Chair on Education for Peace, Stellenbosch University).

Blue Blocks Montessori School is the only school from India represented as speakers at this congress, one of only two Indian voices at a global gathering spanning speakers from over 15 countries.

Official Breakout: Montessori and Innovation: A Design Thinking Workshop for a Changing World
On May 3rd, 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00, Pavan Goyal and Munira Hussain will lead the session ‘Montessori and Innovation: A Design Thinking Workshop for a Changing World’ — confirmed on the official AMI Congress programme at montessoricongress2026.org/program. The session is listed alongside breakout sessions by Junnifa Uzodike and Simone Davies (co-authors of The Montessori Baby and The Montessori Child, translated into over 30 languages).

The session combines a presentation on how Montessori pedagogy builds innovative capacity across the developmental continuum with a hands-on Design Thinking workshop where educators and students practise together as active collaborators. Participants — both adults and young learners — work through empathy, ideation, and prototyping in real time.

The session draws on Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute’s 19-year longitudinal data panel of 1,047 Indian children across the AMI Montessori continuum from birth to 18 years — the only data panel of its kind in India. The pre-registration for this congress presentation is published with open access on OSF (DOI: 10.5281/OSF.IO/ST9H2).

“The session demonstrates the Blue Blocks approach in real time,” said Pavan Goyal. “Children are not just capable of learning — they are capable of designing, constructing, creating, innovating, and inventing. Not someday. While still at school.”

Blue Blocks Adolescents at the Congress
Blue Blocks adolescents will also be present at the congress, sharing the story of SBB-1 — the CubeSat satellite payload designed and built entirely by school-age students at Blue Blocks — alongside presentations by adolescents from Montessori schools worldwide.

SBB-1 received formal authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), Department of Space, Government of India, under reference PMA/IN-SPACe/AUTH/2026/115 — the first such authorization issued for a payload whose primary engineering authorship sat with school-age learners. The payload was integrated with ISRO’s PSLV-C62 launch vehicle. The launch experienced an anomaly during the ascent phase on January 12, 2026, and the payload was lost along with the rest of the manifested cargo, through no fault in the SBB-1 hardware, which had completed its full qualification campaign.

Blue Blocks treated the loss not as a programme failure but as a documented research protocol. Three independent observation streams were active across the build and launch period: the engineering record, the learner-development record tracking how adolescents processed a public and irreversible loss, and the programme-level record. Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute holds the position — explicitly and on the record — that an educational programme whose outcomes are inadmissible to failure cannot be a serious vehicle for adolescent development.

At the congress, Blue Blocks formally announces SBB-2 — the second-generation student-built satellite payload. SBB-2 will be designed by the next adolescent cohort, with SBB-1 alumni serving as mentors and reviewers. Three methodological improvements distinguish SBB-2: an external academic partner involved from the concept phase, a pre-registered observation protocol with an external co-investigator, and an independently auditable data pipeline for any on-orbit data received.

The student presentation also highlights additional innovation outcomes: five patents filed by school-age children in drone design, dedicated to Dr. Maria Montessori on her 150th birthday, and ongoing work in biomimicry, space education, and autonomous vehicle systems — all designed and built by students within the AMI Erdkinder framework.

“These are not students presenting a school project,” said Munira Hussain. “They are the engineers who designed, prototyped, tested, and built a satellite payload that received formal authorization from the Government of India. They are presenting their own work, in their own words, to the world’s foremost Montessori community.”

About Blue Blocks Montessori School
Blue Blocks Montessori School, established in 2005 in Hyderabad (Gachibowli and Tellapur campuses), offers a Montessori continuum from birth to age 18 with the highest concentration of AMI-trained guides of any school in India. Founder Pavan Goyal holds AMI international diplomas at all four developmental levels (0–3, 3–6, 6–12, and 12–18) — the first person globally to hold this combination. Co-founder Munira Hussain is an AMI Auxiliary Trainer holding AMI diplomas for the 3–6 and 6–12 levels. Together, they have over 19 years of experience and have worked with more than 45,000 parents worldwide.

Blue Blocks is listed on the Association Montessori Internationale website — the only school to receive a hyperlinked listing. Pavan Goyal serves as a Trustee of the Indian Montessori Foundation (IMF) and leads the AMI Bold Goal Movement’s research initiative.

About Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute
Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute is India’s only K–12 institution functioning as an independent research publisher. The institute has published 30+ open-access research records on Zenodo, OSF, SSRN, and Harvard Dataverse, and maintains a longitudinal observational data panel spanning 19 years and 1,047 Indian children across the full AMI developmental continuum — the only data panel of its kind in India.

The institute’s recent work includes the only empirical study globally documenting how Indian children in a non-conflict nation processed the Iran crisis of 2026, and prior international presentations at the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo (MONISC 2026) and TEDxHyderabad 2026. Pavan Goyal and Munira Hussain co-authored the book Lining the Nest.

Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff has invested in an apartment at ‘Breez by Danube,’ a premium waterfront residential tower by Danube Properties, founded by Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of the Danube Group. This investment further highlights Danube’s rising status as a preferred destination for global celebrities and investors.

Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff has invested in an apartment at ‘Breez by Danube,’ a premium waterfront residential tower by Danube Properties

Breez By Danube is a premium residential project located in Dubai Maritime City – one of the city’s emerging waterfront destinations. The development is known for its uninterrupted views of the sea and Dubai skyline, its close proximity to Dubai’s key landmarks, its fully furnished modern apartments, and its offering of 40+ amenities. Tiger Shroff’s investment reflects growing confidence in Dubai’s real estate market, particularly among high-profile international buyers seeking both an elevated lifestyle and long-term returns.

Commenting on the investment, Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Tiger Shroff to the Danube family. His investment in Breez reflects the strong trust global personalities place in both Danube and Dubai, as well as our commitment to delivering quality homes with exceptional value. Breez is strategically positioned to make real estate ownership more accessible through our signature 1% payment plan, zero-interest charges, and fully furnished apartments in a prime location.”

Sharing his perspective, Tiger Shroff said, “Dubai has always impressed me with its energy, lifestyle, infrastructure, and growth potential. When I was looking to invest in the city, I knew Breez by Danube would be the right choice. It offers a unique opportunity to own a part of Dubai’s future, especially as demand for prime waterfront properties continues to rise. I am truly happy to call Breez by Danube and Dubai my second home.”

Dubai continues to attract global attention due to its strong economic fundamentals, investor-friendly policies, and world-class infrastructure. With consistent growth, high rental yields, and a tax-efficient environment, Dubai presents a compelling proposition for both end-users and investors.

About Danube Properties
Danube Properties, a subsidiary of the Danube Group founded in 1993 by Rizwan Sajan, is among the UAE’s leading private real estate developers. Known for pioneering the 1% payment plan, the company delivers fully furnished apartments complemented by over 40 lifestyle amenities, supported by a strong track record of quality construction and timely delivery.

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) hosted Ekam 2026, a vibrant in-person engagement event that brought together its online learners from across India and abroad, offering them a rare opportunity to connect with peers and faculty members on campus.

Dignitaries present in the lamp lighting ceremony of EKAM 2026 at Manipal University Jaipur

A total of 497 students enrolled this academic year in various online programmes including MBA, MCA, BCA, BBA, BCom, MCom, MA-JMC, M.Sc. Mathematics, and MA Economics, participated in the one-day annual event. Designed as an interactive platform, Ekam aims to foster collaboration, networking, and holistic development among online learners.

The programme commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolising the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. The occasion was graced by Dr. N. N. Sharma, President, MUJ; Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar; Dr. Nitu Bhatnagar, Provost; Dr. Mallikarjuna Gadapa, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE); and Mr. Ambrish Sinha, CEO, UNext Learning Pvt. Ltd., along with the first registered learner for the event.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mallikarjuna Gadapa expressed appreciation for the enthusiastic participation of students and described Ekam as a significant milestone in the online learning journey. He highlighted that the event provides learners with an opportunity to experience the university environment firsthand while gaining fresh perspectives beyond virtual classrooms.

Welcoming the participants, Dr. N. N. Sharma, President, Manipal University Jaipur announced new initiatives for online students, including a Campus Immersion Program and Research Mentorship. These initiatives aim to enhance students’ academic exposure, strengthen research capabilities, and provide practical learning opportunities. He also emphasised on the opportunity for the learners in the campus immersion program in the world class Bloomberg lab here in the MUJ campus. Dr. Sharma said that the online learners are an integral part of Manipal fraternity.

The event featured a range of activities that encouraged interaction and creativity. Students and faculty members showcased their talents through music, dance, theatre, and poetry performances, creating an engaging and inclusive atmosphere. Participants also engaged in meaningful face-to-face discussions with faculty, enriching their academic journey.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Kasinathan S, Deputy Director, CDOE, who expressed gratitude to all participants and dignitaries for making the programme a success.

To know more about Manipal University Jaipur please visit: www.jaipur.manipal.edu.

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) has delivered a decisive and high-impact performance in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2026, securing a Top 150 position in Asia (Rank 128)—a milestone that places it firmly among the continent’s emerging academic powerhouses. In a ranking landscape traditionally dominated by long-established institutions from China, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, SIMATS has not merely entered the conversation—it has disrupted it with measurable, data-backed excellence.

SIMATS Breaks Into Asia’s Top Tier: Research Impact Drives Growth

Benchmarking Against Asia’s Best: A Standout in Research Impact
While many legacy institutions rely on historical prestige, SIMATS’ performance is driven by contemporary academic strength, particularly in research influence, with a research quality score of 90.7 that places it in a rarefied bracket of Asian universities demonstrating near-elite citation impact, often rivaling and exceeding far older institutions. Its international outlook score of 71.8 reflects strong global engagement, cross-border collaborations, and international academic visibility, while an overall score of 52.0, securing Rank 128 in Asia among nearly 1,000 universities, highlights balanced excellence across teaching, research, and industry engagement.

A Data-Driven Disruption in Asian Higher Education
The THE framework evaluates universities across 18 calibrated performance indicators, making this achievement statistically robust and globally comparable. SIMATS’ exceptional research quality score underscores high citation density per publication, the global relevance of its research outputs, and strong recognition within the international academic community, positioning the institution alongside top-tier Asian research universities as a serious contender rather than merely an emerging player.

Outpacing the Conventional Growth Curve
SIMATS represents a new model of institutional excellence in Asia through rapid yet structured academic scaling, the translation of research output into real-world impact, and the integration of multidisciplinary domains such as health sciences, engineering, and technology into a unified research ecosystem. Unlike institutions that have evolved over centuries, SIMATS demonstrates how strategic focus and execution can accelerate growth without compromising quality or credibility.

Strategic Positioning: From Participant to Contender
The university is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from a high-performing national institution into a globally competitive Asian university, shifting from volume-driven output to impact-driven research leadership, and expanding from regional engagement to strong international academic integration.

Leadership Perspective
Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Vice Chancellor of SIMATS, stated, “Our focus has never been on incremental progress—it has been on building an institution that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in Asia. This ranking validates that approach. We are not benchmarking ourselves locally; we are benchmarking globally—and delivering.”

The Road Ahead
 Building on this strong foundation, SIMATS is strategically advancing toward a Top 100 position in Asia, expanding global research collaborations and high-impact co-authored publications, strengthening innovation ecosystems connecting academia, healthcare, and industry, and scaling AI-driven academic and research infrastructure.

About SIMATS
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, is a leading multidisciplinary university recognized for high-impact research, innovation-driven education, and global engagement. With a clear vision to redefine academic excellence in Asia, SIMATS continues to emerge as a next-generation global university.

Indian handloom weavers, masters of generational craft, were being written out of their own story. Their textiles ended up in museums or marked “ethnic wear,” while their livelihoods grew uncertain and their knowledge faced quiet extinction

The hands behind every Indian Peacock piece

Not because the craft wasn’t valuable. Because the path from loom to life had too many barriers.

Indian Peacock attempts to bridge these gaps through direct collaboration.

Founded by architect Preethi Pathireddy, The Indian Peacock is where her decade-long journey in architecture meets her deep-rooted love for texture, form, and cultural heritage. An Ivy League alumna, Preethi has always been intuitive in her design approach, drawing connections between structure and softness, craft and utility. What began as a personal exploration of India’s textile legacy soon grew into a brand committed to slow fashion and conscious living.

We collaborate with handloom artisans across India. Jamdani weavers of West Bengal, Ikat weavers of Telangana, handblock print artisans of Rajasthan, and Mangalgiri weavers of Andhra Pradesh. They are not vendors, but partners. We know their craft, their processes, and their stories. We support them with fair wages, and consistent work, not just seasonal demand.

This isn’t about “modernizing” traditional craft. We do something simple: we make their work wearable for everyday life.

We design structured shirts, versatile kurtas, and thoughtfully made coord sets for everyday wear. We don’t approach craft as fusion or occasionwear. Our intent is to bring handwoven textiles into the rhythm of life, to be worn often, lived in, and relied on. Because craft survives not through occasional admiration, but through relevance and consistent use.

A handwoven garment becomes something you reach for week after week. Instead of a mass-produced alternative, it creates quiet continuity. It keeps looms active, skills relevant, and livelihoods steady. Handloom survives not through admiration or occasional wear, but through everyday choices that keep the craft alive, relevant, and in motion.

This is how we reclaim the narrative: by putting artisan craft back to where it’s always belonged.

Indian Peacock isn’t rescuing artisans, they need markets, respect, and fair economics. We’re providing that. We’re not preserving tradition in amber. We’re proving it’s alive and necessary.

Every garment carries the maker’s presence. Every collection starts with the textile, not the trend. Every decision asks: does this serve the craft and the craftsperson? Because when Indian textiles move from heritage looms to modern streets, wearing the artisan’s dignity along with their weave, the story becomes theirs again.

This work extends beyond the loom. In our Hyderabad studio, every garment moves through the hands of a team that cuts, stitches, and finishes each piece with the same attention to detail the textile began with. Craft does not exist in isolation, and neither do we. Fair wages, consistent work, and a supportive environment are principles we apply across everyone involved in the process, not just in idea, but in practice.

And we’re just here to make sure it gets told, thoughtfully, consistently, and with the care of a team that believes in it.

Euronics India has wrapped up Season 3 of the Euronics Corporate Cricket League (ECCL), bringing together over 200 companies across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Mumbai in a growing sport-led initiative focused on workplace engagement and cross-industry collaboration.

Viknesh Jain & Abhishek Jain with the Euronics Team at ECCL Season 3

At a time when the popularity of the Indian Premier League has reinforced cricket’s ability to bring people together across cities, industries and communities, corporate cricket leagues are emerging as a new way for brands and businesses to create stronger employee engagement and industry relationships. In India, cricket has increasingly moved beyond being just a sport to becoming a platform for connection, identity and shared experiences, and ECCL reflects that same shift within the corporate ecosystem.

The Mumbai leg marked the culmination of the multi-city tournament, featuring 24 teams competing across 23 matches. Over the season, ECCL saw participation from companies spanning real estate, architecture, design and allied corporate sectors, with 20 to 50 organisations participating in each city edition. Leading brands such as K Raheja Corp, Sobha Limited, CBRE, Prestige Group, Colliers, Knight Frank, Cushman & Wakefield and Space Matrix were among the participants.

Moving beyond conventional networking formats such as meetings, exhibitions and conferences, ECCL is positioned as a sport-led platform that enables professionals to build relationships outside formal business settings. By bringing teams together on the field rather than across boardrooms, the initiative creates a more informal and collaborative environment for engagement across the ecosystem.

Delhi NCR saw the highest participation with 48 teams, where Design Forum International emerged as champions and Proion Consultants finished as runners-up. In Bengaluru, Team Zyeta secured the title, with Team CBRE as runners-up, while Hyderabad hosted 16 teams, with RK Interiors CFS (India) Pvt Ltd emerging as champions and Interia finishing as runners-up. The Mumbai finale saw Architect Hafeez Contractor crowned champions, with HOSMAC India Pvt. Ltd. finishing as runners-up.

Speaking on the conclusion of Season 3, Viknesh Jain said: “Cricket has always had a unique ability to bring people together in India and the IPL has shown how the sport can create a sense of community, identity and engagement far beyond the game itself. ECCL brings that same spirit into the corporate world. What started as a cricket tournament has steadily evolved into a platform where professionals step away from formal roles, connect more openly and build stronger business relationships. The scale we are seeing today, with participation from over 200 companies across four cities, reflects a growing need for more human, experience-led ways of building business ecosystems.”

Abhishek Jain added: “What makes ECCL work is the shift in context. When architects, developers, consultants and corporate teams come together on the field, conversations change and hierarchies dissolve. It creates a more natural way for people to connect, which is often difficult to achieve in formal business environments. Increasingly, brands are recognising that cricket can be a powerful platform not only for visibility, but also for building stronger communities within and around their organisations.”

Over three seasons, ECCL has steadily evolved into a platform that brings together diverse industry voices through shared experiences, reinforcing Euronics’ focus on building communities alongside its core business.

Strengthening its commitment to advancing cancer care and innovation, Fortis Cancer Institute at Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai, today featured in Season 2 of the acclaimed docuseries ‘Molecules of Hope’, on JioHotstar. The feature reflects the strong internal traction of its clinical practices – driven by consistent outcomes, multidisciplinary collaboration, and protocol-led care, while highlighting how the OncoSciences team’s patient-first approach and integrated efforts are now set to take its achievements onto a global platform through this episode.

(R-L) Fortis Hospital Mulund’s Dr Moule, Dr Beri, Dr Saklani, Dr Akhade, Dr Dhabar, Dr S. Narayani, Dr Sharma and Ms Mavani at the screening of Molecules of Hope S2 at the hospital

The docuseries brings together compelling narratives at the intersection of science, innovation, and patient care, spotlighting medical institutions and caregivers driving meaningful transformation in healthcare. As part of a four-episode Season 2 lineup, Fortis Cancer Institute’s feature highlights its integrated OncoSciences ecosystem, clinical excellence, and patient-centric pathways that are redefining cancer care delivery in India, poising for greater global visibility through this recognition.

The feature captures the journeys of two cancer warriors; one treated for Breast Cancer (stage 4) and the other for Blood Cancer (Leukemia). It highlights how the patients, together with the dedicated team at the Fortis Cancer Institute, Fortis Hospital Mulund, navigated their treatment journeys with resilience and emerged cancer-free, returning to their families with renewed health & hope. The episode also features their clinical team, including Dr Avanish Saklani, Director – Surgical Oncology; Dr Boman Dhabar, Director – Medical Oncology; Dr Subhaprakash Sanyal, Director – Haemato-Oncology & BMT; Dr Arun Behl, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology; Dr Rupal Chheda, Consultant – Radiation Oncology; and Dr. Amol Akhade, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology.

Dr. Pankaj Maheshwari, Senior Consultant – Urology, Dr Saurabh Patil, Senior Consultant – Urology, Dr Raj Kapadia, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Dr Vivekanand Sharma, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Dr Rathan Shetty, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Dr. Deepanjali Adulkar, Consultant – Radiation Oncology, Dr. Pushkar Ingle, Consultant – Radiation Oncology have also made significant contributions towards the treatment of patients with cancer, and play a crucial role at the Fortis Cancer Institute.

Speaking about the feature, Dr. Vishal Beri, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai said, “Being featured on Molecules of Hope is a significant milestone for us. It showcases how innovation, clinical expertise, and compassionate care come together to transform cancer outcomes. At Fortis Mulund, we are committed to not just treating cancer but changing the way it is perceived by encouraging early detection, reducing stigma, and making advanced care more accessible – because today, hope really has a new story to tell.”

With cancer awareness days such as head & neck cancer, esophageal cancer, testicular cancer, observed in April, this feature comes at a critical time to drive conversations around early detection and timely intervention. Fortis Hospital Mulund’s Fortis Cancer Institute aims to leverage this platform to further engage the community, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in building a more informed and proactive approach to cancer care.

Dr. S Narayani, Business Head – Fortis Hospitals, Maharashtra, said “The future of cancer care in India will be defined by how effectively we integrate innovation with accessibility. Platforms like ‘Molecules of Hope’ help bring this narrative to the forefront. At Fortis, we see ourselves contributing to this next phase by building comprehensive oncology models that prioritise early detection, precision-led treatment, and continuity of care. Our endeavour is to not only deliver clinical outcomes, but to help shape a more progressive and patient-centric cancer care ecosystem in the country. From Mumbai, we are proud to contribute to a larger narrative on how cancer care in India is evolving and how institutions like ours can help shape wider conversations around the future of OncoSciences.”

As part of this initiative, Fortis will roll out a series of engagement-led activities including community awareness programs, community screening initiatives (which have already reached 1lac households), collaborations with general practitioners, and knowledge-sharing platforms to extend the impact of this feature beyond the screen.

About IHH Healthcare (“IHH”)

IHH is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by our aspiration to Care. For Good., we unite medical excellence and innovation, pushing boundaries through our trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court. Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, our 70,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence every day, within and beyond our 140 healthcare facilities, including more than 80 hospitals. Our comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care. In partnership with our stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact, as we work towards our vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network. www.ihhhealthcare.com