‘A Mother’s Support Can Save a Life’: Meghana Raj Sarja’s World Cancer Day Appeal

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Meghana Raj Sarja Urges Mothers to Back Adult Children as Blood Stem Cell Donors on World Cancer Day

Bengaluru, February 5: Marking World Cancer Day, actor Meghana Raj Sarja joined hands with DKMS Foundation India to appeal to mothers and families across the country to support adult children who wish to register as potential blood stem cell donors. The initiative seeks to address fears and misconceptions surrounding donation and strengthen India’s donor registry for patients battling blood cancer and serious blood disorders.

As part of the campaign, Meghana released an emotional Kannada video on her Instagram page, speaking directly to mothers. Acknowledging their natural instinct to protect their children, she urged families to seek accurate information and stand by informed decisions taken by those aged 18 and above who choose to register as donors.

Speaking as a mother, Meghana highlighted that for many patients with blood cancer, thalassemia or aplastic anaemia, a blood stem cell transplant is often the only life-saving treatment. Yet, finding a suitable match remains extremely rare—sometimes as low as one in a million. Addressing common concerns, she clarified that blood stem cell donation is not organ donation, is a safe and voluntary process similar to platelet donation, does not cause long-term weakness or affect fertility, and that the body naturally replenishes donated stem cells.
“I understand the fear and questions a donor’s mother may have,” Meghana said. “But when adult children take an informed step to help save a life, a mother’s support can make an enormous difference—not just to her child, but to a patient waiting for hope.”

Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman, DKMS India, said Meghana’s voice brings credibility and emotional connect to the cause. He noted that with only 0.09% of India’s eligible population registered as donors, family support—especially from mothers—can help overcome the country’s genetic bottleneck and improve patient outcomes.

Healthy Indian adults aged 18–55 can register by ordering a free home swab kit from DKMS India’s website.

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AM/NS India becomes first integrated steelmaker to secure Green Steel certification

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Bengaluru, February 5, 2026: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has emerged as the country’s first integrated steel producer to receive Green Steel certification under the Ministry of Steel’s newly notified Green Steel Taxonomy, underscoring India’s push towards low-carbon industrial growth.

Under the certification framework, AM/NS India’s hot rolled (HR) coils and sheets have been awarded a four-star rating, while its cold rolled (CR) coils and sheets have received a three-star rating. These flat steel products are extensively used in sectors such as automobiles, infrastructure, defence, construction equipment and consumer durables, and their certification enables customers to reduce Scope 3 emissions across their value chains.

The Green Steel Taxonomy evaluates steel on the basis of emissions intensity, with eligibility capped at less than 2.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne of finished steel (tCO₂e/tfs). Products meeting this benchmark are classified under a three-, four- or five-star rating system. AM/NS India’s certification followed a comprehensive audit by the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST).

Dilip Oommen, CEO of AM/NS India, said the taxonomy provides a clear roadmap for the sector’s decarbonisation. He noted that the certification reflects the company’s sustained investments in low-carbon manufacturing processes and clean energy, while reinforcing its commitment to national climate goals and global competitiveness.

AM/NS India’s comparatively lower emissions profile is driven by its production mix, with around 65% of capacity based on the direct reduced iron (DRI) route using natural gas, significantly reducing dependence on coal. Since 2015, this has resulted in a more than 35% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions intensity.

The company has also strengthened its sustainability efforts through renewable energy integration. Clean power from a 1-GW hybrid renewable project in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, began supplying its Hazira plant in Gujarat in 2025. In addition, AM/NS India is developing a 550-MW hybrid renewable project in Bhachau, Gujarat, expected to deliver annual CO₂ savings of about 0.9 million tonnes.

Following certification, AM/NS India has commenced commercial production of certified green HR and CR steel. In FY25, the company recorded emissions intensity 14% lower than the national average and has set a target to cut emissions intensity by 20% by 2030, compared with the 2021 baseline.

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Bengaluru’s green champions feted at ITC WOW awards

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ITC WOW Green Awards honour waste management champions in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, February 5, 2026 — Reinforcing its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and inclusive sustainability, ITC Limited on Wednesday organised the Samaagam – ITC WOW Green Awards at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium, Bengaluru. The annual ceremony recognised exemplary contributions by students, educational institutions, dry waste collectors, resident welfare associations (RWAs) and corporates for strengthening responsible waste management practices under the Clean India Mission.

The awards form a key milestone of ITC’s flagship Wellbeing Out of Waste (WOW) initiative, which seeks to drive large-scale behavioural change through source segregation, recycling and community participation. Winners of the Interschool Recycling Championship 2025–26 were also felicitated at the event.

Shri Karee Gowda, IAS, Chief Executive Officer of the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), graced the ceremony as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present included Shri Shaik Tajuddin, Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Karnataka; Shri Atheeq Anwar, Chief Administrative Officer, DPS Bangalore, Mysore and School of India; and Shri S.N. Umakanth, DGM, PSPD, ITC Ltd.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rajesh Ponnuru, Divisional Chief Executive, Paperboards & Specialty Papers Division, ITC Ltd., said community-led waste management was central to building a sustainable circular economy. He noted that the WOW initiative had consistently enabled multi-stakeholder collaboration, strengthened recycling value chains and supported livelihoods of waste collectors.

The 2025–26 championship witnessed participation from over one lakh students, who collectively contributed nearly 1,000 metric tonnes of dry waste for recycling. About 585 schools from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru and Malur took part, while nearly four lakh students were reached through awareness programmes.
Across six States, ITC WOW has engaged 74 lakh households and 77 lakh students, benefiting over 17,900 waste collectors and enabling recovery of about 65,000 metric tonnes of recyclable waste annually. In Bengaluru alone, the initiative now covers over 21 lakh households across 175 wards.
Aligned with ITC’s Sustainability 2.0 agenda, the programme supports the company’s goal of ensuring 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2028.

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ಕನಿಷ್ಠ ವೇತನವೇ ಇಲ್ಲದ ‘ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಕಂಬ’: ಅಂಗನವಾಡಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತೆಯರ ಹೋರಾಟ ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಮೆಟ್ಟಿಲೇರಿತು

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ಯೋಜನೆಗಳ ಭಾರ ಹೊರುವ ಕೈಗಳಿಗೆ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಯಾವಾಗ? ಅಂಗನವಾಡಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತೆಯರ ಕಾನೂನು ಹೋರಾಟ.

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು, ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 4, 2026:
ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳ ಭಾರವನ್ನು ಹೊತ್ತುಕೊಂಡಿರುವ ಅಂಗನವಾಡಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತೆಯರು ಮತ್ತು ಸಹಾಯಕಿಯರಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನೂ ಕನಿಷ್ಠ ವೇತನವೇ ಇಲ್ಲದಿರುವುದು ಯಾವ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಿ, ಅವರನ್ನು ಸಿ ಮತ್ತು ಡಿ ದರ್ಜೆಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ನೌಕರರಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಒತ್ತಾಯಿಸಿ, ಅಂಗನವಾಡಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತೆಯರು ಮತ್ತು ಸಹಾಯಕಿಯರ ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಸಂಘಟನೆಯು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಹಾಗೂ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರಗಳ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿದೆ.
ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳ ಕೀಲುಬಾಗಿಲಾಗಿರುವ ಅಂಗನವಾಡಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತೆಯರನ್ನು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ‘ಗೌರವಧನ’ದ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾತ್ರ ಶಾಶ್ವತ, ಆದರೆ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳು ತಾತ್ಕಾಲಿಕ—ಈ ವೈರುಧ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಉತ್ತರ ನೀಡುವವರು ಯಾರು ಎಂಬ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಯನ್ನು ಸಂಘಟನೆ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯದ ಮುಂದಿಟ್ಟಿದೆ.

ಈ ವೇಳೆ ಸಂಘಟನೆಯ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷೆ ಬಿ. ಪ್ರೇಮ, ರಾಜ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಉಮಾಮಣಿ ಕೆ. ಎಲ್, ಕೋಶಾಧಿಕಾರಿ ವಿಶಾಲಾಕ್ಷಿ, ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷೆ ನಿರ್ಮಲ, ಸಹಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಪ್ರೇಮಾ ಹಾಗೂ ವಕೀಲ ಗೌತಮ್ ಚಂದ್ ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು.

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The Earliest Victory Begins at Stage Zero: Apollo Cancer Centre Launches ‘Zero to Hero’ Campaign on World Cancer Day

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Bengaluru, February 4, 2026:
Marking World Cancer Day, Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC) has launched the ‘Zero to Hero’ campaign, a powerful initiative aimed at promoting cancer detection at Stage Zero and reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis for improved survival and quality of life.
Cancer incidence in India continues to rise sharply. According to data from the ICMR–National Cancer Registry Programme presented in Parliament, over 15 lakh new cancer cases were reported in 2024, with the numbers increasing annually. Alarmingly, one in nine Indians now faces a lifetime risk of developing cancer. Despite advances in medical care, nearly 70 per cent of cancers are still diagnosed at advanced stages (III or IV), when treatment becomes more complex, outcomes are poorer, and the financial burden on families escalates.

Against this backdrop, the ‘Zero to Hero’ campaign highlights the transformative impact of identifying cancer at its earliest stages. The initiative celebrates patients who sought timely screening and intervention, turning a potentially life-threatening diagnosis into a story of survival. While cancers may differ—from brain and breast to lung, liver, pancreas, and head and neck—the common thread among survivors is early detection, which significantly improves outcomes.

Dinesh Madhavan, President – Group Oncology & International, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, emphasised that early diagnosis must be viewed as a systemic priority. “Data consistently show that cancers detected early have substantially better disease-free and overall survival. At Apollo Cancer Centres, our focus extends beyond treatment to prevention and early identification. Early diagnosis strengthens cancer registries, accelerates care pathways, and enables patients to move from diagnosis to survivorship. This shift from reactive treatment to proactive cancer control can redefine oncology care in India,” he said.

Akshay Oleti, CEO – Karnataka Region, Apollo Hospitals, said the campaign reflects Apollo’s commitment to patient empowerment. “The ‘Zero to Hero’ initiative underscores the importance of awareness, screening, and prompt medical attention. By encouraging individuals to take charge of their health, we aim to transform fear into hope and diagnosis into survival,” he stated.

Clinicians at Apollo Cancer Centre, Bengaluru, noted that early detection dramatically alters the course of treatment. “When cancer is identified at Stage Zero or Stage I, therapies are often less invasive and more effective. Advances in imaging allow precise targeting of tumours, reducing the need for extensive surgery or aggressive chemotherapy and improving long-term outcomes. Patients who prioritise awareness and regular screening give themselves the strongest chance of recovery while preserving their quality of life,” doctors said.

Sharing a personal journey, a cancer survivor treated at Apollo Cancer Centre said early diagnosis made all the difference. “The word ‘cancer’ was frightening, but finding it early changed everything. My treatment was manageable, recovery was quicker, and my life never felt paused. Listening to my body and seeking care in time made me a survivor, not a statistic. Campaigns like ‘Zero to Hero’ remind people that cancer can mean hope—if you act early.”

Through the ‘Zero to Hero’ campaign, Apollo Cancer Centre reiterates a clear message: early detection saves lives, and the earliest win against cancer begins at zero.

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