Author: City Today News (City today.media)

Editor | Journalist |Events Organiser/ Correspondent | Sidha & Ayurveda Consultant | Social Work | Human Right Activist and more!

ZS Bengaluru Walkathon 2023: Promoting “Health for All” withZS Associates as Title Sponsor

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

Bengaluru, December 6, 2023 – Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, a pioneer in creating education and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities, proudly announces the17th Bengaluru Walkathon, scheduled for December 9, 2023, at Kittur Rani Chennamma Stadium, Jayanagar at 9.30 am. This annual event, dedicated to promoting inclusivity, this year focuses on the theme “Health for All.”

In a significant development, ZS Associates, a global management consulting and professional services firm head quartered in Evanston, Illinois, has stepped forward as the title sponsor. Z5,with over 12,000 employees across 35 offices worldwide, specializes in consulting, software,and technology, catering to clients in healthcare, private equity, and technology

The Bengaluru Walkathon has been a highlight on the city’s calendar, drawing massive public support each year. Aligned with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the event aims to promote the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities, fostering awareness across all spheres of society.

With the theme “Health for All,” the 17th Walkathon at Samarthanam strives to be a catalyst for change, aiming to empower individuals with disabilities as agents of positive transformation. The event plays a vital role in advancing health equity, ensuring access to crucial health information and services for every disabled person. The Walkathon is a platform for mass awareness on health, focusing on good health and hygiene. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3, the event emphasizes healthy lives and well-being for all. Additionally, the Walkathon benefits marginalized communities, providing nutrition kits to government school students. Inclusivity is paramount, with participants of all ages and genders, promoting a healthier lifestyle and habits. The event also supports healthcare infrastructure by supplying medical consumables to Primary Health Centres and district hospitals, ensuring holistic healthcare for vulnerable individuals. Encouraging active community participation, the Walkathon aims to achieve the overarching goal of “HEALTH FOR ALL”

“I am eagerly anticipating this time of the year as we unveil the theme for this year’s Walkathon – ‘Health for All.’ In a time where prioritizing health is paramount, we are dedicated to fostering equal access for everyone. I extend a warm invitation to each of you tobe a part of this movement towards universal health. It’s heartening to witness thecollaboration of numerous companies in this noble cause. My heartfelt thanks to the title sponsors for their valuable contribution and unwavering support in our collective journey to champion health equity and inclusivity.” Said Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam.

Samarthanam extends heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors, including ZS Associates, Adobe, Paypal, Microsoft, Intertrust Group, Kluber Lubrication, MiQ, Tredence, Q2, GKN Aerospace, and ANZ for their support in promoting Health for All.

The Bengaluru Walkathon invites the community to participate actively and contribute to the cause. For more information and updates on the walkathon, please contact 9480809591 and 9480809589

City Today News 9341997936

Women Entrepreneurship Platform and MakeMyTrip Partner to Empower Women HomeStay Owners in India’s North-Eastern Region

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

In an initiative aimed at supporting women’s entrepreneurship and self-reliance, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) that has been incubated under Niti Aayog, in collaboration with MakeMyTrip, announces the launch of “Project Maitri”. This unique endeavour focuses on women in the north-east region of the country, by leveraging the untapped potential of homestays as a pathway to entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and independence.

Launched at the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Center, Itanagar, the event titled ‘Enabling Women-Led Development in Arunachal’ was graced by the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu, signifying the state’s commitment to gender-balanced progress.

Project Maitri is a forward-thinking initiative designed to empower and inspire homestay owners across all the north-eastern states in the country. As part of the project, selected participants will receive specialized training tailored to their unique business needs. This training will cover a wide range of skills, including hospitality, safety, digital marketing, and compliance. Additionally, the top three homestay owners will be recognized with awards, further incentivizing excellence and innovation in this sector.

Speaking about the development, Ms Anna Roy, Mission Director, WEP, said, “The project embodies a strategic approach to bolster women’s entrepreneurship, aligning with national goals of gender equality and economic development. It has the potential to deliver long-term dividends, as homestays in India can evolve into a viable and lucrative business avenue for women seeking financial independence.”

Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip said, “We believe in the transformative power of travel, and through this project, we aim to unlock this power for women homestay owners. We are proud to partner with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform in this endeavour and look forward to seeing these incredible women entrepreneurs flourish as they contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of India’s tourism industry.”

WEP, incubated in NITI Aayog, and now transitioned into a public-private partnership is a one-stop solution for information and services relevant to women entrepreneurs, offering a wide range of resources including a SmartMatch based platform for government schemes and private sector initiatives, a knowledge base, a community platform, offering resources such as mentorship and capacity building. Through its collaboration with an industry leader like MakeMyTrip, WEP is spearheading efforts to create an ecosystem conducive to women’s entrepreneurial success.

Applications for this transformative program will open on December 13, 2023, on the WEP website.

City Today News 9341997936

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting announces its 15% acquisition with a newaddition of Personal Wash Brands – Jo, Doy, and Bacter Shield

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

Bengaluru, Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, announced its 15acquisition by acquiring Jo, Doy, and Bacter Shield, brands from VVF (India) Limited. This is also thecompany’s third acquisition within the last twelve months.

The acquisition will be a strategic expansion for Wipro in the personal wash segment. Jo toilet soap isthe key brand with a significant play in North, East and West markets. Doy operates in the premium segment with differentiated positioning, and Bacter Shield has an anti-bacterial range of soap and handwash. These brands together recorded a revenue of over INR 2100 MN during FY23.

Mr. Vineet Agrawal, CEO of Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, and Managing Director, Wipro Enterprises expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, in his released statement he stated, “We are thrilled to onboard the notable personal wash brands of Jo, Doy and Bacter Shield into the Wipro family. With a diverse array of brands and Wipro’s robust distribution network, we are positioned to fortify our market presence and propel growth. These brands complement our existing portfolio and will give us a stronger foothold in the key markets.”

“We are pleased to embark on this journey with Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting. The divestment of Jo, Doy, and Bacter Shield to Wipro aligns with our focus on optimizing our portfolio and underscores our confidence in Wipro’s ability to nurture and elevate these brands. This alliance reflects our commitment to delivering value to consumers and marks a significant step in our strategic business evolution”, commented Mr. Rustom Godrej Joshi, Chairman and Managing Director, VVF (India)Limited.

Mr. Neeraj Khatri, Chief Executive, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, India, and SAARC Business,further added, “The addition of lo, Doy, and Bacter Shield to our portfolio reinforces our commitmentto enhance our offerings in the personal wash category in India and SAARC markets. The acquired brands have a strong legacy of over two decades, with Jo being recognized for its natural, fresh, and premium ingredients, Doy for its range of beauty and skincare soaps, and Bacter Shield for its focus onhygiene and protection. This move not only expands our product offerings but also strengthens our position as a leading player in the region, enabling us to better serve the evolving needs of our consumers.”

The brand Jo is currently available in five existing variants of Lime, Almond, Sandal, Rose & Neem. Doysoap is available in three variants of Aloe Natural, Hydrating Milk and Honey Glow. And Bacter Shieldis an anti-bacterial range with a soap and handwash.

City Today News 9341997936

Experts Call for Awareness as India tops Global Thalassemia Charts with Burden of Over 10,000 Annual Cases

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

BENGALURU, DECEMBER 04 – Thalassemia, a genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin, presents a significant health challenge in India. With the world’s largest population of Thalassemia Major children, ranging from 1 to 1.5 lakhs, and around 42 million carriers of the beta thalassemia trait, the country is struggling with a substantial burden of this condition. Thalassemia was included under the Person with Disability Act as it is a lifelong disease and one where constant care and monitoring are required.
As the most prevalent genetic disorders globally and in India, hemoglobinopathies, particularly Thalassemia Major, require focused attention. Thalassemia patients are mostly children who go through painful blood transfusions for several years. Continuous blood transfusions and iron chelation therapies have their challenges and risks for the patients. The implication of continuous blood transfusion and other therapies impacts the patient and their families and has a huge social and economic burden on the nation.
Guidance related to treatment, financial support, and planning are the most critical factors affecting access to transplantation in India. To combat this challenge, DKMS BMST Foundation India has come up with a Thalassemia Programme for such patients.

Dr. Sunil Bhat, Director and Clinical Lead Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation at Narayana Health Group of Hospitals, said, “In view of International Day of Persons with Disability, it’s crucial to spotlight the challenges faced by Thalassemia patients in India. India is called the Thalassemia Capital of the World, as every year, more than 10,000 children are born with this genetic disease. Addressing the Thalassemia challenge in India requires a comprehensive approach, and stem cell transplantation is a cornerstone in this endeavor. It offers a real chance at a healthier life, disrupting the course of this genetic disorder and bringing newfound hope to individuals and their families. Thalassemia is a preventable genetic disorder, and prevalence has been brought down drastically in many countries with effective prevention strategies.”

Patrick Paul, CEO of DKMS BMST Foundation India, said, “The DKMS-BMST Patient Funding Programme and the DKMS-BMST Thalassemia Programme, integral to the DKMS mission, strive to enhance accessibility to transplantation for underprivileged patients in India. Collaborating with local NGOs and transplantation clinics, the Thalassemia program organizes events facilitating free HLA typing for pediatric patients and their siblings. DKMS Germany covers the associated costs. This initiative extends support to cases without matching siblings, aiding in an unrelated donor search. Since 2018, over 14,800 Thalassemia children and family members have received free HLA typing, leading to 345 successful transplants and offering a transformative impact on their diagnostic accuracy and potential for stem cell transplantation.”

In the battle against Thalassemia, survivor Gurnaz Kaur, diagnosed in 2013, was struggling with monthly transfusions and Iron Chelations; her parents sought a lasting solution. Consulting Dr. Joseph John from CMC Ludhiana, they embraced the hope of a blood stem cell transplant. Gurnaz, part of DKMS-BMST’s Thalassemia program, found a perfect match in her elder brother. The transplant, facilitated by CMCL and DKMS-BMST, unfolded a new chapter for her. Two years post-transplant, Gurnaz Kaur now revels in a healthy life, a testament to the significant impact of the program on her well-being.

The life of Gurnaz Kaur and patients like her are true inspirations. DKMS-BMST works with 18 partners across India, like CMC Ludhiana and Narayana Health, to name a few, to continue the mission of supporting more patients under the Thalassemia program. With a vision to identify a matching donor within the family as well as support unrelated donor searches for patients who do not find a suitable match within their family.

The UN designates December 3rd as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and aims to raise awareness and understanding of various disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. Thalassemia, as a disability, can be cured with a stem cell transplant, but there is only a 1 in a million chance that someone comes up as a match for a patient, and Indian patients mainly require an Indian tissue match. Blood stem cell donation is a completely safe process, and more and more young Indians need to come forward and register as potential donors.
To register as a potential blood stem cell donor, please visit http://www.dkms-bmst.org/register

City Today News 9341997936

India will soon be completely free from left-wing extremism: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

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

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Friday, addressed the 59th Raising Day Parade of the Border Security Force in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. On this occasion, Shah made it clear that soon, India will be completely free from left-wing extremism. The entire nation is aware that left-wing extremism has been a hindrance to India’s development for decades, yet no government since independent India has provided a solution to this issue. The menace of left-wing extremism has persisted and extended its influence into various regions.

Since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant efforts have been made to address left-wing extremism. In 2019, when Amit Shah assumed the position of Union Home Minister, record achievements were made under his guidance in countering left-wing extremism. The foresight of Modi and the precise strategies of Shah have led to substantial success against left-wing extremism in 2022 and 2023. Priority has been given to the establishment of new camps for Central Armed Police Forces and the implementation of Shah’s initiatives in affected areas. The creation of 199 new camps and an increase in patrolling have resulted in a reduction of resources available to left-wing extremists.
Over the past nine years, due to the efforts of the Modi government, incidents of violence have decreased by 52%, and fatalities have decreased by 70%. Affected districts have reduced from 96 to 45, and police stations have decreased from 495 to 176. Under Shah’s adept guidance, history was made as villages surrounded by jungles became polling centers for the first time, with people actively participating in the electoral process. Record-breaking voting in challenging areas reflects Shah’s unwavering efforts to liberate regions from Naxalism and connect them to the mainstream of development.
The once Naxal stronghold of Jharkhand, with its daunting hills and dense forests, is now entirely free from Naxal influence. The hill where Naxalites used to hold Jan Adalats and issue decrees to the residents is now home to schools. With the CRPF, BSF, and ITBP ready for the final assault, today marks the last phase of the battle against left-wing extremism. In conclusion, Amit Shah’s commitment, along with the determined resolve of the Bharatiya Janata Party, proves that the day when India is entirely free from left-wing extremism is not far away.”

City Today News 9341997936