* World No-tobacco Day 2026
* Views of Dr Sachin Kumar, Director - Pulmonology & Critical Care Medicine, Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru
Recently, we treated a middle-aged man who presented with a persistent cough, weight loss, and breathlessness. He had been smoking for more than 20 years, though he smoked fewer than five cigarettes a day, and initially ignored the symptoms, assuming it was merely a “smoker’s cough.” Further evaluation later revealed advanced lung cancer along with severe COPD-related changes. What was particularly striking was that he had started smoking casually during his college days and never imagined that occasional smoking could eventually lead to irreversible lung disease.
Unfortunately, cases like these are becoming increasingly common. A few years ago, we would encounter such cases once every six months, but now we are seeing one or two cases every two to three months. Many patients continue to present at advanced stages because the early symptoms are often ignored or underestimated.
We are also witnessing the harmful effects of passive smoking on family members, particularly children and elderly individuals who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke.
People should not ignore warning signs such as a persistent cough lasting more than two to three weeks, breathlessness, wheezing, blood in sputum, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, recurrent chest infections, and reduced exercise tolerance. Early diagnosis can significantly improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.
The most effective way to prevent tobacco-related diseases is complete cessation of tobacco in all forms, including cigarettes, beedis, gutka, pan masala, vaping, and e-cigarettes. Some helpful measures include tobacco cessation counselling, nicotine replacement therapy when appropriate, behavioural therapy, strong family support, avoiding exposure to passive smoking, awareness programmes in schools and workplaces, and annual health check-ups for chronic smokers.
There is no “safe” form of tobacco. Even occasional smoking causes gradual damage to the lungs and blood vessels over time. Quitting smoking at any stage can slow lung function decline, reduce the risk of cancer, and improve overall quality of life. World No Tobacco Day is not just about awareness, it is about taking early action before irreversible damage occurs.
“Every cigarette causes measurable lung injury. The best time to quit smoking was yesterday; the next best time is today.”
Friday, May 29, 2026
Sanofi Deploys AI-Powered Pre-Diagnosis Tool To Reduce India's Rare Disease Diagnosis Challenge; Launches AccelRare®
Covering 310 rare diseases, AccelRare® brings 88% accuracy to a country where 7% Indians live with a rare disease, yet 43% HCPs have never encountered even one
In a country where a patient with a rare disease waits too long before receiving a correct diagnosis, Sanofi today announced the India launch of AccelRare®, an AI-powered digital pre-diagnosis tool designed to transform the way healthcare professionals diagnose rare diseases; and dramatically reduce the time it takes for patients to access life-changing treatment.
The launch marks a defining moment in Sanofi's ambition to become the first pharmaceutical company powered by artificial intelligence at scale, deploying AI not just in laboratories and clinical trials, but directly at the point of care, where the distance between a patient and a diagnosis can mean years of suffering.
A Crisis Hidden in plain sight
India is home to an estimated 72-96 million people living with a rare disease1, approximately 7% of the population2. Yet according to the Indian Organisation of Rare Diseases (IORD), 43% of Indian doctors have never encountered a rare disease patient3.
· The paradox is stark: rare diseases are not rare in aggregate, but their individual complexity means they are routinely missed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed. A child presenting with thrombocytopenia (a hallmark symptom of Gaucher Disease) is far more likely to be treated for dengue fever than referred to a specialist
The result: a diagnostic odyssey resulting in delays and irreversible damage
The Solution: Intelligence at the speed of care
AccelRare® changes this equation.
In just 5-10mins, a healthcare professional can enter a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and test results into the free, highly secure, anonymous, web-based platform and receive a differential diagnosis covering 310 rare diseases, with a reliability rate above 88%. The tool then provides a complete description of each suspected disease, recommends complementary diagnostic exams, and maps the patient to relevant government-recognized COEs across India for immediate referral.
Co-developed and validated by 67 rare disease experts across 13 rare disease networks, AccelRare® is built on MedVir™, which is certified as a Class I medical device in Europe. In India, AccelRare® is approved as a web-based pre-diagnostic tool for suspected rare diseases and classified as a Class A (non-sterile and non-measuring) medical device. It is available free of charge, requires no registration, is highly secure and collects no patient identification data, making it as accessible as it is powerful.
Dr. Mayur Shah
Head of Rare Diseases Business, Sanofi India
Behind the word 'rare' lies a staggering reality. An estimated 72-96 million people in India are living with a rare disease2, and by the time many receive an accurate diagnosis, irreversible damage may already have occurred. AccelRare® is our call to transform compassion into concrete action, democratizing rare disease expertise and putting the diagnostic intelligence of 50 world-class specialists into the hands of every doctor in every corner of India. Early diagnosis remains the single most important factor in improving outcomes, and when treatment begins on time, lives are transformed, because #EveryLifeIsPrecious. At Sanofi, our commitment to the rare disease community in India spans more than 25 years; and AccelRare® is our renewed commitment to going further and faster, ensuring that no patient is lost, simply because the right knowledge wasn't available at the right moment.
Dr. Milan Choksey
Medical Lead, Rare Diseases Business, Sanofi India
AccelRare® is a genuine gamechanger because it gives a general paediatrician or primary care physician a structured, evidence-based differential diagnosis covering 270 rare diseases, in under ten minutes, with an accuracy above 88%, validated by 50 rare disease experts. That is not just a digital tool; that is a second opinion from the world's best rare disease minds, available at the moment of clinical suspicion, before a child is lost to years of inconclusive testing. This matters because as a physician, I know what it means to face a child with unexplained hepatosplenomegaly or persistent thrombocytopenia – symptoms that in a busy, general paediatric practice seeing hundreds of children every week, can so easily be attributed to a common infection like dengue or a routine haematological finding. The clinical reality is that rare diseases hide in plain sight, masked by presentations that mimic everyday conditions, and AccelRare® will help nip that very problem in the bud.
AccelRare® is a direct expression of Sanofi's company-wide commitment to deploying AI responsibly across the entire value chain; from drug discovery and clinical trial design to manufacturing, supply, and now, patient diagnosis.
Sanofi in India
Present in India for nearly seven decades, Sanofi has earned the trust of customers and stakeholders for its commitment to promoting health. As Sanofi chases the miracles of science to improve people’s lives, it continues to engage across the entire health spectrum from prevention with vaccines to wellness, treatment, patient support & capacity building. Sanofi’s India Charitable Access Program (InCAP) is the country’s longest running humanitarian program providing free treatment to people afflicted with Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Sanofi conducts clinical trials in India, so that the country can have quicker access to the latest from the company’s global pipeline. Sanofi India’s world-class manufacturing site in Goa produces for people in India and 24+ other countries. Sanofi has located one of its global talent hubs in Hyderabad, India, from where wide range of services are provided globally.
Recognized by the ‘Top® Employers Institute’ – a global authority that honours excellence in people practices from 2019-2024, Sanofi’s local entities include Sanofi India Limited (SIL - listed entity), and Sanofi Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd. (SHIPL).
For more information, visit: www.sanofi.com/en/in, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Why Menstrual Hygiene Is Becoming an Essential Part Of Everyday Self-Care
In today’s evolving lifestyle landscape, conversations around personal hygiene and self-care are becoming more open, informed, and inclusive. Among these, menstrual hygiene is gaining increased attention as an important aspect of women’s overall well-being. With growing awareness around comfort, hygiene, and safe menstrual practices, more women are actively seeking products that support their everyday needs while helping them feel confident and comfortable throughout their cycle.
Modern menstrual care is no longer limited to basic functionality. Women today are looking for hygiene solutions that combine comfort, protection, breathability, and skin-friendly materials to support their active lifestyles. This shift has encouraged brands to focus on developing thoughtful feminine hygiene solutions that prioritise both personal comfort and hygiene needs.
DewGarden believes menstrual hygiene is an essential part of everyday self-care and overall wellness. Through thoughtfully designed feminine hygiene products, the brand aims to support women with solutions that focus on comfort, freshness, and confidence during every stage of their routine. This Menstrual Hygiene Day, DewGarden continues to encourage greater awareness around safe, comfortable, and hygienic menstrual care for women everywhere.
1. DewGarden Foaming Intimate Wash
DewGarden Foaming Intimate Wash is a soap-free and alcohol-free intimate hygiene solution specially formulated to maintain intimate wellness and freshness. With a pH-balanced formula (pH 3.7), it contains the goodness of Blueberry, Sea Buckthorn, and Chamomile Flower Extracts that help soothe, refresh, and provide long-lasting odour protection. Its lightweight foaming texture ensures a gentle cleansing experience suitable for everyday use.
Price - ₹260
Link to buy - Foaming Intimate Wash
Key Benefits
· Helps maintain healthy intimate pH balance
· Provides long-lasting odour protection
· Soap-free and alcohol-free formulation
· Gentle and soothing on skin
· Enriched with Blueberry, Sea Buckthorn & Chamomile extracts
· Suitable for daily intimate hygiene care
· Lightweight foaming texture for easy cleansing
How to Use
Pump an adequate amount onto your hand and apply gently to the external intimate area. Rinse thoroughly with water. Use daily for best results.
Why This product
Personal care is an essential part of overall wellness, yet often overlooked. DewGarden Foaming Intimate Wash offers a gentle, refreshing, and comfortable hygiene experience that supports confidence and freshness every day. Its soothing botanical ingredients make it a thoughtful wellness addition to any self-care routine.
2. DewGarden Fly Sanitary Napkin
Price - ₹315
Link to buy - DewGarden Fly
DewGarden Fly Sanitary Napkin is designed to provide superior comfort, hygiene, and protection throughout the menstrual cycle. Crafted with breathable, ultra-soft materials, it features an absorbent core and advanced anti-bacterial Graphene-anion Chip & FIR Technology to help reduce odour, discomfort, and irritation. The pads are lightweight, skin-friendly, and suitable for both day and night use.
Key Benefits
· Anti-bacterial protection with Graphene-anion Chip technology
· FIR Technology helps provide enhanced menstrual comfort
· Ultra-soft and breathable material for all-day freshness
· High absorbency for leak protection
· Helps reduce odour and irritation
· Lightweight and skin-friendly design
· Suitable for day and night use
How to Use
Remove the adhesive backing and place the sanitary napkin securely onto undergarments. Replace every few hours or as required to maintain hygiene and comfort.
Why This Product
Comfort and confidence during periods can make a significant difference in daily life. DewGarden Fly Sanitary Napkins combine softness, hygiene, and advanced protection technology to support a more comfortable and stress-free menstrual experience. It is a practical wellness essential designed for everyday care and confidence.
Nike’s Air Works Program Gathers Designers From Around The World To Co-Create The Future Of Air MaxCopy Link
The inaugural Air Works research, development and design program brought individual designers from Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo to Nike’s headquarters.
The first class of Air Works designers worked with Nike mentors to develop distinctive 3D-printed Air Max styles, created in partnership with Zellerfeld, that reflect their individuality and celebrate their communities from around the world.
Each Air Max expression will build on Nike’s 40-year heritage of Air innovation, ensuring the future of Nike Air will be designed by those who wear it.
Each local Air Works designer will launch a limited-run, friends and family version of their shoe to be celebrated within their community throughout the coming year, leading into Air Max Day 2027.
Upon the conclusion of the inaugural Air Works design program, Nike is announcing the launch schedule for each local designer’s limited-run, friends and family silhouette.
July: Motoi Hatsuki (Tokyo)
August: Tasnim (London)
September: Marc Su (Beijing)
October: Masyn (Los Angeles)
November: Diya Joukani (Mumbai)
December: Jose Wong (Shanghai)
January 2027: Yams (Paris)
February 2027: Omi (New York City)
Further, in the spirit of Air Works 3D-printed co-creation, Nike is announcing that the Air Max 1000 will be introduced as a Nike By You offering later this year. Keep watch for details at nike.com.
From Memories Of China To Mynt: A Legendary Chinese Affair Arrives In Whitefield
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Celebrating authentic Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine, the residency brings bold spices, balanced flavours, and refined techniques into Mynt’s contemporary setting. The ambience blends understated oriental elegance with deep reds, warm lighting, and subtle Chinese-inspired accents. Live dim sum counters add an element of theatre, while curated table styling and minimalist décor create an intimate yet vibrant atmosphere — seamlessly merging the timeless charm of Memories of China with Mynt’s modern aesthetic.
The curated buffet begins with comforting soups and progresses into flavour-forward appetisers such as Chongqing-style Spicy Chicken and crisp Vegetable Spring Rolls. A live dim sum station features handcrafted vegetarian and chicken dumplings, followed by signature mains including Kung Pao Chicken, Stir-Fried Grouper in Chilli Oyster Sauce, Braised Eggplant in Szechuan Sauce, and the classic Mapo Tofu. Complemented by Hakka Noodles and Burnt Garlic Fried Rice, the experience concludes on a sweet note with indulgent Honey Darsaan served with Vanilla Ice Cream.
A refined celebration of heritage flavours, this exclusive pop-up brings the timeless essence of Memories of China to Whitefield — offering discerning diners a rare opportunity to savour a legendary Chinese affair in a new setting.
Venue: Mynt, Vivanta Bengaluru Whitefield
Dates: 27 May – 07 June 2026
Sessions: Lunch & Dinner
Price: INR 1,999 + taxes
Hitachi Vantara Expands Outcome-Based Service-Level Agreements And Simplified Consumption Models Through Hitachi EverFlex
Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced enhanced capabilities for Hitachi EverFlex, including new service-level agreements (SLAs), along with simplified purchasing and management models that make it easier for organizations to plan, acquire, operate and scale infrastructure with greater predictability. This flexible approach supports a broader shift toward standardized, services-based data platform acquisition that enables customers to assume greater control over their infrastructure costs, gain more flexibility over how their infrastructure is managed to save staff time and resources, and improve their ability to scale up without over-provisioning.
For more information about Hitachi EverFlex and related service-level commitments, visit: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/services/infrastructure-as-a-service
As organizations expand hybrid cloud environments and data-intensive workloads for the AI age, how they acquire, deploy and manage infrastructure is becoming a central component of enterprise IT strategy. According to Gartner®, by 2029, consumption-based storage as a service (STaaS) will replace 50% of on-premises enterprise storage and data services infrastructure capital expenditure (CapEx), an increase from 15% in early 2025. This growth isn’t surprising, considering a recent survey found that infrastructure complexity is growing rapidly, with 84% of organizations across the U.S. and Canada reporting it is increasing too quickly to manage.
Hitachi EverFlex, a flexible consumption model for enterprise data infrastructure, gives customers more choice in how they buy, pay for and operate infrastructure, spanning purchase, lease, usage-based subscription and fully managed infrastructure-as-a-service models. As part of the expanded offerings, the company is introducing new CapEx options, defined service commitments and flexible payment and service options that enable customers to plan, deploy and expand their data capacity and management services when they need it, and in the form they want it – providing a repeatable and scalable operating framework. This platform-plus-services approach allows customers to align costs to usage and choose how much operational responsibility they retain or offload.
“All enterprises today are facing similar challenges: Data volumes are accelerating, cyber threats are increasing and regulatory requirements around data sovereignty and compliance are becoming stricter,” said Jeb Horton, senior vice president of global services at Hitachi Vantara. “Rather than a rip-and-replace approach, which can be time consuming and expensive, Hitachi EverFlex addresses those challenges through new SLAs and flexible acquisition models that fully leverage CapEx and OpEx budgets, help guarantee continuous availability and provide greater assurance around cost control while maintaining the performance required to support mission-critical and data-intensive workloads.”
The enhancements to Hitachi EverFlex focus on improving simplicity, accountability and operational consistency across the lifecycle:
Mission-critical guarantees with new contractual SLAs: Additional contractual SLAs provide defined outcomes across key operational areas, helping organizations run essential workloads with greater confidence and predictability. These commitments span areas such as availability, performance, optimization and recovery, including guarantees designed to support continuous data availability for critical workloads and service commitments that can be aligned to specific customer operating requirements.
Standardized consumption and expansion models: Hitachi EverFlex features extended consumption models that allow customers to pay for only the infrastructure they need, making it easier to align infrastructure investments with actual usage while improving financial predictability and optimizing procurement, including flexible CapEx and OpEx options.
Improved visibility and control across environments: A unified experience, including VSP 360, a common control plane for usage visibility and SLA monitoring for Hitachi Vantara’s Virtual Storage Platform One (VSP One) data platform, enables customers to monitor usage, track service levels and gain operational insight to support governance and decision-making.
Hitachi Vantara supports a broad range of enterprise use cases, providing a flexible acquisition model for how organizations deploy and manage infrastructure. This includes hybrid cloud modernization and data-driven AI applications, helping organizations reduce overprovisioning, improve utilization and accelerate time to value. Hitachi EverFlex is designed to support both current infrastructure needs and future growth, enabling organizations to scale resources as business demands evolve without adding operational complexity.
To learn more about Hitachi EverFlex, click here: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/services/infrastructure-as-a-service.
About Hitachi Vantara
Hitachi Vantara is transforming the way data fuels innovation. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Vantara provides the data foundation the world’s leading innovators rely on. Through data storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital expertise, the company helps customers build the foundation for sustainable business growth. To learn more, visit www.hitachivantara.com.
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi aims to be a global leader in continuously transforming social infrastructure through digital, contributing to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates worldwide across four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – as well as a Strategic SIB Business Unit focused on new growth areas. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi creates value by combining data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2025 (ended March 31, 2026) totaled 10,586.7 billion yen, with 606 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 290,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.
HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.
Coca-Cola And Google Reimagine The Coke Break With Gemini Experiences
Coca-Cola India is making every pause a lot more fun with the launch of “Coca-Cola Halftime Surprise”, a new AI-powered experience developed in collaboration with Google and built with Google Gemini. Bringing together two iconic labels, the experience unlocks three distinct AI-led journeys designed to turn everyday Coke breaks into playful moments of surprise, creativity, and self-expression.
Inspired by Coca-Cola’s global “Halftime” philosophy, consumers can scan the QR code on any special Coca-Cola pack to step into imaginative new worlds. By unlocking one of three unique labels, users enter a themed, gamified interface on Google Gemini where quick taps, swipes, and personality-led inputs turn an everyday pause into a personalized journey of self-expression.
Using Gemini’s Canvas feature, new creative experiences unfold with every interaction across cinematic comic-strip universes, imagined timelines, and music-inspired alter egos. One moment could place consumers inside dramatic visual narratives with evolving characters and aesthetics, while another could transport them across prehistoric eras with dinosaurs, medieval castles, or futuristic realities imagined through AI-powered creativity. Alongside uniquely generated creations, consumers will also get the chance to unlock rewards and win vouchers.
To step into these worlds, consumers can scan a pack and choose from three distinct adventures:
Be a Rockstar: Users tap through a nostalgic jukebox interface to turn a selfie into a personalized album cover with custom tracks, unlocking a chance to win concert tickets.
Be a Movie Star: Users swipe through a movie vending machine interface to star as the main character of a custom six-panel comic strip, unlocking a chance to win movie vouchers.
Travel Through Time: Users pilot a digital time machine to build an aesthetic, vision-board style collage around their selfie, unlocking a chance to win flight and hotel vouchers.
Greishma Singh, Vice President, Marketing, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia said, “For Gen Z consumers today, self-expression is fluid, visual, and deeply shaped by music and digital culture. With Coca-Cola Halftime Surprise, we wanted to reimagine the Coke pause as something more participative, playful, and personal to them. What makes this especially exciting is that every single interaction is unique with the help of Google Gemini. Whether you are creating your own comic strip, time-travelling to a world only AI can take you to, or designing your album cover, the experience feels entirely yours. The collaboration with Google brings together creativity and technology in a way that transforms a simple scan on a Coca-Cola pack into a moment of genuine discovery.”
Shekar Khosla, VP - Marketing at Google India, said: “Brand engagement is most memorable when it is interactive, personal, and fun. We're glad to collaborate with Coca-Cola so that Coca-Cola Halftime Surprise gives people an engaging way to play, create, and share using Google Gemini. What makes this engagement so exciting is the ability to generate truly personalized experiences. With Gemini as a creative companion, people can seamlessly think up new visual narratives and turn everyday moments into a fun showcase of self-expression.”
The launch builds on the success of Festicons, Coca-Cola’s generative AI-led activation during Diwali that enabled consumers to create personalized festive expressions at scale. With Coca-Cola Halftime Surprise, Coca-Cola India takes that spirit of creativity into an always-on experience designed to make everyday moments more expressive, interactive, and full of surprise.
About The Coca‑Cola Company
The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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