Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 15: When a six-year-old shows more initiative than most adults, it’s time to pay attention. Noida’s newest environmental champion, Class 1 student Saiansh Shastri, just reminded everyone that age is no excuse for apathy.
A Seed of Change in Sector 137
The Biodiversity Park in Noida’s Sector 137 saw something refreshing last weekend — not just saplings taking root, but a mindset shift sprouting among citizens. The Vasudha Warrior team organized a plantation drive aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, and the turnout proved one thing — Noida’s residents care about their green lungs.
From school kids to senior citizens, everyone showed up. But the crowd’s heart belonged to one tiny dynamo — Saiansh Shastri, a Class 1 student from Amity International School, Noida, who planted multiple saplings with the kind of enthusiasm most people reserve for cricket finals.
Meet the Youngest Green Warrior
At the end of the event, the Vasudha Warrior team did something that made perfect sense — they named Saiansh the “Youngest Green Warrior.” And honestly, he earned it.
While most children his age are figuring out spelling bees or Pokémon, Saiansh was digging in the dirt for something far more lasting — cleaner air and a greener tomorrow. His energy didn’t just plant saplings; it planted optimism.
Legacy Runs in the Family
Saiansh isn’t just any kid with a green thumb. He’s the great-grandson of India’s second Prime Minister, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri — the man who led the Green Revolution and coined the immortal slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan.”
That legacy isn’t just political. It’s personal. It’s as if Saiansh’s saplings are the new-age echo of his great-grandfather’s vision — sustainable growth rooted in humility, service, and self-reliance.
You could say the baton has officially passed — from inspiring farmers to inspiring future environmentalists.
The Spirit of SDG 15: Life on Land
The plantation drive wasn’t just about trees; it was about accountability. Sustainable Development Goal 15 calls on nations to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. It’s a global goal, but it begins with local actions — exactly like this drive.
Noida’s Biodiversity Park has quietly become a testbed for urban sustainability. Every sapling adds not just greenery but resilience — a small insurance policy against climate anxiety. And if a first grader can step up, maybe adults can stop hiding behind “it’s complicated.”
Small Hands, Big Message
Saiansh’s act was a reminder that sustainability isn’t a grown-up buzzword — it’s a child’s right.
Watching a six-year-old plant trees for a cause that most adults scroll past should make us uncomfortable. In a good way. Because it says something blunt: if a kid can show up for the planet, what’s our excuse?
Community Rising
Events like these are rewriting Noida’s image — from concrete jungle to eco-conscious city. The citizen turnout showed that environmentalism isn’t limited to NGOs or activists. It’s becoming mainstream. Families turned up with kids, teachers with students, and corporate volunteers with shovels instead of PowerPoint slides.
The Vasudha Warrior team, true to its name, has made community participation the backbone of its campaigns. They’re not waiting for government policy — they’re building grassroots momentum. The team believes every sapling is a silent protest against environmental apathy, and every volunteer is a stakeholder in India’s green future.
A New Generation of Doers
There’s something symbolic about the youngest participant stealing the spotlight. It’s a generational handoff. India’s older generations built infrastructure; this new one is building consciousness.
Saiansh may not understand carbon credits or emission targets yet, but he understands responsibility — and that’s more than what many adults can claim. His story is less about a headline moment and more about what’s possible when curiosity meets conscience.
Green Is the New Cool
If you needed a sign that environmentalism is finally getting its due, this is it. The “Youngest Green Warrior” title isn’t a gimmick — it’s branding for a better future. Imagine schools across India creating “Green Warrior” clubs where every kid earns the badge through real action, not just classroom essays.
This isn’t idealism. It’s a strategy. Environmental awareness needs rebranding — less lecture, more lifestyle. And if six-year-olds can make it cool, the rest of us have no excuse left.
Rooted in Hope
Saiansh’s smile at the plantation site said it all. The future is still negotiable — if we act. His story proves that environmental action isn’t the burden of policy wonks or climate scientists. It’s for anyone willing to pick up a shovel and get their hands dirty.
Sometimes leadership doesn’t need a podium. It needs a patch of soil, a sapling, and a six-year-old who believes his small effort matters. That’s how change begins — quietly, humbly, but unmistakably.
Rajasthan [India], October 15: TiE Rajasthan proudly announces the winners of TiE U Rajasthan 2025–26, an initiative dedicated to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among college startups across the state.
This year witnessed an incredible response with 150+ applications pouring in from budding innovators across Rajasthan. After multiple rounds of evaluation, 30 promising startups were shortlisted to undergo one-on-one mentoring from TiE’s esteemed mentors — refining their ideas, business models, and investor pitches.
Following inspiring Semi-Finals and an intense Grand Finale, here are the champions of TiE U Rajasthan 2025–26:
Winner – SmalBlu (Mentor: Munesh Jadoun)
College: BITS Pilani
AI for enterprise data infrastructure optimization
Equity-free Grant: ₹5,00,000
1st Runners-up – Natturz Bio Kontrol Pvt. Ltd. (Mentor: Shekhar Gattani)
College: BITS Pilani
Alternative dairy – 100% natural, lactose-free gelatos, beverages & tofu
Special Award by Metacube – Anuriva Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Mentor: Metacube)
College: IIT Jodhpur
Innovative healthcare solutions for safer neonatal transport
Prize: ₹1,00,000
The Chapter Winner – SmalBlu will now represent Rajasthan at the TiE U Global Pitch Competition during the prestigious 10th TiE Global Summit, showcasing innovation from the state on a global platform! ??
Message from Dr. Sheenu Jhawar, President – TiE Rajasthan
“TiE U Rajasthan continues to be a beacon for young innovators who dare to dream and build. The energy, creativity, and passion we witnessed this year reaffirm our belief that the future of entrepreneurship in Rajasthan is bright and boundless. My heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants who made this journey so inspiring.”
Message from Lead – Puneet Mittal
“It’s incredible to see how college startups evolve with the right mentorship and support. Each of the finalists showcased remarkable growth and clarity of purpose. I extend my deepest gratitude to our mentors, jury members, and partners for making TiE U Rajasthan 2025–26 such a grand success.”
Special Thanks to Our Jury Members:
Abhishek Gupta, Neeraj Soni, Neha Chauhan, Nishant Patni, Nitish Bugalia, Piyush Lohia, Pranay Mathur, Ravi Goenka, and Sachin M. Khandelwal
Partners Supporting the Journey:
Startup Patron: Metacube
Impact Partner: BVK Group
Academic Catalyst: GCEC Global Foundation
A heartfelt thank you to Lead – Puneet Mittal, Co-Lead – Parijat Agrawal, Chief Mentor – Basantt Khaitan, and the entire TiE Rajasthan Committee & Mentors for their unwavering support in empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Surat (Gujarat) [India], October 14: India just took another scalpel-sharp leap into the future. ROBOSURGE, the live robotic surgery workshop hosted at Kiran Hospital, Surat, proved one thing: the age of manual hesitation in surgery is officially over.
Where Precision Meets Progress
The ROBOSURGE Live Robotic Surgery Workshop, jointly organized by the South Gujarat Surgeons Society, ICON Hospital, and Kiran Hospital, wrapped up on October 12, 2025, with what doctors like to call a “clean closure” — flawless execution, zero complications.
Co-hosted by the Surat Obstetric and Gynaecological Society (SOGS), the event wasn’t your typical medical meet-and-greet. It was a hands-on revolution in how the next generation of surgeons will operate — literally.
Inauguration with Visionaries
The event kicked off under the patronage of Hon’ble Rajya Sabha MP Shri Govindbhai Dholakia and Kiran Hospital Chairman Shri Mathurbhai Savani, who praised the organizers for not just talking about innovation — but demonstrating it live.
Their message was clear: the medical community can’t afford to play catch-up. Technology isn’t the future of healthcare anymore — it’s the present.
The Robots Took the Scalpel — and Delivered
At the heart of the event was the live showcase of robotic surgical procedures — a spectacle of precision where human expertise met robotic accuracy.
Leading robotic surgeons including Dr. Arun Prasad, Dr. Magan Mehrotra, Dr. Leena Malhotra, Dr. Prasad Bhukebag, Dr. Kedar, and Surat’s own Dr. Anurag Nema, Dr. Dharmesh Dhanani, and Dr. Rozy Ahya performed intricate surgeries live, streaming directly from the operation theatre.
Delegates watched, in real-time, as procedures like Robotic Hysterectomy, Robotic Cholecystectomy, and Robotic TAPP Hernia Repair unfolded seamlessly — no tremors, no uncertainty, just surgical precision amplified by technology.
Beyond the Operation Table: Training the Hands that Heal
What truly set ROBOSURGE apart wasn’t just the surgeries — it was the democratization of that expertise.
Over 200 registered delegates got rare hands-on experience through trainee robotic consoles set up at the venue. For many, it was the first tangible taste of what it feels like to operate with a machine that’s smarter, steadier, and infinitely more precise.
These hands-on sessions weren’t symbolic. They were the bridge between theory and transformation — a crucial step in preparing India’s medical professionals for the robotic era.
National Faculty, Local Impact
The workshop’s knowledge sessions went beyond the scalpel. National-level faculty discussed everything from how to start a robotic surgery unit — including training models, team building, hospital setup, and financial feasibility — to the hard realities of insurance coverage for robotic cases.
It was unfiltered, practical dialogue — no sugarcoating, no jargon.
For many attendees from South Gujarat, it was their first exposure to the economics and operational frameworks behind integrating robotic systems into hospital infrastructure.
Surat Surgeons Take Center Stage
If anyone still thinks world-class medicine is confined to metros, ROBOSURGE just proved them wrong.
Surat — often better known for its diamonds and textiles — is now carving a niche in medical technology leadership. The turnout from regional surgeons and gynaecologists underscored the hunger for innovation and the pride in local institutions pushing boundaries.
As one delegate quipped during a break: “We’re no longer just observing global tech; we’re operating it.”
Organizers Speak: The Future Is Hands-On
For Organizing Chairman Dr. M. M. Qureshi, the event wasn’t about prestige — it was about purpose. “This workshop is a landmark for the future of surgery in South Gujarat,” he said. “We’ve equipped our medical colleagues with the tools and confidence to raise the standard of patient care.”
Organizing Secretaries Dr. Dharmesh Dhanani and Dr. Anurag Nema echoed the sentiment, crediting the faculty, co-organizers, and delegates for creating what felt like a turning point in Gujarat’s medical education ecosystem.
Why This Matters
Robotic surgery is not a luxury upgrade. It’s a paradigm shift. The precision reduces surgical errors, speeds up recovery, and minimizes patient trauma. But beyond the hardware lies the human challenge — training, accessibility, and cost management.
ROBOSURGE addressed all three in one packed day — education, exposure, and execution.
For South Gujarat’s medical community, it signaled a shift from watching robotic innovation from afar to shaping it locally. And that’s the kind of tech adoption that changes lives — quietly, efficiently, and sustainably.
The Takeaway: Scalpel Meets Software
Medicine has always been about steady hands. Now it’s also about smart systems.
ROBOSURGE wasn’t just an event; it was a statement — that India’s healthcare innovation isn’t limited to big cities or imported tech. It’s being built, practiced, and perfected right here.
And if this workshop is any indication, the next surgical revolution will have an Indian accent.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 14:As the stage lights prepare to dazzle at the Elevitta Mrs. India World 2025 Grand Finale later this month, all eyes in Thane turn to one of their own – Sanchita Sen, an XLRI-trained HR Leader, psychologist, and advocate for sustainability and mental well-being. It’s a homecoming of courage, conviction, and purpose – a moment where her professional journey, personal philosophy, and hometown pride converge on the same stage.
A Voice from Thane, for the World
Born and raised in Thane, Sanchita’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. She grew up watching her elder brother overcome polio to become an international fencer and TEDx speaker, successful entrepreneur, learning early that true strength lies in perseverance. In her twenties, the loss of her father tested her further, shaping her into the emotional anchor for her family.
“That moment taught me that strength and sensitivity can walk hand in hand,” she recalls.
These lessons became the foundation of her leadership and advocacy. Today, she stands as a symbol of Thane’s spirit – rooted, resilient, and relentlessly rising.
Leading Transformation in the Renewable-Energy Industry
Professionally, Sanchita is a strategic HR leader in India’s renewable-energy sector, industry she believes are not just the future of the planet, but of human progress.
At the heart of India’s clean-energy transformation, her work focuses on building people systems that can power sustainable businesses and impact lives.
“This industry gives me hope,” she shares. “Every project reminds me that we’re not just generating energy – we’re changing lives, creating livelihoods, and building a cleaner tomorrow.”
Her principles at work mirror her personal choices: mindful living, low-waste habits, and emotional literacy at home – reflecting her belief that true sustainability begins within.
Championing Mental Health through C.R.O.W.N.
From these experiences emerged her initiative C.R.O.W.N. (Courage, Resilience, Openness, Wellness, Nurture)—a project that promotes mental health as a daily discipline, not a distant ideal.
Balancing Roles, Redefining Ambition
With over a decade of corporate experience across industries, she is also authoring two upcoming books that reflect the two most defining facets of her life — work and motherhood:
Workplace Culture –It brings together insights from real-world experiences, leadership reflections, and the psychology of work—capturing both the art and the science of building humane workplaces.
Mom Guilt – The Battles of a Driven but Loving Mother, a deeply personal narrative that explores the emotional terrain of modern motherhood.
“Both books are born from lived experiences,” she says.
A proud mother, wife of a government officer, and corporate leader, she represents a generation of Indian women redefining ambition – not by choosing between roles, but by harmonizing them.
A Proud Homecoming
For Sanchita, standing on the Mrs. India World stage in her hometown of Thane is deeply emotional. It’s a full-circle moment – to return to the city that built her character, courage, and calm.
“Thane made me who I am,” she says. “As I step onto this stage, I carry its spirit with me – the warmth of its people, the lessons it taught me, and the strength it gave me. But beyond Thane, I carry the hopes of every woman who has ever balanced ambition with love, every person who has risen after being tested, and everyone who believes that kindness and purpose still have a place in our world. I hope my city, my country, and people everywhere will join me in this journey with their love, support, and blessings, as I represent not just where I come from, but what we can all stand for – together.”
About Elevitta Mrs. India World
The Elevitta Mrs. India World is the only official gateway to Mrs. World, a platform that celebrates women who embody confidence, purpose, and compassion – championing voices that extend beyond aesthetics to inspire change. This year’s edition, also the first season, brings together exceptional Indian women from across the country and World who are reshaping narratives of leadership, empathy, and empowerment.
Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 13: In a landmark moment celebrating India’s commitment to inclusion and dignity, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Mitti Café during the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, an initiative led by the Adani Group under the visionary leadership of Shri Jeet Adani, CEO of Adani Airports. The Prime Minister spent meaningful time with employees of Mitti Café—individuals with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities—acknowledging their skill, professionalism, and contribution to India’s growing movement for disability inclusion. The visit underscored a powerful message: that the strength of a nation is defined not just by its infrastructure but by how it empowers every citizen to participate with dignity and pride.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, saw Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi personally greet Mitti Café’s team members and learn about their work across India’s airports and institutions.
A Vision for Inclusive Growth
Founded by Alina Alam, Mitti Café is a nationally and internationally recognized social enterprise that provides meaningful employment and livelihood opportunities to adults with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities. Established around 2015, the organization operates cafés across India, making it the world’s largest chain of cafés run entirely by persons with disabilities.
At the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the café serves not only as a hospitality space but as a living symbol of inclusion in action. Under the Adani Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework, Mitti Café has partnered with Adani Airports, headed by Shri Jeet Adani, to create inclusive workplaces that reflect empathy, equity, and empowerment. The Jeet Adani’s support of Mitti Café aligns with India’s broader vision of accessible infrastructure and equal opportunity, complementing national efforts to make airports not only gateways of progress but also symbols of compassion and diversity.
Prime Minister’s Endorsement of Dignity Through Work
During his visit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed happiness and encouragement after interacting with the café’s team members, many of whom have overcome significant personal and social challenges to build livelihoods with dignity. For the team, the moment was emotional and historic.
Alina Alam, Founder and CEO of Mitti Café, shared: “The Prime Minister is a visionary, and by coining the term Divyangjan, he has created opportunities of respect, dignity, and empowerment for persons with disabilities across India. Our team was extremely excited to meet him. We thank the Adani Group and Jeet Adani for their vision in ensuring that persons with disabilities have space and opportunities across all their airports.”
The Prime Minister’s engagement at Mitti Café stands as a reaffirmation of India’s inclusive policy framework and his administration’s ongoing emphasis on empowering Divyangjan through education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Global Recognition and a Movement for Inclusion
Over the years, Mitti Café has gained national and international acclaim for demonstrating that employment for persons with disabilities can be both sustainable and impactful. The organization operates in partnership with public and private institutions, integrating disability inclusion into mainstream corporate and public ecosystems.
Its work has been endorsed by a distinguished list of leaders, including:
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Mitti Cafés at Rashtrapati Bhawan and Rashtrapati Nilayam.
Speaker Om Birla visited the Mitti Café at Hansraj College.
Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud inaugurated the Mitti Café at the Supreme Court of India.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Mitti Café at Lucknow International Airport.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Mitti Café at the India Coffee Board.
Jeet Adani, CEO of Adani Airports, inaugurated the Mumbai International Airport outlet.
Narayan Murthy, Founder of Infosys, commended Mitti Café’s work on Doordarshan.
Prem Watsa, Chairman of Fairfax Holdings, inaugurated a Mitti Café at Bangalore International Airport.
Azim Premji, Founder of Wipro, has publicly lauded the organisation’s mission.
These endorsements demonstrate that disability inclusion is no longer a charitable act—it is a core principle of modern corporate social responsibility and an essential pillar of equitable economic growth.
Recognition and Awards
Mitti Café’s journey has been marked by consistent national and international recognition for its pioneering work in disability inclusion, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable employment. The organisation has been honored with the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities by the Honorable President of India, the United Nations Intercultural Innovation Award, and the NITI Aayog Women Transforming India Award. Its founder, Alina Alam, has been celebrated as a Commonwealth Youth Icon and has received the CNBC–Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Indian Express Stree Shakti Award, and the Frontier Awards at Cannes.
The organisation’s commitment to inclusion has also been recognised through the NCPEDP Helen Keller Award, Assocham Best Employer for Persons with Disabilities Award, FICCI Flo Best Social Innovation Award, and the CII Annual Business Summit Award for Best Social Enterprise. Mitti Café and its founder have received multiple honors, including the Young Achievers Award, Deccan Herald Changemakers, EKAM Award, Nina Sibal Memorial Award, Pinnacle Award, and the Women Entrepreneur of the Year – BLR HiFliers Award.
Alina Alam has been a four-time TEDx speaker and featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, further amplifying the organisation’s global impact. Mitti Café’s innovative work has been recognised by the Entrepreneur Challenge at Dell and CNBC-TV18, the F&B Virtuoso Awards, and the 4th Healthcare Heroes Conclave Award.
In recent years, the organisation’s contributions have received continued support from national leaders — President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated two Mitti Cafés at Rashtrapati Bhawan in 2024 and 2025; Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud inaugurated the café at the Supreme Court of India in 2023; and Infosys Co-founder Narayana Murthy endorsed Mitti Café’s mission on national television.
The Adani Group’s Leadership in Social Impact
The Adani Group’s partnership with Mitti Café is part of its broader CSR commitment to sustainable business and inclusive development. Under Jeet Adani’s leadership, the Group has been integrating accessibility and community engagement into the design and operation of its airports.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport, envisioned as one of the most advanced in the Asia-Pacific region, features design elements that make it accessible to all travellers, including those with reduced mobility. By integrating a café run by people with disabilities into the airport’s central public area, the Adani Group demonstrates how corporate partnerships can drive inclusive employment and positive social transformation.
Jeet Adani’s involvement extends beyond infrastructure; it reflects a belief that business success and social equity can co-exist. The presence of Mitti Café at the new airport sends a message to travelers from across the world that India’s airports are not only world-class in technology and efficiency but also in humanity.
Stories of Strength and Skill
Mitti Café’s employees, referred to as “changemakers,” represent diverse forms of ability. Many have hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, or physical challenges, yet serve thousands of customers daily with precision and professionalism.
At the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the upcoming Mitti Café outlet is poised to welcome travellers with a warm and inclusive atmosphere. The café will be operated by a team of individuals with disabilities, trained to deliver the same efficiency, service excellence, and hospitality standards as any leading corporate café chain. The initiative aims to demonstrate that skill and capability are universal when provided with the right platform.
Each café under the Mitti banner not only generates employment but also raises awareness about inclusion, inviting patrons to rethink disability from a lens of strength and potential rather than limitation.
A Broader Mission: Empowerment Through Enterprise
Since its inception, Mitti Café has trained and employed over 6,000 adults with disabilities, serving millions of customers across airports, universities, corporate campuses, and public institutions.
Through its cafés, training centers, and awareness programs, the organization works to bridge the opportunity gap for persons with disabilities in India’s workforce. Its scalable model has inspired similar initiatives in other countries and has been featured in multiple global forums for inclusive employment and social entrepreneurship.
The organization’s impact metrics are telling
Over 6,000 persons with disabilities trained and employed.
Operations in more than 100 locations across India.
Partnerships with public institutions, Fortune 500 companies, and government entities.
Recognition by national media and international bodies for innovation in inclusion.
Over 21 million meals and beverages served by people with disabilities to date.
Mitti Café’s model is based on a simple but transformative idea — that economic independence is the foundation of dignity. By creating self-sustaining cafés and enterprises run by people with disabilities, the organization has proven that inclusion is not just possible, but profitable and scalable.
The Power of Example
The Prime Minister’s visit amplifies what Mitti Café has long represented: a movement from sympathy to respect, from charity to opportunity. In India’s evolving landscape of corporate social responsibility, initiatives like Mitti Café demonstrate how private enterprise and government leadership can converge to create meaningful impact. When national infrastructure projects such as airports become inclusive, they not only connect cities but also hearts — symbolizing unity through equality.
As Alina Alam reflected after the event: “We have always believed that inclusion is not an act of kindness but of justice. The Prime Minister’s encouragement and Jeet Adani’s support remind us that true progress is inclusive progress.”
A Defining Moment for Disability Inclusion in India
The day at Navi Mumbai International Airport will be remembered not only for its architectural marvel but for the humanity that filled its halls. As cameras captured the Prime Minister smiling and interacting with team members at Mitti Café, millions witnessed a narrative of empowerment unfold in real time.
The symbolism was clear: India’s next era of growth will be built not just on economic strength but on compassion and inclusion. Mitti Café’s presence at the airport stands as a living example of how public-private collaboration can redefine accessibility, equality, and opportunity in the world’s largest democracy.
About Mitti Café
Mitti Café is a non-profit social enterprise providing meaningful employment, livelihood opportunities, and training for adults with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities. Founded by Alina Alam, the organisation has grown into the world’s largest chain of cafés run by persons with disabilities, operating across airports, government institutions, universities, and corporate campuses.
Through its mission of inclusion and empowerment, Mitti Café aims to change perceptions of disability and create a society where every individual is recognised for their abilities. The organisation’s work has been recognised with several national and international awards and supported by global leaders, corporations, and public institutions.
If you have any objection to this press release content, kindly contact pr.error.rectification@gmail.com to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 24 hours.
London (United Kingdom) [England], October 13: Prof. Dr. Parin Somani is packing more than a passport — she’s carrying a mission. Her Global Academic and Humanitarian Tour, spanning five nations between October and November 2025, aims to fuse academia with purpose. The world could use more of that right now.
A Mission That Refuses to Stay Local
Education and empathy — two words rarely found in the same policy memo. But Parin Somani has built her entire career proving they belong together.
This five-nation Parin Somani Global Tour stretches across the Gulf, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and India. It’s not a lecture circuit for applause. It’s an outreach drive — universities, NGOs, and communities all on the map — to ensure education doesn’t remain a privilege.
Her playbook is clear: when you educate one child, you don’t just change a life — you change the odds for an entire generation.
Turning Classrooms Into Launchpads
Somani, who serves as CEO and Director of the London Organisation of Skills Development (LOSD), doesn’t romanticize education. She operationalizes it.
Under LOSD, she’s rolled out programs that blend academic rigor with real-world application — Skills Live Show, Transformational Retreats, Global Research Conferences, and Losd Publishing House. Each one blurs the line between education and execution.
Her upcoming global tour builds on that legacy, taking workshops and mentorship sessions directly to underprivileged and marginalized communities. The message: education isn’t just an institution’s job; it’s a societal one.
She’ll collaborate with universities, colleges, NGOs, and local leaders to push youth empowerment and inclusive learning — particularly in regions where access to education still depends on luck, not law.
Education as a Human Right, Not a Hashtag
In a century obsessed with disruption, Somani is quietly redefining it. She’s disrupting the idea that learning should be locked behind privilege.
Her focus is practical — skills, leadership, and compassion. Students attending her sessions can expect less theory, more transformation. She calls it “awakening the human spirit,” and while that might sound lofty, it’s really about one thing: making education useful again.
Her mantra is straightforward: True education doesn’t end with degrees; it begins with purpose.
Bridging Academia and Humanity
If you strip away the titles — the two academic doctorates, six honorary ones, and over 800 international recognitions — Somani’s work comes down to a single equation: intellect + empathy = impact.
She’s spoken at UN assemblies, global summits, and international conferences, often challenging systems to rethink the purpose of education. Her approach merges leadership development with humanitarian outreach — a model that many academic institutions talk about but few execute.
This tour, in particular, focuses on cross-cultural collaboration, encouraging universities to treat community engagement as an academic standard, not an extracurricular.
As she often puts it: “Education is a journey of awakening the human spirit.”
It’s a reminder that the real test of learning is how you use it when no one’s grading you.
From London to Lagos: The Route to Relevance
The 2025 Parin Somani Global Tour will take her from the lecture halls of the Gulf to the grassroots of Africa. Every stop brings lectures, student interactions, and humanitarian drives — from distributing learning materials to launching skill development programs.
Her itinerary isn’t about photo ops. It’s a ground-up approach to build resilience, confidence, and curiosity among young minds who are often left out of the conversation.
This effort ties back to LOSD’s mission — creating a world where education adapts to humanity, not the other way around.
The Hard Data Behind the Heart Talk
Let’s cut through the idealism. The global education gap isn’t shrinking fast enough. According to UNESCO, 244 million children worldwide are still out of school. Add to that the digital divide and economic inequality, and you’ve got a recipe for a generation left behind.
Somani’s tour doesn’t fix all that, but it does something critical — it shows up. It connects regions, shares knowledge, and gives young people a platform to think differently about learning.
And in a world where academic conferences often feel like echo chambers, Somani’s model flips the script — taking academia to the streets, villages, and community centers that need it most.
Legacy in Motion
Parin Somani’s journey isn’t the feel-good headline kind; it’s the slow, persistent kind that builds ecosystems.
Her initiatives under LOSD — from publishing to production — are part of a larger blueprint to bridge education with empathy. These platforms feature real stories of leadership, resilience, and transformation, spotlighting those who make an impact beyond boardrooms and degree frames.
It’s why her global recognition list has crossed 800 — not for collecting awards, but for collecting results.
A Vision That Outlives the Tour
Somani’s upcoming mission goes beyond geography. She’s pushing for shared learning systems — where collaboration beats competition, and knowledge exchange fuels peacebuilding.
Her engagements will include scholarship collaborations, student mentorship, and humanitarian partnerships, ensuring that every stop leaves something tangible behind.
Her philosophy could double as a manifesto: “When knowledge meets kindness, the world begins to heal.”
And if there’s a global tour worth tracking in 2025, it’s one that treats education not as a status symbol but as humanity’s great equalizer.
Bottom Line
The Parin Somani Global Tour is less about movement and more about momentum — an effort to turn learning into leadership.
In a world drowning in information and starving for wisdom, that’s a mission worth paying attention to.
New Delhi [India], October 11: The Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, scheduled from 27 to 30 October 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, will bring the world together under one Sun, one vision, and one shared commitment to solar energy.
Launched by India and France at COP21 in Paris, ISA is the largest treaty-based intergovernmental organisation from the Global South, bringing together 124 Member and Signatory Countries. This high-level ministerial gathering comes weeks ahead of COP30 in Brazil, shaping priorities for scaling solar energy, unlocking transformative finance, charting technology and policy roadmaps, and building skill ecosystems to accelerate a just and inclusive energy transition.
At the curtain-raiser today, Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of New and Renewable Energy, GoI,& President of the ISA Assembly, said, “Owing to its clear vision and the consistent policies, India achieved its renewable energy targets five years ahead of the schedule, crossing the 50% mark in overall installed electricity capacity from non-fossil resources. Today with approximately 125 GW of solar capacity, India is the world’s third largest solar producer. This progress shows how the national ambition can translate to meaningful change at the local level. It is because our success story is more than just numbers; it is about the people. We have seen firsthand how decentralised solar transforms lives, bring light to rural homes, powers local health centres and gives new tools to our farmers. With PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana, more than 20 lakh households are benefiting from solar power.”
He further added, “Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, we are taking this transformation to the heartland of India. The three components of the scheme target the installation of 10 gigawatts of small solar plants; support 1.4 million off-grid solar pumps; and solarise 3.5 million grid-connected agricultural pumps. Together, these efforts are ensuring that clean energy reaches the last mile. It is this combination of scale and inclusiveness that defines India’s energy transition.”
Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GoI, noted, “Today we are the third largest in solar power, fourth largest in wind power and overall, we are now the third largest renewable energy installation in the world. Additionally, in manufacturing of solar modules we are the second largest after China. Our manufacturing is not only confined to solar modules but also extends to areas like green hydrogen which is a pivotal part of our energy security—and is going ahead as per our goal of manufacturing about 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2031.”
He also noted, “ISA’s role in experience sharing, in cross learning and in deploying solar both at scale as well as at a distributed level has been commendable and I compliment the partner countries who have collaborated within the framework of ISA for expansion of solar energy in their respective countries. We remain committed to continue this collaboration in future and in a variety of ways through both financial support as well as technical support which we have been extending to ISA. We also wish to see how it can be scaled up in other countries. Some of the deployment experiments in Africa have shown encouraging results. Given India’s success in deploying solar energy at both utility and distributed levels—through household and farm-level initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to solarise 10 million households, and the PM-KUSUM scheme for farm-level solarisation—India is ready to partner with other countries in implementing similar initiatives.”
Mr Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA said, “Global renewable energy is at an inflection point. It took oil 25 years to reach 1,000 GW — renewables doubled that in just two years. For the first time, renewable generation has surpassed fossil generation. This is a decisive moment for the Global South to lead. The coming decade must be defined not only by ambition but by tangible action. In this new energy landscape, ISA is emerging as a platform of aggregation—convening nations for collective action to drive large-scale solar deployment. Our vision is to accelerate this momentum by moving from commitments to concrete projects, from dialogue to delivery, and from potential to measurable impact—ensuring solar truly becomes the foundation of a sustainable and inclusive future.”
Recalling Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision at the first ISA Assembly in 2018, Mr Khanna emphasised ISA’s role in enhancing solar deployment through aggregation, harmonising technology standards, enabling data-driven energy planning, supporting research and innovation, and advancing One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG). He highlighted India’s potential to become the “Silicon Valley for Solar” with the establishment of the Global Capability Centre (GCC), linked with STAR-C hubs worldwide for technical support, digital tools, and training.
The Eighth Session of the ISA Assembly will focus on four strategic pillars: Catalytic Finance Hub; Global Capability Centre & Digitisation; Regional & Country-Level Engagement; and Technology Roadmap & Policy. Ministerial and technical sessions will explore actionable priorities, including advancing catalytic finance through the Africa Solar Facility, strengthening country partnerships through the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Platform, a dedicated initiative to support SIDS in accelerating solar energy deployment through finance, technology, and capacity-building partnerships. and scaling innovation via floating solar, AI and digitisation, OSOWOG, green hydrogen, and standards and testing and solar for agriculture, underscoring ISA’s shift from ambition to action.
The Assembly will also see the release of ISA’s flagship reports—Ease of Doing Solar 2025 and Solar Trends 2025—outlining global progress and pathways to scale solar deployment.
Ahead of the Assembly, ISA convened Regional Committee Meetings across its four regions: Europe & Others in Brussels (10–12 June), Asia-Pacific in Colombo (15–17 July), Latin America & the Caribbean in Santiago (4–6 August), and Africa in Accra (2–4 September). These meetings, attended by representatives from over 100 countries, reviewed progress, addressed challenges, and aligned regional initiatives with ISA’s global priorities. Recommendations on catalytic finance, innovation partnerships, and solarisation for energy access will feed into the Assembly’s deliberations and outcomes.
For more information, visit the ISA website: www.isa.int
New Delhi [India], October 11: After 20 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh, Delhi banned the killer cough syrup Coldrif. But this tragedy is now driving India’s biggest clean-up of its drug manufacturing ecosystem in years.
A Tragedy That Triggered a Reckoning – Killer Cough Syrup
Sometimes it takes a crisis to wake up a system. The deaths linked to Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Sreesan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu, have done just that.
Investigators found 48.6% diethylene glycol, a toxic industrial solvent, in samples, hundreds of times above the safety limit. The same chemical has caused tragedies abroad. But this time, India didn’t shrug and move on.
Within days, Delhi, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh banned the syrup. The Union Health Ministry launched a national crackdown on substandard formulations. And for the first time in a long time, the drug regulators and state governments are acting in sync.
Swift Action, Not Silence
The Delhi Drugs Control Department issued a public ban on October 10, declaring Coldrif “Not of Standard Quality” and “injurious to health.” The order directed every pharmacy, distributor, and citizen to stop sale and use immediately.
Instead of the usual bureaucratic limbo, this was a clear, fast response, backed by states across India. Delhi led, others followed. That’s what good governance looks like.
Behind the Numbers, Human Stories
Every reform story begins with pain. Parents in Parasia, Madhya Pradesh, still carry photos of the children they lost. They went to trusted local doctors, seeking a simple cure for cough and fever. What they got instead was tragedy.
But their grief is now driving change. It has pushed regulators, doctors, and manufacturers into one urgent question: how did toxic solvents end up in a children’s syrup, and how do we make sure it never happens again?
India’s Drug System Under the Microscope
The answer lies in India’s layered but fragmented regulatory system. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approves new drugs and oversees imports, while state regulators handle manufacturing licenses. That’s a lot of moving parts, and sometimes, too many blind spots.
The good news? Those gaps are finally being filled.
Following the Coldrif incident, CDSCO chief Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi issued a directive on October 7 to all States and Union Territories: test all raw materials, excipients, and finished drugs thoroughly under the Drugs Rules, 1945.
It’s not just talk. States are now conducting joint audits, modernising testing labs, and creating a national database of manufacturers. The goal: traceability from factory to pharmacy, every batch logged, every bottle accountable.
Accountability Without Delay
In Tamil Nadu, the source state, action was swift and decisive. The government suspended two senior drug inspectors and cancelled Sreesan Pharma’s license. The factory, located near Kancheepuram, was sealed after inspections found over 300 quality violations.
The company’s proprietor, G. Ranganathan, was arrested on October 9. Investigations revealed that the manufacturer had used non-pharmacopoeial grade solvents, likely contaminated with diethylene glycol.
This time, the message from regulators was clear: Cutting corners is no longer cheap, it’s criminal.
A Reform Moment for Indian Pharma
India’s pharmaceutical industry is one of the world’s largest, supplying affordable medicine to over 200 countries. But incidents like Coldrif remind us that scale must be matched with safety.
The Central and State governments are now using this as a pivot point.
Nationwide audits of cough syrup makers have begun.
The World Health Organization has been formally notified of the recalls.
New guidelines for continuous quality monitoring are being implemented.
Industry leaders are also stepping up. Several pharma associations have begun internal compliance checks and training drives for small and medium manufacturers, a move that could reshape India’s pharmaceutical credibility globally.
From Crisis to Course Correction
To be fair, India has faced diethylene glycol scares before, in 1986, and again in 2022 when exported syrups caused child deaths abroad. Each time, the system promised reform. This time, it’s delivering.
The new joint regulatory audit model, backed by the Health Ministry and CDSCO, ensures every state shares accountability. The Ministry is also pushing for AI-based tracking of manufacturing and distribution chains, something that can identify red flags before they hit pharmacy shelves.
That’s not damage control, that’s evolution.
Ground-Level Vigilance
In Madhya Pradesh, over 4,000 frontline workers, ASHAs, nurses, and Anganwadi staff, have been conducting door-to-door checks to seize leftover bottles of Coldrif. As of October 10, more than 540 bottles have been recovered and destroyed safely.
This people-first approach shows the system learning from past mistakes. It’s no longer just about punishment, it’s about prevention.
A Global Reputation at Stake, and Strengthened
India’s “pharmacy of the world” tag comes with immense responsibility. When something goes wrong here, it echoes globally. But the Coldrif case could end up reinforcing India’s seriousness about safety rather than undermining it.
By moving fast, auditing openly, and owning the problem, India is showing that transparency is its strongest antidote.
As one senior CDSCO official put it, “We can’t control every mistake. But we can control how fast we fix it.”
Stronger, Cleaner, Safer
The Coldrif ban is not just about a single syrup; it’s about the system’s reset.
From Delhi’s ban to Tamil Nadu’s crackdown, from DCGI’s directives to on-ground vigilance, India’s drug oversight is entering a new era of accountability. The tragedy that began in Parasia may well become the turning point that made Indian medicine safer for everyone.
New Delhi [India], October 9:An International Honorary Doctorate Ceremony was held on October 5 at Hotel Vijay Elanza, Coimbatore, organised by St Mother Therasa University, Australia, Affiliated to Cambridge School of Distance Education, UK, where outstanding individuals from across India were honored for their exceptional contributions in various fields. The ceremony was held on the recommendation of Mr John Amalan, Managing Director of Indian Media Works.
During the event, Mr Kumarasen, Senior Vice President of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Global Corporate Leadership in recognition of his outstanding leadership in global corporate management and his remarkable contributions to the industrial sector.
Similarly, Mr Sabarinathan, Sub-Inspector of the Greater Chennai Police, was also honored with an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service for his exceptional social service initiatives. He founded a WhatsApp group involving fellow police officers to support the families of police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. Through this initiative, he has successfully raised and distributed financial aid amounting to nearly ₹7.5 crore to such families — a truly commendable effort.
These honorary doctorates were conferred on the recommendation of Mr John Amalan, President of Indian Media Works. The recognition celebrates the vision, dedication, and innovative thinking of the awardees, which have become driving forces for positive social transformation.
The evening stood as a powerful celebration of service, leadership, and innovation — organised by Indian Media Works.
If you have any objection to this press release content, kindly contact pr.error.rectification@gmail.com to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 24 hours.
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 9: The Innovation in Rare Earths and Lithium (IRLi 2025) Summit, organized by CMA India, commenced today at The Capitol Hotel, Bengaluru, bringing together policymakers, global experts, scientists, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss India’s growing leadership in the critical minerals and clean energy ecosystem.
The two-day summit, themed “Innovation for a Sustainable Future,” focuses on driving advancements in Rare Earth Elements (REE) and Lithium — the backbone of clean technologies, battery storage, and next-generation manufacturing.
Dignitaries and Chief Guests
The inaugural session on October 9th featured the presence of dignitaries from the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, as Guests of Honour, who emphasized the nation’s commitment to sustainable exploration, responsible mining, and domestic value creation in critical minerals.
The Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, will join the event on October 10th, 2025, to address industry leaders and highlight India’s roadmap for renewable energy and self-reliance in critical minerals.
“India’s critical minerals strategy is central to its energy transition goals. IRLi serves as a vital forum for connecting industry and policy toward building a sustainable and secure resource future,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Mines during the opening session.
Keynote Address
Delivering the keynote speech, Dr. Deependra Singh, Former Chairman and Managing Director, IREL (India) Limited, highlighted the need to accelerate domestic research and technology innovation in rare earth processing and lithium extraction.
“India must take a leadership role not only in exploration but also in advanced processing and application of critical minerals. Innovation will define our future competitiveness,” said Dr. Singh.
Title Sponsor – Flytta: Powering India’s Clean Energy Future
The summit is proudly supported by FLYTTA, the Title Sponsor for IRLi 2025. Flytta, led by its visionary Founder and CEO Mr. Rahul Kanuganti, is at the forefront of India’s sustainable logistics and electric mobility transformation.
The company recently unveiled India’s first retrofitted 13-ton electric truck for heavy-duty applications — a breakthrough in green supply chain innovation aligned with the nation’s net-zero commitments.
“At Flytta, we believe in integrating technology with responsibility. IRLi 2025 is a crucial platform to unite innovators and policymakers working toward a cleaner, greener, and self-reliant India,” said Mr. Rahul Kanuganti, CEO, Flytta.
Event Highlights
The summit brings together more than 200 delegates and 25+ industry experts from across India and abroad.
Key sessions at IRLi 2025 include:
Advanced exploration and sustainable mining of REE and Lithium
Innovation in extraction technology for critical minerals
Development of rare earth magnets and lithium-ion recycling systems
Diversity, inclusion, and workforce innovation in the minerals sector
Distinguished Speakers
Dr. CVS Kiran, VP – R&D Strategic Initiatives, Skyroot Aerospace
Mr. Kunal Dagga, Founder & Director, MolSynth
Mr. Rajiv Krishnamurthy, Managing Director, DELKOR – TAKRAF
Ms. Pallavi Gill, CEO, RCMPA
Mr. Rahul Kanuganti, Founder & CEO, Flytta
Dr. Abhilash, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-NML
Dr. D. K. Singh, Former CMD, IREL (India) Ltd
Dr. T. Sreenivas, Editor-in-Chief, CMA (India)
Padmashri Dr. Chaitanyamoy Ganguly, President, CMA (India)
Mr. Sandeep Hamilton, Founder & Chairman, CMA (India)
Dr. Chenna Rao Borra, Assistant Professor, IIT Kharagpur
Dr. P. Krishnamurthy, Former Regional Director, AMD
Dr. Anand Babu, Sr. Scientist, CSIR–CECRI
Founding Members – Critical Minerals Association (CMA India)
Mr. Sandeep Hamilton – Chairman
Padmashri Dr. Chaitanyamoy Ganguly – President
Mr. Satyanarayana Mathala – Secretary
Mr. Prasad Kotha – Treasurer
Mr. Carlton Mody – Joint Secretary
Mr. Rahul Kanuganti – Joint Secretary
Mr. Vincent Pala (Former Union Minister) – Joint Secretary
Mr. Channamalikarjun Patil – Executive Member
Dr. K. K. Pandey – Executive Member
Mr. Ramachandra Rao – Executive Member
About IRLi
IRLi (Innovation in Rare Earths and Lithium) is a premier industry platform designed to promote research, collaboration, and leadership in the field of critical minerals and clean energy technologies.
The summit fosters dialogue between government, academia, and industry to accelerate India’s transition to a self-reliant and sustainable future through innovation in rare earth and lithium development.
About CMA India
The Critical Minerals Association (CMA India) is a national organization dedicated to fostering responsible mining, exploration, and innovation in India’s critical minerals sector. By uniting key stakeholders from government, research institutions, and industry, CMA India aims to strengthen India’s strategic capabilities in critical materials essential for clean energy, defense, and technology-driven industries.
If you object to the content of this press release, please notify us at pr.error.rectification@gmail.com. We will respond and rectify the situation within 24 hours.
(Courage, Resilience, Openness, Wellness, Nurture)—a project that promotes mental health as a daily discipline, not a distant ideal.
