Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, proudly announces the successful certification of its Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) Laboratory by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, marking a significant milestone in the MAHE’s sustained commitment to excellence in biomedical research, infectious disease preparedness, and global health security. This achievement substantially enhances MAHE’s research, diagnostic, and training capabilities. The certification underscores MAHE’s adherence to internationally accepted biosafety and biosecurity standards and reflects its unwavering commitment to the highest levels of laboratory safety and scientific integrity. With this milestone, MAHE further consolidates its position as a leading centre for advanced research, diagnostics, and capacity building in infectious diseases.

The leadership team of MAHE with the BSL-3 laboratory certification conferred by the Government of India

The newly certified facility is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced biosafety engineering. It features specialised containment architecture, negative pressure environments with directional airflow, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems, secure access controls, and stringent operational protocols. The certification process involved a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation encompassing laboratory design, engineering controls, biosafety management systems, standard operating procedures, personnel training and competency, and emergency preparedness.

The establishment and certification of this advanced facility were accomplished under the leadership of Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, Director, Manipal Institute of Virology (MIV), Manipal, with strong collaborative support from Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), Manipal School of Life Sciences (MSLS), and Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal. The facility will serve as a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary collaboration among microbiologists, virologists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health experts. In addition to enabling cutting-edge research, it will play a vital role in strengthening national and regional preparedness by offering specialised training in biosafety practices, high-containment laboratory operations, and outbreak response strategies.

Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, said, “The certification of the BSL-3 laboratory is a proud and defining moment for MAHE. It reflects our unwavering commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and public health. Notably, this is among the first stand-alone, state-of-the-art BSL-3 facilities within a premier private university in India, poised to serve the nation at a broader level and contribute to the national BSL-3 consortium in the future.”
 

Lt. Gen. (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, VSM (Retd.) MAHE stated, “This advanced facility will empower our researchers to undertake critical studies on airborne and high-risk pathogens and to conduct critical work such as pathogen isolation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics, vaccine and drug development, host–pathogen interaction studies, aerosol transmission research, and evaluation of biosafety protocols. It reinforces MAHE’s commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and public health, while strengthening India’s biomedical research ecosystem and contributing to global infectious disease preparedness.”
 

Dr Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, MAHE, added, “This facility will foster high-quality, multi-institutional and multidisciplinary research, and is poised to emerge as a centre of excellence for advanced infectious disease research in southern India.”
 

With this achievement, MAHE joins a select group of institutions in India equipped with certified BSL-3 laboratories, further reinforcing its leadership in biomedical innovation, infectious disease research, and global health security.

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 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.

Galgotias University is glad to share that IEEE Computer Society Galgotias University Student Chapter has won the national recognition at the All India Computer Society Student & Young Professionals Congress 2025 (AICSSYC 2025), for the ‘Best Computer Society Chapter’ in India Award under the leadership of Gaurang Pant (a Galgotias University student).

These recognitions highlight Galgotias University’s strong focus on teaching excellence, research impact, internationalization, industry integration, and innovation driven learning, shaping globally competent graduates ready for the challenges of the future.

Nutrica, a lifestyle and wellness brand by BN Agritech, India’s fastest-growing wellness first FMCG brand, has announced its foray into the peanut butter category with the launch of Nutrica Peanut Butter. The range marks the brand’s next step toward building a complete wellness portfolio that combines taste, quality, and functionality to support everyday health goals. Nutrica Peanut Butter is now available across general trade stores in 14 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Chandigarh.

Nutrica – Peanut Butter

Available in two variants, Crunchy and Creamy, the new peanut butter range offers a healthy snacking option for everyday fitness, making nutrition simple and enjoyable. Fitness is not limited to gyms or just one individual, it’s a daily habit the whole family can adapt, from children to elders. Replacing regular spreads with peanut butter becomes a small, easy switch that gives everyone at home a healthier option and creates a big, long-term difference in overall lifestyle. Both variants are high in protein, rich in fibre, made from 100% vegetarian ingredients, and contain no artificial preservatives, making them a wholesome, energy-dense choice for active lifestyles. The range comes in convenient PET jars of 300g, 750g, and 900g.

Commenting on the launch, Sparsh Sachar, Director and Business Head – FMCG, Nutrica, said, “With every product we introduce, our aim is to make health simpler, more accessible, and enjoyable for everyone. The peanut butter range embodies our belief that nutritious food can be delicious too. We want to make healthy choices easy and exciting for consumers, not something they have to compromise for. This launch is another step toward creating a wellness brand that fits naturally into modern lifestyles.”

Nutrica’s entry into the peanut butter category follows the success of Nutrica Bee Honey and its vitamin-enriched cooking oils, further strengthening the brand’s function-first wellness portfolio. With this expansion, Nutrica continues its journey toward becoming a comprehensive lifestyle and wellness brand, offering premium yet accessible products that make wholesome nutrition an effortless part of everyday living.

About Nutrica

Nutrica, a leading lifestyle and wellness brand under BN Agritech Limited, carries a mission to reimagine health by crafting innovative and nutritious food that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of families across India. Understanding that every family is unique, the company is dedicated to creating nutrient-infused food that fulfil the health goals and taste preferences of its customers. The products are made from the finest ingredients and cutting-edge technology, ensuring the highest standards of quality and nutrition.

Bisleri International’s premium natural spring water brand, Vedica Himalayan Spring Water, has partnered with acclaimed sitarist, neo-classical musician, and mental health advocate Rishab Rikhiram Sharma for his Sitar for Mental Health India Tour 2026 produced by Team Innovation and District by Zomato.

Vedica Partners with Rishab Sharma’s Sitar for Mental Health India Tour 2026

The multi-city tour is conceived as a multi-sensory, immersive and holistic experience that seamlessly blends music with mindfulness. It invites audiences to pause, reflect, and engage with sound in a more intentional and meaningful way.

With a mission to redefine how Indian classical music connects with contemporary listeners, Sitar for Mental Health positions the sitar as a powerful conduit for inner reflection and emotional release. The experience bridges meditative soundscape rooted in classical Indian tradition with contemporary elements, creating a deeply resonant and transformative live experience.

Rooted in a shared philosophy of mindful living and culturally enriched experiences, this collaboration underscores Vedica’s continued association with premium, culture-shaping IPs and live events. It reflects the brand’s commitment to engaging with evolving, discerning audiences at the intersection of wellness and contemporary lifestyle.

Tushar Malhotra, Director of Sales and Marketing, Bisleri International states, “Sitar for Mental Health by Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is a deeply immersive cultural experience—where music, emotion, and mindfulness come together to create something truly special. With Vedica, our intent was to complement this atmosphere by becoming a seamless part of the experience by elevating moments of pause, reflection, and connection. As a brand born in the Himalayas, Vedica naturally aligns with platforms that celebrate conscious living and meaningful experiences. This association reflects our continued effort to be present in spaces that inspire a more elevated, mindful way of life.”

Mohit Bijlani, Founder, Team Innovation states, “With Sitar for Mental Health, our focus was on creating an immersive and intentional environment that remained true to the essence of the experience. Vedica’s association played a pivotal role in shaping this vision, enabling us to integrate a premium hydration layer that felt both purposeful and contextually relevant. Our approach was to ensure that Vedica was not merely present, but seamlessly woven into the overall journey where functionality met experience.”

Vedica partnered across two key showcases of the tour in Delhi (April 19) and Mumbai (March 20) with exclusive on-ground presence at both venues. Vedica-branded hydration and retail carts were strategically placed to offer a seamless and elevated hydration experience for attendees. This carefully curated presence complemented the overall ambiance of the showcases, reinforcing the brand’s signature expression of purity, balance and calm. 

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country’s largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform – Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com

Early treatment at a Level I Trauma Care Centre during the Golden Hour can significantly improve survival and reduce disability in patients with severe head injuries.
 

Marking World Head Injury Awareness Day (March 20), the Kauvery Group of Hospitals emphasised the critical importance of rapid access to Level I Trauma Care Centres for patients suffering from severe head injuries and other life-threatening trauma.
 

L–R: Prof. Ranganathan Jothi (Neurosciences), Dr Aravindan Selvaraj (Exec. Director), Shri K. Shankar IPS, Dr Krish Sridhar, Dr Iyappan Ponnuswamy, Dr Ponniah Vanamoorthy

Head injury refers to trauma affecting the scalp, skull or brain, most commonly caused by road traffic accidents, falls, sports injuries or assaults. Globally, more than 50 million people sustain head injuries each year, while in India the estimated incidence is around 1.5 million annually, with nearly 60% resulting from road traffic accidents.
 

Trauma care facilities are categorised into four levels depending on the expertise and infrastructure available. Level I Trauma Care Centres represent the highest level of emergency care, equipped to manage the most complex and severe injuries.
 

Addressing the media, Dr Krish Sridhar, Group Mentor – Neurosciences and Director, Institute of Brain & Spine, Kauvery Hospital, Radial Road, said that timely and specialised trauma care plays a decisive role in saving lives. “Head injury is one of the most serious consequences of trauma, particularly in road traffic accidents. The outcome for the patient depends greatly on how quickly they reach a Level I Trauma Care Centre where specialised teams and advanced facilities are available round-the-clock. Early access to such centres during the golden hour can significantly improve survival and neurological recovery,” he noted.

In his comments, Dr Ranganathan Jothi, Chief – Brain & Spine Surgeon and Director of Neurosciences, Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani, said, “Many serious head injuries require urgent neurosurgical intervention. In patients with traumatic brain injury, conditions such as intracranial bleeding or brain swelling can deteriorate rapidly if not treated promptly. Immediate access to neurosurgical expertise, advanced imaging and intensive care – all available in a Level I Trauma Care Centre – can make the difference between life and death or between full recovery and longterm disability.”
 

Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, commented, “World Head Injury Awareness Day is an important reminder of the growing burden of trauma in our society. Strengthening trauma systems and ensuring that patients are transported quickly to advanced trauma centres is critical. Across the Kauvery network, our trauma teams are equipped to provide comprehensive emergency care so that patients receive timely treatment during the most critical moments.”
 

Kauvery Hospitals manages hundreds of trauma and head injury cases every year, particularly across its advanced facilities in Chennai, including Alwarpet, Radial Road and Vadapalani, where specialised neurosurgical and trauma teams function round-the-clock.
 

Across the Kauvery network, Level I Trauma Care Centres are equipped with: 24×7 availability of neurosurgeons, trauma surgeons, emergency physicians and critical care specialists; advanced imaging facilities, including CT and MRI; dedicated trauma resuscitation teams; immediate access to operating theatres for emergency surgery; specialised neuro-critical care and intensive care units, and multidisciplinary teams capable of managing complex polytrauma cases.
 

To further support emergency response, Kauvery Hospital has strengthened its advanced ambulance network and introduced an SOS feature in the Kauvery Kare mobile application, enabling users to quickly request emergency assistance and ambulance transport to the nearest trauma care facility. Through continued awareness initiatives and advanced trauma care systems, Kauvery aims to improve survival and reduce long-term disability among patients with severe head injuries.

The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) commemorated the completion of 10 years of its journey with a special gathering of leaders from philanthropy, civil society, academia, and the development ecosystem in New Delhi. The event also marked the unveiling of ISDM’s new brand identity, signalling its evolution into a national institution advancing the discipline of Development Management in India.

Founded in 2016 to address systemic challenges in how social purpose organisations are led and managed, ISDM was established with a clear intent, to build the theory and practice of management for the social sector, enabling organisations to sustain and scale their impact. 

At its core, ISDM was created to strengthen a critical gap by complementing the efforts of government and other stakeholders, while business and public systems benefit from well-established management disciplines, the social sector has historically had limited access to a similarly structured framework tailored to its unique complexity and context. 

Over the past decade, ISDM has worked to build this foundation, developing leadership, strengthening organisations, and catalysing a broader ecosystem for Development Management.

The evening brought together ISDM’s extended community of founders, trustees, alumni, partners, and sector leaders, reflecting on the institution’s journey, its growing influence, and the road ahead.

The programme featured reflections from key stakeholders associated with ISDM’s journey, alongside a special showcase of its milestones, a musical performance by Manzil Mystics, and the premiere of a film capturing the institution’s evolution over the last decade.

Speaking on the milestone, Ravi Sreedharan, Founder, ISDM, said, “Ten years ago, ISDM was founded on a simple but urgent belief — that India’s development challenges require not just intent, but strong, thoughtful management. Over the years, that belief has only strengthened. We have seen our alumni and partners demonstrate what becomes possible when leadership is grounded in both rigour and empathy. This anniversary is a moment of gratitude, but also of responsibility. The next decade calls on us to expand our reach, strengthen the discipline of Development Management, and build institutions that can carry impact further, deeper, and longer.”

A key highlight of the evening was the unveiling of ISDM’s renewed brand identity reflecting both its evolution and its ambition for the future.

Today, ISDM defines its role through a sharper narrative, “Preparing purpose-driven professionals to lead India’s social sector, supported by a rigorous, practice-led discipline of Development Management.”

The new identity is anchored in its mission, “To create leaders for organisations driving India’s social development.”

Since its inception, ISDM has grown into a national platform for leadership development in the social sector, with:

• 8+ graduating cohorts of its flagship Post Graduate Programme in Development Management

• 475+ alumni working across NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, and policy institutions

• 75+ practitioners and academics contributing as faculty and mentors

• Multiple research initiatives and sector reports shaping leadership and organisational practice

• Leadership programmes for social purpose leaders, women leaders, CSR professionals, and philanthropists

Beyond individual programmes, ISDM has played a critical role in advancing Development Management as a distinct discipline, integrating management science, public policy, social theory, and field practice to strengthen how organisations in the sector are led.

Reflecting on ISDM’s next phase, Ashish Dhawan, Founder and CEO, The Convergence Foundation said, “ISDM’s journey over the last ten years is a powerful reminder that real change begins with investing in people who combine competence with deep conviction. Through its programs, it has nurtured leaders who are choosing to work where they are needed most, creating meaningful impact across the country. As its alumni network expands and the ecosystem matures, the next decade holds immense potential for ISDM to deepen its influence and catalyze a stronger, more resilient development sector in India.”

As ISDM looks ahead, it remains focused on three interconnected priorities: strengthening leadership development, advancing Development Management as a field, and building organisational capacity across the ecosystem.

The evening concluded with a shared call to action—inviting the broader ISDM community to continue building a stronger, more capable social sector for India.

International mind fitness app Give Me Five (GM5) has deepened its India presence with a showcase event in Hyderabad, highlighting the nation’s increasing focus on accessible mind fitness solutions.
 

International Mind Fitness App Give Me Five Strengthens India Presence with Hyderabad Event

Distinguishing itself from conventional wellness apps, GM5 serves as a trusted digital companion for everyday mind fitness. Available on both Android and iOS, the app offers simple check‑ins, guided reflections, and intuitive wellbeing dashboards that empower users to pause, reconnect, and identify early signs of stress or fatigue. Rather than replacing therapy, GM5 provides consistent, accessible support whenever individuals need a moment of clarity.

Early response has been encouraging, with over 500 registrations in the first weeks and interest from corporate organizations keen to integrate GM5 into employee wellbeing programs. This reflects a broader shift in India toward prioritizing emotional health in workplaces, schools, and communities.

Founded by Brendan Fahey, Dr. Lisa Fahey OAM, and Phil Dymock, GM5 combines decades of expertise in psychology, trauma recovery, community solutions, and technology development. The app has already expanded across Australia, the United States, and Canada, and now turns its attention to India.

The event held at The Park Hotel, Somajiguda, brought together actors, creators, students, professionals, and journalists for an evening focused on dialogue rather than technology. A traditional lamp‑lighting ceremony set the tone, followed by interactive sessions where attendees explored GM5’s purpose, its relevance to India, and its vision for mind fitness as part of everyday life.

The founders emphasized GM5’s guiding principle, “No one should have to navigate their thoughts and emotions alone. By blending clinical insight with human‑centered design, the app seeks to normalize proactive mindl fitness and make support approachable for all.”

With awareness of mind health steadily rising in India, GM5’s Hyderabad pilot signals the beginning of a larger movement, one that aims to embed mind fitness into daily routines and strengthen supportive environments across the country.

About Give Me Five

Give Me Five – is a global digital app designed to support early detection and proactive monitoring of mind fitness Built by experts across psychology, human services, and technology, Give Me Five focuses on preventive mind fitness support, enabling institutions and communities to create stronger systems of care through early awareness and timely intervention.

Website: gm5.io.