SHIFT is Jaipur’s ultimate, uber-cool New Gen Creative Festival. An arts and design event organised by Awaaz Studio at BM Birla Auditorium, Jaipur, the three-day festival champions arts, culture, design, media and entertainment. It is the ‘It’ art affair, complete with artist performances, hands-on art experiences, art workshops, jamming, intriguing sessions and a curated pop-up, ft. indie and established labels retailing apparel, footwear, jewellery, trinkets, prints, zines, collectables, and the like.
 

Set against the iconic Birla Auditorium, SHIFT 2025 is a melange of arts, craft, culture, media, entertainment and design
 

SHIFT 2025 opens up with an exclusive ticketed preview on 19 December, featuring the celebrated stand-up comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi and independent singer-songwriter Justh, who became a national talking point with his 2023 release ‘Chor’. This edition highlights the crafts of Rajasthan and India at large through hands-on experiences such as hand-block printing, pottery, embroidery workshops, and more.
 

The star of the show is often the annual folk-dance circle, headlined by master Kalbeliya artists, which attracts 500+ visitors who dance to folk songs, vibe in unison, and sing along to long-lost songs of Rajasthan. Aaquib Wani, a self-taught experiential designer and founder & creative director – Aaquib Wani Design, who specialises in spaces, festivals, sets, interiors, and branding, will be hosting a session on design. SHIFT is also hosting an entrepreneurship fireside chat between Ajaita Shah, founder of Frontier Markets & Nitin Jain, CEO – Indigifts. There’s also a dedicated kids’ area at the festival featuring pop-up stalls and experiences curated especially for children. Actor Rytasha Rathore and indie filmmaker and cultural documentarian Suruchi Sharma will host a talk on the idea of rewriting female narrative on screen.
 

The vibrant cultural communities of Jaipur find a common ground at SHIFT as they indulge in 3 days of intriguing art experiences
 

Bachata, photography, sketch, digital media presence, poetry writing and other workshops are also an integral part of the festival lineup. The Infinity Open-Mic gives a stage to emerging artists from Jaipur who perform poems, songs, stories, and more.
 

The festival also stresses greatly on organising creative commerce and understanding the business of creativity. The programming also includes talks around sustainability, design, culture, and the arts ecosystem.

SRM University–AP, Amaravati, has been conferred with the prestigious QS I-GAUGE Institution of Happiness (IOH) Award 2025–26, recognising the university’s strong commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and well-being–centred academic environment. The award was bestowed following an extensive stakeholder survey involving students, faculty, and alumni, reflecting the institution’s consistent focus on happiness, emotional well-being, and holistic development throughout academia.

Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Vice Chancellor received the QS I-GUAGE Institution of Happiness Award 2025-26 for SRM University-AP

The QS I-GAUGE Institution of Happiness is a flagship national initiative that evaluates and celebrates educational institutions prioritising mental health, stakeholder satisfaction, and human-centred campuses. The 2025–26 edition is guided by the theme “One Campus, Many Smiles: Celebrating Every Voice in Well-being”, emphasising inclusivity, emotional health, and community engagement.

Speaking on the achievement, Pro-Chancellor Dr P Sathyanarayanan remarked that SRM University–AP remains committed to foster a culture of happiness and a positive learning environment, building a brighter future through a transformative and inclusive education ecosystem.

Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SRM University–AP said, “At SRM University–AP, we firmly believe that academic excellence and student well-being must go hand in hand. Being recognised as a QS I-GAUGE Institution of Happiness 2025–26 reaffirms our commitment to nurturing a campus culture where students and faculty feel valued, supported, and inspired.”

Highlighting the significance of the evaluation process, Dr Karthik Rajendran, Associate Dean Quality Assurance and Rankings, SRM University–AP, remarked, “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our academic community to build a supportive and engaging ecosystem. The feedback and analytics from QS I-GAUGE will further help us refine policies and practices that enhance quality, satisfaction, and overall campus happiness.”

The award was received by Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Vice Chancellor in New Delhi. With this recognition, SRM University–AP continues to strengthen its mission of creating a joyful, resilient, and future-ready academic community, positioning happiness and well-being as core pillars of educational excellence.

Anderson Diagnostics & Labs, Chennai, in a landmark partnership with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), today announced the formal launch of the MAHE-Anderson Centre of Excellence (COE) in Reproductive Genomics.
 

Inaugural Ceremony of Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Genomics​
 

This strategic collaboration leverages Anderson Diagnostics’ decade of deep expertise in reproductive genomics to fundamentally change the landscape of “prenatal testing” and “women’s healthcare diagnostics” across coastal Karnataka and beyond.
 

The Centre marks a significant milestone by establishing a first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) facility in-house at the University Hospital — designed to support comprehensive diagnostic services across all institutions under the MAHE umbrella.

This initiative is specifically designed to introduce advanced genomic solutions focused on reproductive health, enabling the diagnosis of critical diseases before the birth of a child — a crucial advancement in women’s healthcare.

Bridging Research and Real-World Diagnostics 

The core mission of the COE is to integrate cutting-edge academic research with robust, scalable clinical diagnostics — thereby impacting reproductive and foetal medicine.

Addressing the specific expertise brought to the partnership, Dr. Suriyakumar G, Director & Radiologist, Anderson Diagnostics & Labs, stated:

“Anderson Diagnostics is bringing over ten years of pioneering experience specifically in ‘Reproductive Genomics’ and high-throughput testing to this collaboration. Our role is to establish the operational backbone — guaranteeing that the cutting-edge research originating from the MAHE-Anderson COE translates reliably and rapidly into actionable diagnostic reports for patients. We are committed to setting new benchmarks in standardised processes — ensuring that this joint venture can change the dynamics of the genomics diagnostics ecosystem, especially concerning complex prenatal scenarios.”

 MAHE-Anderson COE will serve as a hub for academic training, translational research, and comprehensive diagnostic services available to all institutions under the MAHE umbrella and other hospitals in the region.

Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, Manipal, lauded the synergistic nature of the tie-up, “We are pleased to partner with Anderson Diagnostics & Labs, Chennai – one of the pioneers in delivering advanced diagnostic services across India and neighbouring countries. This collaboration provides an excellent opportunity to expand access to cost-effective genomic solutions and strengthen healthcare delivery in coastal Karnataka.”

Dr. Anil K. Bhat, Dean, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, highlighted the importance of the industry-academia linkage, “We are glad to be a part of this remarkable initiative. The Centre’s efforts in offering advanced genomic healthcare solutions will enable more personalised clinical management in reproductive and foetal medicine.”

Dr. Shubhashree Uppangala, Associate Professor and Head of the Department (Reproductive Sciences), Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, and Coordinator for the MAHE-Anderson COE, emphasised the centre’s broader mission as the vital bridge between the two entities, “The Centre aims to bridge the current knowledge gap related to genomic diagnostic solutions in reproductive health and to support the development of precision medicine and research in women’s health and reproduction.”

About Anderson Diagnostics & Labs
Anderson Diagnostics & Labs is a leading name in advanced diagnostics – renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality standards, and expanding access to specialised testing across India for over a decade.

About MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education) 
MAHE is a leading “multi-disciplinary university” with a strong emphasis on health sciences education, research, and patient care through its constituent institutions – including Kasturba Medical College.
 

“Accelerating India’s Development: A State-Led Roadmap for Effective Governance” by renowned Indian economist Karthik Muralidharan has won the Gaja Capital Business Book Prize 2025, for its rigorous and accessible blueprint to unlock India’s next phase of growth through stronger state capacity and effective public service delivery. This landmark work systematically examines India’s governance challenges, especially in education, health, social protection, and jobs and sets out evidence-based, state-level reform strategies to ensure that growth translates into widespread improvements in citizens’ lives.​​

Ranjit Shah, Arindam Bhattacharya, Aparajith Ramnath, Shailesh Haribhakti, UK Sinha, Karthik Muralidharan, Anupam Gupta, C K Venkataraman, Imran Jafar, Gopal Jain (L-R)

Karthik Muralidharan currently serves as the Tata Chancellor’s Professor of Economics at the University of California, San Diego, and holds a PhD from Harvard University. Drawing on over two decades of research, policy engagement, and field experience, Muralidharan combines academic depth with practical insight to demonstrate how better-designed institutions, smarter public spending, and stronger state capacity can dramatically improve development outcomes. The book stands out for translating complex economic and governance ideas into an actionable roadmap for policymakers, practitioners, and citizens interested in a more inclusive and effective Indian state.​

The award was conferred at Gaja Talks 2025, a gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and thinkers that shines a spotlight on ideas shaping India’s future. The evening featured a panel with the shortlisted authors, who discussed issues ranging from institutional reform and federalism to leadership, innovation, and India’s evolving economic landscape​.

Gopal Jain, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Gaja Capital, said, “This year’s winning book combines intellectual rigour with practical vision to show how India can convert its vast potential into tangible outcomes for every citizen, by investing in a stronger, more capable state. In shining a light on governance and state capacity, it aligns closely with the Prize’s mission to celebrate ideas that shape India’s business and development story, and that inspire the next generation of leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.”​​

Manish Sabharwal, Chairman of the Gaja Capital Business Book Prize Jury, commented, “Accelerating India’s Development is more than a book on economics or policy; it is a practical guide to making the Indian state work better for its people. The jury was particularly impressed by how the author balances ambition with feasibility, offering reform pathways that are grounded in evidence, sensitive to political economy, and focused on execution, not just intent.”​​

The 2025 jury brought together leaders from business, investing, public policy, economics, and governance, continuing the tradition of a multidisciplinary panel that evaluates books for originality, depth of research, clarity of argument, and real-world impact. The Prize, now in its seventh edition, has emerged as a benchmark recognition for authors who illuminate India’s entrepreneurial journeys, institutional evolution, and broader economic and social transformation.​​

About the winning author and book
A graduate of Harvard University and the University of Cambridge, Karthik Muralidharan spent a decade as a consultant at the World Bank before transitioning to academia. His research spans development, public, and labour economics, with a focus on enhancing the effectiveness of public spending in the social sector. In addition to advising research institutions around the world, in 2019, Muralidharan founded the Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS), an organisation dedicated to improving lives by helping state governments in India deliver stronger development outcomes. 

“Accelerating India’s Development: A State-Led Roadmap for Effective Governance” offers a comprehensive analysis of why India’s development is constrained not by a lack of ambition or resources, but by weak state capacity and uneven service delivery. Muralidharan argues that sustained progress requires a strategic focus on strengthening the core functions of the state—personnel management, data systems, accountability, fiscal federalism, and program design—rather than simply expanding spending or creating new schemes.​

The book proposes politically feasible and practically implementable reforms to improve outcomes in areas such as education, health, social protection, and jobs, with a strong emphasis on state-level innovation and decentralisation. Written in a clear and engaging style, it brings rigorous ideas into the mainstream and serves as a valuable guide for anyone interested in understanding India’s economic trajectory.

ARCH College of Design & Business marked an impactful presence at the 25th Global CII Design Summit & Exposition 2025, Bengaluru. The summit, themed “Design for the 4Ps: People, Planet, Purpose, Profitability,” brought together global leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and educators to reimagine the role of design in building a sustainable and future-ready world.
 

Archana Surana & Prof. Pradyumna Vyas sign the Cumulus-CII MoU
 

Founder & Director Ms. Archana Surana participated as a speaker, sharing insights on sustainability, evolving design education, and India’s growing influence in the global design landscape. Reflecting on India’s philosophy of responsible innovation, she stated, “Sustainability is a mindset rooted in India’s tradition of community, inclusivity, and shared growth. When businesses focus on impact and uplift everyone together, it becomes a way of life.”
 

A major highlight of the summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Cumulus Association, the world’s largest global network of design and arts institutions. The MoU aims to strengthen international cooperation in design education, research College, mobility, and industry engagement. It will enable joint research College, knowledge exchange, global faculty–student mobility, and collaborative academic initiatives between design institutions and innovation ecosystems worldwide.
 

As Executive Board Member (2025-2028) and former Vice President of the Cumulus Association (2022-2025), Ms. Surana played a pivotal role in facilitating this partnership, reinforcing India’s position in global design dialogue. The MoU was signed by Prof. Pradyumna Vyas, President, World Design Organization & Senior Advisor, CII, and Ms. Archana Surana, representing Cumulus Association. Gratitude was extended to Prof. Lorenzo Imbesi, President, Cumulus, and Ms. Eija Salmi, Secretary General, for their support in advancing this collaboration.
 

The summit was also attended by ARCH College staff members and students, offering them rich exposure to industry practices, expert conversations, and professional networks. The event also featured the CII Design Excellence Awards and industry visits, highlighting India’s rapidly evolving innovation capabilities and the growing synergy between academia and industry.
 

A distinguished leader in the global design community, Archana Surana’s journey combines institution-building with a commitment to shaping responsible creative futures. As Founder & Director of ARCH College, she has led 25 years of innovative design education.
 

Established in 2000 in Jaipur – India’s UNESCO Creative City – ARCH College of Design & Business is a pioneering institution committed to nurturing responsible, future-ready design professionals. The college integrates experiential learning, industry partnerships, cultural engagement, and interdisciplinary exploration to develop creative thinkers equipped for the global creative economy.
 

ARCH College offers internationally benchmarked BTEC qualifications with Pearson (UK) and B. Des programmes in Digital Design, Graphic & Communication Design, Interior & Product Design, Fashion & Textiles, and Jewellery Design, along with postgraduate pathways including Masters in Design & Entrepreneurship. Read more at www.archedu.org.
 

With its mission-driven approach and expanding global partnerships, ARCH College continues to contribute meaningfully to design education, creative industries, and India’s innovation ecosystem – empowering learners to design purposeful, sustainable, and impactful futures.