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Estonia Accelerates Trade Outreach to India with High-Impact F&B Delegation Visit

Estonia’s exports to India are witnessing a steady and promising rise, reflecting deepening trade engagement and growing confidence among Estonian businesses in the Indian market. This momentum is further reinforced by a marked increase in interest across industry bodies and business fraternities toward India as a priority growth destination. A significant milestone in this trajectory was the successful visit of an Estonian Food & Beverage (F&B) sector delegation to India in the first week of December, which yielded strong commercial leads, valuable buyer interactions, and a clearer, on-ground understanding of India’s dynamic and rapidly evolving consumer market.

 

Estonia Ambassador to India – H.E. Ms. Marje Luup with Estonian Company Saku Brewery and Indian counterpart HS Oberoi Spirits

 

One of the delegates – Saku Brewery’s Export Manager, Margus Masing, the company’s collaboration with India began through the strong support of KredEx, the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS), and the Estonian Embassy in India.

 

I would like to extend special thanks to the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, KredEx, and Ambassador Marje Luup, who place great value on the success of Estonia’s food and beverage industry and strongly support the promotion of domestic exports. Thanks to their efforts, the cooperation between Saku Brewery and HS Oberoi Spirits became a reality,” said Masing.

 

He highlighted that the partnership with HS Oberoi Spirits has progressed very successfully. “Our collaboration with HS Oberoi Spirits has been excellent — the first container of Saku products arrived in India in July, and another order is already awaiting shipment. At the moment, Saku products are available in the Delhi region, but HS Oberoi Spirits is strongly committed to building our brands across India. Our shared goal is to expand into additional cities and regions. India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets, and we are delighted that Saku products are now available there, with local consumers appreciating our packaging, distinctive flavours, and high quality,” explained Margus Masing.

 

As per Indian counterpart, HS Oberoi Spirits – the role of Estonia Trade Office and equal zeal from Estonian F&B companies brought Estonia’s historic Saku Brewery to India through its partnership with HS Oberoi Spirits. The collaboration stands as a strong early example of the value that shared heritage, craftsmanship, and open trade can create between the two nations. HS Oberoi Spirits is a strategic import and distribution partner committed to building long-term, value-driven collaborations between global beverage brands and the Indian market.

 

Hardarshan Singh Oberoi, Founder, HS Oberoi Spirits, said, “We are delighted to support this growing relationship between India and Estonia. Partnerships like these celebrate craftsmanship, culture, and shared ambition — and we look forward to building many more meaningful stories together.”

 

Manveer Singh Oberoi, Founder, HS Oberoi Spirits, said, “Indian consumers today value authenticity and thoughtful product narratives. Collaborating with Estonia allows us to bring distinctive global experiences to India’s evolving premium beverage landscape.”

 

Further joint initiatives and category-building programs are expected to be explored in the coming months as both countries work toward expanding commercial and cultural engagement.

From a Vision to a Trusted Name – The Inspiring Journey of Property Master and Its Leadership Duo

From a Vision to a Trusted Name – The Inspiring Journey of Property Master and Its Leadership DuoIn 2009, when Faridabad’s real estate was buzzing with possibilities, homebuyers and investors still longed for guidance they could genuinely trust. It was in this moment of opportunity that two driven entrepreneurs, Paras Rai and Goldi Arora, came together with a shared vision to redefine how people experienced property decisions. They believed the market deserved more clarity, more honesty, and a more professional approach, and they set out to deliver exactly that. From a modest office with big dreams, they built Property Master on the simple but powerful idea that real estate should feel transparent, reassuring, and human. Over the years, this vision has expanded beyond Faridabad to Mohali and Gurugram, helping clients across multiple regions navigate real estate with confidence.

 

From a Vision to a Trusted Name – The Inspiring Journey of Property Master and Its Leadership Duo


Founders’ Complementary Strengths
What truly fuelled Property Master’s rise was the complementary strength that Paras Rai and Goldi Arora brought into their partnership. Goldi, a graduate of MJP Rohilkhand University, stepped into real estate with a natural flair for people, communication, and business development. Over the years, he built an impressive network of satisfied clients and some of the biggest sellers in Greater Faridabad through his honest dealings, strong relationships, and instinctive marketing expertise. As Managing Director, he led from the front—developing new services, strengthening client connections, expanding the company’s reach, and nurturing a 50-member marketing team with tireless dedication.

Complementing him perfectly was Paras, a Delhi University commerce graduate with a diploma in IT who brought a structured, analytical approach to real estate advisory. Paras quickly earned a name as a transparent, detail-oriented professional whose financial acumen helped investors make informed, profitable decisions. His deep involvement in portfolio management, asset planning, and investor education steadily grew the company’s investor base and reinforced Property Master’s reputation for credibility. Beyond business, both founders share a strong commitment to social welfare and community upliftment. Together, Goldi and Paras form a formidable leadership duo—one driven by people and strategy, the other by finance and precision—shaping Property Master into a brand built on trust, expertise, and purpose.

Building Property Master as a Trusted Brand
From the early days of shared ambition, Property Master steadily grew into one of the most trusted real estate advisory brands across Faridabad and Mohali, driven not by scale alone but by the ethics, diligence, and transparency that defined its founders. What began as a two-member venture soon evolved into a 100+ strong team, each individual aligned with the company’s customer-first philosophy and commitment to doing right by every buyer and investor. Over the years, Property Master expanded its reach, representing more than 150 projects and building strong collaborations with leading developers across the region. Its services grew with the needs of its clients, spanning buying, selling, leasing, registration support, investment consultation, and complete documentation handholding. Through every step, the goal remained simple and unwavering: to make real estate decisions clearer, easier, and more trustworthy for everyone who walked through their doors.

Ethos That Builds Property Master
At the heart of this growth lies an ethos that has remained unchanged since day one—integrity above all else. Property Master earned its reputation not through grand promises but through honest conversations, ethical dealings, and the assurance that every recommendation came from a place of responsibility. This sincerity became its strongest differentiator, inspiring long-term relationships with clients who returned again and again, often bringing friends and family through referrals. Each repeat customer became a testament to the trust the brand had built. By upholding professionalism and offering clear, transparent advisory at every step, Property Master set new benchmarks in Faridabad and Mohali’s real estate ecosystem, proving that when a business is grounded in values, trust naturally follows.

Leadership With Purpose
What strengthens Property Master’s identity even further is the leadership with purpose. Both Goldi Arora and Paras Rai have always believed that success holds true meaning only when it contributes to the larger good. Goldi has long been involved in social welfare initiatives, dedicating time and resources to uplift weaker sections of society through hands-on community work. Paras, too, has consistently supported charitable causes, contributing generously to initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and social well-being. Their shared commitment to giving back reflects a leadership ethos rooted in humility, responsibility, and purpose beyond profit, shaping Property Master not just as a respected brand but as a values-driven organisation that stands for more than business.

Scaling the Vision
Building on their strong values and human-centric leadership, Property Master steadily evolved into a go-to real estate advisory not only in Faridabad but also in Mohali and Gurugram, serving homebuyers and investors seeking clarity, confidence, and trustworthy guidance. Its success lies in a combination of transparent processes, expert advisory, deep market knowledge, and a relentless customer-first approach, complemented by robust partnerships with leading developers. In Gurugram, the company has established a strong presence in key micromarkets, including SPR, New Gurgaon, Golf Course Road, Golf Course Extension Road, and Sohna Road, providing both residential and investment solutions. At the helm, Paras and Goldi continue to balance each other perfectly; Paras brings financial insight and investor-focused strategy, and Goldi steers marketing, business development, and relationship-building. Together, their complementary strengths ensure that every client experience is not only professional and profitable but also reassuring and seamless, making Property Master a name synonymous with trust across multiple regions.

Looking Ahead
Property Master remains committed to its mission of simplifying real estate decisions for every buyer and investor, ensuring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind at every step. The company envisions expanding its services, embracing technology to enhance client experiences, and deepening its reach across Faridabad and beyond. Guided by the same values and leadership that shaped its journey, Property Master aims not just to advise but to become a trusted partner in every property journey, helping clients navigate the complexities of real estate with expertise, integrity, and a human touch.

CloudThat Just Set a Global First with Three Consecutive AWS Awards in the Same Category

CloudThat is excited to announce it is a recipient of a 2025 Geography and Global AWS Partner Award, recognizing leaders around the globe that are playing key roles in helping their customers drive innovation and build solutions on Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

 

CloudThat Just Set a Global First with Three Consecutive AWS Awards in the Same Category


CloudThat has been named the winner of the AWS Training Partner of the Year – APJ, marking an extraordinary third consecutive win after securing the title in 2023 and 2024. This award recognizes exceptional leadership in delivering high-impact AWS training, enabling cloud adoption at scale, and accelerating customer success across the Asia Pacific and Japan region.


Announced during the Partner Awards Gala at AWS re:Invent 2025, the Geographic and Global AWS Partner Awards honor AWS Partners that have demonstrated specialization, innovation, and deep collaboration throughout the year. These awards highlight partners whose business models continue to evolve and thrive on AWS as they support customers across industries.


As an Advanced Tier AWS Training Partner, CloudThat continued to expand its impact in 2025 by delivering advanced AWS training programs in cloud solutions and architecture, Gen AI, AI/ML, cloud security, DevOps, data engineering, and next-generation technologies. Building on last year’s success—where it was recognized for empowering more than 850,000 learners globally—CloudThat further broadened access to AWS Skill Builder in developing and high-growth markets, helping enterprises and professionals build future-ready cloud capabilities. CloudThat’s training is scalable, lab-intensive, and certification-driven, with tried-and-tested proprietary training solutions that have remained a benchmark for excellence in the tech education ecosystem.


We were the first to start AWS training in India back in 2012, and we knew back then that we were contributing to the beginning of a cloud revolution,” remarked Bhavesh Goswami, CEO & Founder of CloudThat,Thirteen years later, having enabled more than 8.5 Lakh learners in cloud and AI, it’s incredibly rewarding to be recognized by AWS as Partner of the Year for APJ—now for the third consecutive time!”


“We are deeply grateful to AWS for this honour and to every CloudThat team member whose dedication made this achievement possible,” Bhavesh added. “Accolades like these energize us, push us to raise the bar, and reaffirm our commitment to shaping the next generation of cloud and AI talent. Onwards and upwards!”


Rujika Sajeev, Group HR Specialist (L&D) at ieng Group, congratulated CloudThat on their latest win, “This is a remarkable achievement that reflects outstanding dedication, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional AWS learning experiences. CloudThat’s efforts have consistently set new benchmarks in the training landscape, and this recognition is a well-deserved testament to the quality and impact of their work.” 


Jude S, Sr. Director (HR) at Movate, also shared his congratulations, stating, “This outstanding achievement is a testament to the organization’s relentless commitment to innovation and excellence. CloudThat continues to set industry benchmarks and inspire others through its consistent pursuit of quality.”


The Geography and Global AWS Partner Awards included a self-nomination process across several award categories, awarded at both the geographic and global levels. All AWS Partners were invited to participate and submit a nomination. Award submissions were reviewed by a third-party, Canalys, and selected with special emphasis placed on customer success use cases.


In addition, several data-driven award categories were evaluated using metrics that measured AWS Partners’ performance over the past year. Canalys audited these datasets to ensure all measurements were accurate and objective. Finalists represented the top three ranked AWS Partners across each category.


The AWS Partner Network (APN) is a global program focused on helping partners innovate, accelerate their cloud journeys, and fully leverage the breadth and depth of AWS services.


About CloudThat
Established in 2012, CloudThat is an award-winning provider of tech training and consulting services, and the first Indian company to deliver both under one roof. As a leader in digital transformation and tech talent enablement, CloudThat equips organizations and professionals with cutting-edge skills in cloud, GenAI, Data, AI/ML, DevOps, IoT, and modern emerging technologies.


Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, with offices in the UK, USA, and Bangladesh, CloudThat has served clients across 30+ countries, trained 850,000+ professionals, and delivered 500+ consulting projects for 250+ organizations. CloudThat is an AWS Advanced Tier Training Partner, and a Premier Tier Service Partner. Cloudthat also provides training services in partnership with Microsoft, NVIDIA, Google Cloud Platform and Oracle. With 13 prestigious global awards in the past 8 years, including the AWS Training Partner of the Year (APJ) awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the Microsoft Training Services Partner of the Year 2024, CloudThat continues to lead with innovation and commitment to building a future-ready digital workforce.

Wear the Speed, Live the Convenience: Tappy Technologies Powers the Launch of High Performance Payment Bands in Collaboration with First Abu Dhabi Bank and Mastercard

Tappy Technologies, the global leader in wearable payment solutions, is proud to announce that its secure tokenization technology is driving the launch of next-generation contactless payment bands by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in partnership with Mastercard. Inspired by the adrenaline and precision of motor racing, these bands give consumers a unique way to celebrate speed, style, and convenience in everyday life.
 

Wearable contactless payments Racing Ahead
 

Racing spirit meets lifestyle innovation
Much like the world of motor racing where every second counts, these payment bands are designed for seamless performance. Embedded with Thales secure element chips and powered by Tappy’s tokenization technology, the bands allow users to tokenize their Mastercard cards issued by FAB through the Tappy Pay App. Once provisioned, the bands transform into secure payment devices that can be used at millions of contactless-enabled merchants worldwide.

Fast, frictionless freedom
This innovation means consumers can immerse themselves in experiences without worrying about carrying wallets or cards. Whether purchasing merchandise, refreshments, or celebrating with friends, the bands deliver a frictionless payment journey that mirrors the speed and energy of motor racing itself.

Wayne Leung, CEO of Tappy Technologies, said, “Motor racing is all about passion, speed, and precision – and that’s exactly what these payment bands represent. Consumers can proudly wear a stylish accessory while enjoying the convenience of secure, contactless payments powered by Tappy. Together with FAB, Mastercard, and Thales, we are redefining how lifestyle and technology come together to enhance everyday experiences around the world.”
 
About Tappy Technologies
Tappy Technologies is a global leader in wearable payment solutions, specializing in secure tokenization technology that transforms everyday accessories into powerful payment devices. Through partnerships with leading banks, payment networks, and lifestyle brands, Tappy enables consumers to enjoy seamless, secure, and convenient transactions anywhere contactless payments are accepted. With a mission to merge lifestyle and technology, Tappy continues to redefine the way people pay by embedding innovation into the things they love to wear.

L&T Finance Ltd. Receives a CRISIL ESG Rating of 70 Categorised as 'Strong'

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the country, announced its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating by CRISIL. The Company achieved an overall ‘CRISIL ESG 70,’ categorised as a ‘Strong’ rating in FY25 and establishing LTF as the highest-rated entity among the listed NBFCs covered by CRISIL. LTF has also been assigned a Core ESG Rating of ‘CRISIL Core ESG 80.’ These scores are based on public disclosures on ESG parameters at the consolidated level and other publicly available information.

 

LTF has been a pioneer and an early adopter of various sustainability-related practices

 

As per Crisil ESG Ratings, the overall rating can be attributed to the Company’s strong performance on key Environmental (E) and Social (S) parameters, including control over the intensities of Scope 1 and 2 emissions and energy consumption, as well as improved performance on attrition, diversity & inclusion, and stakeholder complaints. Further, it has stated that the Company expanded its scope of disclosures on its Scope 3 emissions and taken initiatives to increase its sustainable finance portfolio, which supported the E score. Furthermore, the rating is aided by a healthy Governance (G) score.

 

Mr. Sudipta Roy, Managing Director and CEO, LTF, said, “Our strong ESG ratings are a significant indicator of how we deliver holistic economic, social, and environmental impact through robust governance, an unwavering commitment to sustainability, and our businesses, which address the needs of unserved and underserved customers. It is a direct result of our proactive approach and dedication to transparency and accountability. Additionally, we are among the first NBFCs to conduct a ‘Double Materiality’ assessment and a ‘Business Impact Study’ based on ‘True Value Methodology.’ We remain focused on creating such benchmarks in the NBFC sector.”

 

Ms. Apurva Rathod, Company Secretary and Chief Sustainability Officer at LTF, said, “Our commitment to business sustainability is deeply embedded in our strategy. We have been a pioneer and early adopter of various sustainability-related practices, and in many cases, well ahead of regulatory mandates. Our journey transitioned from disclosure-based compliance to building an ESG-conscious organisation, and we are taking significant strides towards it. We have embedded ESG principles across business and operations, ensuring value creation for all our stakeholders.

 

Crisil ESG Ratings is a SEBI-registered Category-1 ESG Rating Provider following a subscriber-pays model and relies solely on publicly available information for its ESG rating assessments. The analytical approach combines the Company’s performance relative to its peers with the financial sector’s impact on the environment and society, while the G score remains sector-agnostic.

 

About L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF)

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) (www.LTFINANCE.com) formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., (LTFH) is a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), offering a range of financial products and services. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company has been rated ‘AAA’ — the highest credit rating — by four leading domestic rating agencies. S&P Global Ratings has recently upgraded LTF long-term Issuer Credit Rating to “BBB/Stable” from “BBB-/Positive” and short-term issuer credit rating to “A-2” from “A-3”. Fitch Ratings has assigned LTF Long-Term Foreign and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings of “BBB-” with a Stable outlook. It has also received leadership scores and ratings by global and national Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers for its sustainability performance. The Company has been certified as a Great Place To Work® and has also won many prestigious awards for its flagship CSR project – “Digital Sakhi”- which focuses on women’s empowerment and digital and financial inclusion. Under Right to Win, being in the ‘right businesses’ has helped the Company become one of the leading financiers in key Retail products. The Company is focused on creating a top-class, digitally enabled, Retail finance company as part of the Lakshya 2026 plan. The goal is to move the emphasis from product focus to customer focus and establish a robust Retail portfolio with quality assets, thus creating a Fintech@Scale while keeping ESG at the core. Fintech@Scale is one of the pillars of the Company’s strategic roadmap – Lakshya 2026. The Company has over 2.7 Crore customer database, which is being leveraged to cross-sell, up-sell, and identify new customers.

 

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Galgotias University Hosts IEEE ICCCA 2025 Along With WIE-HackEarth & I'CEO Innovation Events, Strengthening Global Research and Technology Leadership

Galgotias University hosted the 2025 IEEE 7th International Conference on Computing, Communication and Automation (ICCCA), bringing together leading researchers, technologists, academicians and industry experts from India and abroad. The conference reinforced the university’s commitment to fostering innovation, research excellence and global academic collaboration.

 

https://www.newsvoir.com/images/article/image1/34015_ICCCA-2025-Group.jpg

Delegates, dignitaries, and organisers during the 2025 IEEE 7th International Conference on Computing, Communication and Automation (ICCCA) at Galgotias University


ICCCA 2025 received 2,278 research paper submissions, with 430 accepted, reflecting a strong global interest in emerging technologies across computing, communication, automation and artificial intelligence. The conference featured key perspectives from eminent dignitaries including Dr. S N Singh, Director, ABV-IIITM Gwalior & IEEE Fellow; Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate (IN-SPACe); Prof. Brij B. Gupta, Director, CCRI, Asia University, Taiwan; Dr. Mohammad Rihan, Director, NISE, Gurugram & Chair Elect, IEEE UP Section; and Mr. Sandeep Jain, Deputy Secretary, Government of India. Their talks highlighted India’s expanding space innovation landscape, intelligent automation, interdisciplinary research and global technology readiness.


As part of its international engagement efforts, Galgotias University strengthened cross-border collaboration through an MoU with CCRI Asia University, Taiwan, promoting joint research and innovation programs.


In parallel with ICCCA, the University also hosted two major IEEE-supported innovation events:

  • WIE-HackEarth 2025, funded by IEEE Women in Engineering, brought together 30 teams and 90 women innovators for a 24-hour hackathon focused on sustainability, smart health, digital literacy and tech-driven social impact.

  • I’CEO, sponsored by the IEEE Uttar Pradesh Section, engaged 16 teams from IEEE Student Branches in entrepreneurial simulations, strategic decision-making and leadership challenges.


Commenting on the occasion Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University,At Galgotias University, we are committed to nurturing a research-driven ecosystem that empowers students and scholars to innovate, experiment and lead in rapidly evolving technological domains. Hosting ICCCA 2025 along with the WIE-HackEarth and I’CEO events reflects our dedication to building global collaborations and preparing future-ready leaders who will shape the world with impactful ideas and solutions.”


The synergy between ICCCA 2025 and the IEEE innovation events highlighted Galgotias University’s continued leadership in advancing high-impact research, promoting interdisciplinary learning and enabling international academic partnerships. With strong support from global experts, policymakers and industry leaders, the university remains committed to empowering the next generation of innovators and technology pioneers.


About Galgotias University
Galgotias University Among the World’s Leading Universities in QS and THE Rankings


Galgotias University proudly ascends in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds, securing a coveted position in the 1201–1400 global band. Ranked 15th among top private universities and 43rd among all Indian universities—public and private combined—this achievement marks a powerful endorsement of Galgotias’ unwavering commitment to academic excellence, global relevance, and innovation in higher education.


In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Galgotias University has been ranked 45th among Indian universities (including both government and private institutions) and placed in the globally prestigious 1001–1200 band. This significant achievement reinforces the university’s growing stature in the international academic arena and validates its consistent progress in global higher education benchmarks.

Galgotias University Champions Global Dialogue Through TGUMUN 2025

Galgotias University successfully concluded the inaugural edition of the Galgotias Model United Nations (TGUMUN 2025), hosted under the visionary leadership of Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University. The two-day conference brought together over 200 delegates from institutions across India, fostering impactful discussions on global peace, climate justice, human rights and international security.

 

Delegates, dignitaries and award winners during the Closing Ceremony of TGUMUN 2025 at Galgotias University


The Closing Ceremony, held at the Knowledge Centre (AI & DS Block), featured Col (Retd.) Gopal Karunakaran as Chief Guest and Ms. Lakshmi Hariharan, CEO, Spectra Genie, as Guest of Honour.


Addressing the delegates, Col Karunakaran stressed the rising significance of India in global affairs. “India is a fast-growing economy with strong military capability. It is time for India to take its rightful place in the UN Security Council and help shape global decisions,” he said. 


This year’s conference simulated committees including UNHRC, UNGA, UNEP, UNODC, and UNCSW, challenging students to draft resolutions, negotiate positions and engage in moderated caucuses that mirrored real-world diplomacy.


Reflecting on the success of TGUMUN 2025, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia said, “At Galgotias University, we are committed to nurturing globally informed, socially conscious leaders. TGUMUN is a platform where young minds learn diplomacy, dialogue and problem-solving-skills essential for shaping a better world.”


The ceremony also included the felicitation of the Executive Board, screening of The Making of TGUMUN, committee awards and recognition of the Secretariat. The conference concluded with a Vote of Thanks by the Director General and formal closure by Secretary-General Kashish Wadhawan, who praised students for their dedication and collaborative spirit.


TGUMUN 2025 reaffirmed Galgotias University’s mission to strengthen leadership, negotiation and analytical abilities among youth-preparing the next generation of diplomatic leaders.


About Galgotias University
Galgotias University Among the World’s Leading Universities in QS and THE Rankings.


Galgotias University proudly ascends in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds, securing a coveted position in the 1201-1400 global band. Ranked 15th among top private universities and 43rd among all Indian universities-public and private combined-this achievement marks a powerful endorsement of Galgotias’ unwavering commitment to academic excellence, global relevance, and innovation in higher education.


In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Galgotias University has been ranked 45th among Indian universities (including both government and private institutions) and placed in the globally prestigious 1001–1200 band. This significant achievement reinforces the university’s growing stature in the international academic arena and validates its consistent progress in global higher education benchmarks.

Mpower's 5-Year Data Reveals Rising Mental Health Challenges Among Indian Men

Mpower, a leading holistic mental health care provider and an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, founded by Mrs Neerja Birla, has released a consolidated analysis of five years of data from its helpline, counselling ecosystem and youth outreach programmes, highlighting a steady rise in mental health challenges experienced by Indian men. The findings show that more men are reaching out for help than ever before, yet the emotional strain they carry continues to intensify, particularly among younger and working-age groups.

 

Across all service verticals and outreach channels, Mpower engaged with an estimated 2.83 lakh men over the review period, with the largest segment being young men between 18 and 25 years. Youth-focused programmes alone reached around 2,07,350 young men through screenings, early-intervention initiatives, campus engagements, community projects and multi-city outreach efforts. This indicates not only high vulnerability within this age group but also greater receptiveness to mental health conversations when support is made accessible at educational and community touchpoints.

 

For working-age men between 26 and 40 years, help-seeking behaviour was most visible on the 24×7 Mpower 1on1 helpline, which recorded 75,702 male callers between 2022 and 2025. Many of these callers reached out anonymously, reflecting the hesitation men often feel about approaching in-person services due to stigma or fear of judgment. Of these calls, 16,698 were specifically linked to relationship issues, depression and stress, indicating that emotional strain, interpersonal conflict and mood-related concerns remain the most prominent triggers for seeking support. Encouragingly, 40% of male callers reported feeling a reduction in stress by the end of the call, demonstrating the tangible value of immediate, empathetic intervention.

 

Geographically, urban and semi-urban regions showed strong engagement, with Pune accounting for 1,13,435 young male beneficiaries and Mumbai engaging 53,657 young men through clinical services, outreach and youth initiatives. Other regions including Rajasthan, Delhi, Bangalore, Goa and Hyderabad collectively contributed over 40,000 additional young male engagements, reflecting a broad, national footprint of mental health needs across diverse communities.

 

The most common mental health challenges reflected across Mpower’s helpline and programme interactions include stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, relationship distress, academic pressure, family conflict, low self-esteem, loneliness and financial uncertainty. Many men expressed difficulty sharing their emotional struggles openly and frequently described coping by suppressing feelings, withdrawing socially or over-focusing on work. Some also reported resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance use. These behavioural patterns underline the cultural and social expectations that continue to discourage men from acknowledging or expressing distress.


Mpower’s clinical presence ensures access to qualified experts in key metros, including:

 


This multi-city network enables timely and professional support for men nationwide.


Mpower continues to strengthen its mental health services for men through clinical care, multi-lingual helplines, university and school programmes, early screening, community-based initiatives, capacity-building workshops pan India. Its integrated model, combining clinical expertise with proactive outreach, aims to create safe spaces for men across age groups, cities and socio-economic backgrounds to seek help without stigma.

 

Furthermore, for those in need of immediate, confidential support, Mpower’s 1on1 Mental Health Toll-Free 24×7 Helpline is available at 1800-120-820050.

 

About Mpower
Mpower, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust is a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to transforming India approach to mental health. Founded 9 years ago, Mpower has emerged as a leading force in spreading awareness, reducing stigma, and delivering holistic mental health care. With a robust team of over 200 trained professionals, Mpower impacts more than 121 million lives across seven cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi and Pune. Operating through five key verticals—Movement, Clinical Care, Outreach, Academia, and Mpower 1 on 1—Mpower offers a comprehensive range of services. The Movement focuses on changing cultural perceptions and alleviating stigma. Clinical Care provides world-class mental health services through the Centre, the Foundation, and the Cell, catering to various needs from holistic care to affordable support for the underprivileged. The Outreach vertical drives awareness and capacity-building through IGNITE Programs for schools, colleges, NGOs, and corporates. Academia equips individuals and professionals with skills to handle mental health crises and foster empathy. The Helpline offers 24/7 multilingual support, while special projects like Samvedana enhance mental health care in primary health centers. Mpower’s integrated approach and collaboration with government agencies underscore its commitment to creating a supportive and stigma-free mental health landscape.

Study by Indian Body, Center for Chronic Disease Control Reiterates Link Between Lower Salt Intake and Reduced Hypertension & Cardiovascular Disease

A new study by the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) for the first time concurrently estimated the daily salt and iodine consumption levels of the adult population in India and examined the effect of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended salt intake levels on iodine levels. The study demonstrated that in India, where universal salt iodization is mandatory, a reduction in salt intake to the Government of India’s National Multisectoral NCD Action Plan and WHO-recommended levels of ≤ 5 g/d does not compromise the level of iodine intake. This was measured by the gold standard method of collecting and analysing 24-hour urine samples for salt intake and iodine intake by measuring Urinary Iodine Concentration (UIC) and urinary iodine excretion (UIE). These findings provide strong support for the current recommendations to reduce population salt intake to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are rapidly increasing in India. Notably, salt reduction is unlikely to impact iodine supplementation efforts, indicating compatibility between the two interventions, which should be continuously monitored through robust surveillance. The study can be accessed here.

 

CCDC field staff collecting samples from a patient

 

Excess dietary salt intake is a major preventable risk factor for hypertension and CVDs. Thus, salt reduction is recommended by most global health organizations and the National NCD Action Plan as a key strategy to reduce CVDs. Reducing the salt intake by 30% by 2025 is among the WHO’s nine voluntary global targets. The most recent WHO status report shows that the world is far behind in achieving this target.

 

Prof. (Dr) Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Executive Director, CCDC and senior author of the study, explained the relevance of these findings and population study in the context of national efforts to combat the global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) reported in India. He said, “One of the major concerns in terms of reducing salt intake is whether it would impact iodine consumption, given that there is a mandatory fortification of salt with iodine to prevent hypothyroidism and goitre. However, this study clearly shows that even with reduced sodium intake, iodine intake remains adequate, and the fear that lowering sodium intake will reduce iodine intake is misplaced. It is crucial, as a public health measure, to reduce sodium to reduce the prevalence of hypertension in the population. To give a context, more than 300 million Indians live with hypertension. And one of the most essential lifestyle measures is reducing salt intake. In this regard, the study has provided major insights: reducing salt intake will not adversely affect iodine intake.”

 

Speaking about the findings, Professor Sailesh Mohan, Deputy Director & Head-CVD Epidemiology, CCDC, and one of the senior study authors, said, “Salt intake is high in India, and its reduction through population-wide efforts is an urgent imperative to control the rising burden of hypertension, which affects a third of Indian adults. This study’s findings provide much-needed evidence to indicate that salt reduction to recommended levels is unlikely to impact iodine levels among adults.”

 

Study Design and Findings

This study aimed to estimate the daily salt and iodine consumption levels of the adult population in India and examine the effect of the WHO-recommended salt intake levels on iodine levels. The study sites were selected to include slum and non-slum urban and rural areas. The urban part of the survey was conducted in Delhi, and the rural part in Faridabad, Haryana. Participant recruitment was done using a stratified random sampling method to recruit individuals from urban, urban slum, and rural areas, from 6 age and sex groups.

 

Iodine in salt, which was collected from 205 households, was estimated by iodometric titration with sodium thiosulfate. All samples were analyzed in triplicate with two levels of controls. The intra- and interassay coefficient of variation were 1.39% and 1.42%, respectively

 

Key Takeaways

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Delhi and Haryana, India, among adults aged ≥20 years, and 24-hour urine samples were collected to assess the salt and iodine levels.

  1. Sample – The mean salt intake was 8.07 g/d (95% confidence interval: 7.03, 9.11), median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 167.8 μg/L (102.63–284.5), and the mean urinary iodine excretion (UIE) was 276.1 μg/ 24h (254.5–297.8).

  2. Observation – Analysis to assess iodine intake adequacy by salt intake levels indicated that the median UIC, as well as UIE, were adequate when salt intake was as per the WHO- WHO-recommended level, i.e., ≤5 g/d. The conclusion was that even at the WHO-recommended salt intake levels, population iodine intake in this study population was adequate, likely indicating that upward titration in iodine concentration in salt may not be required.

  3. Conclusion – Thus, current salt reduction recommendations are unlikely to impact iodine supplementation efforts, indicating compatibility between the 2 interventions, which should be continuously monitored through robust surveillance.

This study demonstrates that in India, where universal salt iodization is mandatory, a reduction in salt intake to WHO’s recommended levels of ≤ 5 g/d does not compromise the level of iodine intake among participants as measured by 24-h UIC and UIE in adults.

 

These findings provide strong support for the WHO’s recommendations to reduce population salt intake to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and also allay concerns regarding the requirement of an upward iodine titration in salt to account for the reduced dietary salt intake. Thus, current salt reduction recommendations are unlikely to impact iodine supplementation efforts, indicating compatibility between the 2 interventions.

 

The study protocol was approved by the Indian Health Ministry’s Screening Committee and the ethics committee of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi. It was supported by a funding award made by the Global Alliance for Chronic Disease through the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC).

 

About CCDC

The Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) is leading efforts to transform public health and empower public health professionals to combat the growing challenge of chronic diseases across India and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Established in 2000 as a non-profit scientific organization, this Delhi-based organization has been working alongside the Government of India (GoI) to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in India. 

APD Leads Large-Scale Accessibility Audit Drive on IDPD 2025

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025, the Association of People with Disability (APD) mobilised one of India’s largest community-led accessibility assessments, a coordinated effort across 33 districts in five states, including aspirational districts, bringing together 507 volunteers and conducting 2,514 audits in a single day.
 

At a time when India is reimagining its public infrastructure, this initiative highlights a critical question: Are our public spaces truly built for everyone?
 

APD’s Kalaburagi CMHP team volunteers during the IDPD audit drive organised by APD using the Yes to Access app
 

Through the Yes to Access (YTA) app, volunteers assessed everyday spaces, public buildings, transportation hubs, schools, workplaces, health centres, and community facilities, offering a ground-level view of how accessible India really is. As of November 30, the platform has already collected over 2,00,000 audits nationwide.
 

This year’s drive aligns with the global IDPD 2025 theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” and brings to the forefront a systemic issue that often remains invisible. Teams across APD’s programmes, Early Intervention, Inclusive Education, Livelihoods, Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, and Advocacy, joined staff, volunteers, persons with disabilities, and community members to evaluate both rural and urban locations.
 

The YTA app enabled participants to conduct structured assessments capturing physical access, safety, signage, service usability, and overall inclusiveness.
 

Speaking about the initiative, Dr NS Senthil Kumar, CEO, APD, said, “Accessibility cannot remain an afterthought. It has to be measured, witnessed, and acted upon. This audit drive shows what collective action can achieve when communities, persons with disabilities, and technology come together. The insights we gather will help us push for real, on-ground improvements across the country.”
 

The coordinated effort also included 1,243 website accessibility audits conducted by 44 APD employees. APD will share key findings with local authorities, civic agencies, and partner networks to advocate for actionable upgrades and support compliance with accessibility standards.
 

About The Association of People with Disability (APD)
The Association of People with Disability (APD) is a non-profit organization based in Bengaluru, working since 1959 to empower people with disabilities from underprivileged backgrounds. APD’s comprehensive programs span early intervention, education, healthcare, livelihoods, and advocacy, reaching children and adults with physical, intellectual, and multiple disabilities. With a strong focus on creating sustainable impact, APD partners with communities, corporates, and governments to build a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities live independent, dignified lives.

More information: www.apd-india.org.