“Akshaya Tritiya” was celebrated for the welfare of the people under the leadership of Sri R. K. Vadindracharya, the senior manager of the Srimatta, with the blessings of His Holiness Sri 1008 Sri Subudhendratirtha Sripadam at Sri Raghavendra Swamygala Matha, Nanjangud, Jayanagar 5th Block.And on the occasion of the “42nd anniversary” of the Sri Matta, at 8 am, the priests Krishnacharya and Ramachandra Acharya performed abhisheka and new clothes were dedicated to Sri Raghavendra Swami’s Brindavan, especially the once-a-year celebration of the complete sandalwood decoration.
On this auspicious occasion, the program was led by the Dharmadhikari Krishnagundacharya, including Sri Raghavendra Ashtakshara Homa, Palakki Utsav, Gajavahana Utsav, Rathotsav, Kanakabhishek Mahamangalaarti and Annasantharpana, along with the devotees’ volunteers and staff.It was carried out neatly with the cooperation of the devotees. The worshippers and thousands of devotees participated in this puja and had darshan of the Brindavan of Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, who was adorned with sandalwood paste, and received the Tirtha Prasad. He received the blessings of Sri Raghavendra Swami. For the welfare of the world and on this auspicious occasion of “Akshaya Tritiya”, devotees who participated in the sandalwood application service, with the name, gotra, star, were completely offered sandalwood to Sri Guru Raya’s Brindavan for the welfare of the world. Sri Nandakisoracharya informed that the devotees who participated in this special puja service can receive sandalwood, parimala prasadam and “mantraksha” from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm on Thursday, May 1, informed Senior Manager R. K. Vadindra Acharya.
Bengaluru, April 30, 2025: Global home furnishing giant IKEA has unveiled its first-ever Plan and Order Point (PaOP) in India, right in the heart of Bengaluru’s fast-growing Whitefield area. This new format, housed within the Essensai 067 Experience Centre on Whitefield-Hoskote Road, marks a significant milestone in IKEA’s India expansion strategy, offering personalised home design and planning services to meet the evolving needs of urban households.
Spread across 740 square metres, the PaOP is designed as a customer-centric space where Bengaluru residents can access expert advice on home furnishing and interior planning. The store enables customers to plan everything from single rooms to entire homes—with the flexibility of choosing a DIY route, guided planning, or full-service design and installation.
A New Era of Personalised Home Planning
With access to IKEA’s complete product range of over 7,000 items, the PaOP allows customers to book free consultations with IKEA specialists, explore curated design solutions, and place orders directly in-store. Products ordered through the Whitefield PaOP will be fulfilled by the IKEA Nagasandra store in Bengaluru, ensuring timely delivery and service.
Customers can opt for multiple fulfillment options including home delivery, click & collect, or pick-up from local partners. The store also offers a limited selection of products for immediate purchase—ideal for those looking to refresh their spaces quickly.
A Strategic Move in a Key Market
Speaking at the launch, Susanne Pulverer, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA India, said, “Bengaluru has emerged as a strong growth market for us. The new Plan and Order Point brings IKEA closer to our customers while deepening our understanding of how people live. It’s a strategic step towards scalable, omnichannel expansion in India.”
East Bengaluru, known for its rapid residential and commercial development, is a prime location for such a concept. IKEA’s investment in this region is based on extensive research into the lifestyle and aspirations of local residents.
One-Stop Solution for Home Design Needs
Pooja Grover, Country Expansion Manager, IKEA India, highlighted the convenience the PaOP offers: “Today’s consumers seek convenience and simplicity in home planning. Our new format allows customers to create stylish, functional homes without having to juggle multiple vendors. It’s a complete solution under one roof, with quality and affordability at the core.”
The launch is part of IKEA’s broader ambition to increase accessibility and personalise the home design journey for Indian consumers. The PaOP also features digital planning tools and expert assistance, allowing customers to visualise and fine-tune their spaces before making a purchase.
Growing IKEA Footprint in India
With three large-format stores in Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, and Bengaluru, along with a city store in Mumbai’s Worli, IKEA is steadily expanding its presence across India. The launch of the Bengaluru PaOP brings the Swedish retailer one step closer to its goal of reaching millions of Indian homes through a robust omnichannel strategy.
Globally, IKEA operates 174 Plan and Order Points across markets. The new Bengaluru outlet reflects the brand’s commitment to sustainability, customer experience, and innovation in retail.
Bengaluru | April 29, 2025: Star Air, a prominent regional carrier in India, has announced a major milestone with the induction of its 10th aircraft—an Embraer E175 jet—into its fleet. As part of its aggressive expansion strategy, the airline will launch 15 new sectors starting May 15, increasing its daily services to over 50 flights and expanding operations across 24 destinations.
With plans to add four more E175 aircraft by March 2026 and grow its fleet to 25 aircraft by March 2027, Star Air aims to connect more than 50 destinations nationwide. The airline is backed by the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, offering strong financial stability to support its long-term growth.
Speaking about the development, Captain Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO of Star Air, said, “While the aviation sector is facing global supply chain disruptions and expansion challenges, Star Air’s steady and strategic growth positions us uniquely for long-term success.”
He added that the expansion reflects the airline’s continued focus on connecting underserved regions, “Our growth aligns with our core mission—connecting Real India. We aim to empower Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities by improving regional connectivity and making air travel accessible to the next billion travellers.”
UDAN Leader with Strong Track Record
Star Air is a key player in the Government of India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, designed to boost regional air connectivity. It remains the only regional airline to have completed six years of uninterrupted service under the program. To date, it has carried nearly 1.5 million passengers, operating over 300 weekly flights—a figure expected to rise to 350 during the summer season.
The airline has successfully operated every single route awarded under the UDAN initiative, and is now expanding into more commercial city-pair routes while staying true to its regional connectivity mission.
Star Air offers a distinctive onboard experience featuring hot meals, beverages, and a 2×2 seating layout in its Embraer E145 and E175 aircraft. With both business and economy class cabins, the airline is setting new standards in comfort and service in India’s regional aviation space.
Tumkur, Karnataka, April 29, 2025 — In a major push for sustainable rural healthcare, Signify, the global leader in lighting, in collaboration with SELCO Foundation, has successfully solarized 10 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Karnataka under its flagship CSR initiative, Swasthya Kiran. The move aims to ensure uninterrupted power supply for lighting and critical medical equipment in remote healthcare facilities.
Each PHC has been equipped with a 5 kWp solar panel system, a 19.2 kWh battery, and a 6 kVA solar power conditioning unit, ensuring round-the-clock electricity. The project is expected to save around 7,000 electricity units per PHC annually—amounting to a total of nearly 70,000 units across all 10 centers. This is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 50 metric tons and generate financial savings of ₹4.5 lakh per year.
The solarized PHCs are spread across four districts: Tumkur (4), Bangalore Urban (3), Mysore (2), and Kolar (1). Selection was based on healthcare demand and footfall to maximize community impact.
The initiative was inaugurated in Tumkur in the presence of Dr. Mohandas, T.B. Officer at the District Health Office, Tumkur, and Dr. Sidheshwara, Taluk Health Officer, Sira Block, along with local Gram Panchayat members. Officials lauded the initiative for enhancing healthcare services in rural areas.
Nikhil Gupta, Head of Marketing, Strategy, Government Affairs & CSR at Signify Greater India, said the project reflects the company’s commitment to using its expertise to create a positive community impact. “Our Swasthya Kiran initiative aims to provide reliable and sustainable energy to support essential healthcare services in rural Karnataka,” he said.
Representatives from SELCO Foundation highlighted that the project aligns with their mission to deliver sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities. “Reliable energy access is critical to effective healthcare delivery, and this initiative ensures that rural facilities are equipped to meet those demands,” a spokesperson said.
By reducing dependence on diesel generators and providing consistent power, the initiative is expected to benefit over 500,000 people across Karnataka. It sets a new benchmark for sustainable and inclusive healthcare infrastructure in India.
Bengaluru, April 29, 2025 — Apollo Cancer Centres has unveiled ColFit, a comprehensive colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program aimed at tackling the alarming rise of CRC cases in India, especially among younger populations. The initiative, launched at Apollo Cancer Centre, Bengaluru, focuses on early detection, preventive care, and accessible screening methods to improve survival outcomes and reduce treatment costs.
Why ColFit? The Need for Early Detection in India
Colorectal cancer is among the most preventable and treatable cancers—when caught early. However, in India, most CRC cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, contributing to a five-year survival rate below 40%, among the lowest globally.
ColFit aims to address this crisis by integrating the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)—a non-invasive, accurate screening tool capable of detecting hidden blood in stool, an early sign of CRC. FIT offers high sensitivity, requires only one sample, and does not involve any dietary restrictions.
How ColFit Works: A 3-Step Screening Process
1. Registration and Risk Stratification
Average-risk individuals (45+ with no family history): Recommended for FIT screening.
High-risk individuals (with family history, IBD, or genetic syndromes): Advised to undergo FIT plus colonoscopy.
2. Analysis and Diagnosis
Abnormal FIT results lead to further analysis, including DNA mutation tests and colonoscopies to detect polyps or tumors.
3. Follow-Up and Lifestyle Counselling
Negative results prompt routine follow-ups every 1–10 years.
Positive cases receive further evaluation, biopsies if needed, and personalized lifestyle and screening plans, including genetic counselling.
Expert Insights: Prevention Through Proactivity
“We must shift from reactive care to proactive screening. Lifestyle factors like poor diet, inactivity, and obesity are fueling CRC cases,” said Dr. Yeshwanth I., Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre.
He emphasized that early detection could help patients avoid chemotherapy and radiation altogether, particularly in stage 1 or 2 cancers, which can often be treated with surgery alone.
Apollo’s use of Da Vinci robotic systems allows for minimally invasive surgeries, ensuring faster recovery and shorter hospital stays.
“Colorectal cancer is now affecting both young and elderly Indians. Around 60% of cases are caught late, and 20% already have metastases at diagnosis,” added Dr. Sachin S. Shetty, Senior Consultant – Gastroenterology, Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road.
ColFit: A Community-Centric Approach to Cancer Care
“ColFit represents Apollo’s commitment to transforming cancer care through innovation and accessibility,” said Mr. Dinesh Madhavan, President – Group Oncology & International, Apollo Hospitals.
The program is designed not just as a diagnostic tool, but as a public health intervention—empowering individuals to take control of their health through simple, regular screening.
Know the Symptoms and Act Early
Common early symptoms of CRC include:
Persistent changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea)
Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
Unexplained weight loss
Abdominal pain or cramps
Key risk factors: Low-fiber diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, family history, and genetic predisposition.
Take Action Today
Apollo Cancer Centres encourages everyone—especially those with symptoms or family history—to:
Get routine FIT screenings
Consider a colonoscopy if high-risk
Adopt a healthier lifestyle with a high-fiber diet and regular exercise
ColFit is now available at Apollo Cancer Centres across India. Early detection can save lives.
For more information or to book a screening, visit Apollo Cancer Centres Website
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