Month: October 2022

DKMS BMST Foundation India registered over 600 potential blood stem cell donors from Kochi

Posted on by City Today News (City today.media)

Blood cancer patients need matching blood stem cell donors to survive

Kochi, 31st, October 2022: DKMS BMST Foundation India, a non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders conducted a weeklong blood stem cell donor registration drive at SCMS School of Technology and Management, Sacred Heart – NSS Unit 31, SCMS School of Architecture NSS Unit SFU/MGU/ERK/2, Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship – XSEED, and St. Paul’s College- NSS Unit 38 in Kochi. Over 600 students came forward and registered as potential blood stem cell donors by giving their cheek swab samples.

Every 5 minutes, someone in India receives the shattering news that they have been diagnosed with blood cancer or blood disorders like Thalassemia or Aplastic Anemia. A stem cell transplant from an HLA-matched donor is often the only chance at survival for these patients. Most often majority of patients are unable to receive a stem cell transplant due to the unavailability of a matching blood stem cell donor. With very few individuals signing up as potential blood stem cell donors the probability of finding a matching donor gets difficult. This increases the need for more people of Indian ethnicity to register themselves and help save a life.

Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS BMST Foundation India said “Many blood cancer patients lose their lives because no matching stem cell donor is found in the registry. In India there is only 0.04 per cent of the Indian population is registered as potential blood stem cell donors. 70% of the patients don’t find a match in the family and they depend on an unrelated donor. Thus, there exists a need for a diverse stem cell donor database in the country”. 

One of the students from the drive said that “I feel so proud that I am given a chance to save someone’s life and by doing this I would like to create a positive impact on people’s lives. Also, going forward I will educate my peers and spread awareness about the importance of blood stem cell transplants. And this noble cause that gave me a platform to register as a potential lifesaver. The process was very simple wherein you just have to give your cheek swab sample and sign a consent form.”

A successful blood stem cell transplant needs a perfect HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) tissue match. There are more than 28,000 HLA characteristics (and more keep being discovered!), that exist in millions of combinations. Patients and donors of Indian origin have unique HLA characteristics that are severely under-represented in the global database, which makes the probability of finding a suitable donor even more difficult. Our objective is to find perfect stem cell donor for every person when one is needed. But to get there, we need more people to come forward to join the registry and commit to save someone’s life. We are thankful to young students who have supported us in our drive, volunteered towards betterment of the society. We organize many registration events and also have online registration to encourage healthy individuals between 18-50 age-group register as potential donors.” Says Patrick

Donor’s swab samples are analyzed for HLA (Human Leukocyte and the data is the available for global search for patients in need. Once a donor comes as a match, they are asked to donate their blood stem cells through a process similar to blood platelet donation.

In India, many blood cancer patients are children and young people whose only chance of recovery is a stem cell transplant. Registration takes only 5 minutes of your time. If you’re between 18 and 50 years and in general good health, take the first step to register as a blood stem cell donor by ordering your home swab kit at www.dkms-bmst.org/register 

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Apollo Cancer Centres launches “ArtCan” to raise awareness about Breast Cancer

Posted on by City Today News (City today.media)

For the first time in the country, artists and survivors join hands to win over cancer

Bangalore, October 31, 2022: The Apollo Cancer Centres (ACC), ranked among the world’s best cancer hospitals, launches – ArtCan, a unique initiative which uses art as a medium to spread awareness on Breast Cancer. Apollo Cancer Centres joined hands with mural artists and survivors to curate art that educates and empowers every woman about the importance of regular self-breast examination.

Through ancient Kerala Mural Arts, 8 steps of self-breast examination bring attention to the issue of breast cancer. Each frame reflects the story of a woman who discovered this condition while performing a self-breast examination, acted on time and defeated cancer. These eight steps have also been depicted in a book format called ‘Chitra Sutra’.

The Mural Arts were unveiled today at Hotel ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru. This unique initiative was inaugurated by Dr Jyotsna Srikanth, an internationally acclaimed violinist in presence of the eminent artist Saji KT, breast cancer experts, and winners.

Sharing his thoughts at the launch of ArtCan campaign, Dr Jyotsna Srikanth, an internationally acclaimed violinist, said, “It gives me great pleasure to be a part of the campaign ‘ArtCan’. Art facilitates communication between patients and healthcare personnel by bringing forth insights from the patients’ view that can be communicated to the world. I appreciate Apollo Cancer Centres’ use of art as a medium to educate and raise awareness about self-breast examination. I’m hoping that this initiative will reach women from all over the country and help them win over breast cancer.”

Mr Dinesh Madhavan, President Group Oncology & International, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, said, “In keeping with our vision of being at the forefront of cancer research, we have launched the ‘ArtCan’ breast cancer awareness campaign. It’s a popular belief that life imitates art and hence, art has the power to transcend languages and cultural barriers. Our initiative, ArtCan, will create a silent conversation and leave a deep impression on the audience. Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer globally and accounts for 25% of all cancer cases in women. So, early detection is the key to better outcomes. We believe an ancient Kerala mural art is a unique medium to create awareness about breast cancer and the importance of self-breast examination.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jayanti Thumsi, Consultant-Breast Oncology, said, “In 2022, over 20 lakh cases of breast cancer have been witnessed so far. Apollo Cancer Centres has been a leader in oncology and has treated multiple complex cancer cases. Understanding and detecting breast cancer at the right time can make a difference in saving a life. This initiative will convey our message to the women to be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer and understand the importance of early detection and breast self-examination.”

Sharing her experience as a cancer winner, Anuradha, said, “Apollo Cancer Centre has been my pillar of strength throughout my journey of winning over cancer. Breast cancer came with stigmas and loads of challenges, but the timely medical treatment and tender loving care of Apollo helped me through. As a survivor myself, in line with this initiative of ArtCan, I encourage women all around India to get regularly tested for breast cancer. The early detection not only increases the chances of survival but can be treated in the best way possible without complications.”

“It was truly fulfilling to work on this one-of-a-kind project, ArtCan. We are glad that Apollo Cancer Centres is using this powerful medium of storytelling through traditional Indian art to disseminate important medical information. Information that can save thousands of lives. At the same time, this effort is shining a spotlight on India’s proud artistic heritage and our master artists, which really aligns with our mission,” said Saji KT, Kerala mural artist.

Breast Cancer is a result of multiple factors which include environmental and lifestyle changes. In most cases, it is due to anomalies that arise out of the aging process, while in 5-10% of the cases, it is genetically inherited. Early detection is the best protection against breast cancer. Regular self-examination and mammography at regular intervals have proven to be most effective in early diagnosis and in achieving better results in treatment and cure. Apollo Hospitals has been a pioneer in introducing comprehensive screening protocols for the early detection of breast cancer.

#WinningOverCancer

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Studio Palasa’s ‘The Garden Tea Party’ – An evening of garden talk, plant styling and plant swaps

Posted on by City Today News (City today.media)

Bangalore, October 2022: Situated in the heart of Bengaluru, Studio Palasa is a popular handcrafted planter brand helmed by brother-sister duo, Prinston Pereira & Preine Pereira. Studio Palasa celebrates the siblings’ passion for nature and design. The brand which started out with an idea of using design and plants to creatively enhance spaces, has grown into a full fledged commitment of using plants and planters both indoors and outdoors to enhance the overall well being of a person or a company. Besides their remarkable planters, the team at Studio Palasa offers garden and space makeovers with a promise to make them green and serene.

On 29th October, 2022, Studio Palasa put together a one-of-a-kind plant event at their store in Koramangala, Bangalore, where the plant & decor community came together under one roof for ‘A Garden Tea Party’.

The event witnessed a host of expert panelists from the plant community creating a dialogue, giving the guests a front-row view to the evolution and future of gardening in India. During the event, founder Preine Pereira, also highlighted ways to spruce up one’s space with planters for the festive season. City’s plant aficionados also participated in the ‘Plant Swap’ activity where they got to meet, exchange ideas and connect with like minded people while exchanging plants.

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FM Nirmala Sitharaman at GITAM’s NTR Memorial Lecture

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Technology an instrument to contain human folly, temptation in governance: FM Nirmala Sitharaman at GITAM’s NTR Memorial Lecture

Good governance is about looking for instruments with which you can implement the objectives, said the FM while addressing students and guests at GITAM

The event marked the centenary celebrations of NT Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996) a public figure who stood tall in the public life of Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam, October 29, 2022: Technology has come as a very big instrument through which human folly and human temptation can be contained in governance, said Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman while delivering the NTR Memorial Lecture on ‘Empowerment – Road to Good Governance’, marking the centenary celebrations of NT Rama Rao — actor, politician and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister popularly known as NTR. The Hon’ble FM attended the event as the chief guest at the Visakhapatnam campus of GITAM (Deemed to be University). 

“A former Prime Minister lamented that if I send a rupee down to the people, only 15 paisa reach them. What Prime Minister Modi has done is, by adopting technology he has contained the leaky bucket process. There are no leaks, the beneficiary who must get that money gets it. Not 15 paisa to a rupee, but one rupee to a rupee. Technology has come as a very big Instrument through which otherwise the human folly and the human temptation is contained. The human tendency to take something out which probably does not belong rightfully to one, is there, one cannot bypass that. Today, the way we have adopted technology is ensuring that benefits reach common public, one of the goals of good governance has been achieved.

“I am not saying this is fool proof. Ingenuity will have some element in which people will know to hack even this, but now it is for sure that who should get what, is going absolutely without any kind of pilferages. Good governance is about looking for instruments with which you are able to implement the objectives,” she said.

“I pay my humble respects to a leader who’d be 100 had he lived today, and to his family. I feel touched that in a yearlong celebration, I’ve been given a small role to play. Whether it is Rama or Krishna, until modern day there is nobody else who can bring that image so perfectly than NT Rama Rao. The films had a very good blend of authentic references to the Puranas. There were no fabrications, and the acting was just incomparable,” said the Hon’ble FM while paying her respects to NTR. She added, “Today when we talk about good governance, you have so much to speak about the time when NT Rama Rao was the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.”

Hon’ble FM Nirmala Sitharaman also invoked the messaging of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’, and said there should be adequate presence of a government where required, and no more. She added that building trust in people is crucial for good governance. 

The event was presided by Daggubati Purandeswari, National General Secretary, BJP, and the daughter of NT Rama Rao. She spoke about her father NT Rama Rao and his welfare schemes. She mentioned that most of NTR’s schemes were later followed by the Central government. She added that they are planning to conduct year-long programs as part of NTR centenary celebrations. 

Speaking on the occasion, Jaya Prakash Narayana, Founder, Loksatta, said, “In the midst of an extraordinary crisis, bucking the trend, against enormous pressure from the so-called scholars, experts and intellectuals, the union government and the finance minister did a remarkable job in the fiscal management of a country of India’s complexity and magnitude. If you did not do that, and instead intimidated the countries that that went on a certain path, we simply would not have the growth dividend today. If India can genuinely contemplate a 7+ per cent growth rate for the next 20-30 years, it is because in a critical moment when you an easy path could have been taken, you gave us a chance, and at the same time, took care of the people. In governance, you must take care of the immediate (needs) but also balance it with long-term growth.”

Starting by remembering the extraordinary life of NTR, Madan M. Pillutla, Dean, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad delved into the literature on good governance. He said, “Governance means trying to make the best use of resources, and shepherd the resources in a way that you can get the best possible outcome. Ultimately whether a society chooses to provide opportunities to the poor, vulnerable, is the moral choice. It’s not an economic one. It is a moral choice.” Referring to the book ‘Why Nations Fail’ by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson; he mentions how there is a natural ceiling on growth for countries that don’t attempt to grow for all. “While I say this is a moral claim, there might even be an economic basis to why we need to be thinking about growth about all.”

Among the dignitaries present were Mathukumilli Sri Bharat, President, GITAM (Deemed to be University) and sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren of NT Rama Rao. K. Niveditha, the granddaughter of NT Rama Rao, delivered the vote of thanks. The NTR Centenary Celebrations concluded with the felicitation of three social workers.

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AIMS INSTITUTES, Bangalore celebrated its PG Graduation day on Saturday, the 29th October 2022

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AIMS INSTITUTES, Bangalore celebrated its PG Graduation day on Saturday, the 29th October 2022 on campus.

Dr. J.T.Devaraju, the  Registrar, Evaluation of Bangalore University was the Chief Guest.

The celebrations begun with the academic procession in which the dignitaries                                 Dr. J.T.Devaraju, Registrar Evaluation of Bangalore University, Dr. Kiran Reddy,   The Founder Principal & CEO of the AIMS Institute, Dr. Jayapraksah Reddy, Registrar, The Heads of all PG Programs, faculty members, meritorious students and all graduands were escorted with the accompaniment of the college band into the venue of the function. The dignitaries adorned the dais and after the customary invocation song and lighting the lamp.  Dr. Kiran Reddy, The Founder Principal & CEO of the Institute welcomed all the dignitaries, invitees, parents, faculty and graduands. Further she urged the graduating students to inculcate the core skills including value systems learnt in this Instituteboth in life and career to be successful in all ventures to be taken up in their life. She declared the graduation ceremony open and in her presidential address she congratulated the graduands to be a valuable asset of the nation by utilising their knowledge and skills pursued in this AIMS Institutes.

The Chief Guest Dr. J.T.Devaraju, Registrar Evaluation of Bangalore University   in his graduation speech highlighted that, the most advanced technology is taking place in almost all sectors including 5G, which   is going to replace existing jobs is really a great challenge to this generation. He urged yhe graduating students to be equipped with their skill and knowledge to face this change and adjust with new technology and skills. Further he requested the graduating students to remember your teachers and care your parents who dedicated and sacrificed for your future and use valuable knowledge gained from them and be ethical throughout your life.

Mr. Souvik Sadhu, Senior Design Manager, Microsoft, Alumnus of AIMS, the guest of honour addressed the gathering and shared his experiences with the graduating students to achieve success in their life. He asked to cultivate relevant skills along with core knowledge and apply them in their career.

Mr. Nikhil C. Senior manager, Lead Generation India, SAARC, Amazon, Web Services and Alumnus of AIMS was another guest of honour shared his experiences with the graduating students to become a successful in career. Further he asked that never stop to learn and use learned knowledge for betterment of your life.

Graduation Pledge for the Graduands conducted by Dr. Jayaprakash Reddy, Registrar, AIMS Institutes.

In this ceremony, 306 students from various programmes like MBA, MCA, M. Com, MSW, M. Com. MFA and PGDM participated and all meritorious students of all programmes were awarded. Dr. Karunakar Reddy, Dr. Sashi Kanth Reddy, Prof. Anitha, Dr. Jayashree Nayar, Dr. Haritha M., Prof. Lakshminarayana S. the Program Director and Program Managers, and Dr. Vijay Bhaskar, Dr. Javad, Dr. Diwakar, Dr.Chaco, Prof. Anushree, Prof. Medini, Prof. Channabasava , Dr. Shivaprasad N.S.  and other PG faculties were participated in the graduation ceremony.

Around 250 Parents were witnessed the grand ceremony and they all expressed joyful gratitude towards faculty members and the management in moulding their wards into professionals of global excellence and appreciated the support and guidance given by     Mr. Gopal Reddy, the Director AIMS and Mr. Priyanadan Reddy, COO of AIMS Institutes.

Prof. Gourav compeered the programme and Dr. Kalpana Venugopal, the Programme Director of MBA proposed vote of thanks. 

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