The British School New Delhi hosted a special evening celebrating the richness, diversity and cultural heritage of India, bringing together members of its international community to experience the many traditions of the country it calls home.

Held on 07 September 2026, the event sought to raise awareness of Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey, an existing school club that encourages students and members of the wider school community to explore and celebrate India’s diverse cultural heritage. The evening marked an opportunity to bring the initiative to a wider audience and build greater engagement around its vision.

Timothy Curtis, Director, UNESCO Representative, New Delhi Office (L); Vanita Uppal OBE, Director, The British School New Delhi

Timothy Curtis, Director and UNESCO Representative of the New Delhi Regional Office, and an esteemed TBS alum, attended the event as Chief Guest, joining students, families, staff and members of the school community for an evening of music, fashion and food.

A highlight of the evening was a special performance by renowned artist Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel Project. Their distinctive musical repertoire, bringing together Indian folk and Sufi traditions with contemporary influences, offered a powerful celebration of India’s rich musical heritage.

The evening also featured a fashion showcase presented by members of The British School community, highlighting traditional and contemporary ensembles representing different states of India. Guests were also treated to a selection of Indian refreshments, celebrating the country’s diverse culinary traditions.

Vanita Uppal OBE, Director, The British School New Delhi said, “The curtain raiser for ‘Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey’ revealed the deep resonance of the values and ethos of The British School with the core of what defines India – Vasudeva Kutumbakam (The world is one family). Our deep appreciation and respect for diversity coupled with our belief in a shared humanity underpinned the spectacular showcase of India’s rich cultural heritage. The school community came together in a dazzling display of the exquisite fabrics, weaves and costumes from across the country, followed by a mesmerising and soulful concert by the ever-so-talented Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project. The story of incredible India will continue to be unveiled in our classrooms and events.”

Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel Project

As an international and multicultural school, The British School New Delhi recognises the importance of developing a meaningful connection with the country in which its students live and learn. Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey provides a platform for the community to discover the country’s history, traditions, arts and diverse cultural expressions, while fostering greater appreciation for the richness of India’s heritage.

About The British School New Delhi

The British School New Delhi is an inclusive, not-for-profit international school located in the heart of the diplomatic area of New Delhi. Founded in 1963 by the then British High Commissioner and his wife, the award-winning school offers high-quality education to British, expatriate and local families by drawing on the best facets of a rich and culturally diverse community. www.british-school.org 

M3M Foundation has come forward to support young open-water swimmer Kamya Bhardwaj in her quest to conquer the Oceans Seven, launching ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’ under its Lakshya programme as a dedicated initiative for her historic journey.
 

M3M Foundation supports Kamya Bhardwaj through Samudra Se Shikhar Tak on the Oceans Seven

Beginning with the iconic English Channel, Kamya will take on seven of the world’s most challenging open-water crossings in her pursuit of becoming the first Indian woman to complete the Oceans Seven. M3M Foundation will support her throughout this journey and is also launching a donation and partnership campaign, inviting individuals, institutions and organisations to become part of this landmark endeavour.

The Oceans Seven is considered one of the ultimate challenges in open-water swimming, demanding exceptional physical endurance, mental resilience, technical preparation and the ability to navigate unpredictable currents, temperatures, tides and weather conditions. Kamya enters this challenge with a strong record of endurance, including her world record-setting double crossing of the Palk Strait, swimming from India to Sri Lanka and back non-stop in 18 hours and 15 minutes.

However, ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’ is envisioned as a journey with a purpose far beyond a sporting achievement. Through Kamya’s endeavour, the initiative aims to encourage more girls and women to pursue sport and challenge conventional boundaries; inspire young people to embrace resilience, courage and perseverance; raise awareness about the importance of clean and healthy water bodies; and encourage the next generation of swimmers to dream bigger and pursue excellence.

The initiative is a reflection of M3M Foundation’s commitment to nurturing exceptional young talent through its Lakshya programme and creating the support systems needed to help ambitious individuals realise their potential. Through ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’, the Foundation will provide comprehensive support for the requirements of Kamya’s campaign, including training, sports science, medical assessments, nutrition, recovery, technical preparation, safety, logistics and international travel.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation, said, “Having been a sportsperson myself, I understand the discipline, challenges and support required to pursue excellence in sport. Women, in particular, need stronger platforms and encouragement to pursue ambitious sporting dreams. Kamya’s Oceans Seven journey is a remarkable example of courage and perseverance, and through ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’, under our Lakshya programme, we are proud to stand behind her and inspire many more young women to believe that no sporting dream is beyond their reach.”

As part of the initiative, M3M Foundation is opening ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’ to public participation through a donation and partnership campaign. Supporters can join the journey as a Journey Partner, supporting the wider campaign; an Ocean Partner, supporting a specific crossing; or a Kilometre Partner, sponsoring one or more kilometres of the campaign. Reinforcing its own commitment to the mission, M3M Foundation will support every fifth kilometre Kamya swims, 

standing alongside her as she takes on each stage of this extraordinary challenge. Through this collective effort, the initiative seeks to bring people together behind a journey that embodies sporting excellence, women’s empowerment, environmental responsibility and the aspirations of India’s future swimmers.

With the English Channel marking the beginning of her Oceans Seven campaign, Kamya is preparing to take on a challenge that could create a defining moment for Indian open-water swimming.

‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’ is not just about reaching the other shore. It is about showing how far courage can take you, and how one extraordinary journey can inspire many more to begin their own.

One swimmer. Seven crossings. A journey to make history.
 

About M3M Foundation
M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

Rapyder Cloud Solutions (“Rapyder”), an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner and one of India’s leading AWS partners, has been onboarded by Innovation Hub UP as its Technical Partner to support startups and student innovators across Uttar Pradesh with cloud computing, Generative AI and Agentic AI enablement.

Rapyder representatives exchange the MoU with Innovation Hub UP officials at UP Startup Samvad 3.0, Lucknow, in the presence of the Hon’ble Governor of UP

The MoU was exchanged at UP Startup Samvad 3.0 in the presence of the Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state’s technology-led startup and innovation ecosystem.

As part of the collaboration, Rapyder will provide:

• Cloud enablement and access to AWS Programs — helping early-stage ventures access AWS cloud infrastructure and startup credits without significant upfront investment

• Technical support for Generative AI and Agentic AI proofs of concept — helping founders move from experimentation and prototypes towards production-ready AI applications

• Go-to-market assistance — helping early-stage ideas progress from prototypes to market-ready ventures

The partnership builds on Rapyder’s continued focus on enabling India’s startup ecosystem through cloud migration, managed cloud services and AI. By working with Innovation Hub UP, Rapyder will extend these capabilities to founders, student innovators and emerging ventures across Uttar Pradesh, helping them access the technology, expertise and resources needed to build and scale.

“Uttar Pradesh has no shortage of ambition — what founders need is the right technology to turn that ambition into scale,” said Vamsi Krishna Yevvari, Chief Marketing Officer, Rapyder Cloud Solutions. “As Technical Partner to Innovation Hub UP, we’re putting the same cloud and Generative AI capabilities that power some of India’s fastest-growing businesses directly into the hands of the state’s next generation of builders — supporting them from the first prototype to market-ready innovation.”

“Partnerships like this one are how we turn ambition into infrastructure for India’s founders,” said Gunjan Agrawal, Head – BDR, Rapyder Cloud Solutions. “Working with Innovation Hub UP gives us a direct line to the innovators and student entrepreneurs shaping Uttar Pradesh’s future. We’re committed to backing them with the AWS cloud architecture, Generative AI and Agentic AI capabilities they need to build, validate and scale.”

About Rapyder Cloud Solutions

Rapyder Cloud Solutions is a born-in-cloud technology company and an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, headquartered in Bengaluru, India. Rapyder helps enterprises and startups accelerate cloud transformation through cloud migration and modernization, managed services, data and AI, DevOps and Generative AI solutions. Rapyder has delivered more than 500 cloud transformations and 132+ Generative AI proofs of concept, alongside production-ready GenAI solutions across industries.

About Innovation Hub UP

Innovation Hub UP is an initiative facilitated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) and supported by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, focused on strengthening the state’s innovation and startup ecosystem. Operating through a Hub & Spoke model, Innovation Hub UP provides infrastructure, incubation support and ecosystem linkages for innovation centres, students, startups and incubatees across Uttar Pradesh. Its mandate includes supporting technology development, commercialization, entrepreneurship and the creation of sustainable innovation-led enterprises.

Debaditya Chaudhury, Director, Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 & Chaudhury & Co., has been honoured with the prestigious “Exemplary Leader Award at the Asia Leadership Award 2026” held in Bengaluru, recognising his leadership and entrepreneurial vision in shaping one of India’s fastest-growing restaurant chains and contributing to the country’s evolving restaurant and hospitality industry.

Debaditya Chaudhury MD Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 and Chaudhury & Company with Exemplary Leader Award

Under Debaditya’s leadership, the group of brands, including Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 & Chaudhury & Co., have grown to 62+ outlets across India, with Chowman alone operating 41+ outlets across Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai & Mumbai. Chowman has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing home-grown Chinese restaurant chains, expanding rapidly beyond its Kolkata roots and establishing a strong presence across multiple metropolitan markets.

Speaking on the recognition, Debaditya Chaudhury said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the Exemplary Leader Award. This recognition belongs as much to my entire team as it does to me. Crossing 62+ outlets as a group has been an exciting journey, but we see this as only the beginning. For Chowman, we have set our sights on 100 outlets by 2030. As we scale, our priority will remain the same – great food, consistent quality, memorable customer experiences and strong teams. Growth for us is not just about numbers; it is about building brands that stand the test of time.”

Looking ahead, Debaditya is focused on accelerating national expansion, with a clear ambition to take Chowman to 100 outlets by 2030, while continuing to expand Oudh 1590 and Chapter 2 into new markets.

Chowman’s expansion has been one of the defining milestones of this growth journey. From its beginnings in Kolkata, the home-grown Pan-Asian brand has steadily expanded across major metropolitan markets, establishing a presence in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai. Chowman continues to strengthen its presence in existing markets while exploring newer cities, formats and opportunities. The brand’s rapid expansion has positioned it among the fastest-growing restaurant chains in India, taking its signature Pan-Asian cuisine and Kolkata-rooted food culture to an increasingly wider national audience.

• At 3,000 sq. ft., the flagship store in Delhi NCR brings together smart, connected and design led lighting experience

• The new Philips Smart Light hub takes Signify’s retail network to 373 stores across the country

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the global leader in lighting, has inaugurated India’s largest Philips Smart Light Hub in Kirti Nagar, Delhi NCR, marking a significant step in the company’s retail expansion in India. At 3,000 sq. ft., the flagship is Signify’s biggest experience store in India, bringing together its broadest portfolio of Philips lighting solutions and giving consumers, architects and interior designers the opportunity to experience how lighting can shape the look, feel and functionality of a space.

Philips Smart Light Hub in Kirti Nagar, Delhi NCR

The hub was inaugurated by Sumit Joshi, CEO & MD, Signify, Greater India.

The new hub comes as lighting takes on a more prominent role in home and interior design in India, with consumers increasingly looking beyond its purely functional value to explore solutions that create moods, enhance interiors and personalise their spaces.

Philips Smart Light Hub in Kirti Nagar, Delhi NCR

For Signify, this shift in consumer preferences also creates an opportunity to build retail environments where people can understand and experience the role lighting can play in their spaces. The company now has 373 stores across India, with the new Kirti Nagar hub adding a larger, more immersive format to its retail network.

Commenting on the inauguration, Sumit Joshi, CEO & MD, Signify, Greater India, said, “The Indian consumer is becoming more thoughtful about how lighting can transform a space, not just illuminate it. We are seeing growing interest in lighting that brings together design, functionality, personalisation and smart technology. The Philips Smart Light Hub is designed around this changing consumer need, giving customers an opportunity to see, experience and discover the possibilities of lighting in one place. As we continue to expand our presence across India, our focus is on making innovative lighting solutions more accessible and helping consumers make more informed choices for their spaces.”

Inside the hub

It showcases a wide selection of Philips lighting across decorative, functional and connected categories. The decorative range includes chandeliers, wall lights, floor lamps and track lights, while functional lighting includes modular COBs, downlighters, magnetic tracks, panels and spots.

The hub also features WiZ, Signify’s smart lighting platform, allowing visitors to explore connected lighting and understand how technology can give them greater control and flexibility over their lighting environment.

Designed as a destination for discovery, the hub enables customers to explore different lighting applications and combinations in one setting. It also gives architects and interior designers a space to discover products and possibilities that can be incorporated into residential and other projects.

About Signify

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers, and the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact systems and data-enabled services deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2024, we had sales of EUR 6.1 billion, approximately 29,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for eight consecutive years and have achieved the EcoVadis Platinum rating for five consecutive years, placing Signify in the top one percent of companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, has been contributing to growing engagement with New South Wales (NSW) through its expanding network of academic and research partnerships. MAHE currently maintains active collaborations with five universities in New South Wales: the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University, the University of Technology Sydney and Western Sydney University. These collaborations span academic and research activities, as well as student and faculty mobility.
 

Representatives of the NSW Government and MAHE at the NSW Government’s India Mission reception in Mumbai
 

The New South Wales (NSW) Government’s India Mission, held from 31 August to 3 September 2026, strengthened the state’s engagement with India across the economy, education, research, innovation, and culture, and created new opportunities for sustained partnerships among governments, institutions, industry, and communities.
 

Led by The Honourable Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW, and The Honourable Daniel Mookhey MLC, NSW Treasurer, the mission convened senior government officials, policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and other stakeholders from New South Wales and India to explore opportunities for stronger bilateral cooperation.
 

As part of the mission, the NSW Government hosted a special reception at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, convening the Premier and Treasurer of NSW with government leaders, senior officials and policymakers from India, along with members of the official NSW delegation. The reception provided an important platform for dialogue and identifying opportunities for greater cooperation across priority sectors.
 

A significant institutional outcome of the mission was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MAHE and the University of Sydney (USYD) on 2 September 2026 to strengthen cooperation in education, research, innovation and international mobility. The MAHE and USYD delegations subsequently attended the Mumbai reception, where the partnership was formally announced in the presence of the NSW Premier and Treasurer.
 

The partnership aligns with the broader objectives of the NSW Government’s India Mission by translating government-level engagement into tangible institutional collaboration. It also demonstrates universities’ role in building sustained connections between New South Wales and India through academic exchange, collaborative research, innovation and mobility.
 

Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, “The NSW Government’s India Mission provides an important platform for strengthening the longstanding ties between New South Wales and India. Education, research and innovation can play a defining role in building deeper, more sustainable relationships between our two regions. MAHE’s growing partnerships with universities in NSW reflect our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and researchers to collaborate and exchange knowledge. We look forward to contributing to a stronger India-NSW partnership through sustained academic, research and innovation-led engagement.”
 

The NSW Government’s India Mission also focused on strengthening economic and industry engagement and on identifying opportunities for investment, trade, innovation, and knowledge exchange. It underscores the importance of higher education and research partnerships in supporting the long-term objectives of the NSW-India relationship.
 

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3^rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings, MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national and multinational corporations seeking top talent.

Vingroup has been ranked 340th in TIME’s World’s Best Companies 2026, placing the Group among the world’s Top 400 companies. Compared with 2025, Vingroup has risen nearly 500 places and remains the only Vietnamese company to be recognized on the prestigious ranking.
 

The World’s Best Companies 2026 ranking is jointly conducted by TIME, a globally recognized magazine, and Statista, a leading global data and market research company.
 

Vingroup remains the only Vietnamese company to be named among TIME’s World’s Best Companies for two consecutive years
 

Companies are evaluated across three comprehensive dimensions: revenue growth, employee satisfaction, and sustainability transparency, supported by in-depth analysis of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors.
 

As the first and only Vietnamese company to be included in the ranking for two consecutive years, Vingroup achieved positive results across all three dimensions, receiving an overall score of 81 and ranking 340th among the Top 1,000 companies worldwide, up 477 places from its 817th ranking last year.
 

In terms of Revenue Growth, Vingroup received an “Outstanding” rating. In the first half of 2026, the Group recorded consolidated net revenue of VND 222.9 trillion, up 72% year on year from the same period in 2025, driven by strong growth in industrial manufacturing and real estate businesses. Consolidated profit after tax reached VND 20.904 trillion, 4.6 times higher than the same period last year and equivalent to 60% of the full-year target.
 

In terms of Employee Satisfaction, Vingroup ranked 398th globally, up 496 places from 2025. The Group has developed a dynamic working environment that encourages dedication, innovation and employee engagement, while placing a strong focus on individual development.
 

Over more than three decades of development, Vingroup has continuously expanded into new areas, established new growth drivers and progressively expanded its ecosystem into international markets. Today, companies across the Vingroup ecosystem operate in 12 countries, creating employment for approximately 400,000 people worldwide.
 

In terms of Sustainability Transparency, Vingroup continues to make important contributions through green transition initiatives, infrastructure development and the development of sustainable urban and living ecosystems. Alongside economic growth, the Group focuses on creating long-term value for society.
 

VinFast, the all-electric vehicle brand within the Vingroup ecosystem, has become the leading automotive brand by sales volume in Vietnam, while setting a target of delivering 300,000 cars and 1 million electric motorcycles globally in 2026. Meanwhile, Vinhomes has pioneered the development of the ESG++ urban model, adding Regeneration and Resilience to the three core ESG pillars of E – Environment, S – Social and G – Governance, thereby raising the standard for sustainable development across large-scale urban developments spanning thousands of hectares.
 

In particular, in 2025, Vingroup officially expanded into two new strategic areas: Infrastructure and Green Energy. Through VinSpeed, with the Ben Thanh – Can Gio (Ho Chi Minh City) and Hanoi – Quang Ninh high-speed railway projects now under construction, as well as energy projects developed by VinEnergo across multiple localities, Vingroup is progressively contributing to stronger regional connectivity, the expansion of economic space and the acceleration of the green transition.
 

Previously, Vingroup became the first and only Vietnamese company to qualify for and be included in the World’s Best Companies 2025 ranking. Brands across the Vingroup ecosystem have also received recognition from numerous international organizations. VinFast was previously recognized by TIME in two prestigious rankings: the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2024 and Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2025. In the latter ranking, VinFast was recognized among the companies shaping the region’s position on the global economic map.
 

TIME is a leading global magazine headquartered in New York, the United States, with a history spanning 101 years. With a global presence and in-depth, independent analysis of political, economic, cultural and scientific developments, TIME has established a strong voice and influence capable of shaping public discourse. Its rankings are widely recognized for their value and credibility worldwide.

Interdisciplinary knowledge, research and innovation will be critical for engineers to address the complex challenges emerging across sectors, said Professor Arindam Ghosh, Head of the Quantum Material and Devices Group and Professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. He was speaking at a seminar on “Circuits, Control, Communication and Computing”, organized by Ramaiah Institute of Technology (RIT) in collaboration with Bradley University.

Prof. Arindam Ghosh is felicitated by M. R. Sampangi Ramaiah, Honorary Director, RIT, M. R. Kodandaram, Director, RIT, and others

The seminar brought together academicians, industry experts and students to discuss the growing convergence of technology and the importance of multidisciplinary learning in preparing engineering students for the future. The discussions focused on how circuits, control, communication and computing, while traditionally viewed as distinct areas of engineering, are increasingly interconnected and playing a significant role in shaping emerging technologies.

Addressing the students, Prof. Arindam Ghosh emphasized that engineers of the future need to look beyond their individual areas of specialization and develop an understanding of multiple disciplines. He said that the rapid pace of technological advancement has created a need for professionals who can understand the connections between different fields and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

“It is extremely important for future engineers to possess interdisciplinary knowledge rather than specializing in just one field. Our students should not view technology merely as a means of securing employment, but should use it as a powerful tool to find solutions to the problems faced by society,” he said.

He pointed out that technology has the potential to address a wide range of challenges, including those related to rural development, healthcare, agriculture, environmental protection and transportation. He encouraged students to develop a problem-solving mindset and use their technical education to create solutions that can have a meaningful impact on society.

“Circuits, Control, Communication and Computing are not merely four separate technical fields. They are four important pillars that are interconnected and are shaping the technology of the future. Let us learn technology, foster research, promote innovation and use knowledge for the betterment of society,” Prof. Ghosh said.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Gnanapriya Chidambaranathan, Associate Vice-President, Infosys and Chair, IEEE Bangalore Section COM, highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary research and encouraged students to pursue research with a clear focus on addressing societal challenges.

“There is a need to encourage multidisciplinary research. Research should be conducted with the objective of finding solutions to the problems faced by society. On behalf of IEEE, we organize seminars, interviews and soft-skills training programmes for the benefit of students. These initiatives are highly beneficial to students,” she said.

The seminar also highlighted the changing nature of career opportunities for engineers. With developments in areas such as renewable energy, semiconductors and other emerging technologies, the demand for engineers with diverse technical capabilities and an understanding of sustainability is expected to grow.

M. R. Kodandaram, Director, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, said that the evolving technology landscape would create significant opportunities for engineering graduates, while also requiring them to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills.

“There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. We expect significant changes in several sectors, including renewable energy and semiconductors. As a result, employment opportunities are also expected to increase. There will be a growing need for sustainable engineers in the future, and students need to prepare themselves accordingly,” he said.

The seminar provided students with an opportunity to interact with experts and gain insights into emerging technological trends, research opportunities and the skills required to remain relevant in a rapidly changing professional environment. The emphasis on interdisciplinary learning also reinforced the importance of combining technical expertise with research, innovation, communication and problem-solving capabilities.

The programme was attended by M. R. Kodandaram, Director, RIT; M. R. Sampangi Ramaiah, Honorary Director, RIT; Prof. Arindam Ghosh, Indian Institute of Science; Smt. Gnanapriya Chidambaranathan, Associate Vice-President, Infosys and Chair, IEEE Bangalore Section COM; Dr. Karisiddappa, Education Advisor; Dr. B. Satish Babu, Principal, RIT, along with faculty members, experts and students.

The seminar reaffirmed the importance of creating an engineering education ecosystem that encourages students to think across disciplines, pursue meaningful research and apply technology towards building sustainable and innovative solutions for society.

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital today organized an Organ Donation Awareness Drive in Bengaluru, bringing together healthcare professionals, organ donors and their families, transplant recipients, patients, and members of the public in support of a shared cause, strengthening the culture of organ donation in India – “The Gift of Life”.

Dr. Madan S. Gaekwad, COO; Dr. M.R. Jayaram, Chairman, GEF(M); Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister; and Dr. Nagendra Swamy S.C, CE, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, with the donors

The event was graced by Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, India.

The programme was organised in response to a widening gap between the need for organs and their availability in India. The country’s deceased organ donation rate remains below 1 donor per million population, compared to over 48 per million in Spain. While India recorded a landmark 20,138 transplants in 2025, nearly 82% relied on living donors, and more than 89,000 patients remain on transplant waiting lists as of March 2026, a number that far outpaces the availability of organs.

Through this initiative, the hospital sought to encourage more individuals and families to come forward and pledge organ donation, in order to help bridge this critical gap and give patients on the waitlist a genuine chance at life. If we can increase organ donations through brain-dead patients, the situation will definitely improve.

Living organ transplantation continues to be a well-established and life-saving treatment option in India, particularly for kidney and liver failure, where a healthy individual, often a close family member, voluntarily donates an organ or part of an organ to a patient in need. Advances in surgical technique, immunosuppression, and post-transplant care have made living donor transplants highly safe and successful, with excellent outcomes. However, experts note that living donation alone cannot bridge India’s growing organ shortage, underscoring the need for more citizens to pledge deceased organ donation, alongside greater awareness, timely identification of potential donors, and robust hospital-level coordination.

Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, said, “Organ donation is a gift that transcends boundaries of relation and community. The Government of Karnataka remains committed to strengthening deceased donation infrastructure across the state, and initiatives like this by Ramaiah Memorial Hospital play a vital role in encouraging more citizens to come forward and pledge their organs.”

Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chairman, Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) & Chancellor – Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), said, “Organ donation is among the most profound expressions of human compassion. Today’s gathering reflects our collective responsibility to build public awareness and trust around deceased donation. Every family that comes forward brings us closer to closing India’s organ gap and giving more patients a genuine chance at life.”

Dr. Nagendra Swamy S. C., Chief Executive – Ramaiah Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Services, GEF (Medical), added, “Organ transplantation — whether through living or deceased donation — has evolved into one of the most reliable treatment options for end-stage organ failure. With over 89,000 patients awaiting transplants in India, the need far exceeds availability. Through today’s drive, we hope to have inspired more citizens to come forward, pledge their organs, and help us close this critical gap.”

The event reinforced the hospital’s long-standing commitment to ethical transplant practices and donor awareness in Karnataka. Ramaiah Memorial Hospital’s transplant programme spans multiple organ systems, supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists dedicated to advancing safe, high-quality transplant care in the region.

About Ramaiah Memorial Hospital

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH), established in 2004, is a 500 bed, JCI-, NABH- and NABL-certified multi-disciplinary super specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, India. RMH received the Joint Commission International (JCI) Gold Seal of Approval in June 2025. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of a healthcare organization’s commitment to meeting international standards of patient care and safety, demonstrating excellence in clinical quality, patient safety, and outcomes. In June 2025, RMH was also certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a Comprehensive Chest Pain Center and by the American Stroke Association (ASA) as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The recent FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) accreditation of our Bone Marrow Unit and stem cell laboratory reflects our adherence to rigorous, peer-reviewed standards, ensuring the highest quality of patient care across the entire stem cell process—from collection and processing to administration and long-term follow-up.

With more than 22 years of service, the hospital has touched the lives of over 5 million patients and performed more than two lakh surgeries. Its transplant milestones are close to 600 renal transplants, over 50 heart transplants, more than 210 bone marrow transplants, and liver transplant services initiated in 2025.

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is affiliated with Mount Sinai International, New York from June 2024, marking a transformative collaboration focused on elevating healthcare through excellence in clinical care, quality, research, innovation, and technology.

Our Centers of Excellence, such as the Ramaiah Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Institute of Nephro-Uro Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, and the Ramaiah Institute of Gastro-Enteric Sciences are delivering comprehensive healthcare services under respective specialties along with other super-specialties.

RMH has received recognition from Newsweek as one of the World’s best hospitals in 2025. The ranking is based on hospital recommendations from peers, hospital quality metrics, patient experience, and PROMs implementation survey.

PayU, India’s leading diversified fintech platform, announced the launch of its Agent HQ, an AI agent store for Indian SMB merchants, where they can choose and deploy an agent for each job in commerce – from making their business discoverable to AI shopping agents and driving growth, to simplifying payment-related everyday operations and powering their own conversational AI experiences.

PayU Agent HQ enables SMB merchants to get discovered by AI shopping agents, grow sales, simplify payment-related operations & build own custom AI assistants

As AI reshapes how consumers discover and buy, businesses, especially SMB businesses, need to find ways to be relevant in this new commerce era. Industry reports suggest that about 50% of search traffic is shifting to AI agents and AI-referred shoppers converting up to three times better.⁽¹⁾ To enable these merchants with a level playing field, PayU designed its Agent HQ. This is built on more than a decade of commerce intelligence generated across a platform that powers 4.5 lakh+ merchants, 700+ million shoppers’ journey, and has processed Rs. 7,800 billion in transaction volume.

“As a merchant aggregator, PayU has been supporting merchants not just to collect payments but to grow their businesses through its value-added solutions. PayU Agent HQ builds on that foundation and expands on our value-added offerings for SMB merchants. By putting a personalized team of AI agents to work across the business – from improving discoverability and driving growth to managing chargebacks, reconciliations, refunds, settlements, etc. – we want to put control back in merchants’ hands, enabling them to focus on their growth. Agent HQ is one of our biggest bets in that direction,” said Manas Mishra, Chief Product Officer, PayU & Wibmo.

PayU Agent HQ brings together a suite of AI agents for merchants to achieve the following two outcomes, depending upon their requirements: building an AI-ready growth engine or running the business efficiently or both.

• Building an AI-ready growth engine: PayU merchants can make their products, services, and business discoverable and transactable on AI platforms like Claude and ChatGPT as well as channels such as WhatsApp through Agent HQ. Merchants also have an option to custom create their conversational AI assistants that work across their websites, apps and customer journeys, providing real-time assistance to shoppers and responding to post-purchase queries.

• Running the business efficiently: Our Agent HQ offers a suite of AI agents that merchants can choose from to automate their complex operational tasks like transactions follow-ups, chargeback reconciliations, refund escalations and settlements, etc. Furthermore, drawing on merchant transaction data, including payment success and failure patterns, chargeback histories, settlement cycles and shopper behaviour, these agents can also act as growth enabler and suggest targeted campaigns across sales, marketing, and other functions. This helps merchants manage fraud and disputes more proactively, reduce operational effort, and protect revenue.

The No-Code, Zero-Integration Flow:

Unlike standalone tools that require merchants to connect data sources, configure workflows or build integrations, PayU’s Agent HQ is a no-code AI agent storefront, already built into PayU merchant dashboard. Merchants can hire an AI agent in a few clicks; select how frequently it runs and monitor its activity through dashboard and receive outputs delivered through email and WhatsApp. No agent acts beyond the boundaries and limits defined by merchants.

Agent HQ represents PayU’s approach to building practical, outcome-oriented AI experiences for merchants across the full commerce journey- not just payments alone. Policybazaar, Daily Objects, Pinq Polka, and many more PayU merchants are already on Agent HQ, leveraging the power of AI agents to drive their commerce story.

About PayU

PayU, India’s leading diversified fintech platform with Prosus as an investor, operates businesses that are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and offers advanced solutions to meet the digital financial services needs of customers (merchants, banks, and consumers). PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology and has empowered 4.5 lakhs+ businesses, including India’s leading enterprises, e-commerce giants and SMBs. It enables businesses to collect digital payments across 100+ online payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, EMIs, pay-later, QR, UPI, Wallets, and more. It’s a preferred partner in the affordability ecosystem, offering the maximum coverage of issuers and easy-to-implement integrations across card-based EMIs, pay-later options and new-age cardless EMIs. PayU offers e-commerce brands best-in-industry success rates while ensuring a seamless checkout experience.

(1) AI-referred shoppers convert better and spend more (2026) – Shopify