Futurense, India’s fastest-growing AI skilling company, today announced the launch of FDE Academy, the World’s first structured pathway designed to train engineers for Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE), widely recognised as the hottest role in AI globally.

Raghav Gupta, CEO and Founder, Futurense Technologies

Built by experienced Forward Deployed Engineers and senior AI leaders, FDE Academy marks the first time practitioners who actively deploy AI systems in production environments have come together to define how the role is developed. The Academy establishes a clear, structured pathway for Forward Deployed Engineering, a role that has until now been learned largely through hands-on deployment experience within global AI teams.

Forward Deployed Engineers play a critical role in taking artificial intelligence systems from experimentation to real-world deployment. As organisations across industries move AI into production environments, demand for engineers who can deploy, operate, and own AI systems has grown rapidly. As observed in the industry, hiring for Forward Deployed Engineers has increased by more than 800 percent in the past year, reflecting strong global demand for deployment-ready AI talent.

India produces over 1.5 million engineers annually, yet only a small proportion transition into advanced AI roles that involve real-world deployment and system ownership. At the same time, companies across the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia are actively hiring engineers capable of deploying AI in production, often for global and remote roles. FDE Academy is designed to bridge this gap by preparing Indian engineers for these international opportunities.

Speaking on the launch, Raghav Gupta, Founder and CEO, Futurense, said, “Forward Deployed Engineering has emerged as the hottest role in AI globally, yet there was no structured pathway anywhere in the world to prepare engineers for it. FDE Academy is built by practitioners to address this gap and to connect Indian engineering talent with global and remote AI opportunities.”

The FDE Academy delivers a 32-week, practitioner-led program that trains engineers to build, deploy, and manage AI systems in real enterprise conditions. The curriculum focuses on hands-on labs, production-grade tools, and real-world case studies, mirroring how Forward Deployed Engineers operate globally. Learners also gain access to a dedicated community of FDEs and AI practitioners for peer learning and industry exposure. This network further opens pathways to global and remote AI opportunities, supporting long-term career growth.

Backed by Futurense’s ecosystem of 25,000+ trained learners and 60+ enterprise partnerships, FDE Academy prepares engineers for roles including Forward Deployed Engineer, Applied AI Engineer, AI Solutions Engineer, and AI Systems Lead. These roles are increasingly in demand across sectors such as technology, BFSI, healthcare, automotive, and global SaaS.

FDE Academy represents a new category in AI skilling, providing a structured, practitioner-led pathway for one of the most in-demand roles in the global AI workforce.

For more information, visit fde.academy

About Futurense
Futurense is India’s fastest-growing AI skilling company focused on building deployment-ready talent for the global AI economy. The company works with industry leaders and enterprises to deliver practitioner-led, industry-relevant learning experiences for high-impact AI roles.

ITALMOPA, the Italian Association of Milling Industries, returns to India with its European campaign “Pure Flour from Europe”, highlighting the quality, safety and performance of premium EU and Italian soft wheat flour. 
 

A group picture showing event organizers, culinary professionals, influencers, and guests
 

The association hosted an exclusive presentation on 9 March 2026 at Le Méridien New Delhi, followed by participation at AAHAR 2026 from 10-14 March at Pragati Maidan. The initiative comes at a time of strong growth in India’s imports of European soft wheat flour, reflecting rising demand from professional chefs, artisan bakers and increasingly discerning home cooks seeking premium, fully traceable ingredients.
 

India: A High-Potential Growth Market

India continues to demonstrate robust demand for imported soft wheat flour:
 

• Imports reached €1.7 million in 2024, the third highest level ever recorded.

• In the first ten months of 2025 alone, imports totalled €2.5 million, already surpassing previous annual figures.

• Forecasts indicate imports may exceed €3 million by the end of 2025, marking a historic high.
   

Italy remains the leading European Union exporter of soft wheat flour to India, with exports projected to reach approximately €378,000 in 2025.
 

“India represents a strategic and fast-growing market for high-quality European flour,” said Vincenzo Martinelli, President of ITALMOPA. “Although India is one of the world’s largest producers of soft wheat flour, we are witnessing increasing demand for premium imported products, particularly within the hospitality sector. The current growth trajectory confirms the significant long-term potential of this market.”
 

Promoting Excellence through “Pure Flour from Europe”

The “Pure Flour from Europe” campaign aims to raise awareness of the superior characteristics of European soft wheat flour – especially Italian flour recognised worldwide for:
 

• Consistent baking performance

• Excellent elasticity and dough stability

• High food safety standards

• Full traceability

• Sustainable production practices.
   

Italian soft wheat flour is particularly valued for uses such as Neapolitan pizza, focaccia, artisan breads, pastries and fresh pasta, where flour performance is essential to achieving authentic texture and structure.
 

Devna Khanna, Director of i2i, and Chef Manjit Gill, President of the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) engage with delegates, discussing collaboration, culinary trends, and industry initiatives
 

Rigorous Safety, Traceability and Sustainability Standards

Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Rome, ITALMOPA represents more than 80 industrial milling companies across Italy and is the largest flour milling association in the European Union. European milling operations are subject to some of the world’s most stringent food safety regulations. Quality controls begin with the careful selection of wheat and continue throughout the milling and distribution process via fully computerised traceability systems.
 

Thousands of analytical tests and cross-checks are conducted annually by independent accredited laboratories to ensure compliance with EU standards. In addition to quality assurance, the European milling industry remains committed to sustainability, investing continuously in energy efficiency, emissions reduction and responsible by-product utilisation.
 

Live Demonstrations and Tastings at AAHAR 2026

Visitors to AAHAR 2026 can discover “Pure Flour from Europe” at Booth 13B, Hall 1G, where representatives from leading Italian milling companies, including Molini Agugiaro & Figna and Mulino Caputo, will meet industry professionals and buyers. Live culinary demonstrations will be led by Italian master chefs Giuseppe Ottolano and Riccardo Scaioli, who will prepare authentic Neapolitan pizza and Pizza in pala using premium Italian flour, enabling visitors to experience its performance first-hand.
 

Strengthening EU–India Trade Relations

The campaign also reflects the strengthening of trade relations between the European Union and India. Following the closure of negotiations on a landmark free trade agreement between the European Union and India, further agri-food exchanges will be facilitated, opening new opportunities for high-quality European products within the Indian market.
 

With India’s rapidly expanding hospitality sector and growing appetite for international cuisines, Italian soft wheat flour is well positioned to support chefs and bakers seeking authenticity, consistency and premium quality.
 

About ITALMOPA

Founded in 1958 and based in Rome, ITALMOPA (Italian Association of Milling Industries) represents over 80 industrial milling companies and promotes the excellence, innovation and sustainability of Italian flour production worldwide. The association plays a key role in advancing quality standards and supporting international market development for Italian milling products.
 

For further information, visit www.pureflourfromeurope.com and follow the campaign on Instagram – Facebook – YouTube.

Jalyukt Shivar 2.0 is redefining Maharashtra’s water future. Anchored by a formal MoU between The Art of Living Social Projects and the Government of Maharashtra, the initiative is driving large-scale desilting, groundwater recharge and community-led execution across drought-prone regions.
 

Gharni River: Desilted. Revived. Alive
 

With groundwater declining and monsoons often turning rogue, the response is bold, structured, ambitious, and practical – building resilience, restoring water bodies, and securing long-term water stability for the state.
 

A Nation Running on Empty

India’s water crisis is no longer a distant warning – it’s an everyday challenge. Nearly 80% of the country’s agricultural and domestic water needs rely on groundwater, while only about 20% come from rainfall and surface sources like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. For more than two decades, extraction has outpaced natural recharge, causing water tables to fall. Disruptions in the hydrological cycle and increasingly erratic rainfall have intensified stress.
 

The imbalance is stark: an estimated 239 trillion litres of groundwater is extracted each year, yet only around 6% of rainfall is effectively stored, while nearly 78% flows into rivers and eventually the sea. Aquifers remain under severe strain, highlighting the urgent need for structured conservation, storage, and recharge systems.
 

Between Drought and Flood

For years, large parts of Maharashtra have swung between extremes – drought and flood. Failed or uneven monsoons bring acute scarcity, while heavy rainfall rushes away unchecked, causing damage instead of relief. Streams and rivers that once held water longer are now shallow and silted, reducing storage and weakening groundwater recharge. Increasing reliance on borewells and deeper wells further lowers water tables.
 

Communities face frequent droughts, declining agricultural productivity, crop losses, flood damage, and dependence on tanker water. This cycle – scarcity, over-extraction, runoff, and loss – reveals that the problem is not rainfall alone, but how water is managed. Structured, long-term conservation became not just necessary, but urgent.
 

Jalyukt Shivar 2.0: Turning Rain into Security

The initiative is driven by a single, practical goal: make Maharashtra drought-resilient through systematic water management. Its core objectives:

• Capture and store rainwater efficiently

• Strengthen groundwater recharge

• Stabilise and improve agricultural productivity
   

By rebuilding natural water-holding systems, Jalyukt Shivar 2.0 converts short-lived monsoons into year-round security – benefiting farmers, villages, and future generations.
 

Reviving Maharashtra’s Waterways

Jalyukt Shivar 2.0 revitalises rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes by desilting, deepening, and widening channels. Pond and lake silt is reused on marginal farms, improving soil fertility.
 

Maharashtra faces a challenging reality: 80–90% of rainfall falls within just a few months, and most of it runs off without recharging groundwater. Jalyukt Shivar 2.0 changes this, raising infiltration from 6% to 25–35% through scientific, phased interventions:
 

• Phase I (2013 – 2019): Focused on drought-prone regions, desilting, stream deepening, and water storage

• Phase II (2024 – 2026): Expands coverage, consolidates long-term water security
   

Scale & Impact

• 2,90,64,668 cubic metres of silt removed from rivers, including Gharni, Tavarja, Jana, Mudgul, and more

• 16,716 million litres of water conserved since 2013

• 12,38,175 total beneficiaries
  ​

Farm-Level Benefits:

• Higher yields: Consistent water and soil moisture support better cultivation and crop rotation.

• Stronger incomes: Multiple crop cycles and diversified farming reduce risk and stabilise earnings.

• Flood resilience: Wider, desilted streams prevent waterlogging, erosion, and crop loss.

• Lower drought risk: Recharged aquifers provide water even during dry spells.
   

National Recognition

In November 2025, The Art of Living Social Projects was honoured by the Ministry of Jal Shakti with two national awards – Best Civil Society at the 6th National Water Awards 2024 (for the second consecutive year) and Best NGO award under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB 1.0).
 

These accolades recognise the scale, innovation, and measurable impact of Jalyukt Shivar 2.0 – a model for science-driven, community-led, long-term water resilience across India. As Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has said, “Our survival depends on water; it is the basis of our life force. We need to protect and nurture the sources of water.” This insight underlines the very ethos of Jalyukt Shivar 2.0: protecting water is protecting life.

About The Art of Living Social Projects

The Art of Living, a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organisation founded in 1981 by world-renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is deeply committed to addressing India’s pressing water challenges. Through large-scale water conservation initiatives, the organisation works to alleviate water scarcity, restore ecosystems and enhance the quality of life for communities across the country.
 

To learn more about the initiative or explore CSR partnerships, visit: Best NGO for CSR projects in India.
 

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In a significant advancement in cardiac care, specialists at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals successfully performed a complex leadless pacemaker implantation in a 65-year-old patient with a metallic prosthetic tricuspid valve. The procedure, performed by Dr Vanita Arora, marks the first time in India that a leadless pacemaker has been implanted through a metallic prosthetic valve, offering a safer, non-surgical treatment option for patients with similar complex cardiac histories.

Dr Vanita Arora (centre) with the cardiac electrophysiology team after performing India’s first leadless pacemaker implantation through a metallic prosthetic tricuspid valve

The patient had a long and complicated medical journey. He underwent pancreaticojejunostomy (surgical procedure that connects the pancreas to the jejunum (small intestine) to drain pancreatic enzymes), in 1998, after which he developed fungal infective endocarditis affecting the tricuspid valve. In 2000, he required cardiac surgery with debridement of the tricuspid valve. Over time, he developed severe tricuspid regurgitation that led to symptoms of right-sided heart failure. In 2018, his condition required tricuspid valve replacement with a 31 mm metallic bileaflet mechanical prosthesis (Artivion On-X valve).

Recently, the patient developed dizziness and episodes of presyncope. Evaluation revealed symptomatic sinus node dysfunction along with atrioventricular conduction disease, making permanent pacemaker implantation necessary.

However, conventional pacemaker implantation was not feasible because pacing leads cannot safely pass through a mechanical tricuspid valve, as this may damage the prosthesis and increase the risk of valve dysfunction, thrombosis and lead failure. In addition, repeat open-heart surgery to place epicardial leads was considered high risk because the patient had already undergone multiple cardiac procedures.

The cardiac electrophysiology team led by Dr Vanita, therefore opted for a leadless pacing system. Unlike traditional pacemakers that require leads placed through veins into the heart, a leadless pacemaker is a small self-contained device that is delivered directly into the heart through a catheter inserted via a vein in the leg. This approach eliminates the need for leads and avoids interference with the prosthetic valve.

In this case, a dual-chamber Aveir leadless pacemaker capable of maintaining atrioventricular synchrony was implanted. The procedure required careful planning, including detailed mapping of the heart, safe navigation across the mechanical valve and precise fixation of the device within the right ventricle. The successful implantation restored normal heart rhythm while preserving the function of the prosthetic valve.

Dr Vanita Arora, Clinical Lead – Cardiac Electrophysiology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said, “Patients with mechanical tricuspid valves who require pacing present a unique challenge because conventional pacemaker leads cannot be passed across the valve. Leadless pacing technology allowed us to safely restore heart rhythm without repeat open-heart surgery, offering an important option for patients with complex surgical histories.”

The patient recovered well after the procedure and has been discharged in stable condition. Dr. Vanita Arora’s pioneering work in this case not only demonstrates the potential of innovative electrophysiology techniques but also opens the door for safer and less invasive treatment options for high-risk cardiac patients across India.

This landmark procedure highlights the growing role of leadless pacing technology in managing complex cardiac cases and opens new possibilities for patients with prosthetic tricuspid valves who previously had limited treatment options.

About Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, India’s first JCI accredited hospital, is a joint venture between the Government of Delhi and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. Commissioned in July 1996, it is the third super-specialty tertiary care hospital set up by the Apollo Hospitals Group. Spread over 15 acres, it houses 57 specialties with more than 300 specialists and more than 700 operational beds, 19 operation theatres, 138 ICU beds, round-the-clock pharmacy, NABL accredited laboratories, 24-hour emergency services and an active air ambulance service. Apollo Hospitals Delhi has the leading programme in kidney and liver transplant in the country. The first successful paediatrics and adult liver transplants in India were performed at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. The hospital is at the forefront of medical technology and expertise. It provides a complete range of latest diagnostic, medical and surgical facilities for the care of its patients. The Hospital has introduced the most sophisticated imaging technology to India with the introduction of 64 slice CT and 3 Tesla MRI, Novalis Tx and the integrated PET Suite.

In a groundbreaking advancement, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals has recently introduced the ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery Platform, revolutionizing brain tumor treatment across South Asia. This state-of-the-art technology offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional brain surgery, promising improved patient outcomes and comfort. Backed by the experience and expertise of Radiation Oncologists and technical team, Indraprastha Apollo also brings the revolutionary RADIXACT – X9 that combines imaging and treatment delivery to precisely target a wide variety of Cancers.

Indraprastha Apollo has pioneered the concept of preventive health check programmes and has created a satisfied customer base over decades. The Hospital has been consistently ranked amongst the best 10 hospitals in India by The Week survey for the past few years.

Hospital website – www.apollohospdelhi.com                       

Twitter: @HospitalsApollo

• Unveils IRL, Solarpunk, Pastoral and Daydream as the four design directions for the 2026

• Announces ‘Moonlit Silk’ as Colour of the Year and ‘Zanskar’ as Wallpaper of the Year

Asian Paints today unveiled ColourNext 2026, its annual forecast that decodes the cultural, material, and emotional shifts shaping the future of design. Now in its 23rd year, ColourNext continues to be South Asia’s most authoritative intelligence on colour, materials, textures, and finishes offering insights that are globally relevant yet deeply rooted in cultural context.

Asian Paints ColourNext 2026 – Daydream – Design Trend

Since 2003, Asian Paints has studied colour not merely as an aesthetic choice, but as a cultural and material force that shapes how we live, build, and imagine. Each year, the ColourNext team collaborates with leading voices across architecture, art, interiors, fashion, sociology, media, and FMCG to develop a rigorous, interdisciplinary forecast. Over time, it has evolved into a trusted framework for designers, architects, and brands navigating change through design foresight.

The ColourNext 2026 report traces how shifts emerging across science labs, digital culture, architecture, craft, media, and everyday life translate into new design languages and material futures.

Speaking on this forecast, Amit Syngle, MD and CEO of Asian Paints Ltd. said, “Culture today is being shaped in moments of transition where certainty gives way to curiosity, and new ways of living begin to emerge. ColourNext 2026 maps these shifts through colour, material, and design, offering a lens into how people are reimagining presence, progress, and value in a changing world. Rather than treating trends as surface aesthetics, ColourNext 2026 approaches them as cultural movements – systems of thought, behaviour, and imagination that shape how the world is being rebuilt.”

This year’s forecast identifies four interconnected design directions:

IRL, which responds to the absence of choice in algorithmic digital worlds we inhabit where we are the user, product and consumer, and bravely takes a step out into an unpredictable IRL world through presence, tactility, intention, and connection – prioritising attention over acceleration.

Solarpunk, which expresses a post-capitalist desire for regenerative futures, where nature and technology operate in symbiosis and optimism becomes a design strategy, aesthetics an outcome of design, not the intention of design.

Pastoral, which redefines luxury through lineage, locality, and inherited craft. In an age where it’s easy to impersonate authenticity online with the right tools, non-visual cultural capital in land, memory, and ancestral knowledge become true markers of luxury.

Daydream, which offers a soft suspension of time – romantic, translucent, and quietly surreal, where the mind overlays daily reality with poetry, emotion, and light.

At the centre of this cultural landscape is the Colour of the Year 2026: Moonlit Silk. A warm, luminous neutral, Moonlit Silk reflects a collective longing for slowness, familiarity, and emotional grounding in an overstimulated world. Radiant yet restrained, it evokes the softness of worn pages and the comfort of everyday rituals, offering presence without performance and optimism without excess. In a world that often feels overly curated, this colour captures a quiet longing to reconnect with what is real, tactile, and memory-washed. It is the tone of unperformed moments: the soft light of home at dusk, laughter that doesn’t require an audience, comfort that arrives without spectacle. Moonlit Silk becomes a calming anchor for contemporary spaces seeking warmth, quiet confidence, and enduring relevance.

Alongside this, the Wallpaper of the Year 2026, Zanskar, extends the narrative of quiet depth and cultural memory. Inspired by the high-altitude landscape of the Himalayas, the design weaves a trellis of blooming roses across the surface, drawing from the language of traditional pastoral embroidery. Hand-block printed gilver details shimmer softly like moonlight on mountain ridges, adding warmth and subtle luminosity. Both grounded and intricate, Zanskar reflects a renewed appreciation for craft, provenance, and storytelling within the home. 

The details to ColourNext 2026 forecast report can be viewed and downloaded from the link below: www.asianpaints.com/colour-next.html

The films to each of the ColourNext 2026 design directions, as well as the colour and wallpaper of the year can be viewed in the link: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2BHpqroisHbOOS89nhiSVRFjYhG5NDXB

This year also marks the introduction of the ColourNext Lab, a dedicated platform for material research, experimentation, and dialogue unfolding slowly, through intentional inquiry. Extending beyond a single form of output, the ColourNext Lab explores how colour and material intelligence can take many shapes, from experimental surfaces and finishes, to systems of care such as heritage conservation, palettes for historic cities, spatial frameworks, and works of art. Rooted in months of hands-on experimentation, the Lab presents research-based inquiry shaped by time, skill, and intent. The ethos is deliberately non-commercial with a priority to explore future possibilities through curiosity rather than ready-made solutions. The Lab reflects a deeper engagement with craft, process, and material intelligence, inviting architects and designers to encounter evolving systems, not final answers.

The ColourNext Lab marks Asian Paints’ commitment to research-led innovation, with the introduction of a limited-edition range of experimental finishes developed exclusively for ColourNext 2026. These surfaces emerge from foresight and the desire to explore what materials might become.

Together, these directions signal a deeper cultural shift: from consumption to connection, from spectacle to meaning, and from speed to presence. The ColourNext 2026 report chronicles their triggers and manifestations across colour, material, texture, space, product, and lifestyle offering a future-facing framework for those shaping the worlds we will inhabit next.

About Asian Paints Limited
Since its founding in 1942, Asian Paints has become India’s leading and Asia’s second-largest paint company, with a consolidated turnover of ₹33,797 crores (₹338 billion). It continues to uplift spaces, transcend the boundaries of colour and design, creating a positive impact in the lives of customers. The organization operates in 14 countries and has 26 paint manufacturing facilities globally, servicing consumers in over 60 countries.

Asian Paints has always been a leader in the paint industry, innovating and introducing new concepts in India like Colour Ideas, Beautiful Homes Painting Service, Colour Next, and Asian Paints Beautiful Homes Stores. Asian Paints manufactures a wide range of paints and coatings for Decorative and Industrial use and also offers specialized painting and interior decor solutions. The decorative business portfolio also includes the SmartCare range for waterproofing, WoodTech products for wood finishes, and the Adhesives range for all surfaces.

Asian Paints also offers a wide range of Home Décor products and is one of the leading players in the integrated decor space in India, offering Modular Kitchens and wardrobes, Bath Fittings and Sanitaryware, Decorative Lightings, uPVC windows and doors, Wall coverings, Furnitures, Furnishings, Rugs, etc.

For our email disclaimer please visit www.asianpaints.com/disclaimer.html#email.

Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Limited (“Axis Max Life”/ “Company”) has entered into a strategic Corporate Agent partnership with Saarathi Finance and Credit Private Limited (“Saarathi Finance”), a next-generation greenfield non-banking financial company (NBFC) focused on bridging the credit gap for India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
 

Axis Max Life and Saarathi Finance Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Financial Security for India’s MSMEs
 

By leveraging Saarathi’s last-mile reach, this partnership will provide Axis Max Life’s insurance product – Group Credit Life Secure (GCLS) (UIN: 104N072V04), to safeguard the interests of micro and nano-entrepreneurs. This product will act as a “security shield,” ensuring that in the event of an unfortunate incident, the debt burden does not fall on the family or the business.

Sumit Madan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Axis Max Life, said, “Our partnership with Saarathi Finance is a step toward securing the entrepreneurial heart of India. By combining Saarathi Finance’s seamless digital-first lending with Axis Max Life’s consistent industry-leading claims settlement, we are bridging the MSME credit gap with a safety net that makes protection an accessible reality for thousands of entrepreneurs. This partnership strengthens our commitment to fueling growth in India’s vibrant local markets by merging technological innovation with a deep-rooted understanding of small business dynamics. By integrating simple, relevant protection directly into the digital credit journey, we are ensuring that for every MSME, financial progress remains resilient, safeguarding the livelihoods of those who power our economy.”

Vivek Bansal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Saarathi Finance, said, “In India, over 90% of MSMEs operate with thin capital buffers, and a single disruption can wipe out years of effort. Saarathi Finance is providing the right credit solutions to support the growth of these MSMEs. The partnership with Axis Max Life acts as an enabler by providing protection through embedded insurance into lending that helps turn loans into long-term security frameworks and remove uncertainties. With this, the businesses can focus on growth instead of worrying about what might go wrong.” 

This partnership also marks a significant milestone toward the national vision of “Insurance for All by 2047,” driving financial inclusion for MSMEs across Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns of India. By combining Axis Max Life’s protection expertise with Saarathi’s focus on the “Bottom of the Pyramid,” the partnership addresses the critical insurance gap. Through a commitment to long‑term value instead of short‑term lending, both entities intend to position financial protection as an essential enabler for India’s rising entrepreneurs.

About Axis Max Life Insurance Limited (www.axismaxlife.com)

Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd., is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited (“MFSL”) and Axis Bank Limited. Axis Max Life offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. It has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per annual audited financials for FY2024-25, Axis Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 33,223 Cr.

IRDAI Registration. No – 104

Company Information Number – U74899PB2000PLC045626

About Saarathi Finance

Saarathi Finance & Credit Pvt Ltd. is an NBFC focused on providing accessible and tailored credit solutions to MSMEs across semi-urban and rural India. With a mission to bridge the ₹44 lakh crores credit gap in the MSME sector, Saarathi combines technological innovation with a deep understanding of local markets to offer loans that meet the unique needs of small business owners. With a rapidly growing footprint of 60+ branches across 6 states, Saarathi Finance operates with the guiding principle: “Aap Akele Nahi Hai”- You are not alone.

For more information, visit www.saarathifinance.com.

Parawheel, a tech-driven political intelligence research and election forecasting firm powered by KK Surveys & Strategies Pvt Ltd, has entered the Tamil Nadu political research landscape with a large-scale booth-level scientific opinion survey across all 234 Assembly constituencies in the state. Based on the survey conducted to date, covering over 70 lakh voters, the organisation’s preliminary findings project DMK with a 41.5% vote share, AIADMK with 36.2%, and TVK emerging as the third major political force with 13.6%, according to the current assessment.
 

Mr. Kiran Kondeti, CEO, Parawheel
 

Specialising in voter behaviour analysis, booth-level field research, and data-driven political intelligence, Parawheel has conducted large-scale opinion surveys across Tamil Nadu with a minimum sample size of around 30,000 respondents per constituency. Based on its preliminary election assessment and current survey findings, Parawheel’s early electoral projections indicate DMK at 41.5%, AIADMK at 36.2%, TVK at 13.6%, and NTK at 7.9% vote share in the upcoming election scenario in the state.

In Chennai, Parawheel’s survey findings indicate that TVK shows significant strength across several constituencies, emerging as the second strongest political force after DMK in many parts of the city. The data suggests that while DMK continues to hold the leading position in most constituencies, TVK has been gaining notable traction, particularly among youth and first-time voters, positioning it ahead of other parties in several urban segments of the Chennai region.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr Kiran Kondetti, CEO, Parawheel said, “Our research is focussed on voter sentiment studies across key regions including Chennai, Coimbatore, the Delta districts, and Southern, Northern, and Western Tamil Nadu, along with detailed analysis of caste coalitions, governance perception, and anti-incumbency trends. Our study examines the role of first-time voters, women voters, and swing constituencies in shaping electoral outcomes. A special area of analysis was done for TVK–Vijay factor, studying the transition of fan bases into voters, youth mobilisation, and its potential impact on the vote share of major parties such as DMK and AIADMK.”

“We have extended the war room model that is traditionally limited to party headquarters, to individual candidates through our ‘One Candidate – One War Room’ initiative. Under this model, we will provide dedicated campaign war rooms across all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu. These war rooms will deliver real-time voter data, booth analytics, and campaign strategy support to every registered candidate throughout the election period. Also, as part of our constituency-level political intelligence services, Parawheel can provide candidates with a database of a minimum of 5,000 neutral voters in each constituency. This will help candidates better understand swing voter segments and design targeted outreach strategies during election campaigns,” he added.

Furthermore, “At Parawheel, we have strong confidence in the credibility and accuracy of our research and data. If the projections or data provided to candidates are found to be inaccurate, or if there is a variation of more than 1% in the projections or data shared, the full amount paid by candidates who purchase the data will be refunded. This reflects our organisation’s commitment to transparency, reliability, and confidence in the scientific methodology behind our research,” he said.

From Andhra Pradesh to Maharashtra- Parawheel’s Proven Accuracy in Major Election Predictions

In the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections, Parawheel accurately forecast electoral trends ahead of the results.

In the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections, it precisely predicted the sweeping victory of the TDP–Jana Sena–BJP alliance at a time when several national pollsters failed to capture the trend. Parawheel also delivered accurate political trend analysis ahead of the final results in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, further strengthening its reputation for reliable election research and forecasting.

For more details, please visit www.parawheel.com.

About Parawheel

Parawheel, a tech-driven political intelligence research and election forecasting firm powered by KK Surveys & Strategies Pvt Ltd, has entered the Tamil Nadu political research landscape. Conceived and developed by KK Surveys & Strategies Pvt Ltd, the organisation has demonstrated a strong track record in political forecasting across key Indian elections. It aims to bridge the gap between citizens and decision-makers by leveraging deep field insights, AI-driven analytics, and structured data reporting.

The organisation specialises in voter behaviour analysis, booth-level field research, and data-driven political intelligence. By combining advanced data analytics with on-ground field intelligence, Parawheel seeks to better understand evolving voter behaviour and political trends. It maps historical voting data against current voter sentiment to generate high-fidelity projections for every polling booth. Using advanced analytical tools, the organisation identifies swing booths and fortress booths, enabling precise micro-targeting and more efficient campaign resource allocation.

As part of its Tamil Nadu initiative, the organisation proposes to undertake large-scale scientific opinion surveys across all 234 Assembly constituencies in the state. Its analysis also highlights the role of leadership influence, referred to internally as the ‘Sir Impact’—which acts as a significant force multiplier in electoral outcomes.

Marking a significant medical milestone and a first in South Tamil Nadu, Kauvery Hospital has successfully treated a 51-year-old woman with severe symptomatic uterine fibroids using a minimally invasive procedure known as Bilateral Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE). This advanced treatment enabled preservation of the uterus while ensuring rapid recovery. The patient was discharged within 24 hours, and at her seven-day follow-up, imaging confirmed complete absence of blood flow to the fibroid, with no pain and no per vaginal bleeding.
 

Kauvery Hospital, Tirunelveli
 

The patient had been suffering from symptomatic fibroids since 2019, resulting in heavy menstrual bleeding and chronic blood loss anaemia. She required multiple blood transfusions and intravenous iron sucrose injections over the years to manage severe anaemia. While these treatments temporarily improved her hemoglobin levels, they did not address the root cause – the fibroid’s blood supply. As her symptoms persisted and she wished to avoid hysterectomy, the hospital opted for a uterus-conserving alternative.

The multidisciplinary team at Kauvery Hospital performed Bilateral UAE, a minimally invasive interventional radiology procedure that blocks the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time. The procedure involved inserting a small catheter through an artery, identifying the uterine arteries supplying the fibroid, and injecting tiny particles to selectively stop blood flow. By addressing the root cause, UAE provided effective symptom relief without the need for major surgery.

The treatment was led by Dr. Amalan Ignatius, Consultant Interventional Radiologist, along with Dr. Faizal Basheer, Consultant General Medicine & Diabetologist; Dr. Lakshmanan, Senior Consultant Anesthesiologist; and Dr. Yogesh Kumar, Consultant Anesthesiologist.

Dr. Amalan Ignatius said, “We were able to successfully treat the fibroid while preserving the uterus, thereby avoiding major surgery. This is the first time UAE has been performed at Kauvery Hospital, Tirunelveli, and represents a major advancement in fibroid care in South Tamil Nadu. By cutting off the fibroid’s blood supply, we addressed the root cause, stopped the bleeding, and prevented recurrence of severe anemia. The patient recovered quickly with a short hospital stay.”