Bengaluru, July 2: ToneTag has introduced eKosha, a voice-first business assistant designed to help banks deliver banking services directly to merchants through a single payment device, eliminating the need for additional infrastructure. The platform is aimed at India’s 80 million-plus micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enabling banks to strengthen merchant engagement while expanding access to financial services.
The device combines payment acceptance, banking services and artificial intelligence into one platform. Supporting UPI, UPI 123Pay and CBDC transactions, eKosha also enables merchants to access banking assistance, loan offers, government schemes, business insights and customer support through simple voice interactions in their preferred language, without requiring a smartphone app or digital literacy. Powered by ToneTag’s proprietary analog Edge AI and Small Action Language Model (SALM), the system processes many requests directly on the device instead of relying on cloud connectivity. This allows faster responses, lower energy consumption and reliable performance even in areas with poor internet access.
According to the company, eKosha transforms every merchant counter into an always-available banking touchpoint, allowing banks to interact with merchants daily, improve customer relationships and make informed lending decisions based on continuous engagement.
Speaking at the launch, ToneTag Founder and CEO Kumar Abhishek said the platform redefines the merchant counter as the centre of merchant banking by enabling natural, voice-based access to financial services in regional languages.
The company claims banks using eKosha can reduce merchant servicing costs by up to 60 per cent, double cross-selling opportunities, accelerate loan origination and lower merchant churn from 15-20 per cent to 6-9 per cent, helping improve long-term customer retention and reduce acquisition costs.
Bengaluru, July 2: As per the guidance and blessings of His Holiness Paramapoojya 1008 Sri Sri Sri Subudhendra Teertha Sripadangalavaru, the present Pontiff of the Nanjangud Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, the Moola Maha Samsthana of Jagadguru Sriman Madhwacharya, a special Thursday seva was held at the Nanjangud Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Jayanagar 5th Block, Bengaluru, on July 2.
The programme featured a special floral decoration and religious rituals, followed by a devotional cultural presentation. The Dasavani concert was presented by vocalist Smt. Bhavani M. Rao, with violin accompaniment by Sri S. Shashidhar and mridangam support by Sri Srinivas Anantharamayya.
The event witnessed the participation of devotees, who joined in the weekly Thursday prayers and devotional celebrations.
Senior Manager Sri R. K. Vadheendracharya shared details of the programme and said the weekly Thursday sevas and cultural events continue to attract devotees from across the city.
Bengaluru, June 30: Sleepyhead, the Bengaluru-based furniture and sleep solutions brand, successfully concluded its city-wide treasure hunt, drawing participation from more than 100 Bengalureans in an innovative campaign that combined digital engagement, on-ground challenges and community interaction.
The grand finale featured a series of competitive tasks designed to test participants’ teamwork, problem-solving abilities and quick decision-making. Rochelle Maria Quadros and Michelle Rose Quadros emerged as the winners, taking home a living room setup worth ₹2 lakh.
The campaign transformed Bengaluru into an interactive playground by moving beyond conventional outdoor advertising and encouraging people to actively engage with the brand through a mix of online and offline experiences.
The hunt began with a hidden clue in one of Sleepyhead’s Instagram reels, prompting participants to follow a trail of clues across multiple digital and physical touchpoints, including the brand’s retail stores. Bengaluru-based content creator Dumbo (hey.dumbo) played a key role in generating excitement through challenge-based content that resonated with young audiences.
Speaking about the initiative, Ullas Vijay, Chief Marketing Officer of the Duroflex Group, said the treasure hunt was designed to extend Sleepyhead’s “Dopamine Comfort” philosophy by creating memorable experiences that people could actively enjoy. He said Bengaluru’s vibrant and experience-driven community made it the ideal city for the campaign and expressed delight at the enthusiastic response from participants. Congratulating the winning duo, he added that the brand plans to launch more such initiatives that bring people together while strengthening customer engagement.
According to the company, the Bengaluru edition marks the beginning of a broader strategy to build deeper consumer connections through experience-led campaigns that combine entertainment, discovery and meaningful brand interaction. Founded in 2017, Sleepyhead is a Bengaluru-based direct-to-consumer lifestyle and home décor brand catering primarily to millennials and Gen Z consumers. Known for introducing the Bed-in-a-Box concept in India, the company offers a wide range of products, including mattresses, sofas, recliners, pillows and home décor. It currently operates eight company-owned retail stores across Bengaluru.
Bengaluru, June 30: Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, has become the first hospital in India to receive dual certifications from the American Heart Association (AHA) as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and a Comprehensive Chest Pain Center, reinforcing its capabilities in managing two of the country’s most critical medical emergencies.
The recognition follows an independent and rigorous assessment of the hospital’s ability to provide rapid, coordinated and evidence-based care for patients suffering from stroke and acute heart attacks—from the moment they arrive at the emergency department through diagnosis, intervention and intensive care.
The achievement comes at a time when cardiovascular diseases and stroke continue to pose a major public health challenge in India. Stroke is the country’s fourth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of disability, while cardiovascular disease accounts for nearly 36 per cent of deaths among adults aged 30 to 69 years. In Karnataka alone, an estimated five lakh people are living with the effects of stroke, placing a considerable burden on the healthcare system. Meanwhile, the Apollo Hospitals Health of the Nation 2026 report revealed that 45 per cent of symptom-free individuals who underwent coronary calcium scoring already showed signs of coronary artery calcification, underlining the silent progression of heart disease before it manifests as a medical emergency.
The AHA certifications evaluate the preparedness of an entire hospital rather than individual departments. The assessment focuses on how efficiently emergency physicians, neurologists, cardiologists, radiologists, interventional specialists, intensive care teams and nursing staff work together through standardised treatment protocols to ensure timely diagnosis and intervention when every minute can determine survival and recovery.
Speaking on the achievement, D.P. Suresh, M.D., FAHA, Incoming Chair of the American Heart Association’s International Committee, said timely diagnosis and coordinated treatment are crucial for patients experiencing stroke or acute heart attacks. He noted that the AHA certification recognises hospitals that consistently meet internationally accepted standards of emergency care and said Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, had successfully fulfilled the stringent requirements for both certifications.
Dr. A.N. Venkatesh, Senior Consultant, Head and Regional Director, Emergency Departments, Apollo Hospitals Karnataka, said treating stroke and heart attack patients demands rapid clinical decision-making, clearly defined treatment pathways and seamless collaboration among multiple specialties. He said the recognition reflects years of strengthening emergency response systems to ensure patients receive timely and appropriate care.
The Comprehensive Stroke Center certification acknowledges hospitals capable of handling complex stroke cases through advanced neuroimaging, specialised neurological expertise, emergency interventions and round-the-clock monitoring. The Comprehensive Chest Pain Center certification recognises hospitals that can quickly identify and treat acute coronary syndromes, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), where restoring blood flow without delay is essential.
Akshay Oleti, CEO, Apollo Hospitals Karnataka Region, said modern healthcare excellence depends not only on medical expertise but also on the strength of clinical systems and organisational readiness. He said benchmarking against globally recognised standards drives continuous quality improvement, enhances consistency in patient care and strengthens the hospital’s ability to respond effectively during life-threatening emergencies.
The American Heart Association’s certification programmes encourage hospitals worldwide to adopt internationally benchmarked protocols for managing stroke and cardiac emergencies by assessing emergency preparedness, multidisciplinary coordination, clinical governance and continuous quality improvement, ultimately helping improve patient outcomes when every second counts.
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ಪರಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಜಾತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿಹೆಚ್ಚು ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಮಾದಿಗೆ (ಎಡಗೈ) ಸಮುದಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸುವ ಉದ್ದೇಶದಿಂದ, ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಾಯಕರು ಹಾಗೂ ವಿಧಾನ ಪರಿಷತ್ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾದ ಡಾ. ಡಿ. ತಿಮ್ಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಮುಂಬರುವ ಸಚಿವ ಸಂಪುಟ ವಿಸ್ತರಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಪುಟ ದರ್ಜೆಯ ಸಚಿವ ಸ್ಥಾನ ನೀಡಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಎಡಗೈ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಮುಖಂಡರು ಒತ್ತಾಯಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ನಗರದ ಪ್ರೆಸ್ ಕ್ಲಬ್ ಆಫ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಪತ್ರಿಕಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಮುಖಂಡರು, ಮೈಸೂರು–ಚಾಮರಾಜನಗರ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಿಂದ ಅತ್ಯಧಿಕ ಮತಗಳ ಅಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಧಾನ ಪರಿಷತ್ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾಗಿ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾಗಿರುವ ಡಾ. ಡಿ. ತಿಮ್ಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರು ಕಳೆದ ಮೂರು ದಶಕಗಳಿಂದ ಮೈಸೂರು ವಿಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾದಿಗೆ (ಎಡಗೈ) ಸಮುದಾಯವನ್ನು ಸಂಘಟಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಪಾತ್ರವಹಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.
ಅಲ್ಲದೆ, ವಿಧಾನಸಭೆ, ಲೋಕಸಭೆ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ವಿವಿಧ ಚುನಾವಣೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿಗಳ ಗೆಲುವಿಗೆ ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಶ್ರಮಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂದು ವಿವರಿಸಿದರು. ಪರಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಜಾತಿಗಳ ಪ್ರವರ್ಗ ‘ಬಿ’ಗೆ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಹುದ್ದೆ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಎರಡು ಸಚಿವ ಸ್ಥಾನಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಅದೇ ಮಾದರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರವರ್ಗ ‘ಎ’ಗೂ ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಸ್ಥಾನ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಎರಡು ಸಚಿವ ಸ್ಥಾನಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಮಾನ ಅವಕಾಶ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು. ಜೊತೆಗೆ, ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಾಯಕರಾದ ಕೆ. ಎಚ್. ಮುನಿಯಪ್ಪ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಹುದ್ದೆ ನೀಡುವಂತೆ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಹೈಕಮಾಂಡ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ಮನವಿ ಮಾಡಿದರು.
ಮೈಸೂರು ವಿಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳೆದ 25 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಪರಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಜಾತಿ (ಎಡಗೈ) ಸಮುದಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸಚಿವ ಸ್ಥಾನ ದೊರೆತಿಲ್ಲ. ಅಲ್ಲದೆ, ಈ ವಿಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಏಳು ಪರಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಜಾತಿ ಮೀಸಲು ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳಿದ್ದರೂ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ನಾಯಕರಿಗೆ ಸಮರ್ಪಕ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಪ್ರಾತಿನಿಧ್ಯ ದೊರೆತಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಅಸಮಾಧಾನ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು. ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಮತ್ತು ಸಮುದಾಯದ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಪ್ರಾತಿನಿಧ್ಯವನ್ನು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಿ, ಡಾ. ಡಿ. ತಿಮ್ಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಸಂಪುಟ ದರ್ಜೆಯ ಸಚಿವ ಸ್ಥಾನ ನೀಡುವಂತೆ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ನಾಯಕತ್ವವನ್ನು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು.
ಪತ್ರಿಕಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಘದ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಕೆ.ಆರ್. ರಾಚಯ್ಯ, ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಎಡತೊರೆ ಎಂ. ನಿಂಗರಾಜ್, ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಎಂ. ಶಿವಮೂರ್ತಿ, ಸಂಘಟನಾ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಡಿ. ಕುಮಾರ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಹಾಯಕ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ವಿಜಯಕುಮಾರ್ ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು.
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