Category: Awareness

Instagram or Flexagram? Rethinking Fitness Culture in the Digital Age

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

In recent years, social media platforms have seen a surge in content dominated by hyper-curated physiques, fitness performances, and brand endorsements tied closely to the wellness and supplement industry. While physical fitness and healthy living are undoubtedly valuable, the growing prominence of such content invites a deeper examination of the values being amplified in today’s digital public spaces.

What is frequently framed as “motivation” increasingly overlaps with aggressive marketing. Sculpted bodies are often used as tools to promote protein powders, supplements, and lifestyle products, subtly reducing the idea of health to outward appearance. This narrow portrayal can fuel unhealthy comparison, anxiety, and the pursuit of unrealistic standards, particularly among impressionable audiences.

Equally troubling is what remains unseen. Rarely do these narratives address the physical strain, mental exhaustion, disordered eating patterns, over-dependence on supplements, or the long-term sustainability of extreme fitness regimes. These uncomfortable realities seldom gain visibility, as they do not align with aspirational branding or commercial interests.

The influence on young people is especially concerning. Many are drawn into a carefully curated digital culture that glamorizes results while concealing the costs behind them. Without critical awareness, such content risks shaping harmful beliefs, where self-worth becomes tied to appearance, performance, and consumption.

“True well-being goes far beyond physical aesthetics,” said Dr. Kiran Jeevan. “It encompasses mental health, emotional balance, ethical living, social responsibility, and a sense of purpose. This is not a criticism of fitness or entrepreneurship, but a call for balance, responsibility, and ethical reflection.”

Dr. Jeevan emphasized that social media should remain a space that celebrates diverse forms of strength—both visible and invisible—and encourages dignity, integrity, and holistic human development, rather than promoting a one-dimensional and commercially driven definition of health.

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OpenText Presents Bengaluru Walkathon to Champion “Health for All”

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Bengaluru, January 27, 2025:
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, in association with OpenText as the Title Sponsor, announced the 19th edition of OpenText Presents Bengaluru Walkathon at a press conference held today at the Press Club of Bengaluru. The Walkathon will take place on January 31, 2026, at Kittur Rani Chennamma Grounds, Jayanagar.

Recognised as one of Bengaluru’s most prominent inclusive public movements, the Bengaluru Walkathon aims to raise awareness and mobilise collective support for persons with disabilities and individuals from underserved communities.

Addressing the media, Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founder and Managing Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, highlighted the growing impact of the Walkathon as a platform for social inclusion and public participation. He was joined by Mr. Manoj Nagpal, Managing Director and Vice President – Professional Services, OpenText India.

A key highlight of the press conference was the unveiling of the official Walkathon T-shirt, symbolising unity, inclusion and collective commitment to the cause.

Held annually in commemoration of World Disability Day (December 3), the Bengaluru Walkathon aligns with the theme “Health for All”, advocating equitable access to healthcare, holistic wellbeing, and inclusive health practices for all sections of society.

Now in its 19th year, the Walkathon continues to champion inclusive healthcare, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen awareness around disability inclusion. By bringing together citizens, corporates, institutions and civil society, the initiative promotes equal opportunities for individuals of all abilities and reinforces the vision of a society where everyone can live with dignity and purpose.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar said, “The Bengaluru Walkathon has evolved into a collective movement reflecting our shared responsibility towards building a healthier and more inclusive society. ‘Health for All’ is not merely a theme—it is a call to action for equal access and wellbeing for every individual.”

Mr. Manoj Nagpal, Managing Director and VP – Professional Services, OpenText India, reaffirmed OpenText’s commitment to inclusion and social responsibility. Marking OpenText’s second association with the Bengaluru Walkathon, he emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in creating sustained social impact and strengthening inclusive communities.

Event Details
Date: January 31, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM onwards
Venue: Kittur Rani Chennamma Grounds, Jayanagar, Bengaluru

Samarthanam expressed its sincere gratitude to all supporting organisations, including Blue Yonder, GKN Aerospace, CSC, Nabtesco, Klüber Lubrication, Hiver, FIS, Smartstream, Voya, MiQ, Q2 and Kitec, for their continued support in advancing the mission of “Health for All.”

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Franklin Templeton India’s ‘Change the Soch’ Drive Reaches Bengaluru to Promote Mutual Fund Awareness

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Bengaluru, January 27, 2026:
Franklin Templeton India’s nationwide investor education initiative, “Change the Soch – Kanyakumari to Kashmir Drive,” reached Bengaluru as part of its landmark journey aimed at spreading financial literacy and mutual fund awareness across the country.

The first-of-its-kind campaign marks 30 years of Franklin Templeton’s presence in India. The 30-day, over 4,000-kilometre drive, which began at the southern tip of India in Kanyakumari, is covering 21 cities and towns before concluding in Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative focuses on encouraging Indians—particularly women—to move beyond traditional savings and embrace informed investing.

Led by Avinash Satwalekar, President – Franklin Templeton India, the campaign involves direct engagement with communities across urban, semi-urban and rural regions. Through interactive workshops, financial education sessions and community interactions, the drive aims to demystify mutual fund investing and empower individuals to take control of their financial futures.

A key emphasis of the initiative is women’s financial empowerment, recognising their critical role in household and national economic progress. The campaign engages women from diverse backgrounds, including farmers and fishing communities, women involved in agriculture and handloom sectors, entrepreneurs, students, educators, private and government employees, and other working professionals.

Speaking at the Bengaluru leg of the campaign, Avinash Satwalekar said financial literacy among women is fundamental to building resilient households and thriving communities.

“While urban centres have made meaningful progress, lakhs of women across India—especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions—remain underserved when it comes to access to financial knowledge and tools. Through this initiative, we aim to equip women with the confidence and understanding needed to save, invest and adopt digital financial solutions,” he said.

He added that empowering women to make informed financial decisions goes beyond education and is essential for achieving India’s long-term growth ambitions. “This is a vital step towards India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 and building a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem,” he noted.

The campaign highlights mutual funds as an effective investment avenue for achieving long-term financial goals, combating inflation, and building wealth. Mutual funds offer diversification, professional fund management, economies of scale and accessibility through low investment amounts, making them suitable for a wide range of investors.

Karnataka continues to show strong growth potential for mutual fund investments. The mutual fund industry’s assets under management (AUM) in the state stand at over ₹5.64 lakh crore, recording a growth of more than 17 percent year-on-year, with key centres including Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru and Raichur. Franklin Templeton India plans to further expand its distribution network in the state to reach more investors and deepen financial awareness.

Nationally, the Indian mutual fund industry has witnessed significant expansion over the past decade, with AUM growing from ₹12.75 lakh crore in 2015 to ₹80.23 lakh crore as of December 31, 2025, reflecting an annualised growth rate of around 20 percent.

With over 77 years of global investment expertise, Franklin Templeton manages assets worth approximately US$1.68 trillion worldwide and offers a broad range of investment solutions in India. The fund house manages average assets of over ₹1.27 lakh crore across 37 mutual fund schemes. Three of its flagship funds—Franklin India Large Cap Fund, Franklin India Mid Cap Fund and Franklin India Flexi Cap Fund—have completed more than 30 years, while 18 schemes have crossed the 20-year milestone.

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Seeing Right, Driving Safe: Vasan Eye Care Empowers App Cab Drivers

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Bengaluru, January 23, 2026 | Bommanahalli: As part of National Road Safety Month, Vasan Eye Care Hospital, Bommanahalli branch, organized a special road safety awareness programme on January 23. This initiative is being implemented simultaneously across all Vasan Eye Care Hospitals in South India, with all 18 branches in Karnataka actively participating in the campaign.

A large number of drivers associated with Ola, Uber and Rapido took part in the programme and actively engaged in the road safety awareness session. The participation reflected their commitment to adopting safe driving practices and responsible conduct on the road.

Addressing the media during the press interaction, doctors from Vasan Eye Care Hospital — Dr. Veena Prabhu, Dr. Nishanth, Dr. Varsha and Dr. Mahak — highlighted the crucial link between eye health and road safety. They emphasized the importance of regular eye check-ups for commercial vehicle drivers, noting that good vision plays a vital role in safe driving, timely decision-making and accident prevention.

Following the press conference, a free eye screening camp was organized as part of the initiative, benefiting over 75 commercial vehicle drivers. The camp was well received, with participants appreciating the hospital’s efforts to promote driver health alongside road safety awareness.

Vasan Eye Care Hospital’s initiative stands as a strong example of social responsibility, effectively spreading awareness about the importance of eye health and its direct impact on road safety.

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ಭಾರತದ ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ಸ್ ತಯಾರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರಿ ಉತ್ತೇಜನ: ಇಸಿಎಂಎಸ್ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಅಪಾರ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ – ಸೆಮಿಕಾನ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ 2025ಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊಸ ಶಕ್ತಿ

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ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ಐಇಎಸ್‌ಎ (India Electronics and Semiconductor Association) ಮತ್ತು ಸೆಮಿ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ (SEMI India) ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಅಶೋಕ್ ಚಂದಕ್ ಅವರು ಭಾರತದ ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ಸ್ ಉತ್ಪಾದನಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತಿರುವ ಪ್ರಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಶ್ಲಾಘಿಸಿ, ಉದ್ಯಮ ಮತ್ತು ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಸಮನ್ವಯದ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳನ್ನು ದೇಶದ ಜಾಗತಿಕ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಾತ್ಮಕತೆಯತ್ತ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆಯೆಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ಸ್ ಘಟಕಗಳ ತಯಾರಿಕಾ ಯೋಜನೆ (Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme – ECMS) ಕುರಿತು ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಅವರು, ಈ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಬಂದಿರುವ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ “ಅದ್ಭುತವಾದದ್ದು” ಎಂದು ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯಪಟ್ಟರು. ಸುಮಾರು ₹1.15 ಲಕ್ಷ ಕೋಟಿ ಮೌಲ್ಯದ ಹೂಡಿಕೆ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು 1.41 ಲಕ್ಷ ಉದ್ಯೋಗ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯ ಬದ್ಧತೆಗಳು ಈ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಸಾಕ್ಷಿಯಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರಗಳ ಬಲವಾದ ಬೆಂಬಲವು ಭಾರತದ ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ಸ್ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಯ ಮೇಲಿನ ಉದ್ಯಮದ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸವನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದರು.

ಐಇಎಸ್‌ಎ ಮತ್ತು ಸೆಮಿ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳು ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ಸ್ ಮತ್ತು ಮಾಹಿತಿ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನ ಸಚಿವಾಲಯ (MeitY) ಯ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳನ್ನು ಅಭಿನಂದಿಸುತ್ತಾ, ಈ ಯೋಜನೆ ದೇಶದ ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ಸ್ ತಯಾರಿಕಾ ಪರಿಸರ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯನ್ನು ಬಲಪಡಿಸುವುದರೊಂದಿಗೆ, ಸೆಮಿಕಂಡಕ್ಟರ್ ನೀತಿಯ ಚೌಕಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಪೂರಕವಾಗಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಅಶೋಕ್ ಚಂದಕ್ ಅವರು 2025ರ ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ 26ರಂದು ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಅಧಿಕೃತ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಕ್ಕೂ ಮುನ್ನವೇ, ನೀತಿ ರೂಪಿಸುವ ಹಂತದಿಂದಲೇ ಐಇಎಸ್‌ಎ ಸಕ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿತು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಯೋಜನೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭದ ವೇಳೆ, ಐಇಎಸ್‌ಎ ಐದು ಅಂಶಗಳ ಕಾರ್ಯತಂತ್ರವನ್ನು ಘೋಷಿಸಿತ್ತು — ಅಂತರರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಸಹಭಾಗಿತ್ವಗಳು, ರಾಜ್ಯಮಟ್ಟದ ಪಾಲುದಾರಿಕೆಗಳು, ವಿತರಕರ ಸಹಕಾರ, ಇಎಂಎಸ್ ಮತ್ತು ಒಇಎಂ ಕೈಗಾರಿಕೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಬೆಂಬಲ, ಜಾಗತಿಕ ನೀತಿ ಪ್ರಚಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಸೆಮಿಕಂಡಕ್ಟರ್ ಉಪಕ್ರಮಗಳ ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೇಂದ್ರೀಕರಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.

“ಈ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳು ಎಂಎಸ್‌ಎಂಇಗಳನ್ನು ಸಬಲೀಕರಣಗೊಳಿಸುವುದು, ಮೌಲ್ಯ ಸರಪಳಿಗಳನ್ನು ಬಲಪಡಿಸುವುದು, ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನ ಅಳವಡಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಉತ್ತೇಜಿಸುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ವ್ಯವಹಾರ ಮಾಡಲು ಅನುಕೂಲತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸುವ ಗುರಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿವೆ,” ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಇಸಿಎಂಎಸ್ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಬಂದಿರುವ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆಗಳು ಪ್ಯಾಸಿವ್‌ಗಳು, ಮಾಡ್ಯೂಲ್‌ಗಳು, ಪಿಸಿಬಿಗಳು, ಡಿಸ್‌ಪ್ಲೇಗಳು, ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾಗಳು, ಕವಚಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಬ್ಯಾಟರಿ ಸೆಲ್‌ಗಳು ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ಸ್ ಘಟಕಗಳ ವಿಶಾಲ ವಿಭಾಗವನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡಿವೆ.

“ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿತ ಗುರಿಗಿಂತ ದ್ವಿಗುಣ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ ಭಾರತವು ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ ಘಟಕ ತಯಾರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಜಾಗತಿಕ ಕೇಂದ್ರವಾಗುವ ಮಾರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ ದೃಢವಾಗಿ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂಬುದಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ಸಂಕೇತ,” ಎಂದು ಚಂದಕ್ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಕಳೆದ ತಿಂಗಳು ನಡೆದ ಸೆಮಿಕಾನ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ 2025 ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಿಂದ ಬಂದ ಉತ್ಸಾಹವನ್ನು ಈ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ ಮತ್ತಷ್ಟು ಬಲಪಡಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ಭಾರತವನ್ನು ಜಾಗತಿಕ ಸೆಮಿಕಂಡಕ್ಟರ್ ಮತ್ತು ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ಸ್ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕೇಂದ್ರವಾಗಿ ರೂಪಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ಐಇಎಸ್‌ಎ ಮತ್ತು ಸೆಮಿ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಹಾಗೂ ಉದ್ಯಮದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಹಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಿ, ಈ ಹೂಡಿಕೆ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆಗಳು ನೈಜ ತಯಾರಿಕಾ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ, ಸ್ಥಿರ ಉದ್ಯೋಗ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ ಮತ್ತು ಬಲಿಷ್ಠ ಪರಿಸರ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಗೆ ಮಾರ್ಪಡುವಂತೆ ದೃಢಬದ್ಧವಾಗಿವೆ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಕಟಣೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದೆ.

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