Manipal Academy of Higher Education To Host The 17th All India Conference of Chinese Studies

The China Study Centre (CSC) of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is set to host the prestigious 17th All India Conference of Chinese Studies (AICCS), a flagship event of the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), from 21st to 23rd November 2024 at TMA Pai Hall, Manipal.

This year’s conference, themed “Understanding China in a Turbulent World: Geopolitical Contestation and Cooperation”, will bring together distinguished speakers, including veterans from the armed forces, international trade experts, and academics from leading universities. Over 30 students and research scholars will present insightful papers, contributing to the understanding of India-China relations and broader geopolitical dynamics.

The inaugural session on Thursday, 21st November will be addressed by the Vice Chancellor of MAHE, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd) and Chairman of the China Study Centre, Dr. Seshadri Chari, Conveners Dr. V. Anand and Dr. Amrita Jash and the Director of ICS Prof. Alka Acharya. Prof. Madhavan K. Palat will give the keynote address.

The two-and-a-half-day conference will include orientation sessions and an informative lecture by an eminent scholar, offering in-depth insights into the complex dynamics of India-China relations. The valedictory session on 23rd November will feature a special address by Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The event is expected to attract more than 150 participants, including scholars, faculty members, students, and industry professionals from various institutions across the country. A compendium featuring the conference's proceedings, including articles, papers, and speeches, will be published following the event, further contributing to academic discourse.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams; through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.

Southern states Continue To See A Rise In Pancreatic Cancer Cases; Experts Urge Public For Early Screening And Treatment

·         To address this health concern, experts at JIPMER Puducherry have innovated a new robotic-assisted surgery technique to perform pancreatic cancer surgeries more effectively

On World Pancreatic Cancer Day, health experts are sounding the alarm as pancreatic cancer cases continue to rise sharply across southern India. According to recent statistics from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the incidence of pancreatic cancer in southern states has increased by 30% over the past decade, with nearly 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually in India. This alarming trend places a significant burden on the healthcare ecosystem, highlighting the urgent need for early screening and effective treatment options.

Pancreatic cancer, known for its high mortality rate, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to subtle early symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, and unexplained weight loss. Risk factors prevalent in southern India, including high incidence of chronic pancreatitis, smoking, obesity, diabetes and a diet high in fats and carbohydrates, contribute to the increasing incidence. In response to this urgent health crisis, Dr. Kalayarasan, a leading robotic surgeon at JIPMER, has developed a ground-breaking robotic surgery technique that offers enhanced precision and reduced risk of complications for patients undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

The newly standardized robotic surgery technique utilizes advanced da Vinci robotic system, allowing surgeons to perform the complex pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with remarkable accuracy. The precise and systematic vascular control technique innovated by the leading robotic surgeon minimizes blood loss and significantly improves R0 resection rates, ensuring complete tumor removal. Dr. Kalayarasan emphasized the benefits of this technique, stating, “This approach allows us to navigate complex anatomical structures with unparalleled precision. Patients experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recoveries, making this technique a vital option for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, the precision of da Vinci technology significantly reduces the risk of complications, which is crucial for improving overall patient outcomes.”

A recent case exemplifies the life-saving potential of this new technique. A 58-year-old patient diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in the background of chronic pancreatitis underwent robotic surgery, resulting in complete tumour resection. Remarkably, the patient was able to return home within just five days with early initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy, highlighting the transformative impact of this technology.

“On this World Pancreatic Cancer Day, it is essential to raise awareness about this aggressive disease and the innovative solutions emerging to combat it. The advancements made through robotic surgery at JIPMER represent a beacon of hope for patients and their families, underscoring the importance of ongoing research, early detection, and improved treatment options,” Dr. Kalayarasan added.

JIPMER is the backbone of the government hospital ecosystem in the southern part of India, seeing a major footfall from surrounding states. Approximately 60% of patients who undergo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) procedures at JIPMER are from Tamil Nadu, while 30% come from other southern states. As a central government hospital equipped to handle critical cases, JIPMER receives numerous referrals from surrounding cities. The hospital has successfully performed over 100 surgeries for pancreatic cancer using this advanced robotic technique. This milestone reflects JIPMER’s commitment to high-quality care and positions it as a leader in innovative cancer treatment in the region.

India Leads The Way: Nearly Half Of Workers Identified As Advanced AI Users, Says Atlassian Research

* The AI Collaboration Index reveals AI is saving Indian workers on average almost two hours a day

Atlassian, a global leader in team collaboration and productivity software, has launched its latest research report, the AI Collaboration Index. The report highlights that nearly half (46%) of Indian knowledge workers are advanced users of AI, significantly outpacing their counterparts in regions such as the US (34%), Germany (32%), France (26%), and Australia (23%).

The report, commissioned by Atlassian’s Teamwork Lab, surveyed 5,000 knowledge workers across India, the US, Australia, Germany, and France. It outlines four stages of AI collaboration - from basic adoption as a simple tool (stage 1) to advanced usage as a strategic partner and decision-making advisor (stage 4).

Even at the earliest stages of AI adoption, Indian knowledge workers are experiencing significant productivity gains. In India, those using AI as a simple tool (stage 1) report saving an average of 104 minutes per day, compared to the global average of around 45 minutes. This jumps to a whopping 127 minutes per day for strategic AI collaborators (stage 4), equivalent to more than an extra workday each week.

Jamil Valliani, Head of Product (AI), Atlassian said, “To unlock the full potential of AI, it is not enough for companies to simply deploy AI tools. They also need to give their employees room to experiment. At Atlassian, we have provided AI tools and LLMs in a secure environment to enable this. Employees have been able to use these building blocks to create AI solutions tailored to their team’s needs, accelerating adoption. All that is needed is a little time and willingness to experiment. Teams should feel encouraged and empowered to integrate AI as a strategic partner in their work.”

Additional Key Findings from India:

AI Mindset: As workers progress in AI maturity, the benefits of their investment become increasingly evident. An impressive 92% of strategic AI collaborators (stages 3 and 4) report that the time they dedicate to learning and using AI has been well worth it.

Effectiveness & Work Quality: Strategic AI collaborators not only complete tasks faster but also achieve higher-quality results. According to the research, 96% of these advanced users see a marked improvement in their work quality through co-creation with AI.

Leadership’s Role: Leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering AI adoption. Indian organizations that encourage experimentation and provide a safe space for employees to explore AI without fear of failure see better outcomes. Among advanced AI users, 87% credit their leadership for creating an environment that supports innovation and experimentation with AI tools.

While most research that focuses on AI adoption, Atlassian’s AI Collaboration Index goes further, exploring how people perceive AI’s role in the workplace and its transformative impact on how we work. The report emphasizes the need for a mindset shift to unlock AI’s full potential - transitioning from seeing AI as just a tool to embracing it as a collaborative teammate, capable of driving innovation. This shift is crucial for Indian organizations to fully capitalize on AI’s opportunities.

For further details around the report, please visit the blog: https://www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/ai-collaboration-report.

About Atlassian

Atlassian unleashes the potential of every team. Our agile & DevOps, IT service management and work management software helps teams organize, discuss, and complete shared work. The majority of the Fortune 500 and over 300,000 companies of all sizes worldwide - including NASA, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Salesforce - rely on our solutions to help their teams work better together and deliver quality results on time. Learn more about our products, including Jira, Confluence and Loom at https://atlassian.com.  

Birla Opus Paints Unveils Its 4th Factory At Chamarajnagar, Karnataka

~Birla Opus Paints raises capacity to 866 MLPA, catapults to become the 2nd largest decorative paints player by installed capacity~

Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, today unveiled the fourth plant of Birla Opus Paints, a division of Grasim Industries Ltd., at Chamarajnagar, Mysore. This fully automated, integrated paint plant commenced its commercial production today which raises the company’s manufacturing capacity to 866 MLPA (Million Litres Per Annum) and catapults Birla Opus Paints to become the 2nd largest decorative paints player by installed capacity.

Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group said, “Our paints business speaks to a new India, a confident and aspirational India. Our aspirations embody this spirit of a bold, confident India. The launch of Birla Opus Paints earlier this year marked a pivotal moment in the Indian paints industry as we look to redefine the industry. The business is progressing in line with the plan with an impactful journey so far and is on track to hit the revenue target of Rs.10,000 Cr within the first 3 years of full-scale operations.” He added, “To cater specifically to the growing needs of the southern region, our fourth state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chamarajnagar supports our growth strategy. This new facility will help us provide quality products and services to customers with increased responsiveness, underscoring our unwavering commitment to becoming a leader in the decorative paint industry.”

The Chamarajnagar plant, with a capacity of 230 MLPA, will produce Water based paints, Enamel paints and Wood Finish Paints. The Water based paints will use in-house manufactured advanced Emulsions as key raw material through unique polymer synthesis process helping company offer innovative paint features like multi stain resistance, outstanding dirt resistance, crack bridge-ability and high scrub resistance leaving no furniture marks when consumer paints with Birla Opus luxury products. The Solvent based paints will use inhouse resins with exquisite designer molecules for high corrosion resistance, better durability, faster drying and superior gloss. The plant is fully sustainable with zero liquid discharge and equipped with 4th generation manufacturing technology to manage supply chain at lightning speed, with zero defects and end to end product traceability - a first of its kind feature.

Birla Opus Paints had previously outlined plans to establish six strategically located manufacturing plants with a total capacity of 1,332 MLPA, at an upfront investment of Rs.10,000 Cr. The paints business has already incurred a total capex of Rs. 8,470 Cr. (85% of the total project costs). Currently, four plants are operational, contributing 866 MLPA. Of the remaining two, the Mahad plant near Pune has entered trial production, while the Kharagpur plant near Kolkata is progressing as planned.

Mr. Himanshu Kapania, Director, Aditya Birla Group, said, "Birla Opus Paints continues to make rapid strides as part of its growth journey. With 4 out of our 6 state-of-the-art, fully automated manufacturing plants now operational across Panipat, Ludhiana, Cheyyar and Chamarajnagar, we are well-positioned to meet growing demand by having higher supply capacity. The inauguration of our fourth plant marks a key milestone, reinforcing our commitment to progress."

At the time of launch, Birla Opus Paints had committed to offer the widest product range with 145+ products and 1,200 SKUs across Water based paints, enamel paint, Wood Finishes, Waterproofing and Wallpaper. As of September 2024 end, the company has already placed 129 products out of planned 145+ products with over 900 SKUs. The launch of Chamarajnagar plant will help Birla Opus Paints expand its product portfolio with exclusive products like Indian PU Wood Finish, special factory-made shades of Enamels, besides bringing down logistics cost to serve the market better. The product quality is already receiving excellent feedback from customers and painters as business is recording robust month on month growth.

Mr. Rakshit Hargave, CEO, Birla Opus Paints, said, “Our dedication to cutting-edge R&D, ESG initiatives, and smart factory technology is delivering the best quality of decorative paints in the country with host of differentiated product features for the entire eco system. The opening of our fourth fully automated factory is a reinforcement to our commitment of building a successful paints business in India.”

Birla Opus Paints today also announced the pilot launch of its Franchisee led Painting Services - PaintCraft Partner to supplement its direct painting services.

The company’s confidence on the quality of its products is reflected in the latest advertising campaign ‘Naye Zamane Ka Naya Paint' showcasing innovative features - like no marks scuff resistant paint, excellent dirt pickup technology, high coverage, 10% free paint promotion and warranty on the entire range of products up to 16 years etc after a memorable launch campaign - ‘Duniya Ko Rang Do'.

Birla Opus Paints is now available in over 4,300+ towns pan-India covering all large and mid-size towns in every district of the country and fast spreading across small towns and rural markets.

About Grasim Industries Limited

Grasim Industries Limited, a flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, ranks amongst the top publicly listed companies in India. Incorporated in 1947, it started as a textiles manufacturer in India. Today, it has evolved into a leading diversified player with leadership presence across many sectors. It is a leading global producer of Cellulosic Fibres, Diversified Chemicals, Fashion Yarn and Fabrics producer in India. Implementing next phase of transformational growth journey, the company has entered paints business under the brand name ‘Birla Opus’. Out of the six plants to be set-up for manufacturing decorative paints across pan India locations, three plants commenced operations in Apr’24. Leveraging the Group synergies, Grasim has launched ‘Birla Pivot’, the B2B online marketplace for building materials. Through its subsidiaries, UltraTech Cement, Aditya Birla Capital and Aditya Birla Renewables, it is also India’s prominent cement producer, leading diversified financial services player and clean energy solutions player. At Grasim, there is an endeavour to create sustainable value for 45 ,000+ employees, 2,52,000+ shareholders, society, and customers. The company reported consolidated net revenue of ?1,30,978 Cr. and EBITDA of ?20,837 Cr. in FY 2024.

About Birla Opus Paints:

Birla Opus Paints, housed under Grasim Industries, Aditya Birla Group’s flagship firm, offers Decorative Painting Solutions to consumers in India. Launched in 2024, Birla Opus Paints has a complete portfolio featuring a range of superior products across categories like interiors, exteriors, waterproofing, enamel paints, wood finishes, and wallpapers. With six manufacturing plants spread across India, Birla Opus Paints is well positioned to be amongst the market leaders in the decorative paints category. The brand aims to inspire people to turn their surrounding spaces into their very own masterpiece.

The Third Edition Of Granules Green Heartfulness Run Witnesses More Than 40000 Participants To Raise A Green Cover Of 10000 Plants

The third edition of Granules Green Heartfulness Run organised by Heartfulness in association of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Fit India concluded with a huge turn-out of 4200 running at the premises with 40000 runners from around the world joining from 80 different geographical locations. The run which is aimed at raising a green cover will support Forests by Heartfulness with the proceeds from the run helping plant 10,000 saplings. The third edition of the Granules Green Kanha Run meets the target of 25000 saplings with the previous two runs planting 15000 saplings; and to promote both physical health and environmental sustainability while protecting endangered plant species. Additionally, it has objectives of community engagement, spreading Heartfulness practices, and contributing to ecological causes.

The mega run was graced by special guests Ms. Uma Chigurupati – Executive Director, Granules India Ltd; Ms. Deepthi Jeevanji – Bronze Medal in Women’s 400M T20 at Paris Paralympics 2024; Shri Nagapuri Ramesh – Dronacharya Awardee, Chief National Coach, Junior Indian Athletics; Shri Avinash Mohanty IPS, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, Telangana; Shri N Balram  IRS; Shri Manmeet Singh also known as Green Man of India in the Divine Presence of Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission.

Ms. Uma Chigurupati – Executive Director, Granules India Ltd. said, “This third edition is meeting the target of 25000 tree plantations. Plantation and fitness are very close to my heart.”

Rev. Daaji -Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “We must sensitize all generations of people around the world the practical way of saving mother earth – each one taking the onus on himself to plant trees.”

The Granules Green Heartfulness Run was held across categories of 21K, 10K, 5K and 1.5K run. 21 Km one was 18 years of age or older on the event day; the lower age limit for a 10Km run was 15 years; 8 years or older for a 5 Km run and for 2Km run minors with consent of their parents for participation. The other partners for the marathon included Sports partner Decathlon, Timing Partner - Timing Miles, Marathon Partner - The Nile Mile.; Medical partner Medicover; eblu – e-Bike partner; Hyderabad Runners – community partners; Decathalon – Gifting partner. The marathon aims to promote both physical health and environmental sustainability.

Sugar.Fit Launches ‘Live Again Series’ With Sachin Tendulkar, Bringing To You Untold Stories Of Some Unbelievable Comebacks

* Watch All Episodes – https://www.sugarfit.com/

* The ‘Live Again Series’ is now streaming on https://www.sugarfit.com/ and Sugar.fit’s YouTube Channel.

Sugar.fit, a health-tech startup dedicated to managing and reversing Type 2 Diabetes and Pre-diabetes, launched their new brand campaign, ‘Live Again Series – The Comeback Stories’ with the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Hosted by the renowned sports commentator Joy Bhattacharya, this series lets viewers go through the journey of Tendulkar’s most iconic comebacks with some untold anecdotes from Sharjah 1998, Sydney 2004, his tryst with Tennis Elbow and his journey into cricket while drawing inspiration from real stories of resilience and victory over diabetes by Sugar.fit users.

The ‘Live Again’ brand campaign underscores Sugar.fit’s mission of helping individuals regain control of their lives, celebrating resilience, transformation, and triumph. Through this initiative, Sugar.fit aspires to inspire a broader audience to take action against diabetes, a silent pandemic making India the diabetes capital of the world. 

The ‘Live Again Series’ features inspiring tales of individuals who overcame health challenges to make extraordinary comebacks. Real-life stories from Sugar.fit users who reversed Type 2 diabetes through the platform’s comprehensive program demonstrate how targeted interventions, lifestyle modifications, and resilience can rewrite the narrative of living with diabetes. 

Madan Somasundaram and Shivtosh Kumar, Co-founders of Sugar.fit say, “This series represents our core values—resilience, transformation, and empowerment. India’s battle with diabetes is reaching a tipping point, and we believe that every comeback story has the potential to inspire millions facing similar health challenges. Sachin’s journey is a powerful parallel to the stories of our users who have reversed diabetes with Sugar.fit’s comprehensive program. Partnering with him allows us to amplify this message of empowerment, as he embodies perseverance and victory over setbacks.”

Viewers can look forward to engaging episodes that explore Sachin’s untold stories, including his legendary comebacks, while diving into the experiences of Sugar.fit users who have overcome the challenges of Type 2 diabetes. Each episode offers a blend of real insights on resilience, determination and results of a strong mindset.

The ‘Live Again’ campaign signifies a broader vision for Sugar.fit to redefine diabetes management through innovative technology, continuous glucose monitoring, and personalized care. With Sachin Tendulkar as Brand Ambassador and Strategic Investor, Sugar.fit continues to establish itself as a leader in digital health solutions, empowering users to achieve sustainable health outcomes.

About Sugar.fit

Sugar.Fit is an innovative Health-tech startup that seeks to manage and reverse Type 2 diabetes through a highly consumer-centric data-driven digital health experience. Backed by Mass Mutual Ventures, Cure.Fit, Endiya Partners, Tanglin Venture Partners and B Capital, Sugar.Fit uses continuous glucose monitoring technology (CGM), which helps users see real-time impact of various food and lifestyle activities on blood sugar levels of people with diabetes to optimize metabolic health.  

Sugar.fit’s comprehensive program further combines medical experts with deep technology, including coaching, personalized analytics, and integrated devices and testing. Sugar.fit’s founding team includes Madan Somasundaram and Shivtosh Kumar and the core founding team comes with vast experience in building and scaling products at Walmart Labs, Cure.Fit, Dailyhunt, Flipkart, Myntra, Samsung etc.  

For more information on Sugar.fit, visit: https://www.sugarfit.com/

Karnataka Govt To Establish Three Dedicated Global Innovation Districts: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced that the State government would establish three dedicated global innovation districts in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi.

"These will be dedicated parks for GCCs (Global Capability Centres) to set up shop here in the state," he said after inaugurating the 27th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) here.

He noted that the State had recently launched India's first dedicated Global Capability Centres (GCC) policy, aimed at empowering and supporting these centres.

The three-day tech conclave is organised by the State government's Department of Electronics, IT and BT, with Australia being the official country-partner for the event.

The Chief Minister said the Bengaluru Global Innovation District will be part of the Knowledge, Well-being, and Innovation City (KWIN City), which will serve as a global hub for innovation and research.

"Our state is a preferred destination for GCCs, thanks to its unmatched engineering talent and the highest number of AI professionals globally. This will further be strengthened by our initiatives under 'NIPUNA Karnataka' which will be a program designed to create industry-ready workforce," he said.

Talking about the five MoUs signed at the tech summit with Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, IBM and BFSI Consortium, he said: "They are going to skill one lakh individuals in the state of Karnataka."

"Through a cluster-based approach, we are driving balanced regional growth, from Mangaluru's fintech leadership and Hubballi-Dharwad's advancements in EVs (electric vehicles) and drones - to Mysuru being a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) cluster," Siddaramaiah said.

"We are tailoring policies and infrastructure to harness regional strengths and attract investments to emerging clusters also along with our focus on Bengaluru," he said.

Stressing that the government has made significant investments in physical and digital infrastructure to bolster tech-driven sectors, the Chief Minister said, "Initiatives like the 'Namma Grama Namma Raste' program for rural connectivity and the Special Development Program are enhancing accessibility and economic opportunities across Karnataka."

"We believe in extending the benefits of growth beyond the tech sector through programs like ‘Beyond Bengaluru,’ which bring technology to rural areas, increase agricultural productivity, and improve e-education for students and positively impact delivery of all citizen services," he said.

Siddaramaiah noted that Karnataka’s startup ecosystem has seen remarkable growth, with an 18.2 per cent increase from 2022 to 2023, totaling 3,036 startups and making the state a leader with 8.7 per cent of India’s total startups.

"This success reflects our strong support and vibrant opportunities for entrepreneurs. Our collaboration with the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) has connected more than 200 startups with 100 funding firms, providing capital, mentorship, and growth opportunities," he said.

The Chief Minister also said an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) would be set up in Kochanahalli near Mysuru, which will strengthen Karnataka’s role in the global semiconductor industry, creating jobs and driving economic growth in both urban and rural regions.

According to officials, BTS 2024 is hosting delegations from over 15 countries, including the USA, Australia, the UK and France. These high-level delegations, featuring government officials, industry leaders, and innovators, will enrich the summit with diverse perspectives and collaborative opportunities, they said.

The summit features a multi-stage conference across six tracks: IT, Deep tech and Trends, Biotech and Health Tech, Startup Ecosystem, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave, and the newly introduced Electro-Semicon track, officials added.

Inputs from Agencies.