Bengaluru, January 18, 2026: Happiest Minds Technologies successfully hosted the 6th edition of the Happiest Minds Run 2026 on Sunday at St. Joseph Indian High School, opposite UB City, drawing participation from over 2,000 people across the city.
The annual run combined fitness with social responsibility, with proceeds dedicated to supporting children living with Type 1 Diabetes through Idhayangal Charitable Trust. The initiative highlighted the company’s focus on community well-being and inclusive impact through collective action.
Commenting on the event, Joseph Anantharaju, CEO & Co-Chairman of Happiest Minds, said “the run reflects the organisation’s belief that empathy-driven participation can create meaningful change while encouraging healthy lifestyles.”
Following the Bengaluru edition, the Happiest Minds Run 2026 will be held in Bhubaneshwar on February 7, Pune and Madurai on February 8, and Noida and Hyderabad on February 15, extending its message of health, inclusion, and social purpose nationwide.
The event was supported by several partner organisations.
Bengaluru: The Sri Purandara Dasa Aradhana Mahotsava was solemnly observed at the Nanjangud Sri Raghavendra Swamiji Mutt, located in Jayanagar 5th Block, Bengaluru, under the divine guidance and blessings of Parama Poojya Sri 1008 Sri Subudhendra Teertha Sripadangalavaru.
The event was organised under the leadership of Sri R.K. Vadindracharya, Senior Administrator of the Mutt. The celebrations featured soulful Haribhajana rendered by the Kengeri Chandrika Bhajana Mandali, a spiritually enriching discourse by Kadapa Vasudendra Acharya, and special religious rituals conducted as part of the festivities.
Speaking on the occasion, Priest Sri Nandakishoracharya said that the programme was held with great devotion and traditional fervour in the sacred presence of Sri Gururaya. As part of the Mahotsava, Anna Santarpane (community feast) was organised for the benefit of devotees.
The event witnessed the participation of a large number of devotees, who joined in the celebrations seeking spiritual blessings.
Zigly Brings Together Pets and Parents at Pet Fed Bengaluru with a Holistic Pet Care Experience
Bengaluru, 17 January 2026: Zigly, India’s first tech-enabled omnichannel pet care brand from Cosmo First Limited, made a strong and heartwarming presence at the 11th edition of Pet Fed Bengaluru, held at the KTPO Trade Centre, Whitefield. Over the two-day festival, Zigly presented its end-to-end ecosystem of pet care solutions — seamlessly blending veterinary care, grooming services, and a comprehensive nutrition portfolio — all under one roof.
At this year’s Pet Fed, Zigly reaffirmed its commitment to responsible and informed pet parenting. The brand created an immersive space where pet parents could explore everything from expert-led health consultations and preventive care awareness to engaging activities, grooming essentials, wellness products, and exciting new category launches. The experience encouraged meaningful interaction with pet families while highlighting the importance of seasonal care and overall pet well-being.
Sharing his thoughts on Zigly’s participation, Mr. Saurabh Jain, CEO, Zigly, in his statement he said, “After the success of last year, Pet Fed Bengaluru once again saw incredible participation from pets and their parents. Platforms like these allow us to connect closely with the Zigly community, understand emerging trends, and deliver thoughtfully curated products and services. We’re delighted to be part of India’s largest pet festival, promoting holistic wellness and making expert-led guidance easily accessible to pet parents.”
At the event, Zigly showcased its wide-ranging product portfolio across categories including Applod Treats and Wet Food, Biscuits, Fresh Food, Broths, Feeding Bowls, Leashes, Collars and Harnesses, FurPro Grooming Essentials (shampoos, conditioners, perfumes and pee pads), along with Cat Essentials such as litter and treats. A key highlight was the exclusive preview of Applod Dry Food, unveiled ahead of its official market launch. Designed specifically for Indian climatic and lifestyle conditions, this research-backed dry food has been developed in collaboration with veterinarians and pet nutrition experts. The formulation supports gut health, immunity, and coat quality, and will be available in Puppy and Adult variants across 150 gm, 2 kg, and 4 kg packs. This launch further strengthens Zigly’s vision of becoming a nutrition-first, trusted pet care brand in India.
Adding more value to the Pet Fed experience, Zigly offered free health check-ups, 25% off on vaccination packages, 20% discounts on elective surgeries, and its Prime Club membership at just ₹249. Pet parents also enjoyed free grooming services such as bath and blow-dry on shopping worth ₹999, along with a chance to win exciting prizes through a lucky draw.
Pet Fed Bengaluru turned into a vibrant celebration of the pet-loving community — bringing together pet parents, experts, and animal enthusiasts for two days of learning, fun, and connection. As the event concluded, Zigly’s expanded offerings and community-focused initiatives left a lasting impression, setting the tone for more engaging and meaningful pet care experiences in the future.
Rohini Nilekani Unveils “The Playbook of Play”, Calling on India to Reimagine Childhood
An inspiring provocation that urges society to trust children’s innate instinct to play
Bengaluru, 17 January 2026: At a vibrant and thought-provoking gathering during Makkala Habba, renowned philanthropist and children’s author Rohini Nilekani launched The Playbook of Play—a bold, first-of-its-kind concept book that challenges deeply held assumptions about early childhood. The book delivers a simple yet radical message: children don’t need to be taught how to play—they need the freedom to do it.
Conceived as part of EkStep Foundation’s Bachpan Manao initiative, the book speaks to parents, educators, policymakers and communities alike, urging them to rethink adult-led control over childhood. Bachpan Manao is a growing collective of over 100 collaborators working to ensure that every child in India, from birth to eight years, experiences a joyful, nurturing and play-rich early childhood.
The launch itself was intentionally symbolic—set amid the energy of children at play. The message was clear: play is instinctive, joyful, and central to how children understand the world—and excessive adult interference can quietly erode this natural process.
“Play is a child’s language,”Rohini Nilekani shared. “It’s how children form relationships—with people, with nature, and with possibility. When we respect this language, children flourish. Creating space for play is not a luxury; it is a shared responsibility we owe every child in this country.”
The Science Is Settled: Play Is Fundamental, Not Optional
Backed by decades of neuroscience and child development research, The Playbook of Play reinforces what children intuitively know. Free, self-directed play strengthens brain architecture, builds critical executive functions such as focus, self-regulation and problem-solving, and supports holistic growth across cognitive, physical, social and emotional domains.
Research published in the Indian Journal of Neurology echoes this, noting that learning through play offers a powerful foundation for hands-on, meaningful early learning. What may appear chaotic or unstructured to adults is, in fact, the brain actively making sense of the world—experimenting, imagining, questioning and building confidence for lifelong learning.
Revealing the book at Makkala Habba felt especially fitting. “We’re having this conversation surrounded by children who are quite literally bringing childhood to life,” said Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnerships at EkStep Foundation. “Makkala Habba is where imagination, care and intent meet real-world practice. There could be no better space to talk about the future of childhood and play.”
With The Playbook of Play, Rohini Nilekani doesn’t offer a manual—she offers a mindset shift. One that invites India to pause, step back, and trust children to do what they do best: play their way into becoming whole, curious and capable human beings.
ಭಾರತರತ್ನ ಡಾ. ಬಿ.ಆರ್. ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತಗಳೇ ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ದಿಕ್ಕು: ರಾಜಶೇಖರ್ ಡೊಡ್ಡಣ್ಣ ಮೌರ್ಯ
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು, ಪ್ರೆಸ್ ಕ್ಲಬ್: ಬ್ಲೂ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಪಾರ್ಟಿಯ ವತಿಯಿಂದ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಿದ್ದ ಪತ್ರಿಕಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಸಂಸ್ಥಾಪಕ ಹಾಗೂ ರಾಜ್ಯಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ರಾಜಶೇಖರ್ ಡೊಡ್ಡಣ್ಣ ಮೌರ್ಯ, ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಗೋಪಿನಾಥ್, ಕಲ್ಲಪ್ಪ, ಉಸ್ಮಾನ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಮೋಹನ್ ಗೌಡ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದ್ದರು.
ಪತ್ರಿಕಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿಯನ್ನು ಉದ್ದೇಶಿಸಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ರಾಜಶೇಖರ್ ಡೊಡ್ಡಣ್ಣ ಮೌರ್ಯ ಅವರು, ಬುದ್ಧ, ಬಸವ, ಜ್ಯೋತಿ ಬಾಪುಲೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಭಾರತರತ್ನ ಡಾ. ಬಿ.ಆರ್. ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಅವರ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತ ಮತ್ತು ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶನದಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ಲೂ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಪಾರ್ಟಿ ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಲಿಷ್ಠ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಾಗಿ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.
ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಮತ್ತು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಅಧೀನದಲ್ಲಿರಬೇಕು. ಈ ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಸೇವೆಗಳು ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬ ನಾಗರಿಕನಿಗೂ ಉಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಲಭ್ಯವಾಗಬೇಕು. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರಿಗೆ ಉದ್ಯೋಗದ ಹಕ್ಕು ಖಚಿತವಾಗಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಒತ್ತಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು.
ಖಾಸಗೀಕರಣದ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷದ ದೃಢ ನಿಲುವು ಇದೆ. ಶೋಷಿತ, ವಂಚಿತ ಜನಸಾಮಾನ್ಯರು ಅಧಿಕಾರ ಹಿಡಿಯಬೇಕೆಂಬುದು ನಮ್ಮ ಆಶಯ. ಪಟಬದ್ಧ ಹಿತಾಸಕ್ತಿಗಳ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೋರಾಟ ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿರಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು. ನೂರಾರು ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಶಾಲೆಗಳು ಮುಚ್ಚಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿರುವುದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಆತಂಕಕಾರಿ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ. ಈ ಅನ್ಯಾಯದ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಬ್ಲೂ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಪಾರ್ಟಿ ರಾಜ್ಯಾದ್ಯಂತ ಹೋರಾಟ ಮುಂದುವರಿಸಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ರಾಜಶೇಖರ್ ಡೊಡ್ಡಣ್ಣ ಮೌರ್ಯ ಹೇಳಿದರು.
ಮುಂಬರುವ ಗ್ರೇಟರ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಅಥಾರಿಟಿ (ಜಿಬಿಎ) ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸಲಿದ್ದು, ಸಮ ಸಮಾಜ ಹಾಗೂ ಭ್ರಷ್ಟಾಚಾರ ಮುಕ್ತ ಸಮಾಜ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣವೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಘೋಷಣಾಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯ ಮೂಲ ಗುರಿ. ಜನಸೇವೆಯ ಮನೋಭಾವ ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಅರ್ಹ ಹಾಗೂ ಉತ್ತಮ ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಪಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರ್ಪಡೆಯಾಗಲು ಅವಕಾಶವಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಅವರು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.
ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಗೋಪಿನಾಥ್ ಅವರು, ಬ್ಲೂ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಪಾರ್ಟಿ ಭಾರತರತ್ನ ಡಾ. ಬಿ.ಆರ್. ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಅವರ ಆಶಯ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂವಿಧಾನಾತ್ಮಕ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತಗಳ ಆಧಾರದಲ್ಲೇ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಮೂಲ ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸರ್ವರಿಗೂ ಸಮಪಾಲು ಹಾಗೂ ಸಮಬಾಳು ಎಂಬ ತತ್ವವನ್ನು ಜಾರಿಗೊಳಿಸುವುದೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಬದ್ಧತೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.
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